Application of Plant Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 August 2024) | Viewed by 4032

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Fermentations and Biomolecules Lab, Food Science and Technology Department, Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Interests: Bioprocess, agrifood waste valorization, biostimulants production, postharvest, fermentation technology, Sargassum valorization

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Horticultura, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Interests: research interests are directed towards plant biostimulation, plant nutrition, and stress tolerance induction and seed priming using nanometric or bulk species of essential and beneficial elements, biopolymers, and UV radiation; research focuses on the relationships between plant biostimulation, plant nutrition, tolerance to stress, and the nutritional quality and biofortification of vegetables and fruits
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Guest Editor
CONACYT—Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Interests: Plant soil microorganism interactions; absorption and accumulation of minerals in plants. Biofortification assisted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current high global demand for horticultural crops and changing climatic conditions has encouraged the development of biostimulant products that magnify crop productivity. Plant biostimulants can be molecules or compounds related to the presence of various bioactive substances, which activate and help the defense system of plants. In addition, the new sustainability regulations demand that these biostimulants be of organic origin, or of green chemistry. The study of the production of new biostimulants and their application in horticultural crops can be used to satisfy the current demand for healthy and nutritious foods. In this Special Issue, articles on the application of plant biostimulants in horticultural crops are accepted, including studies on production and chemical characterization, as well as their application in seedlings and horticultural crops.

Dr. Armando Robledo-Olivo
Prof. Dr. Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza
Dr. Carlos Juan Alvarado-López
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • abiotic stress
  • biotic stress
  • aqueous extraction
  • ethanolic extraction
  • fermentation
  • nanoparticles

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1721 KiB  
Article
Microbial Biostimulants and Seaweed Extract Synergistically Influence Seedling Growth and Morphology of Three Onion Cultivars
by Qianwen Zhang, Joseph Masabni and Genhua Niu
Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080800 - 29 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Onion (Allium cepa L.), a globally cultivated vegetable crop, possesses a shallow root system, making it vulnerable to abiotic stresses. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events in recent years necessitates sustainable solutions to enhance onion growth. Biostimulants offer a promising and [...] Read more.
Onion (Allium cepa L.), a globally cultivated vegetable crop, possesses a shallow root system, making it vulnerable to abiotic stresses. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events in recent years necessitates sustainable solutions to enhance onion growth. Biostimulants offer a promising and accessible approach to promote onion growth and quality in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This study investigated the effects of nine commercial microbial biostimulants (LALRISE Mycorrhizae, LALRISE Bacillus, Mighty Mycorrhizae, MycoApply, Spectrum DS, Spectrum Myco, Spectrum, Tribus Original, and Tribus Continuum) and one non-microbial commercial biostimulant (Kelpak—seaweed extract) on the seedling growth of three onion cultivars: Carta Blanca (white), Don Victoro (yellow), and Sofire (red). The results indicated that biostimulants did not significantly affect onion seed germination, but germination rates did vary among the onion cultivars. These cultivars also exhibited significant morphological and biomass differences, with principal component analysis revealing a more obvious effect on root growth compared to shoot growth. Kelpak seaweed extract increased the plant height, leaf area, and shoot fresh weight and dry weight of onion seedlings but decreased the root-to-shoot dry-weight ratio. The effects of microbial biostimulants on onion seedling growth depended on both the onion cultivar and Kelpak seaweed extract. In general, LALRISE Mycorrhizae, Mighty Mycorrhizae, Spectrum Myco, Spectrum DS, and Tribus Continuum exhibited positive effects on seedling growth in certain onion cultivars. Furthermore, the benefits of microbial biostimulants were amplified when combined with Kelpak seaweed extract application. These findings suggest a synergistic interaction between microbial and non-microbial biostimulants, leading to enhanced onion seedling growth. Further research is required to evaluate the long-term effects of these biostimulants on onion plant growth after transplanting to fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Plant Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)
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17 pages, 2999 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Growth, Yield, and Antioxidant Activity of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) through Amino Acid Foliar Spray Application
by Lamiaa El-Khayat, Mohssen Elbagory, Mohamed Elsadek, Nevin Ahmed, Ibrahim Mohamed, Alaa El-Dein Omara and Nesrein Salim
Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010041 - 31 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Bitter gourd has picked up noteworthy consideration for its pharmacological benefits. However, the impact of amino acids (AAs) dosage on growth, yield, and antioxidants is uncertain. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar spraying bitter gourd with 100, 200, and 300 [...] Read more.
Bitter gourd has picked up noteworthy consideration for its pharmacological benefits. However, the impact of amino acids (AAs) dosage on growth, yield, and antioxidants is uncertain. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar spraying bitter gourd with 100, 200, and 300 mg/L dosages of tryptophan (Trp), glutamine (Gln), and phenylalanine (Phe). The results revealed that Trp, at a dosage of 300 mg/L, produced the most substantial increase in plant length, followed by 300 mg/L Phe. Additionally, the highest values of the fresh dry weight of the plants, fresh weight of the first fruit, fruit number per plant, fresh weight of the fruits per plant, and total fruit output per hectare were seen at 300 mg/L of Trp, followed by 300 mg/L of Gln. Phe at 300 mg/L yielded the highest levels of total phenolics and total flavonoids, coupled with strong scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. These outcomes show the potential of Trp and Gln foliar sprays to enhance bitter gourd growth, yield, and certain antioxidant compounds. These findings carry substantial implications for the enhancement of bitter gourd cultivation and quality. By revealing AA’s potential for improving bitter gourd, our research contributes to bolstering the agricultural sustainability of this remarkable crop. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Plant Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)
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