Summary
This narrative review synthesises current knowledge on biostimulants—plant-derived compounds (seaweeds, phytoextracts, humic substances, protein hydrolysates) and microbial inoculants (plant-beneficial bacteria and fungi)—as sustainable alternatives for enhancing crop resilience to climate-driven abiotic stresses. The authors characterise mechanisms of action across multiple biological scales and highlight critical knowledge gaps and commercialisation challenges that must be addressed before widespread field implementation under changing climate conditions.
UK applicability
The review's findings on biostimulant efficacy against drought, salinity, and temperature stress are directly relevant to UK agriculture facing increasing climate variability. However, UK-specific field validation and regulatory clarity on biostimulant classification and registration would be needed to support practical adoption within existing farming systems and policy frameworks.
Key measures
Root growth and diameter; flowering parameters; nutrient use efficiency and translocation; soil water holding capacity; microbial activity; mechanisms of stress tolerance at physicochemical, metabolic, and molecular levels
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on how plant-derived, animal-derived, and microbial biostimulants enhance crop tolerance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metals, UV radiation) and improve plant performance metrics including root growth, nutrient use efficiency, and soil microbial activity. The authors identified mechanisms of action across physicochemical, metabolic, and molecular scales and examined commercialisation barriers to field-scale implementation.
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