Healthy Pulses with Less Nodulation

We’ve invested years into developing a biological seed treatment (A*LIVE Seed) to work with nature to improve early-season crop performance, especially in pulse crops, which are highly responsive to soil biology.

The result? A carefully selected blend of Bacillus species and biosurfactants designed to:

• Improve nutrient availability (especially phosphorus),

• Stimulate stronger root and shoot development, and

• Help crops get off to a fast, stress-resilient start.

Growers using our product are seeing healthier, greener pulse crops, but sometimes, they’re also noticing fewer root nodules.

Let’s explain why that’s not a problem, but actually a sign that the product is working exactly as intended.

A Common Grower Question:

“My peas look fantastic, really healthy and green. But there aren’t as many nodules. Is that bad?”

Short Answer:

Not at all. Your crop is likely getting nutrients more efficiently through improved root growth and soil nutrient release, reducing the need for energy-intensive nodulation.

What’s in A*LIVE Seed?

Microbe	Known Functions
Bacillus subtilis	Hormone production, root stimulation, biocontrol
Bacillus megaterium	Phosphate solubilization, micronutrient uptake
Bacillus licheniformis	Stress tolerance, soil nutrient cycling
Biosurfactants	Improved microbial adherence to seeds and roots

How It Works

1. More Phosphorus = Better Root Systems

• Bacillus megaterium breaks down unavailable phosphorus.

• Larger root systems mean better access to water and nutrients, including nitrogen, without immediate reliance on nodulation.

2. Hormone Boost Drives Early Vigor

• Bacillus subtilis produces auxins and gibberellins → stronger early root and shoot growth.

• Plants focus energy on growing, not forming nodules, especially when nutrients are already available.

3. Less Nodulation = Smarter Energy Use

• Nodulation takes energy.

• If the plant senses enough available nitrogen (from improved root uptake and mineralization), it will form fewer nodules to conserve resources.

Visual: Energy Dynamics

Biologicals active → Nutrient access ↑ → Nodulation demand ↓

No biologicals → Nutrient stress ↑ → Nodulation demand ↑

Grower Checklist

What to Watch	Why It Matters
Later-stage nodulation	Nodules may form later once growth stabilizes
Tissue N test	Confirm crop isn’t short on nitrogen
Yield performance	Early vigor often predicts stronger yield

In Summary: A Smarter Start for Pulse Crops

Your biological seed treatment is doing more than just improving plant health, it's helping your pulse crop grow more efficiently by:

• Solubilizing phosphorus and unlocking key nutrients,

• Stimulating early root and shoot development through natural hormones,

• Supporting stress tolerance and disease suppression, and

• Reducing the plant’s need for early nodulation by improving nutrient access.

So, if you see a healthier crop, but less nodules, it's not a warning sign, it’s proof the system is working.

By building a stronger foundation early, you're setting up your pulse crop for:

• More uniform growth,

• Better resilience under stress,

• And ultimately, higher yield potential with fewer inputs.

Biologicals aren't just a supplement, they're becoming a core part of the pulse production toolbox, especially in a world that demands both sustainability and performance.

References

1. Shaharoona et al., 2006 – Differential response of chickpea to PGPR with phosphate-solubilizing ability→ ScienceDirect

2. Zaidi et al., 2015 – Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in chickpea under P-deficient soils→ DOI

3. Verma et al., 2019 – Bacillus subtilis as a plant-growth-promoting bacterium→ DOI

4. Kumar et al., 2020 – PGPR effects on chickpea-rhizobia symbiosis→ DOI

5. Tsegaye et al., 2023 – PGPR diversity in chickpea fields of Ethiopia→ DOI