Biostimulant benefits for soybean farming

The challenge of balancing productivity with sustainability has never been greater. For soybean farmers, saving time on repetitive tasks, caring for the soil, and maintaining consistent yields are top priorities. At the same time, they face rising input costs, unpredictable weather, and increasing pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

This is where the biostimulant benefits of products like Arevo Booster come in—helping farmers boost productivity while supporting healthier soils and reducing environmental impact.

How biostimulants help soybean farmers meet modern challenges

According to Ettore Di Biase, test grower and Project Coordinator at Biostimulants Agricola 2000, biostimulants provide unique opportunities to increase yield while reducing chemical inputs:

“Biostimulants, like Arevo Booster, give us the opportunity to support crop germination and yield while reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer needed. This saves time and money for individual farmers while simultaneously improving soil health and promoting more sustainable farming practices.”

By enhancing plant growth, improving stress resilience, and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, the biostimulant benefits extend to both farmers and the environment.

Farmers’ evolving priorities: why biostimulants matter

Recent research highlights that farmers value solutions that save time, support soil health, and provide reliability in uncertain conditions. For soybean growers in Europe, these priorities align closely with the benefits offered by a biostimulant. Arevo Booster is designed to enhance efficiency by reducing dependency on chemical inputs while improving the plants' natural resilience.

• Save time and labor

• Protect soil health

• Deliver reliability in unpredictable conditions

Arevo Booster aligns with these priorities by:

• Reducing dependency on chemical inputs

• Improving plants' natural resilience to drought and poor soils

• Minimizing nutrient runoff and enhancing long-term soil fertility

Unlike conventional fertilizers, Arevo Booster delivers nitrogen directly to the plant without interfering with natural nitrogen fixation, strengthening both crop productivity and soil ecosystems.

Arevo Booster also supports sustainability by promoting healthier soils and minimizing nutrient runoff, and it strengthens plants to better withstand environmental stressors like drought and poor soil conditions. By delivering nitrogen directly to the plant without interfering with natural nitrogen fixation Arevo Booster supports robust growth and healthier soils.

— There are many biostimulants on the market with different compositions, effects, performances, and methods of implementation. Arevo Booster is a seed treatment that can be applied with standard equipment, making it easy to integrate into various farming systems while delivering strong results in germination and yield increase, says Ettore Di Biase, test grower and Project Coordinator at Biostimulants Agricola 2000.

Understanding plant biostimulants

Plant biostimulants are a game-changer in modern agriculture, offering a natural way to enhance plant growth and productivity. These substances, or microorganisms, stimulate natural processes within plants, leading to improved nutrient uptake, better nutrient use efficiency, and increased tolerance to abiotic stress. The result? Healthier crops and higher yields.

A plant biostimulant is any substance or microorganism that stimulates natural processes in plants, leading to:

• Better nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency

• Increased tolerance to abiotic stress (drought, salinity, heat)

• Improved soil health and crop quality

Key biostimulant benefits include:

1. Boosting germination and early growth

2. Supporting root development and nutrient access

3. Enhancing stress tolerance under drought or poor soils

4. Improving yields and crop quality

5. Reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers

Biostimulants can be applied through foliar sprays, soil drenches, or seed treatments—making them flexible and compatible with modern farming systems.

Derived from a variety of sources, including plants, microorganisms, and complex organic materials, a biostimulant can be applied in several ways. Whether through foliar sprays, soil drenches, or seed treatments, these versatile products fit seamlessly into existing farming practices. By promoting crop quality and resilience, a plant biostimulant is helping farmers achieve sustainable productivity.

Why plant biostimulants are gaining momentum

According to McKinsey’s 2024 Global Farmer Insights, farmers prioritize productivity improvements that align with sustainable practices.

Field trials show that Arevo Booster increases:

• Plant quality by 8%

• Root development by 7%

• Yield by 4–6% per acre

This translates into stronger plants, higher productivity, and lower reliance on costly inputs. In addition, biostimulants help cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing fertilizer use and preventing nutrient runoff into waterways.

Dr. Regina Gratz, Head of Product Development at Arevo, highlights:

“This seed treatment helps farmers cultivate more efficiently while protecting the environment. It’s the result of years of research and global field testing.”

