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Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology
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Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2022) | Viewed by 10338

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ali Baghdadi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: plant physiology and ecophysiology; plant growth regulators; leaf gas exchange; biostimulant
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Walter Zegada-Lizarazu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: biomass and energy crops; cropping systems; ecophysiology; soil-root-canopy interactions; carbon dynamics of energy crops; integrated agricultural systems; biostimulants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern agriculture has increasingly emphasized eco-friendly ways to enhance crop productivity and yield while minimizing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, due to increased demands for better yields and a higher quality of food. Biostimulants are increasingly important in agriculture, being considered an environmentally sustainable and economically favorable answer to optimize crop productivity.

Designing and creating new biostimulants is an imperative procedure that requires accurate testing of the product’s effects on the plant’s morpho-physiological traits and a deep understanding of the mechanism of action of chosen products during various environmental conditions and developmental stages. Biostimulants foster plant growth and development throughout the crop life cycle, from seed germination to plant maturity, in several demonstrated ways. Monitoring physiological activity and quantitative and qualitative parameters provides information about the variable plant response to treatments.

Through the enhancement of crop stress tolerance and nutrient uptake and assimilation, plant biostimulants can enhance phenotypic traits and yield. A plant biostimulant is usually applied at the foliar level or at the root of a plant to enhance growth, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf number and area, and shoot and root biomass, in addition to fruit number and/or average weight, particularly under adverse conditions. Environmental stresses act on plant physiological activity, making crops more prone to physiological disorders. Accurately predicting photosynthesis is the first step toward predicting crop growth, yield, and quality in response to environmental changes. Several interacting factors, such as plant growth conditions, plant genotype, time of application, and dosage, can modulate biostimulant activities.

The action of biostimulants on plants is exerted through several mechanisms, among which are the capacity to produce a hormone-like activity, the enhancement of plant growth and physiological traits, and the promotion of the activity of plant-soil microorganisms.

This Special Issue will focus on the effects of plant biostimulants on plant growth and physiology. Novel research, reviews, and technical articles on the function of plant biostimulants, from controlled environmental conditions to the field, with a view toward investigating their effective use in future agriculture, are welcome.

Dr. Ali Baghdadi
Dr. Walter Zegada-Lizarazu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant biostimulant
  • fertilizer
  • plant growth
  • crop production
  • physiological traits
  • photosynthetic activities
  • crop physiology
  • eco-physiology
  • organic agriculture
  • plant nutrition

