Composition of biostimulants

Composition and Categorization of Biostimulants

Biostimulants are products used to stimulate the growth and healthy development of plants. These innovative complementary solutions are increasingly popular among farmers for all types of crops. These substances are significant allies in the move towards more sustainable agriculture, including agroecology, while also enhancing yields.

What is the composition of a biostimulant? How are these products categorized? Although their origins and modes of action are varied, the recent legislative framework aims to clarify the market and definition of biostimulants.

What category do biostimulants belong to?

To reduce the risk of confusion between a biostimulant and a biocontrol product used for plant protection, as well as to provide a clear legislative framework for their use, the European Commission formally categorized and defined biostimulants in 2019.

Reminder: What is a biostimulant?

In its regulation 2019/1009, which came into effect on July 16, 2022, the European Commission aims to clarify the definition of a biostimulant after 10 years of consultation, discussion, and drafting. It introduces a functional definition of the substance based on its four main capabilities:

A plant biostimulant is a product that stimulates plant nutrition processes independently of the nutrients it contains, specifically to improve one or more of the following characteristics of plants or their rhizosphere:

nutrient use efficiency
tolerance to abiotic stress
qualitative characteristics
the availability of nutrients confined in the soil or the rhizosphere

Although its characterization is mainly based on its actions and functions, the biostimulant substance, as we will see, is defined in more detail by the European Commission.

Biostimulants, fertilizing materials, and culture supports (MFSC)

One of the key points of the European Commission’s June 2019 regulation is the inclusion of biostimulant substances within the category of fertilizing materials and culture supports (MFSC), which includes products intended for plant nutrition and growth. MFSCs are now classified into 7 new categories (PFC) based on their functions. Biostimulants fall under the 6th category (PFC6).

Thanks to this regulation, they are officially differentiated from fertilizers, which provide a greater quantity of nutrients, and phytosanitary products, which protect crops from biotic stress.

Moreover, the regulation governs the marketing of biostimulants, requiring them to be approved as fertilizing materials and culture supports (MFSC) before being marketed throughout the European Union.

The composition of biostimulants

In addition to defining the new sets of products, the regulations specify the 15 categories of constituent materials (CMC) that make them up. These include CMC1 (substances and mixtures based on virgin materials), CMC2 (plants, plant parts, or plant extracts), and CMC7 (microorganisms).

Based on these constituent materials, five main types of biostimulants are identified, whose production methods differ:

Biostimulants Based on Algae Extracts

For several years, algae extracts, one of the main biostimulants, have been available for sale. These extracts, with nearly 9,000 species, have notable effects on plant growth and offer better resistance to drought, heat, and salinity. In agriculture, the most commonly used algae are Ascophyllum sp., Laminaria sp., and Ecklonia sp.

Amino Acid-Based Biostimulants

Constituting the basis of plant proteins, amino acids appear as molecules present in plant mechanisms. In recent years, farmers have shown significant interest in amino acids, or protein hydrolysates, because they enhance crop performance and help effectively combat environmental stress conditions.

Biostimulants Based on Fulvic and Humic Acids

Represented by natural compounds in soil, obtained after the decomposition of animals, plants, or microorganisms , these biostimulants are created from humic and fulvic acids. Humic substances are generally used to fertilize soil in crops. This type of biostimulant also enhances the plants‘ ability to combat abiotic stress.

Biostimulants Based on Microorganisms

Biostimulants can also include microorganisms and their derivatives, these can be composed of yeasts , such as those produced by Agrauxine, as well as bacteria and fungi. In addition to stimulating microbial activity in plantations, microorganisms also tend to fertilize the soil, provide essential nutrients to plants, and boost the growth process.

Plant extract-based biostimulants

Plants, capable of producing molecules with varied structures called secondary metabolites, have beneficial effects on both animal and human health. New technologies now allow us to extract and utilize plants on crops as true biostimulants.

A variety of biostimulants and modes of action

Note that while biostimulants can be categorized by their origin into the large groups previously mentioned, they are also available based on their modes of action.

Biostimulants can be effective at multiple levels, particularly directly on the plant itself (root or foliar action). There are as many modes of action as there are diverse substances, which for example can stimulate plant physiology, activate ionic transporters, modulate enzymatic activities, reduce the impact of abiotic stress, improve the degradation of organic matter, regulate micro-flora, or enhance water utilization by the plant.

Regardless of their origin and mode of action, biostimulants are effective complementary solutions to optimize crop quality and yield. When used in addition to fertilizers, they aim to improve the agricultural system by increasing nutrient absorption and promoting root and plant development, while reducing the environmental impact of these fertilization processes.

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