Biostimulant

Application of Polyaspartic Acid (PASP) as a Biostimulant in Sustainable Agriculture

With the growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture, biostimulants have gained wide attention as environmentally friendly agricultural inputs. Polyaspartic acid (PASP), a biomimetic synthetic biopolymer, demonstrates great application potential in the field of biostimulants due to its unique biological activity and environmental compatibility.

Advantages of Polyaspartic Acid

1. Excellent Biocompatibility
PASP has a structure similar to naturally occurring aspartic acid polymers and shows outstanding biodegradability. It can completely degrade into harmless substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia, leaving no residual pollution.

2. Multifunctional Bioactivity
Its molecular structure is rich in carboxyl groups, giving PASP chelating, dispersing, and adsorbing functions. These properties allow it to effectively regulate plant physiological metabolism and enhance stress resistance.

3. Safe and Reliable Use
Non-toxic and harmless, PASP is safe for crops, soil microorganisms, humans, and animals. It is suitable for organic farming and green food production.

Mechanisms of Action

1. Signal Transduction Regulation
By mimicking natural oligosaccharide signal molecules, PASP activates plant immune response systems and induces the expression of disease-resistance-related protein genes, thereby enhancing systemic resistance. Studies show that PASP treatment can increase the expression of resistance-related genes by 2–3 times.

2. Metabolic Balance Regulation
PASP influences the synthesis and metabolism of endogenous plant hormones, promoting root development and nutrient uptake. Experiments indicate that root surface area can increase by 40–60%, while nutrient uptake efficiency improves by more than 30%.

3. Stress Protection Mechanism
PASP helps maintain cell membrane integrity, reduces oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity. Under drought stress, it can lower malondialdehyde content by 35–50% and increase SOD activity by 40%.

Verified Application Effects

1. Promotes Growth and Development

• Seed germination rate increases by 15–25%

• Seedling biomass increases by 30–45%

• Growth period shortens by 3–5 days

2. Enhances Stress Tolerance

• Drought resistance: water-use efficiency improves by 40%

• Salt tolerance: survival rate under salinity stress increases by 50%

• Cold resistance: low-temperature injury index decreases by 35%

3. Improves Quality Characteristics

• Soluble solids in fruits and vegetables increase by 1–2 °Brix

• Vitamin C content increases by 20–30%

• Shelf life of agricultural products extends by 25%

Application Techniques

1. Seed Treatment Technology
Soak seeds in a solution of 50–100 mg/L for 2–4 hours to significantly improve seed vigor and seedling quality.

2. Irrigation Application
Apply through drip irrigation at a recommended concentration of 30–50 mg/L, with a dosage of 5–8 g per mu (≈667 m²).

3. Foliar Spray Technology
Spray at a concentration of 0.01–0.03% during key crop growth stages, 2–3 times per cycle.

Precautions

1. Avoid mixing with strong acid or alkali pesticides.

2. Apply preferably in the early morning or late afternoon.

3. Store in a cool, dry place.

4. Adjust concentration according to crop sensitivity.

Development Prospects

1. Organic Agriculture Application
As a biostimulant eligible for organic certification, PASP can replace chemical agents in organic farming, enhancing efficiency in organic production systems.

2. Marginal Land Improvement
By enhancing crop stress tolerance, PASP increases the utilization efficiency of marginal lands under drought or saline–alkaline conditions.

3. Integration with Precision Agriculture
When combined with modern technologies such as smart irrigation and drone spraying, PASP enables precise regulation and efficient utilization.

4. Seed Technology Integration
Development of specialized seed coatings and seed treatment technologies can improve seed quality and planting efficiency.

Polyaspartic acid (PASP), as a multifunctional biostimulant, effectively regulates plant physiological metabolism, improves stress tolerance, and enhances crop yield and quality. It plays a crucial role in driving the green transformation of agriculture. With deeper research into its mechanisms and continuous innovation in application technologies, PASP will see broader applications in modern agriculture, providing strong technical support for sustainable agricultural development.