The Chemical Biology of Plant Biostimulants

Introduces readers to the chemical biology of plant biostimulants
 
This book brings together different aspects of biostimulants, providing an overview of the variety of materials exploited as biostimulants, their biological activity, and agricultural applications. As different groups of biostimulants display different bioactivity and specificity, advances in biostimulant research is illustrated by different examples of biostimulants, such as humic substance, seaweed extracts, and substances with hormone-like activities. The book also reports on methods used to screen for new biostimulant compounds by exploring natural sources.
 
Combining the expertise of internationally-renowned scientists and entrepreneurs in the area of biostimulants and biofertilisers, The Chemical Biology of Plant Biostimulants offers in-depth chapters that look at: agricultural functions and action mechanisms of plant biostimulants (PBs); plant biostimulants from seaweed; seaweed carbohydrates; and the possible role for electron shuttling capacity in elicitation of PB activity of humic substances on plant growth enhancement. The subject of auxins is covered next, followed closely by a chapter on plant biostimulants in vermicomposts. Other topics include: exploring natural resources for biostimulants; the impact of biostimulants on whole plant and cellular levels; the impact of PBs on molecular level; and the use of use of plant metabolites to mitigate stress effects in crops.
* Provides an insightful introduction to the subject of biostimulants
* Discusses biostimulant modes of actions
* Covers microbial biostimulatory activities and biostimulant application strategies
* Offers unique and varied perspectives on the subject by a team of international contributors
* Features summaries of publications on biostimulants and biostimulant activity
 
The Chemical Biology of Plant Biostimulants will appeal to a wide range of readers, including scientists and agricultural practitioners looking for more knowledge about the development and application of biostimulants.

List of contents

List of Contributors xiii
 
Series Preface xv
 
Preface xvii
 
Part I Introduction 1
 
1 Agricultural Functions and Action Mechanisms of Plant Biostimulants (PBs): an Introduction 3
Patrick du Jardin, Lin Xu and Danny Geelen
 
1.1 The Biostimulant Concept 3
 
1.2 The Chemistry of Bioactive Ingredients 9
 
1.2.1 Striving to Identify the Active Ingredient 9
 
1.2.2 Chemical Characterization of Traditional Biostimulants 10
 
1.2.3 Novelty by Targeted Modification of Known Bioactive Molecules 11
 
1.2.4 Approaches to Screen for New Molecules with Biostimulatory Activity 12
 
1.3 Defining Mode and Mechanism of Action 14
 
1.3.1 Journey to the Site of Action 14
 
1.3.2 Multiple Functions of Bioactive Ingredients 15
 
1.3.3 Tools for a Multilevel Analysis of PBs Action 16
 
1.4 Focusing on Key Traits Influenced by Biostimulants 17
 
1.4.1 Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) 17
 
1.4.2 Increasing Tolerance to Abiotic Stress 19
 
1.4.3 Crop Quality 22
 
1.5 Perspective 23
 
1.5.1 Biostimulants: A New Bandwagon to Move Agriculture Forward? 23
 
1.5.2 Integration of Biostimulants with Precision Agriculture (PA) 24
 
1.5.3 What Do We Need for the Future? 24
 
Author Contributions 25
 
Acknowledgement 25
 
Further Reading 25
 
References 25
 
Part II Examples of Plant Biostimulants 31
 
2 Plant Biostimulants from Seaweed: An Overview 33
Wendy A. Stirk, Kannan R.R. Rengasamy, Manoj G. Kulkarni and Johannes van Staden
 
