Fertilizers provide important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. These nutrients help crops grow, develop roots, produce flowers, and form fruits or grains.
However, plants may not always use all the nutrients given through fertilizers. Problems such as poor root growth, drought, heat, unsuitable soil pH, salinity, and nutrient fixation can reduce nutrient uptake.
Biostimulants can support natural processes in plants and around the roots. They may help improve nutrient use, plant growth, stress tolerance, crop quality, and yield. Research shows that biostimulants can improve nutrient use efficiency and crop performance, although results can vary depending on the crop, soil, product, and growing conditions.
The main benefit of using biostimulants with fertilizers is simple: fertilizers provide nutrients, while biostimulants can help plants use available nutrients more effectively.
What are Biostimulants?
Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that support natural processes in plants or around the roots. They are different from fertilizers because their main purpose is not to supply nutrients.
Common types of biostimulants include:
- Humic and fulvic acids.
- Seaweed extracts.
- Amino acids and protein hydrolysates.
- Beneficial microorganisms.
- Chitosan and plant extracts.
Why Use Biostimulants with Fertilizers?
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Fertilizers provide nutrients, but plants need healthy roots and suitable soil conditions to absorb these nutrients.
- For example, drought can reduce root activity, while soil pH or nutrient fixation can affect nutrient availability.
- Biostimulants may support root growth and nutrient uptake. This means using biostimulants with fertilizers can provide both nutrients and additional support for better plant performance.
- However, biostimulants are an add-on to a balanced fertilizer programme. They should not be treated as a complete replacement for fertilizers, organic manure, irrigation, or good farming practices.
Major Biostimulants Benefits When Used with Fertilizers
Biostimulants support better nutrient use, root growth, crop development, stress tolerance, and overall plant health when used with fertilizers.
1. Better Nutrient Use
One of the important biostimulants benefits is improved nutrient use efficiency.
Biostimulants may help plants absorb and use nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients more effectively.
Better nutrient use can help with:
- Less nutrient wastage.
- More uniform crop growth.
- Better use of fertilizer investment.
- Better nutrient availability around the roots.
Farmers should still follow soil test recommendations and the recommended fertilizer dose.
2. Stronger Root Growth
Some biostimulants can support root growth. Stronger roots can explore more soil and take up more water and nutrients.
Good root growth can help with:
- Early crop growth.
- Better plant establishment.
- Improved nutrient absorption.
- Better water uptake.
- Better growth during mild drought conditions.
3. Better Crop Growth and Plant Vigour
When plants get nutrients properly, they can develop healthier leaves, stems, and roots.
Farmers may see:
- Better early growth.
- More uniform plants.
- Stronger stems.
- Better leaf development.
- Better recovery after transplanting.
The results can differ based on the crop, soil, weather, product, and application method.
4. Better Yield Potential
Better nutrition and healthy root growth can support good crop development and yield.
In fruit and vegetable crops, biostimulants may support:
- Flowering.
- Fruit setting.
- Fruit development.
- Fruit size.
- Crop quality.
In grains and pulses, they may support crop growth and grain filling.
However, yield improvement is not guaranteed in every crop or field. It is better to test a product on a small area before using it on the complete farm.
5. Helps Crops Handle Environmental Stress
Farmers may face problems such as:
- Drought.
- Heat.
- Salinity.
- Cold.
- Waterlogging.
- Transplanting stress.
Biostimulants may help crops tolerate and recover from some environmental stresses.
They can support crops during stressful conditions, but they cannot replace proper irrigation, drainage, mulching, or other important farm practices.
6. Better Crop Quality
Biostimulants may support better crop quality, including:
- Fruit size.
- Fruit colour.
- Firmness.
- Uniformity.
- Sugar content.
- Shelf life.
The results depend on crop variety, soil condition, nutrition, weather, and harvesting practices.
