Are you looking for a way to increase yields and improve crop performance? Plant biostimulants could be the answer. In this blog post, we will discuss what plant biostimulants are, the different types, their uses, and how to apply them for improved crop performance. We will also explore the benefits of healthy soil and how to achieve it with biostimulants. So, let's get started!

The world is facing a crisis in food security as climate change and population growth put pressure on our ability to produce enough food to feed everyone. One of the keys to addressing this crisis is to improve the health of our soils. Soil health is essential for crop growth and productivity, and it is also a critical component of mitigating climate change. Plant biostimulants are a powerful tool for improving soil health and enhancing crop performance, and they are becoming increasingly popular among farmers and growers.

One of the most significant challenges facing agriculture today is the degradation of soil health. Soil degradation can occur due to a variety of factors, including overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, erosion, and loss of biodiversity. This can lead to a decline in crop yields, as well as increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Improving soil health is essential for ensuring food security, and it is also critical for mitigating climate change. Soil is a vital carbon sink, and healthy soils can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Intro to Plant Biostimulants

Plant biostimulants are a class of compounds that are used to enhance plant growth and performance. They are becoming increasingly popular among farmers and growers as a way to improve crop yields and quality, while also reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. But what exactly are plant biostimulants, and how do they work?

Biostimulants are organic materials or substances that are applied to plants to increase their growth and yields. They can be used to improve plant health and performance, as well as to increase the efficiency of soil, nutrient and water management. These substances can include microorganisms, enzymes, hormones, and other naturally-occurring compounds. They work by stimulating the plant's natural processes, such as photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. This leads to healthier, stronger, and more productive plants.

Biostimulants can be divided into three main categories: plant biostimulants, soil biostimulants and biostimulant complexes. Plant biostimulants are substances or materials that are applied directly to plants to help them grow and produce more yields. Soil biostimulants, on the other hand, are substances or materials that are applied to the soil to improve its quality and structure, as well as to make it more nutrient-rich. While biostimulant complexes offer the best of both worlds, are substances or material that are applied to the soil around plants, improving both crop and soil qualities.

How Plant Biostimulants Increase Yields

Plant biostimulants can help to increase crop yields in several ways. First, biostimulants can help to increase the availability of essential nutrients in the soil. This can help to improve the overall health of the soil, adding and/or stimulating the growth of beneficial soil microbes, which can lead to increased yields.

Second, biostimulants can help to increase the efficiency of water and fertilizer use. This can help to reduce the costs associated with crop production, requiring less fertilizer, which can lead to increased yields. Third, biostimulants can help to make plants more resilient by boosting their natural immune system, which can lead to increased yields. Finally, biostimulants can help to improve the soil structure, which can help to reduce soil erosion and improve the overall health of the soil, leading to increased yields.

The Different Types of Plant Biostimulants

Plant biostimulants are a powerful tool for improving soil health and enhancing crop performance. These substances are applied to crops in order to stimulate their natural processes, such as photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. This leads to healthier, stronger, and more productive plants.

There are many different types of plant biostimulants available on the market. The most common types include humic acids, seaweed extracts, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, natural plant growth hormones and complexes of all aforementioned.

One of the most well-known plant biostimulants is seaweed extract. Seaweed like Sargassum is rich in a variety of nutrients and naturally occurring growth-promoting compounds, such as hormones, enzymes, and micronutrients. When applied to crops, seaweed extract can improve plant growth, root development, and stress tolerance. It also has been shown to enhance the efficiency of nutrient uptake, which can lead to higher crop yields.

Another popular plant biostimulant is humic acid. Humic acid is a natural substance that is found in soil, peat, and other organic materials. It is known for its ability to improve soil health, increase nutrient uptake, and enhance plant growth. Humic acid is also a powerful antioxidant, which can help to protect plants from stress and disease.

Microbial biostimulants are another important group of plant biostimulants. These substances are made up of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that are applied to crops in order to enhance their growth and performance. Microbial biostimulants can improve soil health, increase nutrient uptake, and enhance plant growth. They can also help to suppress pests and diseases, which can lead to higher crop yields.

On the other hand, there are plant growth hormones. These substances are naturally produced by plants or synthesized in the laboratory as plant growth regulators. The majority can be divided into two main categories: auxins and gibberellins. Auxins are plant hormones that help to regulate plant growth and development. They can help to increase root growth and development, stimulate stem elongation, and promote flowering. Gibberellins are plant hormones that help to regulate stress responses. They can help to increase the resistance of plants to environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, and cold temperatures. These are also produced by microbes.

