Modification of Growth, Yield, and the Nutraceutical and Antioxidative Potential of Soybean Through the Use of Synthetic Biostimulants

Abstract

Improvement of crop cultivation technologies is focused on increasing crop productivity and improving yield quality, and at the same time on minimizing risks posed to the natural environment. The use of biostimulants contributes to the increase in the productivity of plants, especially under their exposure to stress induced by negative environmental stimuli. A field experiment was conducted in three growing seasons (2014–2016). Seeds of soybean of the Atlanta cultivar were sown in the third decade of April. Two synthetic biostimulants were used in the growing period in the form of single (stage BBCH 13-15) or double (stage BBCH 13-15, BBCH 61) spraying: Atonik (in concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2%) and Tytanit (in concentrations of 0.07 and 0.13%). Atonik, the first tested biostimulant, contained three phenolic compounds: sodium p-nitrophenolate, sodium o-nitrophenolate, and sodium 5-nitroguaiacolate. The Tytanit preparation contained a titanium complex, magnesium oxide, and sulfur (VI) oxide. This work presents a complex study addressing the action of the biostimulants Atonik and Tytanit and demonstrates their effect on the physiological traits, plant productivity, and seed yield quality of Glycine max L. The conducted experiment proved that the biostimulant type, as well as the number of its applications and its concentration, modified the biometric traits, crop productivity, as well as yield quality and the nutraceutical and antioxidative potential of soybean seeds. It was also found that by positively affecting plant growth and seed yield, the Atonik and Tytanit also resulted biostimulants decreased the protein and lipid contents in seeds. A double application of these preparations in their higher concentrations had a more positive impact on soybean seed number and soybean seed yield. The use of both Atonik and Tytanit resulted also in an increased antioxidative activity of soybean seeds. The greatest increase in this activity was observed after the application of the Tytanit preparation. Dietary fiber fraction analysis demonstrated an increase in the acid-detergent fiber, lignin, and cellulose contents in soybean seeds as a result of biostimulant application; however, the increase was greater upon the use of Tytanit. In contrast, the neutral-detergent fiber, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents were observed to decrease in all analyzed combinations of crops treated with the tested preparations.

Bioactive properties of greenhouse‐cultivated green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under biostimulants and water‐stress effect

“…However, this increasing trend was not consistent throughout the years, and the authors suggested a combined effect of growing conditions and biostimulants application, whereas the beneficial effect of seaweed filtrates on total phenols content was attributed to osmotic stress induced by the high content of A. nodosum filtrates in mannitol . Similar results have been reported for total phenols and flavonoids contents of soybean seeds after the application of two synthetic biostimulants (Atonik and Tytanit), where, despite the different response being observed during a 3 year study, the application of biostimulants in a high single doses gave consistently the best results . Polyphenols and flavonoids content of seeds from three soybean cultivars was also affected by natural biostimulants application such as Fylloton (a complex of amino acids and seaweed extracts) in a dose and cultivar‐dependent manner .…”

“…34 Similar results have been reported for total phenols and flavonoids contents of soybean seeds after the application of two synthetic biostimulants (Atonik and Tytanit), where, despite the different response being observed during a 3 year study, the application of biostimulants in a high single doses gave consistently the best results. 9 Polyphenols and flavonoids content of seeds from three soybean cultivars was also affected by natural biostimulants application such as Fylloton (a complex of amino acids and seaweed extracts) in a dose and cultivar-dependent manner. 35 The beneficial effect of biostimulants on phenolic compounds composition and content of snap bean pods was also reported in the case of garlic clove extracts and associated with its high content in phytohormones such as jasmonic and salicylic acids.…”

“…The term biostimulant is defined as a growth‐promoting compound, meaning that several classes of compounds could be suggested for such use, with different mechanisms of action being implemented in each case . Although the use of biostimulants was first applied in organic farming with compounds of natural origin, synthetic compounds with growth promoting properties can, nowadays, also be referred to as biostimulants . The main benefits of biostimulants applied directly in the soil, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria and other nonpathogenic fungi, are associated with improved soil water‐holding capacity and root conformation, increased root growth accompanied by more effective nutrient and water uptake, and, most importantly, with increased yield .…”

“…8 Although the use of biostimulants was first applied in organic farming with compounds of natural origin, synthetic compounds with growth promoting properties can, nowadays, also be referred to as biostimulants. 9 The main benefits of biostimulants applied directly in the soil, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and other nonpathogenic fungi, are associated with improved soil water-holding capacity and root conformation, increased root growth accompanied by more effective nutrient and water uptake, and, most importantly, with increased yield. 10 Other products, such as seaweed extracts, protein hydrolysates, and plant extracts, stimulate plant growth mostly through their bioactive ingredients, although soil improvement properties have also been reported in terms of physicochemical properties of soil matrix.…”

Morphological and Biochemical Responses of Glycine max (L.) Merr. to the Use of Seaweed Extract

“…Due to its broad use, it is called a "wonderful crop" [4]. However, this plant is sensitive to unfavourable climatic conditions [5]. Thus, to ensure its effective protection against biotic and abiotic factors, it is recommended to use it in the cultivation of biostimulants, which may improve the biochemical, morphological, and physiological processes that take place in a plant [6][7][8].…”