Digest

DIGEST – Turn Tough Crop Residues into Soil-Building Value

Crop residues are not waste, they’re untapped resources. However, residues rich in lignin, such as straw and stubble, are notoriously slow to break down, locking away valuable nutrients and interfering with soil health and crop establishment. DIGEST changes the equation.

DIGEST is a 100% soluble, OF&G Organic-approved microbial bio-decomposer specifically engineered to speed up natural degradation of lignified biomass. By targeting lignin, the toughest structural component of plant material, DIGEST unlocks nutrients, accelerates residue breakdown, and fuels soil biology naturally and efficiently.

Engineered to Break Down the Toughest Residues

Lignin is what gives straw and stubble their rigidity, and what makes them resistant to conventional breakdown. DIGEST is purpose-built to tackle this challenge.

At its core is Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a specialist white-rot fungus scientifically proven to remove up to 50% of lignin within 10 days under optimal conditions. This powerful lignin degradation is reinforced by Trichoderma reesei, delivering strong cellulase activity to break down cellulose and hemicellulose, ensuring complete and efficient residue conversion.

Together, these fungi transform hard-to-rot material into humus-rich organic matter, dramatically accelerating the return of crop residues into the soil cycle.

The Advantage of a Microbial Consortium

DIGEST goes beyond single-strain biology. It utilises a carefully balanced microbial consortium combining fungal and bacterial species that work synergistically to maximise decomposition performance. Field and trial work shows blended microbial systems can achieve:

• Up to 26% lignin loss
• Up to 33% cellulose loss
• In as little as 8 days

Supporting organisms such as Bacillus spp. and Paenibacillus sp. enhance nutrient cycling, enzyme production, and microbial activity throughout the decomposition process. This collaborative biology significantly outperforms single-strain products, delivering faster breakdown, reduced surface residue, and superior soil integration.

Built for High-Fibre Residues

DIGEST is ideal for challenging residue scenarios, including:

• Wheat, rice, and maize straw
• High-lignin stubbles
• Residue-heavy rotations
• Regenerative and organic systems

Stubble contains an especially high proportion of lignin and is slow to decompose under normal conditions. Once broken down, however, it produces stable, humic-rich materials that boost soil organic matter and support long-term fertility.

From Crop Waste to Soil Wealth

By accelerating residue degradation, DIGEST delivers multiple agronomic benefits:

• Releases locked-up nutrients, making them available for the next crop
• Supports natural carbon and nitrogen cycling
• Improves soil aggregation and floc formation, enhancing aeration and drainage
• Stimulates soil microbial populations
• Reduces the need for burning or intensive cultivation

Healthier soils mean improved root penetration, better water movement, and stronger early crop establishment.

Proven Performance, Practical Application

DIGEST is supplied as a 100% fully soluble powder, making it simple to mix, handle, and apply across a range of systems.

Key features:

• Fully compatible with organic, regenerative, and conventional systems
• OF&G Organic-approved
• Natural maltodextrin carrier to support microbial establishment
• Designed for rapid activation when applied with moisture and residue contact

By converting difficult residues into a valuable soil-building resource, DIGEST improves productivity today while investing in soil function for tomorrow.

DIGEST

Break down residues. Boost fertility. Build better soils—naturally.