Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Synergies between biostimulants and plant nutrients: a review of ecofriendly nutrient management in crop production

Noor Ul Basar; Muhammad Adnan Shahid; Alberto San Bautista Primo; Davie M. Kadyampakeni

Discover Agriculture · 2025

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Summary

This review examines synergistic interactions between biostimulants and plant nutrients in crop production systems, with emphasis on ecofriendly nutrient management strategies. The authors synthesise evidence on how biostimulants—including microbial consortia and plant-derived compounds—can enhance the efficacy of nutrient inputs whilst reducing environmental burden. The work contributes to understanding of integrated nutrient strategies that combine conventional, organic, and biological inputs for improved agronomic and sustainability outcomes.

UK applicability

Findings are potentially applicable to UK horticulture and arable systems, particularly given increasing policy emphasis on reducing synthetic inputs and supporting soil health under agricultural subsidy reform. However, climate-specific efficacy of biostimulants and regional soil microbiota responses would require validation in UK field conditions.

Key measures

Nutrient use efficiency, crop yield, nutrient uptake, plant growth parameters, soil microbial activity, sustainability metrics

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises evidence on how biostimulants (such as microbial inoculants, plant extracts, and bioactive compounds) interact with conventional and organic nutrient inputs to enhance nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity. It likely reports on mechanisms of synergy and practical agronomic outcomes across multiple crop systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Ecofriendly and biological approaches to nutrient management
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Arable cereals, Horticulture
DOI
10.1007/s44279-025-00345-x
Catalogue ID
NRmo3d4gae-089

Topic tags

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