Laura Mahecha
Director, Agrochemicals
Biologicals Rising in Agriculture
Demand for biological agricultural products continues to grow as farmers seek more sustainable ways to manage crops. Biologicals are increasingly central to integrated pest management (IPM) and regenerative agriculture, helping reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, improving soil health, and supporting long-term productivity.
According to Kline Group’s global biopesticide market analysis, this momentum is not only farmer-driven but also fueled by innovation in biological solutions. Biopesticides and biostimulants, once distinct categories, are now beginning to overlap—particularly with strains like Bacillus and Trichoderma that provide both crop protection and plant growth benefits.
Bacillus: A Versatile Biological
Bacillus strains are unique in their ability to function as both biopesticides and biostimulants.
As biopesticides, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces crystal proteins that are toxic to insect larvae, while other Bacillus species generate lipopeptides such as surfactin and iturin that inhibit fungal and bacterial pathogens.
As biostimulants, Bacillus promotes growth by producing phytohormones (e.g., auxins), enhancing nutrient uptake (e.g., phosphorus solubilization), and inducing systemic resistance (ISR), which primes plants to better withstand disease.
Commercial examples highlight this dual role:
Serenade ASO (Bayer) — contains Bacillus subtilis QST 713, providing fungicidal and bactericidal protection.
Double Nickel 55 (Certis) — a biofungicide featuring Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747.
Trichoderma: Market Leader in Fungal Biopesticides
Trichoderma species are widely used to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi and have become the dominant strain in the global fungal biopesticide market, accounting for over 60% of biological control agents (BCAs).
Leading brands include:
RootShield (BioWorks): Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 for root disease suppression and growth promotion.
TrichoPlus (Biotech International): Trichoderma viride for soil-borne disease control.
Eco-T (Andermatt Biocontrol): Trichoderma atroviride for seed and soil treatments.
Regulatory Complexities and Market Shifts
While the biological sector is growing, regulatory challenges remain:
Biopesticides generally face a more structured but often lengthy approval process.
Biostimulants encounter fragmented, less defined regulations that vary widely by region.
At the same time, the market is evolving toward combination products that merge multiple biological functions. Examples include:
BioGrow — blends plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and beneficial fungi.
VAM-Endo Mix — combines mycorrhizae with Trichoderma and Bacillus for comprehensive soil health improvement.
Kline Group’s Ongoing Research
Kline is actively tracking these shifts. Our upcoming global biopesticides study, covering 14 countries, will be released in September 2025. In addition, we are launching new U.S. biostimulants research, scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
For more information on how Kline’s market intelligence can help guide your biologicals strategy, please contact us.
