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Humic acid (HA) is widely used in agriculture as a biostimulant to enhance plant growth and nutrient uptake. Studies on the early growth promotion of agarwood seedlings using plant biostimulants have not been explored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to extract and characterize peat-derived HA and to determine the optimum rate that would exert biostimulant action on the early growth of agarwood seedlings at the nursery stage. HA was extracted from peat soil using a modified rapid alkaline hydrolysis method. Produced peat humic acid (PHA) was compared with commercial humic acid (CHA) for its chemical and spectroscopic characteristics. One-month-old agarwood seedlings were treated with PHA at different rates (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg kg−1) before the commencement of the experiment. The study was conducted for four months. The C/N ratio of both PHA and CHA were 25.85 and 26.93, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra observation reveals that PHA and CHA have similar surface morphology and functional groups respectively. Results revealed that agarwood seedlings treated with 80 mg kg−1 of PHA significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, the number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter weight, N and P concentrations in plant tissues, and N, P and K uptakes. Based on the findings, incorporation of PHA at the rate of 80 mg kg−1 with planting medium could be used as an optimum rate to enhance the growth of agarwood seedlings in the nursery stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of biostimulant treatments on Passiflora species was assessed by observing changes in the growth and leaf functional compounds of plants exposed to humic acids (HAs) and seaweed extracts (SEs) to determine their optimal application doses. Four different concentrations of HA irrigation (0, 144, 192, and 285 mg·L-1 per pot assigned as HI-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively), HA spraying (0, 96, 128, and 192 mg·L-1 as HS-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively), SE irrigation (SI-1~4 at 0, 1, 1.33, and 2 g·L21 per pot, respectively), and SE spraying (SS-1~4 at 0, 0.5, 0.67, and 1 g·L21, respectively) treatments were applied to 'Tainung No. 1' and Passiflora suberosa cultivars every week to study their responses in plant growth traits and metabolites. Results show that leaf dry weight (DW) and root DW of 'Tainung No. 1' plants under SS-3 and HI-4 treatments, respectively, were significantly increased compared with controls. Both HI-3 and HS-3 treatments remarkably increased vine length, fresh weight (FW), and DW of leaves and shoots in P. suberosa plants compared with controls. Furthermore, 'Tainung No. 1' and P. suberosa plants respectively subjected to HI-2 and SS-4 treatments contributed to developing biostimulant applications for obtaining higher total phenol and flavonoid content per plant. Both Passiflora species are recommended for treatment with SS-4 and SE to maximize orientin and isovitexin content, and for all their beneficial applications and sustainable use in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substances produced by plants have huge importance regulating multiple functions as germination, development promoter/ enhancer, yield increaser and activator of plant defense system against diseases and pests. Due to diversity, each plant species produces different compounds and in different concentrations. This research evaluated the role of 20 plants extracts obtained from different plant species or plant tissues on seed germination and seedlings establishment of maize and lettuce, in concentration of 5%, 10% or 20%. For this, two experiments were carried out, the first analyzing 20 plant extracts and the effects on germination percentage and root and shoot length based on the germination test for the two species. The second was carried out in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design with three and ten repetitions for maize and lettuce, respectively, using only the three extracts with the best results from the first experiment. Seedling height and seedling dry matter were evaluated. To germination test most of extracts showed negative or no effects in both species. Only Conyza bonariensis at 5% and Richardia brasiliensis at 5% and 20% had positive effects on early seedling growth, increasing the seedlings length for maize seedlings. To seedlings establishment, Conyza bonariensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Richardia brasiliensis extracts did not show statistical difference to shoots height but increased the dry mass of shoots and roots. The results demonstrated that these plants extract have potential as growth promoters and can be a good option to a better seedling growth and establishment, collaborating to a more effective agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biostimulants contribute to the physiological growth of plants by enhancing the quality characteristics of fruit without harming the environment. In addition, biostimulants applied to plants strengthen nutritional efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, and fruit biochemical traits. We investigated the effectiveness of specific organic biostimulants. Five treatments were tested: (1) control (H2O, no biostimulants); (2) Magnablue + Keyplex 350 (Mgl + Kpl350); (3) Cropobiolife + Keyplex 120 (Cpl + Kpl120); (4) Keyplex 120 (Kpl120); and (5) Magnablue + Cropobiolife + Keyplex 120 (Mgl + Cpl + Kpl120) on the mineral uptake and physiology in black chokeberry (Aronia) plants, as well as the quality of their berries. The different treatments were applied to three-year-old chokeberry plants, and the experimental process in the field lasted from May to September 2022 until the harvest of ripe fruits. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) revealed that the fifth treatment significantly increased concentrations of P, Ca, and K. Additionally, the fifth treatment enhanced photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), water-splitting efficiency (Fv/Fo) in PSII, and the performance index (PI) of both PSI and PSII in chokeberry leaves. Improvements in photosynthesis, such as CO2 assimilation (A), transpiration (E), and water-use efficiency (A/E), were also noted under biostimulant applications. Upon harvesting the ripe fruits, part of them was placed at room temperature at 25 °C, while the rest were stored at 4 °C, RH 90% for 7 days. The cultivation with biostimulants had beneficial effects on the maintenance of flesh consistency, ascorbic acid concentration, and weight of berries at 4 and 25 °C, especially in the 5th treatment. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin concentration, and total phenols of the berries were notably higher in the third and fifth treatments compared to the control. These data suggest that selecting appropriate biostimulants can enhance plant yield and fruit quality by potentially activating secondary metabolite pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olive tree is well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, but how orchards based on intensive practices will respond to increasing drought is unknown. This study aimed to determine if the application of a commercial biostimulant improves olive tolerance to drought. Potted plants (cultivars Arbequina and Galega) were pre-treated with an extract of Ascophyllum nodosum (four applications, 200 mL of 0.50 g/L extract per plant), and were then well irrigated (100% field capacity) or exposed to water deficit (50% field capacity) for 69 days. Plant height, photosynthesis, water status, pigments, lipophilic compounds, and the expression of stress protective genes (OeDHN1—protective proteins' dehydrin; OePIP1.1—aquaporin; and OeHSP18.3—heat shock proteins) were analyzed. Water deficit negatively affected olive physiology, but the biostimulant mitigated these damages through the modulation of molecular and physiological processes according to the cultivar and irrigation. A. nodosum benefits were more expressive under water deficit, particularly in Galega, promoting height (increase of 15%) and photosynthesis (increase of 34%), modulating the stomatal aperture through the regulation of OePIP1.1 expression, and keeping OeDHN1 and OeHSP18.3 upregulated to strengthen stress protection. In both cultivars, biostimulant promoted carbohydrate accumulation and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE). Under good irrigation, biostimulant increased energy availability and iWUE in Galega. These data highlight the potential of this biostimulant to improve olive performance, providing higher tolerance to overcome climate change scenarios. The use of this biostimulant can improve the establishment of younger olive trees in the field, strengthen the plant's capacity to withstand field stresses, and lead to higher growth and crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae extracts may be a promising alternative to harmful chemicals and pesticides used commercially in the cultivation of plants with higher nutritional and health-promoting values. The cultivation of barley microgreens (Hordeum vulgare L.) was facilitated by the use of aqueous extracts from Fucus vesiculosus algae, which served as a biostimulant. Seeds for experiments were produced in accordance with EU standards, certified as organic and used to grow plants in a controlled pot experiment. A qualitative analysis of the extract, which was used to irrigate the plants, was also performed in this study, as well as stimulating properties by activating the system protecting against oxidative stress. