The largest international biostimulants event, the 2024 Biostimulants World Congress (BSWC), was held this year in Miami, U.S., from 12-15 November. The BSWC is the only conference connecting industry with unseen scientific discoveries.
This year, BSWC offered a broad spectrum of keynote speeches, expert panels, scientific presentations, company showcases, awards ceremonies, poster tours, a gala reception and plenty of networking breaks over the course of the event.
Patrick Brown, BSWC scientific committee chair, and Distinguished Professor & Vice Chairman for the Department of Plant Sciences at University of California, Davis, opened the congress. He said that in many ways, biostimulants are still not mainstream.
But whether you’re talking microbial or non microbial biostimulants, “the industry continues to grow at a remarkable rate. It is also promising that as the industry grows, so too does the scientific productivity,”said Brown.
He noted that there were about 1,600 biostimulant-related publications that used the word ‘biostimulant’ in the title or in keywords in 2023. “While that’s great, it also points out an issue.
“You can compare the amount of references on biostimulants with the amount of references on plant hormones (18,000), secondary metabolites (24,000), and plant breeding for stress (15,000),” said Brown. “So, we’re not yet there in terms of full scientific adoption and recognition of the term ‘biostimulants’. While research has very clearly increased over these ensuing 12 years, it hasn’t gained widespread scientific acceptance.”
Brown noted that all current regulatory frameworks that describe what a biostimulant is mention the word nutrition. “You can interpret nutrition as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc., or you could interpret nutrition as the whole ability of the organism to carry out its physiological function. The provision and the management of these responses to stress is an expression of the health and nutrition of the plant. So, this is another ambiguity between regulatory wording and biostimulant reality,” said Brown.
It has been proven that plant biostimulants ensure against abiotic stress. But according to Brown, there’s increasing evidence that they may also increase productivity in absence of stress. “We see a lot of papers in which the application of the biostimulant in the absence of an apparent stress, also results in plant growth. This again, in the regulatory framework to describe plant biostimulants, is a little bit of a contradiction. It could be explained, of course, that what we thought was
stress free was not in fact stress free, and that subtle micro stresses are the difference between good performance and excellent performance,” he said.
This thinking about pathways and how biostimulants interact with specific metabolic pathways is important. Also, Brown said there are 166 billion bioactive organic small molecules in the databases. In addition, there are all the metabolites of the microbial world. “In terms of what do we know about what could be a biostimulant, we have just scratched the surface.
“You can look even deeper into different plant species, but whole diversity of new molecules, these are known bioactive compounds, so 65,000 amino acids and peptides with bioactivity, for 99,000 total known,” added Brown. “So, we’ve got a wide wide world of possibilities still out there.”
Retailer and distributor rolesin supply chain On the first day of the Congress, the commercial track opened with a discussion on the retailer’s and distributor’s role in the biostimulant supply chain.
The session was chaired by Giuseppe Natale, Co-founder of Vedalia, and well known to the audience as founder of Italian company Valagro, which was acquired by Syngenta in 2020.
The high-level panel comprised Glenda Gehl, VP R&D & Diversified Field Crops, WinField United; Rob Clayton, Senior VP, Retail North America, Nutrien Ag Solutions; Morgane Marquet, Head of Strategic Projects, Agryco; Isaac Ochoa, Associate Founder & Executive Director of Walagnet; and Benjamen Sauder, Director of Western Expansion, Planet Earth Agronomy.
When giving his opening remarks, Natale gave the two most important factors for a product to succeed with a retailer. The first was consistency of the technology, and the second was the go-to-market strategy. A phrase that he used to tell his own team: “I never met a grower who wakes up needing a biostimulant.” Natale said he was curious to know
from the panellists the limiting factors to the adoption of biostimulants. When usage is only five to 10 percent of a market, he said that the biggest competitor was no usage.
Glenda Gehl brought up the issue of pricing and said that biostimulants were one of the first products to go when farmers had tight budgets. “We’ve started to think of the total package, so farmers are still meeting their yield goals,” said Gehl.
For Ben Sauder, the question on adoption had a simple answer: “The product has to win every time.” His observation was that the biostimulant market tends to be reactive and that it needs to be more proactive. Some crops have more margin to play with, he noted, which can assist in adoption. One of the reasons why field crops are difficult markets to break into is that there is less margin with which to try new products.
