Use biostimulants to reduce fertilizers and increase yields

Biostimulants are increasingly in demand globally as part of the shift from traditional to sustainable agriculture. They are favored by restrictive regulations against non-sustainable products. Biostimulants have proven results and are in constant development to enhance crop resistance to various stresses. They are expected to become a commodity used by all farmers worldwide.

Ajinomoto Agro Solutions’s biostimulants, including products like Agriful, Fertigrain Foliar, and Tecamin Max, have demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing crop growth and resilience under various stress conditions, as evidenced by significant yield improvements in rice trials. These biostimulants were applied through both root and foliar applications, with some trials reducing chemical fertilizer use by up to 50%. Supported by restrictive regulations against non-sustainable products and continuous innovation to improve crop resistance, biostimulants are positioned to become a mainstream commodity, widely adopted by farmers worldwide.

Implementing biostimulants in rice cultivation can be done by adopting a tailored approach for each environment. The application of 2 non-microbial, amino acid-rich biostimulants is particularly suited for rice cultivation, but it can be extended to other crops. The focus is on improving nutrient use efficiency, growth parameters, and soil nutrient availability while maintaining crop yield with up to 50% reduced fertilizer input.

Typical steps for implementation include soil analysis and preparation, application of biostimulants via foliar spray or soil/root application, and monitoring and evaluation of growth parameters. Adjustments for other crops are made based on soil type, crop, and agronomic practices to ensure maximum efficiency.

Implementing biostimulants in rice cultivation can be done by adopting a tailored approach for each environment. For example, Ajinomoto Agro Solutions conducted field trials in a controlled setting in Kawiporn Chinachanta, where two non-microbial, amino acid-rich biostimulants—Agriful and Fertigrain Foliar—were applied. These trials followed a structured methodology, including soil analysis and preparation, with biostimulants administered via foliar spray and root application at key stages of the crop cycle (e.g., tillering and panicle development phases).

The trials were managed by a dedicated technical team, with participation of an external university participant, which monitored growth parameters such as plant height, tiller number, and chlorophyll content. This approach proved effective in improving nutrient use efficiency, growth parameters, and soil nutrient availability while maintaining crop yield, even with a 50% reduction in chemical fertilizer input. Adjustments for other crops are made based on soil type, crop, and agronomic practices to ensure maximum efficiency.

Figure 1: Before implementation

Figure 2: After implementation

Sustainability Impact

Climate

Scope 3 Reduction in Scope 3 emissions for farmers and agribusinesses by using less inputs and maintaining productivity on existing land. The reduction in fertilizer input (approx. 47%) directly reduces the CO2eq emissions related to fertilizer production, transportation, and application. For nitrogen-based fertilizers, emission savings could be significant. Based on standard emission factors for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (~5.3 kg CO2eq per kg of nitrogen applied), the reduction in fertilizer usage could lead to a corresponding reduction in emissions. The reduced fertilizer input alone could result in a significant reduction in emissions. Assuming that the original fertilizer use of 312.5 kg/ha generates around 1650 kg CO2eq/ha, a reduction to 165.35 l/ha (fertilizer + biostimulants) could lower emissions by approximately 800 kg CO2eq/ha.

Nature

Improvement of soil biodiversity and prevention of deforestation by increasing crop yields.

Social Impact

Contributes to decent work and economic growth, and reduces hunger in disadvantaged regions. This allows small farmers to increase crop performance and reduce costs (through inputs) and foster a healthy and sustainable soil, making the harvest more stable year by year, contributing to more stability in local employment.

Business impact

Benefits

• Yield increase: The implementation showed a 10.92% yield increase (kg rice/ha), meaning more output per hectare of land, further amplifying the emission efficiency per unit of food produced

• OPEX (Operating Expenses) reduction: The use of biostimulants can reduce operating costs by decreasing the need for fertilizers. Biostimulants offer a sustainable alternative in areas with high fertilizer costs or environmental restrictions, reducing fertilizer inputs and GHG emissions They improve crop yields, providing more output per hectare, which is beneficial for farmers and large food companies

• The initiative showcased increasing economic value, with a positive ROI

Costs

• CAPEX (Capital Expenses): Initial investment may be required for soil analysis and biostimulant products

• Costs are dependent on local conditions and can be minimized by optimizing biostimulant application. Subsidies or support from local institutions can help offset costs

Abatement costs

The solution can reduce fertilizer cost by 32.61%, -75.21€/ha by abating the usage reduction of the fertilizer.

Application cost: It can be mixed with pesticide so that there is no application cost.

