In recent years, the use of biostimulants in agriculture has gained increased attention.

It has emerged as one of the most effective methods to promote sustainable food production by influencing nutrient uptake, plant metabolism, and growth.

In recent years, the use of biostimulants in agriculture has gained increased attention.

It has emerged as one of the best methods to promote

Challenges in Agriculture Today

1. Increasing Population

According to recent projections from the United Nations, the world population is set to reach 9.73 billion by 2050.

Consequently, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that the agriculture sector would need to produce approximately 50% more food than it did in 2012.

Additionally, some regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, require agricultural output to be more than double the current levels.

At the same time, the rest of the world needs to increase its output by one-third of the current levels to meet food demand.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for sustainable practices that boost agricultural productivity.

2. Fertilizers and Pesticides

At first glance, boosting agricultural output may not seem like a challenging task.

Historically, between 1961 and 2011, agricultural productivity increased by more than threefold due to the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides.

However, the extensive use of chemicals has led to a reduction in soil quality (water, soil, and land), environmental pollution, and health hazards to humans.

The use of current practices, such as nitrogen-rich fertilizers, can pollute even the groundwater.

3. Rapid Urbanization

Today, more than half of the global population resides in urban areas.

It is predicted that two-thirds of the people will be living in urban areas by 2050.

Rapid urbanization affects the global food consumption patterns.

A higher income leads to more demand for food and nutrition.

This shift in consumption patterns also puts pressure on the agricultural system.

4. Depleting Resources

The exploitation of resources has led to land degradation, deforestation, and water scarcity issues, plaguing many regions worldwide.

According to estimates, 33% of the farmlands are moderately or highly degraded in the world.

The additional land is found to be unsuitable for agriculture.

Thus, depleting resources will certainly impact the food security goals if necessary measures are not taken today.

5. Climate Change

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), levels of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are at an unprecedented level.

Agriculture and its negative impacts on the land are considered a significant source of emissions.

On the other hand, climate change issues such as droughts, floods, high temperatures, and humidity levels can drastically affect crop yield in different regions of the world.

6. Pests and Diseases

The outbreak of pests and diseases is considered one of the major threats to food security.

Transboundary pests and diseases affect and damage crops, and they move rapidly to affect neighboring regions and countries.

It has a significant impact on the economic, environmental, and social structure of any nation.

Biostimulants in Agriculture

Biostimulants in agriculture have been the subject of scientific interest for some time.

As the need for sustainable, eco-friendly, and innovative agricultural solutions grows, more studies are being conducted on the efficacy of biostimulants.

What are Biostimulants?

Biostimulants can be defined as materials that comprise one or more substances and/or living microorganisms capable of enhancing the nutrient intake and use efficiency of plants.

It is often applied in the form of soil preparations (powders, granules, or solutions added to the soil) or as a liquid foliar application.

Biostimulants in agriculture, when applied in small amounts, enhance crop quality and improve plant tolerance to abiotic/biotic stress, stimulate the performance of rhizosphere microbes and soil enzymes, and increase hormone production and growth regulators in soil and plants.

As a result of using promising and environment-friendly innovations, you get better flowering, plant growth, fruit set, crop productivity, and much more.

Some other features are discussed below:

Several studies have demonstrated that the application of biostimulants in agriculture enhances the growth and size of fruits and vegetables.

It leads to an increase in root length, plant height, size, density, and weight.

It influences the physical characteristics of fruits and vegetables.

For example, firmness, shelf life, mechanical strength, and growing conditions under stress are significantly improved.

Additionally, chemical properties such as dry mass, acidity, or vitamin content are impacted, too.

Various studies also indicate that the use of biostimulants has a positive impact on antioxidant properties.

Use of Biostimulants in Agriculture

The use of biostimulants in agriculture is a sustainable production system and practice that helps farmer communities, ecosystems, and farms increase their output.

Furthermore, it will meet the food demands of the future by providing easily available, high-quality, and affordable food for all.

Biostimulants in agriculture need to be grown on a massive scale.

It will help limit dependence on mineral fertilizers and synthetic agrochemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers.

This will play a major role in reducing environmental pollution.

Moreover, it has a positive impact on the soil, land, animals, and human population.

It also helps combat water stress and climatic factors, activating the plant’s natural defense mechanisms and minimizing the need for pesticides.

Organica Biotech is a leader in developing innovative, advanced, and eco-friendly solutions for sustainable agriculture.

