KindHarvest summary: Biological crop products use beneficial microorganisms or naturally derived microbial materials to influence plant growth, nutrition or pest pressure. Interest has expanded with better tools for studying microbial communities, while evidence and field consistency remain uneven across products.
What biological products include
The source separates biologicals into two broad groups. Biostimulants aim to improve plant growth, health, nutrient use or stress tolerance. Biopesticides are intended to protect crops from pathogens, insects or weeds and are generally subject to pesticide regulation when they make pest-control claims.
Some products contain living organisms, which makes storage, handling, compatibility and application conditions especially important. Temperature, moisture, pH, salinity, soil organic matter and the existing microbial community can all affect whether an organism survives and performs.
How to assess them
The article identifies three major barriers: confusing terminology, limited independent performance data and inconsistent results across environments. Farmers should define the problem they want to solve, examine replicated evidence, check compatibility with other inputs and run a measured on-farm comparison before adopting a product widely.
Biological products may supplement conventional management in both organic and conventional systems. Their value depends on a clear function, reliable formulation, suitable conditions and a return that can be demonstrated on the farm.
Source and credit
This KindHarvest Team practice brief is based on an article by Jeremiah Vardiman of University of Wyoming Extension, first published by University of Wyoming AgNews and carried by Farm Progress in July 2022.