{"id":20904,"date":"2025-07-17T09:27:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T08:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ficosterra.com\/?p=20904"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:33:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:33:07","slug":"agricultural-biostimulants-what-they-are-types-and-how-to-apply-them-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ficosterra.com\/en\/agricultural-biostimulants-what-they-are-types-and-how-to-apply-them-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"Agricultural Biostimulants: What They Are, Types, and How to Apply Them Correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\nAgricultural biostimulants represent a revolution in modern agriculture, offering a sustainable and effective alternative to improve crop yields. In this comprehensive article, we will explore everything you need to know about these innovative products that are transforming the way we farm.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\nWhat is a Plant Biostimulant
and What Is It For?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nDefinition According to European Legislation (Regulation 2019\/1009)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to Regulation (EU) 2019\/1009<\/u><\/a>, a plant biostimulant <\/strong>is a fertilizer product that stimulates plant nutrition processes independently of the product\u2019s nutrient content, with the sole objective of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant or its rhizosphere:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Nutrient use efficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tolerance to abiotic stress<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Qualitative characteristics of crops<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Availability of nutrients confined in the soil or rhizosphere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\nDifference Between Fertilizer, Plant Protection Product, and Biostimulant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is essential to understand the differences between these three types of products:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Fertilizers: <\/strong>Provide nutrients directly to plants (N, P, K, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plant Protection Products: <\/strong>Protect plants against pests, diseases, and weeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Biostimulants: <\/strong>Stimulate natural processes in the plant to improve its development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\nMain Benefits of
Biostimulants in Agriculture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPlant biostimulants offer multiple advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Nutrient use efficiency: Optimize the efficient use of applied nutrients as well as<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- <\/u>the<\/u><\/strong> <\/strong><\/a>absorption of essential elements<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stress resistance: <\/strong>Strengthen plants against drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures. Improve water use efficiency<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Crop quality: <\/strong>Improve organoleptic characteristics, shelf life, and nutritional value<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sustainability: <\/strong>Reduce dependence on synthetic inputs and promote regenerative agriculture<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Profitability: <\/strong>Promote increased productivity and optimize the use of fertilizers, resulting in cost reduction and greater economic return for the farmer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\nHow Do Biostimulants
Work in Plants?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\nPhysiological Mechanisms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biostimulants act at the molecular and cellular level, activating specific metabolic pathways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Hormonal regulation: <\/strong>Modulate the production of endogenous plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enzymatic activation: <\/strong>Stimulate the activity of key enzymes in metabolic processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gene expression: <\/strong>Influence the expression of genes related to growth and resistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nImpact on Nutritional Efficiency
and Plant Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBiostimulants improve the plant’s ability to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Absorb nutrients: <\/strong>Increase root surface area and improve membrane permeability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- <\/u>Efficient use of nitrogen<\/u> <\/a>is key in this process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transport elements: <\/strong>Optimize the movement of nutrients from the roots to the aerial organs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Utilize resources: <\/strong>Improve photosynthetic efficiency and energy metabolism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Respond to stress: <\/strong>Activate antioxidant defense mechanisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nSuccess Cases
by Crop Type<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Horticultural crops<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Improve uniformity, quality, and shelf life of fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Extensive crops<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Increase drought tolerance and optimize fertilizer use.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Fruit trees<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Improve flowering, fruit set, and fruit quality. Increase Brix degrees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Sports turf<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Intensifies greenness, rooting, health, abiotic stress, and <\/strong>dependence on fertilization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\nClassification of
Biostimulants by Origin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNatural Biostimulants for Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Natural biostimulants for plants are obtained from organic sources and offer high compatibility with sustainable agriculture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Humic and Fulvic Acids<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Origin: <\/strong>Decomposition of organic matter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Function: <\/strong>Improve soil structure and nutrient absorption<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Application: <\/strong>Fertigation and foliar application<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAmino Acids and Peptides<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Origin: <\/strong>Hydrolysis of plant or animal proteins<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Function: <\/strong>Stimulate metabolism and protein synthesis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Application: <\/strong>Especially effective in stress situations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nSeaweed Extracts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Seaweed extracts represent one of the most important categories of natural biostimulants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Origin: <\/strong>Marine algae, although not all algae have the same agronomic value.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Function: <\/strong>Provide natural growth regulators<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Application: <\/strong>Foliar and root application, promote rooting and stress resistance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nCase Study: Cystium-a\u00ae \u2013 Innovation in Marine Algae Extracts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A prominent example in this category is the biostimulant C<\/u><\/strong> <\/strong>ystium-a\u00ae<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, a pure extract of brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n
algae from the Laminariaceae family developed by Ficosterra<\/u><\/a>. This biostimulant represents the forefront of marine biotechnology applied to agriculture:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Distinctive Features of Cystium-a\u00ae:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Developed using TRD technology (Total Recovery Technology)<\/strong>, an exclusive biotechnological system for the total extraction of algae properties never before used in agriculture and awarded a Seal of Excellence by the European Union<\/u><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Ensures product stability and unique characteristics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Naturally promotes rooting, apical development, and cell elongation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ideal as a base biostimulant to combine with other agricultural inputs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nBiostimulants Based on Microorganisms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMycorrhizae
(Symbiotic Fungi)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Main species: <\/strong>Glomus, Rhizophagus, Funneliformis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Function: <\/strong>Increase the root absorption surface<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Benefits: <\/strong>Improve phosphorus and water absorption<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRhizobacteria
(PGPR, Rhizobium, Bacillus\u2026)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Key species: <\/strong>Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Function: <\/strong>Fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus, produce hormones<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Application: <\/strong>Seed inoculation and soil application<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n \nWhat Are Foliar Biostimulants and <\/strong>
How Are They Applied?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFoliar Application
vs. Soil Application<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n