Q&A: Leveraging Biostimulants and Biofertilizers for Sustainable Growth 

Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Huma®, shared his perspective in a recent article on biostimulants and biofertilizers, published in CropLife and American Fruit Grower Magazine. In the article, Fred discusses the growing role of these products in sustainable agriculture, their benefits, and their impact on crop production. Below are the questions posed to Fred, along with his responses.

1. What are the key benefits of using biostimulants and biofertilizers in sustainable crop production?

Nutrient use efficiency has become the name of the game when it comes to sustainable crop production. 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%, depending on the nutrient and conditions, while maintaining or improving crop yields by using humic products. 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.

2. Can you explain how biostimulants and biofertilizers help mitigate abiotic stressors such as drought, heat, and soil salinity?

In football terms, biostimulants are the ultimate two-way players. They can play both offense and defense. Due to their ability to enhance natural plant defenses, they are go-to products during times of drought and heat stress. Many growers have used them to temporarily trick plants into essentially ignoring stress. While they’ve helped save yield during these times, it’s also added to their perception as niche products. But now those mindsets are changing. More growers are switching to offense to proactively prevent stress by building resistance. They’re using biostimulants in both the soil and through the leaves to stimulate better and faster emergence, boost plant vigor and improve plant health. But the impact of biostimulants such as humates is not just realized during the current season. Through their activity of increasing plant root exudates and the production of fine roots, and the enhanced microbial activity that occurs within these processes, more carbon, and ultimately more organic matter is added to the soil.

3. What factors should growers consider when selecting and integrating biostimulants and biofertilizers into their farming practices?

The 4 Rs are just as relevant here as they are with other crop inputs. When it comes to biostimulants, when you use a product is just as important as what product you use. Biostimulants can influence hormonal activity within the plants. So go in with a plan. Have a goal in mind for how you want to influence crop responses during specific points throughout the growing season, then choose and apply accordingly. Biostimulants can usually be tank-mixed with other products. Too often in the past, biostimulants were viewed as one-off products, or reactionary tactics to unforeseen events. But they deliver the best ROI when they’re proactively incorporated within an enterprise approach. In those cases when biostimulants were deemed ineffective, it’s usually because they were improperly applied, or used inconsistent with the 4 Rs. Growers who utilize biostimulants within a balanced nutritional program tend to see the best results.

4. How do you see biostimulants and biofertilizers evolving in the future?

The growing market for sustainably produced food, fiber and biofuels will continue to drive the popularity of these products. To cash-in on premiums from CPGs and biofuel makers, growers will utilize a mix of both cultural practices and “bio” 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.