AZOGEL is the organic matrix from which solid organic and organomineral products for soil application are derived, manufactured by ILSA for over 65 years and sold on all continents of the world, in the most diverse crops. It is an organic fertilizer produced from collagen and rich in organic nitrogen and carbon from by-products of the leather industry.
According to Ribeiro and Mello, the use of collagen can be recommended as a fertilizer because it contains essential elements for plants. According to these authors, the benefits of applying this type of fertilizer can be equal to or exceed those achieved with mineral fertilizers, especially in relation to productivity and savings on fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers.
Process of obtaining the AZOGEL matrix
This product is obtained from thermal hydrolysis, a technology developed by ILSA as Fully Controlled Hydrolysis (FHC). Hydrolysis consists of the physical-chemical process of breaking chemical bonds through the effect of water, which can be performed thermally, chemically, enzymatically or in a mixed manner. Initially, the raw material (collagen) received is inspected, selected and separated according to pre-determined quality characteristics and then taken to dynamic autoclaves, where the thermal hydrolysis process begins. From there, the gelatinous material removed from the autoclaves is transferred to continuous dryers, where, in a controlled environment, it is stabilized and transformed into the organic matrix Azogel. Humidity, temperature and extraction speed are constantly monitored, allowing for standardization in production.
FCH allows the production of a unique and highly homogeneous product (without variations in the raw material and guarantees), with a high content of organic carbon and nitrogen, both highly available to microorganisms present in the soil and rhizosphere, thus allowing a gradual release of nitrogen and amino acids, mediated by soil microorganisms.
Amino acids play a fundamental role in stress tolerance, whether water, heat or salt stress. This is because they are associated with processes such as opening and closing of stomata, chlorophyll production, regulation of nutrient absorption, hormone production and regulation of metabolism in general.
According to Alves (2017), although the plant is capable of synthesizing all the amino acids that are necessary for protein synthesis, supplementing production fields with primary protein components and nucleic acids is a smart strategy to increase crop productivity, since they can activate the plant's physiological metabolism. Furthermore, this author mentions that each stage of plant growth requires specific amounts of different amino acids, and if the amino acid most required by the plant at that time is applied, it will bring benefits to its growth and development.
AZOGEL, C:N ratio and soil organic matter (SOM)
AZOGEL has in its formulation 11 to 13 % of total nitrogen (N) and approximately 38 to 40 % of organic carbon (C), presenting a low C:N ratio (<5). According to Neu (2005), the C:N ratio is directly related to the indication of biological activity, with a greater degree of humification and stability of MOS and, according to Raij (1991), it also affects the availability of nitrogen in the soil, since high C:N ratios can cause the immobilization of N in the soil, at least temporarily.
The soil microbial community is influenced by temperature, pH, aeration, nutrient availability and organic substrates, and its structure has a direct impact on the potential for N immobilization, since the mineralization promoted by microorganisms depends on the C:N ratio of the material (VARGAS et al., 2004, cited by MACHADO et al., 2012). Therefore, it is possible to state that there is an excellent relationship between AZOGEL and the intensity of microbial activity in the soil (biological affinity), since the AZOGEL matrix can be easily mineralized and serves as a substrate for the cell division of these organisms, increasing their populations and promoting improvements in soil health, without causing the immobilization of N for crops.
Studies conducted at the University of Padua (Italy) analyzed the number of colony-forming bacteria (CFU), that is, the number of viable cells per gram of dry weight of soil. The results showed that AZOGEL increases the number of colonies present in the soil. It was also noted that there was a decreasing trend over time, since after about 2 months all the nitrogen of protein origin was mineralized and absorbed. The experiment indicated significant development of the microbial populations, until a population of approximately 100 million viable cells per gram of dry soil was obtained, which indicates the positive response of soil microorganisms to the supply of organic nitrogen and carbon.
Therefore, as suggested by Malavolta et al. (2000), the value of an organic fertilizer goes beyond the simple supply of nutrients, as its use provides many beneficial effects to the soil. Organic matter acts as a source of energy for microorganisms (which fix nitrogen from the air in the rhizosphere and fungi that associate with the roots), improves structure and aeration, and has the capacity to store moisture.
Nitrogen availability and cation exchange capacity (CEC)
Fertilizers from the AZOGEL matrix present gradual release of N, allowing this nutrient to remain assimilable for longer, which promotes balanced crop development. This occurs because, according to Freitas (2017), this type of fertilizer delays the initial availability of nutrients, or increases their availability, aiming to synchronize the release with the plant's demand for the nutrient, reducing product losses in the environment through leaching and potentially increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization.
In addition, the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil is also an important factor for the productivity of several crops, as it directly influences soil stability, pH, nutrient availability and fertilization effectiveness. Therefore, the higher the CEC of a soil, the greater its fertility. AZOGEL has a high CEC, approximately 180 mmol of C per kilogram, which characterizes it as an excellent product for the soil.
Furthermore, and no less importantly, several studies have shown that AZOGEL has a high hydration capacity, requiring a small amount of rain or irrigation to initiate the mineralization process after application to the soil. Finally, it is important to highlight that AZOGEL is a product that presents a rare and high degree of sustainability, as it meets the needs of current and future generations, ensuring productivity and profitability with maximum respect for the environment.
Bibliographic references
ALVES, RL THE USE OF AMINO ACIDS IN AGRICULTURE – Mandatory reading for those who use foliar fertilizers. UNESP, 2017. 4 p.
FREITAS, T. Conventional, stabilized, slow or controlled release nitrogen fertilizers in coffee crops: efficiency and costs. UFLA, Lavras, 2017. 97 p. (Master's Dissertation)
MACHADO, DM; SCHOSSLER, TR; ZUFFO, AM; ANDRADE, FR; PIAUILINO, AC Microbial activities and transformations in the cycle of elements in the soil. Encyclopedia Biosphere, Centro Científico Conhecer, Goiânia, v.8, n.15; p.180-15, 2012.
MALAVOLTA, E; PIMENTEL-GOMES, F.; ALCARDE JC Fertilizers & fertilizations. 2000.
NEU, V. Influence of Vegetation Cover on Nutrient Cycling via Soil Solution in the Manaus Region. (Master’s Degree in Agroecosystem Ecology) – Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, USP, Piracicaba, 2005.
RAIJ, BV Soil Fertility and Fertilization. CERES, Piracicaba: Potash & Phosphate Institute, 1991.
RIBEIRO, EMP; MELLO, PB The use of leather waste fertilizer as a source of nitrogen in agricultural soil with energy and environmental gains. UFRGS.
VARGAS, LK SELBACH, PB; SÁ, E, L, S. Microbial changes in soil during the corn cycle in no-tillage and conventional systems. Brazilian Agricultural Research, Brasília, v.39, n.8, p.749-755, 2004.
Authors
- Agricultural Eng. Msc. Aline Tramontini dos Santos
- Agricultural Eng. Msc. Carolina Custodio Pinto
- Agricultural Eng. Msc. Thiago Stella de Freitas
