AgroPages-Survey shows growing interest in biostimulants-Agricultural news

The independent research, commissioned by Arysta LifeScience UK, surveyed growers across a variety of sectors and size of cropping areas, including fruit, vegetables, potatoes and arable/cereals. Of those surveyed, nearly 80 per cent believe that they will increase their use of biostimulant products, said the company.

Of those that already use biostimulants, most were fruit and vegetable growers. Arable growers were using biostimulant products the least.

Industry perception

The research was commissioned by Arysta LifeScience UK, with the aim of understanding the industry’s perception of the biosolutions sector, particularly biostimulant and biocontrol products.

While 82 per cent of survey respondents had heard of the term biostimulants, there was some confusion over the definition, with 20 per cent of respondents answering that they offered biological control of pests and diseases, according to the survey - an erroneous assumption.

Nearly half of respondents used biostimulants with reasons given including disease suppression, improvement in crop quality and improvement in nutritional uptake, according to Arysta LifeScience.

Increase use

Arysta LifeScience marketing manager, Roy Robinson, says: “Seventy-eight per cent of respondents said they would increase use of biostimulants. This was mainly because of reductions in pesticide registrations.”

When asked about drawbacks, respondents said they did not know enough about biostimulants and that there needed to be more proven work, according to Mr Robinson. “We are working closely with customers and listening to what the market is doing and needing. We have lots of trials going in the ground next year.

“We want to make links concerning which biostimulants work with which of the conventional products and how they work together as a combined programme to get the maximum level of protection, yield and quality.”