Biologicals and soil health

Grainews
2023.09.21

Biofertilizers improve plant nutrition and include symbiotic and free-living microbes that can produce plant-available nitrogen as well as solubilizers of phosphorus and potassium. Other examples include arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that can explore more nutrients beyond rooting areas and biocatalysts that contain metabolites produced by microbes in recycling nutrients.

Biostimulants include microbials that produce or alter plant hormones to stimulate growth, nutrient uptake or relieve abiotic stress. Other examples include amino acids or protein hydrolysates, which provide available nitrogen and stimulate microbial activity; humic and fulvic acids, which provide a food source for microbes and improve soil structure; and seaweed and plant extracts with an antioxidant effect to relieve stress and promote microbial activity.

Biocontrols are utilized in the management of pests and diseases, and they include biochemicals such as pheromones, plant extracts and organic acids. Microbials and insects or parasitoids are also used as biocontrol agents.

In Canada, biofertilizer and biostimulants are regulated as supplements under the Federal Fertilizer Act and Regulation, while biocontrols are regulated as biological control agents under the Federal Plant Protection Act and Regulation.

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