By Janet Kanters
Ron Calhoun, senior marketing managerof plant nutrition, Loveland Products
At the center of that change is Loveland Products, the proprietary input business of Nutrien Ag Solutions, which is investing heavily innext-generation biological and biostimulant technologies. Fromsoil microbiome enhancers to biochemically derived nutrient activators, Loveland is exploringhow biology and chemistry canwork together to support plant performance and improveinput efficiency.
And few people are more passionate about that intersection than Ron Calhoun, senior marketing manager of plant nutrition at Loveland Products. With a background that bridges academia, field agronomy, and product innovation, Calhoun’s perspective offers a rare blend of scientific depth and practical understanding.
“Biology doesn’t look the same everywhere,” Calhoun said. “Soil type, previous crop, and weather are all factors. It’s important to understand that biology isn’t going to work the same way chemistry does.”
Calhoun’s own journey mirrors the evolution of the industry. “I started off in a horticulture program at Michigan State University a long, long time ago,” he said with a laugh. “I’m the rare triple grad – I have both my master’s and Ph.D. from Michigan State. My master’s was in plant growth regulator use, and my Ph.D. was in plant ecology, which is really the study of how plants interact with each other and their environment.”
After 17 years in the university’s crop and soil sciences program, Calhoun transitioned from academia to retail distribution and later to Nutrien Ag Solutions, where he worked as a specialty crop agronomist in Michigan and northern Ohio. That field experience with apples, cherries, tomatoes, hops, and blueberries has shaped his viewof how innovation reaches thefarm gate.
“Working closely with growers across that region showed me just how complex agricultural systems really are,” he said. “No two fields
behave the same way – and that’s exactly why biologicals can be both so promising and so challenging.”
Loveland Products:A legacy of ag innovation Loveland Products, founded over 50 years ago as an adjuvants company, has evolved into one of Nutrien’s core innovation engines. Now fully integrated within Nutrien Ag Solutions’ global retail network, Loveland supports more than 1,400 retail locations and nearly 4,000 crop consultants across North America.
“Our portfolio today rests on four main shelves,” Calhoun explained. “Adjuvants – which is where we started – plant nutrition, crop protection, and seed treatments. Those four categories make up what we bring to the field.”
This structure allows Loveland to pursue innovation from multiple angles, especially in biologicals and biostimulants. The company’s strategy focuses not only on new product development but also on how to integrate biologicals into broader nutrient and crop protection programs.
Defining the biological frontier So what exactly counts as a “biological”? According to Calhoun, the answer depends on who you ask.
“At Nutrien, we tend to start with biostimulants,” he said. “In the purest sense, a biological is something living – like a bacterial or fungal isolate. But in practice, we think of biologicals as part of a broader biostimulant category.”
He explained this concept using an analogy drawn from human nutrition: “You can think of it like prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. A probiotic would be the living biological itself. A prebiotic supports its activity. And a postbiotic is the biochemistry or metabolites that come from that activity. In our portfolio, we have products that play in all of those spaces.”
This spectrum – from living organisms to biologically derived biochemistry – reflects the complexity of the biological market. It also highlights how Nutrien and Loveland differentiate their approach.
“For us, a biostimulant might be any non-fertilizer, non-essential-nutrient product that has a biological origin and stimulates plant or root activity,” Calhoun said. “These aren’t fertilizers in the traditional sense, but they absolutely influence how efficiently nutrients are used.”
Calhoun is quick to point out that successful biological products must work not just in the lab, but inthe field.
“An environment that’s conducive for biology is always going to be better,” he said. “In a petri dish or greenhouse, it’s easy to see success. The challenge is: how do you make that work at commercial scale? The organism has to survive in a jug, in a warehouse, in a semi-truck – and then compete in the soil onceit’s applied.”
That survival challenge is one reason why many of Loveland’s early innovations focused on “postbiotic” or biochemical products – compounds produced by microorganisms, but without the living microbes themselves.
“These products are more stable,” he explained. “They’re not as dependent on soil temperature or moisture. They don’t have to outcompete native microbes. But the chemistry they contain still provides benefits for the crop.”
One flagship example is Titan XC, a product applied to dry phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, containing biologically derived biochemistry that improves nutrient availability. “That product line just crossed 100 million acres applied,” Calhoun said. “That’s a huge milestone for something Loveland introduced years ago – and it shows the trust growers have built in these technologies.”
