Surveys from the past several years show that about 50% of farmers have not tried using biologicals because they feel uneducated about them, according to Dr. Pam Marrone. A renowned innovator and co-founder of Invasive Species Corp., Marrone has successfully launched four ag biologicals  companies and holds over 400 patents, one of which is a biological that replaces the need for neoinsecticide treatments in corn.

Marrone breaks down biologicals into 6 categories: biopesticides, biocontrols, bioprotectants, biostimulants, biofertilizers and bionutrients. Biostimulants, Marrone says, support a plant’s natural nutrition process and are not yet regulated by the EPA. The EPA also does not regulate biofertilizers or bionutrients.

Not to be confused with micronutrients, which are directly a nutrient the plant needs, biologicals benefit plants in other ways, Marrone says.

“Your micronutrient mix package is really designed to enhance something that you need, whereas the biologicals are reducing crop and water stress and helping the nutrients you deliver be more efficiently taken up.”

Rapid Evolution

If a no-tiller used biologicals in the past and didn't see a benefit, Marrone encourages them to try again. Advancements in the formulations have overcome hurdles that previously blocked particular microbes from being effective. For example, biologicals companies now better understand the adverse effects that certain adjuvants may have on their products. 

“The change happens…