Chapter 15 - Biostimulants for sustainable crop production

Abstract

Biostimulants are natural preparations that have the potential to reduce the need for fertilizers with increase in plant growth even under water and abiotic stresses. Their requirements are less and favoring the good performance of the plant's vital processes resulted high yield and good quality products. The active substances used as biostimulants include humic and fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, beneficial fungi, bacteria and algae. It may be single or multicomponent formulations although it can provide positive action of different components. Biostimulants can be applied as foliar or soil. They may be hydrolysis, fermented or extracted products. They are not harmful to the environment and have potential to reduce soil degradation and atmospheric pollution. They are more effective under horticultural crops especially fruits and vegetables. They have the potential to use as a component of sustainable crop production.