Rob Clayton said Nutrien was placing a high value on soil health and understanding the microbiome. “Nobody is this room would argue that if you have healthy soil, you will not have healthy crops,” he said.
One of the complaints from growers in the U.S. market is the sheer number of products and the inability to select the better ones. Isaac Ochoa described this as the problem of too many overlapping products. Gehl said that Winfield has started a Bio Verified designation, which is a vetting tool for biologicals.
Clayton also picked up on the point of Gehl regarding farmer incomes. High interest rates and low commodity prices force farmers to seek greater efficiency. This can provide an opportunity, said Clayton.
Natale moved the conversation to precision agriculture. This could be used to maximize the efficient application of fertilizer. Clayton said that Nutrien was the largest John Deere customer, and that precision equipment could play a vital role in controlled rate application and autonomous machinery.
Giuseppe Natale, Co-founder of Vedalia,led a power panel discussionon distributors and their rolein biostimulant adoption.
Glenda Gehl, VP R&D & DiversifiedField Crops, WinField United
Rob Clayton,Senior VP, Retail North America,Nutrien Ag Solutions
Commodity cycles One of the keynotes was delivered by Shawn Hackett, founder of Hackett Financial Advisors anda seasoned forecaster in agri-commodities. His presentationwas titled: What will impact the pricing model for biostimulants? Forward thinking strategy discussion around biostimulant pricing and the ag industry.
In his opening remarks, Hackett said that it was the job of audience members to decide when biostimulant prices will next rise and position their company accordingly. Hackett went through a series of ratios and metrics indicating that agri markets would be entering another 10-12 year inflationary period.
Shawn Hackett, founder of Hackett Financial Advisors,explored the economic indicators that suggest agri-marketsare on the brink of their next inflationary period
Making awards As well as being a beacon for new science and commercial strategy, the Congress likes to reward success, whether it is new innovations, farmer adopting practices that incorporate biostimulants, or young students beginning their research careers.
SugaROx won the Innovation Showcase. Bianca Forte, Business Development Director, made the pitch for SugarROx.
The Farmer’s Award winner was Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, located on a scenic hillside overlooking the Wisconsin River, just across from Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin (U.S.). President and Winemaker Philippe Coquard accepted the award in a video feed. He said he was excited and honoured to receive the award. “This award is really a result of many years of sustainable approach to agriculture,” he noted.
The Student Poster Award was won by was Livia Pappalettere, a final year PhD student from the University of Pisa, Italy. Pappalettere was a runner-up in the 2023 competitionin Milan.
The Student Poster Award was won by was Livia Pappalettere,a final year PhD student from the University of Pisa, Italy.
New AG International’s Founder JP Leymonie presented the Innovation Showcase,won by SugaROx.The company’s Business Development Director Bianca Forte made the pitch in the showcase format.
Before announcing the third edition of the Farmers Award, sponsored by Syngenta Biologicals, there was a Q&A with Larry Fiene, Founder, Planet Earth Agronomy (left) and Marco Rosso, Global Head Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Biologicals & Seedcare at Syngenta Biologicals (right).
Closing remarks from Biostimulants World Congress When closing the Congress, Professor Patrick du Jardin, Scientific Committee co-chair and Professor at Gembloux Agro-BioTech University of Liège, Belgium, said that he felt the science was moving towards precision biostimulants, or precision biostimulation.
“Which is a way to answer the complexity of the systems we have to deal with. First, we must acknowledge this complexity, the complexity of the interactions. Biostimulants interacting with plants, and complex ecosystems, including the microbiota, and the dialogue between all these components.
Du Jardin noted that a couple of papers during the Congress had addressed these interactions, the molecules involved, and the plant exudates attracting some bacteria. He noted that research is starting to focus on these “interfaces”.
He also noted the complexity of plant nutrition. “We know that nutrition is first providing the plants with building blocks. Okay, that's not enough. Plant nutrition is also providing the plants with what allows the plant to fulfil its physiological functions to the best of its genetic potential, which is a definition I would like to propose. So that means that plant biostimulants are really an important part of plant nutrition.”
Read more in-depth closing remarks, HERE.
Professor Patrick du Jardin, Scientific Committee co-chair and Professor at Gembloux Agro-BioTech University of Liège, Belgium.
