While modern farming has long relied on synthetic chemicals, the authors explain that a shift toward natural alternatives is now essential to meet new international regulations and the growing consumer demand for food without toxic residues.
The researchers point out that plant biostimulants—which include beneficial microbes like certain bacteria as well as non-microbial substances like seaweed extracts and silicon—offer a sustainable way to complement or even replace traditional fertilizers and pesticides.
According to the study, these natural tools provide a wide range of benefits for the environment, biodiversity, and human health while also supporting the economy. This collection of research highlights how these biostimulants can significantly improve seedling growth, crop performance, and the overall quality of the harvest.
Furthermore, the authors emphasize that these substances help plants become much more resilient against environmental stresses such as drought, high temperatures, and poor soil nutrients. By compiling dozens of scientific papers, the researchers aim to foster a better exchange of knowledge between scientists, the fertilizer industry, and farmers.
They conclude that understanding the inner workings of these biostimulants is key to successfully putting them into practice across different types of farming systems.
Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101461
Reference:
Rouphael, Y., & Colla, G. (2020). Toward a Sustainable Agriculture Through Plant Biostimulants: From Experimental Data to Practical Applications. Agronomy, 10(10), 1461.