The Effects of the Microbial Biostimulants Approved by EU Regulation 2019/1009 on Yield and Quality of Vegetable Crops

Valorization of Strawberry Juice Production Wastewater: Possibilities for Polyphenols Recovery and Plant Biostimulant Production

Fruit juice production is one of the most important branches of the food and beverage industry, considering both the market size and demand. It is also one of the largest generators of industrial wastewater, considering the large consumption of fresh water during fruit processing. Hence, the appropriate treatment strategies are of the utmost importance to minimize the environmental footprint of food industry effluents. This study aimed to investigate the valorization routes for strawberry juice production wastewater (SJPW), both in terms of nutrient recovery and a circular approach to its utilization as a medium for plant biostimulant production. The results show a low antioxidant capacity and low content of polyphenols in SJPW; however, promising results were obtained for the in vitro seed germination and tomato growth promotion when investigating a biostimulant based on Bacillus sp. BioSol021, which was cultivated using SJPW in a lab-scale bioreactor, with root and shoot length improvements of approximately 30% and 25%, respectively, compared to the control samples. The plant growth promotion (PGP) traits indicated the ability of IAA production, in a concentration of 8.55 ± 0.05 mg/L, and the enzymatic activity was evaluated as through the enzymatic activity index (EAI), achieving the following: 2.26 ± 0.04 for cellulolytic activity, 2.49 ± 0.08 for hemicellulolytic activity, 2.91 ± 0.16 for pectinolytic activity, and 1.05 ± 0.00 for proteolytic activity. This study opens a new chapter of possibilities for the development of techno-economically viable circular bioprocess solutions aimed at obtaining value-added microbial products for sustainable agriculture based on the valorization of food industry effluents thus contributing to more sustainable food production at both the agricultural and industrial levels.

Seed Priming and Biopriming in Two Squash Landraces (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) from Tunisia: A Sustainable Strategy to Promote Germination and Alleviate Salt Stress

In recent years, seed priming has gained interest, with researchers aiming to enhance seed germination and early growth, especially under abiotic stress conditions. In this study, seeds from two squash landraces (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne; i.e., Galaoui large seeds (Galaoui hereafter) and Batati green (Batati hereafter)) were subjected to different priming methods ((a) 0.3% and 0.4% KNO3 (halopriming); (b) 0.1% and 0.2% GA3 (hormopriming); (c) inoculation with Trichoderma spp. (T. harzianum, T. viride, and T. virens), Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens (biopriming) in order to promote germination parameters and seedling growth under salinity stress (0, 100, and 200 mM of NaCl). Our findings indicate the better performance of primed seeds compared to the untreated ones in terms of germination and seedling growth traits, although a varied response depending on the priming method and the landrace was observed. The highest germination percentage (GP) and the lowest mean germination time (MGT) were observed in 0.4% KNO3-primed seeds. The positive effects of 0.4% KNO3 were also depicted in all traits related to seedling growth and the seedling vigor index (SVI), indicating its effectiveness as a priming agent in squash seeds. Under salinity stress conditions, priming with 0.4% KNO3 significantly improved the germination and seedling growth traits for both landraces, while the application of 0.2% GA3 at high salinity significantly improved photosynthetic quantum yield (Fv/Fm ratio). Regarding the effects of biopriming in germination and seedling growth traits, our results indicate that T. harzianum and B. subtilis were the most effective bioagents in promoting germination and seedling growth in Galaoui and Batati seeds, respectively. In conclusion, our findings provide important information regarding the practice of using priming and biopriming agents to enhance the germination and seedling growth capacity of squash seeds, as well to mitigate the negative effects of salinity stress at the critical stages of germination and early growth.

