Biostimulants for plants, whether for use in agriculture or horticulture, are biological or biologically derived additives that are used in crop production to supplement and enhance existing agricultural practices and crop inputs. The universe of biostimulant technology is large and includes bacterial or microbial inoculants, biochemical materials, amino acids, humic acids, fulvic acids, seaweed extracts and on and on. In a nutshell, biostimulants (as defined by the USDA) are “Substances or micro-organisms that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield.”
Biostimulants in Agriculture
Biostimulants create a more agile and resilient food system by improving the soil. This new age of agriculture allows plants to respond more quickly to changing weather and preferences by enhancing the natural ability of plants while having a positive impact on the planet. Diverse communities of microorganisms and the biochemical byproducts they produce (organic acids, proteins, enzymes, etc) are blended into proprietary biochemistries which interact with the plant-soil system to increase the availability and uptake of nutrients that are applied or already present in the soil in crop residues.
Biostimulants in Horticulture
All growers experience some level of loss or ‘shrinkage’. Plant loss shrinkage reduces profits. To reduce losses, biostimulants can be added to growing media to enhance plant growth, reduce crop shrinkage and provide long-term protection for plants. Since growing media used in greenhouses and nurseries are constructed with organic-based materials, they contain low levels of microbes making them virtually free of the biological component. Microbes convert organic matter into nutrients for plants, fix nutrients in the soil and interact with plant root systems. All of these things contribute to plant loss reduction due to root disease.
The main advantage? They are safe to use. In particular, microbial inoculants have little to no plant, human or animal toxicities. Because they are part of the normal checks and balances of soil biology, there is less potential for pathogen resistance. An added benefit is that most beneficial microbes remain in the root zone of the plant for an extended period. The cost of biological additives is generally inexpensive, compared to some chemical controls. Biostimulants are:
