Biofertilizers
Sources: Manual de producción de insumos orgánicos by MAOES (2022)
Biofertilizers are liquid super-fertilizers with balanced energy and mineral harmony, prepared from fresh cow manure dissolved in water and enriched with milk, molasses, and ash, fermented anaerobically. They nourish, recover, and reactivate soil life; strengthen plant fertility and animal health; and stimulate plant protection against insects and diseases. (source: MAOES ∙ Manual de producción de insumos orgánicos.pdf)
They work primarily inside plants, activating nutritional balance as a defence mechanism through organic acids, growth hormones, antibiotics, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, carbohydrates, amino acids, and complex sugars.
5.3.1 Basic Biofertilizer
For a 50-gallon barrel (approx. 200 litres):
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | 150 litres |
| Fresh cow manure or fermented grass | 25 lbs |
| Molasses | 4 litres |
| Whey (suero de leche) | 4 litres |
| Ash (ceniza) | 5 lbs |
| Rock flour | 10 lbs |
| Solid microorganisms | 4 lbs |
Process: Mix cow manure + ash in 100L water; separately dissolve molasses + whey + rock flour in 5L water; combine both in 200L container; top up to 180L with clean water; seal hermetically with water-lock gas outlet; ferment anaerobically 20–30 days (up to 60–90 days in cold climates). Ready when smell is fermentation (not putrefaction) and colour is not blue-violet.
5.3.2 Super Magro (Mineral-Enriched Biofertilizer)
A base organic preparation enriched with sequential mineral salt additions over 22 days. Starting from day 4, one mineral salt is added every 3 days:
| Day | Mineral Salt | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Zinc sulfate | 2 kg |
| 7 | Calcium chloride | 2 kg |
| 10 | Magnesium sulfate | 2 kg |
| 13 | Manganese sulfate | 0.5 kg |
| 16 | Sodium molybdate | 100 g |
| 19 | Iron sulfate | 0.5 kg |
| 22 | Borax | 1.5 kg |
Rest 15 more days after last addition before use.
5.3.3 Battery of Bioles (Mineral-Specific Biofertilizers)
Individual mineral-enriched barrels for targeted nutritional correction based on soil or foliar analysis:
| Biole | Mineral Salt | Quantity per 200L base |
|---|---|---|
| Bio-Calcio | Calcium chloride | 8 kg |
| Bio-Fósforo | Phosphoric rock or phosphites | 12 kg |
| Bio-Magnesio | Magnesium sulfate | 25 kg |
| Bio-Zinc | Zinc sulfate | 8 kg |
| Bio-Potasio | Potassium sulfate | 10 kg |
| Bio-Manganeso | Manganese sulfate | 6 kg |
| Bio-Boro | Borax | 12 kg |
Standard formulations (blends of individual bioles):
- Multimineral: for general crop nutrition
- Engruese: for fruit bulking stage
- Tropical: for tropical crop conditions
Custom formulations: blend bioles based on soil or foliar analysis results. Example: soil analysis showing boron and zinc deficiency → 10L Bio-Zinc + 10L Bio-Boro.
5.3.4 Phototrophic Microorganism Biofertilizer (MF)
For 1,000 litres: 200kg ripe squash (or papaya/carrot) + 3kg calf’s first manure + 50L molasses + 6kg red volcanic rock + 750L whey. Chop, mix, ferment 1 month in sunlight. Dosage: 1 gallon MF per 200L barrel + 1 gallon molasses.
Fermented Grass (Pasto Fermentado)
A substitute for fresh cow manure when unavailable: 80kg rice bran + 20kg fresh chopped grass + 1 gallon molasses + 1 gallon liquid MM + 3kg solid MM → compact in sealed barrel, ready in 1 month, lasts 2–3 years.