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Plants, including vegetables, are an essential element of the human diet, considering their dense nutritional content and bioactive content that could assist in boosting nutritional quality and food security. Plants are exhibiting a colossal rebound in the context of healthier lifestyles, especially as functional foods empowered with bioactive phytochemicals; they synthesize uncountable “ecochemicals” via secondary metabolism, which command medical and socioeconomic significance. Among these secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds are of prime interest and are largely present in medicinal plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. These metabolites are at the helm of the bitterness, color, and scent of plants, and are correlated to the beneficial health qualities expressed by the antioxidant capacity. The accretion of these health-promoting phytochemicals depends chiefly on the genetic material and the maturity stage at harvest, notwithstanding the main role that is played by preharvest factors, i.e., eustress, fertilization, irrigation, light, biostimulants, biofortification, and other agronomic practices. This Special Issue is a collection of 11 original research articles addressing the quality of seeds, microgreens, leafy vegetables, herbs, flowers, berries, fruits, and byproducts. Mainly preharvest factors were assessed regarding their effect on the qualitative aspects of the aforementioned plants.

Research & information: general --- Biology, life sciences --- chromium --- ethnopharmacology --- flavonoids --- glucose-lowering activity --- HPLC --- natural antioxidants --- polyphenol --- air humidity (RH) --- Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata --- controlled environment agriculture (CEA) --- bioactive compounds --- leaf gas exchange --- minerals profile --- genetic material --- protected horticulture --- crop sensor --- functional components --- reflectance spectroscopy --- Apiaceae --- seeds --- antioxidants --- potassium --- total dissolved solids --- protein --- growing season --- Cichorium endivia L. var. crispum Hegi --- yield --- sugars --- mineral profile --- iodine concentration --- functional compounds --- space-stored seeds --- Solanum lycopersicum L. --- weightlessness --- cosmic radiation --- macronutrients --- Spinacia oleracea L. --- carotenoids --- nitrates --- phenolic acids --- UHPLC-HRMS --- chlorophylls --- vitamin C --- trans-resveratrol --- esters --- terpenols --- glycosidic precursors --- harvest time --- Vitis vinifera --- tomato and carrot by-products --- freezing and drying impact --- antioxidant capacity --- polyphenolics --- vitamin E --- greenhouse clear film --- greenhouse diffuse-light film --- spinach yield --- nitrate content --- antioxidant activity --- ascorbic acid --- floating raft system --- biostimulant --- root application --- anthocyanins --- phenols --- reduced sugars --- carbohydrates --- minerals --- pigments --- n/a

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Over the past decade, interest in plant biostimulants has been on the rise, compelled by the growing interest of researchers, extension specialists, private industries, and farmers in integrating these products in the array of environmentally friendly tools to secure improved crop performance, nutrient efficiency, product quality, and yield stability. Plant biostimulants include diverse organic and inorganic substances, natural compounds, and/or beneficial microorganisms such as humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed and plant extracts, silicon, endophytic fungi like mycorrhizal fungi, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria belonging to the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Rhizobium. Other substances (e.g., chitosan and other biopolymers and inorganic compounds) can have biostimulant properties, but their classification within the group of biostimulants is still under consideration. Plant biostimulants are usually applied to high-value crops, mainly greenhouse crops, fruit trees and vines, open-field crops, flowers, and ornamentals to sustainably increase yield and product quality. The global biostimulant market is currently estimated at about $2.0 billion and is expected to reach $3.0 billion by 2021 at an annual growth rate of 13%. A growing interest in plant biostimulants from industries and scientists was demonstrated by the high number of published peer-reviewed articles, conferences, workshops, and symposia in the past ten years. This book compiles several original research articles, technology reports, methods, opinions, perspectives, and invited reviews and mini reviews dissecting the biostimulatory action of these natural compounds and substances and beneficial microorganisms on crops grown under optimal and suboptimal growing conditions (e.g., salinity, drought, nutrient deficiency and toxicity, heavy metal contaminations, waterlogging, and adverse soil pH conditions). Also included are contributions dealing with the effect as well as the molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant biostimulants on nutrient efficiency, product quality, and modulation of the microbial population both quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, identification and understanding of the optimal method, time, rate of application and phenological stage for improving plant performance and resilience to stress as well as the best combinations of plant species/cultivar × environment × management practices are also reported. We strongly believe that high standard reflected in this compilation on the principles and practices of plant biostimulants will foster knowledge transfer among scientific communities, industries, and agronomists, and will enable a better understanding of the mode of action and application procedures of biostimulants in different cropping systems.

