Frequently Asked Questions

Our platform leverages controlled fermentation and environmental signaling to induce spore formation. By precisely managing factors such as temperature, pH and nutrient availability, microbes enter a suspended state that functions like built-in micro-encapsulation. This spore-based stability delivers a significant advantage: extended shelf life. That durability enables biologicals that perform more like traditional crop inputs while retaining the benefits of living systems.

BioConsortia unleashes the power of microbes to meet the world's food needs while reducing agriculture's ecological impact. We harness the power of an advanced microbial selection platform to discover and develop high-performing microbial products with superior efficacy & consistency — wild-type and gene-edited. We focus on ensuring products are easy to use, given their long shelf life and long life on seed.

Yes, our development approach intentionally aligns product design with regional regulatory requirements. The same microbial foundation can support gene-edited or non-gene-edited products depending on where and how the product will be commercialized. This flexibility allows partners to access differentiated biological innovation while managing compliance, speed-to-market and portfolio alignment across global territories.
BioConsortia originated the premise of applying "consortia," or groups of microbes, as product solutions. Today, other companies sell consortia products, while BioConsortia's current portfolio consists solely of solo-microbe products that have demonstrated high efficacy on their own.

BioConsortia's biocontrol products control soil nematodes and insects, as well as plant diseases. They harness the power of beneficial bacteria to quickly colonize plant roots, providing a physical barrier to pests. The bacteria consume root exudates and, in turn, release compounds that may be directly toxic to pathogens, nematodes or insects, stimulate plant growth or solubilize soil nutrients.
BioConsortia's biocontrol products represent the third wave of biocontrol. They are highly effective, compete favorably with pesticides in terms of performance and can be integrated alongside pesticides for an integrated practice across the season.

Fertilizers are substances, typically synthetic or mined mineral compounds, that are applied to soil or plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential for growth. They are designed to deliver readily available forms of macronutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and micronutrients to plants. Their application often leads to a rapid increase in plant growth and yield. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are based on ammonia produced from the nitrogen found in our air using the Haber-Bosch process, which requires significant energy (usually natural gas) to drive the high-pressure, high-temperature reaction. The manufacture and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers release CO2 and nitrous oxide, potent greenhouse gases.
Biofertilizers, in contrast, are preparations containing living microorganisms that, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by
increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. They work through natural processes such as nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization or the production of plant growth-promoting substances.
BioConsortia's biofertilizers are designed to be long-stable, long enough to penetrate the industry seed markets, which require years of shelf stability once applied to seed. They are also high-performing, optimizing yield under a reduced fertilizer program across a variety of crops and soil conditions.

BioConsortia products are available through our commercial partners. In the USA, products are approved for distribution and use in 20 states. For more information on where to find BioConsortia products in the USA and globally, click here.

Our products are developed with diverse microbial technologies by a team of experts from many different backgrounds and experiences. We believe that this "consortia" of ideas produces the best biological products in the industry.
BioConsortia originated the premise of applying "consortia," or groups of microbes, as product solutions. Today, other companies sell consortia products, while BioConsortia's current portfolio consists solely of solo-microbe products that have demonstrated high efficacy on their own.

Our products colonize plant roots, but do not penetrate plant parts.
Although their durability during the growing season is advantageous, it's important to protect or nourish these roots throughout the season. As the crop approaches harvest and root exudate supplies decrease, microbes quickly run out of food. However, they do not enter the food supply or persist in soil or water sources.

Microbial nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain microorganisms convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making it available for use by plants and other organisms.

Biofertilizers are organic materials containing microorganisms that can improve soil nutrient availability and enhance plant growth through various mechanisms: fixing atmospheric nitrogen, decomposing organic matter and solubilizing minerals and nutrients. BioConsortia's Always-N™ is a nitrogen-fixing biofertilizer.

Microbiologists qualify bacteria as Gram-positive when their outer shell wall, thick with peptidoglycan, retains crystal violet under the Gram method. Named for Hans Christian Gram, who developed the test in 1884, Gram-positive microbes are leveraged by BioConsortia's scientists because their thick shell walls make them ideally suited for use in agriculture. They are long-stable in product formulations, both in packaging and on seeds. They are generally robust spore-formers in the root zones of target crops. They are generally highly compatible in tank mixtures and seed-treatment mixtures with a wide range of crop protection and fertility products, including pesticides.

Biologicals in agriculture refer to a diverse group of products derived from naturally occurring macro-organisms, microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, and biochemicals such as organic acids, plant extracts, minerals and pheromones. Biologicals include plant nutrition products (biofertilizers), plant growth enhancement products (biostimulants), and plant protection (biocontrol). BioConsortia focuses on the discovery and development of beneficial bacteria.

Biostimulants are applied to seeds, plants, or on the rhizosphere to stimulate natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield. These are usually made of organic acids, protein hydrolysates, plant and seaweed extracts, biopolymers like chitosan, inorganic acids and minerals and beneficial microbes. Bio Consortia's biostimulants are based on beneficial bacteria that improve plant nutrient uptake and climate stress tolerance.

BioConsortia products have been tested in our labs, in greenhouse and in field trials through independent crop researchers all over the world.
Our specialized Field Biology team brings deep expertise to their field trial planning and analysis. Each year, we conduct hundreds of trials, adding thousands of data points to our proprietary database of results.

