Grapevine: Understanding the Mode of Action of a Biostimulant

Objective

A biostimulant manufacturer asked us to investigate the Mode of Action (MoA) of its product to understand how it influences photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal regulation in grapevine under varying water availability.

Approach

We carried out a controlled-environment trial on grapevine plants to evaluate water consumption, photosynthesis, and water potential parameters.

Using lysimeters and gas-exchange measurements, we correlated real-time water use with physiological activity, enabling a detailed analysis of plant responses to irrigation and drought stress.

Results

The biostimulant significantly reduced water consumption throughout the experiment.

Photosynthetic rate and water-use efficiency increased as water stress intensified.

Treated plants showed greater extractive capacity, maintaining water uptake even under reduced soil moisture.

Core Insight

The biostimulant optimizes plant water management — saving water in normal conditions and improving resilience under drought.