Targeted promotion of soil health – with biostimulants
Biostimulants activate natural processes in the soil, thereby laying the foundation for healthy plants and stable yields. The rest of this page explains how these processes can be specifically harnessed to regenerate soils.
A productive soil is far more than just a place for growth – it is a living system. Structure, nutrient dynamics and active soil life play a decisive role in the development of crops. This is precisely where biostimulants come into play: they support natural processes in the soil and help to utilise existing resources more efficiently.
What defines healthy soil?
Good soil health is essential for providing plants with a reliable supply of nutrients over the long term, even under changing conditions. It describes the condition of a soil in terms of its biological, chemical and physical properties.
- Biological processes – particularly soil life – govern the decomposition and transformation of organic matter, as well as the release of nutrients.
- Chemical factors such as pH and nutrient availability determine how well plants can be nourished.
- Physical properties such as soil structure, pore volume and aeration influence water uptake and root growth.
It is only the interplay of these factors that enables stable plant populations and sustainable yields.
Biostimulants – supporting natural processes
Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms of natural origin that specifically activate the natural processes of plants and soils. Unlike fertilisers, they do not supply nutrients, but rather improve the utilisation of those nutrients. They also differ clearly from plant protection products, as they do not act directly against harmful organisms.
Their approach is different: biostimulants enhance the efficiency of the plant’s own processes – for example, in nutrient uptake, root development or adaptation to stressful conditions.
Effect in the soil: specifically activating processes
The effect of biostimulants does not begin in the plant itself, but already in the soil. They intervene in key processes and strengthen the interaction between the soil, roots and microorganisms.
Promoting soil biology
Biostimulants stimulate the activity of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. These play a key role in the conversion of organic matter and the provision of nutrients. An active soil ecosystem makes nutrients available to plants and stabilises the soil environment.
Improving soil structure
A well-developed root system penetrates the soil more deeply, supports the formation of stable soil structures, improves aeration and increases water retention capacity.
Efficient nutrient utilisation
Biostimulants improve plants’ ability to absorb and utilise available nutrients. This reduces losses and increases the efficiency of the inputs used.
Strengthening system stability
When plants become more resilient to abiotic stress, the interaction between soil and plant also remains more stable – even under difficult conditions.
From the soil to yield stability
Biostimulants exert their effect through the interplay of various processes within the soil–plant system:
An active soil ecosystem improves nutrient availability, supports root development and ensures more stable water and nutrient uptake. The result is more uniform stands and greater yield reliability.
The soil profile clearly illustrates how this effect manifests in practice: whilst the root system in the image on the left is comparatively weaker and less deeply developed, the variant on the right – treated with boncrop solid – shows significantly more extensive root penetration. The higher root density and greater penetration into the soil allow for more effective uptake of water and nutrients.
Why soil health is becoming increasingly crucial
The demands on arable farming are rising: increasing weather extremes, heterogeneous sites and stricter regulatory conditions require stable and adaptable production systems.
The differences in how soils cope with such stressful conditions are immediately apparent in the field: whilst the left-hand side shows heavily encrusted, cracked soil lacking in structure and water-holding capacity, the soil on the right-hand side is loose, crumbly and well-aerated. Here, a seedling can develop evenly. Healthy soil is better able to cope with difficult challenges. It stores water, continuously supplies nutrients and enables uniform plant development. Biostimulants play a part here by specifically supporting the soil’s natural functions.
Roots – the invisible added value for the subsequent crop
A large proportion of the plant remains in the soil after harvest – the roots. They cannot be harvested, but it is precisely then that they reveal their value. The more deeply a crop is rooted, the more organic matter remains in the soil and the greater the benefit for the subsequent crop.
Roots permeate the soil, loosening it and promoting a stable crumb structure. As they die off, they become food for soil organisms and provide the raw materials for humus formation. In this way, well-rooted soil gradually develops into a sustainable structure from which the subsequent crop also benefits.
Root development is therefore a key factor. If a plant is given optimal support during root formation, the root mass increases, which benefits the soil in the long term.
A building block in sustainable crop production
A building block in sustainable crop production
Biostimulants are not a substitute for fertilisation or crop management practices. They complement existing systems.
In combination with:
- appropriate fertilisation,
- diverse crop rotations and
- targeted soil management
they help to better exploit the site’s potential and increase the efficiency of the overall system.
Targeted promotion of soil health – with boncrop
boncrop biostimulants, based on natural algae extracts, support key processes in the soil and within the plant. They can be flexibly integrated into existing cropping systems and help to make better use of the site’s natural potential.
A key practical advantage is ease of use: boncrop fits seamlessly into existing work processes – for example, as part of fertilisation or sowing. No additional pass is required. This saves time, reduces costs and enables efficient implementation in day-to-day farm operations.
Depending on the area of application, different application forms are available – boncrop flow and boncrop solid – which can be adapted to the respective farm operations.
Field trials show positive effects on seedling development, root formation and crop stability. This forms the basis for stable crop development and consistent yield formation.
To find out how soils can be regenerated in a targeted manner and which boncrop products are best suited to your farm, visit the page Soil regeneration with boncrop.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about biostimulants and soil health
What effect do biostimulants have in the soil?
Biostimulants support key processes in the soil. They promote the activity of beneficial microorganisms, improve nutrient availability and contribute to a more stable soil structure. This makes the soil more permeable to roots and enables it to supply water and nutrients more efficiently.
What is the difference between biostimulants and fertilisers?
Fertilisers supply plants directly with nutrients. Biostimulants do not themselves supply significant amounts of nutrients, but improve the efficiency of nutrient uptake and utilisation. They therefore do not replace fertilisation, but rather support its effects.
How quickly are the effects visible?
The effects usually become apparent over several stages of development. Initial effects are often recognisable in more uniform early growth and stronger root development. Their full benefits become particularly apparent under stressful conditions or in challenging growing sites.
For which types of soil are biostimulants particularly suitable?
Biostimulants can, in principle, be used on all types of soil. Their use is particularly beneficial on soils with poor structure, low biological activity or under stressful conditions such as drought. Here, they can help to make better use of existing potential.
Do biostimulants improve soil health?
Biostimulants help to support the soil’s natural functions. They promote biological activity, improve root penetration and increase the efficiency of nutrient utilisation. In doing so, they contribute to a more stable soil structure and long-term, high-performance soil function.
How can biostimulants be integrated into existing cropping systems?
Biostimulants can be flexibly incorporated into existing practices – for example, in combination with fertilisation, crop protection, or as part of seed or soil treatments. As a complementary component, they strengthen the interaction within the soil-plant system.