Laura Mahecha
Director, Agrochemicals
The U.S. lacks a unified federal regulation for biostimulants, relying instead on fragmented state-level systems. Federal oversight is split among various agencies: the EPA regulates plant regulators under FIFRA, the FDA oversees animal‑origin soil amendments, the USDA provides guidance, and APHIS handles genetically modified microorganisms.
Most biostimulants are registered at the state level as fertilizers or soil amendments, with varying definitions and restrictions, including prohibiting the term “biostimulant” in many states. Products making growth‑regulating claims fall under EPA pesticide rules requiring extensive data, while others follow simpler state registration pathways.
Legislative Developments Toward Standardization
The Plant Biostimulant Act, reintroduced in 2025, aims to create a federal definition, exclude biostimulants from FIFRA, standardize regulation, and mandate a USDA soil‑health study. The bill has bipartisan support but no confirmed timeline.
AAPFCO introduced a Uniform Beneficial Substances Bill in 2024, and California implemented it in 2025, an important step toward clearer definitions and streamlined processes.
Stricter Requirements for Microbial Biostimulants
Microbial biostimulants face heightened scrutiny, including:
- Strain identification
- Safety testing
- Rigorous efficacy substantiation
- Safety data tailored to product type
Key challenges include lack of federal definition, inconsistent state rules, restricted claims, and companies adding nutrients to fit fertilizer categories. Industry advocates push for national harmonization, standardized labeling, science-based safety assessments, and flexibility similar to EU models. The 2019 USDA Farm Bill Report supports the Plant Biostimulant Act as the preferred long-term solution.
Key Product and Technology Trends
Despite regulatory challenges, the market continues to expand and evolve with several key trends impacting it.
- Shift to cold enzymatic and microbial cell-factory extraction (e.g., Acadian BioSwitch) preserves laminarin and fucoidan for stress tolerance.
- Fractionated extracts (Kelpak Liquid Seaweed, Valagro MC) deliver consistent bioactive fractions for rooting, vigor, and stress resilience.
- Fermented seaweed and kelp–microbe technologies improve bioactive release, plant response, and nutrient efficiency.
- Kelp peptide & nano-emulsion technologies (Acadian A. nodosum, Kelpak Ecklonia maxima) enhance foliar uptake and early vigor.
2. Humic & Fulvic Advancements
- Reinvented via nanotechnology & carbon activation, nano-sized nutrient carriers boost fertilizer efficiency by up to 30%.
- High-purity, ultrafiltered fulvic acids offer better bioavailability, solubility, and fertigation compatibility.
- Humic acids as microbial protectants (Nexia-O, PhycoTerra ST) act as prebiotic shields for Bacillus and Azotobacter.
- Ultra-soluble humic liquids gain traction for fertigation and greenhouse systems due to clean chemistry and low residue.
3. Trichoderma Challenges
- Effectiveness varies with soil pH, temperature, and moisture, causing inconsistent field results.
- Short shelf life and costly production raise economic viability concerns.
- Some strains produce harmful secondary metabolites, risking ecological imbalance.
- Global adoption remains low due to complexity, lack of farmer education, and strain-specific targeting challenges.
Growing Adoption Across U.S. Crop Sectors
The U.S. biostimulants market is expanding due to:
- Advanced agricultural technologies
- Strong demand for sustainable farming
- Organic food market growth
- Climate change pressures
- Pest resistance to synthetic crop protection
- Innovations from leading suppliers
Products such as humic substances, seaweed extracts, and amino acids are gaining traction across fruit and nut crops, vegetables, row crops (corn, soybeans, wheat), seed treatments, and non‑crop segments.
New Edition Available: U.S. Biostimulants Market Study
Kline + Company has released the fifth edition of Biostimulants and Biofertilizer: U.S. Market Analysis and Opportunities.
This study includes:
- 2025 value and volume estimates
- Detailed database with hundreds of products, crops, suppliers, and brands
- Five‑year forecasts
- Qualitative report analyzing key trends shaping the market
For more details or to join our webinar on February 25, 2026, please contact us.
