The Benefits of Using Amino Acid Protein Nitrogen Fertilizers Like Ferticell® Explorer™ 10-0-0 and 16-0-0
April 24, 2025
Hydrolyzed soy protein (HSP) products, like Ferticell® Explorer™ 10-0-0 and Explorer™ 16-0-0 and our other products containing nitrogen also have polyamines (PAs), are pivotal in modern agricultural and biochemical applications. They provide essential nutrients for plant growth, while the PAs influence stress tolerance, ion transport, and crop productivity. First let’s examine their biochemical composition, roles, and mechanisms in plant development. Hydrolyzed soy protein is derived from soy proteins broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids through hydrolysis, heat treatment, or microbial fermentation. This process yields compounds like oligopeptides and polypeptides, alongside free amino acids, and biogenic amines. Biogenic amines (BAs) are nitrogenous compounds produced by decarboxylation of amino acids during hydrolysis or fermentation. In hydrolyzed soy protein, typical BAs include tyramine, histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, and spermine. Their formation is crucial for biological activities, yet excessive accumulation can influence metabolic pathways and plant responses. This also explains why Ferticell’s products containing Nitrogen have synergistic effects that are realized, as well as there is nitrogen in them that is not seen through normal analysis. In amino acids there is an additional average of 6.5% nitrogen that is part of their composition, so with Explorer™ 10-0-0 that means an additional 3.9% or a 13.9-0-0*. Delving deeper there are other benefits that are not seen in using conventional nitrogen. Among them:
- Protein Structure: Amines (NH₂ groups) in amino acids form peptide bonds, facilitating protein synthesis.
- Neurotransmitter Precursors: Amino acids such as tryptophan and tyrosine can transform into serotonin and dopamine, respectively, playing roles in biochemical signaling.
- Zwitterionic Behavior: Amino acids exist as zwitterions in solution, balancing ionic interactions critical for cellular stability.
- Glycine acts as a transport for delivery of nutrients directly to the plants cells
Polyamines in Plant Biology are polycationic organic molecules found in all living cells. They perform key roles in plant physiology, influencing growth, development, and cellular processes.
Fundamental Roles:
- Cell Division and Differentiation: Polyamines regulate chromatin remodeling and gene expression, essential for normal plant growth.
- Flowering and Fruit Development: Polyamines enhance processes like pollen viability, ovule development, fruit set, and ripening.
- Nutrient Uptake: Their involvement in ion exchange increases plant absorption efficiency, promoting overall health and productivity.
Polyamines improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, extreme temperatures) and biotic stresses (e.g., pathogens, pests) by triggering molecular and physiological defenses. They modulate antioxidant activity, cellular repair mechanisms, and osmotic balance. Mechanisms of Polyamine Action: Ion Exchange and Stress Responses. Polyamines influence ion transport across cellular membranes, maintaining ionic homeostasis and signaling under stress conditions.
Cation Transport Modulation:
- Ion Homeostasis: Polyamines regulate transporters like H+ and Ca2+ ATPases, ensuring cellular ionic balance critical for metabolic stability.
- Stress-Induced Remodeling: Under stress, polyamine levels adjust to enhance proline accumulation and enzymatic antioxidant activity.
Specific Effects:
- Salinity Stress: Spermidine and spermine mitigate salinity-induced osmotic imbalances by enhancing ion transport and antioxidant responses.
- Drought Stress: These polyamines promote grain filling and drought resistance in crops like wheat.
Ions play a crucial role in agriculture by enabling plant nutrient uptake, influencing soil fertility, and impacting soil pH and structure, all of which are essential for healthy crop growth.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
- Nutrient Availability: Plants absorb essential nutrients from the soil in the form of ions, such as nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), phosphate (PO43-), and potassium (K+).
- Soil Fertility: The ability of soil to hold and release these ions (cation exchange capacity) is a key factor in determining soil fertility.
- Soil pH: The presence and activity of ions, particularly hydrogen ions (H+), significantly influence soil pH, which in turn affects nutrient availability and plant growth.