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFV) and enzymes involved in their formation such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), as well as enzymes involved in the removal of reactive oxygen species such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were determined in the obtained microgreen samples. Antioxidant activity against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was also evaluated. A noticeable increase in SOD content and antioxidant activity against DPPH was observed in barley microgreen samples after extract treatment. These results suggest that the use of extracts of this beneficial alga can enhance the antioxidant activity of the barley microgreens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although chemical fertilization has gained a lot of attention due to its ability to increase the yield of fruit trees, it has been known to cause numerous environmental problems such as soil deterioration, alleviating beneficial microorganisms, and reducing fruit quality and safety. Hence, today, we aim to reduce these problems by using eco-friendly and sustainable biostimulants to promote nutritional status, yield, and quality. The effect of wood vinegar (WV) on mango production has yet to be investigated. Therefore, a field trial was conducted during the 2023 and 2024 seasons to evaluate the regulatory effect of individual and combined application of wood vinegar (WV), seaweed extract (SW), and humic acid (HA) on the performance of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Ewais. The results revealed that all treatments had a pronounced effect and significantly improved the total chlorophyll content (107.7 and 106.6%), leaf N (2.02 and 2.23%), P (0.38 and 0.4), and K (1.07 and 1.13%), as well as enhancing the quality of mango fruits by increasing fruit length (11.68 and 12.38 cm), fruit width (7.8 and 8.59 cm), total sugars (40 and 37.3%), and TSS (21.9 and 20.8%) while reducing the total acidity (64.3 and 69.0%) in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively, compared with the control. Based on this study, the treatment of 2 L/ha seaweed + 2 L/ha humic acid + 2 L/ha wood vinegar combined had the greatest effect on enhancing Ewais mango fruit yield by up-regulating leaf mineral acquisition, antioxidant response, and sugar accumulation. This study supports the application of HA and SW in combination with WV to improve mango fruit yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of biological pesticides as alternatives to chemical phytosanitary products is a natural and innovative method to improve environmental protection and sustainable agricultural production. In this work, the compatibility between Trichoderma spp. and a commercial lignin extract was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The beneficial effects of lignin in combination with different Trichoderma consortia were evaluated in terms of improved growth and quantitative and qualitative tomato productivity. T. virens GV41 + T. asperellum + T. atroviride + lignin formulation was the most effective in growth promotion and increased root and stem dry weight compared to control (45.4 and 43.9%, respectively). This combination determined a 63% increase in tomato yield compared to the control, resulting in the best-performing treatment compared to each individual constituent. Consistent differences in terms of lycopene, GABA, ornithine, total, essential, and branched-chain amino acids were revealed in fruits from tomato plants treated with Trichoderma–lignin formulations (T. asperellum + T. virens GV41 + lignin) or with the microbial consortia (T. asperellum + T. virens GV41, T. atroviride + T. virens GV41). The developed bioformulations represent a sustainable biological strategy to increase yield and produce nutritional compound-enriched vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization poses a significant challenge in agriculture, exacerbated by anthropogenic global warming. Biostimulants, derived from living microorganisms or natural extracts, have emerged as valuable tools for conventional and organic agriculture. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of biostimulants is very limited, especially in crops under real cultivation conditions. In this study, we adopted an integrative approach to investigate the effectiveness of the combined application of plant growth‐promoting bacterium (Bacillus megaterium strain BM08) and a non‐microbial biostimulant under control conditions (normal watering) and salt stress. After confirming the yield increase under both conditions, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effect by measuring a number of physiological parameters (i.e., lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, chlorophylls, total phenolics and phytohormone content), as well as RNA sequencing and primary metabolite analyses. Our findings reveal that the combined effect of the microbial and non‐microbial biostimulants led to a decrease in the antioxidant response and an up‐regulation of genes involved in cytokinin biosynthesis under salt stress conditions. This, in turn, resulted in a higher concentration of the bioactive cytokinin, isopentenyladenosine, in roots and leaves and an increase in γ‐aminobutyric acid, a non‐proteic amino acid related to abiotic stress responses. In addition, we observed a decrease in malic acid, along with an abscisic acid (ABA)‐independent up‐regulation of SR‐kinases, a family of protein kinases associated with abiotic stress responses. Furthermore, we observed that the single application of the non‐microbial biostimulant triggers an ABA‐dependent response under salt stress; however, when combined with the microbial biostimulant, it potentiated the mechanisms triggered by the BM08 bacterial strain. This comprehensive investigation shows that the combination of two biostimulants is able to elicit a cytokinin‐dependent response that may explain the observed yield increase under salt stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Chile most of the walnut orchards are located in semiarid areas prone to saline conditions. Therefore, mitigating salinity stress is a relevant issue for farmers, especially for 'Chandler', the most sensitive planted variety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an extract of Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE; Acadian Organic®), applied through drip irrigation, on the vegetative and productive response of 'Chandler' walnut orchard affected by salinity (soil EC 1.8 dS m-1; irrigation water 2.0 dS m-1), effects on physical and biological soil properties. A dose of 4 L ha-1 ANE was applied monthly during two seasons (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) from the beginning of shoot growth until one month before harvest (24 L ha-1 per season), compared to unamended control. ANE applications promoted good conditions for tree development, greater shoot thickness, higher SPAD index measurements and better vegetative expression, represented by the NDVI spectral index. Consequently, a greater proportion of kernel filling and sizes was found in the ANE treatment (kernel size >32 mm, first season: 54% ANE vs 45% control; second season: 26% ANE vs 6% control). The stress mitigation of ANE promoted a positive cumulative effect after 1 season, with early vegetative development in the second season and significantly greater fruit size and yield efficiency. In addition, ANE application significantly improved physical and biological soil properties, possibly increased soil microbial activity, stimulated organic matter accumulation, improved the soil aggregate stability, and increased soil macroporosity at greater depths. The latter is relevant for salt management since a more stable soil porous system favors adequate water distribution in the soil profile under irrigation cycles, improving the displacement of salts and, consequently, reducing salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The complex processes of pollen germination and pollen tube elongation are important events in the sexual reproduction of flowering plants and are essential to the success of seed formation. However, unfavourable environmental and climatic conditions affect pollen performance negatively. Integrating the application of various biostimulants represents one of the most innovative and promising strategies to improve crop productivity. Biostimulants are known to sustainably improve pollen viability, germination and elongation. However, there is limited information on the effects of biostimulants on pollen grains. The present review investigates the potential of biostimulants (such as seaweed extracts, smoke–water, polyamines, amino acids, melatonin, carbohydrate-based biostimulants and inorganic biostimulants) as signaling molecules that can improve crucial stages of pollen growth in a range of crops, both in optimal and suboptimal environments. Furthermore, this review investigates the stages of pollen development, including uninucleate microspores and different stages of mature pollen, following various biostimulant treatment during the flowering period. Regulation of biostimulant-induced pollen germination and elongation has also been discussed along with recent developments regarding the mechanism of action of biostimulants in various growth aspects of pollen. This review not only summarizes what is known currently, but it also lays the groundwork for future investigations to clarify the complex physiological and molecular processes involved in pollen performance as well as the regulatory systems that are impacted by biostimulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is facing challenges to produce more food in a climate scenario that works in the opposite direction. To amend this, agriculture has to invent new ways of making more with less. Interest in using by-products and finding new ways to utilize them has been increasing in recent years. The use of protein-rich sources for protein hydrolyzation and the use of these protein hydrolysates as biostimulants in plant production have been increasing. These mixtures are mainly produced by chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis from agro-industrial protein-rich by-products of animal, plant, and algal origins. The application of PHs has the potential to alleviate environmental stress; improve plant growth; and increase productivity, fruit yield, and abiotic-stress tolerance in agricultural crops. The use of these biostimulants offers a way to reduce the use of agrochemicals and agrees with the "do more with less" task in the future of agricultural production. This review gives an insight into the production of PHs, referring to sources of raw materials and methods of hydrolysis, the uptake and translocation of PHs, their effect on plant growth, the development and physiology, their role in alleviating stressful conditions, and their use in agriculture. The beneficial effects of PHs on different aspects of plant physiology, metabolism, and plant functioning under stressful conditions are evident. Inconveniently, crops, and sometimes even cultivars, are affected differently based on the way that PH is applied, the timing, and the concentration applied. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which the components of PHs modify plant physiology and metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms that are described as an abundant source of numerous bio compounds of commercial value, and using this green treasure as a vital alternative to expensive synthetic hormones via biotechnological technique is the main objective of research. