Improving the nutritional quality of food through advanced and sustainable agricultural practices has become a key objective of modern vegetable crop production. Emphasis is placed on increasing the content of health-promoting bioactive compounds, such as vitamins and polyphenols, particularly flavonoids whose accumulation is strongly affected by various biotic and abiotic stress factors. To mitigate stress-induced limitations and enhance plant performance, biostimulants are increasingly applied. Among them, Trichoderma spp. are widely recognized for their ability to promote plant growth and resilience, primarily through enzymatic activity and the production of bioactive metabolites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the native Trichoderma sp. strain STP8 to enhance the production of bioactive compounds through seed and soil applications at planting and 26 days after planting (DAP), applied individually or in combination. A spore suspension (4 × 106 spores mL−1) was used. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. At harvest (43 DAP), dry matter, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were determined. Additionally, flavonoids and non-flavonoids, total phenolics, individual phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity were analyzed. Achieved results demonstrate that the effects of the native Trichoderma sp. strain STP8 on lettuce secondary metabolism and antioxidant properties are strongly dependent on the developmental stage at which inoculation is performed, providing further insight into the stage-specific interactions between plans and Trichoderma. Practically, a single application at planting proved to be the most effective strategy for enhancing the accumulation of bioactive compounds, indicating that optimized application timing may improve the efficacy of Trichoderma-based biostimulants, while avoiding unnecessary repeated applications. These findings support the potential use of native Trichoderma strains as sustainable tools for improving the nutritional and functional quality of lettuce. Further research integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular analyses is required to elucidate the mechanisms by which the native Trichoderma sp. strain STP8 regulates the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in lettuce.
Background Basil is a high-value aromatic and medicinal plant widely recognized for its rich composition of bioactive compounds with applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses, growth, and production of bioactive compounds in baby leaf basil cultivated in a hydroponic system supplemented with B-complex vitamins. Methods The experiment was conducted under a controlled environment using a randomized block design with four treatments: control, nicotinamide, thiamine, and pyridoxine. Plants were assessed 14 days after sowing for gas exchange parameters, biometric traits, biomass accumulation, leaf pigments, and bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, antioxidant activity, and sun protection factor. Results Vitamin supplementation reduced intercellular CO2 concentration and significantly increased CO2 assimilation rate, water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency. Nicotinamide notably enhanced plant growth, increasing leaf area (78%) and plant height (34.8%), as well as shoot fresh and dry mass (49.7 and 77.9%). Bioactive compound accumulation was also stimulated, with increases of up to 129.1% in phenolics and 159.2% in antioxidant activity, with nicotinamide being superior to the other treatments in all nutraceutical characteristics. Additionally, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were elevated, especially under nicotinamide treatment, which also reduced leaf temperature. Pyridoxine showed intermediate effects, while thiamine presented modest improvements compared to the control. Conclusion Hydroponic supplementation with B vitamins, particularly nicotinamide, enhances physiological performance, biomass production, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in basil.
G. R. Sant’Ana, Alana Vanessa Chagas da Rocha, F. F. Binotti et al.· Frontiers in Nutrition· 0 citations
The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural practices has accelerated the search for alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Microbial biofertilizers, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), offer a promising strategy to enhance crop productivity while maintaining soil health. Among these, Bacillus species have gained significant attention due to their ecological versatility and functional diversity. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the biofertilization potential of Bacillus spp. in sustainable agriculture. Prominent species such as Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. amyloliquefaciens contribute to improved nutrient acquisition through nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and potassium mobilization. In addition, Bacillus spp. produce phytohormones, siderophores, and volatile organic compounds that stimulate plant growth and enhance tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Their endospore-forming ability ensures high survival, prolonged shelf life, and reliable performance under diverse field conditions, supporting their commercial application as biofertilizers. This review also discusses interactions between Bacillus spp. and native soil microbiota, their influence on rhizosphere dynamics, and their role in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. However, inconsistent field performance, formulation challenges, and regulatory constraints remain key barriers to large-scale adoption. Recent advances in genomics, strain improvement, and formulation technologies present new opportunities to enhance the efficacy of Bacillus-based biofertilizers. Integrative approaches combining microbiology, agronomy, and policy frameworks are essential to realize their full potential in sustainable agricultural systems and global food security.
