Application Of Biostimulants Research Articles

Effects of biostimulant application on soil biological and physicochemical properties: A field study

AbstractIntroductionDespite their potential benefits, it is not well understood how the application of biostimulants influences soil biological properties and their microbial communities in field conditions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impacts of biostimulants on soil biological and physicochemical properties relevant to soil health.Materials and MethodsTo achieve this, we conducted a field study to investigate the effects of two types of commercially available biostimulants, Universal Natural Plant food (UNP) and Converte Seed Primer (CSP), on microbial activity, bacterial and fungal abundance, community structure and diversity, and soil chemical and physical properties across two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) from five sites under either wheat or pasture cultivation.ResultsOur findings suggest that application of UNP stimulated microbial activity by 40.1% in surface (0–10 cm) and 36.4% in deeper (10–20 cm) soil, but was dependant on site. Effects were generally greater in grasslands compared with arable soils. At sites where UNP stimulated microbial respiration, substrate‐induced respiration was also stimulated in surface soils and was associated with increased soil moisture content and higher total carbon and nitrogen. At the one site where UNP was combined with CSP, soil enzymes associated with carbon and nitrogen cycling were stimulated in UNP and UNP + CSP treatments. Total bacterial and fungal abundance and their alpha diversity did not respond to biostimulant treatment. However, microbial indicator communities were identified that responded positively to UNP and CSP addition across the two depths. Bacterial indicator species included Elsterales, Propionibacteriales, Solibacterales, Candatus, Reyranellales and Sphingomonadales, but differed between depths. For the fungal indicator species Filobasidiales (Basidiomycota) and Pleosporales (Ascomycota) were strong responders and common across both depths.ConclusionOverall, our results suggest some positive effects of biostimulants on soil biological and physicochemical properties. Further long‐term studies should be conducted to evaluate the effects of biostimulants on crop yield and farm resilience.

Efficiency of using growth stimulators and microelements in pea growing technology

Aim. To study the effectiveness of application in a single technological process of fertilization, pre-sowing treatment of seeds with drugs based on an active strain of nodule bacteria, a growth stimulator of biological origin, microfertilizers in a loose form to increase the productivity of peas. Methods. The research program included: phenological observations on the development of plants (phases of development and stages of organogenesis), morphological – on the formation of productivity elements, the leaf apparatus and the duration of its functioning, morphophysiological – on the dynamics of the development of productivity elements, the formation of productive potential. Results. The article presents the results of studies on the effectiveness of growth stimulants and microfertilizers on the formation of pea plants and their yield. The maximum level of realization of the productivity potential of peas was provided by technology projects that provide for the application of mineral fertilizers in doses of N30P45K60 and N15P45K60 + N15 + N15 kg/ha d.r. in top dressing in the «branching» and «budding» phases with the simultaneous application of Maxi-Grow Excel and Tropical products against the background of inoculation of seeds with a strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria BTU-r, under such growing technologies the yield of pea grain was – 3,74 t/ha, 3,85 t/ha. The authors of the research found that during the period of flowering and formation of beans, the investigated preparations, both of biological and chemical origin, contributed to the formation of higher pea plants with greater biomass, leaf surface and mass of dry matter, compared to the control variant. On average, according to the experiment on options with mineral fertilizer, the use of Maxi-Grow Excel biostimulator increased crop yield by 0.24; 0.22 t/ha; simultaneous application of Maxi-Grow Excel growth biostimulator and Tropicel microfertilizer at 0.58; 0.62 t/ha, the increase from pre-sowing inoculation of BTU seeds with a strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was 0,35 t/ha. Conclusions. The maximum productivity indicators were obtained by applying mineral fertilizers in doses of N30P45K60 and N15P45K60 +N15+ N15 kg/ha d.r. in top dressing at III-IV and VIII stages of organogenesis with the simultaneous introduction of Maxi-Grow Excel preparations (in the «branching» and «budding» phases) and Tropicale (in the budding phase) against the background of seed inoculation with a strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria BTU-r. Under such cultivation technologies, the yield of peas was 3.74 t/ha, 3.85 t/ha, the level of conditional net profit was UAH 13.686–14.016/ha, the profitability was 84%, under favorable weather conditions (2016) – 5.18 t/ha and 5.25 t/ha).

