Summary
This narrative review consolidates evidence on higher plant-derived biostimulants (hPDBs) as a sustainable approach to enhance crop productivity under abiotic stress. The authors synthesise mechanisms through which hPDBs regulate plant physiological processes from germination to reproduction, including effects on mineral nutrition, primary and specialised metabolism, photosynthetic efficiency, oxidative metabolism, and plant signalling. The work aims to unify fragmented knowledge on hPDB efficacy in supporting crop resilience under deteriorating environmental conditions whilst minimising agricultural environmental impact.
UK applicability
The mechanisms and principles described are universally applicable to UK cropping systems, particularly given projected increases in edaphoclimatic stress. However, the review's focus on biostimulant mechanisms rather than crop-specific field performance limits direct translation to UK farming practice; further UK-based field trials would be needed to validate efficacy under British soil and climate conditions.
Key measures
Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of action; effects on plant development, mineral nutrition, metabolism, photosynthesis, oxidative stress responses, and signalling pathways; crop yield and resilience under abiotic stress conditions
Outcomes reported
This narrative review synthesised mechanisms through which plant-derived biostimulants regulate physiological processes including mineral nutrition, primary and specialised metabolism, photosynthesis, oxidative metabolism, and signalling in crops under abiotic stress. The review consolidated dispersed literature on efficacy and modes of action of higher plant-derived biostimulants across multiple crop systems.
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