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with crude extract of Microcystis aeruginosa and Haematococcus pluvialis, separately was used to study its effect on Cynanchum acutum L., which is an important wild medicinal plant. Results revealed that all growth parameters have been affected where, the greatest shoot length (5.90 ± 0.45) has been reached with 4 mg/L of Microcystis aeruginosa extract, while the highest shoot number (7.50 ± 0.30) and leaf number (16.0 ± 0.59) were with 12 mg/L of Microcystis aeruginosa extract. Conversely, the maximum shoot length (12.5 ± 0.44) was reached with 2 mg/L of Haematococcus pluvialis extract, while the highest shoot number (6.00 ± 0.36) and leaf number per shootlet (22.0 ± 0.92) were with 5 mg/L of Haematococcus pluvialis extract. Biochemical analysis for algae and plant extracts conducted using HPLC proved the presence of phytohormones (zeatin, gibberellin, and kinetin) in algal extracts and nineteen important phenolic and flavonoid substances in plant extracts. The novelty of this study is to use algae as a natural source of growth regulators to achieve an economic benefit in addition to propagating Cynanchum acutum L. and increasing its important pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study explored the application efficacy of biostimulants in flue-cured tobacco cultivation to provide new approaches for enhancing tobacco soil and leaf quality. [Method] Field experiments were conducted, with conventional fertilization as the control(CK), and three biostimulants, including alginate (BS1), paleontological biostimulant (BS2), and mineral-derived biostimulant (BS3), were applied to the soil on the basis of CK. The soil surrounding the roots of flue-cured tobacco plants were collected during the flowering stage to assess the physical and chemical properties, encompassing pH, cation exchange capacity, the content of organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzed N, availability P and availability K, activity of sucrase, nitrate reductase, catalase and urease enzymes, as well as microbial community diversity; At the maturity stage of flue-cured tobacco, agronomic traits including plant height, stem circumference, effective leaf count, maximum waist leaf length and width, apical leaf length and width were assessed. The fifth to sixth upper leaves were selected for chemical composition total sugar (TS), reduced sugar, nicotine (NIC), total N(TN), K, Cl, starch content, and calculating TS/NIC, TN/NIC, K/Cl after modulation to investigate the impact of three biostimulants on soil micro-ecological environment and leaf quality. [Result] Compared with CK, BS1 and BS3 treatments exhibited varying increases in the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC) in tobacco root soil. These treatments significantly increased activities of soil sucrase and urease. The relative abundance of dominant soil bacterial phyla Thaumaacchaeota and Entorrhizomycota, as well as dominant fungal genus Entorrhiza was significantly increased, while that of Ascomycota and Fusarium was decreased. The richness and diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities and the abundance of their functional metabolic pathways in BS3 treatment were significantly higher than other treatments. The application of biostimulants enhanced the growth and leaf opening of flue-cured tobacco, and the BS3 treatment improved the suitability and coordination of its chemical composition. [Conclusion] The application of mineral fulvic acid treatment exhibits a superior comprehensive efficacy in enhancing soil quality, facilitating the growth of flue-cured tobacco, and improving tobacco characteristics. Therefore, it serve as an appropriate biostimulant for flue-cured tobacco cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the influence of biostimulants and organic mulch on the soil microbial population of strawberry cv. Katrain Sweet, an experiment was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science and in the Biocontrol lab, Department of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, during two subsequent years i.e., 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The results showed substantial enhancements in microbial growth of both fungi and bacteria with the use of Azotobacter, Trichoderma harzianum and PSB, applied in combination with organic mulch, particularly in treatment (T12) Azotobacter (8g/plant) + PSB (8g/plant) + Trichoderma harzianum (6g/plant) + dried leaves. This treatment resulted in the highest bacterial population count of 8.97×10v cfu g-1 of soil and a fungal population of 5.93×10t cfu g-1 of soil, significantly outperforming over the control. The findings underscore the potential for using biostimulants and organic mulches to enhance soil microbial growth in strawberry production, offering a sustainable approach for improving yield and plant health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of chosen biostimulants and microbiological preparations on the yield of sweet corn and the occurrence of Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn, and diseases. In both years of the study, the preparations used in this experiment did not have a statistically significant effect on marketable yield; however, in 2017, the highest weight was observed in the cobs of plants treated with Rizocore and Polyversum WP while the lowest in the cobs treated with RhizoVital 42. The biostimulant Asahi SL and the biological fungicide Serenade ASO proved to be the most effective in protecting sweet corn against cob and shoot infections by fungi of the genus Fusarium. All the preparations reduced the development of the common smut in corn, especially on the cobs. There were no statistically significant differences in cob infection by the O. nubilalis in the combinations treated with different preparations, although the lowest number of cobs damaged by pest in both years were observed on plots treated with Serenade ASO and RhizoVital 42, while the highest on plots treated with Goëmar BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cascade cropping systems (CCS) utilize leachate from a primary crop to grow secondary crops and enhance the efficient use of water and fertilizers in areas with scarce water resources. A preliminary study investigated the effect of melatonin in a cascade cropping system to potentially improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study aimed to cultivate Salicornia fruticosa in this cropping system to reduce nutrient discharge and assess the impact of exogenous melatonin on Salicornia growth and quality. The CCS included a primary crop of Salicornia grown in an agroindustrial compost or peat. Leachates from these media were used to cultivate the same plant once again in a floating system under four treatments: compost leachate (T1), peat leachate (T2), 100% nutrient solution (NS) (T3), 50% NS (T4) strength. Four concentrations of exogenous melatoninwere applied in foliar spray: 0, 100, 200, and 400 µM. Melatonin application increased yield, with the highest values observed when plants were grown in T1. Water use efficiency was also maximized in T1 and with both 200 and 400 µM melatonin applications. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was achieved in plants grown in peat leachate. The lipid membrane damage was assessed revealing that plants grown in compost leachate exhibited the lowest MDA values regardless of melatonin concentrations. The accumulation of some antinutritional compounds (nitrate, oxalate, and sodium) were the highest in those plants grown in compost leachate. Overall, shoots grown in peat leachate exhibited the best phytochemical profile (total phenol content, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity), with peak values in plants treated with 200 µM melatonin. These findings suggest that S. fruticosa can be effectively cultivated using leachate from a previous crop in a floating system and that exogenous melatonin application enhances the yield and nutritional quality of Salicornia shoots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argania spinosa, an endangered species from southwestern Morocco, is studied for preservation through plant biotechnology. The research aims to optimise argan tree propagation to boost production, preserve heritage, and use residual species. In vitro seedlings are transferred to a modified Murashige and Skoog medium with various phytohormones. Six combinations of auxins and cytokinins are tested for germination. Results show that a liquid medium with activated charcoal from argan shells promotes stem elongation. Meta-topoline at 0.5 mg L−1, combined with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at 0.2 mg L−1, enhances shoot growth, leaf formation, and callogenesis. Adding benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 0.1 mg L−1 and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 0.02 mg L−1 to the medium elongates stems by 4.3 cm after 21 days. A 2000 ppm IBA concentration is key for a 90% rooting rate. These findings underscore plant biotechnology’s role in preserving and propagating argan trees, improving resource management, and supporting sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of soluble humic substances and plant-growth-promoting bacteria on the vegetative growth of Mombaça grass. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar applications of humic substances (0, 12, 24, 48, and 96 mg C L−1) on the growth of Mombaça fifteen days after germination. After determining the optimal concentration range, a field trial was carried out in which humic substances at the best concentration were applied simultaneously with Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain UENF-H19 fifteen days after germination in three replicates. The best growth of Mombaça in the greenhouse was obtained with 48 mg C of the humic substance L−1, which promoted a shoot fresh weight 80% higher than in the control treatment. The increase was almost identical to that observed during the 50-week field experiment in plots treated with humic substances combined with H. seropedicae. The treated plants produced an 81% higher shoot fresh weight than the control, with no dry mass, nitrogen content, or crude protein change during the one-year evaluation period. Despite the efficiency of the selected microbial inoculants under controlled-environment experiments, the agronomical significance under field conditions remains a subject of debate and improvement. The present study demonstrates that combining Herbaspirillum seropedicae with humic substances (plural) could significantly increase pasture production under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid compounds have a significant impact on agriculture as slow macro- and micronutrient administration systems. This study aimed to evaluate the synthesis and effect of the hybrid compound Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF in different concentrations on the in vitro growth of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews). A total of 13 vanilla plantlets per treatment were cultivated in test tubes with semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and without growth regulators and treated with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 mg L−1 of Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF. After 60 days of culture, we evaluated different morphological and biochemical parameters, such as shoot length, root length, the number of roots, the number of leaves, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic compound content. Our results showed that the Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF at 10 mg L−1 concentration increased plantlet length. Furthermore, we observed an increase in root length and number with the 5 and 10 mg L−1 concentrations, and a decrease in these same parameters with the 15 and 30 mg L−1 Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF concentrations. There were no significant differences regarding the number of leaves or total chlorophyll content. As for the antioxidant capacity, we observed an increase with 5, 10, and 15 mg L−1 of Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and a decrease with the highest concentration. Finally, the phenolic and carotenoid content decreased with the 15 and 30 mg L−1 Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF concentrations compared to the control. In conclusion, the hybrid compound Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF showed beneficial effects on the growth, physiology, and biochemistry of V. planifolia in vitro when plants were treated at low concentrations. Additionally, the high concentrations used in this study did not induce toxicity. Our findings suggest that Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF could be used as a biostimulant in vanilla during its in vitro culture. However, due to the hormetic effect and the possible different reactions of different genotypes, this requires further detailed research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges to feed the world in 2050 are becoming more and more apparent. This calls for producing more with fewer inputs (most of them under scarcity), higher resource efficiency, minimum or zero effect on the environment, and higher sustainability. Therefore, increasing the circularity of production systems is highly significant for their sustainability. This study investigates the utilization of waste streams from greenhouse hydroponic drainage nutrient solutions for the cultivation of the microalgae Desmodesmus sp. The cultivation was done in an automatically controlled container-scale closed tubular Photo Bio-Reactor (PBR). The study included lab-scale open-pond system experiments and in situ container-scale experiments in the greenhouse wastewater system to assess biomass growth, optical density, nitrogen consumption, and the influence of enzymatic complexes on microalgae cell breakdown. A batch-harvesting process was followed, and the harvested microalgae biomass was pre-concentrated using FeCl3 as a flocculant that has demonstrated efficient sedimentation and biomass recovery. Following microalgae sedimentation, the produced biomass was used for biostimulant production by means of a biocatalysis process. The enzymatic complexes, "EnzProt", "EnzCell", and "EnzMix" were tested for cell breakdown, with "EnzMix" at a dosage of 10% showing the most promising results. The results demonstrate successful biomass production and nitrogen uptake in the lab-scale open-pond system, with promising upscaling results within container-scale cultivation. The findings contribute to a better assessment of the needs of Desmodesmus sp. culture and highlight the importance in optimizing culture conditions and enzymatic processes for the production of biostimulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to determine the effects of different doses of zeatin, kinetin, and gibberellic acid biostimulants, which are plant growth and development regulators, on the growth parameters and some biochemical parameters of Istanbul oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse setting according to the "Completely Randomized Experimental Design" with three replications. In the study, seedling and root lengths, seedling and root fresh weights, seedling and root dry weights, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoid content, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity (CUPRAC and FRAP) parameters were examined. The results of the study showed that all biostimulants increased the growth and biochemical parameters compared to the control, except for seedling dry weight. The highest plant height was obtained from the 200 ppm dose of gibberellic acid, while the highest values in growth parameters, except for root dry weight, were obtained from the 50 and 100 ppm doses of kinetin. The highest values for chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, total carotenoid, and FRAP antioxidant activity were found at the 40 ppm dose of zeatin, while the highest values for total phenolics and CUPRAC antioxidant activity were observed at the 100 ppm dose of kinetin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) invigorates a sustainable agricultural system with a desirable effect on crop productivity. This study investigates the potential of seaweed extracts, humic and fulvic acids and amino acids as biostimulants for certifying wheat and chickpea intercropping enhancements. Field experiments were conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-2023. A split plot design was employed, with main plot treatments of varying row ratios (M1: sole wheat, M2: sole chickpea, M3: wheat: chickpea ratio 2:1 and M4: wheat: chickpea ratio 4:1) and sub plot treatments with different biostimulants (S0: no biostimulant, S1: seaweed extract, S2: humic acid + fulvic acid and S3: amino acid). Results revealed significance of row ratios and biostimulants on growth and yield attributes. Notably, the 2:1 row ratio treatment (M3) magnified plant height with a maximum of 101.45 cm for wheat crop and 58.44 cm for chickpea at 120 DAS. The seaweed extract application treatment (S1) demonstrated maximum plant height of 104.18 cm and 61.00 cm for wheat and chickpea crops, respectively, at 120 DAS. The grain yield of wheat was established to be higher in the sole cropping system (M1: 7.59 kgha-1) with an accumulated harvest index of 41.23%. Seed yield of chickpea was also higher in the sole crop (M2: 2.09 kgha-1) with a harvest index of 49.00%. This research delves into the application of biostimulants to maximize the benefits of wheat and chickp ea intercropping, potentially advancing sustainability for future food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change has significantly reduced the yield of many crops due to various abiotic stressors. These stressors include water-related issues such as drought and flooding, thermal changes like extremely low and high temperatures, salinity, and adverse soil pH conditions including alkalinity and acidity. Biostimulants have emerged as promising and effective tools for mitigating the damage caused by these abiotic stressors in plants, ultimately enhancing both the quantity and quality of crops. Biostimulants are naturally derived substances that include humic acid, protein hydrolysates, nitrogenous compounds, seaweed extracts, beneficial bacteria, and molds. Even at low concentrations, biostimulants play a critical role in activating important plant enzymes, inducing antioxidant defenses, improving water relations and photosynthetic activity, stimulating hormone-like activities (particularly auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins), and modulating root system development. This review discusses the physiological effects of microbial biostimulants on the quality and productivity of fruit crops, as well as their experimental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ecklonia maxima (EM) foliar applications impacted leaf area in Cabernet Sauvignon. • EM application increased sugars, organic acids and phenolics. • Fungal and bacterial communities on the leaf and berry surfaces varied during berry development. • Botrytis cinerea and Erysiphe necator prevalence decreased on the leaf and berry surfaces on EM treated grapevines. Biostimulants and biofertilisers are considered environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilisers, plant growth regulators and crop improvement products. Broadly, plant biostimulants are expected to improve nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, quality traits and availability of nutrients in the soil or rhizosphere. While there has been increasing interest in the use and benefits of seaweed extracts in wine grape cultivation, limited research has been conducted on Ecklonia maxima (EM), a seaweed specie indigenous to South Africa. In this study EM seaweed extract (Kelpak ®) was applied on Cabernet Sauvignon as a foliar spray in one season at three grapevine phenological stages: one week before flowering (E-L 18), berry set (E-L 27) and at véraison (E-L 35), on irrigated and non-irrigated vines. The effects on grapevine physiology, grape berry and wine metabolites and microbiota (leaf, berry and must) were evaluated. Grapevine physiology was not influenced by the applied treatments. Leaf area was positively influenced by the EM foliar applications which resulted in improved sugars and organic acids accumulation during ripening. Similar trends were observed in phenolics accumulation in the fruit during ripening. There were large differences in the bacterial and fungal communities on the leaf and berry surfaces from pea-size to harvest. Furthermore, Botrytis and Erysiphe grapevine pathogens were decreased in the leaves and berries (from véraison to harvest) with EM applications. Overall, our study suggests that the use of foliar EM products is beneficial in increasing grape and wine metabolites and the symbiotic microbiota during the ripening period and to ensure sustainable viticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Protein hydrolysates (PHs) can