When conditions align While biologicals can play a role every season, their performance can vary depending on conditions. “In 2024, for instance, many regions in the central U.S. saw heavy rainfall that leached nitrogen from the root zone,” Calhoun said. “In that case, a biological nitrogen supplement is more likely to show a strong benefit. In ideal growing conditions, you might not see as big of a difference.”
This variation underscores theneed for long-term evaluation. “With biologicals, you need to lookat the win rate over multiple trials and seasons,” he added. “Trust, but verify.”
For growers trialing a new biological, Calhoun recommends working with trusted advisers and asking the right questions. “University Extension can’t evaluate every product that’s
out there,” he noted. “So it’s important to be an informed consumer. Ask for data that demonstrates performance under real-world conditions.”
One of Loveland’s greatest advantages, Calhoun noted, is access to advanced verification tools and global testing networks.
“What’s exciting about the time we live in now is that we can measure down to the strain level with DNA testing,” he explained. “We can confirm that what we put out is what’s actually active in the root zone later. That’s a level of verification previous generations didn’t have.”
Nutrien’s research partnerships amplify this capability. The company works with CH Biotech in Taiwan and Agricen in Texas, enabling replicated field trials across multiple environments and seasons.
“Right now, we’re running parallel trials in Texas, California, and Taiwan,” Calhoun said. “In less than three months, we’ll have three sets of data on the same trial. We can also run counter-seasonal work in Brazil. That lets us collect two years’ worth of data in one calendar year.”
The result is a dramatically shortened development timeline – critical in a market that’s evolving faster than any other input category.
“Biological innovation moves quickly,” he said. “You’re not talking about multi-year regulatory timelines like hard chemistry. For most states, it’s a matter of months, not years.”
It’s important to note that innovation at Loveland doesn’t happen in isolation. The company relies heavily on its vast retail and agronomy network to surface real-world challenges and opportunities.
“Our best ideas are the ones that come closest to the farm,” Calhoun said. “It’s not someone in an office who has the best idea – it’s a crop consultant or a grower who says, ‘Here’s a pain point I need solved.’ That’s where we can have themost impact.”
With thousands of crop consultants interacting daily with growers, feedback flows quickly to Loveland’s R&D and product development teams. “We have regional steering committees that meet four times a year,” Calhoun said. “They’re constantly bringing us input from the field about what’s working, what’s
missing, and what growersare asking for.”
That direct connection to the farm helps Loveland evaluate hundreds of new technologies annually. “We probably review around 200 opportunities a year,” he said. “Maybe seven or eight make it to field trials, and from there, we decide which ones fill a gap or make sense economically.”
Global perspective, local performance Nutrien’s footprint – spanning North America, South America, Australia, and beyond – also gives Loveland a unique vantage point on global biological innovation.
“We hear about new products coming out of Europe, Asia, and South America all the time,” Calhoun said. “It’s an advantage to have that network of listening. We can see what’s working elsewhere and assess whether it has value forour growers.”
Interestingly, Calhoun believes adoption patterns often depend on access to traditional chemistry. “In parts of the world where chemistry options are limited, growers are more open to trying biologicals,” he said. “In North America, the comparison is always to what already works. That’s why we see biologicals as complementary – not replacements. They’re additional tools in the toolbox.”
Loveland’s legacy in the adjuvant and plant nutrition space gives it credibility as the biological market matures. “We’re not new to this,” Calhoun emphasized. “We have a track record of bringing effective products that become standard practice. There’s a high bar for us.”
That bar continues to rise. For 2026, Loveland plans 26 new product launches across its entire portfolio – including new entries in crop protection, seed treatment, and adjuvants, alongside a growing roster of biostimulant and biological offerings.
Each of those products must meet a simple but demanding standard: measurable benefit, commercial scalability, and grower trust.
“Biologicals aren’t a silver bullet,” Calhoun concluded. “They’re a new language for understanding plant health – one that builds on everything we already know. If we can make our soils more suitable, our plants more efficient, and our inputs more sustainable, then biology is helping us do what agriculture has always done best: adapt, evolve, and grow.” ●
Three tips from Ron Calhoun for trying a new biological
Ask for the data. “Make sure the product performs as advertised in real-world conditions—not just a greenhouse.”