7. Supports Soil and Root-Zone Health
- Some biostimulants can support useful activity around the plant roots. This may help nutrient availability and root development.
- Using biostimulants along with organic matter, crop rotation, and good soil management can support healthy crop production.
- However, biostimulants should not be considered a replacement for compost, farmyard manure, or regular soil testing.
8. May Help Reduce Nutrient Loss
When crops use nutrients more efficiently, there may be less unused fertilizer available for loss through leaching or runoff.
For better results, farmers should combine biostimulants with:
- Correct fertilizer dose.
- Proper fertilizer placement.
- Split fertilizer application where suitable.
- Proper irrigation.
- Regular soil testing.
Types of Biostimulants Commonly Used with Fertilizers
Common types of biostimulants used with fertilizers include seaweed extracts, humic substances, amino acids, beneficial microorganisms, and plant-based extracts
Humic and Fulvic Acids
These substances can support root growth and nutrient availability and are commonly used in crop production.
Seaweed Extracts
Seaweed extracts are used to support plant growth and help crops manage environmental stress.
Amino Acids and Protein Hydrolysates
These can support crop growth and metabolism and may help plants recover during stressful conditions.
Microbial Biostimulants
These contain useful microorganisms that can support the root zone and nutrient-related processes.
Chitosan and Plant Extracts
These substances may support natural plant defence responses and plant resilience.
How to Use Biostimulants with Fertilizers
Learn how to use biostimulants with fertilizers in the right quantity and at the right stage to support nutrient use, crop growth, and plant health.
1. Test the Soil First
Before applying fertilizers and biostimulants, understand the soil condition.
Check:
- Soil pH.
- Nutrient levels.
- Soil Salinity.
- Organic matter.
- Other important soil conditions.
This helps farmers prepare a better fertilizer plan.
2. Choose the Right Product
Select a biostimulant according to the:
- Crop.
- Soil condition.
- Crop growth stage.
- Problem or stress condition.
- Application method.
Always check the product label for ingredients, dose, compatibility, expiry date, and storage instructions.
3. Apply at the Right Crop Stage
Depending on the product, suitable stages may include:
- Seed treatment or planting.
- Early crop growth.
- Vegetative stage.
- Before flowering.
- Fruit setting.
- Fruit development.
- After stress.
The correct timing depends on the product and crop.
4. Use the Correct Application Method
Biostimulants may be applied through:
- Foliar spray.
- Soil application.
- Fertigation.
- Seed treatment.
Always follow the application method given on the product label.
5. Check Product Compatibility
If you plan to mix a biostimulant with fertilizer or pesticide, check whether the products are compatible.
6. Follow the Recommended Dose
Use the recommended dose and apply the product under suitable weather conditions. For foliar sprays, cooler hours are generally preferred.
Conclusion
The main benefits of using biostimulants with fertilizer include better nutrient use, stronger root growth, improved crop growth, better stress tolerance, and support for crop quality. Biostimulants in agriculture work best when used along with balanced fertilizers, soil testing, organic matter, proper irrigation, and good crop management.
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FAQs
1. What are the benefits of using biostimulants with fertilizers?
The main benefits include better nutrient use, stronger root growth, improved crop growth, better stress tolerance, and support for crop quality.
2. Do biostimulants replace chemical fertilizers?
No. Biostimulants support plant processes and nutrient use, but they do not replace the nutrients supplied by fertilizers.
3. Can biostimulants be mixed with NPK fertilizers?
Some biostimulants can be used with NPK fertilizers, but compatibility depends on the product. Always check the product label before mixing.
4. When should farmers apply biostimulants?
They can be applied at stages such as seed treatment, early growth, vegetative growth, flowering, fruit setting, or after stress, depending on the crop and product.
5. Are biostimulants useful during drought or heat stress?
Biostimulants may support plant tolerance and recovery during drought, heat, salinity, and other environmental stresses. However, they should be used along with proper irrigation, drainage, and other crop management practices.