Summary
This comprehensive review synthesises current knowledge on biostimulants as emerging tools for sustainable agriculture, examining their mechanisms of action, classifications, and historical development. The authors identify critical gaps in formulation consistency, regulatory frameworks, and mechanistic understanding that currently limit broader adoption, whilst highlighting biostimulants' potential to enhance nutrient efficiency and agricultural resilience. A holistic framework for advancing research, policy, and practical application is proposed to unlock the sector's contribution to future sustainable farming systems.
UK applicability
The review's emphasis on regulatory harmonisation and formulation standardisation is relevant to UK agricultural policy and crop protection approval processes. However, the abstract does not specify UK-specific trials or conditions, so application to British farming practice would require consultation of the full paper.
Key measures
Biostimulant efficacy mechanisms; nutrient use efficiency; climate change mitigation potential; regulatory and economic barriers to adoption
Outcomes reported
This review examines the historical development, classifications, and mechanisms of action of biostimulants in agriculture. It identifies current challenges including product variability, regulatory fragmentation, and economic constraints, whilst assessing potential benefits for nutrient efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainable crop production.
Topic tags
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