Why in the News?

India now has a comprehensive regulatory framework for biostimulants, placing it among the few countries with such dedicated oversight.

What are Biostimulants?

Definition: Under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, Clause 20C, biostimulants are substances or micro-organisms that stimulate plant processes to improve nutrient uptake, growth, yield, crop quality, efficiency, and stress tolerance.
Exclusion: They are not pesticides or plant growth regulators, which fall under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
Categories (Schedule VI, FCO): Botanical extracts (including seaweed), protein hydrolysates and amino acids, vitamins, biochemicals, antioxidants, anti-transpirants, humic and fulvic acids, cell-free microbial products, and live micro-organisms (excluding biofertilizers/biopesticides).

Before 2021: Nearly 30,000 unregulated products in Indian markets.
Feb 2021: Included under FCO; provisional registration system (G3 certificates) introduced; about 8,000 products approved temporarily.
Current Status: Only 146 products formally notified in Schedule VI.

2021: Biostimulants legally recognised under FCO.
2023–24: Provisional validity extended to avoid disruption.
2025:
- Live micro-organisms (excluding biofertilizers/biopesticides) added as a category.
- Pesticide residue limit raised from 0.01 ppm to 1 ppm.
- Stricter quality testing, labelling, and safety standards enforced.
- Provisional system discontinued.

Protects farmers from spurious/unproven products.
Encourages validated indigenous products under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Establishes quality, safety, and labelling standards through Gazette notifications.
Makes India one of the few countries with a dedicated Biostimulant law, balancing farmer welfare, environmental safety, innovation, and regulation.

[UPSC 2013] Consider the following organisms:

1.Agaricus 2.Nostoc 3.Spirogyra

Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?

Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only