Maximizing Crop Potential with Next-Generation Biostimulants

For more than 60 years, Valent BioSciences has been driving innovation and adoption of biological crop inputs around the world. Every single day, we’re driven by our desire to help growers solve challenges and get the most out of their crop inputs. Next-generation biostimulants are one category of tools that can help growers maximize their crop potential.

Biostimulants create many different desired benefits in plants. Biostimulant effects such as larger leaf area, increased root growth or enhanced nutrient storage can ultimately result in healthier, more productive and more resilient crops. Enhancing plant physiological functions often yields good results; however, we must remember that during these periods of enhanced function, the plant is allocating its resources toward the new growth initiated by a biostimulant application — a brief period of heightened physiological function commonly known as transient deficiency.

For the highest-performing crops, this temporary period of resource allocation is an opportunity. We call it the Optimization Window. The Optimization Window is a period of time after applying the biostimulant during which the crop has the opportunity to increase its potential for crop quality and yield and improve its performance as long as it has the proper resources. Next-generation biostimulant programs not only initiate the Optimization Window but are designed to help crops fully capitalize on it through synergistic technologies and complementary nutrition.

The Science Behind the Optimization Window

Nutrients are essential for plant growth. Different crops and environments demand nutrients in unique ways. Uptake of nutrients can be altered by changes to the plant physiology, transporter systems and the soil itself. The three main factors that can alter a plant’s nutrient uptake are:

1. Root morphology changes
2. Regulation of the plant’s transporter systems
3. Alterations to the rhizosphere

Root Morphology Changes

Take arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as an example of how resource allocation can improve the plant’s performance. AMF expands the root zone by up to 50 times, improving access to water and nutrients. To support the fungi, plants release root exudates—an energy investment that creates an Optimization Window. This symbiotic relationship boosts plant performance, resulting in increased nutrient and water uptake, improved soil structure and, ultimately, improved plant performance.

Regulation of the Plant’s Transporter Systems

Some biostimulants can influence how plants regulate transporter systems. These effects typically fall into two categories: nutrients and water.

Nutrients: Biostimulants that increase leaf area can trigger higher demand for iron and manganese to sustain photosynthesis. Supplying these nutrients during the Optimization Window supports stronger growth and canopy development.

Water: During heat or drought, potassium helps regulate stomatal function. If a biostimulant enhances stomatal performance, adequate potassium levels are essential to sustain that improvement.

Alterations to the Rhizosphere

Biostimulants can directly influence the rhizosphere through biochemical and chemical pathways. For example, some biostimulants can unlock nutrients that are usually tied up in the soil, making them available to plants, while others can help increase plant access to the nutrients.

Dig Deeper into the Optimization Window: Explore the Science Driving Tomorrow’s Biostimulant Performance

Recognizing and supporting the Optimization Window is key to helping crops reach their full potential. By understanding when plants are reallocating resources and how next-generation biostimulants support enhanced function during that time, growers can help their crops reach the highest potential performance and yield. To learn more about the Optimization Window, visit us at Commodity Classic booth #1443 and join our Learning Center session from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, where we’ll explore the science behind the Optimization Window and share how you can put it to work in your operation.