Biologicals are not chemicals — And that’s the first thing we need to understand

For many years, agriculture has relied on chemistry.

If a pest appears, you apply a product. If nitrogen is low, you add fertilizer. The response is usually fast and visible.

Biologicals do not work that way. And this is where many frustrations begin.

As a microbiologist, I can say this clearly: when we apply a biofertilizer, a fungal biocontrol agent, or a microbial inoculant, we are not applying a substance. We are introducing living organisms into a living system.

That changes everything.

Living Organisms Do Not Behave Like Molecules

With chemicals, the molecule does the work.

With biologicals, the environment decides whether the organism can do the work.

In the laboratory, we grow microorganisms under ideal conditions. Temperature is controlled. Moisture is stable. There is no competition.

In the field, the situation is completely different.

A microbial product must survive:

• Sunlight and UV radiation

• Dry soil or excess moisture

• Competition from native microorganisms

• Residues from other inputs

• Variations in temperature

If it cannot adapt, it will not establish.

If it does not establish, it will not perform.

This is not a defect. It is biology.

Why Results Vary from Field to Field

One of the most common concerns I hear is:

“It worked in one field, but not in another.”

That is possible. And it makes sense.

Soil is not uniform. Each field has:

• A different microbial community

• A different history of tillage and chemical use

• Different organic matter levels

• Different nutrient balances

When we introduce a biological product, we are adding it into an already complex ecosystem. Sometimes it integrates well. Sometimes it struggles.

Understanding this variability is the first step toward using biologicals properly.

Biological Control Is Not Instant Control

Professionals used to chemical insecticides often expect immediate knockdown.

Entomopathogenic fungi do not act that way.

They infect.

They colonize.

They reduce populations over time.

This requires correct timing, appropriate environmental conditions, and realistic expectations.

Used correctly, they can be powerful tools — especially in resistance management. Used incorrectly, they will appear ineffective.

Biofertilizers and Mycorrhiza: Context Matters

Biofertilizers and mycorrhizal inoculants are often marketed as yield boosters.

But their performance depends heavily on soil conditions.

For example:

• In soils already high in available phosphorus, mycorrhizal inoculation may show limited benefit.

• In highly degraded soils, microbial inoculants may need time before consistent results are visible.

These products are not replacements for agronomy. They require good agronomy.

Integration Is More Realistic Than Replacement

Biologicals are not here to replace chemistry overnight.

In many cases, they work best when integrated into existing programs.

They can:

• Support nutrient efficiency

• Contribute to soil health

• Add diversity to pest management strategies

• Reduce resistance pressure

But they require management. And understanding.

A Different Approach

If we approach biologicals with the same expectations we have for chemicals, we will be disappointed.

They are not instant solutions.

They are living tools.

And living tools respond to the environment we create for them.

Final Thought

Biologicals are powerful tools. But they require understanding, patience, and proper management.

If we approach them with the same expectations we have for chemicals, we will be disappointed.

If we understand how they function, we can use them effectively.

That's what this blog is about — practical, realistic, and grounded in science.

Because biologicals are not magic.

But when used correctly, they can become an important part of modern agriculture.