Biostimulants: Innovation for production?
Be the author and researcher of more than 200 scientific studies published in specialized portals, have the support of institutions and universities worldwide for their work, in addition to his PhD Academic Title, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of Gembloux University de Liège (Belgium) give Patrick Du Jardin great prestige.
The second edition of international seminars offered by the organization Blueberries Consulting in Spain, will be held at the Meliá Avenida América Hotel in Madrid and will be the ideal place for Mr. Du Jardin to answer the question of whether the use of biostimulants is an innovation with regard to the sustainable production of cranberry cultivation.
It will also allow you to present about the works and research carried out on this topic. Those attending this event will be able to see first hand some results and practices that the professor has developed in the last time.
The Belgian specialist has dedicated most of his professional activity to the study of plants In 1996, as head of the Plant Biology Unit of the Faculty of Gembloux, he guided the research of his team towards the physiology of plants and tools biotechnology in this perspective.
In this context, Du Jardin developed his experience in genetically modified vegetables and crops and has been participating for years in committees of experts involved in the public assessment of risks in terms of genetics in Europe.
He currently serves as Vice President of the Panel of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA for its acronym in English, Parma, Italy), which is composed of a group of scientists, who are dedicated to assess the risks associated with GMOs in Europe.
This multidisciplinary approach to agricultural research and technological innovation is reinforced by its participation in international ethics committees, such as the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) and the Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (Cirad) with headquarters in France.
On the other hand, Du Jardin has repeatedly expressed his need to share his knowledge, so he decided to publicize his professional experience through another of his passions: Teaching. For this reason he became a professor of plant biology at the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech School, a unit of which he was also Dean from the 2007-2009.
This would be the second participation as rapporteur of Patrick Du Jardin in activities related to our organization. Last May, the specialist was also part of the Seminar program in Lima, Peru.
To discuss
The scientist Patrick Du Jardin defines biostimulants as substances or microorganisms that, when applied to plants, are capable of improving their performance in terms of absorption or assimilation of stimulants.
He points out that when a biostimulant is applied to plants, it improves their tolerance to biotic or abiotic stress, which eventually allows the plant to improve some of its agronomic characteristics, regardless of the content of nutrients contained in the substance itself.
In this line, the academic talked with us about marine algae, one of the most efficient biostimulants known, and whose varieties can be used for the cultivation of blueberries and other species of horticultural nature.
The theory of Du Jardin is supported by various scientific studies, which indicate that since the twentieth century these organisms have been used within the agricultural industry in various parts of the world, this because they have a host of properties that make them ideal for the growth of plants, fruits and vegetables.
The scientist points out that algae are composed of "very special" substances, especially in their cell walls. On these, it highlights components such as: bioantioxidants, both liposoluble (phospholipids, carotenoids, xanthophiles, tocopherol) and water soluble (polyphenols: Floroglucinol or florotannin polymers, bromophenols, enzymes: superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalases, glutathione and ascorbate-peroxidases , vitamin C).
"The algae also have polysaccharides and sugars that reinforce their ability to deal with the natural defense they have. That is, they have a greater ability to recover from any type of abiotic stress, such as hydric, saline or thermal, "answers Du Jardin.
Organic nitrogen
The intervention of the human being in practically all his daily tasks has caused terrible damage to our Earth. And the floors, of course, are not exempt from that unfavorable condition, which could be completely irreversible.
The presence of nitrogen in soils is proof of this, especially since they are a component that appears to a large extent in fertilizers. Studies suggest that the excess of this chemical element could be responsible for the damage of some agricultural land in certain areas of the world.
In the opinion of Patrick Du Jardin, the pollution caused by nitrogen is "imminent". For the scientist, the problem grows because it becomes more difficult to remove it from surfaces, because "the more you try to burn it, the danger of volatilization of this compound increases in the soil".
But the agronomist does not give up everything for lost and highlights the fact that algae are organisms rich in “organic nitrogen”, a substance that results from the combination of molecules such as proteins, amines and amino acids.
About the type of algae that can be considered "more relevant" for crops, Du Jardin talks about browns, which are classified as pheophytes. "As for taxonomy, the brown algae, which are larger, are the most relevant. This is because they are a very important source of organic nitrogen, "he says.
He adds that in this variety are high concentrations of vitamins, carbohydrates, lipids and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, which is why they are the most appropriate at the time of nourishing the soil where the plants will be planted. crops.
The expert admits that many of the substances that have some types of algae are still unknown, while mentioning that greater efforts are being made to study the bioactive compounds that exist within these marine organisms, in order to make more specific contributions in this matter. .
New tendencies
Mr. Patrick Du Jardin observes positively the implementation of waste from other plants or vegetables to generate new plantations. "I think it's an interesting perspective to see how we can use plant remains and prepare extracts from their bioactive compounds," says the Belgian researcher.
In this regard, the scientist mentions a study carried out by an Italian research group, although he does not need details, he says that the experiment was based on using extracts of berries, and that these were added to the main plants in the crops.
"By using the berry extract, by applying it to the main plant, the physiology of that plant can be modified. Perhaps because they are related to different bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, which in turn have an impact on the metabolism of berries, "explains Du Jardin.
Highlight that this trend goes hand in hand with the call to be more responsible with our natural resources, because it considers that when you learn to use waste and "bioproducts", you are in better tune with the environment and its care.
Regulation: Cause of controversy
According to the website of the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Agronutrients (AEFA) the use of extracts of algae is being regulated by the respective legislations of various countries in Europe.
On the subject, Patrick Du Jardin admits not being a specialist, but says he is optimistic that there will be a council in the parliaments where the issue is discussed. He insists that there are no risks associated with the use of biostimulants and invites political actors to treat the issue with more awareness so that there are agreements between countries.
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