Advantages of Biostimulants For Agricultural Crops

Agricultural biostimulants offer multiple benefits that can improve plant health, increase crop yields and contribute to the sustainability of agricultural practices. The following are the main advantages of using biostimulants in agriculture.

Improved Nutrient Absorption

● Facilitate absorption: Biostimulants, such as humic and fulvic acids, improve the ability of roots to absorb nutrients from the soil.
● Nutrient solubilization: Some beneficial microorganisms present in biostimulants can solubilize essential nutrients that are locked up in the soil, such as phosphorus, making them more accessible to plants.

Fertilizer Use Efficiency

● Reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers: By improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake, the amount of chemical fertilizers needed can be reduced.
● Better utilization: Applied nutrients are utilized more effectively, minimizing leaching and volatilization losses.

Increased Stress Tolerance

Resistance to Abiotic Stress

● Drought tolerance: Biostimulants help plants better manage water stress, increasing water use efficiency and reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
● Tolerance to temperature extremes: Plants treated with some
biostimulants, such as amino acids, can better withstand both extreme heat and cold.

Protection against Oxidative Stress

● Antioxidant production: Biostimulants can induce the production of antioxidant compounds that protect plants against cell damage caused by oxidative stress.

Growth Stimulation

Root development

● Root growth: Biostimulants, such as algae extracts and/or
amino acids, promote more extensive and deeper root development, improving the plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients.
● Stronger roots: Greater root mass provides a stronger foundation for plant growth.

Vegetative Development

● Stem and leaf growth: Bioactive compounds, like natural plant hormones, stimulate stem and leaf growth, resulting in more vigorous plants.

Soil Quality Improvement

Soil Structure

● Soil aggregation: Humic and fulvic acids, and C sources in general, improve soil structure, promoting the formation of aggregates that improve aeration and water retention.

● Reduced compaction: Better structured soil is less prone to compaction, which facilitates root growth.

Soil Health

● Boosting microbial activity: Biostimulants increase beneficial microbial activity in the soil, which can improve the overall health of the soil and its ability to support plant growth.

● Increased biodiversity: They promote a greater diversity of soil microorganisms, which contributes to a healthier and more balanced soil ecosystem.

Increasing Crop Yields and Crop Quality

• Yield increaseBiostimulant-treated crops usually show an increase in yield, both in quantity and quality.
• Visual appearanceImproves the color and uniformity of agricultural products, which is important for the market.
• Nutritional contentIncreases the content of essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables, improving their nutritional value.
• Fruit qualityFruit quality: characteristics such as fruit size, flavor and nutritional value can be improved.

Agricultural Sustainability

Environmental Impact Reduction

• Reduced use of chemical inputsBy reducing the need for fertilizers and chemicals, biostimulants contribute to a more sustainable and less polluting agriculture.
• Improving ecosystem healthPromote agricultural practices that are more environmentally friendly, conserving biodiversity and natural resources.

Increased Profitability

• Lower operating costsImproved nutrient use efficiency and reduced need for chemical inputs can lower operating costs for farmers.
• Increased product valueImproved crop quality can increase the market value of agricultural products.

Types of Agricultural Biostimulants

Agricultural biostimulants are products designed to improve plant growth and health by promoting natural processes. There are several types of biostimulants, each with specific mechanisms of action and benefits. The main types of agricultural biostimulants are described below.

1. Algae Extracts

Seaweed extracts are obtained from marine algae and contain a variety of bioactive compounds, such as plant hormones, minerals, amino acids and vitamins.

Benefits:

• Growth stimulationPromote the growth of roots, stems and leaves.
• Improved stress resistance: Increase plant tolerance to adverse conditions such as drought and temperature extremes.
• Increased nutrient uptakeImprove the efficiency of nutrient absorption from the soil.

2. Humic and Fulvic Acids

These acids are natural components of the organic matter in the soil, derived from the decomposition of plant and animal remains.

Benefits:

• Improvement of soil structureThey increase the water retention and aeration capacity of the soil.
• Stimulation of microbial activityPromote the activity of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
• Facilitation of nutrient uptakeThey help plants absorb essential nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium.

3. Amino Acids and Peptides

Amino acids and peptides are essential components of proteins and can be applied to plants to improve their metabolism.

Benefits:

• Growth EnhancementStimulate root and leaf growth.
• Increased resistance to stressThey help plants to better handle abiotic stresses such as drought and temperature extremes.
• Protein and enzyme synthesisThey facilitate the production of proteins and enzymes essential for plant development.

4. Beneficial Microorganisms

They include bacteria and fungi that interact positively with plants and soil.

Types:

• Mycorrhizal FungiMycorrhizae: They form symbiotic associations of mutualism with plant roots. That is, mycorrhizae.
• Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteriawith the ability to convert inorganic phosphorus into soluble forms, such as some species of Bacillus species.
• Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria: fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. This is the case of some species of Bacillus
• Endophytic fungiestablish symbiotic symbiotic relationshipsinhabiting inside them without causing apparent symptoms as is the case of the fungus Pochonia.

