Like all living things, plants require a wide range of chemical nutrients to grow, thrive and reproduce. In the case of plants, these substances may be present in adequate quantities in the soil or might need to be added in the form of natural or synthetic fertilisers. To help fight pests and diseases, spraying crops with pesticides may also be necessary. However, plants are often exposed to other sources of stress, including extreme temperatures, high soil salinity levels and drought. To resist these so-called abiotic stresses, they rely on plant biostimulants.

These stress-resisting agents can be any material containing chemicals or microorganisms able to stimulate some natural process essential for plant growth and health. These abilities are independent of any nutrient properties they may also possess. As well as providing increased resistance to abiotic stress, these materials may enhance nutrient uptake or improve utilisation. They are typically required in relatively small quantities, contribute little or no direct nutrient value and consist of two main classes, microbial or non-microbial. Natural or synthetic organic compounds are the primary ingredients of non-microbial plant biostimulants.

The natural compounds are typically obtained from seaweed extracts, algae, animal protein hydrolysates, amino acids and chitin. The active compounds in these materials mimic the physiological actions of various plant hormones, including cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins. For example, cytokinins aid cell division, vascular development and nutrient mobilisation. Gibberellic acid stimulates germination, and auxins regulate the chemical processes involved in every stage of a plant’s growth. Other commonly used substances in the non-microbial category include humic and fulvic acids, ascorbic acid and other vitamins.

By contrast, microbial plant biostimulants consist of living organisms. These include bacteria, non-pathogenic fungi, protozoa and nematodes. The class also includes arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which can form a symbiotic association with a plant’s root system. In this case, the benefits to plants are derived from the products of the natural physiological processes that enable these various soil microorganisms to thrive. In practice, much of the evidence for the efficacy of these products is empirical, and the precise mechanisms involved remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the increased resistance to physical stresses and disease, vigorous growth and high yields experienced by farmers who choose to apply plant biostimulants to their crops speak for themselves.

Kynoch has conducted extensive research in this field. Based on our findings, we have developed two world-class products – KynoHumate – Black and KynoFulvate – Yellow. The former is a humic acid-based soil amendment that reduces leaching and increases nutrient availability and tolerance to salinity stress. The latter contains fulvic acid to promote germination, nutrient uptake, and improved growth. We invite you to download more information about these proven effective plant biostimulants.

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The Purpose of Plant Biostimulants

Unlike the essential botanical macronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, contained in commercial fertilizers, only comparatively small quantities of these materials are required. Although some may have nutrient properties, these are secondary to their intended role. In practice, their primary purpose is to enhance or expedite a plant’s nutritional processes rather than acting as an additional source of nutrients. However, like animals, plants are frequently exposed to various forms of stress. It is termed ‘abiotic stress’ when its origin is physical rather than biological. Applying suitable plant biostimulants can also help them cope when exposed to stressful conditions.

Types of Plant Biostimulants

Abiotic stress can take various forms. For example, drought is becoming increasingly frequent in South Africa. Also, in coastal regions, soil salinity is often high. Other physical factors that can impede a crop’s development include extreme temperatures, excessive dampness, insect pest and a long list of crippling crop diseases.

So, what sort of materials can alleviate these problems and enhance crop growth? In practice, many materials display these valuable properties. However, agriculturists generally divide these into two main categories when classifying plant biostimulants. They are either organic substances or microorganisms.

Regardless of the type, their actions closely parallel those of the vitamins and dietary supplements favoured by many health-conscious humans. As a matter of fact, ascorbic acid or vitamin C extracted from citrus fruits is a common ingredient used in these products. Other sources of suitable organic compounds include algae, animal tissues and fruit and vegetable waste. The raw materials undergo enzymatic hydrolysis during the manufacturing process to form protein hydrolysates. These contain amino acids, peptides and other compounds, the active ingredients of commercial plant biostimulants.

The second group of materials comprises various bacteria, non-pathogenic fungi and nematodes. The latter are tiny multicellular insects with non-segmented bodies that act as natural pesticides, avoiding the need to apply toxic chemicals. As biological entities, it is the by-products of their metabolism that benefit plant growth and health.

Choose Kynoch to Enhance Plant Nutrition

Kynoch, an acknowledged leader in plant nutrition and welfare, has developed two products to combat abiotic stress and boost plant physiology. You are welcome to download more information about our world-class KynoHumate Black and KynoFulvate Yellow.

The post Difference between Plant Biostimulants and Plant Nutrients? first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.