The term “Biologicals” has been flying around in the agricultural world, but what does it really mean? In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we will discuss why the term “biologicals” is really an umbrella term used to describe completely different types of products.
Broadly speaking, “biologicals” is used to describe any nature-based technology in crop management (1). However, this isn’t completely accurate. “True Biologicals” refer to living organisms, including insects, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, that play an active role in stimulating, protecting, or enhancing plant growth (2). These organisms are applied directly to crops and can either form symbiotic relationships with plants, remain active in the rhizosphere (the root zone), or reside in the soil, becoming part of the crop’s ecosystem (2). While it may seem like a small distinction, understanding the difference between “true biologicals” and “so-called biologicals” is crucial. These two categories diverge significantly in their modes of action, storage needs, and handling procedures.
How are true biologicals different than so-called biologicals? So-called biologicals refer to products derived from or designed to mimic natural compounds, but they do not contain living organisms (2). Instead, they are typically based on plant extracts, metabolites, or chemical compounds that function in a way similar to natural biological systems (3). So-called biologicals include either organic derived compounds or synthetic-made plant growth regulators (PGRs), biocontrols, and biostimulants (3). These products may be derived from nature but do not contain living organisms (4).
Since true biologicals contain living organisms, they require careful handling and storage to maintain their viability (4). The organisms must be kept alive, which often means storing them in cool, dry conditions, and applying them within a certain timeframe to ensure they remain active (4). They also have a shorter shelf life compared to other nature-derived products. The specific conditions for storing these biologicals can vary depending on the type of organism used (4). When applying true biologicals, specific guidelines must be followed to ensure that the organisms remain viable (4). This may include application timing, proper equipment for uniform distribution, avoiding exposure to excessive heat or UV light, and ensuring the organisms are delivered to the correct part of the plant or soil where they can have the most impact. That’s why it’s essential to have microbiological expertise and specific skillset to develop, manufacture, distribute and work with biologicals. It’s important to understand how to store and handle true biologicals correctly, this is why fewer companies sell true biologicals and most opt to sell so-called biologicals instead.
Inoculants like XiteBio® SoyRhizo® for soybeans and XiteBio® PulseRhizo® for peas, lentils and faba beans contain N fixing Rhizobia and are classified as true biologicals since they contain living bacteria (4). Once inoculants and ag-biologicals are applied to your crop, they continue to function in the soil or within the plants rhizosphere, throughout the whole growing season (4). This means that true biologicals are a better soil booster than nature-derived products (4). Another example is XiteBio® Yield+, which contains the bacteria Bacillus firmus. These bacteria play active roles in plant health by enhancing nutrient availability and promoting plant growth (5).
At XiteBio, we specialize in true biologicals, and all our products contain living bacteria. Not only are they an organic solution for Healthier Plants and Better Yields, but they are also a natural part of the ecosystem (5). Join us next time to discuss more solutions for Healthier Plants and Better Yields.
References
- https://www.syngenta.com/products/biologicals
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02213/full
- https://www.bayer.com/en/agriculture/agriculture-biologicals
- https://www.winfieldunited.com/news-and-insights/defining-biologicals-in-agriculture-a-comprehensive-overview
- https://xitebio.ca/inoculant-and-biological-faqs/