The Biologicals Bandwagon
All the different biological options in today’s row crop industry have created a bit of confusion about what they do but even what biologicals are. Biologicals is an umbrella term for a host of microscopic possibilities. These plant protection products created from living organisms, or derived from naturally occurring materials have become buzzwords lately with a focus on improving fertilizer use efficiency and sustainability practices.
It seems like almost every week we’re being bombarded by companies pushing their new biological product or you’re watching the morning news and on comes a commercial for another biological. While flashy and holding a promise of gaining five bushels with each $10 per acre investment, it’s important to remember that each biological is unique from one another. As the market continues to expand and new products are added, most can be classified as biostimulants or biopesticides (Vardiman, 2022).
The USDA defined biostimulants as “a substance or microorganism 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” in the 2018 Farm Bill (EPA, 2022). This category includes plant growth regulators, biofertilizers and amino acids just to name a few. Biopesticides protect against or control pests, insects and weeds and are usually subject to EPA regulations (Vardiman, 2022).
Instead of jumping on the bandwagon, a better way to approach biologicals is first to identify the problem you are trying to solve, then find the biological product that has been proven to deliver a fitting solution. We’re keeping a close eye on the ever-growing biologicals market and the new products being released. Before we make official recommendations and bring on any products, we are keeping a few things in mind:
» In each teaspoon of soil, we’re going to find nearly a billion microorganisms. It’s imperative to understand the microorganisms currently in the soil and find a biological that supplements them.
» What issues does the product solve, how does it work and what makes it work that way are questions we’re asking about each product. There’s no “best practice” for all biologicals.
» Biologicals are living organisms, meaning they are only beneficial if kept alive. What requirements are there to make sure they stay alive (storage and application) and will prosper once in the field?
» Is there research backing the product? We’re evaluating field trial data and conducting some of our own trials to see if the product does support the sales claims.
Biologicals are a hot topic and if you’re confused about them, excited to find a way to implement them into your management plan, or still not sure, you’re probably not alone. As a team of agronomists, we’re dedicated to staying on top of the biologicals buzz, evaluating products as they hit the market, and are open to discussing if, and how, they can fit into your operation.
Sources
Environmental Protection Agency. (2022, December 12). Draft Guidance for Plant Regulators and Claims, Including Plant Biostimulants. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/pbs-guidance-updated-draft-guidance-document-2020-11-13_0.pdf
Vardiman, J. (2022, July 7). Biological products: The new tool of agriculture. AgNews – University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. https://uwagnews.com/2022/07/07/biological-products-the-new-tool-of-agriculture/