Stimupro

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WHAT ARE BIOSTIMULANTS

‘Biostimulant’ is a term that is used to describe various substances involved in plant growth that is not a plant nutrient or pesticide but in some manner has a positive impact on plant health. The biostimulant may increase chlorophyll efficiency and production, enhance metabolism, increase antioxidants, enhance nutrient availability and increase the water holding capacity of the soil. These type compounds help plants/grass maximize their genetic potential.

Biostimulants might also be called phyto-chemicals, which are chemicals that occur naturally in plants. There are different families of phyto-chemicals, all of which have some very desireable characteristics as far as their actions on plants and/or grass. Although each family of phyto-chemicals has very desirable characteristics, they can be limited to a large degree, when used alone. The best way to overcome these inherant limitations of singular phyto-chemicals is by utilizing a precise combination of three families of phyto-chemicals.

University studies and various other research with practical applications have touted the benefits of biostimulants/phyto-chemicals in plant growth for several years. Numerous studies are available showing vast improvements to growing crop production for cotton, peanuts, soybeans, vegetables, citrus, turf and field grasses, and increased protein in beef from grasses treated with these biostimulants.

The questions now are what are these biostimulants and what can a producer expect from their use? We will look at some of these.

Three of the primary families of biostimulants/phyto-chemicals include:

CYTOKININS*

Cytokinins are plant hormones that promote growth by:

· stimulating cell division resulting in increased root mass

· regulating growth of above ground parts and root growth

· inhibiting elongation of stem sections,

· stimulating leaf enlargement,

· stimulating germination

· they can alter fruit set and fruit growth

· acting on the overall synthetic activities of leaves

Cytokinins are present in all plants. They may also enhance photosynthesis, and subsequently the photosynthate (sugar) levels. They have a direct bearing on and accelerate the admission of nutrient elements; nitrates, phosphorus, potassium and calcium into plants.

BETAINES

Betaines, one of the cytokinins, are natural hormones that increase plant chlorophyll content. This boosts photosynthetic capacity and can increase starch and sugar production.

GIBBERELLINS*

Gibberellins stimulate plant growth and development throughout the entire range of the developmental stages. They:

· relieve dormancy of buds and seeds

· stimulate germination

· induce flowering and fruit set

· regulate growth almost exclusively through stem elongation

· must be present continuously for regulatory action to proceed

AUXINS*

Auxins, which are indole acids are universally present in all plants. They have similar actions in most species. Auxins are synthetic products of plant metabolism.

INDOLE BUTYRIC ACIDS

· Are synthetic products of plant metabolism

· Promote root formation and development

· Increase cell elongation

· Are universally present in all plants

The major characteristic of these plant hormones help us to better understand the increasingly elaborate adaptations of chemical regulatory systems to achieve a finer adjustment of internal controls and the tuning of these controls for finer sensing and response of the plant to its environment.

Growth and differentiation processes of plants appear more and more to be regulated by concerted interactions between the various types of growth regulators. Having specific growth regulators in balance for optimum growth and development is essential in order for farmers to produce greater crop yield thus creating more profit.

Stimupro is manufactured and distributed by Stimupro, LLC