Biostimulant application of whey protein hydrolysates and potassium fertilization enhances the productivity and tuber quality of sweet potato

Utilizing biostimulants like protein hydrolysates is one of the most creative and promising approaches to improving nutritional efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, or crop quality traits. In the present study, whey protein was hydrolysed with trypsin for 4 h at an enzyme/substrate ratio (1/300, w/w). The obtained whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) were chemically characterized, and their antioxidant activity was estimated. WPH, which was produced using trypsin for 4 hours and presented the highest antioxidant activity. Therefore, it was selected as a bio stimulant with potassium fertilization for enhancing the productivity and tuber quality of sweet potatoes. A field experiment was carried out during the two successive summer seasons, at a private vegetable farm in Faques City, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of different potassium rates (50, 75, and 100 kg K2O/fad) and WPH at 0.10 and 0.20% as a foliar application compared to unsprayed plants (control). The interaction between K2O at 100 kg /fad and spraying with WPH at 0.15% increased shoot dry weight/ plant, N, P, and K uptake by shoots, yield/plant, marketable yield, and total yield/fad, as well as average tuber root weight. It was concluded that the most efficient bio-stimulating foliar spray treatment for increasing sweet potato productivity was WPH (0.20%).

Productivity and Quality Variations in Sugar Beet Induced by Soil Application of K-Humate and Foliar Application of Biostimulants Under Salinity Condition

Abiotic stresses are the most major limitation to crop production, causing yield losses up to 50%, and consider the major challenges for production of crops. Thus, an experiment was conducted to determine how sugar beet would respond to soil application of K-humate rates and foliar application of biostimulants under salt stress. Split-plot design in three replicates was used in both seasons, where K-humate rates fertigation (control, 12, and 24 kg ha−1) allocated in the main plots, and different foliar application of BS arranged within the subplot (i.e., (1) water spray, (2) salicylic acid (SA) at the rate of 100 mg L−1, (3) fulvic acid (FA) at the rate of 1.2 kg ha−1, (4) hydroxyproline (HP) 1000 mg L−1, (5) SA at 100 mg L−1 + FA at 1.2 kg ha−1, (6) SA at 100 mg/L + HP at 1000 mg L−1, (7) FA at 1.2 kg ha−1 + HP at 1000 mg L−1, (8) SA 100 mg L−1 + FA 1.2 kg ha−1 + HP 1000 mg L−1) in the two seasons. The finding results revealed that soil application of K-humate, foliar application of BS, and their interaction significantly affected yield, growth, and quality characteristics of sugar beet under soil salinity, furthermore with soil application of K-humate at the rate of 24 kg ha−1 with foliar spray of FA + HP recorded the highest of growth traits, top, root, sucrose %, sugar yields/ha−1 and the lowest values of Na content in the juice and quality of sugar beet under the study conditions, Alexandria, Egypt.

From the wild to the field: effect of foliar or soil application of inorganic or semi-organic fertilizers on various parameters of four local endemic plant species of Crete (Greece)

Domestication of wild plant species of interest coupled with introduction of pilot cultivation practices and appropriate fertilization schemes could be an efficient alternative for addressing sustainable exploitation needs of threatened and/or declining wild phytogenetic resources. In this field study focusing on four threatened wild-growing plants (Carlina diae, Origanum dictamnus, Origanum microphyllum, and Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca) confined to Crete (local endemics), the effects of three types of fertilization (inorganic, plain semi-organic or co-applied with commercial biostimulants based on edible raw plant materials) by two methods (foliar/soil application) on plants’ growth were investigated. Specifically, plant parameters such as aboveground biomass yield, content and uptake of nutrients by plants as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi root colonization were evaluated. Results revealed a distinction in plants’ multi-elemental stoichiometry, except in the case of Origanum species, in which the variance of their ionomics showed a significant overlap. The elements most closely related to yield were K and Zn, while Pearson tests showed various correlations between studied essential nutrients. Among them, the positive correlations between B and Ca, and Mg (with r value up to 0.9 at p ≤ 0.001, in all studied species except O. dictamnus); the negative correlations between K and Mg (in O. dictamnus and S. syriaca subsp. Syriaca, r = − 0.5 at p ≤ 0.001); and the positive correlation patterns between Fe and Mn, or Cu and Zn, respectively (in all studied species) , were observed. Biostimulant application alone or in combination with semi-organic fertilizers increased the yield of C. diae (up to 161%) and of the two Origanum species studied (up to 70% and 68% for O. dictamnus and for O. microphyllum, respectively), while inorganic fertilization was beneficial for S. syriaca subsp. syriaca (up to 170% increase) and O. microphyllum (up to 79% increase). However, no solid conclusions could be derived in respect of the preference of the four species for any fertilizers' application method (foliar or by soil).