- Cation Exchange: Soil particles, especially clay and organic matter, have a negative charge that attracts and holds positively charged ions (cations) like calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and potassium (K+), making them available for plant uptake.
- Anion Exchange: While less common than cation exchange, some soils also have positively charged surfaces that can hold negatively charged ions (anions) like nitrate (NO3-) and phosphate (PO43-).
- Water Quality: Excessive amounts of certain ions, like nitrate, can leach into groundwater and contaminate water sources, posing a threat to both human and environmental health.
- Ionic Liquids in Agriculture: Ionic liquids (ILs) are emerging as a promising area of research in agriculture, with potential applications in pesticide delivery, plant immunity induction, and sustainable agricultural practices.
In conclusion the practical utilization of hydrolyzed soy protein and polyamines, Explorer™ 10-0-0 and Explorer™ 16-0-0, has transformative implications for sustainable agriculture:
- Fertilizers: HSP provides organic nitrogen and essential amino acids to support plant growth and development.
- Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Polyamines enhance resilience to environmental challenges like drought and salinity.
- Crop Yield and Quality: PAs improve yield metrics and post-harvest fruit preservation, extending shelf life.
- Biotic Stress Defense: Their role in pathogen and pest resistance bolsters crop health.
* 1. Explorer™ 10-0-0 is listed as 10% hydrolyzed soy nitrogen, and contains 60% amino acids (60.9% by analysis).
* 3. Amino acids contribute an additional 6.5% nitrogen yielding 0.065 X 60 = 3.9% more nitrogen than the 10% analyzed or 13.9% with 98% (efficiency) of it being used by the plant.
Farmers should be examining their crops now for signs of stress, all forms of stress, not just drought. High temperatures, erratic rainfall, salinity, and nutrient limitations are already pushing crops toward dormancy and reducing yield potential across large areas. With stress-induced yield losses ranging from 8–40%, proactive measures are critical before you have to remediate. Even when you have the ability to reverse the issue, the ultimate yield has been decreased by a factor. It is more beneficial financially to use Nutri-Plus™ 2.5-0-0 since prevention is always preferable to having to “cure” the problem. Ferticell® Nutri-Plus™ 2.5-0-0 offers one of the most effective, preventive solutions, delivering amino acids, freshwater algae, and bioavailable nitrogen to maintain plant activity and reverse stress before damage becomes irreversible. Prevention is always the best approach, both agronomically and economically. Nutri-Plus™: A Complete Amino Acid-Based Bio-Stimulant Nutri-Plus™ is a 2.5% nitrogen liquid fertilizer derived from non-GMO soy and unicellular freshwater algae. It contains 42 amino acids, including 19 essential types, and acts as both a stress mitigator and a growth stimulant under heat, drought, frost, and saline stress. Key Features: 25% unicellular algae extract – anti-stress agent and nutrient delivery system (same as in Universal™ 0-0-1) 19.8% total amino acids by weight 2.5% plant-based nitrogen – organic, bioavailable, and fast-acting (same as Explorer™ 10-0-0) Low salt index and neutral pH – safe for foliar use and soil biome health Why Amino Acids Matter in Modern Agriculture Amino acids are vital intermediaries in the nitrogen cycle and play an indispensable role in plant resilience and productivity:
Organic growers long faced a challenge: delivering timely, efficient crop nutrition with the same precision available with conventional systems. While synthetic inputs offer speed and flexibility, organic solutions previously were limited, until Ferticell® introduced inputs that were developed for cleaner more efficient and more consistent outcomes. Precision Organic Crop Nutrition was then and is now still possible with products like Ferticell® Active™. This premium line of stage-specific NPK blends enables the delivery of the Right Nutrient, at the Right Time, in the Right Amount —all within organic standards and aligned with regenerative practices for both conventional and organic crops. Each formula is made using 100% plant-based, non-GMO, chloride-free ingredients , with no animal by-products, making it fully compliant with food safety regulations. Built on a foundation of soy protein hydrolysate amino acids and minerals that have been specifically processed for superior solubility (300x dilution through 120-mesh screens), Active™ provides clean, efficient nutrition without compromise. Active™ fertilizers are highly soluble powders designed to correct nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium deficiencies while supporting strong growth and stress resilience. Whether applied through drip systems, traditional irrigation, or foliar spray, over 90% of nutrients are absorbed within 3 hours , like most Ferticell® products. Active™ 2-20-2 – Phosphorus Power for Early Growth High phosphorus for root development and early vigor Excellent as a foliar phosphorus source Supports transplant recovery and abiotic stress resistance Active™ 5-10-10 – Balance for Flowering and Finish Enhances bloom, fruit set, and finishing stages Balanced P and K for stress recovery and metabolic strength Useful across multiple growth phases, especially post-flowering Active™ 13-2-2 – Nitrogen Kick for Growth and Recovery Delivers fast-acting nitrogen during vegetative growth or stress recovery High amino acid content improves tissue repair and tolerance Ideal after transplanting or adverse conditions Tailored Formulas for Every Growth Stage Active™ was developed for critical crop phases—transplanting, vegetative growth, pre-flowering, fruit fill—and for stress events from drought, heat, frost, salinity, hail, or pest damage. In the field, visible crop responses are often apparent within days, particularly when applied before stress-sensitive stages to prevent it. All of this is why Active™ outperforms many other conventional and organic NPK products in consistency, ease of use, uptake, and outcomes. The entire Active™ line harnesses soy protein hydrolysate , the same fast-acting amino acid nitrogen source featured in Ferticell® Explorer™ 10-0-0, 16-0-0, and many of our other products. As with all of our products, these NPK’s integrate seamlessly for blends focused on specific issues or levels of nutrition. Examples of potential inclusions are: Universal™ 0-0-1 for faster potassium response Microelements™ 1-0-0 to correct micronutrient levels Calcium™ 880 or ProCal™ 3-0-0 for strong structural support Pro Primer™ 2-0-0 for boosting microbial activity and soil vitality Fighting Salt Index of Conventional Fertilizers All of the Ferticell® line has been environmentally friendly from the beginning, 21 years ago, and remains so today. Using our line of NPK’s and other fertilizers, they provide plant-based, highly soluble formulas that allows growers to fine-tune nutrition with the same control conventional systems enjoy without all the salt. Salt is the #1 issue that needs to be controlled in order to save our soil from further degradation. This makes it an ideal addition to your list of ingredients to be used giving a nutrition program (conventional and organic) with higher uptake and efficacy without salt. By increasing their percentage in your program over time (as with all of our products), you can reduce your total salt load and begin to remediate your soil. And with it being applied as a foliar with its quick uptake, it minimizes nitrogen and phosphorous pollution from its lack of volatilization, overuse because of its lower application rates with higher percentage of uptake (90+% utilization) and runoff risk from lower percentage of soil contact. These benefits when analyzed in total, provide better yields with corresponding ROI’s. Guaranteed Analysis – Ferticell® Active™
Ferticell® Universal™ 0-0-1 is a highly concentrated solution containing an algae extract. Unlike kelp or seaweed products, Ferticell® Universal™ 0-0-1 utilizes unicellular algae (from a consistent parent culture) that is grown in fresh water. This is to reduce the risk of salt burn when used for foliar applications, and to reduce the salt added to soil in a fertility program. It is also a source of carbon, phytohormones and high levels of nutrient rich energy. Additionally, algae produces 50 X biomass of terrestrial plants. It was developed in Russia to clean polluted soil, transform a sandy to a healthy soil and can also be used to clean chemically polluted soil and water making their trees grow faster and stronger. It is THE Active Plasma Plant Nutrient: Active Plasma is a technology that makes use of microscopic single cell organisms as the delivery system for nutrients. It is a balanced nutrient supply held in a biological suspension (plasma). Plant growth substances found in higher plants and algae having similar functions as those found in specific soil fungi and bacteria used in Universal™. Various unicellular organisms are isolated and then grown in tanks. They are filtered daily with a percentage macerated to provide a feeding media for the remaining cells in the process. Ferticell® Universal™ 0-0-1 utilizes technologies