The Role of Plant Hormones and Growth Regulators in Modern Crop Cultivation Technologies

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2023) | Viewed by 27278

Special Issue Editors

Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Interests: plant production; growth regulators; plant feed; forage crops

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

At present, mineral fertilizers and plant protection products are not a sufficient solution to obtain the expected yield increase. Therefore, attention should be focused on modern preparations improving the condition of plants, which include growth regulators based on organic compounds (hormones, amino acids) or mineral compounds (metal salts). A significant advantage of using these substances is the increase in the economic value of crops, and the increase in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Growth regulators can be used to increase agricultural productivity in adverse climatic conditions. According to the available literature, the most effective substances are those involved in all stages of plant development, from seed germination, through vegetative growth, differentiation and organogenesis, flower induction and formation, embryogenesis, fruiting and ripening.

This Special Issue focuses on the development and evaluation of the possibility of using preparations regulating the growth and development of crops, which in turn results in an improvement in their yield. I encourage to publish interdisciplinary research in the basic and applied sciences. This Special Issue will include articles presenting original research in biological and chemical sciences as well as agriculture, horticulture, forestry and engineering. There is also the possibility of sending works about weather, opinions and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Jacek Sosnowski
Prof. Dr. Viliana Vasileva
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • regulation
  • cultivation
  • stress
  • bio-stimulators
  • phytohormones
  • plant production
  • modern technology

