All About Continuum™

What is it?

Four carefully chosen species of beneficial bacteria. Each species (Bacilus subtilis, Bacilus pumulis, Bacilus amyloliquifaciens, and Paenibacillus chitinolyticus) is classified as a Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). The product includes each species in live cell form, dormant cell form, AND the nutrient broth they were co-cultured in, which is full of compounds that are valuable for root and whole plant health.

Why do we make it?

Impello is committed to evolving the science and art of crafting microbial inoculants. In natural environments, bacteria almost never occur in a “pure” form as single species or strains. Instead, various organisms live and work together and symbiotic relationships co-evolve among the different members of microbial consortia and with their plant hosts over time. The beneficial compounds in the bioactive broth are the product of inter-species communication; often called “cross-talk”. Continuµm was innovated with the creation and support of these natural, adaptive relationships in mind. 

We took the original members of the Tribus consortium and then added another beneficial bacteria (Paenibacillus chitinolyticus) known for its chitinase producing abilities. Then, four members are grown together in a community, suspended in a nutrient broth where they can eat, grow, and together, develop a number of metabolites that are valuable for plant health. We decided on this co-culture approach because none of these species, alone, can do everything for plants that this community of microbes can do, together. Continuµm is a pre-adapted ecosystem in a bottle. 

What else should be considered an ecosystem? It might not be obvious that controlled horticultural production systems– especially those that we strive to keep free of other organisms– are, in fact, ecosystems. In fact, there is no such thing as true sterility in these systems and trying to kill every last living microorganism, can even cause worse problems (every wonder why the worst antibiotic resistant microbes are found in hospitals? —It is, at least in part,  because of our constant efforts to kill them.) Cleanliness is important in grows, however they remain ecosystems in which symbiotic relationships can and should form in order for plants to perform their best. Adding the beneficial organisms and the compounds of Continuµm to indoor ecosystems which usually lack them helps create communities which improve yield and health without causing pesticide resistance. Likewise, adding Continuµm to outdoor, large-scale systems can ensure that enough relationships with beneficial bacteria are formed to support plant growth in all kinds of ways. See below!

What are these organisms doing to help my plants?

If you know our product, Tribus, you probably already know that B. subtilis has many roles in plant health including solubilization of nutrients (like phosphorus) and production of compounds and hormones that increase stress-tolerance. B. amyloliquifaciens establishes residency on plant roots and makes, among other things, the metabolite surfactin, a soap-like molecule, which creates a barrier of protection from other, potentially disease-producing organisms in the system. Researchers have found that B. pumulis facilitates the uptake of macronutrients such as Nitrogen, and micronutrients such as Boron, and also produces hormones which help plants grow. Like the other members of this consortium, the P. chitinolyticus that we add to Continuµm has a strong relationship with plant health and is known for its production of the beneficial enzyme, chitinase. Continuµm is all of these beneficial organisms grown together in a community, bottled with all the beneficial molecules they produce. In a way, you could say Continuµm is an encapsulation of our philosophy here at Impello: Health, growth, quality: all these things go best when you treat your grow as an ecosystem. Organisms work best together.