Harnessing Nature: The Role of Biostimulants in Sustainable Agriculture

What Are Biostimulants?

Biostimulants are natural or synthetic substances or microorganisms that, when applied to plants or soils, stimulate natural processes to improve nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall plant health. Unlike traditional fertilizers that supply nutrients directly, biostimulants work by improving the plant’s ability to utilize available nutrients more efficiently. Therefore, they are gaining attention in sustainable agriculture due to their ability to boost crop performance while reducing inputs and minimizing environmental impact.

Benefits of Biostimulants

Enhanced Plant Growth and Yields

One of the primary benefits of biostimulants is their ability to improve nutrient use efficiency. By stimulating natural processes such as photosynthesis and nutrient assimilation, biostimulants help plants reach their full genetic potential. Plants treated with biostimulants are simply able to absorb and utilize more nutrients. This reflects in better growth and vitality and results in higher yields and improved crop quality – two factors with a direct impact on farmer’s profitability.

BIOZ™ Nephrite developed by ICL to increase photosynthetic activity demonstrates this effect. In combination with BIOZ™ Topaz, these two products increased biological nitrogen fixation in soybean by 33 % which is a nice example of how much biostimulants can enhance nutrient uptake.

Enhanced Soil Fertility

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. Biostimulants play a significant role in promoting soil health by stimulating beneficial microbial activity and improving nutrient cycling. They enhance soil structure, water retention, and nutrient-holding capacity, creating a more fertile and resilient soil environment where strong root system can develop. ICL’s BIOZ™ Diamond, a natural complex blend of biostimulating substances, belongs among these products. They are particularly beneficial in poor soil conditions, where nutrient and water availability may be limited. By fostering a thriving soil ecosystem, biostimulants support long-term agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Improved Climate Change Resilience

As climate change continues to pose significant challenges to agriculture, biostimulants are also viewed as an emerging tool to enhance climate resilience. They help plants withstand abiotic stresses such as drought, extreme temperatures, and high soil salinity by strengthening plants’ natural defence mechanisms and modulating metabolic pathways of stress response.

Mixtures containing amino acids and other active ingredients enhance the production of stress-related proteins and antioxidants, which protect plant cells from damage caused by environmental stressors. Other biostimulating products improving root development and soil moisture retention enable plants to maintain growth and productivity even under adverse conditions. This all makes crops more resilient to the unpredictable and extreme weather conditions associated with climate change.

As an example of a stress-relieving product, ICL can offer a foliar fertilizer with biostimulating effect BIOZ™ Keep Green which proved very efficient in field trials in protecting coffee crops from excessive solar radiation and delivering nutrition at the same time, which resulted in significant yield increase.

Reduced Synthetic Inputs

The more nutrients the plants naturally absorb and utilize, the less synthetic fertilizers farmers need to add. The same applies for pesticides, provided the plants are able to defend themselves naturally. Biostimulants not only lower the environmental footprint of farming but also help mitigate issues such as soil degradation and water pollution caused by excessive use of chemicals.

Challenges and Opportunities

While biostimulants offer numerous, widely acknowledged benefits, their broader adoption faces several challenges. The industry needs to deal with scientific complexity, regulatory compliance, and also costs. But on the other hand, these challenges offer opportunities for a more profound research, extensive testing as well as technical innovations, paving the way for more widespread use in farming practices.

Overcoming Scientific Complexity

Understanding the mechanisms of action of biostimulants and their interactions with plant metabolism under diverse conditions requires deep scientific exploration. Each crop and environment present unique demands, necessitating tailored biostimulant formulations and application methods. Ongoing research is expanding knowledge of plant-microbe interactions, stress-signaling pathways, and optimal application timing. Innovations such as encapsulated delivery using natural polymers are showing promise in improving field stability and performance.

Navigating Regulatory Compliance

The regulatory environment for biostimulants is evolving to ensure product safety and efficacy. In Europe, the EU’s Fertilizing Products Regulation (FPR) establishes clear definitions and guidelines for biostimulant products, pushing the industry to meet higher standards when promoting rigorous testing and evidence-backed claims. ICL recognizes that extensive trials are necessary to provide sufficient evidence to back up claims that satisfy both regulatory and farmers’ expectations. It is the only way to develop advanced products which align with environmental and market demands.

Addressing Economic Constraints

The costs are often considered as barriers slowing down the adoption of biostimulants. Farmers may find the upfront expenses prohibitive, especially small-scale operators with limited financial resources. Additionally, the lack of access to information and education about biostimulants can also hinder their effective use. Therefore, it is necessary to support programmes and initiatives that can facilitate the adoption and use of biostimulants, to educate and train the farmers to show them that biostimulants are a viable option for sustainable farming. The long-term benefits of biostimulants, such as improved crop yields, reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, and enhanced soil health, can surely offset initial costs.

The Future of Biostimulants

As agriculture faces the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and the need for increased productivity, biostimulants are emerging as key solutions. These innovative tools provide a sustainable way forward by enhancing plant performance and reducing environmental impact.

Biostimulants are more than just alternatives to traditional inputs; they represent a shift towards regenerative and precision agriculture. By improving crop yields, increasing stress tolerance, enriching soils, and boosting nutrient efficiency, biostimulants are becoming essential in modern farming.

The potential for biostimulants to revolutionize farming is immense. ICL is committed to unlocking this potential and dedicate itself to advancing biostimulant innovation through extensive research, global field trials, and sustainable product development. By providing growers with data-driven, effective, and environmentally responsible solutions, ICL is helping to create a future where agriculture can thrive sustainably and resiliently.