Influence of hydrolyzed animal protein-based biostimulant on primary, soluble and volatile secondary metabolism of Genovese and Greek-type basil grown under salt stress

Basil is susceptible to stressful conditions, of which salinity is a major problem in agriculture, causing significant yield losses. Biostimulants can be used as stress reducers and can be used for sustainable agriculture. Genovese-type 'Marian' basil and Greek-type 'Manos' basil were grown under 100 mM NaCl salt stress conditions and treated with a hydrolyzed animal protein-based biostimulant (as foliar fertilizer and via a nutrient solution). Greek basil yield was positively affected in both biostimulant treatments. The irrigated biostimulant had a positive effect on primary metabolites in Genovese-type basil. Foliar application of the biostimulant resulted in higher glucose and ascorbic acid content (+23.8% and +25.7%, respectively) compared to the salt treatment of Greek basil. Phenolic content increased in both biostimulant-treated cultivars and ranged from +73.3% to +628.9%, depending on cultivar and treatment. Volatile content was most affected by the biostimulant added to the nutrient solution and was 18.5% higher in Greek basil and 111.5% higher in Genovese basil than in the salt treatment. With the results of our study, we have laid the foundation for further studies on the internal quality of herbs and which method of biostimulant application is more suitable for basil production under salinity conditions.

A Graminaceae-derived protein hydrolysate and its fractions provide differential growth and modulate qualitative traits of lettuce grown under non-saline and mild salinity conditions

The modulation of plant secondary metabolism by the manipulation of nutrient solution (NS) electrical conductivity and biostimulant application has the potential to increase crop growth and the content of bioactive compounds, thus ameliorating the qualitative attributes of vegetables. A Graminaceae-derived protein hydrolysate (pH) and its molecular fractions PH1 (>10 kDa), PH2 (1 < x <10 kDa) and PH3 (<1 kDa) were applied on lettuce grown in a soilless system and irrigated with two levels of NaCl in the NS (0 and 30 mM). The different pH fractions provided distinct responses, with PH2 in saline conditions increasing lettuce fresh weight by 10.48%, and decreased Na, Cl, malate and citrate concentrations in the leaves by 37.24%, 15.45%,31.4% and 33.73% compared to control. Similar results were achieved by the fraction PH3. However, pH and its fractions PH2 and PH3 increased total flavonoids in salinity conditions, while pH and its fraction PH3 increased total phenolic acids in both saline and non-saline conditions. At the same time, all the 3 fractions of pH increased lutein in both conditions. Therefore, pH fractions should be casted, under tailored conditions, to achieve the desired growth and modulation of qualitative attributes. Nonetheless, omic approaches should be further recommended to support and clarify the mechanisms of these fractions.

Biostimulants of Different Origins Increase Mineral Content and Yield of Wild Rocket While Reducing Nitrate Content through Successive Harvests

Nowadays, biostimulant application is a sustainable practice with which to reduce inputs while maintaining crop yield and quality. Furthermore, the successive harvesting technique is also adopted to increase overall yield and reduce production costs in leafy vegetables. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was performed to compare four different biostimulants, (i) two from enzymatic hydrolysate of Fabaceae species, (ii) one made from betaine, alginic acid and caidrin, (iii) and another one made from alfalfa extract, algae and molasses rich in low-molecular-weight amino acids, in order to verify their ability to limit nitrate accumulation in wild rocket leaves while boosting yield and quantitative and qualitative components through successive harvests. Successive harvests increased the marketable yield of wild rocket by 41% on average compared to the first harvest, whereas biostimulants treatments increased the yield by 38% on average compared to the control. The SPAD index was increased due to successive harvesting and biostimulant application. While biostimulant application resulted in a 24% decrease in nitrates, it also caused a considerable increase in mineral content in wild rocket leaves. Both biostimulant application and successive harvesting showed promising results, and they could be suggested in leafy vegetable cultivation due to the boosted yield and quality.

Composted Bagasse and/or Cyanobacteria-Based Bio-Stimulants Maintain Barley Growth and Productivity under Salinity Stress.

