Biostimulants
About this expertise
In short- Evaluation of agronomic performance in greenhouse and field trials
- Mode-of-action studies
- Integration into crop management strategies
- CE compliance
Biostimulants enhance natural plant processes such as photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and tolerance to abiotic stress and could help to reduce input use. Wageningen University & Research supports companies with independent research, validation and implementation — from understanding mechanisms of action and optimising formulations to conducting greenhouse and field trials and integrating biostimulants into fertilisation, irrigation and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) strategies for scalable application.
We help developers and users of biostimulants to achieve faster, more reliable and scalable results, to identify new biostimulant sources and to optimise production methods. Our teams combine plant physiology, soil biology and molecular analysis (DNA/RNA, metabolomics and proteomics) to unravel mechanisms of action, identify bioactive components and assess efficacy under practical growing conditions.
We analyse the composition of biostimulants at metabolite, protein and peptide level and use standardised bioassays for rapid pre-selection, followed by greenhouse and field trials under relevant cultivation conditions. Results are translated into substantiated claims (yield increase, nutrient use efficiency, stress tolerance, product quality) and crop- and growth stage-specific recommendations.
In addition, we provide advice on CE-marking (EU 2019/1009) and the evidence required for standards such as EN 17700. The end result: proven agronomic efficacy, clear recommendations for practical application, and a solid business case for growers, suppliers and technology partners.
- Proof-of-concept and mode-of-action studies
- Standardised performance measurements and benchmarking
- Greenhouse and multi-location, seasonal field trials
- Information for regulatory dossiers (including EN 17700)
- Application advice and integration into ICM and fertilisation strategies
- Bioassays (germination, root architecture, stress response)
- Omics and image analysis for mode-of-action studies
- Metabolomics and proteomics analysis for profiling bioactive components in extracts
- Statistics and machine learning for effect estimation and dose–response analysis
- Protocol development for reliable application
Agricultural input suppliers, developers and producers of biostimulants, plant breeding companies, grower organisations, food processors and investors with innovation- or validation questions related to biostimulants.
Support with CE-marking (EU 2019/1009), interpretation of EN standards, and translation of trial results into objective information for dossier preparation.
Contact us
Do you have questions or would you like to work together? Contact our expert.
dr. LS (Leo) van Overbeek
Expert biostimulants