Soumendranath Chatterjee, Dibyendu Saha, Souvik Bag et al.· Discover Plants· 0 citations
The growing pressure exerted by global food demand, combined with the excessive use of chemical and synthetic inputs, is prompting the agricultural sector to seek innovative and sustainable solutions to improve, or at least maintain, crop yields in a context of increased abiotic stress linked to climate change. Among the promising approaches, biostimulants are attracting growing interest, particularly those derived from natural sources such as seaweed extracts, humic acids, and beneficial microorganisms. These products work through various mechanisms, including osmotic regulation, activation of antioxidant systems, stimulation of root growth, and improvement of nutrient absorption. Many recent research and review articles have explored the optimal combinations of raw materials, formulation processes, target crops, and environmental conditions to maximize beneficial effects on plant growth, soil health, and tolerance to abiotic stresses. As a result, a growing range of commercial products is emerging, with diverse chemical compositions, formulations, and modes of application. However, the precise relationships between the biochemical composition of biostimulants and their physiological effects remain poorly understood, suggesting a key role for molecular synergies. This review provides a concise overview of recent advances in biostimulant research and their potential to enhance food security by improving crop resilience in the context of climate change.
Boujemaa Fassih, Raja Ben-Laouane, Abdessamad Fakhech et al.· Sustainability· 1 citation
Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) is a major agricultural commodity in Indonesia. This plant contributes significantly to the national economy and contains numerous bioactive compounds with various properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. However, the biggest production constraint is infection by the pathogen Fusarium, known as Twisting disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of combining biopesticides and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) in shallot farming on Fusarium spp. The experiment was conducted using randomize block design with two main parameters. The first parameter was the interval of biopesticide extract applications, namely, no extract, once a week, and once every two weeks. The second parameter was the LOF dosage, including 0, 25, 50, and 75 mL/plant. Plant height, number of leaves, fresh biomass, and disease incidence were observed to evaluate the effect of biopesticides and LOF application. The results showed that a combination of biopesticide extract and LOF positively affected growth but suppressed disease incidence. The combination of once-a-week biopesticide extract and 75 mL/plant LOF applications was identified as the best treatment. In conclusion, biopesticide extract and LOF can be applied for sustainable, environmentally friendly disease management in shallot plants. The results support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 12, and 15 by controlling Fusarium fungal infections in shallots, maintaining production, reducing the use of chemical pesticides, and promoting sustainable agricultural management.
H. Haryuni, E. Suprapti, Mugi Harsono et al.· Biosaintifika: Journal of Bi...· 0 citations
Soil degradation is a major concern, causing a decline in crop productivity and making sustainable agricultural practices essential for humankind. Biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are currently applied as affordable and environmentally safe alternatives. Biochar, a porous, carbon-rich by-product of biomass pyrolysis, was applied at 3 % (w/w) alone (control) and in combination with microbial inoculants, including a bacterial consortium. A 15-day pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the effects of biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on plant growth. This study investigates the effects of biochar and PGPB (three Pseudomonas spp. and one Diaphorobacter spp.) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.) when applied individually and in combination. The results were evaluated based on plant growth-promoting criteria namely root and shoot length and chlorophyll content. It was observed that biochar had a positive impact on plant growth parameters when applied individually, however in combination with bacterial inoculants, the results were significantly improved. The consortium treatment showed higher values for root length, shoot length and chlorophyll content compared with individual treatments. This study highlights the major scope and potential of utilising plant growth promoting bacteria and biochar to achieve sustainable increases in plant growth and yield. However, some treatments showed variability in results, which could be attributed to the compatibility between biochar and microbial inoculants. This underscores the need for further optimisation studies on the interaction between biochar and bacterial inoculants.
D. Ruchi, S. Sunita, G. Arpita et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations