Caris Quakkelaar, RSA Eastern & Southern WI
Liquid Carbon-Based Fertilizer (L-CBF) BOOSTTM is QLF Agronomy’s concentrated sugar cane molasses liquid fertilizer. Sugar cane molasses supports microbial activity in the soil by providing a valuable carbohydrate source. It also enhances plant growth and development by supplying a balanced, plant-available nutrient package in the form plants can readily absorb.
The result? Healthier, more resilient crops.
More Than Just Sugar—It’s About Balance
Sugar cane molasses brings more than just sugar; it delivers balance. In addition to sucrose, glucose, and fructose, molasses naturally contains a range of essential nutrients.
- Cations like Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium support cellular structure, enzyme activity, and water regulation.
- Micronutrients such as Copper, Iron, Boron, and Molybdenum play key roles in photosynthesis, chlorophyll production, protein synthesis, and reproduction.
- Plant compounds like lipids, phenols, and antioxidants help support plant immune functions.
- Sugars serve as an energy source, playing a crucial role in carbon and nitrogen transport within the plant.
These natural components provide a diverse food source for microbes and support stronger plants that can better withstand environmental stress.
Supporting Soil Microbes for Better Nutrient Uptake
BOOST doesn’t just feed plants; it fuels soil microbes. Supporting microbial activity enhances key processes such as nutrient conversion and uptake, organic matter decomposition, respiration, pathogen suppression, and overall plant growth.
Sucrose, a disaccharide made from two simple sugars, is the primary way plants build, store, and transport energy. Sucrose in sugar cane molasses mimics root exudates, feeding beneficial microbes in the rhizosphere. These microbes, in turn, break down soil nutrients, making them more available for root uptake. This biological process, when supported, is far more efficient than root hairs absorbing nutrient ions through the soil solution alone.
Proven Benefits in Research Trials
QLF has invested heavily in research to validate the biological and chemical benefits of BOOST.
- Nutrient Availability: A two-year study showed increased nutrient availability just two weeks after a UAN + BOOST application compared to UAN alone. Key nutrients like Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, Molybdenum, and Boron all saw improved soil availability due to the additional carbohydrates and energy fueling microbial activity.
- Nitrogen Retention: Another two-year lysimeter well study demonstrated that BOOST helps retain nitrogen in the soil rather than allowing it to leach away. A comparison of 40 gallons of 28% UAN alone versus 28% UAN with BOOST showed:
- 17% reduction in nitrate leaching.
- 13-bushel yield increase with 20 lbs/ac less nitrogen applied
Reducing Nitrogen Loss
Nitrogen loss happens in multiple ways, including leaching and volatilization. BOOST helps minimize both.
- Volatilization Control: Ammonium converts to ammonia more rapidly at higher temperatures and pH levels. Since UAN has a pH of around 7.5, volatilization losses can be significant. BOOST, with a pH of about 3.3, reduces this risk. When mixed at a 10% inclusion rate, the solution’s pH drops to approximately 4.6.
- Measurable Impact: Before adding BOOST, ammonia gas loss from straight 28% UAN measured at 70 ppm. After BOOST was added, this dropped to just 6 ppm within seconds, keeping more nitrogen in solution and available to the crop.
Sustained Soil Energy, Not a Sudden Crash
Some may wonder if the microbial activity BOOST promotes leads to a sudden energy crash in the soil. The answer is NO. In field carbon dioxide measurements, which indicate soil respiration levels, show that microbial activity remains elevated for weeks after application.
The Bottom Line
Healthy, biologically active soils produce stronger, more resilient plants that efficiently cycle nutrients, hold more nitrogen, and ultimately yield better results. BOOST, powered by sugar cane molasses, fuels these processes—allowing microbes to do the heavy lifting in nutrient cycling and stability for optimal crop health and efficiency.