Biostimulation Effects of Plant Extracts and Nanofertilizers

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to advancing research in biostimulation through plant extracts and nanofertilizers, a dynamic field within plant science focused on sustainable agricultural practices and crop productivity and resilience. With increasing global demands for food security and environmentally friendly farming practices, there is a pressing need for new alternatives to enhance plant growth, stress tolerance, and nutrient use efficiency without further impacting soil and water.

Plant-based biostimulants, mainly extracts rich in bioactive compounds, have gained considerable interest due to their capability to stimulate plant metabolic processes. These extracts can enhance photosynthesis and nutrient uptake, promote root development, and activate various metabolic pathways associated with stress tolerance. They also contribute to environmental sustainability by diminishing reliance on conventional fertilizers and pesticides. Despite their benefits, understanding the specific mechanisms and bioactive compounds involved remains challenging, necessitating further research into their modes of action and potential crop-specific applications.

Nanofertilizers represent another breakthrough in sustainable agriculture, leveraging nanoscale technology to deliver nutrients precisely and efficiently to crops. Their unique properties, including a biostimulatory high surface area and better targeted and controlled release, allow for a reduction in nutrient losses while maximizing absorption. Nanofertilizers can significantly improve crop productivity and biofortification by supplying essential nutrients more effectively than conventional fertilizers. However, nanofertilizers should be further studied in different environments, soils, and crop species, in addition to considering their potential environmental and health impacts.

This Special Issue invites review articles, regular research articles, communications, and short notes addressing the biostimulatory effects of plant extracts and nanofertilizers. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the mechanisms of action of plant extracts in crop biostimulation, methods to improve the composition and formulation of plant extracts, and advances in nanofertilizer design and application. Laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies and trials assessing or demonstrating the effectiveness of environmental and economic impact are welcome.

We welcome contributions from interdisciplinary teams that integrate plant physiology, soil science, nanotechnology, and agricultural sustainability to further our understanding of these transformative biostimulants and their role in achieving a balanced approach to crop production.

Prof. Dr. Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza
Prof. Dr. Halley Caixeta De Oliveira
Prof. Dr. Antonio Juárez-Maldonado
Prof. Dr. José Antonio González-Fuentes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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