(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) BIO STIMULANT

(SEPTEMBER-2025)

The Agriculture Ministry has recently notified “Specifications of Biostimulants” for several crops, including tomato, chilli, paddy and onion.

It is defined as “a substance or microorganism or a combination of both whose primary function when applied to plants, seeds or rhizosphere is to stimulate physiological processes in plants and to enhance its nutrient uptake, growth, yield, nutrition efficiency, crop quality and tolerance to stress… but does not include pesticides or plant growth regulators which are regulated under the Insecticide Act, 1968”
They are occasionally made using seaweed extracts and waste products from plants.

The size of the Indian biostimulants market was estimated at USD 355.53 million in 2024 by market research firm Fortune Business Insights.
The market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.64% from USD 410.78 million in 2025 to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032.

Classification: The FCO divided the biostimulants listed in Schedule VI into eight groups, which included vitamins, antioxidants, biochemicals, plant extracts, and seaweed extracts.
Pesticide content: According to the FCO, no biostimulant may include more pesticide than the 0.01 ppm allowable maximum.
Trials: “Bio-efficacy trials shall be conducted at three Agro‑ecological locations at a minimum of three different doses for one season.”
The Central Biostimulant Committee: It will advise the Centre on (i) adding a new biostimulant; (ii) defining the specifications of different biostimulants; (iii) sample collection and analysis techniques; (iv) minimum laboratory requirements; (v) biostimulant testing techniques; and (vi) any other issue that the central government refers to it.