Thanks to this combination of positive effects, biostimulants are emerging as valuable allies for an agricultural sector that has, for several years, been forced to cope with increasingly unpredictable and unfavourable weather conditions and, at the same time, with the growing need to increase agri-food production to feed a rising global population, doing so as sustainably as possible and preserving natural resources.
“Biostimulants currently account for a significant share of the fertiliser market, but this is a category undergoing intense and rapid evolution, supported by major research and development investments from companies in the sector,” notes Paolo Girelli, President of Assofertilizzanti. “Over the past 10 years, the supply of this type of formulation has grown by more than 10% annually, with a turnover of €5 billion at European level. Biostimulants are just one example of the ongoing commitment of fertiliser producers to develop and make available high-quality preparations that support plant growth and increasingly meet the needs of farmers and consumers.”
What exactly do we mean by biostimulants?
According to EU Regulation 2019/1009, biostimulants are “products that stimulate plant nutrition processes independently of the product’s nutrient content, with the sole aim of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant or its rhizosphere:
- nutrient use efficiency;
- tolerance to abiotic stress;
- quality traits;
- availability of confined nutrients in the soil or rhizosphere.”
The rhizosphere refers to the soil surrounding the plant’s roots, containing water, mineral salts, organic compounds and a diversity of microorganisms that interact with the roots, influencing nutrition, growth and stress tolerance.
To date, scientific evidence shows that specific biostimulant formulations, based on plant extracts, algae, microorganisms or other substances, can perform one or more of these functions. However, the mechanisms through which they exert the desired effects remain under investigation. These processes are complex, vary by product and are linked to the specific active agents involved, which may include:
- Molecules that stimulate water and/or nutrient absorption through the roots or optimise soil microbial composition by favouring beneficial microorganisms.
- Microorganisms that support root functions or contribute to crop nutrition through the by-products of their metabolism.
- Substances that improve seed germination and the development of shoots, roots, stems, leaves or fruits.
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- Compounds with antioxidant activity or capable of promoting the plant’s own antioxidant enzyme systems, increasing its ability to withstand environmental stresses.
- Active ingredients that enhance the nutritional properties of plant-derived foods by naturally increasing levels of desirable compounds (e.g. proteins, starches, antioxidants).
“Because they contain substances of different natures and/or microorganisms, and because they stimulate plant growth and metabolism,” Girelli explains, “biostimulants are suitable for use in both conventional and organic farming. They align fully with fertiliser manufacturers’ commitment to expanding the availability of effective and sustainable products for all agri-food production approaches.”
