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

Biobased: Biostimulants and biogenic nanoparticles enter the scene

Ciro Tolisano, Daniele Del Buono

The Science of The Total Environment · 2023

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Summary

This narrative review examines the emerging role of biostimulants and biogenic nanoparticles synthesised from agricultural, agroindustrial and food waste biomass as sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural inputs. The authors synthesise recent literature on biomass biorefining strategies and their application to crop productivity, resilience and nutrition, framing waste valorisation as both an environmental and economic opportunity within circular bioeconomy frameworks. The review concludes that appropriately formulated biobased materials derived from plant and agroindustrial residues represent a promising pathway for sustainable waste management and agricultural innovation.

UK applicability

The findings are broadly relevant to UK agricultural policy objectives around waste reduction, circular economy transition and sustainable intensification. UK horticulture, arable and mixed farming sectors generate substantial crop residues and agroindustrial by-products that could potentially be valorised through biorefining; however, specific agronomic efficacy data under UK climate and soil conditions would be needed to guide adoption.

Key measures

Crop performance metrics, crop stress tolerance (biotic and abiotic), plant nutrition outcomes, waste valorisation pathways, nanoparticle synthesis methods

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises evidence on how biostimulants and biogenic nanoparticles derived from agricultural and agroindustrial waste biomass can improve crop performance, stress tolerance, and plant nutrition. It examines the potential of biomass biorefining as a circular economy approach to waste valorisation and sustainable agricultural innovation.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163912
Catalogue ID
SNmov0gcc4-xfkqxd

Topic tags

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