How do Biostimulants Reduce the Requirement of Fertilizers in Agriculture

1. How do Biostimulants Reduce the Requirement of Fertilizers in Agriculture

2. Today, fertilizers are considered as an integral part of modern agriculture. One of the reasons why fertilizers are extensively used is because they provide important nutrients for better plant growth and crop productivity. However, the overuse of fertilizers has deeply affected the environment in myriad ways. It also threatens to impact human health. The use of chemical fertilizers has adverse effects on the water bodies. The nutrients are washed off from farms and reaches nearby rivers, lakes and ponds, causing eutrophication. This phenomenon leads to oxygen depletion, thereby causing fish kills and the death of other aquatic living beings. Moreover, it results in the development of dead zones which are oxygen-free zones where no living being survives. For example, The Gulf of Mexico with 20,140 square kilometres and the Baltic Sea covering 60,000 square kilometres of area are considered as dead zones due to water pollution caused by fertilizers.

3. The use of chemical fertilizer can also pollute sources of drinking water. It can be harmful to human health and may cause different types of diseases. Besides, chemical fertilizers have low use efficiency. It means that plants uptake only a potion of nutrients from fertilizers. For example, important nutrient like Phosphorus after being added to the soil precipitates, and thus remains less available for plants. Also, Nitrogen which is another essential nutrient, can become absent due to factors like nitrate leaching.

4. Sustainable agriculture promoting eco-friendly and safe methods to boost crop yield and plant growth has gained significance in recent times. Due to the increasing population and consequent food demand, it is now important to use agricultural solutions that increase productivity without compromising the environment or human health. Latest research and studies have shown that biostimulants are a viable option that can help in the growth of plants without any adverse side effects and reduce the dependency on fertilizers.

5. Biostimulants Biostimulants can be defined as a mixture of substances or microorganisms that help in improving the crop condition without causing any negative impact on the environment. Various studies have shown that biostimulants can be used as an additive to fertilizers and thus reduce the use of fertilizer. It can also help in nutrient uptake, plant growth and tolerance against abiotic stress. There are various application methods for biostimulants. It can be used in the form of soil preparations such as powder, granules or as a liquid foliar product. It is important to note that biostimulants are not fertilizers as it does not provide nutrients to plants. On the other hand, it supports metabolic processes in plants that help in the uptake of essential nutrients.

6. Studies on the effect of biostimulants in agriculture have shown that it positively increases the yield. It means the quality of vegetable and fruit is enhanced. Moreover, it can be regarded as the amount of fruit/vegetable grown from one plant or plot. Additionally, biostimulants have a positive effect on the growth and size of different plant varieties, physical characteristics, chemical composition and antioxidant properties. Thus, the use of biostimulants on a commercial scale can reduce the dependence on fertilizers. Consequently, it can reduce water pollution and overcome the limitation of using chemical fertilizers.

7. Microbial biostimulants such as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria – PGPR are known as highly capable preparations that boost crop productivity, nutrient uptake and resistance against pests and abiotic stresses. Plant growth-promoting bacteria also perform the function of biofertilizers, plant growth regulation, induction of systemic disease resistance, plant growth enhancement, maintenance of soil fertility and resistance to water stress and salinity stress. Organic Biotech is one of the leading companies with highly innovative solutions promoting sustainable agriculture. The Magic Gro range of products contains highly beneficial microbes that can adapt to different geo-climatic conditions and maintain a healthy ecological balance in the soil. It enhances soil quality and boosts crop vigour, resulting in increased yields. Additionally, the biostimulants also increase immunity against biotic and abiotic stress and thus boost overall crop productivity.

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