Biostimulants Application: An Innovative Approach to Food Security under Drought Stress

Abstract

Climate change is a global threat to food security as it causes various biotic and abiotic stresses that adversely disturb agriculture production. With an increase in the worldwide population, the demand for food has also arisen. It is an immediate challenge for the scientific community to introduce an innovative tool to achieve food security with quality plant production and develop tolerance against abiotic stresses, specifically drought. Genetically modifications are effective and time-consuming, while biostimulants are in/organic substances with the potential to support plant development under stress conditions. This chapter focuses on the impacts of climate change on agriculture, challenges for agriculture sustainability and food security, the interrelationship between drought, climate change and food security, the potential role of biostimulants against drought, future aspects and challenges due to climate change specifically drought, and food security challenges. Various studies reported that the application of biostimulants results in enhancement of crop productivity and mitigates the harmful effects due to climate change. To ensure the quality of chapter, we collected references from well-reputed international journals using keywords ““biostimulants,” “drought,” “food security,” “agriculture sustainability,” and “climate change.” In conclusion, biostimulants has a potential to address adverse environmental conditions without affecting crop quality and yield loss.

Advanced Biotechnological Interventions in Mitigating Drought Stress in Plants

“…Furthermore, selecting drought-tolerant crop types and managing single and double crops during dry periods is essential for water conservation and sustainable water management in agriculture [ 21 ]. The role of micronutrients in enhancing drought tolerance and supporting sustainable plant growth under drought conditions has been highlighted, with nutrients found in plants like Moringa oleifera playing a crucial role in osmoregulation and improving crop drought tolerance [ 22 ]. The application of biostimulants is also an innovative approach for achieving food security under drought conditions, underscoring the immediate challenge for the scientific community to develop resilience against abiotic stresses, specifically drought [ 23 ].…”