At Fert Finda we are big fans of biostimulants, especially fish hydrolysates. These are gaining popularity in agriculture and horticulture due to their effectiveness in providing essential nutrients and enhancing soil health. But what exactly is fish hydrolysate, and why is it considered a powerhouse biostimulant?
Fish hydrolysate and feeding the soil?
Fish hydrolysate is a liquid biostimulant made from fish byproducts such as mortality whole fish (salmon), heads, tails, and guts. These byproducts are broken down through a hydrolysis process, which uses enzymes and acids to break proteins into smaller, more accessible to the microbes in the soil, and plant-available components. The result is a nutrient-rich liquid containing essential micronutrients along with amino acids, peptides, and beneficial fatty acids.
Unlike fish emulsions, which are often heat-processed and filtered, fish hydrolysates retain more of the natural compounds found in fish due to their gentle processing methods. This means that fish hydrolysates maintain a higher level of bioactive compounds, making them a superior choice for soil health and plant nutrition.
A long history of fish as a fertiliser.
Using fish as a fertilizer is an ancient practice that spans multiple cultures and centuries. Indigenous farming practices in North America included burying fish with seeds to boost crop yields, while Asian farmers have long used fish products to enhance rice paddies. In medieval Europe, fish was commonly used in coastal agriculture to enrich poor soils. These time-tested practices underscore the value of fish as a potent natural biostimulant.
Fish Hydrolysates have made the nutrients available in fish easier for farmers and growers to handle, as a liquid spray, and for the soil biology to utilise to make the nutrients in the soil available for the plant. Essentially this means that the soil biology can use the hydrolysate quicker and easier than it would if it had to decompose the entire fish.
As a biostimulant, there is no better option.
In another article we talk about the growing importance of Biostimulants in the production of our food. Fish Hydrolysate is one of those and it is one of the most effective and important biostimulants available for the following reasons:
1. Rich Nutrient Content: Fish hydrolysate contains a comprehensive range of macronutrients and micronutrients essential for plant growth. The enzymatic breakdown of fish proteins produces amino acids and peptides that are readily absorbed by plants, promoting rapid and healthy growth.
2. Enhancing Soil Microbiology: Fish hydrolysate is a valuable source of organic matter (Carbon), which feeds soil microorganisms and boosts microbial activity. This microbial boost helps decompose organic matter, improves nutrient cycling, and fosters a healthy soil ecosystem that supports strong root development. Research has shown that fish hydrolysates can enhance populations of beneficial microbes, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, which are crucial for nutrient uptake.
3. Natural Pest Repellent: The natural oils and compounds in fish hydrolysate, including chitin and omega fatty acids, can act as a mild pest deterrent. Chitin, a component found in fish exoskeletons, promotes the growth of chitin-degrading microorganisms that can suppress soil pathogens and improve plant disease resistance. These oils also form a thin layer on plant leaves when applied as a foliar spray, creating an environment less favorable to pests.
4. Improved Plant Resilience and Stress Tolerance: Fish hydrolysate contains bioactive compounds such as peptides and amino acids that support plant metabolism and stress resilience. These compounds can enhance photosynthesis, improve root growth, and help plants cope with environmental stresses such as drought, heat, and salinity. In addition, healthier plants are more pest resistant as outlined above in number 3 meaning greater crop production, healthier pasture is grown, and as a result, healthier animals.
5. Animals love the taste of pasture after Fish is applied: if you are a farmer of animals then one thing you will notice is that the animals love the taste of pasture after Fish Hydrolysate is applied. With greater nutrients in the plant and a more dense pasture sward, animals become more content, clear up a paddock better, and enjoy the taste of the pasture they are grazing.
For better environmental outcomes and production.
With increased focus on the environmental implications of putting on more fertiliser, NPKS, and the need for increased efficiency in the use of these types of fertilisers, Fish Hydrolysate has a massive role to play in helping farmers make use of what is already in their soil, locked up and unavailable to the plant. For that reason, Fish Hydrolysates are the perfect addition where efficiency and environmental outcomes are important.
1. Sustainable Farming Practices: As a byproduct of the fishing industry, it is an eco-friendly choice that utilises waste materials and contributes to circular economy practices. By recycling fish byproducts into a biostimulant, fish hydrolysate helps to reduce the need for high-analysis synthetic inputs, saving money, and minimizes the environmental impact of farming.
2. Enhanced Carbon Sequestration: The application of organic fertilisers like fish hydrolysate contributes to soil carbon sequestration by promoting root growth and increasing soil organic matter. Healthier soils with high organic content are better able to store carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping mitigate climate change.
3. Supports farmers and growers in improving farm and orchard efficiency: Fish hydrolysate aligns with forward looking agriculture principles by enhancing soil health, improving biodiversity, and reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Its ability to rebuild and enrich soil microbiomes makes it an ideal choice for farmers and growers committed to healthy farming methods.
4) Improved Profitability: The use of Fish Hydrolysates as a biostimulant can help farmers and growers significantly reduce their synthetic inputs. By stimulating and activating the soil biology, nutrients in the soil are more easily transported and made available to the plant, allowing less NPKS fertiliser to be used. This saves money and improves a business’s bottom line.
Why Fish? There is nothing to lose.
Fish hydrolysate is more than just a biostimulant; it’s a soil and plant health solution that supports sustainable agriculture. Its rich nutrient content, ability to enhance soil microbial life, and role in natural pest management make it a valuable tool for farmers and growers.
As part of a farm or orchard’s ongoing nutrient input plan, a biostimulant like Fish Hydrolysate can play a critical role in improving business outcomes, yield outcomes, animal and plant health, as well as saving business money and drastically improving environmental impacts of growing the food we enjoy.
Whether you’re looking to reduce chemical inputs, improve soil health, or boost plant resilience or animal health, fish hydrolysate offers a proven, eco-friendly alternative that taps into the wisdom of centuries-old agricultural practices.
