A new report from IDTechEx of England says biologicals could replace chemical pesticides and fertilizer and make the industry worth $19.5 billion by 2031.
But there are challenges in reaching that goal such as lack of efficiency and consistency with some of the products so far on the market.
Biostimulants can be applied to plants or soils to improve nutrient uptake and tolerance to stresses.
One is PROVEN, a product from Pivot Bio of California that uses genetically-engineered nitrogen-fixing bacteria to boost nutrient uptake in corn crops.
Biopesticides are microbes or natural products that are less toxic and more targeted to specific pests than chemicals. They inflict less harm on the environment and non-pest insects, moulds and fungi.
Biopesticides often work via multiple modes of action or avoid killing the pests, making the development of resistance less likely.
Biofertilizers such as manure and plowed-down cover crops and crop residues are well known and widely used.
