Synergistic approaches with biopesticides and biostimulants in organic farming

The combination of increased biotic pressure and the impact of climate change has accelerated the urgent need for change. The research seeks to expand farmers’ solutions and provide effective tools to reduce these issues. The set goal is to achieve sustainability targets (environmental, economic and social), food and nutrition security without disfiguring the health of agroecosystems. Accordingly, the GREEN DEAL has set a milestone goal of allocating 25% of farmland to organic farming by 2030. In recent years, the need for a radical change has spurred interest in plant biostimulants and biopesticides. Interest in these two classes of bioproducts is increasingly on the rise as underscored by data from global markets. This short review outlines the main problems associated with organic farming and presents bio-solutions to limit potential yield losses: biopesticides and biostimulants. Although the targets of these products are well defined and characterized, the next innovation in organic farming could involve the use of hybrid bioproducts. The latter could offer synergistic benefits due to their compatibility and independence in terms of both molecular and physiological targets and mechanisms of action in plants.