Co-benefits

Improvement of soil biodiversity, prevention of deforestation, contribution to carbon credits, and improved crop yields.

Potential side-effects

Biostimulants do not cause significant harm when applied to fields. The only concern is obtaining raw materials, but most come from plant extracts and co-products.

Typical business profile

Relevant for the agricultural sector, particularly:

• Farmers and farming companies

• Large food companies

• Local government

Which are focused on sustainable practices.

Approach

The key to successfully implementing the use of biostimulants in rice cultivation lies in adopting a tailored approach for each environment. In the field trials conducted by Ajinomoto Agro Solutions in Kawiporn Chinachanta, Thailand, two non-microbial, amino acid-rich biostimulants—Agriful and Fertigrain Foliar—were used, demonstrating their suitability for rice cultivation. These biostimulants not only enhanced nutrient use efficiency, growth parameters, and soil nutrient availability but also allowed for a 50% reduction in chemical fertilizer input while maintaining crop yield.

The company's biostimulants, with over 25 years of effective field application, are considered to be mature and reliable products. In this trial, the biostimulants were applied across different crop stages without facing significant limitations, showcasing their adaptability to various crops, soil types, and locations through dosage and combination adjustments for optimal efficiency.

Steps for implementation:

1. Soil analysis and preparation: Prior to biostimulant application, a soil analysis was conducted to assess nutrient content and detect any imbalances. This step ensured that each treatment block had a uniform starting point for the application.

2. Application of biostimulants: The biostimulants were applied via foliar spray and root application based on the crop stage and field conditions. In each treatment, a combination of 50% fertilizer and biostimulant was utilized, reflecting an efficient use of resources while sustaining plant health and growth.

3. Monitoring and evaluation: Ajinomoto Agro Solutions’s technical team closely monitored growth parameters, including plant height, tiller count, leaf chlorophyll content, and final yield. Regular observations allowed for dose adjustments to achieve optimized results, confirming the effectiveness of the biostimulants in enhancing yield and growth metrics.

4. Adjustments for other crops: While the trial focused on rice, the success of the biostimulants suggests they can be adapted to other crops. Adjustments to dosage and combinations are made based on specific crop requirements, soil types, and agronomic practices to ensure maximum efficiency.

Stakeholders involved

• Farmers: Implement biostimulant use to increase yields and improve soil health.

• Society: Benefit from lower GHG emissions and improved food quality.

• Indigenous communities: Prevent deforestation for crop cultivation.

• Environment: Experience lower GHG emissions and improved biodiversity.

Key parameters to consider

• In this case, it took approximately four months to systematically apply biostimulants for data collection. However, when used in a typical farming context, the application can be completed in about 30 minutes per hectare using drones.

• Soil type variability may require localized calibration of biostimulant dosages.

• Farmer knowledge or access to biostimulant products may vary by region, limiting initial adoption. Technical support is needed when starting using biostimulants.

• Consider soil type, crop, agronomic practices, and local conditions for biostimulant application.

• Mature and growing demand for biostimulants at global level, as an important part of the shift from traditional agriculture to a more sustainable agriculture; favoured by increasingly restrictive regulations and policies towards non-sustainable products (certain fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). Product with widely proven results, in constant technological development to bring new properties to crops (resistance to drought, heat stress, poor soils, etc.) and which will eventually become a commodity and be used by all farmers worldwide.

• Context of application: depending on the technological and economic maturity of each country (and its farmers), different scenarios are found; from the lowest-income countries with farmers with small plots and very traditional and aggressive methods with the land, to large agricultural companies with cutting-edge technology and millimetric control of inputs and outputs. In the first scenario, biostimulants can generate a huge improvement in crop yield and soil sustainability outcomes, leading to further GHG emission savings and agricultural land optimization, which will reduce deforestation for food purposes; while in the second scenario the year-to-year improvements will be constant and equally important, but the improvement differential will be much more stable and reduced.

Implementation and operations tips

• Educate farmers on biostimulant use and disseminate results globally. Collaborate with public institutions to develop sustainable agricultural policies.

• In areas with high fertilizer costs or environmental restrictions on fertilizer use, biostimulants offer a sustainable alternative.

• Global trends towards carbon footprint reduction and sustainability in agriculture can accelerate adoption due to the direct benefits of reducing fertilizer inputs and GHG emissions.

• Based on the trial data from Thailand, applying biostimulants resulted in a 50% reduction in fertilizer use. In a typical scenario, the use of fertilizer was reduced from 312.5 kg/ha to 165.35 l/ha (biostimulant + fertilizer). This translates to a substantial reduction in Scope 3 emissions (emissions from raw materials and transport).