Crop yields boosted by biostimulant

The world's growing population requires more and more food, with global demand expected to rise by 50 % by 2030 and to double by 2050. However, agriculture is increasingly under threat from climate change and a resurgence in pests and plant diseases. Fortunately, help is at hand thanks to a new approach developed by the project NATUCROP (Crop protection by natural raw material derived biomolecules).

Scientists working under the auspices of NATUCROP developed an innovative natural plant protection and biostimulant product for the horticultural and agricultural industries. The ecologically sound broad-spectrum third-generation biostimulant improves crop yields by reducing plant stresses caused by temperature, salinity, drought and disease.

Plant biostimulants contain substances and or/microorganisms whose function when applied to plants is to stimulate natural processes. These processes enhance nutrient uptake and nutrient efficiency, and improve tolerance to abiotic stress and crop quality.

The product is a liquid formulation based on biomolecules derived from chitin and seaweed, which provide consistent protection to tomato and wheat plants. It also shields crops against fungal diseases and can be applied using conventional leaf-spraying systems.

Researchers utilised five different crops to evaluate the product's effectiveness: tomato, barley, wheat, potato and the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. A library of biostimulant formulations was screened for effectiveness in reducing a range of biotic and abiotic stresses.

Scientists developed a number of tools to enable natural biomolecules to be manipulated by altering their molecular mass, degree of substitution and solubility characteristics. They also developed an analytical toolbox to allow a more extensive characterisation of seaweed-derived biostimulants, enabling better control of product composition.

NATUCROP has successfully developed a product that bridges plant protection and plant nutrition. It is also a suitable and safe replacement for agrochemicals that have been deregistered and removed from the market for safety reasons. In addition, it will ensure that current crop yields are maintained.

The project therefore enabled the development of a biostimulant to meet specific crop productivity challenges and deliver increased crop yields in order to feed a growing world population. NATUCROP outcomes will as such help European agriculture and citizens' quality of life by increasing yield while respecting the natural environment.