Are you tired of using harmful chemicals to enhance your crop growth? Learn about the natural solution: agricultural biostimulants.
If you’re a farmer, you’re probably always looking for ways to improve your crop yield. One popular option is to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these can have harmful effects on the environment and even on the food you grow. Fortunately, there’s a natural solution: agricultural biostimulants.
What are agricultural biostimulants?
They are substances or microorganisms that are used to enhance plant growth and development. Unlike chemical fertilizers, they work by stimulating the natural processes that occur within plants. This can include things like root growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance.
How do agricultural biostimulants work?
There are many different types of biostimulants, and they work in different ways. Some biostimulants contain plant hormones, which can regulate growth and development. Others contain amino acids, which can improve nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. Still others contain beneficial microorganisms, which can help plants to fight off diseases and pests. If you want to know the different types of agricultural biostimulants, you can do so by clicking here.
The main mechanisms of action of biostimulants can be broadly categorized into three categories:
Nutrient uptake and utilization:
Biostimulants can enhance the uptake and utilization of essential nutrients by plants. For example, they can improve root growth and function, increase the availability of nutrients in the soil, and enhance the efficiency of nutrient uptake and utilization by the plant.Stress tolerance:
Biostimulants can help plants to better cope with environmental stresses such as drought, extreme temperatures, and high salinity. They do this by promoting the synthesis of stress-related proteins and by enhancing the plant’s antioxidant capacity.Plant growth promotion:
Biostimulants can promote plant growth by enhancing cell division and elongation, increasing chlorophyll production, and improving overall plant vigor. They can also increase the plant’s resistance to pests and diseases.
It’s important to note that the mechanisms of action of biostimulants can vary depending on the type of biostimulant, the plant species, and the growing conditions. However, the overall goal of biostimulant use is to improve plant growth and development in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
What are the benefits of using agricultural biostimulants?
One of the biggest benefits of their use is that they are a natural solution. They can improve crop yield without introducing harmful chemicals into the environment. In addition, they can improve plant health and quality, which can lead to higher profits for farmers.
How to improve yield in banana crop with agricultural biostimulants?
Banana crops are one of the most important fruit crops in the world, and the use of biostimulants can help improve the yield and quality of the fruits. Futureco Bioscience offers a great range of agricultural biostimulants to improve yield in banana crops. Two of them, Citogrower and Frutaliv, are specifically designed to improve flowering and fruit setting in banana crops.
Products:
Citogrower is a biostimulant that contains cytokinins, which are plant hormones that can stimulate cell division and growth. This can lead to improved flowering and fruit setting, which can result in higher yields.
Frutaliv is a stimulant specially formulated for the fruiting phases, increasing fruit set and fruit fattening. Likewise, plants treated with Frutaliv show an increase in different parameters related to fruit quality, such as weight, size, sugar content, firmness and earliness.Timing and Dose:
The timing and dosage of biostimulant application are critical and should be adjusted to each crop and region. In the case of banana, treatment with Citogrower (2%) is started at the beginning of the rainy season, and 3-4 applications of 200cc/ha can be made per year to promote fruit set. Frutaliv is applied at 500cc/ha during fattening or filling and fruit coloration.Method of Application:
To ensure complete coverage of banana plants with biostimulants, aerial applications of Citogrower and Frutaliv by foliar spraying are recommended. For optimum results, it is essential to avoid spraying during the hours of highest sunlight.Benefits:
The high quality components of Citogrower (cytokinins, amino acids and nutrients) induce flowering, promote fruit set, increase cell division and consequently increase fruit size. Frutaliv is rich in amino acids and specific micronutrients that favor fruit filling, fattening and growth in banana crops.Results:
By using Citogrower and Frutaliv, you can improve flowering, fruit setting and yield in the banana crop. A field trial conducted in a banana plantation showed that using these biostimulants led to an increase in bunch weight, fruit number and yield.Precautions:
While agricultural biostimulants are generally considered safe, it is important to follow the recommended dosage and application guidelines to avoid any adverse effects on the crops. Additionally, it is always recommended to conduct a small-scale test before applying the biostimulants on a larger scale.
If you’re looking for a natural solution to improve your crop yield, agricultural biostimulants are a great option. They work with nature to enhance plant growth and development, and can lead to higher profits for farmers. By using, for example, products like Citogrower and Frutaliv from Futureco Bioscience, you can improve your banana crop yield and contribute to a more sustainable future.
If you want to know about the science behind Citogrower as told by our Formulation Unit Manager in a video, you can do so by clicking here.
In the video he tells us:
- Key ingredients of the product.
- The determination of the percentage of cytokinin in the product.
- What types of adjuvants have been used and why.
- What is and what favors the acid reaction.
- Challenges in product stabilization and solutions.
To understand the effects of Citogrower on plants, we have made a video with our Plant Physiology Unit Manager explaining:
- Application recommendations.
- The transport speed of Citogrower inside plants.
- The time it takes to act from its application.
- What happens with the excess of cytokinins inside the cells.
You can see it by clicking here.
What better than one of our customers to tell in a video the field results of the application of Citogrower in sugar cane in Colombia. Do you want to know a little more about Citogrower in a short video? Click here and learn about the benefits of its application in soybean.
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Q&A
Q: What are agricultural biostimulants?
A: Agricultural biostimulants are substances and microorganisms that are applied to plants and soils to enhance plant growth and productivity.
Q: How do agricultural biostimulants work?
A: Agricultural biostimulants work by stimulating plant growth, improving nutrient uptake, enhancing stress tolerance, and improving overall plant health.
Q: What are the benefits of using agricultural biostimulants?
A: The benefits of using agricultural biostimulants include improved crop yield and quality, increased resistance to abiotic and biotic stress, enhanced root development, and improved soil health.
Q: What types of substances are used as agricultural biostimulants?
A: Substances used as agricultural biostimulants can include humic and fulvic acids, seaweed extracts, amino acids, microbial inoculants, and plant growth-promoting hormones.
Q: Are agricultural biostimulants safe for the environment?
A: Yes, agricultural biostimulants are generally considered safe for the environment and are increasingly being recognized as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional crop inputs.
Q: How can I use agricultural biostimulants in my farming operations?
A: Agricultural biostimulants can be applied as foliar sprays, soil drenches, or seed treatments, and can be integrated into existing farming practices to improve plant growth and yield. It is important to choose the right type of biostimulant and apply it at the appropriate rate and timing for optimal results.
Q: Can agricultural biostimulants replace traditional fertilizers?
A: Agricultural biostimulants are not intended to replace traditional fertilizers, but rather to enhance their effectiveness and reduce their negative impact on the environment.
Q: Are there any limitations to the use of agricultural biostimulants?
A: The effectiveness of agricultural biostimulants can depend on factors such as crop type, soil type, climate, and application method, and may not always provide consistent results. It is important to evaluate the benefits and costs of using biostimulants on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Do agricultural biostimulants have any regulatory requirements?
A: In many countries, agricultural biostimulants are subject to regulatory requirements related to labeling, efficacy testing, and environmental safety. It is important to comply with these requirements to ensure the safe and effective use of biostimulants.
Q: Can agricultural biostimulants be used in organic farming?
A: Yes, many types of agricultural biostimulants are approved for use in organic farming systems and can help improve plant health and productivity without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Q: What is the future of agricultural biostimulants?
A: The use of agricultural biostimulants is expected to grow in the coming years as farmers and consumers become more interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. Ongoing research and development is also expected to lead to the discovery of new and more effective biostimulant products.