Restore soil biology
Reintroduce a broad mix of bacteria and fungi so the soil can cycle nutrients and support deeper roots again.
Soil Bio Microbes (SBM)
SBM is a liquid microbial solution with about 48 microbial groups — roughly 60% bacteria and 40% fungi — that work mainly in the deeper soil layers to cycle nutrients, support crop and livestock systems, and help you cut back on inorganic inputs.
For crop, livestock and mixed farmers, agents and distributors across South Africa.
This is the product page for Soil Bio Microbes (SBM) — a liquid microbial solution for farmers who want to restore soil biology and reduce inorganic chemical inputs. It is written for crop, livestock and mixed farmers, plus agents and distributors who supply co-ops and local farms.
Use the links below to jump to how SBM works, where it fits on the farm, how it compares with a chemical programme, and how to buy or apply as an agent or distributor.
Many conventional programmes treat soil as a carrier for NPK, pesticides and fungicides. Over time that can thin out microbial diversity, weaken root systems, tighten compaction layers and leave nutrients locked where the crop cannot use them.
The farm then pays twice: once for the bag or drum, and again when roots stay shallow, disease pressure rises, or livestock health depends on more interventions. Soil Bios positions SBM as a way to put biology back underneath the crop and the pasture instead of stacking more inorganic chemistry on top.
If you want the soil-side picture first, read what healthy soil is and healthy soil in crop farming.
SBM is a compilation of soil microbes in solution form. There are about 48 groups in the mix — roughly 60% bacteria and 40% fungi. It is made to work mainly in the deeper soil layers. Some of the bacteria are sensitive to UV and temperature, which is why the product is aimed at the soil, not as a leaf shine spray.
The groups include probiotics, natural antibiotics, nitrogen fixers, digesters and fermenters, disease-suppressive organisms, carbon-sequestration helpers and nutrient cyclers. Together they are meant to rebuild soil characteristics that a chemical-only programme does not replace. More background: what soil microbes are and why they matter.
Reintroduce a broad mix of bacteria and fungi so the soil can cycle nutrients and support deeper roots again.
Position SBM to replace or cut back fertiliser, pesticide and fungicide spend as biology starts doing the work in the profile.
The same living-soil approach sits under cash crops, pastures and mixed farms. See also what a healthy crop is.
SBM is a soil-applied liquid. The product page notes applications about twice a year. Exact litres per hectare depend on crop, soil and programme — confirm current rates with Soil Bios before you spray or drip. FAQ figures on the site may be outdated.
Look at compaction, organic matter, root depth and what chemicals are still in the rotation. SBM is meant to work in the profile, so plan to get liquid into the soil rather than leaving it on the surface in full sun.
Use the method that fits the land — boom, drip, flood or planter-time wetting — so microbes reach deeper layers. Keep containers cool and out of harsh UV where possible.
Soil Bios’ position is to replace or reduce inorganic fertiliser, pesticide and fungicide use rather than stacking SBM on an unchanged chemical programme. Current rate and timing: [NEED FACT].
Judge progress on roots, soil smell and structure, plant vigour and animal performance — not only one yield number. Questions on buying and delivery sit on the FAQ page.
Ask Soil Bios about current pack sizes, delivery in your area, or a trial conversation. Buy from the shop or speak to the team first if you want a programme that fits crop or livestock.
This is a working comparison of approach — not a promise that every hectare drops every chemical on day one. Soil Bios’ stated aim is to replace or reduce inorganic inputs while soil life is restored.
| On the farm | Typical inorganic programme | Soil Bio Microbes approach |
|---|---|---|
| What you apply | Fertiliser, pesticide and fungicide packages on a calendar or pressure basis | Liquid microbial solution aimed at deeper soil layers |
| Where the work happens | Plant tissue and the top of the profile, often with repeat passes | Soil food web: bacteria and fungi cycling nutrients around roots |
| Soil condition over time | Risk of thinner biology, compaction and nutrients that stay locked | Aim is more diverse microbes, better soil character and carbon held in the soil |
| Cost shape | Ongoing bag and drum spend each season | Fewer chemical lines as biology is rebuilt — confirm current SBM price with the team |
| Crop and livestock | Yield pushed with chemistry; animal health often handled separately | Same living-soil base under crops, pastures and mixed systems |
One product line is used across crop land, livestock and mixed units. Match the story to your system, then confirm application with Soil Bios or a local distributor.
Use SBM to support deeper roots, nutrient cycling and a move away from a fertiliser-only habit. Pair this with healthy crop reading.
Living soil under grass and forage is the base. For herd-side biology see natural probiotics for cattle.
Same liquid for the lands you plant and the camps you graze. Agents and distributors supply local pickup or delivery — see SBM distributors.
These short notes are published on soilbios.com. They are field comments, not a controlled trial write-up. If you want a structured trial in KZN, see the trial farm invitation.
I just cut all my fertiziler and started getting better profit margins.
I could NEVER use fertilizer again after using SBM for the 3rd season.
Was first introduced to SBM in 2014 and cannot believe the amazing results the farmers have seen and been raving about.
Short product answers for this page. The full list lives on the Soil Bios FAQ.
SBM is a liquid compilation of about 48 microbial groups, roughly 60% bacteria and 40% fungi. Groups include probiotics, natural antibiotics, nitrogen fixers, digesters and fermenters, plus organisms that help suppress disease, sequester carbon and cycle nutrients.
SBM is described as working mainly in deeper layers because it includes UV- and temperature-sensitive bacteria. Plan application so the liquid reaches the soil profile and store product out of harsh sun.
Do not use old FAQ numbers as current. Confirm litres per hectare, pack size and rand per litre with Soil Bios before you order. The product page refers to applying about twice a year. Current rate and price: [NEED FACT].
Soil Bios’ published position is to move off inorganic fertiliser, pesticide and fungicide programmes as biology recovers. Older FAQ copy allows limited contact herbicide at the start. Confirm what still fits your lands before you mix products in one tank.
Order via the shop, contact the team, or apply as an agent or distributor. Local pickup points are listed under distributors.
Why microbial groups matter before you change a spray programme.
Living soil as a system — biology, structure and long-term fertility.
Crop health beyond a single green season.
How the farming system sits with the person running it.
Company background and how farmer feedback feeds the work.
Buying, storage and general SBM questions.
Get current pack sizes, delivery in your area, or a conversation about using SBM on crop, livestock or mixed land.