Soil and water salinity are among the most fatal environmental challenges that threaten agricultural production worldwide. This study investigated the potential impact(s) of soil amendment using composted bagasse and/or foliar application of cyanobacteria-based bio-stimulants (Arthrospira platensis, also known as Spirulina platensis) to combat the harmful effect(s) of using saline water to irrigate barley plants grown in salt-affected soils during 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Briefly, the dual application of composted bagasse and cyanobacteria-based bio-stimulants significantly improved the soil properties, buffered the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and enhanced the activity of soil enzymes (urease and dehydrogenase). Moreover, both treatments and their combination notably augmented the water relations of barley plants under salinity stress. All treatments significantly decreased stomatal conductance (gs) and relative water content (RWC) but increased the electrolyte leakage (EL) and balanced the contents of Na+ and K+, and their ratio (K+/Na+) of barley leaves under salinity stress compared with those irrigated with fresh water during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons. Additionally, composted bagasse and cyanobacteria-based bio-stimulants diminished the oxidative stress in barley plants under salinity stress by improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Consequently, the combination of composted bagasse and cyanobacteria extract resulted in superior yield-related traits such as spike length, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index. Collectively, our findings suggest that the integrative application of composted bagasse and cyanobacteria is promising as a sustainable environmental strategiy that can be used to improve soil properties, plant growth, and productivity of not only barley plants but also maybe other cereal crops irrigated with saline water in salt-affected soil.

Assessment of Biostimulant Derived from Moringa Leaf Extract on Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Quality of Green Chili Pepper

With the rapid growth in global population and standards of living, improving food production and quality are the greatest challenges in agriculture. The application of biostimulant derived from moringa leaf extract (MLE) has attracted a great deal of interest to support these efforts in a sustainable approach. A field study was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The effect of individual and combined application of MLE through seed priming (seed soaking) and foliar spray at different rates (1:30, 1:20, and 1:10, v/v) on growth, physiological, yield, and quality traits of green chili pepper were investigated, which was the aim of this study. In general, the responses generated by the combined MLE methods were more pronounced compared to their single applications. Among all treatments, MLE priming plus foliar spray at 1:30 was effective in improving most traits observed, including chlorophyll fluorescence (6.49%), stomatal conductance (57.19%), plant height (30.57%), leaf number (88.89%), leaf area index (116.67%), fruit weight per plant (46.27%), average fruit weight (39.62%), length (9.89%), diameter (29.65%), firmness (27.77%), and vitamin C content (29.07%) of fruit. Therefore, it is regarded as an appropriate treatment to maximize the potential use of MLE in green chili.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) Performance under Foliar Application of Humic Acid, Brassinosteroids, and Seaweed Extract

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers in fruit orchards has led to numerous problems for the environment, produce quality, and food safety. It also negatively affects soil health, beneficial microorganisms, and ground water quality, hence the resurgence of the application of biostimulants as ecofriendly ways to improve the growth, yield, and fruit quality of tree fruits. The current study was performed during 2021 and 2022 to investigate the influence of foliar spraying of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/L humic acid (HA); 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/L brassinosteroids (Brs); and 1000, 2000, and 3000 mg/L seaweed extract (SWE) compared with a control (untreated trees) in terms of the performance of an apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cv. Canino. The obtained results show that the spraying of HA, Brs, and SWE positively increased the shoot length, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit set, fruit yields, and fruit physical and chemical characteristics, as well as leaf macro- or micronutrients contents compared with those untreated trees during both study years. Moreover, the increase in parameter values was parallel to the increase in the used concentrations of HA, Brs, or SWE, where 2000 mg/L HA, 2 mg/L Brs, and 3000 mg/L SWE were superior to 1000 mg/L HA, 1 mg/L Brs, and 2000 mg/L SWE, which were better than 500 mg/L HA, 0.5 mg/L Brs, and 1000 mg/L SWE.

