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Biostimulant Research Progress: A Review of Action Mechanisms and Agricultural Applications

  • Writer: Tao-Ho Chang
    Tao-Ho Chang
  • May 16
  • 6 min read

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# Biostimulants in Sustainable Agriculture: Molecular Mechanisms and Physiological Impacts


In recent years, research on biostimulants as a key technology in sustainable agriculture has expanded from traditional plant growth promotion to the analysis of molecular regulatory mechanisms. This paper integrates the latest research findings to systematically explain the modes of action of various biostimulants and their profound effects on crop physiology.


## Multiple Bioactivities of Seaweed Extracts

Alginates and mannitol in brown algae (*Ascophyllum nodosum*) extracts can significantly enhance photosynthetic efficiency in tomatoes, increasing chlorophyll content by 23-35%[1][12]. Transcriptome analysis has revealed that these extracts can induce a 1.8-2.5-fold upregulation of photosynthesis-related genes (such as *RbcS* and *PsbA*), whilst simultaneously activating antioxidant enzyme systems[6][12]. Notably, seaweed polysaccharides regulate the JA signalling pathway, increasing cucumber resistance to powdery mildew by 40%, with mechanisms involving the spatiotemporally specific expression of pathogenesis-related proteins (PR1)[12][17].


## Molecular Regulatory Networks of Protein Hydrolysates

Enzymatically hydrolysed animal collagen contains 12-18% hydroxyproline, which serves as a proline precursor, increasing proline accumulation in maize by 2.3-fold under salt stress[2][8]. Protein hydrolysate treatment induces the expression of root development-related genes (such as *ARF5* and *PIN1*), increasing soybean lateral root density by 65%[4][8]. Metabolomic studies show that treatment with 0.5% wheat germ hydrolysate increases flavonoid content in tomato fruit by 42%, closely related to enhanced activity of key enzymes (PAL, CHS) in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway[8][13].


## Systemic Induction Mechanisms of Microbial Formulations

Lipopeptides secreted by *Bacillus subtilis* strain NJ18 activate the MAPK signalling cascade, increasing OsWRKY45 transcription factor expression in rice leaves by 3.2-fold, thereby systemically inducing disease resistance[3][9]. Metagenomic analysis shows that microbial formulations containing *Bacillus mucilaginosus* increase ACC deaminase activity in rhizosphere soil by 58% whilst reducing ethylene precursor concentration by 34%, effectively alleviating heavy metal stress[3][16]. Notably, the synergistic application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and seaweed extracts can improve phosphorus absorption efficiency in maize by 72%, related to mycelial network expansion and regulation of phosphate transporter gene (*ZmPT1*) expression[16][19].


## Metabolic Reprogramming by Plant-Derived Biostimulants

Salicylic acid glycosides in poplar branch extracts specifically inhibit H⁺-ATPase activity, increasing root plasma membrane hyperpolarisation by 28mV and enhancing potassium ion absorption flux by 41%[6][14]. Metabolic flux analysis shows that treatment with 0.1% sorghum leaf extract redistributes photosynthetic carbon flow, increasing sucrose synthesis proportion from 45% to 62% whilst reducing starch accumulation by 19%[6][18]. Epigenetic research confirms that miR398 in nettle extracts can regulate across species, inhibiting SOD1 expression in plant cells and inducing spatiotemporally specific changes in redox state[10][15].


Current research trends indicate that key breakthroughs in this field will come from integrating multi-omics analyses to elucidate the molecular action networks of biostimulants, combined with nanotechnology carriers for targeted delivery of active components. Future work should establish standardised bioassay evaluation systems and develop artificial intelligence-based formulation optimisation models to fully release the potential of biostimulants in smart agriculture[5][13][20].


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