Biostimulants || Chittari Agricare

Biostimulants

"Biostimulants” promoted as environment-friendly alternatives to chemical- based products. A plant biostimulant as “a substance or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, crop quality and yield.”

Protein hydrolysates are mixtures of peptides and amino acids that are produced by enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of proteins from animal or plant derived raw materials. Protein hydrolysates can increase soil fertility and soil microbial activities, thereby indirectly affecting plant growth and productivity. Direct effects of these materials include hormonal activities and modulation of primary and secondary metabolism through regulation of genes and enzymes involved in N assimilation and the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle. Plant effects are variable and depend on the composition of protein hydrolysate materials as well as timing and dose of application.

Humic substances are collections of natural components of the soil organic matter with relatively low molecular mass that result from the decomposition of plant, animal and microbial residues, and from the metabolic activities ofsoil microbes.

Seaweeds have long been known for their beneficial effects on plant growth. The most commonly used seaweeds in agriculture are the brown seaweeds, including species of the genera Ascophyllum, Fucus, and Laminaria. Most seaweed products are soluble powders or liquid formulations derived fromdifferent extraction procedures.

Silicon is a biostimulant in the group of inorganic products. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust but is not considered essential for plant nutrition except in some monocotyledons, especially Poaceae species such as rice/sugarcane. The beneficial properties of silicon are best documented regarding its positive effects on abiotic stress tolerance and resistance to pathogens and diseases.