Growth, productivity and phytochemicals of Coriander in responses to foliar application of Acacia saligna fruit extract as a biostimulant under field conditions

The application of natural extracts to vegetable plants can increase production, optimize nutrient and water uptake, and mitigate the effects of stress on vegetable plants by enhancing primary and secondary metabolism. In this study, Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl. fruit aqueous extract (FAE) was applied as a foliar application to assess and demonstrate its effects on growth, productivity, and phytochemicals of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) plants. A. saligna FAE (2%, 4%, and 6%), each combined with 50% of the recommended dose of N fertilizer was applied to coriander plants over the course of two successive seasons in the field. These treatments were compared with the control treatment, which used a 100% recommended dose of N. The four tested treatments were set up in a randomized complete block design with three replicates for a total of 12 experimental plots. Each replicate (experimental plot) was 3 m2 (2 × 1.5 m2) in size and included 300 seeds/m2. The phytochemicals were examined using chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods, where the essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves were analyzed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while the phenolic and flavonoid compounds were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). With the application of A. saligna FAE (4%) + 50% N fertilizer, the levels of total solid content, total carbohydrates, total protein, total phenols, and total antioxidant activity, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a + b, and carotenoids, were increased at harvest. The treatment A. saligna FAE at 6% + 50% N fertilizer did not observe significant improvement in the growth parameters of coriander plants because of the anticipated allelopathic effects. By GC-MS analysis, the major compounds in the EO from control treatment were 2-octyn-1-ol (23.93%), and 2-butyl-1-octanol (8.80%), in treated plants with 2% of A. saligna FAE + 50% N fertilizer were (E)-2-decen-1-ol (32.00%), and 1-methoxymethoxy-oct-2-yne (13.71%), in treated plants with 4% A. saligna FAE + 50% N fertilizer were E-2-undecen-1-ol (32.70%), and 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexene (8.91%), and in the treated plants with A. saligna FAE (6%) + 50% N fertilizer were phytol (80.44%), and (Z)6,(Z)9-pentadecadien-1-ol (13.75%). The flavonoid components 7-hydroxyflavone, naringin, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin, and catechin were presented with variable concentrations according to the treatments utilized as identified by HPLC analysis from the methanol extracts of the treated plants with the combination treatments of A. saligna FAE (2, 4, and 6%) and N fertilization (50% from the recommended dose) and control coriander plants (100% N recommended dose). The combination of 50% N fertilizer treatment and the biostimulant A. saligna FAE (4%) seems to improve coriander plant growth while simultaneously lowering N fertilizer consumption. Future research will be needed to further study the effectiveness of several concentrations of A. saligna FAE in various conditions and/or species.

Peptaibiotics: Harnessing the potential of microbial secondary metabolites for mitigation of plant pathogens

Agricultural systems are in need of low-cost, safe antibiotics to protect crops from pests and diseases. Peptaibiotics, a family of linear, membrane-active, amphipathic polypeptides, have been shown to exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity, and to be inducers of plant resistance against a wide range of phytopathogens. Peptaibiotics belong to the new generation of alternatives to agrochemicals, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the One Health approach toward ensuring global food security and safety. Despite that, these fungi-derived, non-ribosomal peptides remain surprisingly understudied, especially in agriculture, where only a small number has been tested against a reduced number of phytopathogens. This lack of adoption stems from peptaibiotics' poor water solubility and the difficulty to synthesize and purify them in vitro, which compromises their delivery and inclusion in formulations. In this review, we offer a comprehensive analysis of peptaibiotics' classification, biosynthesis, relevance to plant protection, and mode of action against phytopathogens, along with the techniques enabling researchers to extract, purify, and elucidate their structure, and the databases holding such valuable data. It is also discussed how chemical synthesis and ionic liquids could increase their solubility, how genetic engineering and epigenetics could boost in vitro production, and how omics can reduce screenings' workload through in silico selection of the best candidates. These strategies could turn peptaibiotics into effective, ultra-specific, biodegradable tools for phytopathogen control.