Start with problem fields. “Identify the acres that keep you up at night. That’s where you’re most likely to see a measurable benefit.”
Partner with your adviser. “Work with someone you trust to help evaluate options and interpret results. The best biological strategy is a customized one.”
The organism has to survive in a jug, in a warehouse, in a semi-truck –and then compete in the soil onceit’s applied.
Bioiberica has a released a free-to-download white paper on “Use of Amino Acids in Agriculture – How to mitigate abiotic stress and increase yields”. This comprehensive report examines the rapidly evolving biostimulants market and Bioiberica’s cutting-edge solutions for modern agricultural challenges. The document provides an in-depth analysis of market dynamics, sustainability imperatives, and the scientific foundation behind amino acid-based biostimulants.
The whitepaper begins with overview of the global biostimulants, outlining the market share of amino acid-based biostimulants. It then moves on to describing how crops respond to abiotic stress, such as the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and the limiting effect this has on production.
To alleviate the impact of abiotic stress on plants, various management strategies have been implemented. The whitepaper discusses the advancement of biostimulants as a key tool, and how L-α-amino acid-based biostimulants serve as a valuable complement to the amino acids naturally synthesized by plants.
Bioiberica’s Scientific Advantage Central to Bioiberica’s competitive edge is the proprietary Enzyneer® technology, which utilizes enzymatic hydrolysis to produce high-quality L-α-amino acids and other bioactive compounds. Unlike chemical hydrolysis methods that leave harmful residues and convert amino acids to their inactive D-form, Enzyneer® preserves the biologically active L-α configuration while maintaining free amino acids content with superior enantiomer purity across all amino acid types.
The company’s biostimulants demonstrate proven efficacy across multiple applications. In soil health improvement, products like
Terramin® Pro promote beneficial Actinobacteria proliferation across various soil types while enhancing crop chlorophyll content in degraded soils. For nutrient use efficiency, both Terra Sorb® radicular and Terramin® Pro significantly improve nitrogen use efficiency, enabling up to 40% nitrogen input reduction without compromising yields. Additionally, Terra-Sorb® effectively mitigates pesticide stress, protecting photosynthetic activity and reducing oxidative stress in herbicide-treated crops.
Backed by over 35 years of research and more than 2,000 field trials across 70+ countries, Bioiberica’s science-validated biostimulants offer practical solutions for climate-resilient agriculture while supporting global sustainability goals. ●
Key Takeaways
Enzyneer® technology delivers superior amino acid quality through enzymatic hydrolysis, preserving L-α-amino acids’ biological activity while eliminating harmful residues common in chemical processes.
Proven multi-functional benefits include enhanced soil microbiome health, improved nitrogen use efficiency, and effective pesticide stress mitigation.
Extensive field validation with over 2,000 trials across 70+ countries demonstrates consistent performance in real-world agricultural conditions, supporting sustainable farming practices.
The Biostimulants World Congress 8th Edition presents an extensive four-day schedule that commences on December 1, 2025, with a workshop-day moving to a comprehensive conference programme combining scientific research and commercial applications.
Disclaimer – last minute changes might be made to the programme so times and topics may change. Always check the event app for the latest schedule.
Workshop Day - December 1, 2025 The congress opens with three specialized workshops designedto provide fundamental knowledge across key areas of the biostimulant industry.
Workshop A: Biostimulant Regulation & Policy commences at 10:00 with Sara Garcia Figuera from EBIC Secretariat presenting "Biostimulant Regulation in Europe: Critical updates and vital information on the regulatory landscape in Europe." This opening presentation will provide essential regulatory context for European markets, addressing the complex legislative environment governing biostimulant registration and commercialization.
Following is Ferran Soldevila Elias, MD of Sun Chemicals Services, who offers practical, step-by-step guidance in "How to register a Biostimulant in Europe”. The morning session concludes with a Q&A, allowing participants to explore regulatory questions before the coffee break.
The workshop resumes with an extensive panel discussion titled "Global perspectives on enabling access to biostimulants", featuring Mohamed Eida from FAO's Agricultural Office and Kristen Sukalac, Partner at Prospero & Partners. This panel explores international regulatory harmonization and market access challenges across different geographical regions. Vipin Saini, CEO of Biological Agri Solutions Association of India, then provides comprehensive regulatory updates from India, detailing the evolving regulatory landscape in one of the world's largest agricultural markets.
