Biostimulants induce positive changes in the radish morpho-physiology and yield

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

• Increasing global population necessitates sustainable food production methods.
• Conventional chemical fertilizers pose environmental risks.
• Biostimulants offer a promising alternative for eco-friendly agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of biostimulants as alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
• To assess the impact of individual and combined biostimulant applications on radish growth and physiological parameters.

Main Methods:

• Two pot experiments were conducted using radish plants.
• Treatments included chemical fertilizer (CK), specific amino acids (glycine, lysine, aspartic acid), vitamin B complex, Isabion®, moringa leaf extract, and combinations.
• Key physiological and growth parameters such as photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, fresh weight, and dry weight were measured.

Main Results:

• Vitamin B complex significantly improved transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, fresh weight, and moisture content.
• Combined applications, including glycine + lysine + aspartic acid (GLA) and moringa leaf extract + GLA (M1), notably enhanced photosynthetic rates.
• M1 application led to significant increases in stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, fresh weight, and dry weight compared to the control.

Conclusions:

• Biostimulants effectively promote radish growth and yield, serving as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.
• Specific biostimulant formulations show significant potential for improving crop productivity and physiological functions.
• The study supports the integration of biostimulants for more sustainable and productive agricultural practices.