Algae’s Role in Soil

March 19, 2025

In exceptionally healthy soil, it has been estimated that there should be about 8000 pounds of biology per acre. Of these 8000 pounds, there should be about 2600 pounds of bacteria, 1300 pounds of actinomycetes, 2600 pounds of fungi, 90 pounds of protozoa, 45 pounds of nematodes, 445 pounds of earthworms, 830 pounds of insects and other arthropods, and – less known – about 90 pounds of algae.

What are Algae? 

Algae are in some ways similar to bacteria, in the sense that they are a very important part of the life in the soil – the soil’s biological community – and are also very tiny and cannot be identified with the naked eye. 

What is Algae’s Role in the Soil? 

Algae have a major positive impact on soil health. Although algae are somewhat similar to bacteria in some ways, they are very different in other ways. One important distinction is that algae are more like plants in the respect that they actually photosynthesize – capturing sunlight energy to produce new energy – just like plants do. They are producing sugars and carbohydrates for the rest of the soil ecosystem. This is a really big deal because it means that a second source of energy is being produced – a second source of carbohydrates is being pumped out through the roots and into the ground to feed the soil life. This interaction fosters a healthy, diverse microbial community that drives decomposition and nutrient cycling because these carbohydrates serve as the food source for bacteria and fungi that perform these functions. 

The second major benefit is that they help jumpstart the soil aggregation process. As these algae photosynthesize, they produce sticky substances – glues – that bind soil particles together, help the soil build and maintain its structure and aggregate stability. This has the effect of enhancing water infiltration, and reducing erosion and runoff problems. 

Another major benefit is that they can also literally “create” new soil over time by producing carbonic acids that break down rock. Of course, if they can break down rock, they can also break down the much “softer” minerals that are already in the soil – making those nutrients, including large amounts of phosphorus – more available to the plants. This means that you can either increase the nutrient density in your crops, reduce inputs, or both.    

In summary, algae set the stage for a vibrant microbial community. The compounds and the improved soil structure resulting from algal activity can create a more favorable environment for plant roots. Improved nutrient availability and moisture regulation ultimately support better plant nutrition and growth.

How to Restore Algae into the Ecosystem

Soil algae are very sensitive. One application of harsh chemicals applied to soil has a very detrimental effect on them. So the first important part of restoring them is to stop poisoning them. Second, algae populations in the soil can be jumpstarted by applications of EnSoil Algae. In addition, the applications can be complemented by implementing regenerative agriculture practices such as cover cropping practices. 

EnSoil Algae has been documented by James White from Rutgers University as having a very beneficial impact on soil and plants. His research indicates that this particular strain of algae improves seed germination, and promotes seedling growth, root hair development, more root exudates, and encourages the rhizophagy cycle.  

How to use EnSoil Algae

Enlightened Soil Corp is recommending the use of EnSoil Algae at 8 ounces per acre, several times per season, either in drip irrigation or foliar, or similar applications. 

Applications of carbohydrates (such as Advancing Eco Agriculture’s Rejuvenate) are also recommended with EnSoil Algae. These complex carbohydrates provide the energy and food source for rapid microbial growth and helps the microbial populations to multiply very, very quickly. Enlightened Soil Corp has documented that when EnSoil Algae and complex carbohydrates are combined, you can expect to have the double the algal activity at the roots. 

EnSoil Algae Results in the Field

2024 was the first year that Mr. Smucker, a farmer in Lancaster County, did trials with EnSoil Algae. After hearing about it at Keystone Bio-Ag’s winter meeting in February, Mr. Smucker decided to give it a try on his wheat ground. They had 52 acres of organic wheat in the fields, so in early March they applied the standard Rejuvenate program on the fields (Rejuvenate and SeaShield, each at 3 qts./acre in 20 gal/acre spray mix). They added 8 oz./acre of EnSoil Algae in with those biostimulants, except for about 3-4 acres of the one field. They also applied about 2.5 tons per acre of layer hen manure across the entire wheat acres. 

The wheat seemed to be doing pretty well throughout the spring, but they had two weeks of hot and dry weather in May. That seemed to affect the yield, and the buyer was telling them to check for Fusarium. As they were checking the fields, they didn’t really see it, except for a little bit here and there right along the edges of the fields.

At harvesting, the average yield was in the low-mid 80 bushels/acre range (27 acres of this wheat was planted in November, which also dragged the yield down a bit). The buyer took a test from the second to last load of wheat to test for vomitoxin, and it showed up in the 3.5-4 range, which is too high for them, so they rejected it.  Mr. Smucker then contracted with another buyer, who tested each of the loads individually. Almost all of the loads tested 0.00 for vomitoxin, except the second to last load.  That one tested 7.2. The buyer at the mill triple tested it, because it was inconsistent with the other loads we had brought in, but each time it tested very high. It turns out that this load came from the part of the field not treated with EnSoil Algae. Given that the one load of wheat not treated with EnSoil Algae reduced income by about $1,000, Mr. Smucker says that he is convinced that he needs to use EnSoil Algae regularly from now on!

Does everyone see results from EnSoil Algae?

Not everyone sees visual results from EnSoil Algae. In the case of Mr. Smucker’s wheat, the results were not visually documented. There was no visible yield difference. Yet there was a tremendous difference when it came to income per acre. 

Soil algae are unsung heroes in the ecosystem. They not only directly contribute organic matter and facilitate nutrient cycling but also create physical conditions—like soil stability and moisture retention—that support a healthy and dynamic soil ecosystem.

Soil Health Experts for Bountiful Yields

Keystone Bio-Ag is led by a team of regenerative agriculture consultants ready to help your farming operation more sustainable, and more profitable! Contact our team if you are looking to learn more about sustainable farming practices or try any of the products discussed in this article.