Plant–Biostimulant Interactions for Improving Vegetable Crop Performance Under Stress
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: studies on interactions between biostimulants and plants; seed treatments; growth and quality of vegetable plants under different nutrient conditions or abiotic stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biostimulants are tools applied in agriculture to enhance plant growth and improve their resistance. These include both natural substances and microorganisms that are applied to plants to stimulate key biological processes, thereby promoting plant development, stress tolerance, and resource use efficiency. However, their effectiveness is closely tied to the interaction they establish with plants, a dynamic that changes under environmental stress conditions such as drought, nutrient deficiency, or disease attacks. It is therefore crucial to understand the mechanisms behind these interactions, especially in relation to external conditions, in order to optimize the use of biostimulants and maximize plant performance. This approach is essential for improving crop resilience, particularly in challenging agricultural environments, and for developing more sustainable and effective agricultural solutions.
In this Special Issue, we invite the submission of original research and review articles that investigate the roles of different biostimulants in enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance. We welcome contributions that explore molecular, physiological, and ecological mechanisms, as well as studies employing experimental approaches, predictive modeling, and innovative technologies to better harness biostimulants in vegetable crop production. Together, these efforts will contribute to the development of more sustainable and effective agricultural solutions.
Dr. Mariateresa Cardarelli
Dr. Monica Yorlady Alzate Zuluaga
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- plant biostimulants
- stress resilience
- vegetable crops
- plant–microbe interactions
- sustainable agriculture
- nutrient efficiency
- rhizosphere biology
- abiotic stress mitigation
- crop performance enhancement
- natural bioactive compounds
- microbial inoculants
- predictive models in agriculture
- climate-smart agriculture
- biostimulant–plant mechanisms
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