- Author: Zheng Wang
Our crop biostimulant evaluation trial on processing tomato started on early May 2019. Two biostimulant products aiming to enhance plant nutrient content will be applied as a foliar spray at different tomato growth stage. Recently, the first application was completed at the flower stage on June 4, 2019. More applications will be conducted soon. Eventually, we will do side-by-side comparisons between treated and non-treated control on tomato fruit yield, sugar content, and other quality indices.
- Author: Zheng Wang
According to the report from Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA), the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, was signed into law on December 20, 2018, and provides the first statutory language regarding plant biostimulants in any law in the United States.
The Farm Bill describes a plant biostimulant as “a substance or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield.”
This first official language is a major step moving forward for a better understanding of biostimulants, a more regulated biostimulant market, and a wider adoption of using these biologics.
The original news from BPIA is here https://www.bpia.org/2018/12/biostimulants-in-farm-bill/.
/span>- Author: Zheng Wang
The 2018 Biostimulant Digital Week (4-Day Webcast Series) registration now opens. Use the link to complete the registration: https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&partnerref=test&eventid=1825034&sessionid=1&key=FD6F6C0348C7844061D4F48299614D40®Tag=353425&sourcepage=register
/span>- Author: Zheng Wang
Want to dig more about the current research trend of biostimulant in crop production? The Digital Week of Biostimulant Webcast Series may be a good chance to learn from worldwide scientists and industry regarding cutting edge biostimulant research.
The Biostimulant Webcast is hosted by New Ag International and Knect365 Life Sciences from October 8 to October 11, 2018. Registration is free, and attendees can engage remotely. Stay tuned with the Crop Biostimulant blog for further update. Also, visit https://www.newaginternational.com/index.php/en/conferences/our-conferences/1557-biostimulantsworldcongress-digitalweek for more information.
/span>- Author: Zheng Wang
Welcome to the Crop Biostimulant Blog. Biostimulant for crop production is one of the fastest growing areas in agriculture, and there are new products, research and discoveries every year.
You may be asking “what exactly is a crop biostimulant?” Although lacking a universally accepted definition in U.S., crop biostimulants are substances derived from biological sources, such as phytohormones, proteins, molecules, and microorganisms, etc., that are applied to plants or soils to improve crop vigor, yields, quality, and tolerance of abiotic stresses.
This blog serves as a portal to reliable California based information regarding the better understanding of biostimulants, with the current major focus on agronomic and vegetable production.
We welcome growers, biostimulant manufacturers, researchers, extension professionals and others regardless of experience with biostimulants to comment and contribute to this online endeavor.
In the near future, we will consider expanding our blog to other type of commodities as resources become available. Please consider subscribing and/or leaving comments. Also, feel free to contact the blog owners directly. The more traffic and crowded, the merrier!
Dr. Zheng Wang, UCCE Vegetable and Irrigation Farm Advisor, UCCE-Stanislaus County (office: 209-525-6822; email: zzwwang@ucanr.edu).
Michael Rethwisch, UCCE Crop Production and Entomology Farm Advisor, UCCE-Riverside County (office: 760-921-5064; email: mdrethwisch@ucanr.edu).
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