After years of research, scientists and experts have utilized microbiome enhancement technologies involving nature and biotechnology to develop solutions that restore and nurture soil microbiology.

The Magic Gro range of products comprises natural biostimulants that help plants secure essential nutrients, boost crop productivity, ward off pests, and thrive in adverse climatic conditions, among other benefits.

Biostimulants in agriculture can help overcome major challenges existing in the agriculture sector and pave the way for sustainable agriculture.

Also read:

• Bioremediation – The Easy Way Out Of Chaos
• The Use of Biostimulants for Enhancing Soil Nutrient Content
• How do Biostimulants Reduce the Requirement of Fertilizers in Agriculture
• Role of Microbial Biostimulants in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change
• What Can We Learn From the COVID-19 Pandemic To Prevent Plant Disease Epidemics
• The Role of Biostimulants In Modern Agriculture
• Microbes In Agriculture And Their Role In Plant Growth Promotion

There is a strong consensus among the scientific community that various human activities over the past few decades have contributed to climate change issues.

This, in turn, has affected the agricultural system by impacting the quality and quantity of crop production and causing soil salinity, drought problems, and abiotic environmental stress in plants.

The increasing global population and the consequent rise in global food demand will further exacerbate the situation.

The use of microbial biostimulants has emerged as the most effective method to mitigate their effects on agriculture.

The unprecedented level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today is largely due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which result in the emission of greenhouse gases.

It has caused extreme events, such as natural disasters, floods, and droughts.

Such climatic conditions have a substantial negative impact on agricultural systems.

It may decrease vegetation productivity and affect plant growth, food quality, and security.

Experts note that it also directly affects the quality and quantity of plant nutrients.

Another factor that requires considerable attention is soil quality, as agricultural productivity is heavily dependent on it.

Soil degradation, soil salinity, and low soil moisture can make agricultural land useless.

Moreover, climate change issues can lead to reduced precipitation, resulting in a drop in soil moisture below the wilting point.

It means drying out, drooping, and withering.

Under this context, there is an urgent need for sustainable solutions that can mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture.

Subsequently, it should contribute to achieving the world’s food security goal in the future.

This is where microbial biostimulants can play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and mitigating climate change challenges.

Microbial biostimulants can be defined as a combination of different microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which, when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, provide substantial benefits to the crops.

Some of the positive effects include:

• Improves nutrient intake
• Enhances the photosynthesis process
• Regulates plant hormones
• Increases tolerance to abiotic stress
• Boosts crop quality
• Increases crop yield

Water scarcity is one of the major global problems, predicted to affect agricultural systems in the future severely.

According to an estimate, a 50% increase in water for irrigation is required in developing countries and a 16% increase in developed countries in the coming years.

Microbial biostimulants can be helpful in accessing soil pores and reaching water that is inaccessible to plants.

Various studies and reports have also shown that crops in drought areas can achieve maximized productivity using biostimulants.

Additionally, it can help maintain soil moisture by enhancing water retention and improving the plant’s drought tolerance.

Soil and water salinity are other issues related to anthropogenic climate change affecting agriculture.

It has caused less rainfall, rising temperatures, and increasing groundwater salinity.

This, in turn, can lead to stunted plant growth due to physiological, biological, and chemical changes.

Microbial biostimulants are well-known for mitigating salinity stress in plants.

It enhances yield and increases the dry weight of both roots and shoots in stressed plants.

Today, highly advanced and effective solutions utilizing microbial biostimulants are available to support sustainable agriculture practices that maximize productivity and protect crops from the challenges of climate change.

Organica Biotech is a leading company offering a wide range of products and highly innovative microbial biostimulants.

They are capable of enhancing soil quality and productivity, resulting in increased crop vigor and improved yields.

Natural, safe, and effective, Organica Biotech products are designed to promote sustainable agriculture.

The Magic Gro range of products contains an advanced formulation of microbes that adapt to different geo-climatic conditions.

It helps in maintaining a healthy ecological balance in the soil.

Additionally, it boosts crop vigour and enhances immunity against biotic and abiotic stress.

Thus, you can use Magic Gro products to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture.

Also read 

• The Use of Biostimulants for Enhancing Soil Nutrient Content
• How do Biostimulants Reduce the Requirement of Fertilizers in Agriculture
• The Role of Biostimulants in Modern Agriculture
• Biostimulants in Agriculture: Challenges, Function, and Efficacy
• What Can We Learn From the COVID-19 Pandemic To Prevent Plant Disease Epidemics

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world today.

