Innovak Global proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of Promesol, a soil conditioner that has revolutionized agriculture since its launch in 1973. Developed by engineer Luis Roberto Medina, Promesol was conceived as an innovative solution to the persistent problem of salinity and sodicity in arid and semi-arid areas of Mexico.
The key to Promesol's success lies in its pioneering technology based on Carboxy® acids, which allows for effective application at low doses, between 100 and 200 l/ha, compared to the 4 t/ha to 10 t/ha required by agricultural gypsum. This feature, together with the possibility of application via gravitational irrigation, has made Promesol a benchmark for Mexican farmers and beyond.
Early trials in the Delicias region of Chihuahua demonstrated Promesol's effectiveness in improving soils affected by salinity and sodicity. As its use spread to growing areas in Coahuila, Durango, Baja California, Mexicali, Sonora and Sinaloa, Promesol gained a reputation as a soil conditioner rather than a remediator, marking a paradigm shift in the management of these problems.
In the mid- and late 1970s, the government supported farmers in the fight against salinity and sodicity by including Promesol in the supporting technological packages. Its success led to a natural expansion into new markets, with the United States being the first to adopt this innovative solution. Farmers in the Texas Valley, New Mexico, California and Arizona experienced the benefits of Promesol, paving the way for its introduction in the agricultural areas of the Spanish Mediterranean in the following decades.
Over time, Innovak Global diversified the Promesol offering to address specific needs, resulting in two distinct presentations: Promesol 5x and Promesol Ca, both with effective concentrations. Promesol 5x focused on compact soils, while Promesol Ca addressed salinity issues, decreasing compaction and creating optimal conditions for root growth.
Although the attempts in Central America did not meet expectations, the expansion continued successfully in Chile, Peru and Colombia, especially in the cultivation of avocados. Raúl Rodríguez, a specialist at Promesol, highlights the fundamental role that the product plays in today's agriculture, where soil and roots have taken on a central role.
Innovak Global's vision is optimistic, with the growing awareness of the importance of soil and roots in agriculture. Promesol, with its five decades of success, remains the go-to soil conditioner for thousands of farmers, a history of innovation that has transformed the way we face agricultural challenges.