Other members of the scientific committee, left to right: Marta Vasconcelos, Scientific Committee Member, Deputy Director of the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP); Fabricio Cassan, Scientific Committee Member, Associate Professor of Plant Physiology at Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC); Professor Patrick Brown, UC Davis and co-chair of the Scientific Committee for the BSWC.
Professor Patrick Brown, Scientific Committee co-chair and Distinguished Professor & Vice Chairman for the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis
The keynote discussion for the Strategic Track: C-Level Insights at this year’s Biostimulants World Congress (BSWC), held in Miami 12-15 November, delved into the rapidly evolving world of biostimulants and microbials. With experts from across the agricultural sector sharing their perspectives, the panel addressed key issues such as the ongoing appeal of biologicals, technological breakthroughs, investment opportunities, and strategies for engaging the next generationof scientists.
Explosive growth of biostimulants: real or bubble? Prem Warrior, strategic adviser and former CEO of Valagro, kicked off the discussion by referencing the recent surge in interest surrounding biostimulants, noting a market growth of 15-20 percent in some geographies. Warrior asked the panelists whether this growth was sustainable or merely a bubble.
Prem Warrior
Mark Brooks, managing director of FMC Ventures, shared his perspective as an investor, pointing to climate change as a driving factor behind the increased demand for biostimulants.
“Climate change has become the fourth pest,” he noted, referring to the growing challenges posed by extreme weather conditions, droughts, and temperature fluctuations.
According to Brooks, biostimulants offer a solution to help plants withstand abiotic stresses, which are becoming more prevalent in agricultural production. The more favourable regulatory environment for biostimulants compared to traditional biocontrols also plays a role in fueling their growth.
Arne Pingel, head of strategic marketing at Rovensa Next, emphasized the role of innovation in the sector, describing biostimulants as “sexy” and a hotbed for new developments. With over 166 billion active compounds available for use as biostimulants, Pingel pointed to the rapid innovation and investment pouring into the industry. He also noted that the sector’s ability to
protect the value of other agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and crop protection products, makes biostimulants essential in the evolving agricultural landscape.
Carlos Alexander Rodriguez-Villa Forster, managing director at AlgaEnergy, expanded on the concept of biostimulants’ role in addressing global megatrends. These include mitigating the effects of climate change and combatting soil degradation, both of which are critical issues for the future of farming. He also highlighted the “potential of biostimulants to increase nutrient density in crops, ultimately benefiting food systems and contributing to healthier societies.” Rodriguez-Villa Forster sees biostimulants not just as a supplementary input but as an integral part of future farming practices.
From left to right: Payam Pourtaheri, Mark Brooks, Arne Pingel, Carlos Alexander Rodriguez-Villa Forster.
Mark Brooks, managing director, FMC Ventures
Arne Pingel, head of strategic marketing, Rovesna Next
From nice-to-have to must-have: making biostimulants essential The panel also discussed how biostimulants can transition from being seen as “nice-to-have” products to essential inputs for modern farming. Rodriguez-Villa Forster acknowledged that biostimulants often face resistance from farmers because they require additional investment without immediate, obvious returns.
“Farmers don’t control the weather, they don’t control the yield, they don’t control the quality. But they do control the costs. And we’re telling them to add an extra,” he said. However, he argued that as the industry matures and the benefits of biostimulants become clearer, they will become a necessary component of farming practices.
Brooks agreed, emphasizing that farmers will only adopt biostimulants if they deliver tangible economic benefits. If biostimulants can improve yield quality and increase overall profitability, they will be seen as indispensable. This notion of economic payback is critical, as “farmers are driven by cost-effectiveness and a need to see the financial return on every input they use.”
Pingel offered a different perspective, suggesting that biostimulants can help protect a farmer’s broader investments,such as seeds and fertilizers from external threats like weather variability.
“By safeguarding these investments, biostimulants can demonstrate their value, even if they add another line to the farmer’s profit and loss statement,” said Pingel.
Technological innovation and investment With over 2,000 companies globally vying for a piece of the biostimulant market, the panelists discussed the factors that contribute to the success of these companies. Payam Pourtaheri, CEO and co-founder of Agrospheres, reflected on his company’s journey from its early days, noting that they focused on building a platform technology rather than just one or two active ingredients.
“How we differentiated is we stuck to our belief of our technology and the value it could add,” said Pourtaheri. “I think it’s very difficult to build a company around an active ingredient. I think we’re learning that. Some of the previous, at least in the biocontrol space, they tried to build a company around maybe one or two active ingredients. We focused on a platform technology where you can deliver various active ingredients valued at different areas of the industry.”