Before breaking for lunch, Jaqueline Cruz, Biological Regulatory Affairs
Manager at Syngenta, will shift the focus to Brazil and discuss the "Legal framework for bioinputs in Brazil, based on legislation (Law 15.070/2024): Regulatory Perspectives and Challenges for New Rules on Biostimulants," addressing the significant regulatory developments in Latin America's largest market.
After the lunch break, the afternoon session resumes with Ed Thomas, Vice President of Government Affairs at The Fertilizer Institute, discussing the "United States Biostimulant Certification Program," providing insights into the American regulatory approach and certification processes. The workshop concludes with an extensive panel discussion focusing on Latin American regulations covering Mexico and Dominican Republic, featuring Romy Ursua, Founder of Ikan Consultores, and Cecilia Isabel Diaz Suarez, regulatory expert from RED Latam, before closing remarks bring the workshop to a conclusion.
Workshop B: Biostimulant AgTech R&D runs concurrently, beginning at 10:00 with Andrea Gonzalez, Head of research at FA Bio, presenting "The role of AgTech start-ups in the development of microbial biostimulants." This session explores the relationship between technology and biological innovation in the startup ecosystem. Next up is "Exploring the Biosolutions landscape in Australia – from innovation to adoption and beyond," by Nirodha Weeraratne.
The next speaker is looking to answer the following question: “Can we have it all? Protecting trust, speed, cost & reliability in biostimulant research”. Jennifer Upfold from Scientific Solutions Consultant at Reshape Biotech will tackle the question.
Following the coffee break, Gifford Gillette, Head of Science at Redox Bio-Nutrients, presents "Plant extract modulates nitrogen stress responses and activates sulfate and hormone signalling pathways in corn," detailing molecular mechanisms of plant response to biostimulant applications. Salvador Bermejo, Technical Director at Fitosoil Laboratorios, follows with "Plant nutrition and soil health for sustainable agriculture across follow-up testing," emphasizing the importance of comprehensive testing protocols. Taking the audience to the lunchbreak is a specialized panel discussion on nitrogen-fixing bacteria featuring Marcus Meadows-Smith from BioConsortia and Paul Oliver from Hodder & Taylors Limited, exploring the commercial potential of biological nitrogen fixation technologies.
The afternoon session resumes with David Benito, CEO of Glaia, who presents "Harnessing light: Enhancing photosynthesis to overcome abiotic stress with next generation biostimulants," focusing on photosynthetic enhancement technologies.
Dr Seyed Hosseini, head of R&D Discovery Plant Care at Olmix Group, follows with "Molecular approaches to drought tolerance in barley," examining genetic and molecular strategies for stress tolerance. Andrea Giordano, Research lead and co-founder of PLANeT BIOTECH, presents at 15:15 on "From Stem Cells to Soil: A new generation of PLANeT Biotech Biostimulants for Climate-Resilient Crops," showcasing innovative biotechnology applications.
Everton Molina Campos, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer at Grupo Casa Bugre, concludes the workshop with "Nutritional Efficiency in Plants through Nutri-Physiology:
Workshop C: Biostimulant Design and Formulation Seminar - David Calvert from iFormulate leads the specialized formulation seminar at 16:25, focusing on technical aspects of biostimulant product development and optimization.
Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB), managed by Fira de Barcelona, reported a marked by a surge in major international congresses, particularly in the medical and scientific fields for 2H 2025.
Day 1 - December 2, 2025The main congress commences with Patrick du Jardin, Scientific Committee Co-Chair and Professor at University of Liège, who delivers the welcome address at 08:15, officially opening the Biostimulants World Congress.
At 08:30, Pierdomenico Perata, Professor of Plant Physiology at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, presents the opening keynote "The science of RNA in plants and in agriculture," exploring the fundamental role of RNA technologies in agricultural applications.
Manel Cervera, Managing Partner at Dunham Trimmer, solidifies this opening session by providing comprehensive market analysis with "Market Trends and Insights: A global market analysis," which will be packed with insights into market dynamics, growth projections, and regional variations. The morning session concludes with "A Farmers Panel and The Farmers Award Results," providing practical perspectives from agricultural practitioners.