The Effect of Applied Biostimulants on the Yielding of Three Non-Genetically Modified Soybean Cultivars

Background: Soybean is one of major crop plants cultivated in numerous parts of the world, which is due to an increasing demand for plant protein. Both in Europe and Poland, much attention is paid to enhancing the production of their own fodder protein, as to reduce the import of soybean meal produced from genetically modified plants. Climate warming and breeding progress have made it possible to grow soybeans in central Europe. The yield potential of plants, including soybeans, can be enhanced by an application of biostimulants, which alleviate negative effects of stresses disturbing the life processes of plants. The objective of the present work was to evaluate, under the climatic conditions of central-eastern Poland, the yielding of three non-modified soybean cultivars treated with biostimulants. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 in eastern Poland (central Europe). The soil of the experimental field belonged to the Haplic Luvisol group. The experimental factors included three non-GMO soybean cultivars (Abelina, Merlin, and SG Anser) and two biostimulants (Asahi SL and Improver). Results: Soybean seed yields were affected by the climatic conditions during the growing season, cultivars, and biostimulant applications. Regardless of cultivars and biostimulants, the highest yields were produced by plants grown in 2017 (on average, 3.41 Mg∙ha−1), them being slightly lower in 2019 (on average, 3.0 Mg∙ha−1) and the lowest in the dry 2018 (on average, 2.48 Mg∙ha−1). Significant differences were recorded between cv. SG Anser (the average yield 2.73 Mg∙ha−1) and Merlin (the average yield 3.31 Mg∙ha−1). An application of biostimulants resulted in a significant increase in soybean seed yield compared with the control. Biostimulants contributed to a significant increase in the values of the remaining characteristics, i.e., 1000-seed weight, seed number per pod, and average number of seeds per pod.

Комплексное применение биостимуляторов при выращивании сеянцев ели (Picea obovata L.)

The article presents the results of a 5-year experiment on the cultivation of Siberian spruce seedlings combined with integrated use of biostimulants. Additionally, it describes an experience in application of the acquired planting material to artificial reforestation. The analysis of scientific publications was used for type selection of the chemical substances. The treatment for the seeds and the seedlings of Siberian spruce and the concentration of the growth promoters were chosen according to the “State Catalog of Pesticides and Agrochemicals Permitted for Use on the Territory of the Russian Federation”. For this purpose, the recommendations from manufacturers were also taken into concern. It is revealed that Ferovit (0.1 %) and Cytovite (0.01 %) are effective as pre-sowing treatment of the Siberian spruce seeds. Epin-Extra and Heteroauxin with concentrations of 0.002 % give a positive effect on the root development of the seedlings. The experiments showed that a certain sequential use of biostimulants at different stages of the seedling’s cultivation contributes to more intensive biochemical processes inside the plants (an increase in chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) with a positive correlation between height and phytomas in aerial parts. The combinations of the biostimulants, such as Ferovit–Heteroauxin and Cytovite–Epin-Extra–Heteroauxin, have improved the plant material within three years. The seedlings satisfied the requirements for the trunk’s height and diameter. They also demonstrated higher quality parameters, such as the proportion between aerial part and root system of the plants, as well as woodiness of the trunks. At the end of the nursery period, the planting material of Siberian spruce, cultivated according to the developed technology with all the requirements and regulations, was used to create a trial plot of forest. The reforestation of the Siberian spruce seedlings was made based on the standard recommendations and technical characteristics for the forestry equipment. The inventory inspection at the end of the first year demonstrated 98.7 % capacity for survival of the experimental trees. For citation: Ageev A.A., Saltsevich Yu.V., Buryak L.V. Integrated Application of Biostimulants in Cultivation of Siberian Spruce Seedlings (Picea obovata L). Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 2, pp. 73–87. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-2-73-87

Transcriptome, Biochemical and Phenotypic Analysis of the Effects of a Precision Engineered Biostimulant for Inducing Salinity Stress Tolerance in Tomato.

Salinity stress is a major problem affecting plant growth and crop productivity. While plant biostimulants have been reported to be an effective solution to tackle salinity stress in different crops, the key genes and metabolic pathways involved in these tolerance processes remain unclear. This study focused on integrating phenotypic, physiological, biochemical and transcriptome data obtained from different tissues of Solanum lycopersicum L. plants (cv. Micro-Tom) subjected to a saline irrigation water program for 61 days (EC: 5.8 dS/m) and treated with a combination of protein hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum-derived biostimulant, namely PSI-475. The biostimulant application was associated with the maintenance of higher K+/Na+ ratios in both young leaf and root tissue and the overexpression of transporter genes related to ion homeostasis (e.g., NHX4, HKT1;2). A more efficient osmotic adjustment was characterized by a significant increase in relative water content (RWC), which most likely was associated with osmolyte accumulation and upregulation of genes related to aquaporins (e.g., PIP2.1, TIP2.1). A higher content of photosynthetic pigments (+19.8% to +27.5%), increased expression of genes involved in photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll biosynthesis (e.g., LHC, PORC) and enhanced primary carbon and nitrogen metabolic mechanisms were observed, leading to a higher fruit yield and fruit number (47.5% and 32.5%, respectively). Overall, it can be concluded that the precision engineered PSI-475 biostimulant can provide long-term protective effects on salinity stressed tomato plants through a well-defined mode of action in different plant tissues.

