[:is]Biostimulants are substances that promote the growth and development of plants, in addition to improving their metabolism. The latter makes plants more resistant to adverse conditions, stress (abiotic, biotic, hydric,...), pests or diseases.
Plant biostimulants or phytostimulants, regardless of their nutrient content, may contain substances, compounds, and/or microorganisms, whose functional use, when applied to plants or the rhizosphere, implies the improvement of crop development, vigor, yield, and /or quality by stimulating natural processes that benefit growth and responses to biotic and/or abiotic stress.
Biostimulants are increasingly used in agriculture, and can help address inefficiencies that remain in agriculture today, despite improved production practices.
> Biostimulants, in detail
The vast majority of the categories known as biostimulants (humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, seaweed extracts, among others) They can present today a battery of tests in vitro, in the open air and -increasingly- molecular analysis of their impact on plants that show that they help plants combat abiotic and biotic stress. There are multi-year trials on humic acids that demonstrate its efficacy, and there are studies on different algae extracts designed to combat abiotic stress. (drought or frost, for example) and if they are formulated in a different way, they serve to induce the defenses of the plants.
What is the importance of this sector in Europe?
The market value of biostimulants is estimated to be between 200 and 400 million euros, with an annual growth of more than 10% and annual investments in research and development of between 3 and 10% of turnover.
Biostimulants are increasingly used in agricultural production worldwide and can effectively contribute to overcoming the challenge posed by the growing and continuous demand for food by the world population, therefore, At IDEAGRO, we are currently working on various lines in relation to biostimulants and their application:
- Resistance Inductors: Natural substances that, applied to plants in a preventive way, help us to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases. To quantify its effect, we performed measurements of phytoalexins and related enzymatic activity in each culture and phase. +info: "In Agriculture, preventive treatments must be carried out"
- Seaweed Extracts as plant stimulants that promote root development, stimulate the development and growth of plants and act as auxin and cytokinin precursors.
- Yucca Extracts: they promote faster seed germination and faster and deeper root development. Increased resistance of plants to environmental stress and adverse conditions.
- Phosphorus and Potassium solubilizing bacteria that will help us to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, as well as to improve and recover the microbiological activity of the soil.
- Nitrogen fixing bacteria ambienthe that will help us reduce the application of nitrogenous fertilizers and facilitate their absorption by plants. The use of the aforementioned bacteria allows reducing eutrophication and contamination by nitrates of groundwater.
At IDEAGRO, we will continue to investigate and work in order to continue innovating, as well as looking for solutions that allow us to optimize the agricultural production of our farmers in a more sustainable and profitable way. [:in]Biostimulants are substances that promote the growth and development of plants, also improving their metabolism. That makes plants more resistant to adverse conditions, like abiotic or biotic stress, water stress, pests or diseases.
Vegetable biostimulants or phytostimulants independently of their nutrient content, may contain substances, compounds and microorganisms whose functional use, when applied to plants or the rhizosphere, cause an improvement in crop development, vigor, yield and quality by stimulating natural processes that benefit the growth and biotic/abiotic responses.
Biostimulants use in agriculture is increasing and could help solving the inefficiencies that remain in today's agriculture, despite crop production improved practices.
> Biostimulants in detail
The vast majority of the categories known as bistimulants (humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, seaweed extracts…) can present today a battery of in vitro assays, outdoors and – increasingly, molecular analysis of its impact on plants which shows its help fighting against abiotic and biotic stress in plants. Humic multiyear trials are demonstrating its efficacy, and there are different seaweed extract trials designed to combat abiotic stress (drought or frost, for example) and if formulated in different ways, could be used to induce plant defense.
However, we must not forget that although these compounds work, timing, dose, and specificity of each crop is a key point when measuring its impact. Not all of these products are the same, and it is essential to understand how and when to apply the doses… It has been shown that the use of a compound modifies the balance, composition and effectiveness of all others, being essential to have expert advice for proper application and satisfactory results.IDEAGRO works closely with farmers and producers to obtain the best possible results.
New trials, testing and studies on the use of microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) as bistimulants are being developed. Here, human knowledge faces unknown areas and there is no doubt that biostimulants market will evolve and mark agriculture conversation in the coming years.
> Importance of this sector in Europe
Biostimulants market value is estimated between €200-400 M, with an annual growth of over 10% and annual investment in research and development between 3 and 10% of turnover.
The biostimulants are increasingly used in agricultural production worldwide. and can contribute effectively to meet the challenge posed by the continuous increase of food demand by the world population, therefore, from IDEAGRO, we are currently working on various lines in relation to biostimulants and its application:
Resistance inductors: Natural substances which, when applied to plants proactively help us by reducing the incidence of pests and diseases. To quantify the effect we perform trials and measurements of phytoalexins and related enzyme activity for each crop and phase.
Seaweed extracts as root growth promoters, stimulate the development and growth of plants and serve as auxins and cytokinins precursors.
Yucca extract: Promotes quicker germination of seeds, faster development and deeper roots development. Also increases plant resistance to environmental stress and adverse conditions.
Phosphorus and potassium solubilizing bacteria help reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and to enhance and restore soil microbiological activity.
Environmental nitrogen fixing bacteria Help reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers and facilitate their uptake by plants. The use of the aforementioned bacteria reduces eutrophication and nitrate pollution of groundwater.
From IDEAGRO, we are continuously researching and working in order to keep innovating and seeking solutions to optimize agricultural production of our farmers in a more sustainable and profitable way.
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