From Other Fields: Could Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Sprays Support Soil or Odor Management in Alberta?
Microbial products are gaining attention in many parts of the world as farmers look for ways to improve soil health, reduce odours, and manage waste more efficiently. One practice growing in popularity in Japan and other regions is the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) sprays made from simple on-farm ferments.
This article explores how LAB is being used elsewhere, what the science says, and whether this approach realistically fits agricultural conditions in West-Central Alberta.
What Are Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB)?
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of beneficial microorganisms commonly found in fermented foods, silage, and natural environments. They produce organic acids—especially lactic acid—that can suppress harmful microbes and support nutrient cycling (Raman et al., 2022; Jaffar et al., 2023).
In agriculture, research suggests LAB may act as:
Biocontrol agents, helping suppress fungal and bacterial diseases
Plant growth promoters through improved nutrient solubility and hormone production
Soil health contributors, increasing microbial activity and organic matter breakdown
Odour reducers in compost and manure systems, due to acidification and microbial competition
While most research comes from greenhouse, compost, or controlled-environment studies, interest in LAB-based amendments is growing worldwide.
How LAB Sprays Are Being Used in Japan and Other Regions
Japan has a strong tradition of fermentation-based agriculture, including bokashi composting and microbial soil amendments. LAB ferments—or LAB-rich mixtures—fit naturally into these systems.
Producers in parts of Asia use LAB preparations to:
Spray compost piles to accelerate decomposition
Reduce odours in manure and waste-handling areas
Improve soil tilth and microbial activity
Support plant health in vegetable and greenhouse systems
Some LAB strains used in these systems have even been isolated from Japanese compost and fermentation residues (Agrilactobacillus composti, 2024).
Applications are generally low-cost and simple. A starch source (like rice water or molasses) is fermented with naturally occurring LAB and diluted for use as a spray or soil drench. Reported benefits include improved root growth, better nutrient availability, and reduced disease pressure in some crops (Applied Sciences Review, 2024; Jaffar et al., 2023).
However, most field evidence still comes from warm, humid regions or controlled environments—not from northern temperate pasture systems.
Are LAB Practices Already Used in Alberta?
While Alberta isn’t using LAB sprays the same way Japan does, LAB is not new to our agricultural systems. Several practices already rely on LAB, even if producers don’t think of them that way. LAB products are often marketed under other names—like EM, bokashi starters, compost accelerators, or microbial soil blends—so producers may have used LAB without realizing it.
1. Silage Inoculants (Common & Proven)
Many beef and dairy operations in Alberta use commercial silage inoculants containing LAB such as:
Lactobacillus plantarum
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Lactobacillus buchneri
These help improve fermentation, reduce spoilage, and maintain feed quality. This is the most widely adopted, research-supported use of LAB in Western Canada.
2. Composting and Bedding-Pack Additives (Limited Use)
Some compost accelerators and bedding-pack “microbial conditioners” sold in Alberta contain LAB as part of a broader microbial blend. These are used to support decomposition and reduce odours in:
Poultry barns
Deep-bedding systems
Dairy and equine operations
Usage is moderate, and results vary depending on bedding, moisture, and handling.
3. Bokashi and Small-Scale Ferments (Niche)
A handful of market gardeners, homesteads, and regenerative operations use bokashi-style composting or small ferments that naturally cultivate LAB. This is a niche practice, not mainstream.
4. On-Farm Fermented Teas/Extracts (Rare)
A few regenerative-focused producers have experimented with fermented extracts or microbial teas that may contain LAB, but adoption is very limited.
Bottom line: Alberta producers already use LAB successfully in silage and, to a lesser extent, composting systems, but LAB field sprays or soil drenches remain largely untested in prairie agriculture.
Could LAB Sprays Work in West-Central Alberta?
Potential Opportunities
While LAB is not a magic solution, there are several areas where it could hold exploratory value for our region:
1. Compost and Manure Management
LAB may help reduce odours and increase decomposition rates in bedding packs, small compost piles, or manure stockpiles.
2. Soil Biological Activity
On Dark Grey Wooded soils—often cool, acidic, and low in microbial activity—targeted microbial inoculants may help stimulate early-season processes.
3. Low-Cost On-Farm Trials
LAB can be produced cheaply with on-farm ingredients. For producers experimenting with regenerative practices or integrated waste systems, small-scale trials may be worth exploring.
Major Challenges for Prairie Conditions
1. Limited Field Research in Cold Climates
Most published LAB work is conducted in warm, moist regions or greenhouses. We lack strong evidence that LAB sprays perform consistently under Alberta’s short growing season and cool soils (Raman et al., 2022).
2. Soil Temperature Constraints
LAB activity slows significantly in cold soils. Early-season applications may have limited value unless used in warm or high-organic-matter environments.
3. Odour Control Depends on System Design
LAB alone is unlikely to improve odours without considering bedding, airflow, moisture, and manure-handling practices.
4. Consistency & Quality Control
Farm-made LAB ferments may vary between batches. Commercial microbial products, meanwhile, must meet Canadian regulatory standards.
Practical Takeaway
LAB sprays are an interesting concept with promising global examples, especially from Japan’s fermentation-based farming systems. They may offer value in specific, contained applications—such as compost piles, bedding packs, or targeted forage renovation areas.
Alberta producers already use LAB successfully in silage inoculants, showing clear value in that role. But using LAB as a field spray or odour-management tool remains experimental in prairie conditions.
Farmers interested in exploring LAB can start small, compare treated and untreated areas, and track simple metrics like:
Odour levels
Compost temperature and breakdown rate
Seedling emergence and root growth
More region-specific research is needed before LAB becomes a mainstream tool in Western Canadian agriculture.
If you’re interested in setting up a small trial or exploring funding options for on-farm innovation, feel free to contact the Farming Forward team—we’re happy to help.
Sources & Further Reading
Raman et al. (2022).
Application of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) in Sustainable Agriculture: Advantages and Limitations. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/14/7784
Jaffar et al. (2023).
The potential of lactic acid bacteria in mediating the control of plant diseases and plant growth stimulation in crop production. Frontiers in Plant Science.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1047945/full
Springer Review (2024).
Lactic acid bacteria as an eco-friendly approach in plant production: Current state and prospects. Folia Microbiologica.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12223-024-01146-3
Applied Sciences Review (2024).
Importance of Lactic Acid Bacteria as an Emerging Group of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). Applied Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/5/1798
Bokashi Background – Japan.
Bokashi (horticulture).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokashi_(horticulture)
Applied Research Disclaimer
This article is for learning and awareness. It highlights practices used in other regions and is not a recommendation for adoption in Alberta without further research, local trials, regulatory review, and nutritional consultation.