For a large population living in different parts of the world, fish is the main source of nutrients, and thus it is integral to the dietary culture.

However, different kinds of disease outbreaks and poor water quality have been plaguing aquaculture and affecting its production rate.

Although conventional solutions like antibiotics are used, there is a growing concern about their extensive use and related adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem and aquatic living beings.

Probiotics for fish and shrimp farming have emerged as an environmentally friendly method to control diseases and as one of the promising water treatment solutions in aquaculture.

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms, mostly beneficial bacteria, that are capable of providing better health to fish and shrimp by adding them to the water.

In shrimp farming and fish farming, it is well known for boosting the immune system.

Additionally, it causes the growth of microbiota, inhibits pathogens, and strengthens the natural defense of fish, thereby helping in the fight against diseases.

As per recent studies, probiotics are also known to enhance water quality by sequestering matter into carbon dioxide.

For instance, it is now established that the bacteria Bacillus reduce nitrite, nitrate, and ammonium concentration in ornamental fish water.

Furthermore, probiotics for fish directly contribute to their development and growth.

It is achieved by increasing the efficiency of feed conversion as well as protein efficiency.

Multiple researchers have found high growth rates, an increase in body weight, high protein digestibility, and a low feed conversion ratio in a variety of fish due to the use of probiotics.

Aquaculture in Bangladesh

Aquaculture in Bangladesh has significantly grown in the past decades.

Today, it is considered one of the top contributors to food production.

Fish and shrimp farming have intensified in recent times due to the ever-increasing population in Bangladesh.

According to estimates, there are more than 2 lakh farmers practicing shrimp farming in rural areas.

Most of the shrimp and fish farming done in the coastal regions of Bangladesh is divided into mainly three categories: Extensive culture, Semi-intensive and Intensive culture.

The main difference is how they are grown in ponds.

Shrimp and fish depend on natural food in extensive culture, whereas in semi-intensive culture, they depend on natural food, as well as fertilizer and supplementary feed.

Intensive culture depends completely on artificial feed.

Different factors like salinity, pH, photosynthesis, and dissolved oxygen affect the growth, metabolism, and physiological processes of aquatic living organisms.

During the culture period, it is commonly seen that water quality deteriorates due to metabolic waste, leftover feed, and biotic substances.

It can stress the system and affect the survival of fish and shrimp.

More often, farmers have to spend a lot of money on water exchange systems and other infrastructure to prevent or control diseases caused by it.

Disease management remains a major challenge for farmers, and many depend on antibiotics.

The use of antibiotics and antimicrobials has caused another problem of drug-resistant bacteria, which is quite alarming.

The use of probiotics for shrimp and fish, on the other hand, is a better preventive approach, which helps in preventing diseases and keeping fish and shrimp healthy.

Various studies conducted in Bangladesh have also shown that probiotics for fish are useful in the prevention of diseases, better biological control, and nutrition.

The use of probiotics has shown that all parameters are in the acceptable range.

Also, improved water quality was observed due to the action of gram-positive bacteria on organic matter.

Organica Biotech is one of the leading companies with a wide variety of aquaculture probiotics products, which consist of multiple strains of microbes that perform various functions to improve the aquatic ecosystem of fish and shrimp.

Different probiotics for fish and shrimp available are Bioclean Aqua, Bioclean Aqua Plus, Biogut Aqua, Bioclean Aqua Hatchery, and Bioclean Aqua Fish.

The cost-effective range of products can be used for different purposes, such as helping to increase the body weight of fish and shrimp, maintaining healthy water quality, reducing toxicity levels, and boosting the immunity to fight against diseases.

For a developing country like Bangladesh, Organica Biotech’s probiotics products can help boost growth, increase survival rate, minimize pathogens, and maintain an environmentally friendly culture system.

It will eventually help farmers to increase production and better economic returns.

Also, using probiotics for fish can help Bangladesh to meet the future food demand by increasing fish and shrimp farming productivity.

Resources on Probiotics In Aquaculture:

• Role of Beneficial Bacteria Beyond Probiotics In Aquaculture
  
• Antibiotic Overuse And Probiotic Use In Aquaculture
  
• Probiotics And Aquaculture

Climate change, also known as global warming, refers to the increase in average surface temperatures on Earth.

