Biostimulants in Agriculture: Why they matter?

Lately, the word biostimulant has been showing up more and more in conversations about agriculture — on product labels, in technical talks, and even in field trials. You are also seeing terms like biofertilizer or bioinoculant, and wondering: what’s the difference?

It can definitely get confusing. These terms are often used interchangeably, even though they refer to different things.

But here’s the important part: knowing what biostimulants are, what they do, and how they can fit into your crop management strategy is what truly matters — especially if you’re trying to boost plant growth in a sustainable way.

What exactly are Biostimulants?

Biostimulants are products derived from natural substances, organic residues, or microorganisms that positively influence plant physiology. Rather than providing nutrients directly like fertilizers do, biostimulants act by stimulating internal processes in plants — helping them grow more efficiently, absorb water and nutrients more effectively, and become more resilient to stress caused by pests, diseases, drought, or poor soils.

Applied to seeds, leaves, or soil, these products are now seen as key allies in reducing the use of synthetic inputs, while supporting soil health and crop performance — two central challenges in modern agriculture.

What types of Biostimulants are there?

Biostimulants come from a wide range of sources, and each type works through different modes of action. Here's a breakdown of the most common:

Algae extracts are natural boosters packed with beneficial plant hormones, minerals, and amino acids. These ingredients help improve plant growth, strengthen resistance to stress, and enhance overall vitality. Because of their broad benefits, algae-based biostimulants are used in everything from large-scale farming and horticulture.
Humic and fulvic acids are organic compounds formed as plant and animal matter breaks down in the soil. They improve soil structure, make it easier for roots to access nutrients, and promote healthy root development. Interesting fact: Humic substances represent one of the fastest-growing segments in the global biostimulants market, with projections of 11.5% annual growth [7].
Amino Acids and Protein Hydrolysates: Think of amino acids as building blocks and energy boosters that help a plant "bounce back" when it's stressed, much like how a sports drink helps us recover after exercise. When plants face stressful conditions like drought or extreme heat, their normal growth slows down. Amino acids and protein hydrolysates act like a support system—they help plants keep functioning by making it easier for them to build proteins, which are essential for growth and repair. This means plants can recover more quickly and stay productive, even in tough environments.
Plant Extracts: These natural extracts are rich in antioxidants and plant hormones that help regulate growth, strengthen the plant's immune system, and improve how efficiently it uses nutrients. They give plants an overall boost in resilience and performance.
Chitosan and Biopolymers: Chitosan is a polysaccharide made from the shells of crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, helps plants defend themselves against diseases. It can also support better nutrient absorption and promote healthier root development.
Inorganic Compounds: Certain minerals—like phosphites and silicon—act as biostimulants by strengthening plant cell walls and helping plants cope with stress, such as drought or disease.
Microorganisms: Bacterial genera such as Azotobacter, Bacillus, Azospirillum, and Pseudomonas act as biostimulants because enhance nutrient solubilization, stimulate root growth, and activate beneficial microbial interactions in the rhizosphere [2][3].

What are the benefits of using biostimulants?

As we’ve seen previously these compounds come from different sources but often produce similar effects on plants. Here are some of the most frequent effects of biostimulants in crops.

Stronger root systems
They stimulate deeper and more branched root development, improving access to water and nutrients while enhancing soil structure and reducing erosion.
Increased microbial activity in the soil
Healthier roots lead to more root exudates, which feed beneficial microbes and accelerate organic matter breakdown, supporting nutrient cycling and carbon retention.
Improved Stress Tolerance
Biostimulants can enhance a plant’s natural defenses, helping crops better handle abiotic stress like drought, salinity, or extreme heat — especially by increasing phosphorus efficiency [4].

Global Use: Who's leading the Biostimulant movement?

Europe is currently the largest market of biostimulants, accounting for 38% of the global biostimulant use. Countries like Spain, Italy, and France are strong in both production and applied research, especially in fruit and grain crops [5].
Asia-Pacific follows with 27%, driven by policy shifts toward sustainable agriculture in countries like India and China.
Latin America holds 20% of the market — with Brazil standing out for its innovation and wide-scale use of biostimulants and biologicals in soybean, maize, and sugarcane systems. Academic research and government support have positioned Brazil as a leader in this field.
In the U.S., biostimulants are starting to show up more often, especially in soil health programs and regenerative farming. More growers are testing them as part of a move toward improving soils and using kess synthetic products [6]

Are Biostimulants the same as Biofertilizers?

This is one of the most common sources of confusion and with good reason, but there are some aspects that if you look closely make the difference. Here’s how they differ:

To wrap up

Biostimulants are not just a trend — they’re a practical response to real challenges in agriculture: degraded soils, climate variability, and rising input costs.

As science continues to uncover more of their mechanisms and effects, biostimulants are proving to be a valuable tool in the transition toward more sustainable and productive farming — especially in regions where diverse soils and environmental challenges demand more thoughtful and adaptive crop management.

If you're considering integrating biostimulants into your system, start with a trial, choose products with proven performance, and monitor plant response closely.

Sources

[1] Rouphael, Y., & Colla, G. (2020, February 4). Biostimulants in agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, Article 40. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.00040/full

[2] University of Massachusetts Amherst. (n.d.). What are biostimulants? UMass Extension. https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/fact-sheets/what-are-biostimulants

[3] Ficosterra. (n.d.). Biostimulants: Definition, composition, benefits, and applications. https://www.ficosterra.com/en/biostimulants-definition-composition-benefits-and-applications/

[4] European Biostimulants Industry Council. (n.d.). Plant biostimulants. https://biostimulants.eu/plant-biostimulants/

[5] Bullion, A. (2022, December 1). Biostimulants market growing strongly at 10% per annum. S&P Global Commodity Insights. https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/research-analytics/biostimulants-market-growing-strongly-at-10-per-annum

[6] Targos, R. (2023, January 8). Emerging markets for biostimulants. Agribusiness Global. https://www.agribusinessglobal.com/special-sections/emerging-markets-for-biostimulants/

[7] Maximize Market Research. (n.d.). Biostimulants market. https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/biostimulants-market/604/