The Nature of Plant Biostimulants and their Benefits

In contrast to the components of a typical commercial fertilizer, plant biostimulants have no direct nutrient value, and they do not act as soil conditioners or pesticides. Instead, they are best described as specific materials, which, when present in trace quantities, promote the growth of plants. In effect, they act somewhat like hormones by facilitating selected metabolic processes. The materials referred to fall into two categories. They may be naturally occurring or synthetic chemicals or microorganisms. The latter include plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and beneficial fungi.

Among the chemicals with these properties are humins, humic acid and fulvic acid. Under normal circumstances, these plant biostimulants are produced by the decomposition of animal, vegetable and microbial residues in the soil or by bacterial action on these materials. Known collectively as humic substances, they modify the biological, chemical, physical and physicochemical properties of soil constituents in various ways. For example, they can help increase the uptake of essential micro- and macro-nutrients by modifying the soil’s cation exchange properties. In addition to improving uptake, humic substances can enhance nutritional efficiency. They can also increase a crop’s tolerance to abiotic stress, such as drought, salinity and temperature extremes.

Most significantly, applying plant biostimulants to seeds, soil, or plants can improve crop quality and substantially increase yields while simultaneously reducing the need for fertilizers. Leaves, seaweed, various amino acids and nitrogenous compounds from animal and plant waste all display this type of activity to varying degrees. However, such natural sources are of uncertain composition. Only a suitably formulated commercial preparation can provide the necessary substances in optimal quantities. Kynoch has developed two products that meet these essential requirements. Let’s examine their composition and applications.

KynoHumate – Black™

As the brand name suggests, the active ingredients of this plant biostimulant product are humic acids, which play significant roles in plant and soil function. Initially, they act like auxins to promote lateral root growth. By stimulating the rhizosphere, they increase the crop’s nutrient uptake. They also mobilise the transport of metal ions, including aluminium and iron, thereby increasing the availability of phosphorus in the soil. By reducing sodium uptake, humic acids promote salinity resistance. KynoHumate – Black™ is suitable for orchard crops, open field vegetables, ornamental plants and turf.

KynoFulvate – Yellow™

This product employs fulvic acids as its plant biostimulants. These are smaller molecules than humic acids and can pass through the micropores in plant membranes. KynoFulvate – Yellow™ is especially beneficial for combatting stress during drought periods. It can be mixed with compatible liquid fertilizers and applied to the soil or the foliage of root crops.

Both products are manufactured entirely from natural sources. Please click here to learn more about these products and their uses.