How It Works
The Science Behind AgriGro's Prebiotic & Postbiotic Technology — 45+ years of research-backed innovation delivering measurable results in the field.
The Science of Prebiotics
& Postbiotics
AgriGro's technology bridges two cutting-edge disciplines in agricultural biology — simultaneously delivering prebiotic compounds that energize the native soil microbiome and postbiotic metabolites that act directly on plants, all from a single application.
Unlike probiotics (live organisms), AgriGro delivers prebiotic and postbiotic concentrates — stable, shelf-ready for 4 years, with no live organism management. The prebiotic fraction feeds and amplifies beneficial microbes already in your soil. The postbiotic fraction delivers over 1,700 documented biomolecules — enzymes, amino acids, phytohormones, organic acids, and antimicrobials — that immediately interact with plant physiology and rhizosphere chemistry.
These two modes of action are inseparable in AgriGro's design: the prebiotic component ensures long-term soil biology is self-reinforcing, while the postbiotic component delivers immediate, measurable agronomic responses — creating a compounding effect season after season.
Prebiotics — Food for Microbes
Compounds that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial soil microorganisms — acting as targeted nutrition for the microbial community.
Wen et al., 2023, Nature Communications — "Prebiotics are compounds that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms."
Postbiotics — Metabolite Outputs
Metabolic derivatives of plant-beneficial microorganisms — including enzymes, amino acids, organic acids, chelators, phytohormones, and antimicrobial compounds.
Maluśa et al., 2020, Frontiers in Plant Science — "Postbiotics are metabolic derivatives of plant beneficial microorganisms which exert specific growth promoting and/or biocontrol effects on plants."
AgriGro Combines Both
AgriGro products deliver prebiotic compounds that amplify native microbial populations and postbiotic metabolites that act immediately — providing dual-mode plant support from a single application.
How AgriGro Products Are
Made
A controlled fermentation process using a curated microbial consortium, refined over 45+ years, produces the richest postbiotic concentrate available in agriculture.
Microbial Consortium
30+ naturally occurring bacteria and fungi — carefully selected for their synergistic metabolic outputs and plant-beneficial activity.
Proprietary Bioproduction
Controlled fermentation in precise conditions, optimized for maximum metabolite diversity and concentration. Each batch quality-verified.
Prebiotic & Postbiotic Concentrate
Elicitation of >1,000 small molecules — delivered as a stable liquid concentrate with 4-year shelf life. No live organisms required.
Biomolecular Complexity
Untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry reveals the extraordinary diversity of postbiotic compounds in every AgriGro product — each with a distinct role in plant and soil biology.
Untargeted LC–MS analysis reveals over 1,700 unique biomolecules in AgriGro® products. ~98.4% are low molecular weight molecules (<500 Da), making them highly bioavailable and immediately active in the rhizosphere.
Plant—Microbe Symbiosis
Plants and soil microbes have co-evolved a sophisticated exchange system. Plants invest up to 30% of photosynthate into root exudates — specifically to recruit and feed beneficial microorganisms. AgriGro prebiotics mimic and dramatically amplify this natural dialogue.
"Plants produce sugars, organic acids, and amino acids... A significant portion are released through roots into the rhizosphere as exudates to recruit beneficial microorganisms."
Plants Feed Microbes
- Root exudate sugars
- Organic acids
- Amino acids
- Secondary metabolites
Microbes Feed Plants
- Available nutrients
- Growth regulators
- Antibiotics
- Enzymes & hormones
AgriGro prebiotics amplify both sides of this exchange — more food for microbes, more metabolites for plants.
Six Pathways to Better Yields
The 1,700+ biomolecules in AgriGro products act through multiple, synergistic mechanisms — addressing root development, nutrition, disease pressure, and stress simultaneously.
Nutrient Mobilization
Postbiotic pathway: Organic acids (gluconic, citric, oxalic) chelate bound soil minerals, liberating phosphorus, zinc, iron, and manganese directly into the soil solution. Prebiotic pathway: Amplified phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi extend the effective root surface area by orders of magnitude — accessing nutrients no root can reach.
Lincoln University data: +68% Mn, +55% Ca, +52% Fe, +50% Mo, +43% Mg in soil — matched by corresponding tissue increases
Phytohormone Delivery
Postbiotic pathway: Auxins (IAA), cytokinins, and gibberellins in the concentrate act immediately — stimulating root cell elongation, lateral root branching, and vegetative growth from the moment of application. Prebiotic pathway: IAA-producing rhizobacteria, recruited by prebiotic compounds, provide a sustained, in-situ phytohormone supply throughout the growing season.
Thoms et al., 2021, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Microbiome Engineering
Prebiotic core action: Specific low-molecular-weight carbon compounds in AgriGro selectively feed plant-beneficial genera — nitrogen-fixers, phosphate-solubilizers, and Mn-reducing bacteria — while starving pathogens of competitive substrates. The result is a measurably reshaped microbiome favoring plant health.