enhance plant nitrogen nutrition and improve the quality of vegetables, depending on their bioactive compounds. A tomato greenhouse experiment was conducted under both optimal (14 mM) and suboptimal (2 mM) nitrogen (N‐NO3) conditions. Tomatoes were treated with a new Malvaceae‐derived PH (MDPH) and its molecular fractions (MDPH1, >10 kDa; MDPH2, 1–10 kDa and MDPH3, <1 kDa). RESULTS: Under optimal N conditions, the plants increased biomass and fruit yield, and showed a higher photosynthetic pigment content in leaves in comparison with suboptimal N, whereas under N‐limiting conditions, an increase in dry matter, soluble solid content (SSC) and lycopene, a reduction in firmness, and changes in organic acid and phenolic compounds were observed. With 14 mM N‐NO3, MDPH3 stimulated an increase in dry weight and increased yield components and lycopene in the fruit. The MDPH2 fraction also resulted in increased lycopene accumulation in fruit under 14 mM N‐NO3. At a low N level, the PH fractions showed distinct effects compared with the whole MDPH and the control, with an increase in biomass for MDPH1 and MDPH2 and a higher pigment content for MDPH3. Regardless of N availability, all the fractions affected fruit quality by increasing SSC, whereas MDPH2 and MDPH3 modified organic acid content and showed a higher concentration of flavonols, lignans, and stilbenes. CONCLUSION: The molecular weight of the peptides modifies the effect of PHs on plant performance, with different behavior depending on the level of N fertilization, confirming the effectiveness of fractioning processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are a promising feedstock with proven biostimulant activity that is enhanced by their biochemical components (e.g., amino acids and phytohormones), which turns them into an appealing feedstock to reduce the use of fertilisers in agriculture and improve crop productivity and resilience. Thus, this work aimed to isolate protein-rich microalgal mutants with increased biostimulant activity. Random mutagenesis was performed with Chlorella vulgaris, and a selection of protein-rich mutants were sorted through fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), resulting in the isolation of 17 protein-rich mutant strains with protein contents 19–34% higher than that of the wildtype (WT). Furthermore, mutant F4 displayed a 38%, 22% and 62% higher biomass productivity, growth rate and chlorophyll content, respectively. This mutant was then scaled up to a 7 L benchtop reactor to produce biomass and evaluate the biostimulant potential of this novel strain towards garden cress seeds. Compared to water (control), the germination index and the relative total growth increased by 7% and 19%, respectively, after the application of 0.1 g L−1 of this bioproduct, which highlights its biostimulant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial value of kiwifruit is determined mostly by its nutritional composition and antioxidant content. The enrichment of these traits in an era where climate change affects kiwi growth conditions is worth investigating via the application of biostimulants that enhance plant growth. In this work, we evaluated the effects of three commercial biostimulants on the metabolism and growth characteristics of the Actinidia deliciosa cultivar 'Hayward': (I) a humic and fulvic-based biostimulant, (II) a glycine–betaine–proline-based biostimulant, and (III) a vegetal amino acid-based biostimulant. A biostimulant-free treatment was used as a control. In the two-year experiment (2022 and 2023), the growth characteristics of kiwi trees were measured, such as stem length, the number of leaves, leaf area, and fresh and dry biomass at the end of each growing season. The leaves' total chlorophyll, total phenolics, and proline content were detected during the two seasons in order to obtain more insights into plant metabolism. Κiwifruit qualities and antioxidant traits, such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness, fresh and dry biomass, DPPH, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), were recorded during the postharvest life for each season. Data analysis illustrated the beneficial impact of some biostimulants on several of the previously mentioned parameters, such as antioxidant kiwifruit traits, especially in the case of glycine–betaine–proline-based acid-based biostimulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili peppers are globally cultivated for their rich bioactive compound profile. This study investigates the impact of two biostimulants, Humix® and Energen, on Capsicum chinense 'Habanero Orange' and Capsicum annuum 'Kristian', focusing on quantitative and qualitative parameters. Conducted over two years with three annual harvests, the research assesses the effects of biostimulant application on yield, fresh fruit number, fruit weight, drying ratio, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and ascorbic acid content (via HPLC-DAD analysis), as well as carotenoid levels (via spectrophotometric analysis). Biostimulant application significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) total yields and capsaicin levels. Harvest timing also influenced dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin levels, with the third harvest showing the highest values (p ≤ 0.001). The effects on ascorbic acid and carotenoids were variable and depended on genotype, harvest, and treatment. Thus, our study provides insights into the dynamic responses of Capsicum species to biostimulants under variable climatic conditions, contributing new knowledge to agricultural practices and the scientific understanding of biostimulant effects in Capsicum production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the effectiveness of using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M) and compost applied alone or in combination (vs. conventional chemical fertilizer application (NPK)) on tomato resistance to vascular wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. In this study, ten treatments were applied: (1) Control (2) M: Rhizophagus irregularis (3) C: Compost (4) MC: The combination of M and compost (5) NPK: conventional chemical fertilizer (6) V: plants infected with V. dahliae (7) MV: plants infected with a conidial suspension of V. dahliae and M, (8) CV: The combination of compost and V. dahliae, (9) MCV: The combination of M, compost and V. dahliae, (10) VNPK: V. dahliae and NPK. The combination of biostimulants reduced disease severity and incidence, as well as the leaf alteration index compared to control plants (V). However, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and final mean severity (FMS) were reduced by 37% and 46% respectively by the application of the combination of M, compost and V. dahliae (MCV) compared to the V control. Additionally, the MCV treatment showed the greatest increment in protein content (152.6%), in TSS content (54.6%), and CV increased proline content by 46.6%. Furthermore, MCV also protected the photosynthetic apparatus from pathogen-induced oxidative stress and reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) (215.03%), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (74.73%) and peroxidase activity (POX) (101.91%). MC also enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities by 166.19% compared to their controls (V). M alone or in combination with compost, remains a favourable interaction for suppressing plant diseases and improving antioxidant defense systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showed the eliciting effect of aqueous extracts from Ascophyllum nodosum on the development of Eruca sativa microgreens in a quartz-based substrate. There is no information in the literature on the impact of its use on the quality, bioactive compound content, and nutritional value of arugula microgreens. Assays that have been made include the following: total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFV), enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and enzymes involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The antioxidant activity against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was also evaluated. The total phenolic content of arugula microgreens increased significantly after an application of aqueous extracts of A. nodosum to the substrate. The greatest increase in flavonoid content (89%) and antioxidant activity against DPPH (82%) was observed at a concentration of 2.5%. The highest increase in activity of CAT (68.2%), SOD (25%), PAL (13-fold), and PPO (84.2%) was observed with the application of 5% extract. In conclusion, the use of Ascophyllum nodosum algae affects TPC and TFV, antioxidant activity, PAL, PPO, SOD, and CAT in the microgreens studied. By prioritising organic and environmentally friendly extracts, growers can contribute to a more sustainable and healthier food system, especially in the case of the production of Eruca sativa microgreens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of small-plot field trials were conducted between 2019 and 2021 with the spring barley variety Francin. The impact of Vital Root and YaraVita KOMBIPHOS on the grain quality of malting barley at varying nitrogen fertilization rates (50 kg·ha-1 N, 70 kg·ha-1 N, 90 kg·ha-1 N, and 110 kg·ha-1 N) was investigated. The following parameters were evaluated: grain size, thousand grain weight, specific weight, starch content, and protein content. The portion of grain

Global climate change has significantly reduced the yield of many crops due to various abiotic stressors. These stressors include water-related issues such as drought and flooding, thermal changes like extremely low and high temperatures, salinity, and adverse soil pH conditions including alkalinity and acidity. Biostimulants have emerged as promising and effective tools for mitigating the damage caused by these abiotic stressors in plants, ultimately enhancing both the quantity and quality of crops. Biostimulants are naturally derived substances that include humic acid, protein hydrolysates, nitrogenous compounds, seaweed extracts, beneficial bacteria, and molds. Even at low concentrations, biostimulants play a critical role in activating important plant enzymes, inducing antioxidant defenses, improving water relations and photosynthetic activity, stimulating hormone-like activities (particularly auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins), and modulating root system development. This review discusses the physiological effects of microbial biostimulants on the quality and productivity of fruit crops, as well as their experimental applications.

