Matching Biofertilizer Products to Soil Needs, designed for TESDA NC I training, farmer extension, and Crown Organic Biofertilizers, Inc. (COBI) product education.
This directly links soil problems → correct COBI product → expected outcome, including Agarwood (Aquilaria) systems.
Program: Sustainable Soil Management & Biofertilizer Application
Company Reference: Crown Organic Biofertilizers, Inc. (COBI)
I. Core Principle
Do not apply biofertilizers blindly.
Match the product to the soil condition, crop stage, and desired outcome.
Correct matching:
✔ Saves cost
✔ Improves soil recovery
✔ Prevents nutrient imbalance
✔ Enhances long-term productivity
II. Identifying Soil Needs (field diagnosis)
Before selecting a product, assess:
A. Soil Condition Indicators
- Poor plant growth despite fertilization
- Hard, compacted soil
- Waterlogging or poor drainage
- Low organic matter
- Weak root systems
- History of heavy chemical use
B. Simple On-Farm Tests
☐ Soil texture (hand test)
☐ Drainage (infiltration test)
☐ Soil pH strip or meter
☐ Earthworm presence
☐ Smell of soil (earthy = healthy)
III. Product-Soil Matching Guide (Core Table)
1. Biogrow – For Nutrient-Deficient & Low-Fertility Soils
Use When Soil Has:
- Poor plant vigor
- Low nitrogen and phosphorus availability
- Newly established or exhausted soils
Why It Works
- Supplies beneficial nutrient-cycling microbes
- Improves nutrient availability naturally
Best Crop Stage
- Pre-planting
- Early vegetative growth
- Nursery and seedling phase
Agarwood Use
✔ Establishes strong early growth without excessive nitrogen
2. Mycoboost – For Weak Roots & Poor Nutrient Uptake
Use When Soil Has:
- Weak or shallow roots
- Low phosphorus availability
- Sandy or degraded soil structure
Why It Works
- Introduces mycorrhizal fungi
- Expands root absorption zone
Best Crop Stage
- Planting / transplanting
- Early root establishment
Agarwood Use
✔ Essential for deep rooting and later resin induction response
3. VitaSoil – For Biologically Dead or Chemically Degraded Soils
Use When Soil Has:
- Low microbial activity
- Poor soil smell (sour, lifeless)
- History of chemical overuse
Why It Works
- Rebuilds microbial diversity
- Reactivates soil life processes
Best Crop Stage
- Land preparation
- Soil rehabilitation phase
Agarwood Use
✔ Prepares soil before fungal inoculation or stress induction
4. EcoZyme – For High Organic Residue & Slow Decomposition
Use When Soil Has:
- Crop residues, manure, mulch not decomposing
- Nutrients locked in organic matter
- Compacted soil due to residue buildup
Why It Works
- Accelerates breakdown of organic materials
- Releases nutrients faster
Best Crop Stage
- Composting
- After mulching
- Soil conditioning periods
Agarwood Use
✔ Improves nutrient cycling without chemical fertilizers
5. BioKelp – For Plant Stress & Growth Stimulation
Use When Plants Show:
- Transplant shock
- Drought or heat stress
- Slow recovery after pruning or inoculation
Why It Works
- Provides natural plant hormones
- Enhances stress tolerance and root growth
Best Crop Stage
- Transplanting
- Stress periods
- Recovery phase
Agarwood Use
✔ Supports tree recovery after controlled stress or induction
IV. Quick Decision Matrix (Farmer Version)
| Soil Problem | Recommended Product |
|---|---|
| Low fertility | Biogrow |
| Poor root growth | Mycoboost |
| Dead / degraded soil | VitaSoil |
| Slow residue breakdown | EcoZyme |
| Plant stress | BioKelp |
V. Combined Application Strategy (Best Practice)
- Soil Rehabilitation Package
- VitaSoil + EcoZyme + Organic matter
- Establishment Package
- Biogrow + Mycoboost + BioKelp
- Maintenance Package
- Biogrow + VitaSoil (low frequency)
- Stress Recovery Package
- BioKelp + VitaSoil
VI. Application Timing Rules
✔ Apply biofertilizers when soil moisture is adequate
✔ Avoid application during extreme heat
✔ Reduce chemical fertilizers when using COBI products
✔ Allow 7–14 days between soil rehabilitation and inoculation
VII. Common Mistakes to Avoid
✖ Applying all products at once without diagnosis
✖ Using BioKelp as a soil fertilizer
✖ Expecting instant results (biofertilizers are biological)
✖ Ignoring soil pH problems
✖ Overusing nitrogen before resin induction
VIII. TESDA NC I Performance Standard (Excerpt)
The learner must be able to:
- Identify soil problems
- Select appropriate biofertilizer products
- Apply products at correct timing
- Monitor soil and plant response
IX. Agarwood-Specific Guiding Principle
Healthy soil first, controlled stress second, resin last.
COBI biofertilizers ensure:
✔ Soil resilience
✔ Balanced nutrition
✔ Microbial readiness
✔ Successful agarwood induction