In modern agriculture, there is a great need for sustainable and efficient solutions to boost plant protection, nutrition, and resilience. Conventional chemical adjuvants and adhesives are effective but often pose environmental risks. As a result, they can negatively impact soil health and biodiversity.

Liposam, an innovative biological adjuvant and adhesive agent developed by BTU-CENTER (BTU), represents a breakthrough. BTU Liposam offers a natural, eco-friendly, and highly effective alternative to synthetic adjuvants.

For over 25 years, BTU has pioneered sustainable agricultural technologies. They harness the natural potential of microorganisms to protect plants, increase yields, and restore soil health. Their solutions, from biofertilizers to biofungicides, embody the principle that agriculture can thrive in harmony with nature.

One of BTU’s most remarkable innovations began with research by Valentyna Bolokhovska, the company’s co-owner and chief of R&D. During her Ph.D. studies four decades ago, she investigated biopolymers. Twenty years later, this research found a transformative application in agriculture, resulting in Liposam.

The Science Behind Liposam

Liposam is based on microbial polysaccharides. Specifically, these are exopolysaccharides produced by the bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa. Unlike traditional adjuvants, Liposam forms a protective elastic network on plant surfaces. This enhances the retention, absorption, and stability of active substances like biopesticides and biofertilizers.

This unique formulation allows crops to retain moisture, optimize nutrient uptake, and withstand stress factors like drought. In addition to its physical film-forming properties, Liposam is natural, biodegradable, and enriched with microbial metabolites that can have secondary biostimulant effects.

Key Applications and Benefits

Enhancing Spray Quality

One of Liposam’s primary uses is to improve the quality of agricultural spray applications. By reducing surface tension, it ensures treatments form a uniform coating on leaves, even on waxy or hairy foliage. Tests show solutions with Liposam adhere better and ensure more complete coverage.

Rainfastness — Protection Against Wash-Off

Retention and adhesion studies have demonstrated Liposam’s exceptional ability to prevent the loss of active ingredients. In fact, results have shown up to a 500 percent improvement in agrochemical retention compared to controls. This is especially valuable for crops exposed to unpredictable weather.

Preventing Herbicide Leaching

Soil-applied herbicides are at risk of leaching during heavy rain. Liposam helps keep these active ingredients in the topsoil. Trials in Germany in 2023 confirmed that Liposam improved herbicide effectiveness while also lowering phytotoxicity to crops.

Boosting the Efficacy of Biologicals

Liposam also boosts the effectiveness of biological control agents. For example, in a study with Bacillus subtilis, plants treated with both B. subtilis and Liposam showed better health after simulated rain and subsequent infection. Similarly, Liposam improves performance with fungi such as Trichoderma, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae.

Improving Drought Tolerance

One of Liposam’s most valuable benefits is its ability to improve plant tolerance to water stress. Field studies in Ukraine’s arid zones (2021–2023) showed yield increases of +0.82 t/ha for corn and +0.78 t/ha for sunflower under drought conditions. Treated plants retained more water and showed lower stress.

Synergy with Biofertilizers

The synergy also applies to biofertilizers. When used with phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms (e.g., Groundfix), Liposam enhanced bacterial survival. The polysaccharide matrix acted as both a protective shield against UV light and a nutrient source.

Reducing Fruit Cracking

Fruit cracking is a costly problem for growers. In trials, Liposam treatments reduced cracking in cherry varieties by 20–50 percent. This translates into higher marketable yields and increased profitability.

Field Trials, Certification & Global Adoption

Extensive lab, greenhouse, and field trials have validated Liposam’s effectiveness across multiple climates. Furthermore, international certifications have facilitated its rapid market adoption.

Key Trial Results

• Retention/Adhesion: Simulated rainfall tests showed up to 500 percent improved retention of agrochemicals.
• Drought Tolerance (Ukraine, 2021–2023): Yield increases of +0.82 t/ha for corn and +0.78 t/ha for sunflower in arid zones.
• Herbicide Efficiency (Germany, 2023): Confirmed improved herbicide efficacy and reduced phytotoxicity.
• International testing in Brazil (2023) and the Ivory Coast (2024) has consistently demonstrated increased input performance.

Certification and Market Reach

• Approved as an adjuvant by the BVL in Germany (2021)
• Listed by FiBL for use in organic farming (2022)
• Honored with the “Global BioAgTech Pioneering Innovation Runners-Up Award”

Today, BTU Liposam is applied on over 2 million hectares worldwide, positioning it as a trusted solution for both conventional and organic agriculture.

Conclusion: A Breakthrough in Bio-Ag

Liposam represents a rare combination of scientific innovation, practical value, and environmental responsibility. Born from decades of biopolymer research by Valentyna Bolokhovska, it has proven its worth across multiple agricultural challenges.

By integrating biotechnology, agronomic research, and sustainable farming practices, Liposam is more than a product. It is a scalable, effective, and eco-friendly solution. As global agriculture faces the dual challenge of producing more food with less environmental impact, innovations like Liposam will play a crucial role in shaping the farms of the future.