Michele Katsaris, Content Specialist, American Vegetable Grower
Biostimulants and biofertilizers are revolutionizing agriculture, offering innovative solutions for sustainable crop production. These eco-friendly inputs not only enhance plant growth and nutrient efficiency but also build resilience against environmental stressors such as drought, heat, and salinity. As farmers navigate the challenges of feeding a growing population while preserving natural resources, biostimulants and biofertilizers are emerging as vital tools for achieving long-term agricultural sustainability.
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“Nutrient use efficiency has become the name of the game when it comes to sustainable crop production.”
Fred NicholsHuma
So what exactly are these tools? BPIA (The Biological Products Industry Alliance) offers good definitions for both types of products.
Biostimulants
Plant biostimulant means a substance, micro-organism, or mixture thereof, that, when applied to seeds, plants, the rhizosphere, soil, or other growth media, act to support a plant’s natural processes independently of the biostimulant’s nutrient content, including by improving nutrient availability, uptake or use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and consequent growth, development, quality, or yield.
Biofertilizers
The term “biofertilizer” can be used to describe any preparation of biological material, such as living microorganisms, nonliving biological (plant or microbial) residues, or the natural breakdown products thereof, that is intended to enhance nutrient availability, uptake and/or nutrient use efficiency in plants, and soil health. They may be applied as standalone interventions or in combination with fertilizers and soil amendments.
"Biostimulants and biofertilizers play a pivotal role in sustainable crop production."
Dr. Trey CuttsTidal Grow AgriScience
“Biostimulants and biofertilizers play a pivotal role in sustainable crop production by enhancing plant health, improving nutrient uptake, and promoting soil vitality. They enable plants to optimize their genetic potential by stimulating natural processes, fostering better growth, yield, and resilience,” says Dr. Trey Cutts, VP of Commercial Ag Science for Tidal Grow AgriScience.
Both categories of products work through natural processes to improve nutrient uptake, increase crop yields, and support the development of stronger root systems, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
“Nutrient use efficiency has become the name of the game when it comes to sustainable crop production,” says Fred Nichols, Chief Marketing Officer for Huma, “It’s all about reducing rates of synthetic fertilizers, which is good for the soil, the crops, and the grower’s pocketbook. And that’s where carbon-based biostimulants shine. They can fast-track regen ag and sustainable crop production. And they have a symbiotic effect with cultural practices, by stimulating and accelerating microbial populations and activity. We’re seeing growers successfully cut rates from 10% to 25%.”
By fostering microbial activity in the soil, these inputs also contribute to long-term soil fertility and structure. Additionally, biostimulants and biofertilizers promote environmental sustainability. Their ability to optimize plant performance makes them essential tools for meeting the demands of modern, sustainable farming.
“Beyond productivity, these tools are gaining ground for their supporting role in reducing agriculture's ecological footprint,” says Jan Stechmann, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing for Ceradis Crop Protection. “By minimizing reliance on chemical inputs, biostimulants and biofertilizers help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient runoff, and soil degradation. They also support biodiversity by fostering healthy soil ecosystems and enhancing microbial activity.”
Enhancing Soil and Environmental Health
Crops can better withstand abiotic stressors like drought, heat, and soil salinity with the help of natural solutions that enhance their resilience and adaptability. These inputs encourage strong root growth, enabling plants to reach deeper water sources during dry periods. In high temperatures, they improve processes like photosynthesis and energy efficiency, helping plants maintain growth.
“When abiotic stress comes into play, plants are triggered into survival mode which redirects energy from growing to combatting stress,” Stechmann says. “This reduces the efficiency of metabolic processes like transpiration and photosynthesis which slows down productivity. While crops have built-in defenses, prolonged and intensified stress can cause yield-reducing strain. Both biostimulants and biofertilizers provide a sustainable solution to counteract abiotic stresses while reducing dependence on chemical inputs.”
By activating plants’ natural stress responses and improving water-use efficiency, these tools support productivity even under challenging environmental conditions.
