Converta Bio NPK is a liquid biofertiliser based on nitrogen fixing bacteria as well as phosphorus and potassium solubilising bacteria.
Converta aims to unlock nutrients already present in the soil and hence reduce rates of chemical fertiliser.
Benefits:
- Improved Yield in winter wheat*
- Increases availability of nutrients
- Reduced rates of synthetic fertiliser.
*Independent in Crusoe winter wheat
Target Crops
For use in arable crops
Application
3 Litres of Converta per hectare during BBCH GS31
Trial Studies
Field Evaluation of Converta Bio NPK Bio-fertiliser on Wheat:
Russell Bio Solutions conducted a winter wheat trial (cv. Skyfall) from October 2022 to harvest 2023 in Northamptonshire. The objective was to evaluate the impact of Converta Bio NPK on yield, grain quality and agronomic performance while reducing NPK fertiliser by up to 50%.
Table 1: Yield data with different dose of fertiliser 50 and 75% reduction of chemical fertiliser use.
The table above clearly shows that reducing fertiliser use by 50% and supplementing with Converta Bio-fertiliser increased yield by 14% compared with the standard recommendation of chemical fertiliser following the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). The highest yield was obtained when chemical and biological fertilisers were applied together (see Figure 1 and Figure 2).
Use of converta also improve crop quality including a higher mean number of ears per square metre was recorded under different doses of Converta Bio NPK in wheat.
Fig1: Wheat Trial yield per Hectare:
Fig2: mean number of ears/m2
Converta Grass Trial Summary (May–Sept 2022, Bangor-on-Dee):
A field trial conducted by Russell Bio Solutions evaluated the effect of Converta Bio NPK combined with farmyard manure (FYM) and/or fertiliser on grass performance and found that it improved root strength and crop uniformity across FYM and reduced-fertiliser systems, showed slightly lower disease incidence compared to controls, and that combining Converta Bio NPK with FYM or 50% fertiliser resulted in higher dry matter and fresh weight yields than FYM or fertiliser alone, demonstrating potential for fertiliser reduction while maintaining or improving yield.
Maize Trial:
Converta Biofertiliser was also applied in maize fields in Greece, where clear visual differences in plant growth were observed compared with untreated plots. Plants treated with Converta showed stronger growth, higher vigour, and more uniform stands. Yield data confirmed these observations, with Converta treatments delivering the highest yields, even when tested alongside competing products. Converta Biofertiliser was applied in corn fields in Greece, where clear visual differences in plant growth were observed compared with untreated plots. Plants treated with Converta showed stronger vigour and more uniform stands. Yield results supported these observations: 2× Converta delivered the highest yield of ~1,430 kg, nearly 200 kg higher than the best-performing control (~1,240–1,260 kg).
The differences treated and non-treated Maize crops in Greece.
Final Results of the Test Field in Papau:
This report provides the results and the analysis of the tests conducted in the fields of Merauke, Papua. The trial followed the protocol established by Russell for the evaluation of three specific products: Converta NPK, Yokosan, and Recharge in rice cultivation.
The report aims to summarize the Dry Harvested Grain (“GKP”) and Dry Milled Grain (“GKG”) results obtained from the test field, which was hand-harvested to ensure accuracy and reliability in the results.
Methodology
Tested products:
a. Yokosan:
- Plot T2: Normal fertigation+ Yokosan
- Plot T3: Only Yokosan
b. Converta NPK:
- Plot T4: Normal fertigation+ Converta NPK
- Plot T5: 50% normal fertigation+ Converta NPKc. Recharge:
- Plot T6: Normal fertigation+ Recharge
- Plot T7: 50% normal fertigation+ Recharge
Protocol
The tests were conducted following the protocol established by Russell and named as “Effects of Biologicals on Rice & Palm Oil Production”.
Experimental plot
The experimental trial was conducted within a designated area of approximately 2 hectares in Merauke, Papua.
Harvesting Process:
The harvest was executed manually to ensure the acquisition of more realistic and accurate results. Also, the rice has been dried in the traditional way. The used methodology can be seen in the following images:
The table above provides a detailed analysis and comparison of the GKP and GKG results for Converta NPK, Yokosan, and Recharge. Additionally, the table includes the percentage of GKG obtained during the drying process of GKP.
Based on the test results, it can be concluded that T5 (50% normal fertigation+ Converta NPK) demonstrated superior performance in terms of the obtained yield in the tested field in Merauke, Papua, followed closely by T4 (Normal fertigation+ Converta NPK) with very similar results.
These findings suggest the effectiveness of the product Converta NPK in the given agricultural context.
However, it is noteworthy to mention that in the experimental plot other variables such as soil composition, weather conditions and pest presence have played significant roles in the obtained results. The low yield obtained in all the plots were in alignment with the rest of the 100 Hectares cultivated and harvested by PT Papua Padi Beras in Merauke, Indonesia. The most likely reason for this was the low potassium content on the soil.
In conclusion, the obtained results from the comprehensive analysis of all the data obtained from the test field indicates that the mix of 50% of normal fertigation+ Converta NPK have proven to give results above the other test combinations. Also, plots using Normal fertigation+ Recharge has given better results than the normal fertigation test, meanwhile if the normal fertigation is reduced by 50%, the impact of Recharge is not noticeable in the yield. Finally, the results associated to the use of Yokosan do not show any appreciable variation.