Get the most from biostimulants with these application tips

The crop effect of biostimulants can be further optimised by following these application tips. Most importantly timing is key when applying biostimulants as they activate certain genes in plants that help the crop naturally overcome abiotic stress.

Therefore, knowing the mode of action of each biostimulant will better enable growers to make the best decision about what biostimulant to choose, when to apply it and the recommended dose for the best results.

Biostimulant application tip 1: Prevent the effects of abiotic stress with Primactive effect

Some biostimulants prepare or “prime” the response of the crop to enable it to better resist abiotic stress before the actual stress occurs. These biostimulants generate a cascade of signals that “put the crop on alert“ and prime the plant.

When a passing or temporary stress occurs, for example some hot, cold or cloudy days, the alert previously generated by the preventive biostimulant application allows the crop to respond more quickly and effectively to the abiotic stress event. This alerting mechanism allows the crop to maintain or minimise disruption to productive growth, metabolism and eventually yield.

One type of preventive alert effect is the unique “Primactive” effect of Tradecorp’s Phylgreen range of products that are based on Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract. Preventive biostimulation, such as those with Primactive effect, can help during mild stresses or the early stages of more severe abiotic stress events. Preventive Biostimulants can be viewed as the growers first line defence option that allow crops to minimise or delay the disruption to normal growth. It has been demonstrated that applying a Primactive product as little as one day before stress onset is effective, although application 4 – 7 days before is preferred.

Biostimulant application tip 2: Recover from the effects of abiotic stress with Curactive effect

During more severe or prolonged abiotic stress situations, such as a long heatwave or cold spell, the crops demand for resources will alter away from yield and quality production to focus on more essential basic growth and survival functions. This consequently reduces final harvest potential.

In these situations, the application of corrective, post-stress or recovery Biostimulants will benefit the crop, and also the grower’s profitability. Recovery Biostimulants help the crop to return to normal growth as quickly and efficiently as possible, thus recovering some, but not all of the potentially lost yield and quality. In these recovery situations Curactive solutions such as Tradecorp’s Amino Acid range are the go-to Biostimulants of choice.

Tradecorp's Amino Acid range is the ideal solution for plants that need to recover from the negative effects of Abiotic Stress. Nature consists of the basic elements, such as Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon, that combine to make all matter that is present in the world. A similar principle operates in living organisms, such as plants, which are composed of the “elements of life”, the twenty or so foundation or elemental Amino Acids.

These foundation Amino Acids are essential for growth, yield and quality. In addition, they are also the key to help crops recover quickly from abiotic stress and resume their normal growth trajectory. Application of Curactive Biostimulants such as Amino Acids either during (like the graphic above) or to recover after a stress event is thus in perfect harmony with the natural growth and internal stress management cycle of crops.

Where is knowledge at today regarding Biostimulants? Where are we heading?

As knowledge about Biostimulants and their preventive and recovery modes of action has improved, today it is clear that, similar to pest and pathogen management strategies, a combined abiotic stress management program that integrates both a preventive, and recovery strategies gives the optimum result in terms of yield and quality.

However, knowledge about the mode of action of Biostimulants continues to improve. The next generation of biostimulants, that are already in development, will move beyond generalised preventive and recovery strategies. It will become the norm to see Biostimulants that target specific abiotic stresses, such as drought or salinity, or that target specific crop growth stages, such as improving fruit set or that enhance fruit swell and development. Many of these new Biostimulants will also incorporate other novel aspects, such as ultra-low dosages and ultra-efficiency.

The biostimulation industry is innovative and dynamic. Thanks to Biostimulants, and the increased knowledge about them, growers are prepared today to better understand and manage abiotic stress. Current and future innovation in the biostimulation industry will certainly bring even more tools to growers and these will help them to continue feeding the world, providing safe, sufficient and nutritious food.