Biostimulants for sustainable crop production

Part 1 Introduction and biostimulant characterization
1.Plant biostimulants: a new paradigm for the sustainable intensification of crops: Patrick du Jardin, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, Belgium;
2.Bioactive compounds and evaluation of biostimulant activity: Luigi Lucini and Begoña Miras-Moreno, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy; and Andrea Ertani, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy;

Part 2 Non-microbial and microbial categories of biostimulants
3.Humic substances (HS) as plant biostimulants in agriculture: Andrea Ertani, Università degli Studi di Padova and Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy; and Michela Schiavon and Serenella Nardi, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy;
4.Seaweed extracts as plant biostimulants in agriculture: Izabela Michalak, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland; Katarzyna Tyśkiewicz, Marcin Konkol and Edward Rój, New Chemical Syntheses Institute, Poland; and Katarzyna Chojnacka, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland;
5.Biostimulant action of protein hydrolysates on crops: Giuseppe Colla, University of Tuscia, Italy; Youssef Rouphael, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Mariateresa Cardarelli, Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria, Centro di ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo, Italy; Luigi Lucini, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy; and Andrea Ertani, University of Turin, Italy;
6.Silicon as a biostimulant in agriculture: Wendy Zellner, The University of Toledo, USA; and Lawrence Datnoff, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, USA;
7.Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as plant biostimulants in agriculture: Dongmei Lya, Rachel Backer and Donald Smith, McGill University, Canada;
8.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as biostimulants for sustainable crop production: Michael Bitterlich, Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Germany; Louis Mercy and Miguel Arato, INOQ GmbH, Germany; and Philipp Franken, Erfurt Research Centre for Horticultural Crops, University of Applied Sciences Erfurt and Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany;

Part 3 Innovation and practical applications
9.Designing and formulating microbial and non-microbial biostimulants: Paolo Bonini, NGAlab, Spain; Veronica Cirino, Atens Agrotecnologias Naturales S.L., Spain; Helene Reynaud, Italpollina USA, USA; Youssef Rouphael, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Mariateresa Cardarelli, CREA, Centro di ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo, Italy; and Giuseppe Colla, University of Tuscia, Italy;
10.Plant biostimulants and their influence on nutrient use efficiency (NUE): Patrick H. Brown, Douglas C. Amaral, Meerae Park, Jennifer Schmidt and Amelie Gaudin, University of California-Davis, USA;
11.Combining plant biostimulants and precision agriculture: Raffaele Casa, University of Tuscia, Italy; Davide Cammarano, Purdue University, USA; Domenico Ronga, CREA, Italy; and Giuseppe Cillo, University of Teramo, Italy;

Dr Youssef Rouphael is an Associate Professor at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. He is Editor-in-Chief of Agronomy MDPI and is a member of the scientific committee of Biostimulant.com. He is internationally-known for his research in horticultural science.

Professor Patrick du Jardinis Professor of Plant Biology at Gembloux Agro-Biotech, University of Liège, Belgium and Director of the Botanic Garden of this institution. Professor du Jardin is internationally-renowned for his expertise in such areas as plant physiology and biotechnology, and for his role in the establishment of the concept of biostimulants.

Dr Patrick Brown is Professor of Plant Nutrition at the University of California-Davis, USA. Amongst many other honours, Professor Brown is on the Board of the International Council for Plant Nutrition which organises the prestigious International Plant Nutrition Colloquia. He is internationally-renowned for his research on crop mineral nutrition and biostimulants.

Dr Stefania de Pascale is Professor of Horticulture at the University of Naples Federico II. She is Chair of the ISHS Division Protected Cultivation and Soilless Culture and is on the editorial boards of a number of journals. Professor De Pascale is a leading authority on nutrient and water management of horticultural and ornamental crops.

Dr Giuseppe Colla is Professor of Vegetable Production, Floriculture and Greenhouse Crop Management at the University of Tuscia, Italy. A member of the editorial boards of several leading journals in horticultural science, Professor Colla has an international reputation for his work on plant nutrition and plant biostimulants. He has coordinated many projects to improve horticultural production.

“This ingenious title stimulates curiosity to discover how biostimulants can be used to improve the quality and abundance in any place where it is desired to grow plants with good performance. This book is an essential Pharmacopoeia for agricultural professionals seeking new strategies and for researchers passionate about sustainable agricultural innovation. In addition to its practical advice, it presents a rich collection of remedies accompanied by original tables and illustrations. The scientific, regulatory, technical, and technological references it provides are crucial for successfully adapting Biostimulant applications based on specific soil, crop, and climatic conditions.” (Book Review Published in International Journal of Environmental Studies – Professor Nadia Boutaleb, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco)

"This book is what a review should be…a complete book on a hugely relevant topic…It is a preview of a new era in agricultural development that brings excitement and vast potential to tackle the challenge of feeding a growing population sustainably." (Review in Bio Based Press)

"In addition to being well written and structured, this book is edited by some of the most prominent authors in the field of biostimulants…It meets the need for a reliable and comprehensive review on current legislation, challenges and peer-reviewed scientific results… a comprehensive guide to the potential roles of the different biostimulant categories in sustainable agriculture." (Chronica Horticulturae)