Natural biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that, when applied to plants, seeds, or growing substrates, stimulate natural processes to enhance nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality. As a supplier of natural biostimulants, I have delved deep into understanding the various sources that contribute to these remarkable products. In this blog, I’ll explore the main sources of natural biostimulants, shedding light on their origins and the benefits they bring to agriculture. Natural Biosstmulants
1. Seaweeds
One of the most well – known and widely used sources of natural biostimulants is seaweed. Seaweeds, which include macroalgae such as brown, red, and green algae, are rich in a plethora of beneficial compounds.
Brown seaweeds like Ascophyllum nodosum are particularly popular in the biostimulant industry. They contain phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. Auxins play a crucial role in root development, promoting the growth of lateral and adventitious roots. This enhanced root growth leads to better nutrient and water uptake by the plants. Cytokinins are involved in cell division and growth, helping plants to maintain their vitality and promoting the development of new shoots and leaves. Gibberellins are known for their ability to stimulate stem elongation and enhance seed germination.
In addition to phytohormones, seaweeds are also rich in polysaccharides such as alginates, fucoidans, and laminarins. These polysaccharides can form a protective layer on the plant surface, reducing water loss and protecting the plant from pathogens. They can also act as elicitors, triggering the plant’s natural defense mechanisms and enhancing its resistance to diseases and environmental stresses.
Moreover, seaweeds contain a wide range of minerals and trace elements, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. These minerals are essential for plant growth and development, and their presence in seaweed – based biostimulants can help to correct nutrient deficiencies in the soil.
2. Humic and Fulvic Acids
Humic substances are organic compounds that are formed through the decomposition of plant and animal residues in the soil. Humic and fulvic acids are the two main components of humic substances, and they are powerful natural biostimulants.
Humic acids are high – molecular – weight polymers that can improve soil structure. They help to bind soil particles together, creating larger aggregates. This improves soil aeration, water infiltration, and drainage, which are all essential for healthy root growth. Humic acids also have a high cation – exchange capacity (CEC), which means they can hold and release nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. This helps to prevent nutrient leaching and makes these nutrients more available to plants.
Fulvic acids, on the other hand, are low – molecular – weight compounds that are highly soluble in water. They can penetrate plant cell walls more easily than humic acids, and they are known for their ability to chelate micronutrients. Chelation is a process where a molecule binds to a metal ion, making it more soluble and available for plant uptake. For example, fulvic acids can chelate iron, which is often present in the soil in an insoluble form. By chelating iron, fulvic acids make it easier for plants to absorb this essential micronutrient, preventing iron deficiency chlorosis.
Both humic and fulvic acids can also stimulate plant growth and development by enhancing enzyme activity and promoting the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids in plants.
3. Microorganisms
Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are another important source of natural biostimulants.
Rhizobacteria are a group of bacteria that live in the rhizosphere, the area of soil surrounding plant roots. Some rhizobacteria, known as plant – growth – promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), can directly or indirectly promote plant growth. Direct promotion can occur through the production of phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, similar to seaweeds. Indirect promotion can be achieved by suppressing plant pathogens. For example, some PGPR can produce antibiotics or siderophores. Antibiotics can kill or inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, while siderophores can bind to iron in the soil, making it less available to pathogens and thus reducing their growth.
Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. There are two main types of mycorrhizal fungi: arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi. AM fungi are the most common type and can colonize the roots of the majority of plant species. These fungi extend their hyphae into the soil, increasing the surface area for nutrient and water uptake. They can absorb phosphorus, nitrogen, and other nutrients from the soil and transfer them to the plant roots. In return, the plant provides the fungi with carbohydrates. Mycorrhizal fungi also help to improve soil structure and enhance the plant’s resistance to drought, salinity, and other abiotic stresses.
4. Amino Acids and Peptides
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and they play a vital role in plant metabolism. Some amino acids, such as proline and glycine betaine, are known as compatible solutes. They can accumulate in plant cells under stress conditions, such as drought, salinity, and high temperature. By accumulating these compatible solutes, plants can maintain the osmotic balance of their cells, preventing water loss and ensuring normal cell function.
Peptides, which are short chains of amino acids, can also act as biostimulants. Some peptides can regulate plant growth and development by interacting with plant hormones or signaling pathways. For example, certain peptides can activate the plant’s immune system, enhancing its resistance to diseases.
Amino acids and peptides can be obtained from various sources, such as hydrolyzed proteins from plant or animal origin. They can be applied to plants either through foliar spraying or soil drenching.
5. Plant Extracts
Extracts from various plants can also be used as natural biostimulants. For example, extracts from aloe vera contain polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can promote plant growth and enhance plant health. The polysaccharides in aloe vera extracts can improve soil water – holding capacity and protect plant roots from desiccation.
Neem tree extracts are another example. Neem extracts contain compounds such as azadirachtin, which has insecticidal and fungicidal properties. In addition to protecting plants from pests and diseases, neem extracts can also stimulate plant growth and improve plant vigor.
Some plant extracts can act as stress – relieving agents. For example, extracts from Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, can help plants to tolerate abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. These extracts can activate the plant’s antioxidant defense system, reducing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under stress conditions.
Conclusion
The sources of natural biostimulants are diverse, each offering unique benefits to plants. Seaweeds provide phytohormones, polysaccharides, and minerals; humic and fulvic acids improve soil structure and nutrient availability; microorganisms enhance nutrient uptake and plant resistance; amino acids and peptides play important roles in plant metabolism; and plant extracts offer various growth – promoting and stress – relieving properties.
As a natural biostimulant supplier, I am committed to providing high – quality products derived from these natural sources. Our biostimulants are formulated to meet the specific needs of different crops and growing conditions. By using our natural biostimulants, farmers can improve crop yields, enhance crop quality, and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Plant Growth Regulators If you are interested in learning more about our natural biostimulants or are looking to start a procurement discussion, please feel free to reach out to us. We are eager to collaborate with you and help you achieve your agricultural goals.
References
- Craven, K. D., Mikkelsen, T. R., & Collins, G. B. (2017). Seaweed extracts for plant growth promotion: a review. Journal of Applied Phycology, 29(2), 471 – 480.
- Chen, Y., & Aviad, T. (1990). Effects of humic substances on plant growth. In Soil organic matter and biological activity (pp. 163 – 196). Springer, Dordrecht.
- Vessey, J. K. (2003). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria as biofertilizers. Plant and Soil, 255(1), 571 – 586.
- Smith, S. E., & Read, D. J. (2008). Mycorrhizal symbiosis. Academic press.
- Roussos, P. A., & Pontikis, C. A. (2002). Amino acids and plant stress. In Amino acids in higher plants: biosynthesis and regulation (pp. 217 – 233). Springer, Dordrecht.
Grow Plus Crop Protection Co., Ltd.
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