“Expedientes Nº08/25/BU/0017 y Nº08/25/BU/0055
Expansión internacional y consolidación de mercados para Ficosterra
Proyecto de subvención destinadas a financiar proyectos de expansión internacional de las PYMES de Castilla y León (2025), con el objetivo de impulsar su presencia en nuevos mercados exteriores y fortalecer su competitividad a nivel global”
Benefits of the Bio-stimulant ficosturf® on Golf Courses
March 18, 2018Ficosterra: recognized as one of the top 10 startups in Castilla y León (Spain)
July 17, 2018In September 2017, Ficosterra launched a trial on early strawberry cultivation to evaluate the impact of the microbial bio-stimulant Ficosagro®. The study aimed to analyze three key parameters:

Influence on vegetative development

Production
levels

Overall crop
profitability

Trial characteristics
The trial, initiated on September 22, 2017, was conducted in Moguer (Huelva) with the San Andreas strawberry variety. Three plots were compared: one 1.3-hectare plot treated with Ficosagro® bio-stimulant, versus two control plots that received conventional fertilization.
All subplots had identical surface areas, consisting of 30 tunnels with six ridges per tunnel. The study focused on measuring four main aspects:
The study focused on measuring four main aspects:
01
Vegetative development of the crop
02
Advancement of the harvest
03
Production levels
04
Overall economic profitability
Throughout the trial, eight applications of Ficosagro® were administered via fertigation: Six doses throughout the cycle, at 10 liters each (the last application was made on January 26, 2018) Two initial doses of 20 liters each
Results and remarks
1. Vegetative and productive development
From the early weeks, the plot treated with Ficosagro® biofertilizer exhibited superior vegetative and productive development compared to the control plot. This growth was especially evident during the initial months of the trial when the economic value of production is traditionally much higher.


2. Stabilization phase
Starting in December, the growth of the treated plot began to stabilize and align with that of the control plot. This stabilization coincided with the onset of lower temperatures, which tend to reduce the efficiency of the microorganisms in the biofertilizer.
3. Economic profitability
The cost-to-yield ratio exceeded 10%, demonstrating the high profitability of applying Ficosagro® in strawberry cultivation.
| Plot Treated with Ficosagro® | Control Plots | |
| Total Treatment Cost (€) | 1500 | 0 |
| Total Production (Kg) | 1950 | 1800 |
| Profitability (%) | 10 | 0 |

Next steps
One of the challenges identified in the study is to evaluate the crop’s behavior when higher doses of Ficosagro® are applied starting from the second month of treatment. This approach could further maximize the observed benefits.