This platform approach allows for a broader range of applications and scalability in the market,” he added.
Brooks echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of platform technologies that can deliver continuous innovation. He also emphasized the need for companies to have strong intellectual property protection and a differentiated offering.
For investors, however, the most crucial factor is the team behind the technology. Brooks underscored that the strength of a company’s leadership and its ability to adapt and collaborate will ultimately determine its long-term success.
“We see thousands of companies pitching to us all around the world. And we might like the technology or the IP defensibility or whatever the thing is, but the team is really what we’re investing in,” said Brooks. “We’re investing in the people. These are long term relationships as an investor, so we get on the boards of these companies, we sit with them for 3, 5, 10 years potentially, driving towards an exit eventually. It’s a long relationship, so we have to make sure that we are investing in people
who are coachable, who will listen, who are good people and who surround themselves withamazing talent.”
Rodriguez-Villa Forster added that having the right partners is just as important as having good technology. The right strategic partnerships can accelerate the path from lab to market and ensure that innovations reach farmers effectively.
Growing the marketand building partnerships As the biostimulant sector continues to grow, there is a clear need for greater collaboration across the industry. Pingel, as president of the European Biostimulant Industry Council (EBIC), highlighted the importance of working together to increase adoption rates and grow the market. He pointed out that in the fruit and vegetable sector, only about 50 percent of growers use biostimulants, and the numbers are even lower in row crops. By building partnerships and sharing knowledge, the industry can help increase the adoption of biostimulants and foster sustainable growth.
Rodriguez-Villa Forster also emphasized the need for clear, well-defined strategies at every stage of the technology’s development. He warned that companies must balance long-term potential with short-term and mid-term strategies to ensure steady progress and avoid losing focus.
Conclusion The future of biostimulants in agriculture appears bright, driven by innovation, investment, and a growing recognition of their role in addressing global agricultural challenges. As panelists discussed, biostimulants offer a unique opportunity to support crop resilience in the face of climate change, protect soil health, and improve yields. For biostimulants to transition from a “nice-to-have” to a must-have, they must demonstrate clear value to farmers – both economically and environmentally. The continued development of differentiated products, strategic partnerships, and a clear value proposition for growers will be key to shaping the future of this dynamic and fast-growing sector. ●
Regulatory UpdatesThe commercial programme had a regulatory theme to the final day of the Congress and included Regulatory updates and feedback from the California Department of Food & Agriculture on Biostimulant Policy in the USA, by Nick Young, Environmental Program Manager Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, California Department of Food and Agriculture. This was followed by a panel discussion on Regulating Biostimulants in North America, with an esteemed panel of Terry Stone - Board member BPIA, Ed Thomas VP Government Affairs, The Fertilizer Institute; Nick Young, Environmental Program Manager Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, California Department of Food and Agriculture. ●
The New AG International Yearbook 2024 was distributed in Miami at the Biostimulants World Congress. The first advert has already been sold for the 2025 edition – reach out to our sales team to book your position today! ●
Farmers are driven by cost-effectiveness and a need to see the financial return on every input they use.
We stuck to our belief of our technology and the value it could add.
The biostimulant industryis experiencing rapid growth, driven by a global push for sustainable agricultural solutions. However, deciding where to expand, how to enter new markets, and the role of local partnerships are critical considerations for companies seeking to thrive in thisdynamic sector.
In a leadership discussion at the Biostimulants World Congress (BSWC) in Miami 12-15 November, key players in the industry – Carmela Pérez Calleja (Marketing & Communications Director at AlgaEnergy), Michael Key (Co-Founder & CEO at Impello Biosciences), Mark Palmer (Managing Director at IntraCrop), Hubert Kardasz (CEO at Intermag), and Ananda Scherner (CEO at Agrobiomics) – shared their insights on market strategies, investment decisions and business challenges.
Left: Carmela Pérez Calleja, Marketing & Communications Director, AlgaEnergyRight: Michael Key, Co-Founder & CEO, Impello Biosciences
Market decisions: identifying the right region to enter Carmela Pérez Calleja kicked off the discussion by asking the panel how companies decide which regions to enter, especially considering biostimulants' global necessity. The response underscored the importance of identifying both market needs and the rightstrategic partner.