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1487 KiB  
Article
Effect of Tytanit on Selected Physiological Characteristics, Chemical Composition and Production of Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus
by Jacek Sosnowski and Milena Truba
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2155; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112155 - 15 Nov 2023
Viewed by 778
Abstract
In intensive and sustainable agriculture, it is not enough to use plant protection products and fertilizers, but it is also important to control plant physiological processes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tytanit on Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) [...] Read more.
In intensive and sustainable agriculture, it is not enough to use plant protection products and fertilizers, but it is also important to control plant physiological processes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tytanit on Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus dry matter yield, photosynthetic activity and the content of chlorophyll and selected chemical compounds. The pot experiment was conducted in 2019 in a plant breeding room. Four levels of treatment were used: control with no treatment and three stimulant concentrations of 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.06% in the spraying liquid. In particular, the research included the determination of dry weight of plant roots, dry weight of plants, chlorophyll a and b content in leaf blades, maximum and actual efficiency of the leaf photosystem, coefficients of non-photochemical and photochemical fluorescence quenching, and the content of total protein, crude fiber, monosaccharides, crude fat, crude ash, Ca, Mg, P and K in the dry matter of plants. Used in controlled conditions, the stimulant contributed to an increase in most parameter values, increasing photosynthetic activity and the content of chlorophyll a and b, total protein, calcium, magnesium and potassium, but it reduced the amounts of crude fiber. Full article
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15 pages, 1408 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Applied Biostimulants on the Yielding of Three Non-Genetically Modified Soybean Cultivars
by Katarzyna Rymuza, Elżbieta Radzka and Joanna Cała
Agriculture 2023, 13(4), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040900 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1427
Abstract
Background: Soybean is one of major crop plants cultivated in numerous parts of the world, which is due to an increasing demand for plant protein. Both in Europe and Poland, much attention is paid to enhancing the production of their own fodder protein, [...] Read more.
Background: Soybean is one of major crop plants cultivated in numerous parts of the world, which is due to an increasing demand for plant protein. Both in Europe and Poland, much attention is paid to enhancing the production of their own fodder protein, as to reduce the import of soybean meal produced from genetically modified plants. Climate warming and breeding progress have made it possible to grow soybeans in central Europe. The yield potential of plants, including soybeans, can be enhanced by an application of biostimulants, which alleviate negative effects of stresses disturbing the life processes of plants. The objective of the present work was to evaluate, under the climatic conditions of central-eastern Poland, the yielding of three non-modified soybean cultivars treated with biostimulants. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 in eastern Poland (central Europe). The soil of the experimental field belonged to the Haplic Luvisol group. The experimental factors included three non-GMO soybean cultivars (Abelina, Merlin, and SG Anser) and two biostimulants (Asahi SL and Improver). Results: Soybean seed yields were affected by the climatic conditions during the growing season, cultivars, and biostimulant applications. Regardless of cultivars and biostimulants, the highest yields were produced by plants grown in 2017 (on average, 3.41 Mg∙ha−1), them being slightly lower in 2019 (on average, 3.0 Mg∙ha−1) and the lowest in the dry 2018 (on average, 2.48 Mg∙ha−1). Significant differences were recorded between cv. SG Anser (the average yield 2.73 Mg∙ha−1) and Merlin (the average yield 3.31 Mg∙ha−1). An application of biostimulants resulted in a significant increase in soybean seed yield compared with the control. Biostimulants contributed to a significant increase in the values of the remaining characteristics, i.e., 1000-seed weight, seed number per pod, and average number of seeds per pod. Full article
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18 pages, 8879 KiB  
Article
Plant Growth Regulators Mediated Changes in the Growth, Photosynthesis, Nutrient Acquisition and Productivity of Mustard
by Sajad Hussain Shah, Shaistul Islam, Saud Alamri, Zubair Ahmad Parrey, Firoz Mohammad and Hazem M. Kalaji
Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030570 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2518
Abstract
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are naturally occurring signaling molecules that modulate numerous phenological traits and physicochemical features of plants throughout their life cycles. Exogenous supplementation of PGRs is an effective strategy for improving the productivity of important agricultural crops. This research was planned [...] Read more.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are naturally occurring signaling molecules that modulate numerous phenological traits and physicochemical features of plants throughout their life cycles. Exogenous supplementation of PGRs is an effective strategy for improving the productivity of important agricultural crops. This research was planned to evaluate the effects of six PGRs, namely indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), gibberellic acid (GA3), putrescine (put), salicylic acid (SA) and triacontanol (Tria), on morphology, photosynthesis, nutrient acquisition, and the yield and quality characteristics of three mustard cultivars, i.e., Chutki, Nath Sona, and Rohini. Two foliar sprays each of water, IAA (10−6 M), EBL (10−6 M), GA3 (10−5 M), put (10−3 M), 10−5 M SA, and Tria (10−6 M) were applied to plants at fifty and seventy days after sowing (DAS). The crops’ phenological, physicochemical and microscopic parameters were evaluated at ninety DAS, and yield characteristics were evaluated at harvest (120 DAS). The observations of this study indicated that foliar feeding with PGRs increased all studied parameters, relative to water-spray treatment. The Nath Sona cultivar displayed a stronger response than Rohini and Chutki. Among the leaf-applied PGRs, 24-EBL, followed by IAA and GA3, proved the most effective and improved all the studied parameters. Moreover, the exogenous application of PGRs, especially EBL, significantly enhanced stomatal dimensions and root cell longevity. Treatment with EBL enhanced plant dry weight by 34.7, 35.4, and 37.6%, the net photosynthetic rate by 65.3, 64.7, and 60.2%, seed yield per plant by 67.1, 65.2, and 67.3%, and oil yield per plant by 42.6, 48.2, and 41.1%, in the Chutki, Nath Sona, and Rohini cultivars, respectively, relative to the water-spray treatment. It may be concluded that of the tested PGRs, 24-EBL proved most effective at enhancing the morphological, physicochemical, and yield features of the mustard cultivars. Full article
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11 pages, 540 KiB  
Article
Nutritional Value and Sensory Quality of New Potatoes in Response to Silicon Application
by Wanda Wadas
Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030542 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1431
Abstract
Since silicon regulates plant physiological and biochemical processes, it was hypothesized that foliar silicon application could contribute to improving the quality of new potatoes. This paper analyzes the effect of silicon (sodium silicate) on the nutritional value and sensory quality of new potatoes. [...] Read more.
Since silicon regulates plant physiological and biochemical processes, it was hypothesized that foliar silicon application could contribute to improving the quality of new potatoes. This paper analyzes the effect of silicon (sodium silicate) on the nutritional value and sensory quality of new potatoes. Silicon was applied at the dose of 23.25 g Si·ha−1 or 46.50 g Si·ha−1 once at the leaf development stage (BBCH 14–16) or at the tuber initiation stage (BBCH 40–41) and twice, at the leaf development and tuber initiation stages. Potatoes were harvested 75 days after planting (the end of June). Silicon had no effect on the dry matter, total sugars and monosaccharides, protein, L-ascorbic acid or nitrate content in new potato tubers, but it increased the starch content under water deficit conditions. The most starch was accumulated by tubers following the application of 46.50 g Si·ha−1 at the leaf development stage (BBCH 14–16). Silicon did not affect the color of tuber flesh after cooking. Full article
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17 pages, 3876 KiB  
Article
Weather Conditions and Biostimulants Influence Nitrogen Acquisition from Different Sources by Soybean Plants
by Elżbieta Radzka, Katarzyna Rymuza and Andrzej Wysokiński
Agriculture 2023, 13(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010114 - 30 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1619
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the influence of weather conditions (air temperature, precipitation and insolation) on the quantity of nitrogen taken up by soybean plants whose cultivation included an application of two biostimulants: Asahi and Improver, which have been approved for sale. An [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the influence of weather conditions (air temperature, precipitation and insolation) on the quantity of nitrogen taken up by soybean plants whose cultivation included an application of two biostimulants: Asahi and Improver, which have been approved for sale. An isotopic dilution method was used which involved an application of mineral fertilisers enriched with the isotope 15N (5%) to detect the quantity of nitrogen fixed from the atmosphere, acquired from the soil and taken up from the fertiliser. Microplots of 1 m2, organised to form larger units, were planted with soybean. The impact of meteorological conditions on the amount of nitrogen fixed by plants as influenced by the experimental biostimulants was estimated using regression trees based on the C&RT algorithm in STATISTICA 13.3. This procedure yielded regression trees which revealed that, irrespective of the test biostimulant, the quantity of nitrogen fixed from the atmosphere was mainly influenced by the air temperature in July, as indicated by the first and most significant branching of the tree. The poorest fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in plants was observed when the average 24-h air temperature in July was higher than 20.9 °C, the quantities being 20.61, 31.33 and 30.49 kg, respectively, in the control, Asahi- and Improver-treated plots. The superior nitrogen uptake from fertiliser, from 10.64 (for the control) to 14.98 kg (in the Improver-amended units), was found when the air temperatures recorded in July and June did not exceed, respectively, 20.9 and 13.15 °C, and the daily rainfall in July was up to 5.65 mm. The regression tree model associated with the quantity of nitrogen acquired by soybean plants from soil indicates that, just like atmospheric nitrogen and nitrogen taken up from fertiliser, the average daily air temperature in July was the major factor determining the first branching of the tree. When this temperature went beyond 20.9 °C, the lowest uptake of nitrogen from soil was found for control plants. Full article
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10 pages, 729 KiB  
Communication
The Positive Effects of Mechanical and Chemical Treatments with the Application of Biostimulants in the Cultivation of Solanum tuberosum L.
by Krystyna Zarzecka, Marek Gugała, Agnieszka Ginter, Iwona Mystkowska and Anna Sikorska
Agriculture 2023, 13(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010045 - 23 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1386
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of mechanical and chemical treatments with the application of biostimulants on the effectiveness of weed infestation reduction and potato yielding. A three-year field research study was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Station Zawady [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of mechanical and chemical treatments with the application of biostimulants on the effectiveness of weed infestation reduction and potato yielding. A three-year field research study was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Station Zawady (52°03′ N; 22°33′ E). The field experiment was set up in a split-plot design with three replicates. The first factor was the two edible potato cultivars, and the second was five methods of mechanical and chemical treatments with biostimulants: (1) control object—mechanical weeding, (2) the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC (clomazone + metribuzin), (3) the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC and the biostimulant PlonoStart, (4) the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC and the biostimulant Aminoplant, (5) the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC and the biostimulant Agro-Sorb Folium. Before emergence, the control object was double ridging and single ridging with harrowing and double ridging after emergence. On other objects (2–5) before emergence, two ridgings were applied. The assessment of weed infestation was performed using the quantitative weight method on two dates: about 2 weeks after the application of the herbicide and biostimulants and before the potato tubers harvest. The herbicide and the herbicide with biostimulants applied to the potato crop showed a positive influence in reducing the number and fresh weight of weeds compared to mechanical-only treatments. The highest effectiveness, calculated on the basis of the number and fresh mass of weeds, was found on the fifth object. It was, on average, 70.5 and 71.6% for cultivars, respectively. Research into the use of biostimulants in potato cultivation will continue due to the pro-environmental nature of biostimulants and the importance of this crop. It is certain that the methodology of future field experiments will meet the challenges of sustainable development. Full article
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12 pages, 1790 KiB  
Article
Morphological Features of Winter Rape Cultivars Depending on the Applied Growth Stimulators
by Anna Sikorska, Marek Gugała, Krystyna Zarzecka, Łukasz Domański and Iwona Mystkowska
Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1747; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101747 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1316
Abstract
Currently, in agricultural engineering, plant growth regulators or biostimulants, immunity stimulants or bacterial vaccines are becoming standard elements in the production technology of many types of field, fruit and vegetable crops. The research was based on a three-year field experiment carried out in [...] Read more.
Currently, in agricultural engineering, plant growth regulators or biostimulants, immunity stimulants or bacterial vaccines are becoming standard elements in the production technology of many types of field, fruit and vegetable crops. The research was based on a three-year field experiment carried out in 2018–2021 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of northeastern Poland. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of biostimulators containing microorganisms and micro and macro elements, phosphorus and potassium and silicon on the morphological features of the leaf rosette and the increase in fresh and dry mass of the above-ground part of the rosette and the root system of three winter rape cultivars. The conducted research showed that the application of the organic preparation Ugmax significantly increased the number of rosette leaves (by an average of 13.9%), the length of the tap root (by an average of 2.3 cm), root neck diameter (by an average of 4.2%), fresh and dry weight of the above-ground part of the rosette (by an average of 6.0% and 6.6%) and fresh weight of the root system (by an average of 0.88 g) compared to the control variant. The hybrid morphotypes that were restored compared to the population cultivar Chrobry were characterized by a weaker autumn development of the leaf rosette. Full article
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Review

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14 pages, 1152 KiB  
Review
The Impact of Auxin and Cytokinin on the Growth and Development of Selected Crops
by Jacek Sosnowski, Milena Truba and Viliana Vasileva
Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030724 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 15510
Abstract
With a very diverse structure and small molecules, phytohormones are regulators of plant growth and development. Despite the fact that they are synthesized by plants in small quantities, they are highly active physiologically. According to their action, phytohormones can be divided into two [...] Read more.
With a very diverse structure and small molecules, phytohormones are regulators of plant growth and development. Despite the fact that they are synthesized by plants in small quantities, they are highly active physiologically. According to their action, phytohormones can be divided into two categories, as either activators of plant growth and development or as inhibitors, with auxins and cytokinins belonging to the former group. Auxins are synthesized by plants in the apical meristems of shoots, but also in young leaves, seeds, and fruits. They stimulate the elongation growth of shoots and initiate the production of adventitious and lateral roots. Cytokinins, in turn, are formed in root tips and in unripe fruits and seeds. These hormones are responsible for stimulating the growth of lateral shoots, they also stimulate cytokinesis and, consequently, cell division. The aim of this review paper is to present the progress of the research on the effect of selected auxins and cytokinins on crops, considering the prospect of using them in plant growing methods. Full article
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