An overwhelming scientific consensus maintains that climate change is primarily due to the human use of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The primary greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.

These gases can absorb the spectrum of infrared light and contribute to the warming of our atmosphere, which can have a range of effects on ecosystems, including rising sea levels, floods, severe weather events, and droughts that render landscapes more susceptible to wildfires.

Other human activities, such as agriculture and deforestation, also contribute to the proliferation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

Warmer air can hold a higher water content, which makes rainfall patterns more extreme.

Climate change is having a serious impact on the world’s water systems, leading to increased flooding and droughts.

Extremes of drought and flooding will become more common, causing displacement and conflict.

Even small increases in Earth’s temperature caused by climate change can have severe effects.

The Earth’s average temperature has increased by 1.4°F over the past century and is expected to rise by as much as 11.5°F over the next.

In reality, the average temperature during the last Ice Age was approximately 4°F lower than it is today.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines it as a change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity, altering the composition of the global atmosphere.

It has been estimated that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the present rate, Earth’s surface temperature could exceed historical values as early as 2047, with potentially harmful effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of people worldwide.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian Economy.

About 65% of the Indian population depends directly on agriculture, and it accounts for around 22% of the GDP.

Rainfed agriculture accounts for 67 percent of the net sown area, contributing 44 percent of the food grains and supporting 40 percent of the population.

• Read Organic farming – Taking a cue from traditional Indian agricultural practices.

Uneven rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and elevated CO2 content in the atmosphere are key climatic parameters that impact crop production.

Research studies indicate that weathering parameters strongly influence (67%) compared to other factors, such as soil and nutrient management (33%), during the cropping season.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projected that the global mean surface temperature will likely rise, which may result in uneven climatic changes.

This rising temperature may affect crop yield on a large scale.

It has been reported over the 20th century that rising temperatures play an important role in global warming compared to precipitation.

Researchers have confirmed that crop yield falls by 3% to 5% for every 1°F increase in temperature.

A recently published article in ‘The Guardian’ states that the suicides of nearly 60,000 Indian farmers are linked to climate change.

The survey says that the rising temperatures and the resultant stress on India’s agricultural sector may have contributed to an increase in suicides over the past 30 years.

Illustrating the extreme sensitivity of the Indian agricultural industry to spikes in temperature, the study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that an increase of just 1 °C on an average day during the growing season was associated with 67 more suicides.

Also reported that rainfall increases of as little as 1cm each year were associated with an average 7% drop in the suicide rate.

A recently published special issue on climate change in ‘Down To Earth’ magazine states that climate change had a significant impact on agriculture, which led to a 1.5 percent loss in India’s GDP.

Their research findings are important and eye-opening.

It states that by 2030, rice and wheat are likely to see about a 6-10 per cent decrease in yields.

Crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum will be severely affected by the extreme weather events.

However, crops like soybean and gram are likely to benefit from a higher level of CO2 in the atmosphere, which helps in CO2 fertilisation.

The rising temperature has an adverse effect on flowering, leading to the buildup of pests and diseases.

Floods and excessive rain over a short period cause extensive damage to crops.

Extreme weather events have caught the attention of agrarian experts and scientists alike, and they are now focusing on natural farming to arrest the impacts of climate change.

The experts in this field say that the effect of climate change on crops mainly depends on the net sown area and the geographical location of a region where a particular crop is sown.

Mustard may experience a neutral to positive impact in northern India, especially in Punjab and Haryana, where winter temperatures are very low.

A 1°C rise in temperature won’t have much impact on production.

However, a similar rise in temperature in eastern and central India will have a negative impact.

• Also Read: Microbes In Agriculture And Their Role In Plant Growth Promotion

Interestingly, potato production may be positively impacted by elevated CO2 concentration, as reported by experts at the Central Potato Research Institute, who claimed that potato yield would increase by 11.12 percent at elevated CO2 levels of 550 PPM and a 1°C rise in temperature.

However, a further increase in CO2, accompanied by a likely rise in temperature of 3°C, will result in a 13.72 percent decline in production by 2050.

Logically, the Kharif crops will be more affected by rainfall variability, while the Rabi crops will be more affected by minimum temperatures.

Wheat is likely to be negatively impacted in the Rabi season due to terminal heat stress, with a 1°C rise in temperature resulting in a loss of 4 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat.

