Jan Mühlena's sales territory stretches from the River Main to Lake Constance, from the Black Sea to Italy. The main focus of his work is on technical customer support, R&D support, marketing and public relations. The development of new sales channels and partnerships and the expansion of existing sales networks is a fixed program. There is always something to do if agriculture is to succeed sustainably – and humic substances are predestined for this.

New perspective for the soil habitat

In nurseries and field cultivation, new types of inputs such as substrates, fertilizers or even humic substances carry the risk of upsetting existing cultivation systems. This is why individual and expert advice is so important. "Never change a running system," they say. However: no company, whether in the IT industry or in agriculture, can afford this attitude. Innovative standstill means the end sooner or later.

HUMINTECH products work quite differently from the usual ones; as a biostimulant, they act systemically at different levels in the soil and in the plant – which is why cooperation between users and consultants at eye level is so important and the product must speak for itself.

Understanding biostimulants – more tool than miracle

"You can tell there's a paradigm shift in enforcement," Mühlena says of his consultations. "More and more farmers are realizing that healthy soils are the foundation for high yields and robust crops." As a result, in-house biostimulants have recently become more of a focus.

Soil-borne microorganisms that have been severely depleted by intensive cultivation can be selectively reintroduced to the soil and help restore natural balances. Bacillus and trichoderma strains or mycorrhizal fungi revitalize the soil, displacing harmful bacteria and fungi.

This is also reflected in the popularity of BioHealth® TH BS WSG, which unfolds its positive effect on the soil in several ways; in addition to the growth-stimulating humic substances and algae extracts on the roots, the growth conditions in the soil are improved by increased formation of clay-humus complexes and a favorable soil structure. Microbial revitalization stimulates the formation of humus and promotes self-hygienization of the soil.

HS-300BIO Basic also has a growth-promoting effect on soil flora and fauna and enriches it with stable humic substances. Great advantage: Due to the low pH value, this product can be mixed very well with other inputs.

Olives, vine, chamomile or cale – humus is the key

The general application notes on the website and the products serve as a rough guide – but as soon as there is a need, Jan Mühlena provides advice by phone or on site, accompanies field trials and leads workshops in his typical "hands-on mentality".

In southern Germany, much of the focus is on viticulture, fruit growing and landscaping. Demand from the hobby sector for lawns and vegetable beds, but also from the arable segment, has been picking up strongly in recent years. "In Germany, interest in humus building and soil health is increasing across the board, and we are clearly noticing this," says Jan Mühlena.

In Italy and Spain, on the other hand, humic substances have been firmly established on the market for years – there, degraded soils with low humus contents and therefore rising production costs have long entailed the need to keep a constant eye on and maintain soil health and yield formation.