The most important nutrient for plants is nitrogen. In the form of inorganic ammonium nitrate it constitutes the largest component in commercial fertilizers. However, in forest plant nurseries, the inorganic nitrogen is not readily absorbed by the peat. This leads to an undesired leakage into the environment and a constant need to add more fertilizer.

Several lines of evidence suggest that organic sources, the foremost being amino acids, may constitute potential sources of nitrogen. Based on the patents we hold, we are now developing a series of fertilizer products (based on the amino acid arginine) for seedlings in nurseries as well as for field grown conifers.

The project aims to develop plant nutrients that are environmentally friendly and more beneficial for seedling and plant development. The project is being carried out in collaboration with some of the largest forest owners in Sweden: Sveaskog AB, Bergvik Skog AB and Holmen Skog AB.

The new fertilizers will:

• Be environmentally friendly
• Provide simplified fertilizing management
• Improve plant development both in the nursery and in the forest
• Increase survival of seedlings in the forest