Mark Palmer, whose company IntraCrop’s technology is highly differentiated, explained that the decision largely hinges on market drivers, such as nutrient use efficiency, nitrogen reduction and abiotic stress resilience. He emphasized that regions such as North America, Australia and India offer opportunities due to the growing demand for these specific solutions.
Hubert Kardasz added that choosing the right market is a complex decision that involves analyzing factors such as market size, local crop requirements and agricultural practices. For him, finding the right local distributor – one with a similar mindset and passion for the product – can make all the difference in ensuring successful market entry.
“If you find the right partner, such as a similar mindset and a similar approach to ours, we can commonly double up in the market,” he noted.
Ananda Scherner from Agrobiomics shared a more specialized approach, noting that their biostimulant technology focuses on salinity stress. This led their company to look at regions with significant salinity issues, such as parts of Asia, and select crops suited to these areas. The company’s strategy emphasizes the importance of finding the right partners to help navigate these unique challenges.
“I cannot exclude the fact that regulatory also plays a role,” said Scherner. “It enables us to move much faster in some countries in comparison to others.”
Michael Key of Impello Biosciences, however, shared a different perspective. He emphasized that while large markets like the U.S. are appealing, Impello took a unique approach by focusing initially on specialty crops with growers who have bigger budgets and are more quality-driven, such as those in California. He believes that a focus on smaller, high-value crops has helped Impello gain traction before expanding into larger commodity markets.
“It can be really difficult to play in the corn soy wheat commodity markets. Whereas if you’re going into the specialty crop markets, greenhouse markets, those growers for the most part have bigger budgets, and they’re also really focused on quality,” said Key. “And so when it comes down to this market analysis and thinking about where to start, at least for us, we focused on ones that we knew we could win in, and where the products would fit very well; and we think we can get to the other ones later. And so far it’s worked quite well.”
Palmer agreed. “We have a natural focus on wheat. And often I find that if we can make things work on wheat, we can come the other way to the specialty crops,” he noted. “The most important thing is about finding a partner preparing to work in the local market, using their insight into their cropping rotation and their growing programs.”
Ananda Scherner, CEO, Agrobiomics, Hubert Kardasz, CEO, Intermag,Mark Palmer, Managing Director, IntraCrop
The role of distributors and partnerships As the conversation shifted toward the importance of local distributors, Kardasz stressed that while innovative technology is essential, having the right partner to help communicate and distribute the product to farmers is just as critical. He pointed out that smaller distributors, with a deep passion for the product and quicker decision-making structures, can often outperform larger, more bureaucratic players. This allows for more efficient communication with farmers, which is vital for the adoption of biostimulant products.
Scherner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that bringing innovation to market is a complex task that requires more than just a good product. It involves aligning the product with farmer needs, ensuring ease of use, and setting the right price point.
“It has to be convenient for farmers to work, it has to fit into their farming systems, the price has to be right. All these things actually play a big role,” said Scherner, adding that a strong partnership with a knowledgeable distributor is key to navigating this process effectively.
Key agreed, stressing that having the right distributor is vital, especially in crowded markets. For instance,
while California’s strawberry growers represent a profitable market, the competition for their attention is fierce. The challenge, he pointed out, lies in standing out among the many biostimulant options already available to these growers.
Expansion from one regionto another When asked about how expansion strategies differ when moving from one region to another, Key shared his experience transitioning from the U.S. to Spain. He noted that while the goal of growers is similar across regions – to do more with less – the tolerance for new technologies varies significantly. Spanish growers, for instance, tend to be more open to experimenting with new biostimulants compared to U.S. growers, who hold very high standards for product efficacy.
“The qualification for a product that works is quite a bit different to a grower in California. It’s not to say one’s better and one’s worse, it’s just the standards are quite different,” said Key. “So, bringing Spanish products into the U.S. market is certainly possible. But there are a unique set of challenges to prove that those products can be trusted to meet the sometimes unreasonably high but understandably high standards of these growers.”
Kardasz, whose company made the reverse journey – from Europe to the U.S. – highlighted the significant challenges posed by differing regulatory frameworks. In Europe, regulations are unified, whereas in the U.S., each state has its own set of rules, making it harder to navigate the market. He also pointed out the
differences in farming practices, such as the greater use of foliar treatments in Europe compared to the U.S., where herbicide compatibility is a major concern for large-scale farmers.
