How Biostimulants Factor Into the Shift Toward Regenerative Agriculture

Many of the most innovative solutions in sustainable farming today focus on plant-soil interactions and the rhizosphere — the dynamic zone of soil surrounding plant roots. Biostimulants, designed to optimize the soil microbiome, are revolutionizing crop production and plant health by improving nutrient uptake, crop resilience, and soil health.

Biostimulants are natural or biological products that enhance plant growth and mitigate abiotic stress without serving as traditional fertilizers or pesticides. Their mechanisms, including the recruitment and activation of microbial communities, enable plants to better withstand challenges like drought, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies.

José Nolasco, Head of Global R&D Bionutrition at Rovensa Next, says their strength is their versatility. “Biostimulants can solubilize, mineralize, or mobilize nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen, enhancing their use efficiency and benefiting the entire plant-soil-microorganism system.”

Products Pulling Ahead in the Global Market

Biostimulants are tailored to meet regional agricultural needs, demonstrating significant results across diverse geographies. Lawrence Middler, Biologicals Senior Analyst for AgbioInvestor, an analytical firm in the global agrochemical, biologicals, and the seeds and traits industries, says that companies offering specific products in three of the largest biostimulant markets (U.S., EU and Brazil) are pulling to the forefront.

The U.S. biostimulants market shows promising growth potential, particularly in row crops like corn and soybeans, where adoption remains low but is poised to expand. Early adopters, often younger growers with college degrees, are leveraging biostimulants to enhance crop growth, yields, and plant health reports Kynetec, a global data and analytics company.

While awareness among row crop growers is relatively low — 38% for corn and 28% for soybeans—specialty crop growers, such as almond producers, demonstrate higher awareness and usage rates, averaging four applications annually, according to Kynetec.

Middler says the big successes in this region are coming from companies creating products for specific crop needs.

“Indigo Ag has a strong position with its Biotrinsic range, including: Biotrinsic M34 (Bacillus subtilis); Biotrinsic N13 (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) inoculants; and Biotrinsic WN29Global (Cladosporium tenuissimum) which enhances abiotic stress tolerance in wheat,” Middler says.

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