Abstract
Biostimulants are among the natural preparations that improve the general health, vitality, and growth of plants and protect them against infections. They can be successfully used in both agri- and horticultural crops. The main active substances used in such preparations are humic and fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates, compounds containing nitrogen, seaweed extracts, beneficial fungi, and bacteria. Biostimulant formulations may be single- or multi-component, but the synergic action of several different components has been observed. Many groups of biostimulants have been distinguished through their method of application (soil, foliar), the material from which they were produced (plant, animal), or the process by which they were created (hydrolysis, fermentation, extraction). Natural soil stimulants can induce the development of beneficial soil organisms that provide substrates for plant growth. The use of natural preparations that are not harmful to the environment is particularly important in connection with the progressive processes of soil degradation and atmospheric pollution. This review gives an overview of the importance and influence of different natural plant biostimulants on both the yield and quality of crops.
Highlights
The quality and quantity of crops are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors
Stress caused by unfavourable stimuli can significantly reduce harvest yields because plants respond by using their energy reserves to fight stress instead of concentrating on yielding
In accordance with the recommendations of the European Union [2], chemical and mineral plant protection agents are intended to be slowly replaced by natural preparations
Summary
The quality and quantity of crops are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. In accordance with the recommendations of the European Union [2], chemical and mineral plant protection agents are intended to be slowly replaced by natural preparations. Artificial fertilizers are responsible for the eutrophication of many bodies of water. This results in the formation of dead zones devoid of living organisms. 60,000 km of area caused by water pollution due to fertilizers. Natural preparations called biostimulants increase the efficiency of nutrient utilization and tolerance to abiotic stress and improve the quality of crops [4]. The effects of the stimulators may be multifaceted The effects of their activities vary depending on the type of biostimulant used and the plant variety. It should be noted that most of them have a beneficial effect on crops [8]
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