1,721,231 research outputs found
Growth response and nitrogen use efficiency of two dieffenbachia cultivars grown in soilless culture
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Protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant improves yield and fruit quality of greenhouse fresh tomato
No full textThe use of natural plant biostimulants has been proposed as one of the most promising and innovative approach to address the challenges to sustainable greenhouse horticulture, to ensure optimal nutrient uptake and crop yield. Very limited information are available concerning the effect of natural biostimulants on yield and quality attributes of vegetables. Accordingly, it is in the best interest of growers, extension specialists and scientists to elucidate how biostimulant applications can modulate quality and yield of greenhouse vegetables. A greenhouse experiment were carried out to assess the crop productivity and fruit quality traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in relation to foliar protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant applications (untreated or treated at a concentration of 3 mL L-1). Foliar application of the protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant enhanced marketable yield and mean fruit weight by 15.4 and 19.8%, respectively compared to untreated tomato plants, with no significant effect on the fruit number. Similarly to crop performance, the foliar application of protein hydrolysate incurred a significant increase in total soluble solids, total ascorbic acid and by 10.2, 22.9 and 37.5%, respectively compared to untreated tomato plants
Microalgae: New Source of Plant Biostimulants
No full textBiostimulant manufacturers have developed innovative products targeting specific agronomic needs, hence attracting the attention of the scientific community, extension specialists, and industry stakeholders including policymakers and crop producers. Microalgae acquire a broad economic value in the production of nutrient dense food and supplementary diet produce, in addition to their high importance in biofuel production and wastewater bioremediation. Recently, microalgae, which comprise blue-green algae (eukaryotic and prokaryotic cyanobacteria), have gained prominence as biostimulant products due to their potential to increase germination, seedling growth, plant growth, productivity, nutrient use efficiency, as well as tolerance to a wide range of abiotic stresses (salinity, drought, sub- and supra-optimal temperatures, and heavy metals contamination). Although it is well established that green and blue-green algae produce several bioactive and signaling molecules active on horticultural and agronomic crops, their targeted applications in plant science are still in their infancy stage. The aim of this editorial paper is to provide an updated overview of this far-reaching new category of plant biostimulants and the possible physiological and molecular mechanisms behind the biostimulatory action based on the recent scientific literature. Finally, this editorial paper identifies the main bottlenecks that hamper market introduction and farmers from reaping the full benefit of microalgae-based biostimulants; it also pinpoints the future relevant areas of microalgae research to enhance the biostimulant action of microalgal extracts in agriculture
Plant biostimulants: Innovative tool for enhancing plant nutrition in organic farming
No full textOrganic farming has generated significant interest among consumers and scientists owing to their healthier and safer characteristics to human health. However, nutrient (N and P) availability has been identified to be a major yield-limiting factor in many organic farming systems. Plant biostimulants which are defined as substances (humic acids, protein hydrolysates and seaweed extracts) and/or microbial inoculants (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma spp.) applied to plants with the aim to enhance plant resilience and also to improve nutrient uptake and translocation. This review focuses on how the plant biostimulants application can overcome nutrient limitation typical of organic systems by improving nutrient availability, uptake and assimilation, and consequently reducing the gap between organic and conventional yields. The agronomical, physiological and molecular responses conferring tolerance to nutrient deficiency were also covered. The review concluded by proposing several research areas to understand the specific application of plant biostimulants to improve the yield of organic horticulture
Plant biostimulants: New tool for enhancing agronomic performance and fruit quality of cucurbits
No full textPlant biostimulants are substances (i.e., humic and fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates and seaweed extracts) and microbial inoculants (i.e., mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria-PGPR) that have been introduced as an efficient, safe and sustainable tool to optimize root system thus boosting crop performance, and nutrient use efficiency as well as enhancing tolerance to environmental stressors in vegetable crop production. The stimulation of biomass production in response to biostimulant application has been often associated to the action of specific signaling molecules on plant metabolism and physiology. Several trials have shown that Cucurbit crops can also benefit from the application of biostimulants. Early application at transplanting or in nursery of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizoglomus irregulare and Funneliformis mosseae) or vegetal biopolymer-based biostimulant on several Cucurbit crops (e.g., cucumber, melon, zucchini) were able to boost root growth and to activate defense mechanisms against environmental stresses (e.g., salinity, soil acidty and alkalinity). Moreover, foliar applications of biostimulant substances during the growing cycle were also effective in promoting crop productivity and increasing nutritional and functional quality in Cucurbit crops. Several examples will be presented and discussed together with possible mechanisms involved
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