Integrating biostimulants in agrosystem to promote soil health and plant growth

Biostimulants are natural substances that can be applied to seeds, plants, and soils. They can induce physiological and biochemical responses in crops, change the plant’s phenotypic characteristics, and promote plant growth. Among other effects, biostimulants help break dormancy, enhance root development, and increase photosynthetic activity in vegetative tissues. Application of some biostimulants promotes rooting of cuttings in several species, including trees, herbs, and shrubs because of their growth stimulating activity. They are also used as organic soil amendment products as they may affect the soil microbial population and uptake of nutrients. This chapter discusses the use of biostimulants in enhancing shoot and root development in plants, and their use in soil amendment.