Research & information: general --- Biology, life sciences --- Technology, engineering, agriculture --- Crocus sativus L. --- biofertilization --- arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi --- antioxidant activity --- crocin --- picrocrocin --- polyphenols --- safranal --- Maize --- biostimulant --- root --- stress --- growth --- gene expression --- stem cuttings --- propagation --- root morphology traits --- indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) --- indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) --- gibberellins --- phenolic compounds --- nutrients --- nutraceutical potential --- soybean --- yield --- N organic fertilizer --- seaweed extract --- mycorrhizal inoculants --- phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms --- biofertilizers --- microorganism consortium --- biostimulants --- Crocus sativus --- Funneliformis mosseae --- glasshouse --- protected cultivation --- Rhizophagus intraradices --- substrate --- L-methionine --- L-tryptophan --- L-glycine --- lettuce --- nitrogen --- plant biostimulant --- environmental stress --- vegetables --- fruit quality --- plants biostimulants --- yielding --- Biostimulants --- Euglena gracilis --- algal polysaccharide --- β-glucan --- water stress --- tomato --- aeroponics --- Zea mays L --- lignohumate --- lignosulfonate --- biological activity --- nitrogen metabolism --- carbon metabolism --- proteins --- phenolics --- sugars --- Ascophyllum nodosum --- Solanum melongena --- heterostyly --- pollination efficiency --- soilless conditions --- abiotic stress --- alfalfa hydrolysate --- chitosan --- zinc --- ascorbic acid --- Fragaria x ananassa --- functional quality --- lycopene --- organic farming --- protein hydrolysate --- Solanum lycopersicum L. --- tropical plant extract --- fertilizer --- melatonin --- phytomelatonin --- plant protector --- plant stress --- Lactuca sativa L. --- legume-derived protein hydrolysate --- nitrate --- Septoria --- wheat --- Paraburkholderia phytofirmans --- thyme essential oil --- isotope --- phytoparasitic nematodes --- suppressiveness --- sustainable management --- anti-nutritional substances --- fat --- fibre --- morphotype --- protein --- corn --- imaging --- industrial crops --- maize --- next generation sequencing --- phenomics --- plant phenotyping --- row crops --- Bacillus subtilis --- carotenoids --- probiotics --- PGPR --- Mentha longifolia --- humic acid --- antioxidants --- arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis --- mycorrhizosphere --- AMF associated bacteria --- plant growth-promoting bacteria --- phosphate-solubilizing bacteria --- siderophore production --- soil enzymatic activity --- biological index fertility --- nitrogenase activity --- microelements fertilization (Ti, Si, B, Mo, Zn) --- seed coating --- cover crop --- vermicompost --- growth enhancement --- AM fungi --- PGPB --- water deficit --- common bean --- Glomus spp. --- organic acids --- pod quality --- seaweed extracts --- seed quality --- tocopherols --- total sugars --- bean --- amino acids --- phenols --- flavonoids --- microbial biostimulant --- non-microbial biostimulant --- Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia --- mineral profile --- physiological mechanism --- photosynthesis --- biocontrol --- plant growth promotion --- soil inoculant --- Trichoderma --- Azotobacter --- Streptomyces --- deproteinized leaf juice --- fermentation --- lactic acid bacteria --- plant nutrition --- antioxidant capacity --- ornamental plants --- N fertilization --- nitrogen use efficiency --- leaf quality --- Spinacia oleracea L. --- sustainable agriculture --- Valerianella locusta L. --- isotopic labeling --- turfgrass --- humic acids --- leaf area index (LAI) --- specific leaf area (SLA) --- Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index --- tuber yield --- ultrasound-assisted water --- foliar spray --- Pterocladia capillacea --- bio-fertilizer --- growth parameters --- Jew’s Mallow --- CROPWAT model --- eco-friendly practices --- total ascorbic acid --- Mater-Bi® --- mineral composition --- SPAD index --- Bacillus thuringiensis --- Capsicum annuum --- microbiome --- strain-specific primer --- tracking --- sweet basil --- alfalfa brown juice --- biostimulation --- chlorophyll pigments --- histological changes --- humic substances --- protein hydrolysates --- silicon --- arbuscular mycorrhiza --- plant growth promoting rhizobacteria --- macroalgae --- microalgae --- abiotic stresses --- nutrient use efficiency --- physiological mechanisms

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• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Over the past decade, interest in plant biostimulants has been on the rise, compelled by the growing interest of researchers, extension specialists, private industries, and farmers in integrating these products in the array of environmentally friendly tools to secure improved crop performance, nutrient efficiency, product quality, and yield stability. Plant biostimulants include diverse organic and inorganic substances, natural compounds, and/or beneficial microorganisms such as humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed and plant extracts, silicon, endophytic fungi like mycorrhizal fungi, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria belonging to the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Rhizobium. Other substances (e.g., chitosan and other biopolymers and inorganic compounds) can have biostimulant properties, but their classification within the group of biostimulants is still under consideration. Plant biostimulants are usually applied to high-value crops, mainly greenhouse crops, fruit trees and vines, open-field crops, flowers, and ornamentals to sustainably increase yield and product quality. The global biostimulant market is currently estimated at about $2.0 billion and is expected to reach $3.0 billion by 2021 at an annual growth rate of 13%. A growing interest in plant biostimulants from industries and scientists was demonstrated by the high number of published peer-reviewed articles, conferences, workshops, and symposia in the past ten years. This book compiles several original research articles, technology reports, methods, opinions, perspectives, and invited reviews and mini reviews dissecting the biostimulatory action of these natural compounds and substances and beneficial microorganisms on crops grown under optimal and suboptimal growing conditions (e.g., salinity, drought, nutrient deficiency and toxicity, heavy metal contaminations, waterlogging, and adverse soil pH conditions). Also included are contributions dealing with the effect as well as the molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant biostimulants on nutrient efficiency, product quality, and modulation of the microbial population both quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, identification and understanding of the optimal method, time, rate of application and phenological stage for improving plant performance and resilience to stress as well as the best combinations of plant species/cultivar × environment × management practices are also reported. We strongly believe that high standard reflected in this compilation on the principles and practices of plant biostimulants will foster knowledge transfer among scientific communities, industries, and agronomists, and will enable a better understanding of the mode of action and application procedures of biostimulants in different cropping systems.

Crocus sativus L. --- biofertilization --- arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi --- antioxidant activity --- crocin --- picrocrocin --- polyphenols --- safranal --- Maize --- biostimulant --- root --- stress --- growth --- gene expression --- stem cuttings --- propagation --- root morphology traits --- indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) --- indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) --- gibberellins --- phenolic compounds --- nutrients --- nutraceutical potential --- soybean --- yield --- N organic fertilizer --- seaweed extract --- mycorrhizal inoculants --- phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms --- biofertilizers --- microorganism consortium --- biostimulants --- Crocus sativus --- Funneliformis mosseae --- glasshouse --- protected cultivation --- Rhizophagus intraradices --- substrate --- L-methionine --- L-tryptophan --- L-glycine --- lettuce --- nitrogen --- plant biostimulant --- environmental stress --- vegetables --- fruit quality --- plants biostimulants --- yielding --- Biostimulants --- Euglena gracilis --- algal polysaccharide --- β-glucan --- water stress --- tomato --- aeroponics --- Zea mays L --- lignohumate --- lignosulfonate --- biological activity --- nitrogen metabolism --- carbon metabolism --- proteins --- phenolics --- sugars --- Ascophyllum nodosum --- Solanum melongena --- heterostyly --- pollination efficiency --- soilless conditions --- abiotic stress --- alfalfa hydrolysate --- chitosan --- zinc --- ascorbic acid --- Fragaria x ananassa --- functional quality --- lycopene --- organic farming --- protein hydrolysate --- Solanum lycopersicum L. --- tropical plant extract --- fertilizer --- melatonin --- phytomelatonin --- plant protector --- plant stress --- Lactuca sativa L. --- legume-derived protein hydrolysate --- nitrate --- Septoria --- wheat --- Paraburkholderia phytofirmans --- thyme essential oil --- isotope --- phytoparasitic nematodes --- suppressiveness --- sustainable management --- anti-nutritional substances --- fat --- fibre --- morphotype --- protein --- corn --- imaging --- industrial crops --- maize --- next generation sequencing --- phenomics --- plant phenotyping --- row crops --- Bacillus subtilis --- carotenoids --- probiotics --- PGPR --- Mentha longifolia --- humic acid --- antioxidants --- arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis --- mycorrhizosphere --- AMF associated bacteria --- plant growth-promoting bacteria --- phosphate-solubilizing bacteria --- siderophore production --- soil enzymatic activity --- biological index fertility --- nitrogenase activity --- microelements fertilization (Ti, Si, B, Mo, Zn) --- seed coating --- cover crop --- vermicompost --- growth enhancement --- AM fungi --- PGPB --- water deficit --- common bean --- Glomus spp. --- organic acids --- pod quality --- seaweed extracts --- seed quality --- tocopherols --- total sugars --- bean --- amino acids --- phenols --- flavonoids --- microbial biostimulant --- non-microbial biostimulant --- Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia --- mineral profile --- physiological mechanism --- photosynthesis --- biocontrol --- plant growth promotion --- soil inoculant --- Trichoderma --- Azotobacter --- Streptomyces --- deproteinized leaf juice --- fermentation --- lactic acid bacteria --- plant nutrition --- antioxidant capacity --- ornamental plants --- N fertilization --- nitrogen use efficiency --- leaf quality --- Spinacia oleracea L. --- sustainable agriculture --- Valerianella locusta L. --- isotopic labeling --- turfgrass --- humic acids --- leaf area index (LAI) --- specific leaf area (SLA) --- Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index --- tuber yield --- ultrasound-assisted water --- foliar spray --- Pterocladia capillacea --- bio-fertilizer --- growth parameters --- Jew’s Mallow --- CROPWAT model --- eco-friendly practices --- total ascorbic acid --- Mater-Bi® --- mineral composition --- SPAD index --- Bacillus thuringiensis --- Capsicum annuum --- microbiome --- strain-specific primer --- tracking --- sweet basil --- alfalfa brown juice --- biostimulation --- chlorophyll pigments --- histological changes --- humic substances --- protein hydrolysates --- silicon --- arbuscular mycorrhiza --- plant growth promoting rhizobacteria --- macroalgae --- microalgae --- abiotic stresses --- nutrient use efficiency --- physiological mechanisms