Science & Technical Track – Day 1 The Science & Technical Track resumes with a theme of Plant Biostimulants, Plant Nutrition and
Soil Health with Franz Bender, Team leader agroecological assessments at Agroscope, who will present "Soil ecological engineering, soil health and co-creation for an agroecological future," emphasizing sustainable agricultural practices. Jose Roberto Pereira de Castro, Director FEALQ, takes the audience further into the theme with "Co-inoculation using species of Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum brasilense the Brazilian case of success on Biological Nitrogen Fixation and plant growth promotion."
Ana Soares, Researcher in Microbiology at Bioscale, presents on "Linking soil microbiome dynamics and plant biostimulants to tomato crop yield: The role of long-term application of microbial inoculants," examining the complex interactions between soil microorganisms and plant productivity. Jesus Arevalo Zarco, Director of Innovation at INTAGRI, concludes the morning technical session with "From Soil analysis to plant vitality: Integrating plant nutrition and soil health for resilient crop production."
The afternoon technical track resumes at 14:00 with Radoslaw Wilk, Business Development & Marketing Director at Intermag, presenting "Phyllosphere microbiome: A crucial factor in enhancing plant health and productivity," exploring above-ground microbial communities. William Montaigne, Scientific Director at Solicaz, follows with "Reducing cadmium absorption in Peruvian cocoa using bacterial biostimulants," addressing heavy metal contamination issues in agricultural systems.
Alexandre Kerckhove, PhD Student at Institut Agro Rennes Angers, presents on " Integrating custom imaging tools to unveil whole-plant responses to a protein hydrolysate biostimulant in lettuce under water stress," demonstrating advanced phenotyping technologies. Jaroslav Nisler, Head of Isotope Laboratory at Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, will bring the session to a close by presenting on "Harnessing the power of a single molecule: A novel ultra-low-dose root growth regulator," exploring precision agriculture applications.
Following the networking break, Eike Luedeling, Professor at University of Bonn, delivers a keynote at 16:05 on "Context-sensitive study designs for generating decision-relevant insights on biostimulant effects," addressing experimental design challenges in biostimulant research.
Florence Picault, Business Development Manager at Staphyt, follows the keynote with a presentation on "Assessing the efficacy of biostimulants under the FPR Regulation (EU 2019/1009): between regulatory requirements, field constraints and the importance of analytical timing."
Dimitrios Leonidakis, Researcher at ELGO, follows with "From blocks to big data: Modern statistical frameworks for field evaluation of plant biostimulants," exploring data analysis methodologies. Rolf Allner, Crop Scientist at GOBIO GmbH, concludes the technical track at with "Biostimulants based on endophytic diazotrophic bacteria: Challenges for testing in standard field trials,” which will be followed by closing remarks by the session chairperson.
Strategy & Commercial Track – Day 1 The Strategy & Commercial Track: Biostimulants and the Foodchain
runs parallel, featuring at 10:45 a comprehensive panel on "Sustainable agriculture: What initiatives are we employing to drive forward a sustainable food chain," moderated by Arne Pingel and including Mark Palmer from IntraCrop, Avelino Ormonde representing farmers, Marco Rosso from Syngenta Biologicals, and Eduardo Cancellier from ICL.
Alice Toderi, Chief Marketing Officer at Hello Nature, presents at 11:25 on "Sustainable agriculture & the farm to fork ecosystem," examining supply chain sustainability. The morning concludes at 11:45 with "Distribution models and exploring new markets" featuring Malek Abo Aljod and Philippe Girault from Agronutrition, and Ra'ed Jabr from Agrimatco.
The Strategy & Commercial Track continues in the afternoon with a fireside chat with Francois Lamoureux from CXC and Donald L Smith from BioFuelNet Canada, followed by an investment panel featuring John Carrigan from The Yield Lab, Shubhang Shankar from Syngenta Ventures, and others. The Biostimulants and Climate-Resilient Agriculture session at 16:05 features Francisco Manzano from CH Biotech presenting on "Homeostatic systemins: A novel approach to climate resilient agriculture," followed by presentations from Michalis Papaeconomou of Agrology, David Gaillet from UPL, Adrianna Kochanska from Ocean Rainforest, and Alfredo Daniele Sgrignuoli from Syngenta Biologicals.