USDA & Univ. of Missouri 2008 · Hale et al. 2024, BMC Environmental Microbiome
Root Architecture
Postbiotic pathway: Bioactive metabolites support early root vigor and branching. Prebiotic pathway: Beneficial rhizosphere microbes reinforce root-zone activity, improving soil exploration and nutrient access over time.
Improved root surface area supports stronger uptake potential and crop resilience.
Stress Response
Postbiotic pathway: Small biomolecules and signaling compounds help plants respond to stress events. Prebiotic pathway: A stronger microbial community supports improved rhizosphere function during challenging growing conditions.
Designed to support plant performance across variable field conditions.
The Data Speaks
Third-party university and USDA research across multiple years and environments validates AgriGro's measurable impact on disease suppression, beneficial biology, and nutrient availability.
Fusarium Root Disease Reduction
Source: USDA & University of Missouri — 3-Year Average
AgriGro reduced Fusarium infections by 58.5% on soybean roots and 48% on corn roots vs. glyphosate-only treatment — a consistent finding over three growing seasons.
Beneficial Bacteria Increase
Source: USDA & University of Missouri
AgriGro dramatically increases populations of key beneficial bacterial groups responsible for nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and plant growth promotion.
Nutrient Availability Increase with AgriGro
Source: Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO — Soil & Tissue Analysis (% change vs. control)
Lincoln University soil and plant tissue analysis shows AgriGro increased availability of all key macro- and micronutrients in both the soil solution and plant tissue — with sodium decreasing, indicating improved ionic balance.
Proven Results Across Crops
Independent trials at leading universities and USDA research stations consistently demonstrate AgriGro's prebiotic and postbiotic technology delivers measurable yield and quality increases across diverse crop systems.
Corn Highlights: USDA & University of Missouri trials demonstrated a +17.5 bu/ac yield increase using FoliarBlend® alone (203.7 → 221.2 bu/ac). Combined in-furrow and foliar programs consistently delivered 20+ bu/ac gains — alongside dramatic increases in beneficial soil bacteria populations.
Soybean Highlights: Across 6 independent trials spanning 2007–2015, AgriGro's technology delivered consistent soybean yield increases ranging from +5.1 to +14.4 bu/ac. USDA research also confirmed +256% Fluorescent Pseudomonad and +89% Mn Reducing Bacteria populations — directly linked to improved nutrient cycling and disease suppression.
Alfalfa Highlights: CSU's 3-year trial (2012–2014) under Dr. Calvin Pearson found 13–52% annual yield increases with a 36% 3-year average, translating to $539/acre bottom-line improvement. BYU Idaho trials also documented a 5% relative feed value improvement — a quality gain beyond raw yield.
Wheat Highlights: BYU Idaho trials demonstrated a +19 bu/ac gain (124 → 143 bu/ac) using the combined IgniteS2® + FoliarBlend® program at a treatment cost of only ~$17/acre. International validation at Bulgaria's Dobrudja Agricultural Institute confirmed 6–10% yield improvements across multiple wheat varieties — demonstrating the technology's global applicability.
Sugar Beet Highlights: North Dakota State University trials led by Dr. Mohamed Khan documented both 13–20% yield increases AND 10–22% sucrose content improvements — demonstrating AgriGro's prebiotic and postbiotic technology enhances both quantity and quality simultaneously. The 2012 IRF trial confirmed +719 lbs of extracted sugar per acre.
Research compiled from USDA, University of Missouri, Colorado State, NDSU, BYU Idaho, NC State, Dobrudja Ag Institute
Flexible Delivery for Every
Operation
AgriGro products are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing field operations — in-furrow at planting, foliar during the season, or broadcast across the full field.
In-Furrow
Applied directly in the seed furrow at planting — delivering postbiotic metabolites to the root zone at the moment of germination for maximum early-season impact.
- Early root development & architecture
- Nutrient use efficiency at seedling stage
- Stress tolerance during establishment
- Germination rate improvement
Foliar
Applied through the leaf surface during critical growth stages — directly delivering phytohormones, amino acids, and organic acids to actively growing tissue.
- Canopy-level nutrient acquisition
- Growth rate acceleration
- Disease defense activation
- Reproductive development support
Broadcast
Applied across the full field — stimulating the entire soil food web, accelerating residue breakdown, and building long-term soil health and structure.
- Crop residue decomposition
- Humus creation & carbon building
- Soil structure & aggregation
- Water infiltration & retention
Fertilizer Inoculant
IgniteS4®is a technical-grade prebiotic formulated specifically for direct inoculation into dry and liquid N-P-K fertilizer blends — making every fertilizer dollar work harder by dramatically improving nutrient release and plant uptake.
- Up to 28% increase in nitrogen availability
- Improved phosphorus, potassium & micronutrient uptake
- Enhances soil mobility of applied fertilizers
- Compatible with dry granular & liquid blends
- No mixing, storage or shelf life issues
Research has shown up to a 28% increase in nitrogen availability and significant gains in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrient uptake when fertilizer is inoculated with IgniteS4® prior to application.