Crop Innovation Hearing Targets Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025

23 July 2025, Arlington: The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today applauded the House Agriculture Committee for highlighting the important role plant biostimulants can play in advancing agricultural innovation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship during today’s hearing, “Past Breakthroughs and Future Innovations in Crop Production.”

“Biostimulants are among the most promising innovations in agriculture today,” said TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “They help farmers do more with less by enhancing nutrient efficiency, improving soil health, boosting crop resilience, and promoting sustainability. These products are vital tools for farmers working to meet the world’s growing food needs while protecting the environment.”

Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy for TFI member Nutrien Ag Solutions, reinforced that message in his testimony before the Committee, calling biostimulants “tools that are increasingly vital for our growers to manage their day-to-day operations..”

“Plant biostimulants work by enhancing the plant’s natural processes and have been shown to boost nutrient uptake, improve stress tolerance, and support overall plant and soil health,” Wyant explained. “biostimulants work by enhancing the plant’s or the soil’s natural processes—boosting nutrient release and uptake, improving stress tolerance to heat and cold, and supporting overall plant and soil health.”

Despite their growing importance, biostimulants face regulatory hurdles due to the lack of a clear federal definition, a problem addressed by the bipartisan Plant Biostimulants Act of 2025. Introduced by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Jim Baird (R-IN) in the House and Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) in the Senate, this legislation would establish a clear, science-based federal definition for biostimulants, provide regulatory consistency across states, and align U.S. standards with global trading partners.

“Without a federal definition, inconsistency in evidence-based, regulatory qualification standards, and the risk of misclassification under federal laws like the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act,(FIFRA) remain,” Wyant told members of the committee. Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) added during the hearing that “we need smarter safer solutions….we must give our farmers the tools they need to succeed.  I believe innovation is how we make the biggest move forward.  We can use microbes to help us grow crops…but the path from laboratory to farm field remains to long and to uncertain.”   Including the legislation in the upcoming Farm Bill would be a major step forward for American agriculture and would equip our farmers with the tools they need to meet the challenges of the future.

The Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 will ensure American agriculture remains a leader in sustainability and productivity by encouraging broader adoption of sustainable farming practices, spurring private investment in biostimulant research and development, and help the U.S. stay competitive with growers in Brazil, China, and the European Union.

Also Read: Verdesian Life Sciences Appoints RK Goyal as Head of Asia Commercial Operations

📢 If You’re in Agriculture, Make Sure the Right People Hear Your Story.
From product launches to strategic announcements, Global Agriculture offers unmatched visibility across international agri-business markets. Connect with us at pr@global-agriculture.com to explore editorial and advertising opportunities that reach the right audience, worldwide.