In order to meet growing demand for more and better food, global crop production will need to increase. The use of better seed, improved crop inputs, big data and precision agriculture are already boosting yield, consistency and crop quality. Additionally, companies are increasingly employing biological and biostimulant technologies to maximize food availability while reducing the impact of other crop inputs on the environment. The 2018 Farm Bill describes 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, or crop quality and yield.” As biostimulant and biological technologies increasingly become part of mainstream ag production, and the science surrounding these technologies and customized solutions continues to improve, growth is projected over the next five years. Challenges with biologicals and biostimulants—including perception, inconsistent performance, synthetic options, lack of grower awareness, IP challenges, regulatory framework and market access—will constrain potential. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss:  1. The science behind biostimulants, 2. The applied benefits of these technologies, 3. Regulatory challenges, and 4. The path forward.

Managing the challenges associated with continued growth of biostimulant technologies

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.