In the field, it is common for producers to have to constantly deal with adversities that affect their crops and compromise soil conservation. This is not an easy task, and it demands the adoption of different strategies. To achieve this, the use of Biological agricultural inputs, or bioinputs, is becoming increasingly popular.

With the advancement of technology and the goal of greater sustainability, bioinputs are becoming an ecological and economic option that gives producers more freedom to efficiently manage and conserve soil.

Bioinputs are “environmentally friendly” and allow for more sustainable agriculture, representing one of the fastest growing technologies in the agricultural sector, to the point of impacting Brazilian agriculture.

What are bioinputs?

Bioinputs are products derived from natural substances that have the ability to promote the growth and development of plants naturally, in addition to protecting them against disease and pests.

According to Maurício Varela, agronomist and co-founder of agtech SIMA, these products are considered more sustainable and less aggressive for the environment compared to traditional chemical inputs.

“Bioinputs can be obtained from different natural sources, such as beneficial microorganisms, plant extracts or organic compounds, among others. They may also involve biotechnological processes, such as fermentation, extraction or the purification of natural compounds,” he adds.

The agronomist explains that biofertilizers are among the main bioinputs used in agriculture.

“Biofertilizers are composed of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which help increase the productivity and quality of plants.”

Other examples of bioinputs are seaweed extracts, which contain plant hormones and nutrients that stimulate plant growth, and biopesticides, which are composed of microorganisms and plant extracts that can be used to control pests and disease in crops.

Bioinputs used for soil conservation

In Brazilian agriculture, the use of bioinputs is increasing, contributing to a number of management practices. Specifically for improving soil characteristics, there are inoculants, according to Jerri Zilli, a researcher at Embrapa Agrobiologia.

According to the researcher, these products are defined as products containing live microorganisms that perform a certain function, such as nitrogen fixation, better plant rooting or improvements in the absorption of nutrients.

“This microbial action results in greater efficiency in the use of fertilizers and even the substitution of chemical products with biological ones. Thus, by improving the nutritional status of plants and by substituting/reducing chemical products, soil quality is inevitably improved,” Zilli emphasizes.

The researcher notes that management practices involving biological components in agricultural systems are also considered bioinputs.

“Practices that lead to the additional of organic matter in the soil, prevent diseases and improve the use of nutrients will certainly contribute to the improvement of soil quality,” he points out.

Benefits of bioinputs for soil conservation

There are many possibilities for using bioinputs to improve soil characteristics. These benefits can be obtained in several ways, as described by Varela, co-founder of agtech SIMA:

  • Improved soil fertility: biofertilizers and organic compounds, for example, can add important nutrients to the soil, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, improving soil fertility and productivity;
  • Improved soil health: biofertilizers and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, for example, can help improve soil health, providing beneficial microorganisms that promote root development and nitrogen fixation;
  • Increased water retention in the soil: the use of humic and fulvic acid, for example, can improve the soil’s ability to retain water. “This potential is especially important in areas where water scarcity is a problem,” emphasizes Varela;
  • Biological control of pests and diseases: biopesticides and microorganisms used for the biological control of plant diseases, for example, can help to control pests and disease in plants in a natural way, without the use of chemical pesticides;
  • Plant growth: biostimulants, such as plant extracts and plant hormones, for example, can stimulate plant growth, improving nutrient uptake and tolerance to environmental stresses.

Faced with these many options, Varela observes that the selection of an appropriate bioinput should take into account the specific characteristics of the soil and the crop. “Only in this way will the producer be able to obtain the best results,” he explains.

In addition, the use of bioinputs should be strategically planned and carried out, taking into account the climatic conditions and the objectives of the producer.

Recommendations for choosing the best bioinput for each need

Bioinputs are not miraculous, but rather products that can help the producer in agricultural management. In view of this, Jerri Zilli emphasizes that it is important to understand what the agricultural system needs.

“If the soil is poor in organic matter, the producer should adopt practices that promote the improvement of this characteristic. On the other hand, if the goal is to supply nitrogen to soybeans, inoculation with Bradyrhizobium is necessary.”

The Embrapa Agrobiologia researcher adds: “If the objective is to improve the use of nutrients in corn crops, for example, Azospirillum and Bacillus and many fungi are used in products to improve the development of plant roots and the absorption of nutrients in the soil.”

To complement, Maurício Varela offers some important tips for choosing the ideal bioinputs:

  • Carry out a soil analysis to determine which nutrients are lacking and which are in excess;
  • Assess the needs of the crop in question;
  • Verify the composition of bioinputs;
  • Take into account climatic conditions, which can influence the efficiency of bioinputs. “In areas with a dry climate, for example, bioinputs that help retain water in the soil may be more appropriate,” Varela notes;
  • Evaluate compatibility. Some bioinputs can interact with other inputs, affecting their effectiveness;
  • Seek professional advice.

Following these tips, any producer will be able to choose the best bioinputs to improve soil characteristics and promote the healthy growth of crops.