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20 pages, 1476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Irrigation Salinity Stress Tolerance and Increasing Yield in Tomato Using a Precision Engineered Protein Hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum-Derived Biostimulant

by Elomofe Ikuyinminu, Oscar Goñi and Shane O’Connell

Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040809 - 27 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3923

Abstract

Most vegetable crops are salt sensitive, growing inadequately in salinised soils due to the accumulation of toxic ions from prolonged irrigation regimes. Plant biostimulants are a potential tool that can be used to counteract salinity stress and increase crop yield. The aim of [...] Read more.

Most vegetable crops are salt sensitive, growing inadequately in salinised soils due to the accumulation of toxic ions from prolonged irrigation regimes. Plant biostimulants are a potential tool that can be used to counteract salinity stress and increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of the proprietary protein hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum-derived biostimulant PSI-475 to activate salinity stress tolerance responses in plants. After characterising PSI-475 composition, initial biostimulant activity screening was performed using Arabidopsis thaliana. PSI-475 stimulated primary root growth (+5.5–20.0%) and photosynthetic pigments content (18.8–63.0%) under unstressed and salinity stressed conditions. Subsequently, PSI-475 was assessed by foliar application on tomato plants (cv. Micro-Tom) that received a saline irrigation water program, which caused a significant decrease in fruit yield (−37.5%). Stressed plants treated with PSI-475 increased this parameter by 31.8% versus the stressed control. Experimental data suggest that PSI-475 can alleviate the negative effects of saline irrigation by improving osmotic adjustment and ion homeostasis markers. PSI-475 was also able to provide significant yield benefits in unstressed plants (+16.9%) that were associated with improved leaf biochemical markers. The data presented support the use of this precision biostimulant to target the negative effects of salinity stress from irrigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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14 pages, 967 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oligosaccharins Alleviate Heat Stress in Greenhouse-Grown Tomatoes during the Spring-Summer Season in a Semi-Arid Climate

by Virginia Hernández, Pilar Hellín, M. Ángeles Botella, Elena Vicente, José Fenoll and Pilar Flores

Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040802 - 26 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2520

Abstract

The use of plant biostimulants is a promising tool to stimulate crop growth and yield, as well as to promote plant defense mechanisms under abiotic stresses. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of oligosaccharides and their mode of [...] Read more.

The use of plant biostimulants is a promising tool to stimulate crop growth and yield, as well as to promote plant defense mechanisms under abiotic stresses. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of oligosaccharides and their mode of application (to roots, leaves, or both) on the yield and fruit composition of tomatoes grown under greenhouse conditions. Two set-point temperatures for ventilation were established, resulting in two high-temperature levels, one higher than the other. Oligosaccharins stimulated photosynthesis and improved fruit production at both temperatures, but increased yields were more evident under lower temperature-stress. Treatments that included the application of oligosaccharins to the roots decreased the concentrations of sugars, lutein, lycopene, and most phenolic compounds in the fruit. However, when oligosaccharins were applied via the leaves, the concentration of most of the metabolites of nutritional interest in the fruit did not change. The different effects of oligosaccharins on the concentration of the different compounds may be due to a dilution effect due to increased fruit yield, and/or to the possible role of the biostimulants in reducing the stress situation in tomato plants. The results show that the application of biostimulants such as oligosaccharins can improve tomato yield under stress conditions, with the advantage that they are natural products with no negative effect on the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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19 pages, 2990 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Phenomics and Metabolomics Investigation on the Modulation of Drought Stress by a Biostimulant Plant Extract in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

by Cristina Sudiro, Federico Guglielmi, Marie Hochart, Biancamaria Senizza, Leilei Zhang, Luigi Lucini and Adriano Altissimo

Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040764 - 22 Mar 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3528

Abstract

Biostimulants are gaining increasing interest because of their ability to provide a green and effective strategy towards sustainable crop production. Nonetheless, their mode of action remains often unknown. The object of this work was to unravel the mechanisms through which 4-Vita, a biostimulant [...] Read more.

