Ingredients in biostimulants – the power of natural active ingredients for healthy crops
The effectiveness of any biostimulant depends entirely on its formulation. boncrop combines several key components: the base is a gently hydrolysed extract of the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, supplemented with high-quality humic acids, selected amino acids, micronutrients and the patented Trichoderma strain. Together, they activate signalling pathways, increase stress tolerance, promote a robust root system and enhance soil fertility – crucial factors when the climate becomes unpredictable.
The following sections show how each ingredient exerts its individual effect and, when working together, demonstrates its full potential.
Ascophyllum nodosum: Seaweed power from the North Atlantic
The backbone of all boncrop formulations is the kelp-based algae extract. It provides a unique range of bioactive molecules that benefit both plants and soil microbes.
Algal polysaccharides & natural phytohormones in a double pack
Ascophyllum nodosum contains alginates, laminarin, mannitol and fucoidans.
- Alginates act as signalling molecules to activate the plant’s defence system
- Laminarin has antioxidant and stress-relieving properties and boosts overall plant vitality
- Mannitol buffers drought stress and prevents premature leaf ageing
- Fucoidans improve nutrient uptake, increase resistance to abiotic stress and promote deep root growth
In addition, the seaweed extract provides natural auxins, cytokinins and abscisic acid, which regulate cell division, root branching and stress responses.
The result: increased fine root mass and higher nutrient efficiency.
Sustainable Harvesting & Extraction
Knotweed is harvested along the cool coasts of the North Atlantic – every batch undergoes internal quality controls. A gentle, temperature-controlled extraction process protects heat-sensitive vitamins, amino acids and humic acids, thereby preserving their full biological activity.
Patented Trichoderma strain: the microbial game-changer
Microbial agents take the potential of algae-based solutions to a new level by revitalising the rhizosphere and supplying plant hormones.
Patented Trichoderma strain
The Trichoderma strain incorporated into boncrop solid remains active in soils with a pH of 4 to 8, suppresses harmful fungi and produces enzymes as well as auxin-like substances. This increases the root surface area and enables the plant to recover more quickly from stress.
Duo effect in the soil microbiome: Algae × Trichoderma
Polysaccharides and organic acids from the algae extract serve as an energy source for Trichoderma and boost its colonisation – a ‘root boost’ for water and phosphate uptake. At the same time, the fungus improves soil structure.
Find out more here about the specially selected, patented Trichoderma strain.
boncrop feedback loop – interactions between plants, soil and microorganisms
The boncrop feedback loop demonstrates how boncrop enhances the interactions between plants, soil and microorganisms. This creates a positive cycle: increased energy from improved photosynthesis boosts microbial activity and root growth. As a result, more water and nutrients are available to the plant, which in turn further improves energy production.
Organic acids & amino acids
These components enhance chelation, pH buffering and the plants’ stress responses.
Humic acids and fulvic acids
Due to their enormous cation exchange capacity, they chelate and mobilise nutrients in the soil, buffer the pH and improve soil structure. In addition, they stimulate root growth and serve as food for the microbiome. This interaction improves nutrient uptake by plants.
Within the plant, they enhance cellular respiration and enzyme activity, help regulate osmotic potential and thus improve the plants’ stress tolerance.
Plant-derived amino acids
Exogenously supplied amino acids act as ready-to-use building blocks for proteins and antioxidant enzymes. They shorten the recovery time following stress events and promote uniform plant growth.
Trace elements & bioidentical substances
boncrop supplies boron and zinc in a form that is readily available to plants. Boron promotes cell wall formation and pollen fertility, whilst zinc acts as a co-factor for numerous enzymes. Both micronutrients complement the effects of algae and Trichoderma perfectly.
Quality criteria & compliance with EU PFC-6
All boncrop products are classified as PFC 6 ‘plant biostimulants’. This means they are subject to CE marking requirements, must comply with limit values for harmful substances, and must provide documented proof of conformity – requirements that boncrop has fully met since 2024.
Ingredient – Function – Benefit to crops at a glance
The algae extract derived from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum provides alginates, vitamins, phytohormones and trace elements – a natural cocktail that enhances water-holding capacity, nutrient availability and stress resistance. This is complemented by our patented Trichoderma strain, which remains active in soils with a pH of 4 to 8, thereby promoting root formation in almost any location. Humic and fulvic acids chelate nutrients, activate soil life and also help reduce stress. Amino acids act as rapid-release boosters.
The result is a broad spectrum of active ingredients (algae + Trichoderma + humic acids + amino acids) that reinforce each other and make a decisive contribution to stabilising yields.
- Alginates & Laminarin
- Main function: Activation of the plant’s defence system
- Crop benefit: High stress tolerance
- Trichoderma
- Main function: Root & soil activator
- Crop benefit: More fine roots, better P uptake
- Humic acids
- Main function: Protection against drought stress, chelation, pH buffering
- Crop benefit: Improved nutrient uptake
- Boron & zinc
- Main function: Micronutrients
- Crop benefit: Stable early development, pollen fertility
Weiterführende Produkte:
- Flüssige Algenkraft mit boncrop flow
- Granulat mit dem patentiertem Trichoderma-Boost - boncrop solid
FAQ: A brief guide to the ingredients in biostimulants
What natural ingredients are found in boncrop biostimulants?
boncrop combines seaweed extract from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum with proteins, vitamins, alginate and trace elements such as boron and zinc. It also contains plant hormones (auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid). This mixture provides plants with everything they need for vigorous growth and stress resistance.
Why does boncrop combine algae and Trichoderma?
Polysaccharides and organic acids from the algae extract serve as an energy source for the patented Trichoderma strain, promoting its colonisation and thus enhancing the ‘root boost’ for water and phosphate uptake. This synergy makes boncrop particularly effective.
Does the Trichoderma strain also work in very acidic soils?
Yes. The strain remains active in soils with a pH of 4 to 8 and supports plants under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions. This means that even light sandy or peaty sites benefit from the biostimulant.
What role do humic acids and fulvic acids play in boncrop?
These humic-rich substances chelate nutrients, activate soil life, improve nutrient uptake and reduce stress. They thus make a significant contribution to yield and plant quality.
Does boncrop contain significant amounts of nitrogen or phosphorus?
No. boncrop is balance-free: it does not supply phosphorus or nitrogen in significant quantities, but acts exclusively through biological stimulation.
You can find further frequently asked questions and answers in our FAQ section.
Your culture – our recipe: Let us advise you on the right ingredients.
Our compact product brochure clearly summarises test results, dosage recommendations and practical tips. Download the PDF for free or speak directly to our advisory team.