Biostimulation in Agricultural Crops
Article by Diana Cota Ungson
Introduction
Agricultural biostimulants are products designed to promote plant growth and development, improving nutrient use efficiency, increasing tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress factors, and optimizing crop quality. Unlike traditional fertilizers, which supply nutrients directly, biostimulants act indirectly by optimizing physiological processes that enhance nutrient uptake and utilization. This comprehensive approach is key to improving soil health and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Composition and Relevance
Biostimulants include a variety of substances, such as seaweed extracts, amino acids, humic and fulvic acids, as well as beneficial microorganisms. Their growing relevance in modern agriculture lies in their ability to improve sustainability, reduce the use of agrochemicals, and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, the use of biostimulants contributes to crop resilience against adverse conditions such as droughts, salinity, and extreme temperatures.
Mechanisms of Action
Biostimulants possess multiple capabilities that contribute to plant growth and resilience. Some microorganisms produce enzymes such as ACC deaminase (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), which facilitate phytohormone synthesis, hydrocarbon degradation, and mineral solubilization, improving plant growth and mitigating various types of stress, including saline stress. Additionally, they increase chlorophyll fluorescence, promoting greater efficiency in photosynthesis and carbon dioxide fixation. These bacteria also stimulate organic acid metabolism under both normal and stress conditions, and produce siderophores, improving iron availability.
Other strains produce auxins such as indole acetic acid (IAA) and phenylacetic acid (PAA), which promote the formation of secondary roots and root hairs. Furthermore, some synthesize ammonium and have a remarkable capacity to fix nitrogen, making it bioavailable to the plant. The production of siderophores in these strains facilitates key cellular functions such as DNA synthesis, respiration, and free radical detoxification, promoting plant growth.
Bacteria that produce volatile compounds such as 2,3-butanediol stimulate shoot and root growth, while the lipopeptides they synthesize contribute to the host’s immune response. Some strains stand out in the production of exopolysaccharides, which improve nutrient and water uptake in the rhizosphere, establishing beneficial plant-microbe interactions and acting as phosphorus solubilizers.
Finally, certain microorganisms can synthesize secondary metabolites such as surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide with properties that favor pathogen suppression and promote plant growth. Additionally, surfactin plays an important role in triggering induced systemic resistance in plants, strengthening their ability to face adverse conditions.
Benefits and Applications
The incorporation of biostimulants in agriculture not only improves nutrient and water use efficiency but also enhances the ability of plants to resist adverse conditions. This makes biostimulants key tools for addressing the effects of climate change and the need to increase agricultural production. The implementation of these strategies is essential to ensure food security in a growing world.
Regulation and Future
It is essential to establish clear and effective regulatory frameworks that ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of biostimulants. The trend toward harmonization of legislation in various regions represents a positive step for the growth of the biostimulant market, which promises to be an essential tool for more resilient and productive agriculture. Furthermore, ongoing research and development in this field are vital to discover new biostimulants and optimize their use, ensuring sustainable and profitable production in the long term.
Conclusion
In summary, biostimulants represent an innovative and sustainable solution to address current challenges in agriculture. By promoting soil health and resource use efficiency, these products have the potential to transform agricultural practices, contributing to more sustainable production and global food security.
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