Instant Insights: Biostimulant applications in agriculture

Chapter 1 - Designing and formulating microbial and non-microbial biostimulants: Paolo Bonini, NGAlab, Spain; Veronica Cirino, Atens Agrotecnologias Naturales S.L., Spain; Helene Reynaud, Italpollina USA, USA; Youssef Rouphael, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Mariateresa Cardarelli, CREA, Centro di ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo, Italy; and Giuseppe Colla, University of Tuscia, Italy; 1 Introduction 2 The biostimulant development process 3 Industrial case study 1: mycorrhizal inoculants 4 Industrial case study 2: vegetal-based protein hydrolysates 5 Future trends 6 References
Chapter 2 - Humic substances (HS) as plant biostimulants in agriculture: Andrea Ertani, Università degli Studi di Padova and Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy; and Michela Schiavon and Serenella Nardi, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy; 1 Introduction 2 Production and characteristics of humic substances 3 Humic substances and plant nutrition 4 Effects of humic substances on soil 5 Biological activities of humic substances 6 Commercial humates in agriculture 7 Conclusions 8 References
Chapter 3 - Bio-effectors to optimize the mineral nutrition of crop plants: Markus Weinmann and Günter Neumann, University Hohenheim, Germany; 1 Introduction 2 Defining ‘bio-effectors’ and other key terms 3 Bacillus species 4 Pseudomonas species 5 Trichoderma species 6 Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi 7 Synergies between bio-effectors 8 Improving bio-effector functionality 9 Case study: the BioFector Project 10 Conclusions 11 Where to look for further information 12 References
Chapter 4 - The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve root function and crop nutrient use efficiency: Melissa M. Larrabee and Louise M. Nelson, University of British Columbia, Canada; 1 Introduction 2 The effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on root function 3 The effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on plant mineral nutrition 4 Future trends in research 5 Conclusion 6 Where to look for further information 7 References
Chapter 5 - Advances in biostimulants as an integrated pest management tool in horticulture: Surendra K. Dara, University of California Cooperative Extension, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Integrated pest management 3 Enhancement of crop growth, health and yield 4 Enhancement of soil health 5 Inducing natural resistance 6 Suppression of diseases 7 Suppression of arthropod pests 8 Tolerance to abiotic stresses 9 Multitrophic interactions and influencing factors 10 Strategies of using biostimulants 11 Challenges and future needs 12 Conclusion 13 Where to look for further information 14 References