Biostimulant?
In the Summer 2024 edition of The Growers Solution Volume 5 Issue 3, the article "Soil Microbiology Discussion 2010" discussed how Growers Mineral, Corp. started pointing toward the importance of microbiological life in soil for economic success in agriculture. Cheap chemicals and high commodity prices allowed farmers to economically ignore the biological phase of soil. However, as fertilizer prices increased and commodity prices decreased, many in the agricultural establishment started discussing a new approach to crop production. This became quite evident when TFI (The Fertilizer Institute) officially announced the introduction of their Certified Biostimulants Program.
Growers Mineral, Corp. has been discussing the importance of soil microbiological life since 1955, and in recent years has published data showing the effect of Growers Mineral Solution (GMS) on soil microbiological life by using the microBIOMETER. By creating a uniform, balanced, and low toxicity fertility source, we felt GMS was itself a biostimulant product. The GMS success as a livestock feed supplement, especially for ruminant animals, gave more credibility to the biostimulant idea.
Therefore, research that appeared on the website seedworld.com gave more credibility to other ingredients in GMS that are important to the soil microbiological world. According to this research, seaweed extracts influence the symbiotic relationship between plants and microbes. The research says that compounds in the sea influence the soil environment favoring beneficial microbes (Rhizobium bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi) over harmful microbes.
Once again, another Dr. V.A. Tiedjens concept which influenced the price of GMS and was ridiculed by the agricultural establishment has shown a large positive when considering the soil's biological phase. As Dr. Tiedjens said in 1955, go to the field and do the test plots so the crop can talk to the farmer.
This is an excerpt from the Early Spring Growers Solution (2025) written by Jim Halbeisen, Director of Research.
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