Presentations
T9
Specialty Session
Tue, Dec 19, 2023
9:00am to 9:50am
T2
Specialty Session
Tue, Dec 19, 2023
2:00pm to 2:50pm
An Overview of Crop Biostimulants: Do They Work and What Can You Expect?
Crop biostimulants are compounds and/or microorganisms applied to plants with the intent of increasing marketable yield by enhancing one or more of the following: growth, quality, nutrient uptake, and tolerance to disease or abiotic stress. Numerous commercial products have been manufactured and sold under many trade names with various claims about their efficacy, often based on testimonials. Despite uncertainty about their efficacy, sales of these products continue to be among the fastest growing sectors of the agricultural industry. This talk will explore the various classes of biostimulants being used, their possible mode of action, and when available, their effects on yield based on replicated research trials.
Speaker
Carl Rosen
Carl Rosen is a Professor and Extension Soil Scientist and former Department Head in the Department of Soil, Water, & Climate at the University of Minnesota. He received his MS degree in Horticulture from Penn State University and a Ph.D. degree in Soil Science from UC Davis. His research and extension programs in Minnesota have focused on optimizing nutrient management for a variety of crops with particular emphasis on irrigated cropping systems. Efforts in recent years have also focused on water quality issues related to fertilizer use and use of municipal and industrial by-products as amendments for agricultural soils. He has authored or coauthored numerous publications and extension bulletins on the subjects of nutrient management, soil fertility, soil health, plant nutrition, and beneficial use of by-products for crop production.