“Biostimulants are energy boosters. This allows crops to improve the uptake of nutrients and water, while also helping to mitigate stress. But periods of stress aren’t the only time when crops need additional energy. During times of rapid growth, and when top-end yield potential can be realized, crops need lots of energy. Biostimulants help fuel crop energy during these times. There’s a reason why biostimulants are often referred to as yield enhancers,” says Fred Nichols, Chief Marketing Officer for Huma.
Integration and Application
When selecting and integrating biostimulants and biofertilizers into a production program, growers should consider several key factors to ensure effectiveness and compatibility with their farming practices. “An understanding of consistency across a significant number of replications, ideally across years, is critical,” says Matt Sowder, Director of Field Solutions for Mosaic Biosciences. “Clear definition of modes of action and expected outcomes must be part of establishing expectations as well.”
"When planning to use a new product for the first time, it's a good idea to trial the product in a small area of the farm…Often, these areas are best for testing if a biostimulant or a biofertilizer can deliver improvements."
Boomer Cardinale,FMC Corporation
“It’s important to understand how the technology should be best used for the intended benefit,” says Alex Cochran, PhD, Chief Technology Officer for DPH Biologicals. “For example, should technology be applied to the soil or the foliage? When is it best applied — at planting or which crop phenological stage if foliar? How shelf stable is the technology? What can it be tank mixed with during application? What kinds of responses have been documented and how robust is the evidence supporting the claims? There are many questions to consider when choosing a technology and the supplier should be able to confidently answer these questions with a robust development story to support their claims.”
Growers should also consider compatibility with existing inputs, such as pesticides and fertilizers, to avoid adverse interactions. Conducting small-scale trials before widespread application can help identify potential benefits and challenges, ensuring the chosen solution aligns with both short-term crop needs and long-term soil health goals.
“When planning to use a new product for the first time, it's a good idea to trial the product in a small area of the farm. Most growers have an area of their operation that underperforms relative to the rest. Often, these areas are best for testing if a biostimulant or a biofertilizer can deliver improvements. When testing them, it is important to have a plan for how to accurately evaluate outcomes while limiting other variables — using the same seed varieties, for example, and leaving check strips,” says Boomer Cardinale, Head of Plant Health, North America for FMC Corporation.
“Growers should prioritize products that align with their specific crop needs, soil conditions, and environmental challenges. Key factors to consider include composition, compatibility, mode of action, cost-effectiveness and sustainability, and field validation,” says Dr. Trey Cutts, VP of Commercial Ag Science for Tidal Grow AgriScience.
"I see these technologies becoming an essential component of crop management, no different than current standard cultural tools like fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds.”
Alex CochranDPH Biologicals
The Future of Biostimulants and Biofertilizers
The future of biostimulants and biofertilizers will be shaped by innovation and by the continued evolution of precision agriculture. With advancements in biologicals technology, these products are expected to offer tailored solutions for specific crops, environmental conditions, and stress factors. The integration of biostimulants and biofertilizers with precision farming tools will allow for targeted applications, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness.
“I see these technologies becoming an essential component of crop management, no different than current standard cultural tools like fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. As growers are becoming more familiar with these technologies and the benefits they provide, adoption is expected to continue to increase,” DPH’s Cochran says.
The biostimulants and biofertilizers sector is on the brink of significant growth, driven by the adoption of new methods that help farmers maintain productivity and profitability.
“The growing market for sustainably produced food, fiber, and biofuels will continue to drive the popularity of these products. It’s about reducing the amount of synthetic fertilizer, especially nitrogen. But it’s also about improving soil health, boosting yields, and improving crop yields. As more growers are using biostimulants, they’re discovering more and more advantages,” Huma’s Nichols says.
As the focus on sustainable farming intensifies, these natural solutions will play an even greater role in sustainable growth. Collaboration across the agricultural sector will continue to advance their development, making them more accessible, scalable, and widely adopted worldwide.