Similarly, legumes are expected to benefit from elevated levels of atmospheric CO2.

An area is considered water-stressed when its annual water supply per person drops below 1,700 cubic meters per year.

We are soon going to face a situation where wars will be fought over water.

Much of the prosperity in the last two decades can be attributed to the exploitation of groundwater.

However, rainfed agriculture is being severely affected by fluctuations in rainfall patterns.

This year, the Vidharbha region in Maharashtra experienced a severe drought, with a prolonged dry spell affecting crucial stages of plant growth, including the flowering stage in soybeans and the boll formation stage in cotton.

Additionally, this region experienced unexpected delayed rains at the time of the first cotton picking, which significantly spoiled the produce.

Agriculture should be able to sustain itself despite adverse climatic conditions and produce enough food to feed the world’s population.

Natural farming, utilizing climate-tolerant or stress-tolerant crop varieties, is an emerging area of research.

Efficient water and nutrient management options to enhance use efficiency, evaluation of the carbon sequestration potential of different land-use systems, understanding the opportunities offered by conservation agriculture and agroforestry, and identifying cost-effective methane emission reduction practices in ruminants and rice paddies are a few important mitigation options that need to be considered.

References:

• http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change-causes-about-1-5-per-cent-loss-in-india-s-gdp-57883
• https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/31/suicides-of-nearly-60000-indian-farmers-linked-to-climate-change-study-claims

Agriculture is one of the oldest occupations in the world, having been practiced for thousands of years to cultivate crops.

It is essential to supply the world’s food needs. Over time, agriculture has evolved and taken different shapes to meet this demand.

Advancements in science and technology have enabled farmers to produce extensive amounts of food, which has helped fulfill the demand for food.

The agricultural revolution contributed to transforming food production, and the resulting increased output fed the growing global population.

Furthermore, the use of enormous amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has maximized output, making food cheap and abundant.

However, the flip side of this has been that modern farming practices have harmed the environment and negatively impacted human health.

It has caused land erosion, polluted air, water, and soil, led to deforestation, loss of soil quality, degradation of resources, and harmed the environment.

Additionally, the use of chemicals and their subsequent mixing with water has caused diseases and health problems in humans.

This is where the advent of sustainable agriculture comes in.

Sustainable agriculture aims to produce healthy and high-quality food without compromising health or the environment.

Moreover, it encourages the adoption of new agricultural techniques and farming methods, which help in conserving our limited natural resources.

Other facets of sustainable agriculture include conserving the economy and profits, maintaining/ improving soil health, promoting biodiversity, and maximizing productivity.

The following are some of the best practices for sustainable agriculture:

1. Crop Rotation

Crop rotation, along with improved crop diversity, is one of the simplest and effective methods to protect soil and maintain its quality.

Growing a variety of crops can help farmers achieve better yields for each crop in rotation, as well as in a single harvest.

It also enhances soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

It works on the principle that crops that do not require similar nutrients in terms of quality and quantity can be planted one after the other.

The crops must exhibit a positive correlation with one another to ensure they positively influence each other’s growth and do not drain the soil of the same nutrients.

Examples include growing barley after wheat, and cereals after legumes, among others.

Similarly, crop diversity helps in preventing crops from disease and decay as well.

If an infection or a pest attack affects one variety or species, the other plant varieties remain relatively safe and ensure that the farmer does not incur a complete loss.

There is also an ecological benefit to crop biodiversity, as it encourages the habitation of various pollinators and beneficial insects that act as natural barriers to pests.

2. Cover Crop Adoption

Cover crop adoption is one of the most effective techniques for adding natural matter to the soil and enhancing the productivity of land where crops are grown.

When farmers grow seasonal crops during the off-season, they traditionally leave the land fallow.

The wind and heavy rainfall can lead to soil erosion in such situations.

Nutrients from the soil percolate into the groundwater, polluting it.

Using cover crops during the off-season ensures that neither of these situations arises.

They protect the physical integrity and chemical fertility of the soil.

3. Soil Fertility

Soil fertility and quality are key factors that contribute to sustainable farming.

Soil fertility involves three aspects: physical, chemical, and biological fertility.

Due to the extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, the biological fertility and diversity of soils have decreased significantly.

Replenishment of soil biological fertility can enhance soil quality and productivity.

Sustainable agricultural products and practices that enhance biological fertility are of utmost importance.

