Many agricultural tools, one bottle: What “‘multimodality” means in microbial inoculants

In our last blog post, we introduced the concept of co-culturing—the art and science of growing compatible microbes together, rather than blending them after the fact. Co-culture unlocks a range of benefits: synergy, stability, and a microbial product that performs more consistently across real-world environments. But co-culture is only the beginning.

When we talk about our flagship product, Continuµm, we often describe it as multimodal. But what does that really mean—and why does it matter?

First, a reminder: what co-culturing unlocks

Most microbial inoculants are either single species or blended individually cultured species. The microbes inside may have never "met" before formulation, and they aren’t given the chance to adapt to one another or begin functioning as a system. 

Continuµm is different. It’s co-cultured, meaning all four microbial species are grown together, not apart. 

This method encourages cooperative behavior and microbial crosstalk, and multifunctional performance in varied field conditions. This sets the stage for a living system—something greater than the sum of its parts.

What Is “multimodality” really?

Continuµm is not a pesticide, but in many ways the concept of a “mode of action” or MoA applies here as well, only in a biostimulant when we say "mode of action" we are talking about how a product functions to enhance existing plant and environmental processes like nutrient uptake. In simple terms, multimodality means that Continuµm supports plant performance through many layers of functional pathways—not just one.

Rather than targeting a narrow issue with a narrow solution, Continuµm offers a layered approach that addresses root health, nutrient cycling, plant growth, and environmental adaptability—all in one pass. And that’s not just about what's in the bottle. It’s about how it all works together.

The first layer of “multimodality”: Microbial biodiversity and how each species brings unique “agricultural talents”

Continuµm contains four well-studied soil-dwelling bacterial species—each with its own strengths, each compatible with the others in co-culture:

Bacillus subtilis is a powerhouse of rhizosphere support, known for its ability to produce a wide array of enzymes that unlock nutrients like phosphorus, making them more accessible to plants. It also forms robust biofilms around roots, offering both protection and a structured environment for microbial communication—helping beneficial microbes thrive while making it harder for unwanted organisms to establish.

Bacillus pumilus is especially valued for its production of stress-buffering metabolites that help plants maintain function under environmental pressure. It enhances early root vigor and supports strong vegetative growth, playing a key role in plant resilience during drought, salinity, or other abiotic stress conditions.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a potent stimulator of natural plant hormone activity, particularly auxins that drive both root and shoot development. B. amyloliquefaciens also plays a role in solubilizing key minerals like potassium, improving plant nutrient uptake. Beyond that, it contributes to microbial balance in the rhizosphere, promoting a healthy and cooperative soil environment.

Paenibacillus chitinolyticus is a decomposer of complex organic material, breaking down chitin-rich debris and helping to release otherwise inaccessible nutrients locked in organic matter. This natural recycling process supports nitrogen availability and indirectly improves soil structure—enhancing both fertility and root-zone health over time.

Together, these species create a network of support functions—from solubilizing nutrients to promoting hormonal balance to stabilizing the microbial community around the plant. And because of the co-culturing process, Continuµm contains both active and sporulated (dormant) cells—allowing for immediate action and long-term persistence. It’s a tool that works now and later.

The next layer of “multimodality”: How they work together: cooperative function from bioreactor to root zone

Here’s where things get even more interesting. Co-culture encourages microbial interactions that simply don’t happen when you mix single strains in a bottle. These four microbes aren’t just coexisting—they’re collaborating. It starts in the bioreactor but carries over to the applied environment. In both field and greenhouse they’ve been observed to: Build structured biofilms that stabilize microbial populations on the root surface; Share metabolites that allow energy-efficient growth and broader function; Shift the local microbial community toward a plant-friendly balance; Occupy space that might otherwise be available to pathogen opportunists and maintain plant health.

And here’s the key point: Since Continuµm isn’t a pesticide, it facilitates plant health through mimicking a natural ecosystem and supporting natural plant relationships and processes. By making the phyllosphere a biologically diverse place, it prevents problems before they start, without triggering the evolution of resistance the way a pesticide would.

The last layer of “multimodality”: microbial messages in the broth

Most microbial products discard the fermentation broth—the liquid environment microbes grow in. The Continuµm process keeps it. Why? Because in a true co-culture, the broth contains microbial communication molecules, signaling compounds, and other beneficial metabolites that emerge from microbes interacting in real time. The exact profile of these compounds is complex—and still being explored by researchers—but likely molecular candidates include: Organic acids that help mobilize nutrients and support root growth; Siderophores that facilitate iron uptake and suppress opportunistic organisms; Surfactants that improve microbial adhesion and root colonization; and Polysaccharides that enhance soil aggregation and water retention. These aren’t additives—they’re byproducts of cooperation. They’re what microbes make when they grow together, and they’re retained in the product as part of Continuµm’s layered functionality.

How it all comes together: The case for multimodality

So what does all of this mean for a grower?

1. More modes of action = More ways to support the crop

Continuµm doesn’t chase a single outcome—it supports plant performance on multiple fronts. Its microbial activity contributes to nutrient cycling, root colonization, soil aggregation, hormonal balance, and environmental buffering. By operating through a range of biological functions, it helps crops access more resources, respond more effectively to stress, and maintain momentum through the ups and downs of the growing season. Continuµm doesn’t chase a single outcome—it supports plant performance on multiple fronts.

2. Redundancy = Reliability across environments

In unpredictable field conditions, what works one week might fail the next. Continuµm’s layered biology and biochemistry give it more contingency plans—more ways to function, even when the unexpected happens.

3. Proactive support = Resilience without resistance

By strengthening the plant and stabilizing the root environment, Continuµm helps keep disease irrelevant—without direct killing, and without triggering resistance cycles.

This isn’t a silver bullet. It’s a systems tool. One bottle. Many tools. Long-term value. Plants don’t thrive because we fight everything around them. They thrive when the conditions around their roots are well-balanced, supported, and self-reinforcing. That’s the real strength of Continuµm: not force, but functional resilience—layered, long-lasting, and ready to perform wherever it lands.

 

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