“THIS IS REALLY THE BEAUTY OF THE PLATFORM—IT ISN’T LIMITED TO ONE CROP OR ONE CLIMATE. IN THE ARID WEST, THE PAYOFF SHOWS UP AS WATER YOU DIDN’T HAVE BEFORE. IN HIGHER-RAINFALL REGIONS, IT SHOWS UP AS NUTRIENTS THAT STAY IN THE ROOT ZONE INSTEAD OF WASHING AWAY.” For growers, the appeal lies in both moisture retention and nutrient management. As water moves through the soil profile, valuable nutrients such as nitrogen can move with it. By holding water and nutrients in the root zone, the company said that InteliGel can help improve nutrient availability while reducing losses through leaching. Managing Both Drought and Excessive Rainfall One of the challenges facing modern agriculture is that growers must be prepared for two opposite weather scenarios: too little water and too much water. Godsey believes that moisture-management technologies need to provide meaningful agronomic production benefits in both situations. “In much of the western US, the issue is water quantity—there simply isn’t enough,” Dr. Godsey stated. “In the Midwest and eastern US, the issue is often water quality—too much water moving through the soil, carrying nutrients with it. InteliGel addresses both.” The hydrogel acts much like a sponge in the soil profile. When rainfall or irrigation water becomes available, it absorbs and stores moisture in the root zone. As soil moisture declines, the product gradually releases the stored water back to the crop. According to the company, this dynamic process continues throughout the growing season, helping buffer crops against environmental variability. Dr. Godsey explained: “This is where the technology really earns its keep, because it works in both directions. In a dry season or a dry region, moisture retention drives the biggest yield response. But the same material is just as valuable in a wet year. It absorbs excess moisture and, critically, keeps nutrients from leaching away with all that water.” As weather extremes become more common, technologies that can perform under a wide range of conditions may become increasingly valuable to producers seeking more consistent yields. Supporting Stronger Root Systems While moisture retention often receives the most attention, Godsey sees root development as another important benefit. He said that InteliGel creates a micro-environment where water and nutrients remain readily available in the same location, encouraging root growth and activity throughout the season. “Roots respond by growing toward and into that zone, which builds a healthier, more active root system,” related Dr. Godsey. “You might call it a one-stop shop for the plant: everything it needs to grow, right where it’s looking for it.” A stronger root system can contribute to improved nutrient uptake, increased stress tolerance, and greater resilience throughout the season. Those advantages may become particularly important when crops encounter periods of drought, heat stress, or other environmental challenges. Performance Across Diverse Cropping Systems Green Evolution Technologies has tested the product across multiple crop types and growing environments. According to Dr. Godsey, InteliGel has shown benefits in corn, soybeans, and wheat, as well as specialty crops and various tree crops. However, the nature of those benefits can vary depending on regional conditions and local environments. “This is really the beauty of the platform—it isn’t limited to one crop or one climate. In the arid West, the payoff shows up as water you didn’t have before. In higherrainfall regions, it shows up as nutrients that stay in the root zone instead of washing away,” Dr. Godsey carefully described. That flexibility has helped position the technology as a potential fit for a broad range of production systems rather than a niche solution for specific geographies. 26
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