The Different Uses of Plant Biostimulants

Biostimulants can find themselves in the hands of an avid gardener or a competitive farmer and can be used for a variety of purposes, including increasing yields, improving crop performance, and improving soil health. Biostimulants can also be used to increase the efficiency of water and fertilizer use and to reduce the costs associated with crop production.

Biostimulants can also be used to improve the resistance of plants to diseases and pests. Allowing plants to either boost their natural immune system to fight off pests and diseases or allow plants to be better able to attract predatory beneficial insects to eliminate pests. In other instances, plants are able to continue production in the midst of pests and disease attacks only experiencing minor decline in productivity until the specific issue can be treated separately. That way farmers can greatly reduce crop loss.

Additionally, biostimulants can be used to improve soil structure, leading to better aeration and drainage, which can help to reduce soil erosion, increase organic soil carbon storage, improve the cycling of organic matter and the overall health of the soil.

What to Look for When Buying Plant Biostimulants

When buying plant biostimulants, it is important to look for products that are made from natural and organic ingredients. It is also important to look for products that are designed for the types of crops you are growing. Additionally, it is important to look for products that have been tested and certified by a reputable organization. Finally, it is important to look for products that are easy to use and apply.

How to Apply Plant Biostimulants for Improved Crop Performance

Applying biostimulants is relatively easy. First, the biostimulant should be mixed with water and applied to the soil or directly to the plants. When applying biostimulants directly to the plants, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Second, it is important to monitor the plants for any signs of stress or disease. If any signs of stress or disease are observed, it is important to stop applying the biostimulant and contact a professional for help. Finally, it is important to monitor the yields and crop performance to determine if the biostimulant is having the desired effect. Sometimes it may take several weeks before you can observe the effects of biostimulants depending on the crops or soil conditions.

The Benefits of Healthy Soil and How to Achieve It with Plant Biostimulants

Healthy soil is essential for healthy crops and increased yields. Healthy soil is rich in nutrients, has good structure, and contains a diverse population of beneficial organisms.

Biostimulants can help to improve the health of the soil in several ways. First, biostimulants can help to increase the availability of essential nutrients in the soil. Second, biostimulants can help to improve the diversity of beneficial organisms in the soil. Finally, biostimulants can help to reduce soil erosion and improve the overall health of the soil. In many instances, especially where synthetic fertilisers are applied, a large majority of nutrients are lost by nutrient leaching during periods of heavy rainfall or nutrients can be locked in the soil and become unavailable to plants when there is a build up of excess mineral salts. In these situations plant biostimulants provide the ideal environment, stimulating beneficial soil organisms that can store excess nutrients that would be leached from the soil and cycle them to plants. Then in other cases benefical soil microbes can produce strong enzymes to free locked soil nutrients, making them bioavailable to plants so there is no need to add more fertilizer, maximizing the efficiency of nutritents applied, this saves growers time and money. 

The Different Plant Growth Hormones

Plant growth hormones are substances that are naturally produced by plants or synthesized in the laboratory as plant growth regulators. Plant growth hormones help to regulate plant growth and development, as well as stress responses. While there are various types of plant growth hormones, the majority can be divided into two main categories: auxins and gibberellins.

Auxins are plant hormones that help to regulate plant growth and development. They can help to increase root growth and development, stimulate stem elongation, and promote flowering. Gibberellins are plant hormones that help to regulate stress responses. They can help to increase the resistance of plants to environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, and cold temperatures.

 
Plant biostimulants are a great way to increase yields and improve crop performance. Biostimulants can help to increase the availability of essential macro & micro nutrients in the soil, as well as improve the efficiency of water and fertilizer use. Biostimulants can also help to improve the resistance of plants to diseases and pests, as well as improve the structure of the soil.

When buying biostimulants, it is important to look for products that are made from natural and organic ingredients instead of synthetically derived plant growth regulators which may have adverse effects on plants or soil.

At Red Diamond Compost, we understand the importance of plant biostimulants for crop performance and soil health.  That's why we offer a biostimulant complex designed to help you get the most out of your crops and soil. So, get the best crop performance and ultimate soil efficiency with Red Diamond Supreme Sea Horticultural Biostimulant. By using biostimulants, we can improve food security, increase the diversity of beneficial organisms and contribute to the mitigation of climate.