Plant Research

Sponge Fertilizer Tech

Research into producing plant nutrients or biofertilizers by fermenting sponges and their symbiotic microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) opens up new possibilities for sustainable agriculture.

Our laboratory is researching methods to optimize the fermentation of sponge-derived materials to produce metabolites, enzymes, antimicrobial substances, etc. that are beneficial to plant growth. By controlling the fermentation process and conditions, we can expect to increase the content of plant nutrients and enhance resistance to plant pathogens. Sponge hydrolysate (material obtained by hydrolyzing sponge) has the potential to be rich in nutrients necessary for plant growth, such as amino acids and minerals.

Our research institute is conducting research on the use of sponge hydrolysate as a plant nutrient and evaluating its effectiveness by comparing it with other fermented vegetable fertilizers or protein hydrolysate fertilizers. It is expected that sponge-derived plant nutrients will contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural methods and the reduction of chemical fertilizer use.