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National Post

University Trial Confirms Persist® PAF Enhances Plant-Beneficial Microbes

Article content VGrid partnered with Wageningen University and Research, a global leader in controlled-environment agriculture, to conduct this hydroponics tomato cultivation trial. Article content CAMARILLO, Calif. — A recent university study found that Persist® PAF, a liquid enhancer for plants and soil, boosts the growth of beneficial microbes in biochar—leading to lasting improvements in the root zone of hydroponic tomato plants. Article content The study, conducted in the Netherlands, compared pistachio shell biochar—produced by VGrid's Bioserver® units—with standard coir slabs, untreated biochar, acetic acid-treated biochar, and biochar pre-treated with PAF. Researchers evaluated microbial activity in both the growing medium and tomato rhizosphere over a 23-week cultivation period using advanced qPCR and DNA metabarcoding methods. Article content In the trial, PAF-treated biochar showed significantly higher levels of beneficial bacteria—especially those involved in nutrient cycling and plant resilience—compared to untreated or acid-only treatments. The result is a more biologically active root zone that supports better plant growth and productivity. Article content Key Findings: Article content compared to all other substrates, including coir, untreated biochar, and biochar treated with acetic acid. Article content The bacterial phyla Nitrospirae and Firmicutes Article content , which are known to promote nutrient cycling and plant resilience, were substantially more abundant in the PAF-treated biochar. Article content PAF had a lasting impact on the microbiome of the biochar substrate and the tomato rhizosphere Article content , resulting in a more diverse and beneficial bacterial community throughout the cultivation period. Article content These findings highlight the potential of PAF to enhance crop and soil productivity, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, and advance sustainable, organic, and regenerative agriculture. Article content Jeff Norton, Vice President of Business Development with VGrid, commented, 'We're excited with these results. They further confirm what we've seen in previous trials and the field—PAF improves plant vigor and drives positive change to the microbiome. The PAF-treated biochar also significantly outperformed acetic acid-treated biochar, showing that PAF's benefits aren't just about lowering pH—its unique chemistry is driving the results.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content