2.1 Introduction 33
 
2.2 Global Trends in Seaweed-Derived Plant Biostimulants 34
 
2.3 Production Technology 35
 
2.3.1 Methods of Production 35
 
2.3.2 Seaweed Biomass Variability 35
 
2.3.3 Shelf-Life 36
 
2.4 Beneficial Traits of Seaweed Biostimulants: Recent Developments 37
 
2.4.1 Improved Plant Growth 37
 
2.4.2 Increased Tolerance to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses 37
 
2.4.3 Biofortification 38
 
2.5 Major Biostimulants in Seaweed Extracts 38
 
2.5.1 Plant Hormones 38
 
2.5.2 Brassinosteroids 41
 
2.5.3 Betaines 42
 
2.5.4 Polyamines 42
 
2.5.5 Polymers 43
 
2.6 Concluding Remarks and Future Prospects 48
 
Acknowledgement 48
 
Abbreviations 48
 
References 50
 
3 Seaweed Carbohydrates 57
Oscar Goñi, Patrick Quille and Shane O'Connell
 
3.1 Introduction 57
 
3.2 Fucoidan from Brown Algae 60
 
3.2.1 Detailed Description of Chemical Composition and Structure of Fucoidan 60
 
3.2.2 Experimental Methods for Chemical Characterization of Fucoidan 63
 
3.2.3 Fucoidan PB Activity and Potential Applications 64
 
3.3 Alginate from Brown Algae 64
 
3.3.1 Detailed Description of Chemical Composition and Structure of Alginate 64
 
3.3.2 Experimental Methods for Chemical Characterization of Alginate 66
 
3.3.3 Alginate PB Activity and Potential Applications 67
 
3.4 Carrageenan from Red Algae 69
 
3.4.1 Detailed Description of Chemical Composition and Structure of Carrageenan 69
 
3.4.2 Experimental Methods for Chemical Characterization of Carrageenan 71
 
3.4.3 Carrageenan PB Activities and Potential Applications 71
 
3.5 Ulvan from Green Algae 74
 
3.5.1 Detailed Description of Chemical Composition and Structure of Ulvan 74
 
3.5.2 Experimental Methods for Chemical Characterization of Ulvan 75
 
3.5.3 Ulvan PB Activities and Potential Applications 75
 
3.6 Laminarin from Brown Algae 77
 
3.6.1 Det

About the author

Editors Danny Geelen, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium Lin Xu, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium Series Editor Christian Stevens, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium

Summary

Introduces readers to the chemical biology of plant biostimulants

This book brings together different aspects of biostimulants, providing an overview of the variety of materials exploited as biostimulants, their biological activity, and agricultural applications. As different groups of biostimulants display different bioactivity and specificity, advances in biostimulant research is illustrated by different examples of biostimulants, such as humic substance, seaweed extracts, and substances with hormone-like activities. The book also reports on methods used to screen for new biostimulant compounds by exploring natural sources.

Combining the expertise of internationally-renowned scientists and entrepreneurs in the area of biostimulants and biofertilisers, The Chemical Biology of Plant Biostimulants offers in-depth chapters that look at: agricultural functions and action mechanisms of plant biostimulants (PBs); plant biostimulants from seaweed; seaweed carbohydrates; and the possible role for electron shuttling capacity in elicitation of PB activity of humic substances on plant growth enhancement. The subject of auxins is covered next, followed closely by a chapter on plant biostimulants in vermicomposts. Other topics include: exploring natural resources for biostimulants; the impact of biostimulants on whole plant and cellular levels; the impact of PBs on molecular level; and the use of use of plant metabolites to mitigate stress effects in crops.
* Provides an insightful introduction to the subject of biostimulants
* Discusses biostimulant modes of actions
* Covers microbial biostimulatory activities and biostimulant application strategies
* Offers unique and varied perspectives on the subject by a team of international contributors
* Features summaries of publications on biostimulants and biostimulant activity

The Chemical Biology of Plant Biostimulants will appeal to a wide range of readers, including scientists and agricultural practitioners looking for more knowledge about the development and application of biostimulants.

Product details

• Authors: D Geelen, Danny Geelen, Danny Xu Geelen, Christian V. Stevens, Lin Xu
• Assisted by: Danny Geelen (Editor), Christian V. Stevens (Editor), Christian V Stevens (Editor), Li Xu (Editor), Lin Xu (Editor), Christian V. Stevens (Editor of the series), Stevens Christian V. (Editor of the series)
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.03.2020
• EAN: 9781119357193
• ISBN: 978-1-119-35719-3
• No. of pages: 328
• Dimensions: 175 mm x 250 mm x 20 mm
• Series: Wiley Series in Renewable Resource; Wiley Series in Renewable Resources; Wiley Renewable Resource
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Chemistry > General, dictionaries; Chemie, Landwirtschaft, Botanik, Life Sciences, Biowissenschaften, nachwachsende rohstoffe, chemistry, Agriculture, Plant Science, Sustainable Chemistry & Green Chemistry, Nachhaltige u. Grüne Chemie, Biorenewable Resources