Plant Biostimulants: Functions and Mechanisms

Plant biostimulants are substances or microorganisms applied to plants to enhance growth, development, and stress tolerance. Unlike fertilizers, which provide essential nutrients, biostimulants work through various mechanisms, including improving nutrient uptake, enhancing plant metabolism, and boosting antioxidant activity. They can be derived from natural sources such as seaweed extracts, amino acids, and beneficial microorganisms like mycorrhizal fungi. Biostimulants play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by promoting plant resilience to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, and disease. They also contribute to improved crop quality and yield without leaving harmful residues. As agriculture faces challenges from climate change and resource limitations, the use of biostimulants offers a promising approach to support plant health and productivity while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of plant biostimulants. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The book is appropriate for students as well as for experts seeking detailed information in this area.