Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about boncrop

Biostimulants are substances, usually of natural origin (e.g. plant extracts). They stimulate natural processes in plants and thus promote their development, growth and resistance to abiotic stress factors such as drought, wetness or nutrient deficiency. Biostimulants are neither pesticides nor fertilisers.

Biostimulants strengthen the plant from the inside. They promote root development, improve water and nutrient uptake and make plants more resistant to stress such as drought or heat. boncrop activates the hormone balance and photosynthesis performance, among other things.

Read more about the effects and benefits of biostimulants.

No - biostimulants are not substitutes, but supplements to fertilizers and pesticides. They do not contain traditional nutrients or active substances against pests, but activate biological processes in the plant. However, their use can help to increase the efficiency of fertilizers and make plants more resistant to stress.

boncrop products are based on the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum. They contain its valuable algae digestion, Trichoderma and plant amino and humic acids. This combination promotes the plant's own resistance, improves root formation and increases yields.

boncrop biostimulants are suitable for a wide range of field crops, including maize, cereals, rapeseed, potatoes, sugar beet, soya and sunflowers. They can be applied easily, efficiently and sustainably to various crops.

boncrop offers two main products:

• boncrop flow: Liquid formulation for foliar spraying.
  
• boncrop solid: Granulated formulation that is applied with the seed, for example in maize cultivation.

Ingredients boncrop flow:

• Completely digested algae
  
• Selected amino acids
  
• High-quality humic acids
  

Ingredients boncrop solid:

• Completely digested algae
  
• Trichoderma
  
• Boron and zinc

These substances, rich in humic compounds, chelate nutrients, stimulate soil life, improve nutrient uptake and help reduce stress. They therefore make a significant contribution to crop yield and plant quality.

No. boncrop requires no nutrient balance: it does not supply phosphorus or nitrogen in significant quantities, but acts solely through biological stimulation.

boncrop products can be used easily, efficiently and sustainably in all field crops.

• boncrop flow: Liquid formulation for foliar spraying with an application rate of 2 litres/ha. It can be combined with common plant protection products, but a prior mixing test is recommended. To the mixing test.
  
• boncrop solid: Granulated formulation that is applied with the seed at an application rate of 125 kg/ha, for example in maize cultivation.

Yes, boncrop flow is listed in the list of inputs for organic farming in Germany and is therefore suitable for organic farming. boncrop solid, on the other hand, is only used in conventional farming.

No. Biostimulants do not provide any relevant nitrogen themselves. They improve nutrient utilisation and can thus reduce the fertiliser balance, but they do not replace mineral fertilisation tailored to specific needs – this must continue to be planned individually for each farm.

Yes. The patented Trichoderma strain remains active even in humus-poor sandy locations and in acidic soils down to pH 4, where it promotes root and soil life.

Our products must be stored in a cool, dry and frost-free place and must always be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Avoid mixing with animal feed. For product-specific instructions on proper storage, use (e.g. dosage, procedure, time of application) and safety-relevant aspects, please refer to the labelling of the respective product.

Visual differences – stronger leaf green, denser stands – usually become apparent from BBCH 30 onwards. Initial increases in root mass and chlorophyll can be measured a few weeks later.

Exact trials with boncrop products have shown demonstrable stimulating effects on plants in terms of crop development, growth and stress resistance.

Trichoderma is a naturally occurring soil fungus that is active in the root zone of plants, where it supports soil biology and root growth.

Trichoderma is particularly beneficial when plants need to be strengthened at an early stage, for example when they are under stress due to cold, drought or limited nutrient availability.

Trichoderma is particularly suitable for field crops such as maize, cereals and grassland, where strong early growth and a well-developed root system are crucial.

Trichoderma forms part of a biostimulant programme and does not replace either fertilisation or plant protection. boncrop solid with Trichoderma is not subject to accounting requirements and falls under the EU Fertiliser Products Regulation.

Trichoderma is included exclusively in the product boncrop solid, where it is specifically formulated for use in the soil.

Yes. The strain remains active in soils with a pH of 4 to 8 and supports plants in acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions. This means that even light sandy or peaty soils can benefit from the biostimulant.

They stimulate soil life, promote the release of nutrients and support a more stable soil structure. This makes the soil more permeable to roots and enables it to supply water and nutrients more efficiently.

In principle, for all sites – from light sands to heavy clay and loam soils. The Trichoderma strain remains active within a pH range of 4 to 8. Its use is particularly beneficial on soils with poor structure or under stressful conditions such as drought.

boncrop does not alter the pH, but acts as a buffer: in acidic soils, organic matter is broken down; in alkaline soils, organic acids form which keep phosphorus available. This helps to stabilise pH fluctuations.

boncrop stimulates root and microbial growth. Finely branched roots loosen the soil structure, increase crumb stability and improve water flow. This can reduce areas of compaction without the need for any additional tillage.

Root activation begins immediately after sowing; the first effects on soil structure and water retention are often visible after just one growing season. Humus formation is a longer process; significant increases are usually evident after two to three years.

Since July 2022, biostimulants have been officially recognised as a separate product category under the EU Fertiliser Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. They belong to product function category PFC 6 – plant biostimulants. Unlike plant protection products, they are not subject to the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC 1107/2009), as they have no pest-control effect. CE-marked plant biostimulants are subject to requirements relating to, amongst other things, product function, ingredients, labelling, technical documentation and proof of efficacy. boncrop flow meets these requirements and bears the CE mark.

The CE marking indicates that a plant biostimulant meets the relevant requirements of the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. These include, amongst other things, specifications regarding product function, the ingredients used, labelling and technical documentation. The claimed effect must also be substantiated by appropriate tests.

The effect of boncrop flow on root growth has been scientifically proven. This is based on controlled trials with treated and untreated variants, as well as the statistical analysis of the results. The tried-and-tested formulation of the product, which is already in use both nationally and internationally, remains unchanged.

The proof of efficacy covers numerous arable crops and processable products. These include, amongst others, cereals, potatoes, sugar beet, Rapeseed, sunflowers and soya. A detailed overview is provided on the page regarding the CE marking of boncrop flow.

No. boncrop flow has been in use nationally and internationally for some time. The product’s tried-and-tested formulation remains unchanged. What is new is the CE marking as a non-microbial plant biostimulant in accordance with the EU Fertilising Products Regulation.

As a CE-marked PFC-6 product, boncrop flow does not contain any active ingredients with maximum residue limits. The EU Fertiliser Products Regulation therefore does not require any waiting period.