Biostimulants are gaining increasing interest because of their ability to provide a green and effective strategy towards sustainable crop production. Nonetheless, their mode of action remains often unknown. The object of this work was to unravel the mechanisms through which 4-Vita, a biostimulant plant extract, can mitigate drought stress in tomato. To this aim, tomato plants were treated with two foliar applications of 4-Vita and drought stress imposed to both treated and control plants. Phenomics investigations were coupled to mass spectrometric untargeted metabolomics, and raw data were elaborated by multivariate statistics and pathway analysis. The biostimulant elicited a broad reprogramming of the tomato’s secondary metabolism, including its phytohormones profile, corroborating an improved ability to cope with drought stress. A series of mechanisms could be identified in response to the biostimulant treatment under drought, pointing to the preservation of photosynthetic machinery functionality. The modulation of thylakoid membrane lipids, the increase in xanthins involved in ROS detoxification, and the modulation of chlorophylls synthesis could also be observed. Overall, a series of coordinated biochemical mechanisms were elicited by the biostimulant treatment, supporting the increased resilience to drought stress in tomato. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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13 pages, 1605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acclimatization of In Vitro Banana Seedlings Using Root-Applied Bio-Nanofertilizer of Copper and Selenium

by Tarek A. Shalaby, Said M. El-Bialy, Mohammed E. El-Mahrouk, Alaa El-Dein Omara, Hossam S. El-Beltagi and Hassan El-Ramady

Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020539 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2986

Abstract

The production of in vitro banana transplants has become an important practice in the global banana production. Proper and enough nutrients are needed for banana production particularly during the acclimatization period. To avoid the environmental problem resulting from the chemical fertilizers, nanofertilizers of [...] Read more.

The production of in vitro banana transplants has become an important practice in the global banana production. Proper and enough nutrients are needed for banana production particularly during the acclimatization period. To avoid the environmental problem resulting from the chemical fertilizers, nanofertilizers of Se and Cu were separately applied during the acclimatization of banana. The biological form of nano-Cu (50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) and nano-Se (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L⁻¹) were studied on acclimatized banana transplants under greenhouse conditions. Both applied nanofertilizers enhanced the growth of transplant by 10.9 and 12.6% for dry weight after nano-Se and nano-Cu application up to 100 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The survival rate was also increased by increasing applied doses of both nanofertilizers up to 100 mg L⁻¹, whereas the highest survival rate (95.3%) was recorded for nano-Cu. All studied photosynthetic pigments and its fluorescence were improved by applying nanofertilizers. Studied antioxidant enzymatic activities (CAT, PPO, and POX) were also increased. A pH decrease in the growing medium was noticed after applying nano-Cu, which may explain the high bioavailability of studied nutrients (N, P, K, Cu, Fe, Se, and Zn) by banana transplants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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11 pages, 460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Growth in Response to Foliar Silicon Application

by Wanda Wadas

Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2423; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122423 - 28 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2708

Abstract

As silicon induces abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants, it was hypothesized that foliar silicon application could improve potato growth in an early crop culture. The effect of dosage (0.25 dm³·ha⁻¹ or 0.50 dm³·ha⁻¹) and time [...] Read more.

As silicon induces abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants, it was hypothesized that foliar silicon application could improve potato growth in an early crop culture. The effect of dosage (0.25 dm³·ha⁻¹ or 0.50 dm³·ha⁻¹) and time (the leaf development stage, BBCH 14–16, tuber initiation stage, BBCH 40–41, or both the leaf development stage and tuber initiation stage) of application of the silicon-based biostimulant Optysil (200 g SiO₂ and 24 g Fe in 1 dm³) on potato growth was investigated. Optysil caused an increase in plant height and above-ground plant biomass, enlarged leaf area and decreased leaf weight ratio (LWR), and, as a result, increased tuber number and tuber weight per plant. The effect of Optysil depended on a water deficit during potato growth. The average tuber weight per plant in the cultivation treated with Optysil was higher by 23% under periodic water deficits during potato growth, and by 13% under drought conditions, than in the cultivation without the biostimulant. Dosage of Optysil had a significant effect on above-ground plant biomass and leaf area in the warm and arid growing season. Under drought stress, Optysil at 0.50 dm³·ha⁻¹ stimulated potato growth more than at 0.25 dm³·ha⁻¹. Under periodic water deficits during potato growth, the time of Optysil application affected potato growth more than the biostimulant dosage. The plants produced greater above-ground biomass and had a larger leaf area with two Optysil applications; one in the initial plant growth period (BBCH 14–16), and a repeated treatment in the tuber initiation stage (BBCH 40–41). The tuber weight per plant was positively correlated with the plant height, above-ground plant biomass, leaf area, and LWR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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16 pages, 1057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria in Combination with Chitosan on Maize Crop: Promising Prospects for Sustainable, Environmentally Friendly Agriculture and against Abiotic Stress

by Nadège Adoukè Agbodjato, Toussaint Mikpon, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Durand Dah-Nouvlessounon, Olaréwadjou Amogou, Halfane Lehmane, Marcel Yévèdo Adoko, Adolphe Adjanohoun and Lamine Baba-Moussa

Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2205; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112205 - 30 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2681

Abstract

Faced with the problems posed by the abusive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, it is important to find other alternatives that can guarantee a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of a PGPR [...] Read more.

Faced with the problems posed by the abusive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, it is important to find other alternatives that can guarantee a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of a PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) Pseudomonas putida strain to different abiotic stress in in vitro conditions and the synergistic effect of this rhizobacterium in combination with chitosan extracted from crab exoskeletons on the growth of maize in greenhouse conditions. The strain of P. putida was put in culture at different temperatures, pH, and NaCl concentrations to determine its growth. Then, this strain in combination with chitosan extracts were tested for their ability to improve maize growth for 30 days. The results showed that the P. putida strain showed excellent resistance capacities to different salt concentrations, pH, and temperature variations. Moreover, an improvement in plant growth and biomass yield parameters was observed. The highest values of height, diameter, and leaf area were obtained with the plants treated with the combination of chitosan extracted from Cardisoma armatum and P. putida, with increases of 26.8%, 31%, and 55.7%, respectively, compared to the control. This study shows the possibility of using chitosan and rhizobacteria as biostimulants to improve productivity and increase maize yield in a sustainable manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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17 pages, 1888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early and Total Yield Enhancement of the Globe Artichoke Using an Ecofriendly Seaweed Extract-Based Biostimulant and PK Fertilizer

by Gehan A. Elsharkawy, H. A. H. Ibrahim, Alaa H. Salah, Mohammad Akrami, Hayssam M. Ali and Doaa Y. Abd-Elkader

Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1819; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091819 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3112

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilizer levels and foliar seaweed extract on early and total yield productivity and the growth of globe artichoke plants. Field experiments were conducted over two seasons on loamy–clay soil at the vegetable research [...] Read more.

This study evaluated the effect of phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilizer levels and foliar seaweed extract on early and total yield productivity and the growth of globe artichoke plants. Field experiments were conducted over two seasons on loamy–clay soil at the vegetable research farm, of the Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt. Fertilizer levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 mL L⁻¹, and seaweed extract concentrations of 0, 5 and 10 mg L⁻¹, individually and in combination, were used. Globe artichoke plants treated with PK liquid fertilizer, with and without seaweed extract, showed critical increases in growth (plant height and number of leaves per plant as well as foliage dry weight), yield, and some chemical constituents compared to untreated plants. The PK₃ fertilizer level and 10 mL L⁻¹ seaweed extract as a foliar spray showed greater effects than other combinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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25 pages, 856 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Biostimulants in Horticulture, with Emphasis on Ornamental Plant Production

by Szilvia Kisvarga, Dóra Farkas, Gábor Boronkay, András Neményi and László Orlóci

Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051043 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 8947

Abstract

The biostimulant segment is becoming increasingly important worldwide. One of the reasons for this is that fewer plant protection products are placed on the market in the European Union, and environmental sustainability also plays an important role in their use. Biostimulants are often [...] Read more.

The biostimulant segment is becoming increasingly important worldwide. One of the reasons for this is that fewer plant protection products are placed on the market in the European Union, and environmental sustainability also plays an important role in their use. Biostimulants are often used in several horticultural sectors, including ornamentals, to strengthen plants, achieve commercial standards, produce quality goods, increase plant vitality, and aid harvesting. This paper presents the latest results of the use of biostimulants in horticulture, with special emphasis on ornamental plant production. The legal regulation of biostimulants and their regulatory mechanisms are described in detail in the review. The main groups of biostimulants are also discussed. The response of plants to abiotic stress, in particular physiological, anatomical, and genetic changes, with regard to the application of biostimulants is also detailed. Focus is given to the areas of ornamental crop production, such as sexual and asexual propagation, cultivation, and harvesting, where biostimulants are used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Plant Biostimulants in Stressful Agriculture)

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