Implementation of protocols under controlled conditions : study of biostimulants efficacy

Lengrand, Salomé [UCL] Falesse William [Company Redebel SA, 6221 Saint Amand, Belgium] Quiévreux Martin [Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège (ULiège), Gembloux, Belgium] Dieryck Benjamin [Company Redebel SA, 6221 Saint Amand, Belgium] Dumont de Chassart Sébastien [Company Redebel SA, 6221 Saint Amand, Belgium] Dumont de Chassart Tanguy [Company Redebel SA, 6221 Saint Amand, Belgium] Delaplace Pierre [Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège (ULiège), Gembloux, Belgium] du Jardin Patrick [Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège (ULiège), Gembloux, Belgium] Draye, Xavier [UCL] Legrève, Anne [UCL] et al.[show all]

Many biostimulants are currently introduced into the agricultural sector. However, their efficacy in the field is sometimes difficult to demonstrate due to manys ources of variability that complicate their accurate evaluation. Within the framework of a project developed by the company Redebel SA, in collaboration with UClouvain and ULg and funded by the Walloon Regionin Belgium, it is attempted to design new efficacy screening methods relying on controlled conditions phenotyping and to evaluate their predictions against trials established in agricultural fields. As part of this study, UCLouvain developed tests to assess the biostimulants behaviour under controlled conditions. Plant responses were evaluated after the application of three representative types of biostimulants (organic, inorganic and microbial) using distinct protocols. Three plant species (maize, wheat and tomato) were tested, using two culture methods (hydroponics and pot culture) and two abiotic limitations (water deficit and limited nitrogen nutrition).Beneficial effects on plant development were observed following the application of biostimulants. However, benefits of biostimulants varied depending on the protocols applied. This highlights the diversity of mechanisms and interactions between biostimulants, plants and their environment and, therefore,the need for further characterization.