“So, there is a lot of differences, and you need to learn them and adapt your communication,” noted Kardasz.
The role of regulationsand sustainability Regulatory frameworks emerged as a key discussion point, with the panel agreeing that they play a substantial role in determining market strategies. Scherner noted that salinity stress, while a major issue in regions like Asia, presents a challenge due to complex regulatory environments. These factors make it difficult to find suitable partners for testing and market entry, contrasting with the relative ease of entering markets in the U.S. or Europe.
Palmer also pointed to regulatory differences in North America, where the widespread reluctance to adjust fertilizer practices presents a hurdle. However, he highlighted that adopting sustainable practices – such as nitrogen reduction and regenerative agriculture – could open up new avenues for biostimulant technologies. He sees this as a model that could eventually be exported to regions like North America, where large-scale farming is less accustomed to these kinds of sustainable changes.
Disruptions and the futureof biostimulants The conversation turned to the future, with panelists acknowledging the rapid changes the agricultural industry has experienced over the past few years. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the surge in fertilizer prices and disruptions in global supply chains, the industry has been forced to adapt quickly.
Key noted that these disruptions are unlikely to subside anytime soon, and companies must be prepared for ongoing volatility. Kardasz agreed, adding that the past few years have shown just how unpredictable the future can be. However, he also pointed out that disruption can be seen as an opportunity – particularly for biostimulants that aim to shift the market towards more sustainable practices.
Scherner shared an optimistic view, suggesting that biostimulants could
be part of a market disruption that leads to broader adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
By changing how farmers approach crop management, they could help make biostimulants the norm rather than the exception.
The road ahead As the discussion concluded, it was clear that the biostimulant industry faces a complex web of challenges and opportunities. Successful market entry depends on identifying the right regions, understanding local farming practices and having the right partnerships in place. Moreover, regulatory hurdles and the need for effective communication with farmers remain key obstacles.
However, the panelists agreed that innovation, sustainability and strategic partnerships will continue to drive the industry forward. With the right blend of technology, market insight and local partnerships, biostimulants are poised to play a crucial role in transforming global agriculture in the years ahead.
Despite the challenges, the consensus was clear: while disruption is inevitable, it also presents opportunities for growth, and those companies that adapt with agility and foresight will leadthe way. ●
The most important thing is about finding a partner preparing to work in the local market.
Biostimulants are poised to play a crucial role in transforming global agriculture in the years ahead.
As the 2024 Biostimulants World Congress (BSWC) drew to a close, scientific committee members reflected on the key insights and the evolving role of plant biostimulants in agriculture. The closing session, moderated by prominent experts in plant physiology and biotechnology, provided a deep dive into the emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in the biostimulants sector.
Professor Patrick du Jardin
A growing focus on precision biostimulants Patrick du Jardin, Professor and Head of the Plant Biology Laboratory at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech-University of Liège, kicked off the session with an emphasis on the move towards precision biostimulants. He highlighted the importance of understanding the complex interactions between plant biostimulants, plants, the environment, and microbiota. Du Jardin stressed that plant biostimulants are not merely tools for improving plant nutrition but are essential for enhancing the plant’s ecological functions and stress resilience. As climate change and environmental challenges continue to impact agriculture, biostimulants are becoming indispensable for sustainable farming.
The role of data and AI in plant biostimulant research One of the key takeaways from the congress was the increasing role of data-driven research. Du Jardin noted the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in analyzing plant behaviour over time, emphasizing the need for more sophisticated tools to measure and predict plant responses. The shift from hypothesis-driven research to data-driven approaches is enabling researchers to better understand how different biostimulants work at the molecular and ecological levels.
Du Jardin also discussed the dual approach of addressing complexity and reducing it in biostimulant research. While biostimulants are complex, made from a variety of natural products such as seaweed extracts and polysaccharides, simplifying these formulations by focusing on specific molecules or plant responses could lead to more targeted and efficient products. He proposed that by honing in on individual compounds, such as flavanols or alginates, researchers could create more precise solutions for enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance.
Biostimulants and plant health: Beyond disease control Marta Vasconcelos, Deputy Director of the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), addressed the growing intersection between plant growth hormones and biostimulants. She explained that while plant hormones are produced endogenously, biostimulants can modulate the plant’s response to these hormones, enhancing their effectiveness. This interaction plays a crucial role in improving plant resilience to stress, such as drought, and can lead to more sustainable and productive crops.