Benefits:

• Improved soil fertilityThey increase the availability of nutrients in the soil.
• Stimulation of root growthPromotes the development of a robust root system.
• Protection against pathogensSome microorganisms can protect plants from soil diseases.

5. Plant Extracts

These extracts are obtained from various plants and contain bioactive compounds that can stimulate plant growth and health.

Benefits:

• Growth stimulationPromote the development of roots, stems and leaves.
• Increased disease resistanceCan improve plant resistance to pathogens.

6. Plant Hormones

Plant hormones, or phytohormones, are natural compounds that regulate plant growth and development.

Types:

• AuxinsPromote the growth of roots and shoots.
• CytokininsStimulate cell division and shoot growth.
• Gibberellins: Promote stem growth and seed germination.
• Abscisic Acid (ABA)Regulates stress response and seed dormancy.

Benefits:

• Growth regulationThey help to control plant growth and development.
• Improved resistance to stressThey can increase the tolerance of plants to adverse conditions.
• Germination stimulationFacilitate seed germination and seedling establishment.

Methods of Application of Agricultural Biostimulants

Agricultural biostimulants can be applied in a variety of ways, depending on the type of crop, the purpose of the application and the specific field conditions. The following describes the most common methods of biostimulant application and how they are used to maximize their benefits.

Foliar Application

Foliar application consists of spraying biostimulants directly on plant leaves. This method allows a rapid absorption of nutrients and bioactive compounds through the stomata and cuticle of the leaves.

Benefits:

• Rapid and direct absorptionPlants can absorb biostimulants quickly, which is useful for a rapid response to stress or to improve growth at critical stages.
• Efficiency in the use of productsLower quantity of biostimulants may be necessary compared to other methods.

Application:

• Sprayers: Use spraying equipment to uniformly apply biostimulants on leaves, preferably in the cool hours of the day (morning or evening) to avoid rapid evaporation.
• FrequencyDepending on the product and the need, the application can be repeated every few days or weeks.

2. Application to Soil

This method involves applying biostimulants directly to the soil to improve soil health and nutrient availability to plant roots.

Benefits:

• Improvement of soil structureIncreases the water and nutrient retention capacity of the soil.
• Promotion of microbial activityPromotes greater biodiversity and beneficial microbial activity in the soil.

Application:

• IrrigationMix biostimulants with irrigation water and apply uniformly to the soil.
• Soil incorporationMix biostimulants with the soil before sowing or transplanting.
• GranulesApply biostimulant granules on the soil surface and irrigate to facilitate their penetration.

3. Seed Inoculation

Seed treatment with biostimulants prior to planting ensures that seedlings receive the benefits of biostimulants from the beginning of their development.

Benefits:

• Better germination and establishmentPromotes early and vigorous root development.
• Increased disease and stress resistanceSeedlings can develop better resistance to soil pathogens and adverse conditions.

Application:

• ImmersionSoaking the seeds in a biostimulant solution for a specific period before sowing.
• CoatingApply a layer of powder or liquid biostimulants on the seeds before planting.
• Pelleting: Include biostimulants in the seed coating material.

4. Fertigation

Fertigation combines the application of fertilizers and biostimulants with the irrigation system, which allows a uniform and efficient distribution of the products.

Benefits:

• Uniform distributionEnsures that all plants receive the same amount of biostimulants.
• Water use efficiency: Take advantage of irrigation to distribute biostimulants, saving time and resources.

Application:

• Drip irrigation systemsIntegrating biostimulants into the irrigation water for precise and controlled application.
• Sprinkler irrigation systemsUse water-soluble biostimulants for sprinkler application.

5. Transplant Application

Applying biostimulants during seedling transplanting ensures that young roots receive an initial boost for better establishment in the field.

Benefits:

• Reduction of transplanting “stressHelps plants to better adapt to the new environment.
• Rapid root developmentPromotes a robust root system from the beginning.

Application:

• Root immersionRoot immersion: Immerse seedling roots in a biostimulant solution before transplanting.
• Application in the planting holeApplication in the hole where the seedlings or seedlings will be transplanted.

6. Application in Compost or Fertilizer

Description:

Integrate biostimulants in the compost or manure before application to the soil.

Benefits:

• Improvement of compostIncreases microbial activity and compost quality.
• Soil enrichmentIt provides nutrients and bioactive compounds that benefit plants.

Application:

• Mixing with compostIncorporate the biostimulants into the compost before application to the soil.
• Direct application to the soilSpread the compost enriched with biostimulants on the field.

Agricultural biostimulants can be applied in a variety of ways, depending on the type of crop, the purpose of the application and the specific field conditions. From foliar application to seed inoculation and fertigation. Each method offers unique benefits to improve plant health and performance. By understanding and properly utilizing these methods, growers can maximize the benefits of biostimulants and contribute to a more sustainable and productive agriculture.