Microbial Consortia for Plant Protection against Diseases: More than the Sum of Its Parts

Biological plant protection presents a promising and exciting alternative to chemical methods for safeguarding plants against the increasing threats posed by plant diseases. This approach revolves around the utilization of biological control agents (BCAs) to suppress the activity of significant plant pathogens. Microbial BCAs have the potential to effectively manage crop disease development by interacting with pathogens or plant hosts, thereby increasing their resistance. However, the current efficacy of biological methods remains unsatisfactory, creating new research opportunities for sustainable plant cultivation management. In this context, microbial consortia, comprising multiple microorganisms with diverse mechanisms of action, hold promise in terms of augmenting the magnitude and stability of the overall antipathogen effect. Despite scientific efforts to identify or construct microbial consortia that can aid in safeguarding vital crops, only a limited number of microbial consortia-based biocontrol formulations are currently available. Therefore, this article aims to present a complex analysis of the microbial consortia-based biocontrol status and explore potential future directions for biological plant protection research with new technological advancements.

The Role of the Plant-Soil Relationship in Agricultural Production-With Particular Regard to PGPB Application and Phytoremediation

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and other living organisms can help with the challenges of modern agriculture. PGPB offer ever-expanding possibilities for science and commerce, and the scientific results have been very advanced in recent years. In our current work, we collected the scientific results of recent years and the opinions of experts on the subject. Opinions and results on soil-plant relations, as well as the importance of PGPB and the latest related experiences, are important topics of our review work, which highlights the scientific results of the last 3-4 years. Overall, it can be concluded from all these observations that the bacteria that promote plant development are becoming more and more important in agriculture almost all over the world, thus, promoting more sustainable and environmentally conscious agricultural production and avoiding the use of artificial fertilizers and chemicals. Since many mechanisms of action, namely biochemical and operational processes, are still under investigation, a new emerging scientific direction is expected in the coming years with regard to PGPB, microbial, and other plant growth-stimulating substances, in which omics and microbial modulation also play a leading role.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Polyphenols and Their Nutraceutical Value against Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Coriander is a widely used plant for its medicinal and biological properties. Both coriander essential oil and extracts are interesting sources of bioactive compounds and are widely used as spices in culinary practice due to their exclusive aroma and flavour. We focus our attention on coriander extracts that are rich in polyphenols. It is well known that plant polyphenols possess different biological activities and several functional foods contain this class of compounds. The polyphenol profile in an extract can be influenced by the plant part studied, the method of extraction and other parameters. This study performs a literature review using the words "coriander", "polyphenols" and "extraction" or "biological activity" in different databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus. After that, we focus on the evidence of coriander polyphenols as protective agents against some inflammation-related diseases. Due to the bioactivities of coriander extract, this herb can be considered a valuable functional food against obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Do changes in Lactuca sativa metabolic performance, induced by mycorrhizal symbionts and leaf UV-B irradiation, play a role towards tolerance to a polyphagous insect pest?

The increased ultraviolet radiation (UV) due to the altered stratospheric ozone leads to multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations, likely affecting their interaction with other organisms, such as pests and pathogens. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and UV-B treatment can be used as eco-friendly techniques to protect crops from pests by activating plant mechanisms of resistance. In this study, we investigated plant (Lactuca sativa) response to UV-B exposure and Funneliformis mosseae (IMA1) inoculation as well as the role of a major insect pest, Spodoptera littoralis. Lettuce plants exposed to UV-B were heavier and taller than non-irradiated ones. A considerable enrichment in phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid contents and antioxidant capacity, along with redder and more homogenous leaf color, were also observed in UV-B-treated but not in AMF-inoculated plants. Biometric and biochemical data did not differ between AMF and non-AMF plants. AMF-inoculated plants showed hyphae, arbuscules, vesicles, and spores in their roots. AMF colonization levels were not affected by UV-B irradiation. No changes in S. littoralis-feeding behavior towards treated and untreated plants were observed, suggesting the ability of this generalist herbivore to overcome the plant chemical defenses boosted by UV-B exposure. The results of this multi-factorial study shed light on how polyphagous insect pests can cope with multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations following biotic and abiotic preconditioning.