To achieve success with sustainable agricultural practices, there is an urgent need to switch to natural, eco-friendly, and innovative agricultural solutions.

Organica Biotech is a leader in the space of agricultural products that support and boost sustainable agriculture.

The MagicGro range of products, such as MagicGro DripSol, is a natural plant growth promoter that enhances immunity, crop vigor, and productivity, improves yield and quality, and reduces dependence on chemical use.

Also read:

• Coffee Plantation: How Plant Growth Promoters Can Boost Crop Yield.
• Microbes In Agriculture And Their Role In Plant Growth Promotion.
• Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria: Mechanisms and Applications
• Biological Seed Treatment: Enhancing The Growing Power Of Plants

Today, modern agriculture plays a pivotal role in addressing some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

First, the world population is increasing at an alarming rate, and it is predicted to reach approximately 9 billion people by 2050.

The agriculture sector is expected to meet the growing food demand and accomplish food security goals.

Secondly, fertilizers and pesticides played a crucial role in boosting agricultural production in the past many decades.

However, there has been a growing concern regarding the negative impact of using extensive chemicals.

It includes the reduction in soil quality, environmental pollution, and health hazards to humans.

Thus, sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, aided by innovative solutions, are now integral to modern agriculture.

Additionally, modern consumers are increasingly aware of how food is produced, and there is a growing demand for safe and healthy food that is free from potentially toxic elements.

This is indeed a challenge for millions of farmers, as crop failures and a decline in food productivity have become increasingly frequent due to climate change factors such as drought, flooding, a shortage of arable land, depleting water reserves, pollution, and waste.

Thus, the agricultural sector needs to adopt new solutions and approaches to enhance resource use efficiency, ensuring food production at the desired level.

Moreover, the latest solutions should also provide benefits to the farming community.

The use of biostimulants in modern agriculture is an environmentally friendly and very promising innovation.

It acts as a soil conditioner and is known to boost plant growth, crop productivity, and nutrient efficiency, while also improving flowering and tolerance to abiotic stress.

Biostimulants in Modern Agriculture

According to the European Biostimulant Industry Council (EBIC), biostimulants are defined as “products containing substances and/or microorganisms whose function, when applied to plants or the rhizosphere, is to stimulate natural processes to improve/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, and crop quality.”

The market for biostimulants is expanding at an annual rate.

According to reports, the market for active ingredient biostimulants is estimated to reach approximately $5 billion by 2025.

Thousands of scientific studies have been published showing the benefits of using biostimulants in agriculture.

Plant biostimulants, such as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), are considered highly efficient and sustainable for enhancing agricultural productivity under both optimal and suboptimal conditions.

Nutrient Uptake and Efficiency

The use of microbial inoculants can help enhance the availability of nutrients, their uptake, and assimilation in the soil.

It maximizes nutrient use efficiency by acting on the root system architecture and increasing the solubility of macro- and micro-nutrients, resulting in higher nutrient uptake and efficiency.

The nutrient use efficiency of elements like Nitrogen and Phosphorus is essential for both environmental and economic reasons.

Thus, biostimulants exhibit properties similar to those of soil conditioners, promoting plant growth.

Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Due to global climate change, abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperature, and nutrient deficiency are affecting agricultural output and causing yield gaps.

According to the current climate change scenario, these factors will further reduce crop productivity, ultimately putting pressure on food security.

Microbial biostimulants are a promising biological mechanism to improve tolerance or resistance to unfavourable environments and soil conditions.

Produce Quality Improvement 

The application of microbial plant biostimulants is capable of modifying primary and secondary metabolism in plants.

Consequently, it facilitates the accumulation of antioxidant molecules, which are beneficial to humans.

According to studies, it enhances the nutritional and functional quality of various fruits and vegetables, while also improving shelf life.

Advantages of Using Biostimulants

Various advantages of biostimulants include:

• Boost crop productivity and yield quality, thus increasing food production
• Helps in fighting water stress and climatic factors
• Improves soil quality
• Causes no pollution and is environmentally friendly
• Better quality of agricultural products, thus better for farmers
• Safe, healthy, and nutritious food for the consumer
• Activates natural defense mechanisms in plants, thus reducing dependence on pesticides

Thus, biostimulants, similar to soil conditioners, possess all the properties necessary to boost crop production, which can help meet the future food demand.

Moreover, it can help the farming community achieve food production targets, mitigate the effects of unfavourable weather conditions, and generate profits with higher-quality produce.

