Healthy soils are living, dynamic, and harbor billions of microorganisms that support the functioning of the soil ecosystem (USDA-NRCS, 2025). Therefore, they must contain carbon-rich organic compounds capable of supporting these microorganisms, which promote the mineralization of organic matter (SOM), increase nutrient availability, and favor plant growth (Pettit, 2004).
The loss of soil organic matter (SOM) is one of the main symptoms of soil degradation, compromising not only fertility but also physical structure and the ability to retain water and filter pollutants (Oldfield et al., 2019). SOM reconstruction is, therefore, one of the most promising strategies to recover degraded agricultural areas and enable the sustainable intensification of agricultural production (Abdel Rahman, 2023).
Soil fertility is strongly related to SOM levels. In southern Brazil, for example, soybeans reach maximum productivity in soils with approximately 3.3% of SOM (Winck et al., 2022). For corn, values close to 3.5% of SOM are associated with higher productivity (Oldfield et al., 2019). Although productive soils should contain between 2% and 8% of organic matter, many agricultural soils today have levels below the ideal (Pettit, 2004).
In this scenario, amino acids have stood out as a strategy for maintaining soil health. Amino acids are organic compounds rich in carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, which help support beneficial soil microorganisms, as well as form stable organic complexes, contributing to increased soil organic matter (SOM). Thus, when applied in adequate quantities and in biologically active forms, amino acids promote microbial activity, which, in turn, helps structure the soil, retain water, and cycle nutrients efficiently.
ILSA offers solutions in this regard. Developed from two organic matrices, AZOGEL (solid fertilizer) and GELAMIN (liquid fertilizer), ILSA products are rich in amino acids obtained by thermal and enzymatic hydrolysis, respectively, ensuring high bioavailability.
Part of the protein hydrolysates applied to the soil needs to be previously metabolized by microorganisms to then become available to plants (Cortes et al., 2013). Studies indicate that these compounds stimulate carbon and nitrogen metabolism, promoting increased nitrogen assimilation by plants (Calvo et al., 2014). Thus, these compounds, used in conjunction with regenerative practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and the use of cover crops, help maintain and increase soil organic matter, favoring soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability directly and, mainly, indirectly by improving soil health.
Promoting soil health is promoting the future of agriculture. Integrating technologies based on organic compounds, such as amino acids, with conservation management practices is an important step towards achieving more productive, efficient, and sustainable agricultural systems.
Bibliographic references
Abdel Rahman, MAE An overview of land degradation, desertification and sustainable land management using GIS and remote sensing applications. Rendiconti Lincei., 2023.
Calvo, P. et al. Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants. Plant and Soil, vol. 383, p.3-41, 2014.
Cortes et al. Assessment of safety and efficiency of nitrogen organic fertilizers from animal-based protein hydrolysates – a laboratory multidisciplinary approach. J Sci Food Agric 2014.
Oldfield, EE et al. Global meta-analysis of the relationship between soil organic matter and crop yield, SOIL, 5, 15–32, 2019.
Pettit, RE Organic matter, humus, humate, humic acid, fulvic acid and humin: their importance in soil fertility and plant health. CTI Research, 2004.
USDA-NRCS. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2025. Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soils/soil-health.
Winck, JEM et al. Decomposition of yield gap of soybean in environment × genetics × management in Southern Brazil. European Journal of Agronomy, 2023.
Authors
Agr Eng. MSc. Isabela Bulegon Pilecco
Agricultural Eng. Msc. Thiago Stella de Freitas
Agricultural Engineer Tuíra Barcellos
