What is a biostimulant?

Biostimulants have been increasingly developed in recent years and are becoming a valuable asset for farmers to improve the quality of their crops and optimize their yields.

Climate disruption and the resulting weather changes are sources of abiotic stress in plants, which negatively impact agricultural yields. To address this, biostimulation effectively stimulates the natural processes and metabolism of plants, improving tolerance to abiotic stress, and optimizing both crop quality and yield.

Functionality, benefits, methods of use: we help you understand these products and their advantages by providing key definitions of a biostimulant.

Biostimulant: a substance that promotes plant growth

When the term “biostimulant” first appeared, it did not have a clear and precise definition. To ensure that users could fully understand these new agricultural products and their functionalities, it became necessary to officially clarify the term.

Biostimulant: official definition

In June 2019, the European Commission published a definition of biostimulants in the Official Journal of the European Union. Officially, this is defined as “a product that stimulates plant nutrition processes, regardless of its nutrient content, with the sole purpose of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant or its rhizosphere:

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

Although this definition does not establish a global consensus on what biostimulants are, it does help to create a clear distinction between these substances and pesticides and fertilizers, and also to highlight the difference between biostimulants and biocontrol agents.

The composition of biostimulants

As the aforementioned definition implies, biostimulants are characterized by their actions that stimulate plant growth rather than by their composition. Thus, even though they are often composed of ingredients of natural origin, such as algae, amino acids, or microorganisms, their nature can still vary.

Within biostimulants, one can find several components, including those mentioned earlier: microorganisms, algae extracts, amino acids, as well as plant extracts, humic substances, and fermentation metabolites. Depending on farmers’ needs, biostimulants are also available in different forms: micro-granules, powders, liquids, etc.

The role of a biostimulant

As defined by the European Commission, biostimulation aims at stimulating the natural processes and metabolism of plants to promote their growth. It specifically activates the root system of plants and improves soil structure, thereby enhancing nutrient absorption capacity.

What is crucial to understand about the definition of a biostimulant is that it is not a protective or nutrient product, like biocontrol agents or fertilizers. This product increases a plant’s resistance to abiotic stress. It does not directly address phytosanitary issues like diseases or pests but facilitates nutrient availability and enhances soil biological activity.

As we’ve mentioned, climate change, along with extreme temperatures and bad weather, affects plants’ sensitivity to abiotic stresses. Using biostimulants is a good way to mitigate these impacts, helping crops better tolerate stress. These substances improve the vigor of plantations, making them eventually more resistant to unpredictable weather conditions , regardless of the environment.

How to use a biostimulant?

While biostimulants can take various forms depending on their use, their actions remain diverse. We can, however, distinguish between two types of applications:

Direct application to the soil : Sometimes referred to as soil biostimulation, bionutrition, or biofertilization, this technique allows the biostimulants to act by optimizing soil structure and fertility to promote plant growth through their roots.
Foliar application : Considered a method of plant biostimulation, this involves applying through irrigation sprinkling or foliar spraying to directly affect the plants’ chemical reactions. The main goal is to stimulate plant nutrition and optimize photosynthetic activity.

Whatever system is chosen, it is also crucial to select the most appropriate quantity and timing of application to maximize success factors. For optimal effectiveness, depending on the desired outcome, the biostimulant should be used when the plant, fruits, flowers, or seeds are most receptive.

Biostimulation, an advantageous solution for improving agricultural yield

In the current climatic context, biostimulants prove to be a particularly beneficial solution for crops in France, Europe, and worldwide. By optimizing soil fertility over the long term, as well as the vigor of plantations, these substances are becoming an effective alternative for improving harvest quality.

The use of biostimulants allows farmers to easily transition towards sustainable agriculture and a more environmentally friendly system , while meeting their needs and ensuring an optimal harvest. Indeed, choosing biostimulants reduces the reliance on fertilizers derived from non-renewable sources. Additionally, by enhancing the growth and development of crops (whether in viticulture, market gardening, arboriculture, or field crops), production is significantly boosted, which helps to secure agricultural yields.

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What is a biostimulant?