Additionally, the use of biostimulants can significantly reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, providing a sustainable alternative to intensive farming that does not cause environmental pollution.

Organica Biotech is a leading company offering advanced solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Microbiome enhancement technologies utilize both natural and biotechnological approaches to restore and nurture the soil microbiome.

Biostimulants act as soil conditioners, helping plants secure essential nutrients, ward off pests, and enhance crop productivity.

The MagicGro range of products features natural biostimulants that can be utilized in both organic and conventional farming practices.

It can help modern agriculture to meet food productivity goals without harming the environment or human health.

• How do Biostimulants Reduce the Requirement of Fertilizers in Agriculture
• Biostimulants in Agriculture: Challenges, Function, and Efficacy
• Role of Microbial Biostimulants in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change
• What Can We Learn From the COVID-19 Pandemic To Prevent Plant Disease Epidemics
• The Use of Biostimulants for Enhancing Soil Nutrient Content
  
• What Are The Best Practices Of Sustainable Agriculture?
  
• Sustainable Farming: How Futuristic Farms Will Supply The World’s Food Demand

Located in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is characterized by its diverse climatic conditions, encompassing tropical, subtropical, and sub-temperate zones.

The summer, rainy, and winter seasons make it a place full of plant biodiversity, and consequently, it grows more than 60 kinds of crops.

Today, the major crops of economic significance include vegetables, chili, onions, garlic, potatoes, and fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and melons.

Horticulture crops, such as flowers, fruits, and vegetables, are highly dependent on climatic conditions.

Once, Myanmar was known as the “rice bowl of Asia,” as it was the largest exporter of rice in the region.

Since 2010, the production volume of rice has also decreased steadily.

Recent reports suggest that agricultural productivity as a whole is now below that of its regional counterparts and even by international standards.

Issues such as the non-availability of quality seeds, lack of irrigation, limited infrastructure, and policy-driven objectives by the authorities are a cause for concern.

Additionally, the degrading quality of soil, characterized by a lack of minerals, acidic content, and a lack of knowledge about efficient biological and natural agriculture solutions, is one of the major factors affecting farming and gardening in the country.

Since farming is the backbone of Myanmar’s economy, various methods can be employed to improve crop yields through soil conditioning.

Gardeners often face the problem of having imperfect soil for growing plants, which can impact their growth as well.

Several components of soil can be enhanced to make it more conducive to plant growth.

This includes minerals that influence nutrient availability, as well as organic matter such as decomposed grass, fallen leaves, and branches.

The content of air and water needs to be at least 25% for healthy soil.

For both gardening and farming, the availability of sunlight, proper spacing, and nutrient uptake are also essential.

The pH level of the soil is regularly checked to analyze if it is acidic or alkaline in nature.

Plants grow optimally when the pH range falls between 6.5 and 6.8.

Soil conditioning can also help farmers and gardeners in Myanmar improve their soil structure.

Soil is home to billions and billions of microorganisms. These natural microbes enhance the soil’s performance, resulting in better crop yields.

Over many decades, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil have been compromised, thereby diminishing its quality.

The requirement for mass food production due to an increasing population has put undue stress on farmers to produce extensively.

To achieve this goal, the soil has been compromised by the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which have disrupted its normal functioning.

To reverse the effects of using chemicals and restore the essential properties of soil, natural and effective microbes can be introduced into the soil.

One of the popular microorganisms that can be used is phototrophic bacteria.

It is powerful and degrades all kinds of organic waste and wastewater, which can be used as manure and converted into fertilizer.

It also creates a suitable environment for other microorganisms to co-exist.

Composting is a great way to supply natural manure to the soil, and microbes play a crucial role in the process.

Similarly, there are natural growth promoters that enhance the soil’s ability to uptake nutrients and help combat pests and diseases.

The beneficial microbes increase in population and help against the pathogens that can damage the plants.

The benefit of using microbes is that it is cost-effective with no requirement for special infrastructure.

It boosts soil quality, improves plant growth, and increases crop yield.

Organica Biotech’s Bioclean Compost is a microbial formulation that aids in the composting process.

MagicGro DripSol is an advanced biological solution that acts as an eco-friendly, safe, and effective plant growth promoter.

These biological and natural formulations can play key roles in improving the farming sector and gardening in Myanmar.

• Also read: What Is The Difference Between Compost And Soil Conditioner?