The commercial value of kiwifruit is determined mostly by its nutritional composition and antioxidant content. The enrichment of these traits in an era where climate change affects kiwi growth conditions is worth investigating via the application of biostimulants that enhance plant growth. In this work, we evaluated the effects of three commercial biostimulants on the metabolism and growth characteristics of the Actinidia deliciosa cultivar ‘Hayward’: (I) a humic and fulvic-based biostimulant, (II) a glycine–betaine–proline-based biostimulant, and (III) a vegetal amino acid-based biostimulant. A biostimulant-free treatment was used as a control. In the two-year experiment (2022 and 2023), the growth characteristics of kiwi trees were measured, such as stem length, the number of leaves, leaf area, and fresh and dry biomass at the end of each growing season. The leaves’ total chlorophyll, total phenolics, and proline content were detected during the two seasons in order to obtain more insights into plant metabolism. Κiwifruit qualities and antioxidant traits, such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness, fresh and dry biomass, DPPH, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), were recorded during the postharvest life for each season. Data analysis illustrated the beneficial impact of some biostimulants on several of the previously mentioned parameters, such as antioxidant kiwifruit traits, especially in the case of glycine–betaine–proline-based acid-based biostimulants.

One of the biggest problems that threaten the production of strawberry in the world is the rapid damage and high rate of deterioration after harvest or during cold storage. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the possibility of decreasing the post-harvest damage percentages and increasing the fruit quality of Fragaria x ananassa cv. ‘Estavana’ after harvest immediately or during the cold storage period. The strawberry plants were dipped for 3 to 5 minutes at 25 °C in a solution of 10 L made from distilled water and containing salicylic acid (SA) at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L or chitosan (CHIT) at 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/L during the period of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 16 days after harvesting. The results showed that the fruit firmness was notably decreased, and the loss and decay percentages were increased by increasing the period of storage, but it could be decreased by using SA or CHIT. Fruit content from soluble solids, total sugars and anthocyanin was significantly increased in the 16 days stored fruits treated with 500 mg/L SA or 50mg/L CHIT. Treating the fresh harvested without or with SA or CHIT increased the fruit content from vitamin C. The highest fruit content from titratable acidity was in the fresh harvested fruits compared with treated fruits with SA or CHIT.

Shallot production in West Kalimantan is still low. Land that has the potential for the development of shallots is the soil from post-unlicensed gold mining (PUGM). The soil at PUGM was exploited very extensively and can be used to develop shallots, but it is obstacled by low pH values and nutrient content. This research aims to investigate the impact of biostimulants and red mud on the growth and yield of shallots. The experiment was carried out in two stages: (1) investigated the ratio of the red mud and PUGM soil at the laboratory and (2) investigated the biostimulants and red mud effect on two varieties of shallots in a screen house. For the second experiment, there were three factors. The first factor was the biostimulant (0, 2, 3, and 4%); the second factor was the dose of red mud (0, 2, and 4 tons ha−1); and the third factor was the shallot varieties (Bima Brebes and Tajuk). The results of the first research indicated that the application of the red mud and PUGM soil in a ratio of 1:500 and 1:1,000 had a pH of 7.88 (slightly alkaline) and 7.24 (neutral), respectively. The second study found that a 2% concentration of biostimulant increased plant height and tuber count by 23.78 cm and 6.55 tubers, respectively. The Bima Brebes variety produced better fresh tubers weight clump−1 and dry tubers weight clump−1 than the Tajuk variety, with, respectively, 42.08 g (7.36 tons ha−1) and 32.60 g (5.71 tons ha−1). These findings show that the use of the biostimulants and red mud together in integrated management can help shallots grow and produce more, especially on PUGM land that has obstacles with low soil fertility. This research contributes to the identification of sustainable solutions for agricultural development in environments that have experienced severe land degradation, such as unlicensed gold mining activities.

The challenges to feed the world in 2050 are becoming more and more apparent. This calls for producing more with fewer inputs (most of them under scarcity), higher resource efficiency, minimum or zero effect on the environment, and higher sustainability. Therefore, increasing the circularity of production systems is highly significant for their sustainability. This study investigates the utilization of waste streams from greenhouse hydroponic drainage nutrient solutions for the cultivation of the microalgae Desmodesmus sp. The cultivation was done in an automatically controlled container-scale closed tubular Photo Bio-Reactor (PBR). The study included lab-scale open-pond system experiments and in situ container-scale experiments in the greenhouse wastewater system to assess biomass growth, optical density, nitrogen consumption, and the influence of enzymatic complexes on microalgae cell breakdown. A batch-harvesting process was followed, and the harvested microalgae biomass was pre-concentrated using FeCl3 as a flocculant that has demonstrated efficient sedimentation and biomass recovery. Following microalgae sedimentation, the produced biomass was used for biostimulant production by means of a biocatalysis process. The enzymatic complexes, “EnzProt”, “EnzCell”, and “EnzMix” were tested for cell breakdown, with “EnzMix” at a dosage of 10% showing the most promising results. The results demonstrate successful biomass production and nitrogen uptake in the lab-scale open-pond system, with promising upscaling results within container-scale cultivation. The findings contribute to a better assessment of the needs of Desmodesmus sp. culture and highlight the importance in optimizing culture conditions and enzymatic processes for the production of biostimulants.