The day ends with a wonderful Welcome Reception at Barcelona’s maritime museum.
Science & Technical Track – Day 2 Day 2, 3 December 2025 commences with the Science & Technical Track with the theme of Statistical Design and Methods for Assessing the Performance of Plant Biostimulants in the Field at 09:00 with Ignacio Colonna, Global Director of Science & Technology at AgriThority, presenting "The Importance of a framework for predictive analytics and benchmarking in agricultural product development." Ferdinando Binacchi, Senior Consultant at SEGES Innovation, follows with "30 years of field trials with plant biologicals in Denmark: a meta-analysis of results and recommendations for best practices."
Kevin Fernandes, Technical Engineer at Phenospex, takes the stage with "Challenges and opportunities in digital phenotyping when screening for subtle biostimulant effects." Emilie Hascoet, Project Manager at Vegenov, then discusses "Identification of a biostimulant enabling pollen protection and preventing yield loss under high temperature."
Following the networking break, Giuseppe Colla, Professor at University of Tuscia, delivers a keynote on "Protein hydrolysates: Research progress and applications in the biostimulant industry."
Theo Poucet, Post-doc at INRAE/Bordeaux, presents at 11:50 on "What contributes to biostimulant effectiveness? Insights from natural variation in A. thaliana." Ying-Chung Jimmy Lin, Professor at National Taiwan University and CH Biotech R&D Co., Ltd, follows at 12:10 with "A plant sap peptide as biostimulator operates upstream regulators during Xylem development." Juan Francisco Sanchez Lopez, R&D Scientist at Brandon Bioscience, concludes the morning at 12:30 with "Mitigating heat stress during the reproductive growth stages of Chilli Pepper: A comparative efficacy study between seaweed extract biostimulants from Ascophyllum nodosum and Ecklonia maxima."
The afternoon session resumes at 14:25 with Antonio Ferrante, Professor at University of Milan, presenting "Unlocking plant potential with eK-lon MAX: Transcriptomic insights into a whole-frond seaweed biostimulant." Jefferson Rangel da Silva, Scientist at Yara International, follows at 14:45 with "Triggering drought tolerance in agricultural crops: Mode of action of biostimulant applications using a protein hydrolysate-based product." Paolo Bonini, R&D Director at Atens, presents at 15:05 on "Unrevealing the biostimulant role of Trichoderma strain AT10 on basil growth and metabolism through high-throughput phenotyping and metabolomic profiling of leaves."
Following the networking break, Sonia Negrao, Associate Professor at University College Dublin, delivers a keynote on "A new research avenue: the power of plant imaging in abiotic stress research." Cara Griffiths, Senior Research Scientist at Rothamsted Research, presents at 16:50 on "Next-generation biostimulant technologies for the sustainable intensification of agriculture." Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa, Professor at Federal University of Rio Grande, follows at 17:10 with "Barley germination stimulated by microalgae cultivated in brewery residues." Davide Lucien Patono, CEO at Plant Flow Solutions, concludes the session with "Unraveling the mode of action of a biostimulant in Grapevine through a multiscale phenotyping and molecular approach."
Commercial track – Day 2 The Commercial track on Day 2 begins with Arnold De Maere presenting an innovative approach to bio-based co-formulants that supports circularity and addresses "Farm to Fork" bioeconomy challenges. Marcelo Rodrigues follows with insights on carbon nanoparticles in agriculture, focusing on delivering ROI to industry stakeholders.
Naivy Yuvicel Nava Cruz discusses precision formulation for salinity management through BLOCSAL®, while Daniel Gomez explores smarter nutrient use through better formulation, highlighting an EU-certified biostimulant compatible with high-salt fertilizers.
The track then moves to a panel discussion and Leadership Insights through a fireside chat. For the panel discussion, ably chaired by DunhamTrimmer’s Massimo Toni, there will be a panel of industry leaders giving their thoughts on: "Tariffs, Trade & Tomorrow" panel, providing strategic industry perspectives. This is complemented by a Fireside Chat on Retail Perspectives and Matteo Sclocchi's presentation on constructing targeted commercial blueprints grounded in science.
The afternoon emphasizes regulatory developments with Theodora Nikolakopoulou delivering updates from the European Commission and Nick Young covering the regulation process in the USA. A dedicated Regulatory Q&A Discussion panel provides comprehensive coverage of compliance matters.