to deliver nutrients and other important benefits directly to a plant’s cells. The algae cells are the delivery system of whatever input is applied using Universal™ or has it as part of the formula, e.g., Nutriplus™ 2.5-0-0. The process begins by using application methods that deliver our products directly to the leaf (foliar, fertigation and etc.). When applied as a foliar the product “sticks” to the plant leaf, the plasma contains a surfactant so it adheres (will not wash off, even in a light rain), then is quickly absorbed by the leaf through the stoma (in minutes) *. Once in the plant, the nutrient enriched algae cells are moved intercellularly (Inter-Cellular Exchange-I.C.E. Technology) until it reaches a plant cell that is deficient. The algae cell then attaches itself to the plant cell, and the nutrients are transferred from the alga cell to the plant cell in a balanced form. This process utilizes cytoplasmic streaming (based on the osmotic pressure differentials) and completes the transfer. This is also used by other Ferticell® nutrients when applied to the plants root. It can be in soil when directly applied or from spray falling to the soil during other applications. Algae cells that are not utilized by roots will remain in the soil as a food source for soil microbes, maintaining and increasing the biome. Universal™ also contains low concentrations of plant growth substances that through biosynthesis facilitates and influences growth. These are not nutrients, but small amounts of chemicals, phytohormones (Greek meaning to Set in Motion). These phytohormones in Universal™ differ from synthetic hormones since the ratios are more balanced for a consistent response. These phytohormones facilitate gene expression, transcription levels, cellular division for differentiation of cells/tissues to promote growth, and development. The most important phytohormones are categorized in five classes. Abscisic Acid (called ABA), one of the most important that typically stimulates cell elongation to influence growth and interrelations between their parts for improved development. Auxins (IAA) promote root stimulation to produce other growth substances in conjunction with Cytokinins. First of the five to be discovered. Cytokinins are a group of chemicals that also influence cell division, shoot formation, delay deterioration from age, and bring about auxin transport. Ethylene gas is formed during the breakdown of methionine found in all cells. Gibberellins (called GA's) promote flowering and cellular division. Will also reverse the restriction of shoot growth and dormancy induced by ABA. These organic substances are naturally occurring to directly influence the orderly process development of a plant. It requires a sequence of activations to produce the required proteins at the appropriate time. They function as chemical messengers to influence physiological processes regulating both internal and external responses. They counteract abiotic stress to maintain growth and survival. Applied during high stress yields continued growth with differentiation (peak phytochemical production in plants) for: Deliver High Energy Carbon in live / dormant algae cells. In one study, it demonstrated 4 x more cytokinin. Rhizophagy is enhanced when phytochemicals are directly used. Root exploitation / pseudo hormonal effect Supports Minimal Leaching Direct Benefits of Utilizing Universal™ 0-0-1 in all your applications: Provides faster assimilation when used with other nutrients applied as foliar and soil applications. It can be used with insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. for faster assimilation as well, which leads to quicker kills IN the plant. Increases root development by promoting more lateral and deeper roots. Also contains Auxins and Cytokinin’s, which are in balance, so they do not harm plants. Increases resistance to disease, fungus, insects, and other pests. Developing more homogeneous fruits Should be applied during growth flush - for frame building and root flush (rinsing a plant's root zone with water to remove excess nutrients and salts) when a period of intense root growth takes place. Also used for Pre-Bloom, bloom stick, and bud stick for increased flowering and decreased flower loss. Direct feeding building blocks of plants, bypassing Soil N process Polysaccharides – energy During early stress mitigation used in combination with Ferticell® Nutri Plus™ 2.5-0-0 Compatible with pesticides and other fertilizers Energy from D Plus – Lactic Acid = Growth + Immune Response+ Stress Response Increases yield production and ROI. *How Universal™ 0-0-1 Works in the Plant Cytoplasmic Streaming