Use of biostimulants in crops subjected to water stress conditions

Abstract

This work was carried out with the objective of documenting the main biostimulants used in the world to mitigate the effects of water stress, as well as the physiological, morphological, and biochemical effects that these substances cause in the crops that have been studied. A review of scientific articles published in national and international journals, as well as master's and doctoral theses from different universities and scientific centers was carried out. The application of biostimulants is one of the most promising agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of drought on plants. There are numerous microorganisms in the world, as well as synthetic or naturally occurring substances that have a positive effect on crop development, yields, and drought tolerance. They can optimize biochemical, physiological, and anatomical processes such as regulating stomatal conductance, increasing the concentration of proline and cellular osmolytes, increasing photosynthetic efficiency, inducing the production of LEA proteins and antioxidant enzymes, reducing cell membrane damage, maintaining leaf water content and increasing the soil exploration capacity of the root system.

Keywords

• algae
• brassinosteroids
• physiology
• microorganisms
• chitosan