Enhancing Fruit Crops Growth and Yield With Biostimulants: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction : The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has led to the growing use of biostimulants in fruit crop production. Biostimulants are natural or biologically-derived substances that enhance plant growth, stress tolerance, and overall crop health without directly providing nutrients. This chapter reviews the effects of biostimulants on various fruit crops, highlighting their role in improving plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and resistance to environmental stresses. The chapter examines several types of biostimulants; including seaweed extracts, amino acids, humic substances, and microbial inoculants, and discusses their specific impacts on crops such as apples, citrus, grapes, and strawberries. Case studies demonstrate how biostimulants enhance root development, increase nutrient use efficiency, improve stress resistance, and extend post-harvest shelf life. Additionally, biostimulants contribute to sustainable farming practices by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While promising results have been obtained, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which biostimulants interact with plant physiology and to optimize their use for different fruit crops. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the potential of biostimulants in modern agriculture to support environmentally-friendly practices while improving fruit crop productivity and quality.