Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency
Abstract Innovations in agriculture, including application of chemical fertilisers, have allowed food production to keep pace with the growing population. Nevertheless, this has come at a significant environmental cost. Improving plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is critical in tackling greenhouse...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Discover Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00910-w |
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| author | Patrick Quille Joanna Kacprzyk Shane O’Connell Carl K. Y. Ng |
| author_facet | Patrick Quille Joanna Kacprzyk Shane O’Connell Carl K. Y. Ng |
| author_sort | Patrick Quille |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Innovations in agriculture, including application of chemical fertilisers, have allowed food production to keep pace with the growing population. Nevertheless, this has come at a significant environmental cost. Improving plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is critical in tackling greenhouse gas emissions, improving biodiversity and increasing productivity in agricultural systems to meet the requirements of the growing world population. Biostimulants are compounds from various sources that can regulate plant physiological processes and increase nutrient uptake and utilisation. Consequently, integrating use of plant biostimulants with conventional agriculture may facilitate reduced fertiliser use while maintaining crop yields. Here, we discuss the current research on biostimulants in the context of improved macro- and micronutrients use efficiency. While most of the reviewed studies report a positive effect of biostimulants on NUE within the studied crop, there is a need for a more systematic approach, including precise calculations of NUE and conducting trials under both optimum and sub-optimum nutrient conditions. Overall, plant biostimulants appear to be a promising addition to sustainable agriculture practices, with multiple benefits from both social and environmental perspectives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-81e7fd1b284b43f9931f7d4e85ba68e6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-81e7fd1b284b43f9931f7d4e85ba68e62025-08-20T02:15:07ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-02-016112710.1007/s43621-025-00910-wReducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiencyPatrick Quille0Joanna Kacprzyk1Shane O’Connell2Carl K. Y. Ng3Plant Biostimulant Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University-KerryUCD School of Biology and Environmental SciencePlant Biostimulant Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University-KerryUCD School of Biology and Environmental ScienceAbstract Innovations in agriculture, including application of chemical fertilisers, have allowed food production to keep pace with the growing population. Nevertheless, this has come at a significant environmental cost. Improving plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is critical in tackling greenhouse gas emissions, improving biodiversity and increasing productivity in agricultural systems to meet the requirements of the growing world population. Biostimulants are compounds from various sources that can regulate plant physiological processes and increase nutrient uptake and utilisation. Consequently, integrating use of plant biostimulants with conventional agriculture may facilitate reduced fertiliser use while maintaining crop yields. Here, we discuss the current research on biostimulants in the context of improved macro- and micronutrients use efficiency. While most of the reviewed studies report a positive effect of biostimulants on NUE within the studied crop, there is a need for a more systematic approach, including precise calculations of NUE and conducting trials under both optimum and sub-optimum nutrient conditions. Overall, plant biostimulants appear to be a promising addition to sustainable agriculture practices, with multiple benefits from both social and environmental perspectives.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00910-wModern agronomic practicesFertiliser efficiencyMacronutrientsMicronutrientsEnvironmental impact |
| spellingShingle | Patrick Quille Joanna Kacprzyk Shane O’Connell Carl K. Y. Ng Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency Discover Sustainability Modern agronomic practices Fertiliser efficiency Macronutrients Micronutrients Environmental impact |
| title | Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency |
| title_full | Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency |
| title_fullStr | Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency |
| title_short | Reducing fertiliser inputs: plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency |
| title_sort | reducing fertiliser inputs plant biostimulants as an emerging strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency |
| topic | Modern agronomic practices Fertiliser efficiency Macronutrients Micronutrients Environmental impact |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00910-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT patrickquille reducingfertiliserinputsplantbiostimulantsasanemergingstrategytoimprovenutrientuseefficiency AT joannakacprzyk reducingfertiliserinputsplantbiostimulantsasanemergingstrategytoimprovenutrientuseefficiency AT shaneoconnell reducingfertiliserinputsplantbiostimulantsasanemergingstrategytoimprovenutrientuseefficiency AT carlkyng reducingfertiliserinputsplantbiostimulantsasanemergingstrategytoimprovenutrientuseefficiency |