Adoption trends and challenges

Despite their benefits, biostimulants are not yet universally adopted. Farmers need clear, evidence-based information and tailored solutions to confidently integrate a biostimulant into their operations.

Common barriers include:

• Lack of awareness or technical knowledge

• Unclear return on investment (ROI)

• Variability in biostimulant formulations and performance

Arevo addresses these challenges by conducting more than 60+ field trials across geos in three continents to demonstrate product efficacy, partnering with agronomists and distributors, and providing education to ensure farmers can confidently integrate biostimulants. As a member of the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC), Arevo also contributes to global advocacy, and farmer support.

NDVI-measurements in Mulazzano. Picture: Agricola 2000

When Ettore Di Biase, test grower and Project Coordinator at Biostimulants Agricola 2000, who led the trials of Arevo Booster in Mulazzano, Italy, is asked about the ease or challenges farmers face when implementing biostimulants, he explains:

— In the case of Arevo Booster, it is a seed treatment, making it very easy for individual farmers to implement. Biostimulants is a new way of working, but my work and our field tests show that, in the end, it’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter. This helps farmers save time, increase yields, and treat the soil that feeds us all with greater care.

Environmental benefits of sustainable soybean production

Sustainable soybean farming is more than a trend; it’s a necessity for the future of agriculture. A biostimulant plays a pivotal role in this by improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing the reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This not only lowers the environmental impact but also promotes healthier soils.

• Improve nutrient use efficiency

• Reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides

• Enhance soil health by promoting beneficial microbes

• Support better water retention and reduce erosion

• Lower the carbon footprint of farming

By enhancing soil biodiversity and reducing chemical load, biostimulant benefits extend beyond productivity—they safeguard long-term soil fertility and resilience against climate stress. Biostimulants can enhance soil health for example by increasing the population of beneficial microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This helps better soil structure, improved water retention, and reduced soil erosion. Moreover, by promoting more efficient use of resources, biostimulants help reduce the carbon footprint of soybean production, making farming practices more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Looking ahead: the future of biostimulants in agriculture

As agriculture evolves, the role of biostimulants will only grow. Arevo Booster shows how innovation can deliver both productivity and sustainability:

• Easy integration as a seed treatment

• Proven improvements in germination, growth, and yield

• Stronger plants with reduced environmental impact

With ongoing research and expansion into other crops, Arevo and similar products represent a new generation of agricultural tools. By combining efficiency with ecological responsibility, they help farmers farm smarter, not harder.

Conclusion: why biostimulant benefits matter

The future of soybean farming depends on solutions that balance yield with sustainability. Biostimulants provide that balance by enhancing natural plant processes, supporting healthier soils, and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.

For farmers, the biostimulant benefits are clear: higher productivity, greater resilience, and a path toward sustainable agriculture that protects both profits and the planet.

FAQs on biostimulant benefits

1. What are the main biostimulant benefits for soybeans?
They include improved germination, stronger root growth, higher stress resilience, better nutrient efficiency, and yield improvements.

2. How do biostimulants support soil health?
By fostering beneficial microbes, improving soil structure, and reducing nutrient runoff, biostimulants create healthier, more resilient soils.

3. Do biostimulants replace fertilizers?
Not completely, but they reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers by improving nutrient efficiency and supporting natural nitrogen fixation.

4. Are biostimulants proven to increase yield?
Yes. Field trials with Arevo Booster show yield increases of 4–6% per acre, alongside improvements in quality.

5. Are they easy to use?
Yes. Products like Arevo Booster are designed as seed treatments that can be applied with standard equipment.

6. Are biostimulants environmentally safe?
Yes. They reduce chemical use, improve soil biodiversity, and lower agriculture’s environmental footprint.

References and sources

• European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC). (2024). The role of biostimulants in sustainable agriculture.

• McKinsey & Company. (2024). Global Farmer Insights Report.

• du Jardin, P. (2015). Plant biostimulants: Definition, concept, main categories, and regulation. Scientia Horticulturae, 196, 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.09.021

• Rouphael, Y., & Colla, G. (2020). Biostimulants in agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 40. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00040

• Canellas, L. P., et al. (2015). Humic substances and plant defense metabolism. Plant and Soil, 383(1–2), 3–16.