Vasconcelos also pointed out the importance of understanding this interplay to develop better agronomic strategies. By combining plant hormones with biostimulants, it is possible to improve soil quality and increase the nutritional value of crops, ultimately contributing to more sustainable food systems.
“Obviously, the fact that we have a better understanding of this interplay between the two gives us tools to devise better strategies, agronomic strategies, so that we better control the effects of our applications,” said Vasconcelos. “I don’t think we can disentangle these two, they are players together, they have really an intimate relationship.”
The microbiome: A new frontierin biostimulant research Fabricio Cassan, Associate Professor of Plant Physiology at Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC), brought a unique perspective to the table, challenging the traditional view of the plant as a solitary organism. He introduced the concept of the "holobiont," a holistic view of plants that considers the plant and its associated microbiome as a single entity. Cassan emphasized the potential of developing biostimulants that enhance plant-microbe interactions, particularly in the rhizosphere, to improve plant health and stress tolerance. He highlighted that understanding and harnessing the plant microbiome could unlock new opportunities for biostimulant development.
“I think that new kind of biostimulants could be developed to improve the activity of the microbes on the soil, to improve the ability of the plants to communciate with those microbes,” he stressed. “And I think the soil is a new target to introduce new kinds of products.”
Marta Vasconcelos, Deputy Director of the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP)Fabricio Cassan, Associate Professor of Plant Physiology at Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC)Patrick Brown, Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis
Bridging plant biostimulantsand soil health The conversation shifted to the role of biostimulants in soil health. Du Jardin raised an interesting point about the need to rethink the claims of biostimulants, not just in terms of providing nutrients to plants but also in improving soil health. This aligns with the broader view that biostimulants can play a pivotal role in supporting ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and soil biodiversity, which are essential for long-term agricultural sustainability.
Patrick Brown, Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis, indicated he often gets questions from fellow scientists who are “biostimulant skeptics”.
“The claim is if we have a perfectly balanced system, then there will be no purpose for biostimulants. And regenerative agriculture may be claiming it’s moving towards that direction,” said Brown. “But I’m reminded of a couple of observations that I made in the last month when I was travelling. I was in Indonesia in some native forests, 3,000 mm of rainfall, acidic soils of pH2, pH3. I then traveled to Morocco where I was in some of the high forests of Morocco with 50 cm of rainfall and pH8 and pH9. And in those natural ecosystems, you cannot see a disease or a nutrient deficiency, even though it is an extreme environment. That’s an example of a system in natural balance, and a system such as that, application of a nutrient, application of a biostimulant, would be disruptive.
“But those are not agricultural systems,” added Brown. “The reality of our agricultural systems are that we are not in that kind of balance. And we saw a beautiful talk from Rodrigo Mendez illustrating how the wild varieties of ancient wheat have a very different relationship with its soil than the modern cultivars do.”
Brown indicated there are lessons to be learned here: can we achieve balance in an agricultural system? “The opportunity is to learn from the secrets that lie in nature, and apply those secrets, i.e., biostimulants as a mechanism. Certainly regenerative and organic and sustainable are mechanisms. And that’s where the opportunity exists.” Regulations and challenges: The need for clearer definitions One of the major challenges discussed was the regulatory landscape surrounding plant biostimulants. Du Jardin noted the ongoing debate between biostimulants and plant growth regulators (PGRs), and the regulatory divide between these two categories. He pointed out the paradox that biostimulants are defined based on their claims, not their mode of action, which contrasts with plant protection products, where mode of action is a critical factor. There is a growing need for clearer definitions and regulatory frameworks that better reflect the biological reality of plant biostimulants.
A bright future for biostimulants The closing session of the BSWC Congress underscored the promising future of plant biostimulants. With advancements in data-driven research, a better understanding of plant-microbe interactions, and a growing focus on sustainability, biostimulants are poised to become a critical tool in addressing the challenges of modern agriculture. The need for clear regulatory frameworks, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and innovative experimental approaches will shape the next decade of research and application in this dynamic field. The congress has sparked new ideas, and the global scientific community is now better equipped to push the boundaries of what plant biostimulants can achieve. ●
The opportunity is to learn from the secrets that lie in nature, and apply those secrets, i.e., biostimulants as a mechanism.