Fertilizers are substances, typically synthetic or mined mineral compounds, that are applied to soil or plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential for growth. They are designed to deliver readily available forms of macronutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and micronutrients to plants. Their application often leads to a rapid increase in plant growth and yield. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are based on ammonia produced from the nitrogen found in our air using the Haber-Bosch process, which requires significant energy (usually natural gas) to drive the high-pressure, high-temperature reaction. The manufacture and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers release CO2 and nitrous oxide, potent greenhouse gases.
Biofertilizers, in contrast, are preparations containing living microorganisms that, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. They work through natural processes such as nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization or the production of plant growth-promoting substances.
BioConsortia's biofertilizers are designed to be long-stable, long enough to penetrate the industry seed markets, which require years of shelf stability once applied to seed. They are also high-performing, optimizing yield under a reduced fertilizer program across a variety of crops and soil conditions.

BioConsortia products are available through our commercial partners. In the USA, products are approved for distribution and use in 20 states. For more information on where to find BioConsortia products in the USA and globally, click here.

Results from BioConsortia's field research are published on our website.
Click here to view them yourself.

Our products colonize plant roots, but do not penetrate plant parts.
Although their durability during the growing season is advantageous, it's important to protect or nourish these roots throughout the season. As the crop approaches harvest and root exudate supplies decrease, microbes quickly run out of food. However, they do not enter the food supply or persist in soil or water sources.

When applied to the soil or seeds, BioConsortia's products quickly colonize plant roots, creating a physical barrier against pests or stresses.
The bacteria consume root exudates and, in turn, release compounds that may be directly toxic to pathogens, nematodes or insects, stimulate plant growth or solubilize soil nutrients.
BioConsortia's nitrogen fixation products release enzymes in the soil that convert nitrogen in the air into ammonia, a form more easily taken up by roots. BioConsortia's biostimulants also colonize the roots, releasing compounds that trigger plant growth or solubilize nutrients in the soil, increasing yield.
BioConsortia's foliar-applied products are also based on beneficial microbes, but instead of root colonization, rely on potent secondary metabolites produced by the bacteria during manufacturing. These metabolites, including cyclic lipopeptides or proteins, are toxic to pathogens, insects and nematodes and are compatible with chemical active ingredients. These products show a strong fit in integrated programs, reducing season-long pesticide levels.
To learn more about our products, see Our Products.

Many microbial biologicals companies rely on bacteria that must be stored and handled with care. While BioConsortia products are based on living organisms, we design them to be stored at ambient temperature for 2 years or longer alongside other crop inputs. Additionally, BioConsortia products applied to seeds will remain viable for more than two years. Please click here for more information about product stewardship.

Seed and soil treatment products are designed for application at planting, either on-seed or in-furrow. This enables the most targeted application to the root as it emerges and ensures the protection of BioConsortia's microbes from the start.
Foliar products are contact and broad-spectrum. They should be applied using standard crop protection equipment when conditions favoring pest development are forecast.

Some formulations of our microbial products will be approved for use in organic production. Where this is the case, product labels will be labeled as compliant with local organic standards. Our gene-edited products are not currently eligible for use in organic production.

BioConsortia's products are designed to fit a wide array of applications, including row crops such as corn, wheat and potatoes; specialty crops such as trees, nuts, vines and vegetables; and non-crop markets such as turf, pasture and home and garden. You can learn more about the value of using our products in specific crops here.

BioConsortia products are based on root-colonizing microbes. Once the root begins to senesce as the season progresses toward harvest, BioConsortia microbes can no longer persist without their energy source.
Yes, you will need to apply your BioConsortia seed or in-furrow soil treatment products when you plant any new crop, as our microbial nitrogen associates with the root and the microbes do not persist in the soil.

The microbes in our products are common plant-associated soil bacteria.
We have conducted multiple assessments to ensure our products are safe, many required by regulators before our products can be sold.
Always read and follow label instructions on the product containers.

Thanks for your interest! You can find our career/internship opportunities here. 

BioConsortia is a leading voice among biological innovation companies addressing some of the most critical issues facing agriculture. We believe biologicals can be an integrated tool to balance the need for robust, high-yielding agriculture with sustainable environmental outcomes.
We work hard to comply with rules and regulations across key global agricultural markets. Clearly, some parts of the world have recently been more adept at recognizing new innovations, incentivizing best practices and promoting farmer adoption of new tools (we're looking at you, Brazil). While we applaud innovation-forward agricultural economies, we are working in other geographies to influence policies being developed for the future.
Through industry groups and independently, we engage with lawmakers, regulators and the food industry to ensure that farmers worldwide have the best tools to achieve the shared objectives of yield and sustainability.

As the leading producer of Gram-positive modified microbial products for agriculture, we are engaging with the USDA and EPA to update regulations governing modified microbes to ensure that microbial products using genetic engineering are safe for the environment.

In markets like Brazil and Argentina, we work directly with regulators to supply the detailed information they need to ensure our products are compliant. As additional markets clarify the pathway to commercialization for modified microbes, we will continue to engage their officials to ensure regulations balance risk-based oversight with innovation.

BioConsortia works with commercial organizations that bring their deep farmer insights to key global ag markets. Let us know how we can work together here.

In December 2025, the USDA announced a new Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, while strengthening America's food and fiber supply. BioConsortia, like nearly all US agriculture companies, is closely following the rollout of this new pilot program and USDA's Research and Development Priorities, and its sister programs within the Department of Health and Human Services.