Background Results Conclusions Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) and globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) are vegetables with a high waste index mainly related to stems and leaves. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysates obtained from these wastes were proposed to be used as plant biostimulants. Life cycle assessment methodology was also applied to evaluate environmental performances related to cauliflower and artichoke byproducts.Hydrolysates (HYs) were chemically and biologically characterized. Amino acids, organic acids, amines, polyols, mineral elements, phenols, tannins, flavonoids and sulfur compounds were identified and quantified by means of NMR, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and UV–visible analyses. Cauliflower leaf and flower HYs showed the highest concentration of free amino acids, whereas stems showed the highest concentration of Ca. Regarding artichoke, asparagine, glutamine and aspartic acid were exclusively detected in stems, whereas artichoke leaves showed the highest Mg and Mn levels together with the highest antioxidant activity. The HYs diluted in water were tested as biostimulants. The impacts of five concentrations of HYs (0.00, 0.28, 0.84, 2.52 and 7.56 g L−1) on seed germination and early seedling growth of crimson clover, alfalfa, durum wheat and corn were investigated.The application of artichoke biostimulant (0.28 g L−1) positively influenced the coefficient of velocity of germination in alfalfa, crimson clover and durum wheat, whereas cauliflower biostimulant significantly improved corn germination speed. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity poses a significant challenge to tomato plant development and metabolism. This study explores the use of biostimulants as eco-friendly strategies to enhance tomato plant tolerance to salinity. Conducted in a greenhouse, the research focuses on the Solanum lycopersicum L. behavior under saline conditions. Tomato seeds were treated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), compost, and their combination under both non-saline and saline conditions (0 and 150 mM NaCl). Plant height, number of flowers and fruits, shoot fresh weight, and root dry weight were negatively impacted by salt stress. The supplementation with compost affected the colonization of AMF, but the application of stress had no effect on this trait. However, the use of compost and AMF separately or in combination showed positive effects on the measured parameters. At the physiological level, compost played a beneficial role in increasing photosynthetic efficiency, whether or not plants were subjected to salinity. In addition, the application of these biostimulants led to an increase in nitrogen content in the plants, irrespective of the stress conditions. AMF and compost, applied alone or in combination, showed positive effects on photosynthetic pigment concentrations and protein content. Under salt stress, characterized by an increase in lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content, the application of these biostimulants succeeded in reducing both these parameters in affected plants through exhibiting an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. In conclusion, incorporating compost, AMF, or their combined application emerges as a promising approach to alleviate the detrimental impacts of salt stress on both plant performances. These findings indicate optimistic possibilities for advancing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field experiment was carried out at Central Research Farm, Gayeshpur, BCKV, Nadia, West Bengal, India during the Rabi season (October, 2021 to March, 2022) with the aim to study the effects of different biostimulants for growth, yield and quality of tomato. The treatments were T1 (Control or untreated), T2 (Bayfolan Algae @ 1.5 ml l-1), T3 (Bayfolan Algae @ 2 ml l-1), T4 0(Bayfolan Algae @ 2.5 ml l-1), T5 (Isabion @2 ml l-1), T6 (Bayfolan Algae @ 5 ml l-1) and T7 (Isabion @ 1.5 ml l-1). Analysis of variance clearly revealed the significant effects of biostimulants with different treatments in respect to growth, yield and quality parameters of tomato. The treatment T4 (Bayfolan Algae @ 2.5 ml l-1) recorded significantly maximum plant height (82.47 cm), number of branches plant-1 (7.04) at 60 DAT, fruit weight (74.63 g), maximum average yield plant-1 (3.26 kg, yield plot-1 (130.18 kg) and yield ha-1 (872.32 q). The same treatment T4 of Bayfolan Algae @ 2.5 ml l-1 also recorded maximum equatorial diameter (6.92 cm), maximum polar diameter (5.80 cm) and highest values of TSS (5.08 °brix), highest lycopene (5.05 mg 10-1) and ascorbic acid (26.74 mg g-1) content even which is economically viable and emerged as best treatment for getting better growth, yield and quality of Tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the productivity of medicinal and aromatic species via eco-friendly approaches is imperative worldwide because of their therapeutic impacts. Biostimulants have been recognized among the best cultural practices in the last few decades. Among them, bee honey (BH) and ginger extract (GE) are new sources of multifunctional biostimulants that positively influence plant growth and development. However, there are currently no detailed reports on the impacts of BH or GE as promising growth and yield enhancers for medicinal and aromatic species. Also, the mechanism involved in stimulating growth and essential oil content with BH or GE is still unidentified. This work was, therefore, undertaken to analyze the impact of BH and GE on the growth, productivity, and essential oil content of sage plants (Salvia officinalis L.). Sage plants were sprayed monthly for three months with the same volume of BH (0, 5, 10, and 15 g L−1), GE (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg L−1), or tap water, which was used as a control. BH or GE application improved the plant height, branch number, herb yield, total chlorophyll content, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity relative to the controls, more so with GE. Intriguingly, the essential oil percentage, oil yield, and oil constituents were enhanced by BH and GE. In this respect, the highest levels of biostimulants, particularly GE, were more effective. On a percentage basis, the essential oil yield per hectare was largely increased by 127.91 and 138.89% with GE (10 g L−1) in both seasons relative to the controls. The contents of IAA, GA3, and CK in THE sage leaves were substantially increased by BH and GE, and higher levels of both biostimulants and GE were more effective. The nutrient levels of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mg were also elevated by BH and GE compared with the untreated plants. These results suggest that BH or GE application could be a promising biostimulant for improving the productivity of sage and provide a new understanding of their mechanisms in this aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern horticulture, biostimulants can be an effective alternative to traditional, industrial means of production. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of three biostimulants (Calgreen, Erathis, Greit VG) containing selected macronutrients (N, Ca), organic matter, and amino acids on the yield and quality of strawberries and their content of health-beneficial substances. In the comparative variant, the plants were treated with mineral fertilisers applied into the soil. In 2021, an experiment was conducted on a two-year-old strawberry plantation of the 'Rumba' cultivar located on a horticultural farm in northwestern Poland. The following parameters were assessed: the yield, weight, and firmness of fruits as well as their content of soluble substances, sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, and anthocyanins. The use of biostimulants caused a decrease in soil acidity and salinity. In comparison with the soil fertilisation variant, the number of flowers and fruits on the plants increased by 50% to over 100%, which translated into a significant increase in the yield. The fruits from the plants treated with the biostimulants several times were of better quality. Their average weight, firmness, and the content of soluble substances (also after being stored for several days) increased significantly. However, the total content of sugars and ascorbic and malic acids, as well as the content of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, did not change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, inorganic nanoparticles, including calcium hydroxide nanoparticles [Ca Ca(OH)2 NPs], have attracted significant interest for their ability to impact plant photosynthesis and boost agricultural productivity. In this study, the effects of 15 and 30 mg L−1 oleylamine-coated calcium hydroxide nanoparticles [Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs] on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry were investigated on tomato plants at their growth irradiance (GI) (580 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and at high irradiance (HI) (1000 μmol photons m−2 s−1). Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs synthesized via a microwave-assisted method revealed a crystallite size of 25 nm with 34% w/w of oleylamine coater, a hydrodynamic size of 145 nm, and a ζ-potential of 4 mV. Compared with the control plants (sprayed with distilled water), PSII efficiency in tomato plants sprayed with Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs declined as soon as 90 min after the spray, accompanied by a higher excess excitation energy at PSII. Nevertheless, after 72 h, the effective quantum yield of PSII electron transport (ΦPSII) in tomato plants sprayed with Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs enhanced due to both an increase in the fraction of open PSII reaction centers (qp) and to the enhancement in the excitation capture efficiency (Fv'/Fm') of these centers. However, the decrease at the same time in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) resulted in an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It can be concluded that Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs, by effectively regulating the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanism, enhanced the electron transport rate (ETR) and decreased the excess excitation energy in tomato leaves. The delay in the enhancement of PSII photochemistry by the calcium hydroxide NPs was less at the GI than at the HI. The enhancement of PSII function by calcium hydroxide NPs is suggested to be triggered by the NPQ mechanism that intensifies ROS generation, which is considered to be beneficial. Calcium hydroxide nanoparticles, in less than 72 h, activated a ROS regulatory network of light energy partitioning signaling that enhanced PSII function. Therefore, synthesized Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs could potentially be used as photosynthetic biostimulants to enhance crop yields, pending further testing on other plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoke-water (SW) and Karrikinolide1 (KAR1) release dormancy and improve seed germination in many plant species. Therefore, we tested SW (1:2500 v/v) and KAR1 (10−7 M) to break the morphological dormancy of celery cultivar (Apium graveolens L.). In the first trial, seeds were subjected to a 21-day incubation period at 20 °C with SW and KAR1 applied as single treatments. KAR1 showed significantly improved germination (30.7%) as compared to SW (17.2%) and a water control (14.7%). In seed soaking experiments, SW, KAR1, and gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments showed higher germination percentages than the water control after 3 and 6 h of soaking. However, prolonged soaking (12 h) reduced germination percentages for all treatments, indicating a detrimental effect. Analysis of KAR1 content dynamics in 7-day- and 21-day-old celery seeds indicated its prolonged effects on germination and dormancy alleviation. Phytohormones, including auxins in 7-day-old and cytokinins in 7-day- and 21-day-old celery seedlings, along with their precursors and metabolites, were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) after treatment with KAR1 and SW. The analysis of auxin levels in 7-day-old seeds revealed a negative correlation between seed germination and auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) content. Notably, it was found that KAR1-treated seeds significantly reduced IAA levels in all treatments. SW and KAR1 did not significantly affect cytokinin levels during celery germination except for N6-Isopentenyladenine. Hence, further research is needed to understand their precise role in celery seed germination. This work will improve our understanding of the role of bioactive compounds from plant-derived smoke and how they regulate hormonal responses and improve germination efficiency in celery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent agricultural research has prioritized the development of environmentally friendly management strategies to ensure food security, among which the application of biostimulants such as brown algae extracts, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and their combination are included. The experimental protocol was based on the factorial combination of two planting times (4 May and 1 June) and seven biostimulant treatments (three brown algae species, Cystoseria tamariscifolia—C.t.; Fucus vesiculosus—F.v.; Padina pavonica—P.p.; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi—AMF; C.t. + AMF; F.v. + AMF; P.p. + AMF) plus an untreated control. The earlier transplant resulted in a higher yield, due to the higher number of fruits per plant, and a higher plant fresh and dry biomass. The treatments with P.p. and F.v. extracts and the combination P.p. + AMF led to the highest yields (56.7 t ha−1), mainly due to the highest fruit number per plant. The earlier planting time led to higher values of dry residue, soluble solids, firmness, and colour component 'a'. The highest values of fruit dry residue were recorded under the F.v. and P.p. extracts, and the combinations F.v. + AMF and P.p. + AMF, the highest soluble solid content with P.p. treatment, and firmness under P.p. + AMF. The highest levels of 'L' and 'a' fruit colour components were obtained under the P.p. extract treatment, of 'b' upon the application of P.p. and F.v. extract, and AMF + P.p. and AMF + F.v. The later planting time led to significantly higher values of the antioxidant parameters, as did the application of the P.p. extract and P.p. + AMF. CAT activity was more intense corresponding to the later tomato crop cycle, P.p. extract, and AMF + P.p. Overall, our study highlights the potential of biostimulants, particularly brown algae extracts and their combination with AMF, to improve tomato yield, antioxidant properties, and biochemical activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimulatory effects of foliar application of moringa dried leaf extract (MDLE) at different growth stages were evaluated on soybean growth, physiology and productivity in a bioassay. The experiment comprised of two factors; foliar application of MDLE [T1: Water spray, T2: 0.5% w/v, T3: 1.0% and T4: 1.5%] and growth stages for foliar application, viz. S1: Vegetative stage (V4, four leaf stage) and S2: Reproductive stage (R1: onset of flowering). Foliar application of MDLE increased the growth, physiological, biochemical, yield and quality attributes of soybean. Notably, the application of 1.5% MDLE at the reproductive stage led to impressive boosts in seedling weight, chlorophyll contents, plant height, pod formation and seed yield. This concentration demonstrated the highest surge in gas exchange attributes and quality components like seed oil and protein contents. Significant increase in growth attributes (10–22%), photosynthetic pigments (7–10%), gas exchange attributes (21%), quality attributes (5–8%) and seed yield (27%) was recorded with 1.5% MDLE application. It is ascertained that the application of 1.5% MDLE at the reproductive stage improves soybean growth, yield and quality. This research provides quantitative confirmation of MDLE foliar application, emphasising its potential role as a natural growth enhancer for soybean crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acceptance of strawberries in international trade has increased due to their organoleptic qualities, high nutritional value, and richness in antioxidants. This research evaluated the effect of foliar spray with chitosan, brassinosteroids, and thidiazuron as metabolic enhancers on growth, productivity, quality parameters, and bioactive compounds in ‘Portola’ strawberry cultivar in the first year of production. This experiment included six treatments and control with doses of CTS of 100, 300, and 400 mg L-1, of Brassinosteroids (Vitazyme™) 0.5, 1-, and 5-mL L-1 and 0.15 mL L-1 of TDZ (Charger plex™) in applications of these biostimulants alone and combination CTS and BRs. The findings indicated that CTS treatments increased plant length, leaf count, leaf area, and fruit firmness. The joint application of CTS and BRs significantly promotes crown diameter, photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, fresh and dry weight of roots and aerial parts, and ripening. Applications of CTS 300 mg L-1 and 1 mL L-1 of Vitazyme have shown the highest fruit length, diameter, and weight values. Regarding TDZ, this work showed an increase in crown diameter and in the fresh and dry weight of both the root and the aerial part without significant differences in the content of the chlorophyll and titratable acidity compared to the control. Therefore, it could be safely recommended that foliar application with CTS, BRs, and TDZ can be used as biostimulants to improve the growth, quality and bioactive compounds of strawberry cv ‘Portola’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sustainable agriculture without the inappropriate use of chemical products is a growing need worldwide that has been on the rise in recent years. That is why the increase in the use of biological products is one of modern agriculture challenges. The use of algae is one of the most viable alternatives to use for these purposes. Algae are photosynthesizing organisms with a simple organization live in water or in very humid environments. The application of seaweed extracts as biofertilizers to the soil, foliage and seeds has shown increases in the yield and harvest quality of various crops. They are also used as nutritional supplements, biostimulants or biofertilizers in agriculture. With this bibliographic review, it is proposed to give a general and updated vision of algae, their importance, characteristics, classification, as well as their uses and effects in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the biggest problems that threaten the production of strawberry in the world is the rapid damage and high rate of deterioration after harvest or during cold storage. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the possibility of decreasing the post-harvest damage percentages and increasing the fruit quality of Fragaria x ananassa cv. 'Estavana' after harvest immediately or during the cold storage period. The strawberry plants were dipped for 3 to 5 minutes at 25 α in a solution of 10 L made from distilled water and containing salicylic acid (SA) at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L or chitosan (CHIT) at 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/L during the period of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 16 days after harvesting. The results showed that the fruit firmness was notably decreased, and the loss and decay percentages were increased by increasing the period of storage, but it could be decreased by using SA or CHIT. Fruit content from soluble solids, total sugars and anthocyanin was significantly increased in the 16 days stored fruits treated with 500 mg/L SA or 50mg/L CHIT. Treating the fresh harvested without or with SA or CHIT increased the fruit content from vitamin C. The highest fruit content from titratable acidity was in the fresh harvested fruits compared with treated fruits with SA or CHIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]