With a love for soil biology and regenerative farming, Charus du Plessis is invested in guiding farmers towards healthier, more productive soils. As the soil nutrition specialist at Atlantic Fertilisers, Charus combines scientific insight with practical field experience to support producers in adopting organic and sustainable fertilisation strategies.
His work is driven by the belief that building soil fertility through natural inputs not only improves yields but also secures the future of agriculture for generations to come. “Healthy soil isn’t just the start of a good crop,” he says. “It’s the foundation of long-term farm success.”
According to Charus, fish-based products are gaining traction in modern agriculture, especially in vineyards focused on sustainability and soil health. One such product is fish hydrolysate – a natural liquid fertiliser packed with plant-available nutrients and amino acids.
Charus du Plessis, soil nutrition specialist at Atlantic Fertilisers.
What is fish hydrolysate?
Fish hydrolysate is a liquid fertiliser made from fish parts that are enzymatically broken down into short-chain proteins and amino acids.
Unlike fish emulsion, which is typically heated and filtered (removing many valuable compounds), fish hydrolysate is produced at low temperatures, preserving more nutrients. This makes it biologically active and easier for plants and soil microbes to utilise.
How does fish hydrolysate compare with other fertilisers?
Traditional fertilisers supply concentrated nutrients, primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K). Fish hydrolysate, on the other hand, is applied at lower nutrient levels but focuses on stimulating root development and feeding soil biology. The amino acids in fish hydrolysate are directly available to plant roots and microbes, enhancing nutrient cycling and improving soil ecosystem over time.
What is its advantage over fulvic and humic acids?
Fulvic and humic acids are already well-known for enhancing nutrient availability by chelating minerals, improving nutrient availability under limiting soil conditions, but fish hydrolysate supplies actual basic nutrition, such as amino acids, that serve as food for the plants and soil microbes. This promotes a more active and self-sustaining rhizosphere, where plants support beneficial microbes, and microbes, in turn, make nutrients more accessible.
The result is a more balanced, living soil system with long-term benefits for vine health and wine quality.
What are the advantages and potential limitations of using fish hydrolysate?
Advantages:
- Enhances microbial activity and root development
- Improves nutrient availability and uptake
- Stimulates a healthy rhizosphere (root zone)
Potential limitations:
- May have a strong natural smell if not properly handled
- Shorter shelf life than synthetic products due to its biological nature
- Requires proper storage and mixing guidelines
When used properly as part of a broader soil nutrition plan, these limitations are minimal compared to the long-term benefits.
What fish hydrolysate products are available on the market?
Atlantic Fertilisers offers a premium fish hydrolysate product, Ocean Nutrition, as part of its Bio range. It’s compatible with most tank mixes and fits easily into fertigation or foliar spray programs. When used alongside organic fertilisers, soil-first strategy that improves vine resilience, enhances grape quality, and promotes sustainable production practices.
Fish hydrolysate is a long-term investment in your soil and vineyard ecosystem. When combined with proper soil management and a balanced nutrition strategy, it provides a good opportunity and a powerful tool for growers seeking healthier vines, better wines, and more sustainable farming. As soil biology becomes central to premium grape production, fish-based fertilisers are fast becoming part of the future of viticulture.
