Biostimulants For Climate-Smart Farming: Improving Carbon Retention And Yield In Maize Systems

Agricultural intensification has contributed to rising greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2 ), highlighting the need for management strategies that enhance carbon retention while maintaining crop productivity. Soil biostimulants that stimulate microbial activity and plant growth may help improve carbon-use efficiency in agricultural systems. This study evaluated the effects of a microbial biostimulant formulation on soil biological activity, carbon dynamics, and maize productivity. The research was conducted in three stages: (i) laboratory incubation to assess microbial activity and soil respiration under different biostimulant dosages; (ii) field evaluation of CO2 emissions in maize cultivated with and without the biostimulant; and (iii) assessment of plant development and carbon retention in biomass during the crop cycle. Biostimulant application increased microbial activity and plant biomass production, resulting in greater carbon retention in plant tissues. Although soil respiration increased in treated soils, higher biomass production partially offset carbon losses by increasing carbon incorporation into plant and microbial biomass. When emissions were analyzed relative to grain yield, the treated system showed improved carbon-use efficiency, with lower CO2 emissions per unit of grain produced compared with the control. These results suggest that microbial biostimulant applications may contribute to climate-smart agricultural practices by enhancing soil biological functioning, improving crop productivity, and increasing carbon retention in agroecosystems. However, long-term and multi-site studies are needed to better quantify net carbon balances and to assess the broader climate mitigation potential of such approaches. Keywords: Low-carbon agriculture; Microbial biostimulant; Soil biological quality; Agricultural sustainability; Climate change mitigation Lowcarbon agriculture; Microbial biostimulant; Soil biological quality; Agricultural sustainability; Climate change mitigation.