Influence of biostimulants on growth and productivity of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) genotypes

A field experiment was carried out at AHRS, Bavikere, Karnataka during late kharif season of 2021to find out the “Influence of biostimulants on growth and productivity of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) genotypes’’. The field trial was laid out in split plot design with 12 treatment combinations. The study involves three genotypes in the main plot viz., SiA-3156 (G1), HMT-100-1 (G2) and DHFt-109-3 (G3). Foliar application of biostimulants in sub plots viz., 0.1 % humic acid (F1), 3 % panchagavya (F2), 0.1 % humic acid and 3 %panchagavya (F3) at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) and recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as control (F4). Genotypes and Foliar application of biostimulants exhibited significant variation in growth and yield components of foxtail millet. Among the different genotypes, HMT-100-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (142.00 cm), number of tillers per meter (81.87) and leaf area (18.40 dm2/plant) at harvest and also yield components like panicle length (16.60 cm), grain weight per panicle (4.02 g) and grain yield (1701.0 kg/ha) compared to DHFt-109-3 and SiA -3156. In biostimulants, Foliar application of 0.1 % humic acid and 3 % panchagavya recorded significantly higher plant height (142.32 cm), number of tillers per metre (83.75) and leaf area (18.51 dm2/plant) at harvest and also yield components like panicle length (16.99 cm), grain weight per panicle (4.33 g) and grain yield (1781.2 kg/ha). While, they were found to be at their lowest with application of RDF alone. Interaction between genotypes and biostimulants was also found to be significant in which combination of HMT-100-1 with foliar application of 0.1 % humic acid and 3 %panchagavya recorded significantly higher growth and yield compared to other treatment combinations.

Cover Image, Volume 6, Issue 2

Agrosystems, Geosciences & EnvironmentVolume 6, Issue 2 e20375 COVER IMAGEFree Access Cover Image, Volume 6, Issue 2 First published: 06 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20375AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Graphical Abstract On the cover: Hard red spring wheat root that was stained to show the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi hyphae (thin blue structures) visible with a microscope at 40× magnification. See Bartsch et al., “Microbial activity and hard red spring wheat growth improvement following biostimulant application,” https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20332. Photo by Zachary Bartsch. Volume6, Issue2June 2023e20375 RelatedInformation

Response of Bio-Stimulator and Foliar Spray of Nano-Nitrogen on Growth Characteristics of Two Mandarin Seedlings

The experiment was conducted at the gardening station of the Gardening Department of the Ministry of Agriculture located in the al hyndia region of the holy of Karbala from 1 April 2020 until the end of November of the same year to study the effect of fertilization with bio stimulator bioHealth and nano-nitrogen spraying and overlap between them and the effect on improving the vegetative qualities of Mandarin seedlings (local V1 and clementine V2) the experiment included the study of three factors the first factor included the study of two Cultivars of Mandarine seedlings(local and clementine) The second factor involved fertilization with biohealth and three concentrations (0, 5, 10 g. Seedling-1), the third agent included spraying with nano-nitrogen fertilizer and three concentrations(0,2,4ml.L-1). The results revealed that the soil application of bio-stimulator (Bio-Health) has a significant increment in all the studied parameters, under the treatment of B2 (10 gm. seedlings-1) which revealed the highest values compared to the rest of the treatments. The foliar application of nano-nitrogen fertilizer at N2 (4 ml. L-1) has increased the branch length, the secondary shoots number, the stem diameter, leaves area, dry weight of vegetative growth, and leaves content of chlorophyll in comparison with treatment N1.

Genome-resolved analyses of oligotrophic groundwater microbial communities along phenol pollution in a continuous-flow biodegradation model system.

