WAKU Launches Innovations in Agriculture with WAKUFUL, a Bio-Stimulant Fertilizer
WAKU Launches Innovations in Agriculture with WAKUFUL
In March 2026, WAKU Co., Ltd., headquartered in Okayama City, Japan, is set to unveil its groundbreaking bio-stimulant fertilizer WAKUFUL, developed on the foundation of glutathione research. As climate-related challenges in agriculture escalate, the importance of such innovations is on the rise.
Development Background: From Fundamental Research to Agricultural Products
WAKU is an R&D-driven company that focuses on glutathione, a crucial compound that plays a significant role in biological functions. The aim is to explore how the properties of glutathione can be effectively utilized in agriculture. Over the years, the agricultural sector has experienced increased environmental pressure due to prolonged periods of extreme heat, consistent night-time temperatures, and abrupt temperature changes, impacting crop growth significantly. This has led to visible trends in reduced sizes of crops, especially in field vegetables like leeks, and increased discrepancies in growth within the same fields, resulting in more off-spec products and losses during shipment.
The need for materials that can be adjusted based on the actual state of the crops has grown, as traditional fertilization designs and management methods often fall short in addressing these challenges. WAKUFUL aims to bridge the gap between glutathione research and practical agricultural applications, establishing its role as an adaptable resource even in changing cultivation conditions.
Product Features
WAKUFUL is a liquid fertilizer infused with glutathione. Its design allows for easy dilution and application, making it easy to integrate into existing cultivation systems. By utilizing this product from the early to mid-stages of growth, farmers can tailor their approach according to the specific needs of their crops. WAKUFUL is not limited to particular crops or cultivation types, showcasing its versatility. This product is intended for consistent use, based on continuous monitoring and assessment of crop responses.
Evaluation by Large-scale Agricultural Producers
During its development phase, WAKU collaborated with farmers nationwide. One notable partnership was with TS Farm, known for its “Negi O” brand, which produces leeks on approximately 100 hectares in the Kanto region. With the recent extreme heat making its mark, TS Farm observed slow growth rates and lack of adequate thickness in the leek stalks. Discrepancies in growth within the fields have led to quality issues at harvest time. The company shared the following feedback about WAKUFUL:
“We have been able to maintain an adequate number of stalks while improving quality, thus increasing profitability. We intend to fully implement it and recommend it to fellow producers.”
Additionally, Kaki Yoshifarm, specializing in sweet potatoes and managing around 30 hectares, has also been testing WAKUFUL. Over the years, climatic extremes have complicated initial growth stages post-planting, affecting subsequent size and uniformity in production. Acknowledging the importance of the root establishment phase, the Kaki Yoshifarm team provided their assessment:
“Given the challenges of higher temperatures and unpredictable weather, we’ve found that root establishment is crucial for crop performance. WAKUFUL has shown promising results in enhancing our root growth, and we look forward to finding opportunities to incorporate it within our cultivation practices.”
Product Overview
- - Registration Number: 生第109771号
- - Type of Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer
- - Name of Fertilizer: WAKUFUL-003
- - Guaranteed Analysis (%):
- Soluble Potassium: 2.0
- Raw Material Types: Water-soluble nitrogen compounds and potassium compounds (listed in order of weight percentage)
- Ingredients:
- Preservative: Potassium sorbate (0.201% by weight)
- Effect-enhancing agent: Ferric chloride hexahydrate (0.0026% as iron)
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Future Developments
As WAKU expands the application of WAKUFUL as a liquid fertilizer, it plans to gather and organize crop-specific knowledge and data while maintaining open dialogues with the agricultural community. This will aid in the product refinement process and expand the product lineup, solidifying WAKU's commitment as a research-oriented enterprise.
Company Overview
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Contact Information
For inquiries about WAKU or WAKUFUL, please reach out to the public relations department at WAKU Co., Ltd.
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Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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