Agricultural biological products or biological crop protection products are one of the fastest-scaling segments in the agricultural sector. These biologicals encompass various products procured from beneficial insects, naturally occurring microorganisms, plant extractions, or other organic substances.
They are majorly classified into the following three segments depending on their application in agriculture:
- Biostimulants are used as enhancers for plant growth/productivity
- Biopesticides are used as biocontrol products to protect plants
- Biofertility are products that supply nutrients to plants
The surge in the adoption of sustainable agriculture has resulted in the utilization of
beneficial microorganisms to enhance soil and plant health. Biological agriculture techniques eliminate the usage of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.
According to a report by Extrapolate, the agricultural biologicals market size globally is expected to reach up to $29.59 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 14.30% between 2022 and 2030.
In this blog, let us have an overview of agricultural biologicals.
The Difference Between Agricultural Biologicals and Pesticides
One of the key differences between biological and pesticides is their derivation process. Biologicals are derived from natural or living organisms, while pesticides are manufactured using chemicals.
Even biologicals can be synthesized chemically but they typically have a natural formulation. The application of both of these products is to protect the crops from various plant diseases, insects, and pests.
The Agricultural Biologicals Formulation
Following are the forms agricultural biological products can come in:
- New dry box applied formulation
- Dry application form
- Wettable powders
- Liquid form
Instead of being applied during the irrigation phase, box-applied biologicals can be mixed with a carrier and can be placed into the dry hopper along with seeds. This technique will not require any refrigeration to store or additional resources to apply to the crops.
Various agricultural biological formulations are designed for different use cases. Following are a few biological applications:
1. To Treat the Seeds or In-Furrow Applications
This biological formulation can be applied directly to the seed or applied as an in-furrow treatment. It provides a significant benefit of placing the organism closer to the germinating seed or crop’s growing root system.
2. Application on Roots and Soil
Agricultural biologicals that are applied to soil and roots are usually used through the irrigation system to stimulate the natural microbiome’s activity to improve nutrient mineralization.
3. Treatments for Plants or Foliars
The application of foliar biologicals can be used as a spray directly to the plant’s leaves to assist crop growth and nutrient absorption, specifically during the flowering growth stage of the plant.
A few biologicals have endophytic microbes that are inside the plant tissues and develop a reciprocal relationship with the plant. Such strains constantly assist with plant growth, offering key advantages throughout the entire plant life cycle.
Farmers can make a strategic decision about which biological product to select after considering which agricultural biological product will effectively complement the current farm management plan, existing accessible equipment, and any plant issues or requirements that are being addressed on priority.
The Regulations Around Agriculture Biology Products
The regulatory compliance for the utilization of biologicals differs from region to region. Usually, regulatory authorities globally consider agricultural biologicals beneficial for the crop but not the chemical plant protection products. These products can be subjected to stringent regulations to ensure their safety, efficacy, and environmental impact. Here is an overview of regulatory requirements in several major markets:
In the United States, biopesticides are governed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Biofertilizers and biostimulants are regulated with different regulations, which are managed at the state level.
In the European Union, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) regulates biopesticides under the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Biofertilizers and biostimulants are regulated under the fertilizers regulation (EU) 2019/1009 to ensure they meet particular safety and efficacy standards.
Similarly, other countries have regulatory bodies that regulate the use of agricultural biologicals under local regulatory policies. All manufacturers that sell biologicals for agricultural use need to have proper labeling and marketing claims to comply with all the necessary regulations. Additionally, the production company should be registered with the regulatory authorities before they market or sell their products.
How Can Farmers Leverage Biological Resources Responsibly?
Similar to spraying chemicals to protect the plant, farmers can apply agricultural biologicals with the same tools or directly to the soil in which the crops are grown.
As biological agriculture may have living organisms as active ingredients, it might have particular storage, handling, and application needs that are essential for efficacy. The farmers need to embrace the best crop management practices by reading labels and following instructions given by the manufacturer thoroughly. The production company will provide all the necessary information about the required storage temperature, application guidelines and methods, shelf-life, and compatibility with crops.
Which Crops Can Biologicals Be Applied With?
Farmers globally can use biologicals on a variety of fruits, vegetables, field crops, and tree nuts. These products are versatile and find applications in both organic and conventional crop production systems.
Safety Considerations When Using Biologicals
Biological agricultural products undergo a strict registration process and science-based risk evaluation to ensure their safety for humans and the environment. It is mandatory for all crop protection products, both biological and chemical, to meet all safety criteria set by the regulatory bodies and are considered safe for use.
Do Biological Products and Chemical Crop Protection Products Have the Same Level of Efficiency?
Both agricultural biologicals and chemical crop protection have a different impact. Various advanced biological crop protection products are considered to match the efficiency of chemical
products, specifically when the intensity of pest or disease is low to medium. These biologicals will deliver lower control and offer more effective performance compared to the chemical counterparts available.
A few biologicals might take more time to show results in targeting the disease or pest, but their impact can be long-lasting. Farmers can use the best agricultural biologicals as a proactive measure, which can have the best impact when applied early in the season.
Organically Wrapping Up an Overview of Biological Crop Protection Products
Agricultural biologicals are a broad spectrum of plant protection products that are derived from living organisms. Farmers can leverage these biologicals to have an integrated pest management (IPM) program or as a stand-alone technique to safeguard plants or crops from disease, insect pests, and competitive weeds.