Groundwater pollution is one of the major environmental concerns. The entrance of pollutants into the oligotrophic groundwater ecosystems alters native microbial community structure and metabolism. This study investigated the application of innovative Small Bioreactor Chambers and CaO2 nanoparticles for phenol removal within continuous-flow sand-packed columns for 6 months. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis were conducted to indicate the impact of attached biofilm on sand surfaces in bioremediation columns. Then, the influence of each method on the microbial biodiversity of the column's groundwater was investigated by next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results indicated that the simultaneous application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation completely eliminated phenol during the first 42 days. However, 80.2% of phenol remained in the natural bioremediation column at the end of the experiment. Microbial diversity was decreased by CaO2 injection while order-level groups known for phenol degradation such as Rhodobacterales and Xanthomonadales dominated in biostimulation columns. Genome-resolved comparative analyses of oligotrophic groundwater prokaryotic communities revealed that Burkholderiales, Micrococcales, and Cytophagales were the dominant members of the pristine groundwater. Six-month exposure of groundwater to phenol shifted the microbial population towards increasing the heterotrophic members of Desulfobacterales, Pseudomonadales, and Xanthomonadales with the degradation potential of phenol and other hydrocarbons.

Effects of Plant Biostimulation Time Span and Soil Electrical Conductivity on Greenhouse Tomato ‘Miniplum’ Yield and Quality in Diverse Crop Seasons

Biostimulants help plants cope with environmental stresses and improve vegetable yield and quality. This study was conducted to determine the protein hydrolysate (PH) effect of three different durations (weekly applications: three, six, or nine times plus an untreated control) in factorial combination with four soil electrical conductivities (EC: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 mS·cm-1) on yield, fruit quality, and elemental composition of tomato 'miniplum' grown in a greenhouse. Fruit yield was best affected, during the summer, by six and nine biostimulant applications at EC 3.0 mS·cm-1, and in the same season, the six treatments led to the highest fruit number with no difference compared to nine applications; during the winter, the three and six treatments improved the mentioned variables at each EC level. Fruits' dry residue and Brixo were positively affected by biostimulation both in summer and winter. In summer, the 6.0 mS·cm-1 EC led to the highest dry residue and Brixo values, though the latter did not show any significant difference compared to 4.5 mS·cm-1; in winter, the best results corresponded to 4.5 and 6.0 mS·cm-1. A higher beneficial effect of PH on fruit antioxidant status, i.e., lycopene, polyphenols, ascorbic acid levels, and lipophilic (LAA) and hydrophilic (HAA) activity, was recorded in winter compared with summer. Positive correlations between polyphenols and LAA, as well as ascorbic acid content and HAA were found for all EC and PH treatments. Most of the mineral elements tested demonstrated concentration stability, whereas the highest EC decreased P, Mg, Cu, and Se accumulation. The opposite effect was shown by PH application on Se and Mn levels, with P tending to increase. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Cu were the lowest under the longest duration of PH supply. These results further confirm the essential role of plant biostimulation in enhancing tomato yield and quality, with a particular focus on the treatment duration.

Effect of Bio-stimulants on Growth, Development and Yield of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during December 2018 to April 2019 at the Student’s farm, Department of Agriculture Science &amp; Rural Development, Loyola Academy, Secunderabad to know the effect of bio-stimulants on growth and yield of Chilli. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) and the treatments comprised of: T1- Folicist @ 3 ml/L, T2 – Fylloton @ 3 ml/L, T3 – Globalga @ 3 ml/L, T4 – Tata Bahar @ 2.5 ml/L, T5 – Neo-Alpha @ 2.5 ml/L, T6 – Daiwik @ 2.5 ml/L, T7 – Recommended dose of NPK, T8 – Control. Biostimulants were applied as foliar spray at pre-flowering, flowering and fruit setting stages. From the results of the experiment, it was observed that all the growth parameters i.e., plant height (85 and 82 cm), no. of branches (29 and 26) and number of leaves/plant (288 and 262) were significantly increased by the application of Folicist @ 3.0 ml/L and Tata Bahar @ 2.5 ml/L compared to other treatments and control (54 cm, 13 and 150). Same treatment application resulted in significant increase interms of no. of flowers/plant (78 and 75), number of fruits/plant (128 and 124) and % fruit set (80.5 and 78.2%). The highest number of fruits/ plant, average fruit weight (110.5 and 105.6 g/ 10 fruits), yield/plant (682 g) were recorded in foliar application of Folicist @ 3 ml/L closely followed by Tata Bahar (674 g) and Daiwik (650 g) and the lowest values were observed in control (410 g). Application of biostimulants significantly increased the vitamin-C content of fruits compared to control.