Anna Botta addresses overcoming farmer skepticism through priming-based approaches for viable microbial biostimulants. Hamdi El-Jendoubi presents on designing specific biostimulants targeting key microbial populations for enhanced soil nutrient availability.
Jose Nolasco discusses biosolutionizing agriculture through next-generation biostimulants, while Nicolas Grafia explores plant-sourced biostimulants for resilient crop performance. Andrea Silva continues with sustainable agricultural biostimulation derived from transformed dry olive residue using fungi and enzymes, and Bill Duan discusses how to effectively enhance crop immunity by the innovative algae dual-oligosaccharides.
Science & Technical Track – Day 3 The final day commences with a keynote by Petronia Carillo, Full Professor at University of Campania, in the Science & Technical Track, with the title of ‘Plant Biostimulants and Abiotic Stresses for Crop Resilience’.
Arturo Calderon-Orellana, Associate Professor at Universidad de Conception, then presents on "Macrocystis pyrifera seaweed extracts combined with Pseudomonas koreensis stimulate growth and change stomatal response to contrasting plant water status in sweet cherry rootstock Colt." Sonia Mazzarino, Research Fellow at University of Turin, follows with "Isolation and selection of plant-associated microbes for the formulation of new inocula to be used in sustainable agriculture."
Lingyun Cheng, Professor at China Agricultural University, presents on "Exploring secondary metabolites to enhance phosphorus efficiency," , and then Cecile R Renaud, PhD Student at UMons (Université de Mons) shares her research with "Effect of biostimulation from Limnospira indica polysaccharides on microbiome modulation and plant resilience."
Strategy & Commercial Track – Day 3The Strategy & Commercial Track: Data Driven Agriculture & Field Trial Results features Aspasia Efthimiadou from Elgo Dimitra Agricultural Institute presenting "Digital product passports based on blockchain technology: A conceptual framework for transparent and sustainable agrifood systems." David Barton, Senior Consultant at EBIC Secretariat, follows at with "Toward a Meta-Model for Biostimulant Efficacy Under Abiotic Stress: A Structured Evaluation Framework Based on Aggregated Field Trial Data."
Francisco Espinosa, Chief Research Officer at Seipasa, presents on "Biochemical intelligence: exploring the keys to SeiZen's biostimulation with data driven results," followed by a session from Sicit Group featuring Antonino Nicosiaand Chiara Pituello.
Closing part to Congress The congress concludes with the Student Researcher Award followed by closing remarks by Patrick Brown, Scientific Committee Co-Chair and Distinguished Professor at University of California, Davis, marking the end of this comprehensive exploration of the biostimulant industry's current state and future directions. ●
Microbial bioproducts offera powerful lever both to mitigate the vagaries of weather and changes in climate and to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint of fertilization, reducing the dependency on the Haber-Bosch process and the losses in nitrous oxide and leaching. They are also a crucial tool to help crops become more tolerant to drought and climate stress. This article reviews some of the mechanismsof plant-microbeinteraction involved.
Microbial Regulation of Root branching and DevelopmentRoot branching is a key determinant of root system architecture in vascular plants. Lateral roots and root hairs enhance soil micropore exploration as well as nutrient and water uptake. Beyond plant genetics and their responses to abiotic stresses that can impact root system development, soil bacteria also influence root growth and architecture by interacting mainly with the plant hormonal network, primarily involving auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene.
Auxin integrates endogenous and environmental cues to control cell division and elongation through Auxin Response Factors (ARFs), which activate auxin-responsive genes. Auxin transport and local auxin gradients within the plant govern critical tropisms and directly regulate root primordia initiation.
Rhizobacterial auxin, synthesized from plant-derived tryptophan released by the roots, increases the total auxin content in the plant which triggers a cascade of effects, resulting in the stimulation of root primordia formation, proliferation of lateral roots, and increased root hair density. This expanded root surface area also benefits rhizobacteria by promoting rhizosphere colonization and exudation (see Microbial EPS and Root Mucilage section below).
Ethylene, derived from 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC), is a marker of plant stress and inhibits root elongation. Several soil-borne bacteria are capable of synthesizing ACC deaminase, an enzyme that reduces ethylene levels by degrading ACC, thereby promoting root branching (10).
Lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs), such as Nod factors, also enhance lateral root initiation; for instance, purified Sinorhizobium meliloti Nod factors increase lateral root emergence by approximately 40% in Medicago truncatula. Microbial volatiles (e.g., 2,3-butanediol, acetone, acetic acid) and microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs; e.g., flagellin, LPS) further modulate root morphogenesis.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), including Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Azospirillum, possess several of these mechanisms. For example, Azospirillum brasilense produces auxin, while Azospirillum lipoferum exhibits ACC deaminase activity — both stimulating root branching through distinct pathways.
By stimulating the plant’s root system to branch into finer roots and hairs, these biostimulants not only help the root to explore a bigger volume of soil, but also to gain access to smaller microporosities where water and nutrients are still present in dry conditions.
Microbial EPS and Root MucilageMicrobial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are high-molecular-weight, sugar-rich polymers secreted by bacteria and fungi. EPS can remain attached to the microbial cell wall or be released into the surrounding medium, forming biofilms and contributing to soil aggregation and stability. Root cap and border cells secrete a gel-like substance - mucilage - that lubricates the root tip and facilitates soil penetration. This mucilage, rich in polysaccharides, glycoproteins, organic acids, and secondary metabolites, provides carbon and energy sources for rhizospheric microbes.
Both bacterial EPS and mucilage function as a protective sheath, enhancing soil cohesion and water retention in the immediate root vicinity. These properties help mitigate drought, salinity, and oxidative stress, while simultaneously promoting microbial colonization and biofilm formation. PGPR genus including Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, and Azospirillum can modulate mucilage secretion and composition, thereby shaping microbial recruitment, soil structure, and rhizosphere community composition.
Microbial-produced EPS and mucilage help retain water close to their habitat, the root, where it prevents it from desiccation and maintains the hydric connexion between the root and the soil, while improving the resilience to other abiotic stresses and shaping an enhanced, more diverse root microbiome.
Mycorrhizal and Filamentous FungiMycorrhizal and filamentous fungi have distinct but complementary roles in the rhizosphere. Mycorrhizae establish symbiotic associations with plant roots, forming arbuscules (AMF) or other ectomycorrhizal structures. Their hyphal networks extend into the soil, secreting phosphatases and organic acids that mobilize phosphorus and other nutrients.
Hyphae are covered by thin water films that create a “hyphosphere,” serving as a nutrient interface and a network for microbial interactions, transporting phosphate-solubilizing and other beneficial bacteria along these “hyphal highways”. Bacteria may also attach to or form biofilms on hyphal surfaces, enhancing nutrient mobilization and plant–fungus–microbe cooperation. Through these mechanisms, mycorrhizae markedly increase the
absorptive surface and nutrient uptake capacity of roots without depleting the plant’s own carbon reserves. In return, the fungi receive carbon from the plant to support their growth.
Filamentous saprophytic fungi, such as Trichoderma spp., colonize the rhizosphere or root surface, acting as biocontrol agents and growth promoters. They produce hydrolytic enzymes and antifungal metabolites that inhibit pathogens like Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, and some strains release phytohormones and volatile compounds that stimulate root growth, seed germination, and systemic resistance.
Extraradical hyphal networks can increase the root absorption surface by 100- to 1000-fold at a small fraction of the carbon cost that it would represent for a root to cover this area, helping the plant to trap water in the hyphal network and explore smaller micropores for water and nutrition.
ConclusionA well-known principle in ecology is that times of abundance favour individualism while environments of scarcity favour the survival of more collaborative organisms.
That appears to be especially true between plants and their symbionts, as leveraging each player’s specific abilities at a reduced cost helps the holobiont they form together tolerate stress better – water stress included. ●
Adrian Lautrey, PhD, innovation and agronomy project manager at Cybèle Agrocare
Authors: Adrian Lautrey, PhD, innovation and agronomy project manager at Cybèle Agrocare and Nina Vinot, Business development director at Cybèle Agrocare.
Cybèle Agrocare is a leading French company dedicated to the development, production and commercialization of microbial biostimulants and biofertilizers, serving innovators in the sector by putting to their service its extensive know-how in the development of bioprocesses and industrial upscale in liquid fermentation and downstream processing. Cybèle Agrocare will be exhibiting at the World Biostimulant Congress 2025.
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