Perspectives on the Use of Biopolymeric Matrices as Carriers for Plant-Growth Promoting Bacteria in Agricultural Systems

The subject of this review is to discuss some aspects related to the use of biopolymeric matrices as carriers for plant-growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) in agricultural systems as a possible technological solution for the establishment of agricultural production practices that result in fewer adverse impacts on the environment, reporting some promising and interesting results on the topic. Results from the encapsulation of different PGPB on alginate, starch, chitosan, and gelatin matrices are discussed, systematizing some advances made in this area of knowledge in recent years. Encapsulation of these bacteria has been shown to be an effective method for protecting them from unsuitable environments, and these new products that can act as biofertilizers and biopesticides play an important role in the establishment of a sustainable and modern agriculture. These new products are technological solutions for replacing deleterious chemical fertilizers and pesticides, maintaining soil fertility and stability, and improving crop productivity and food security. Finally, in the near future, scale-up studies will have to provide new information about the large-scale production of these materials as well as their application in the field under different biotic and abiotic stress conditions.

Iodine Biofortification and Seaweed Extract-Based Biostimulant Supply Interactively Drive the Yield, Quality, and Functional Traits in Strawberry Fruits

The horticultural sector is seeking innovative and sustainable agronomic practices which could lead to enhanced yield and product quality. Currently, plant biofortification is recognized as a valuable technique to improve microelement concentrations in plant tissues. Among trace elements, iodine (I) is an essential microelement for human nutrition. Concomitantly, the application of biostimulants may improve overall plant production and quality traits. With the above background in mind, an experiment was designed with the aim of assessing the interactive impact of a seaweed extract-based biostimulant (SwE) (0 mL L^-1 (served as control) or 3 mL L^-1 (optimal dosage)) and 0, 100, 300, or 600 mg L^-1 I on the growth parameters, yield, fruit quality, minerals, and functional characteristics of the tunnel-grown "Savana" strawberry. SwE foliar application improved the plant growth-related traits, total and marketable yield, fruit color parameters, soluble solids content, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) fruit concentrations. Furthermore, an enhancement in the fruit dry matter content, ascorbic acid, and I concentration in fruits was detected when the SwE supply interacted with a mild I dose (100 or 300 mg L^-1). The research underlined that combining SwE application and I biofortification increased the strawberry yield and quality and enhanced the plant nutritional status variation, thereby, determining a boosted strawberry I tolerance.

Can Microbial Consortium Applications Affect Yield and Quality of Conventionally Managed Processing Tomato?

Three commercial microbial-based biostimulants containing fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizae and Trichoderma spp.) and other microrganisms (plant growth-promoting bacteria and yeasts) were applied on a processing tomato crop in a two-year field experiment in southern Italy. The effects of the growing season and the microorganism-based treatments on the yield, technological traits and functional quality of the tomato fruits were assessed. The year of cultivation affected yield (with a lower fruit weight, higher marketable to total yield ratio and higher percentage of total defective fruits in 2020) and technological components (higher dry matter, titratable acidity, total soluble solids content in 2020). During the first year of the trial, the consortia-based treatments enhanced the soluble solids content (+10.02%) compared to the untreated tomato plants. The sucrose and lycopene content were affected both by the microbial treatments and the growing season (greater values found in 2021 with respect to 2020). The year factor also significantly affected the metabolite content, except for tyrosine, essential (EAA) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Over the two years of the field trial, FID-consortium enhanced the content of proteins (+53.71%), alanine (+16.55%), aspartic acid (+31.13%), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (+76.51%), glutamine (+55.17%), glycine (+28.13%), monoethanolamine (MEA) (+19.57%), total amino acids (TAA) (+33.55), EAA (+32.56%) and BCAAs (+45.10%) compared to the control. Our findings highlighted the valuable effect of the FID microbial inoculant in boosting several primary metabolites (proteins and amino acids) in the fruits of the processing tomato crop grown under southern Italian environmental conditions, although no effect on the yield and its components was appreciated.