Evaluation of aqueous extracts from local vegetation as potential biostimulants for winter wheat

Plant biomass extracts are increasingly investigated for their potential use in sustainable agriculture due to the presence of bioactive compounds that may stimulate plant growth and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. This study evaluated the effects of aqueous extracts prepared from locally available vegetation on crop development, with particular focus on winter wheat. Biomass of crimson clover, Persian clover, blue alfalfa, faba bean, on-field weeds, and Sosnowsky's was collected and used to prepare aqueous extracts at concentrations of 1:10, 1:50, and 1:250. The laboratory experiment demonstrated that extracts from legumes and on-field weeds showed variable and often inhibitory effects at higher concentrations, whereas Sosnowsky's hogweed extract exhibited the most regular stimulatory response on winter wheat seedlings, particularly at the 1:250 concentration. This treatment increased seedling fresh biomass, height, and root length compared with the water-treated control. Field experiments confirmed the stimulatory potential of the low-concentration hogweed extract. Winter wheat fresh and dry biomass tended to increase by 5.2 and 10.2%, respectively, while chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations in leaves - by 6.3 and 4.5%, respectively. The treatment numerically increased the number of productive stems by 13-25%, although differences were not statistically significant. Also, ear mass by 19-28%, and grain yield by 18-29%. Higher extract concentrations tended to reduce Septoria intensity on wheat ears. The findings indicate that locally available plant biomass extracts may have potential as plant growth-modulating agents under low-input conditions. However, further long-term studies are necessary to evaluate their effectiveness, safety, and practical applicability.