BeCrop Trials

What is BeCrop Trials and frequent questions

1. Tests the effect of ag inputs on the soil microbiome.
2. Tests how long certain biological products remain in the soil.  
3. Justifies functional claims of bioactive products.
4. Correlates yield or other output differences with specific functions in the soil.
5. Bioactive product analysis.
6. Justifies compositional claims of biological products.
7. Describes the functional potential of a certain product.
8. Confirms taxonomy and absolute quantification of microorganisms in biological products for manufacturers sourcing their inoculums externally.

Who is BeCrop Trials appropriate for?

BeCrop Trials is suitable for input manufacturers and retailers, although it can be used by any player in the agricultural ecosystem. 

What are the outcomes received? 

Upon completion of the project you will receive reports for each sample you take and you will also have access to a specialist who will analyze the data obtained in order to explain how you can get the most out of the data received. 

As a Biome Makers customer, you will have access to the BeCrop Portal platform. Here you will be able to view your project data and we will provide you with analytical comparison tools so you can make data-driven decisions.

How long I need to wait until I get the results?

Since the samples have arrived at our laboratory, you can expect your results within 2 to 6 weeks. The duration depends on the capacity of our facilities for sample processing. 

How many samples do I need?

For a comprehensive analysis of your product performance, we recommend more than 4 replicas (to increase the statistical power of the test), more than 2 sampling times (to see short and long term responses), and more than 3 locations with contrasting soil physicochemical conditions (to understand where your product performance the best)

What is a replica?

Independent samples that are collected within the same treatment area at the same time point.

Why do you need more samples for BeCrop Trials than BeCrop Test?

BeCrop Trials methodology is different as for BeCrop Test. Multiple replicates are used to account for the slight natural variability between samples in order to provide a robust analysis of the effects of input in the soil microbiome and to determine which changes are statistically significant and due to the product itself.

BeCrop Trials works with the same functional indexes as the BeCrop Test. The main difference between these products is the statistical focus of the analysis in the BeCrop Trial
BeCrop Trial compares the samples within the same project before and after the product application and calculates the change for all the indexes included in the BeCrop Test and the statistical significance of these changes.  

How is the BeCrop Trials methodology?

BeCrop Trial assess of the effects of agriculture inputs on the soil microbial functions over time by comparing control blocks with treatment blocks over multiple time points and locations using replicates, in order to avoid environmental variables and assess input performance.

What are the practical applications of the results?

BeCrop Trials assess of the effects of agriculture inputs on the soil microbial functions over time by comparing control blocks with treatment blocks over multiple time points and locations using replicates, in order to eliminate environmental variables and assess input performance.

Other practical applications are:

Yield improvements

Crop quality

Risk Management

Performance tracking