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1359 KiB  
Article
Yield and Nutraceutical Value of Lettuce and Basil Improved by a Microbial Inoculum in Greenhouse Experiments
by Elia Pagliarini, Francesca Gaggìa, Maurizio Quartieri, Moreno Toselli and Diana Di Gioia
Plants 2023, 12(8), 1700; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12081700 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1170
Abstract
Members of Bacillus spp. have been widely used to enrich the soil/root interface to provide plant growth promoting activities. A new isolate, namely to Bacillus sp. VWC18, has been tested under greenhouse conditions in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) pots at different concentrations [...] Read more.
Members of Bacillus spp. have been widely used to enrich the soil/root interface to provide plant growth promoting activities. A new isolate, namely to Bacillus sp. VWC18, has been tested under greenhouse conditions in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) pots at different concentrations (103, 105, 107, and 109 CFU·mL−1) and application time (single inoculum at transplant and multiple inoculum every ten days) to evaluate the best application dose and frequency. Analysis of foliar yield, main nutrients, and minerals evidenced a significant response for all applications. The lowest (103 CFU·mL−1) and the highest doses (109 CFU·mL−1), applied every ten days until harvest, had the greatest efficacy; the nutrient yield (N, K, P, Na, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Cu, and B) increased more than twice. A new randomized block design with three replicates was then performed in lettuce and basil (Ocinum basilicum L.), with the two best performing concentrations applied every ten days. In addition to previous analysis, root weight, chlorophyll, and carotenoids were also examined. Both experiments confirmed the previous results: inoculation of the substrate with Bacillus sp. VWC18 promoted plant growth, chlorophyll, and mineral uptake in both crop species. Root weight duplicated or triplicated compared to control plants, and chlorophyll concentration reached even higher values. Both parameters had a dose-dependent increase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology)
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20 pages, 3717 KiB  
Article
Biostimulant Activity of Silicate Compounds and Antagonistic Bacteria on Physiological Growth Enhancement and Resistance of Banana to Fusarium Wilt Disease
by Md Aiman Takrim Zakaria, Siti Zaharah Sakimin, Mohd Razi Ismail, Khairulmazmi Ahmad, Susilawati Kasim and Ali Baghdadi
Plants 2023, 12(5), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051124 - 02 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1786
Abstract
Biostimulants such as silicate (SiO32−) compounds and antagonistic bacteria can alter soil microbial communities and enhance plant resistance to the pathogens and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease in bananas. A study was conducted [...] Read more.
Biostimulants such as silicate (SiO32−) compounds and antagonistic bacteria can alter soil microbial communities and enhance plant resistance to the pathogens and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease in bananas. A study was conducted to investigate the biostimulating effects of SiO32− compounds and antagonistic bacteria on plant growth and resistance of the banana to Fusarium wilt disease. Two separate experiments with a similar experimental setup were conducted at the University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Selangor. Both experiments were arranged in a split-plot randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates. SiO32− compounds were prepared at a constant concentration of 1%. Potassium silicate (K2SiO3) was applied on soil uninoculated with FOC, and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) was applied to FOC-contaminated soil before integrating with antagonistic bacteria; without Bacillus spp. ((0B)—control), Bacillus subtilis (BS), and Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). Four levels of application volume of SiO32− compounds [0, 20, 40, 60 mL) were used. Results showed that the integration of SiO32− compounds with BS (108 CFU mL−1) enhanced the physiological growth performance of bananas. Soil application of 28.86 mL of K2SiO3 with BS enhanced the height of the pseudo-stem by 27.91 cm. Application of Na2SiO3 and BS significantly reduced the Fusarium wilt incidence in bananas by 56.25%. However, it was recommended that infected roots of bananas should be treated with 17.36 mL of Na2SiO3 with BS to stimulate better growth performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology)
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18 pages, 21044 KiB  
Article
Bioelimination of Phytotoxic Hydrocarbons by Biostimulation and Phytoremediation of Soil Polluted by Waste Motor Oil
by Gladys Juárez-Cisneros, Blanca Celeste Saucedo-Martínez and Juan Manuel Sánchez-Yáñez
Plants 2023, 12(5), 1053; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051053 - 27 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1731
Abstract
Soils contaminated by waste motor oil (WMO) affect their fertility, so it is necessary to recover them by means of an efficient and safe bioremediation technique for agricultural production. The objectives were: (a) to biostimulate the soil impacted by WMO by applying crude [...] Read more.
Soils contaminated by waste motor oil (WMO) affect their fertility, so it is necessary to recover them by means of an efficient and safe bioremediation technique for agricultural production. The objectives were: (a) to biostimulate the soil impacted by WMO by applying crude fungal extract (CFE) and Cicer arietinum as a green manure (GM), and (b) phytoremediation using Sorghum vulgare with Rhizophagus irregularis and/or Rhizobium etli to reduce the WMO below the maximum value according to NOM-138 SEMARNAT/SS or the naturally detected one. Soil impacted by WMO was biostimulated with CFE and GM and then phytoremediated by S. vulgare with R. irregularis and R. etli. The initial and final concentrations of WMO were analyzed. The phenology of S. vulgare and colonization of S. vulgaris roots by R. irregularis were measured. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey’s HSD test. The WMO in soil that was biostimulated with CFE and GM, after 60 days, was reduced from 34,500 to 2066 ppm, and the mineralization of hydrocarbons from 12 to 27 carbons was detected. Subsequently, phytoremediation with S. vulgare and R. irregularis reduced the WMO to 86.9 ppm after 120 days, which is a concentration that guarantees the restoration of soil fertility for safe agricultural production for human and animal consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology)
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16 pages, 3783 KiB  
Article
Biostimulants for Sustainable Management of Sport Turfgrass
