Geothermal Biominerals Transformed into a Product to Enhance Plant Nutrition

A newly developed product aims to mitigate the effects of drought on agriculture, release locked minerals in the soil to improve crop health, and minimize the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers. The product is now being used in vegetable and fruit orchards.

Rauf Canak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, stated:

"In an era of global warming, we have developed a product using domestic resources that unlocks the soil's mineral reserves to contribute to agriculture. During the challenging eight-year R&D process, we received significant support from TAGEM and BATEM."

In Antalya, after eight years of R&D efforts, a geothermal biomineral product has been developed as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. The product enhances soil health, increases water retention capacity, and improves the availability of plant nutrients.

To address the impacts of global climate change and drought on agriculture, a local agricultural company initiated a project eight years ago to provide sustainable solutions using domestic resources. Experiments were conducted to transform geothermal biominerals, rich in organic silicon, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, and alginic acid, into a viable product.

Granules made from geothermal biominerals have been applied to agricultural land, particularly in arid and barren soils, including regions such as Antalya, Konya, Şanlıurfa, and Adana. Positive results were observed when the product was applied both to the roots and foliage of avocado and citrus trees at the Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute (BATEM) gardens.

The project won the 2023 Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) Agricultural Innovation Award in the "Plant Nutrition" category at the 23rd Growtech Antalya Agricultural Fair, which hosted participants from 31 countries.

Enhances Plant Growth Significantly

Rauf Canak, Chairman of Minitalya Mining, Energy, and Agriculture Inc., explained that their product, named "Almina", prevents the evaporation of water beneath the soil, enhances water retention, and improves nutrient absorption by promoting root development.

"We worked extensively to make this product beneficial. It took us a long time to identify its most effective applications. Processing fossil materials into optimal particle sizes without destroying their water absorption capacity was crucial. After an arduous eight-year R&D process, we developed a product that plants can absorb efficiently through both roots and leaves. This product allows for slow nutrient release while minimizing the adverse environmental impacts of chemical fertilizers."

Canak emphasized that the product has been tested on soil and plants per farmers' demands. It has been certified as an environmentally friendly product with international organic certification.

Highlighting successful trials on diverse crops, he added:

"We applied it to olive trees and found that it strengthened the fruit stalks, keeping the fruit attached until maturity. For cherries, it enhanced the stalks' strength. In Konya's arid regions, the results were excellent. In Şanlıurfa, it improved cotton fiber quality and length. These outcomes are achieved by unlocking the soil's intrinsic minerals. With 20 million tons of reserves, we aim to contribute significantly to agriculture."

Source: Anadolu Agency