With so many microbial fertilizer products on the market, how can we tell which ones are good and which ones aren’t?

　　Microbial fertilizers are developed based on the principles of soil microbiology, plant nutrition, and the fundamental concepts of modern “organic agriculture.” Increasingly recognized by farmers, these products deliver performance and benefits that far exceed expectations. With so many microbial fertilizer brands available on the market, how can you tell which ones are truly effective? Below, we’ll explain how to scientifically assess the quality of microbial fertilizers.

　　1. Official registration certificate for microbial fertilizers issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China. Prioritize reputable brands; purchasing well-known brands ensures reliable quality.

　　II. The microbial quality standard is expressed as “viable bacterial count (CFU),” with the unit being “100 million/g or 100 million/ml.”

　　Quantity alone does not tell the whole story. In addition to the total microbial count—where powdered biofertilizers should contain at least 200 million viable bacteria per gram—you must also consider the number of active, viable strains. Only living microorganisms can exert their beneficial effects; the greater the population of beneficial, active microbes, the more pronounced the results will be.

　　III. A Complete Range of Functional Strains

　　After years of research on microbial fertilizers, it has been found that a composite formulation containing multiple strains delivers superior performance in the soil compared to a single-strain product.

　　4. The selected microbial strain must exhibit strong colonization ability in the soil.

　　Manufacturers should possess a robust R&D foundation and select microbial strains that exhibit strong stress resistance, excellent environmental adaptability, and stable, consistent resistance without recurrence—such as Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride, and Paecilomyces lilacinus.

　　Large-scale production of microbial inoculants, coupled with a scientifically designed automated manufacturing process, minimizes contamination by extraneous microorganisms. Priority is given to raw materials rich in high‑quality organic matter, such as corn steep liquor, soybean meal, and wheat bran, ensuring that the microbes’ basic nutritional requirements are met during transportation and storage. Upon application to the soil, these premium organic substrates promptly supply the nutrients needed during the microbial lag phase, enabling the microbial consortium to rapidly adapt to the new environment and swiftly enter the exponential growth phase. This approach not only enhances the survival of the microbial community in the soil but also maximizes its disease‑suppressing and soil‑improving functions.