by Sara Bosi, Lorenzo Negri, Mattia Accorsi, Loredana Baffoni, Francesca Gaggia, Diana Di Gioia, Giovanni Dinelli and Ilaria Marotti
Plants 2023, 12(3), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030539 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1590
Abstract
Research on the efficacy of innovative, ecofriendly biostimulants in sport turf management is scarce, with less information available from open-field experiments, and even less pertaining to thatch control-related problems. The objective was to investigate the open-field effectiveness of a commercial product, EM-1, and [...] Read more.
Research on the efficacy of innovative, ecofriendly biostimulants in sport turf management is scarce, with less information available from open-field experiments, and even less pertaining to thatch control-related problems. The objective was to investigate the open-field effectiveness of a commercial product, EM-1, and two newly developed products, ExpA and ExpB, in improving both rhizosphere and turfgrass, Agrostis stoloniferous L., characteristics on a golf green. ExpA and ExpB, identical in microbial composition, were equally effective in significantly increasing chlorophyll synthesis and visual turf quality, as well as in resistance to tearing out, compared to the untreated control 56 days after treatment (DAT). EM-1 showed intermediate trends between the control and novel biostimulants. The inclusion of humic acids and mycorrhizal fungi to the microbial composition in ExpB significantly improved some rhizosphere properties 56 DAT relative to the control. Results on ExpB evidenced a significant decrease in the thatch layer thickness and fresh leaf weight, associated with a significant increase in the humus thickness, organic matter decomposition and evapotranspiration efficiency. An increased dry leaf biomass was also shown. ExpA and EM-1 showed either marginal or intermediate improvements relative to the control. ExpB represents a promising alternative to alleviate negative environmental impacts associated with turf maintenance-related activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology)
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12 pages, 1609 KiB  
Article
Ascophyllum nodosum and Silicon-Based Biostimulants Differentially Affect the Physiology and Growth of Watermelon Transplants under Abiotic Stress Factors: The Case of Salinity
by Filippos Bantis and Athanasios Koukounaras
Plants 2023, 12(3), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030433 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1239
Abstract
Salinization of cultivated soils is a global phenomenon mainly caused by agricultural practices and deteriorates plant production. Biostimulants are products which can be applied exogenously to enhance the plants’ defense mechanism and improve their developmental characteristics, also under abiotic stresses. We studied the [...] Read more.
Salinization of cultivated soils is a global phenomenon mainly caused by agricultural practices and deteriorates plant production. Biostimulants are products which can be applied exogenously to enhance the plants’ defense mechanism and improve their developmental characteristics, also under abiotic stresses. We studied the potential of two biostimulants, Ascophyllum nodosum (Asc) seaweed and a silicon-based (Si), to alleviate the saline conditions endured by watermelon transplants. Three salinity (0 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM NaCl) treatments were applied in watermelon seedlings transplanted in pots, while the two biostimulants were sprayed in the foliar in the beginning of the experiment. Relative water content was improved by Asc in the high salinity level. The plant area, leaf number, and shoot dry weight deteriorated in relation to the salinity level. However, the root system (total root length and surface area) was enhanced by 50 mM salt, as well as Asc in some cases. The OJIP transient of the photosynthetic apparatus was also evaluated. Some OJIP parameters diminished in the high salinity level after Asc application. It is concluded that after salt stress Asc provoked a positive phenotypic response, while Si did not alleviate the salinity stress of transplanted watermelon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology)
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16 pages, 3683 KiB  
Article
Bacillus subtilis Promotes Cucumber Growth and Quality under Higher Nutrient Solution by Altering the Rhizospheric Microbial Community
by Bin Li, Lixiang Zhao, Dongxu Liu, Yi Zhang, Wenjiao Wang, Yanxiu Miao and Lingjuan Han
Plants 2023, 12(2), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020298 - 08 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1635
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis was applied in peat-based soilless cultivation systems containing a mixed substrate (peat:vermiculite:perlite = 2:1:1, v/v/v) and irrigated by one-strength or four-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution to explore whether it can alleviate inhibition by higher-nutrient solutions (four-strength) and [...] Read more.
Bacillus subtilis was applied in peat-based soilless cultivation systems containing a mixed substrate (peat:vermiculite:perlite = 2:1:1, v/v/v) and irrigated by one-strength or four-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution to explore whether it can alleviate inhibition by higher-nutrient solutions (four-strength) and bring benefits to improvements of quality. The results showed that higher-nutrient solutions improved the flavor quality of cucumber fruit; especially, the contents of (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and (E)-2-Nonenal were effectively increased, which are the special flavor substances of cucumber. B. subtilis K424 effectively improved growth performance, photosynthetic capacity, vitamin C content, soluble sugars, soluble protein, and total pectin in cucumber under higher nutrition solution conditions. Compared with the higher solution treatment, the bacterial diversity significantly increased, whereas the presence of fungi had no significant difference following the B. subtilis K424 application. Moreover, B. subtilis K424 reduced the relative abundance of Actinomadura and promoted that of the Rhodanobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Devosiaceae, and Blastobotrys genera. Redundancy analysis showed that Bacillus, Rhodanobacter, and Blastobotrys were positively correlated with the substrate enzyme of sucrase, catalase, and urease. This study provides insight that B. subtilis K424 mitigated the deleterious effects of high levels of nutrition solution on cucumber growth and quality by improving the substrate enzyme, regulating the microbial community structure, and enhancing the photosynthetic capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Plant Biostimulant on Plant Growth and Physiology)
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