Uncovering the multi-level response of Glycine max L. to the application of allelopathic biostimulant from Levisticum officinale Koch

Abstract

The interest expressed by the agriculture in the category of innovative biostimulants is due to the intensive search for natural preparations. Our study is the first ever to report a complex approach to the use of allelopathic extracts from Levisticum officinale Koch. roots in soybean cultivation, includes analyses of morphological observations, and analyses of biochemical indicators. Hot method of aqueous extraction was applied. The extracts were administered via foliar application and soil treatment. Lovage extracts had high contents of polyphenolic compounds and rich micro- and macroelemental composition. The infusions did not contain gibberellic acid and indole-3-acetic acid but the abscisic acid and saccharose, glucose, and fructose were found. The extracts modified soybean plant physiology, as manifested by changes in biometric traits. Plants responded positively by increased yield. Seeds from the treated plants had higher contents of micro- and macroelements, as well as total concentrations of lipids (with a slight decrease in protein content). In addition, they featured changes in their amino acid profile and fatty acid composition. The application of allelopathic biostimulant caused increased concentrations of isoflavones and saponins. The natural biostimulants from Levisticum officinale may become a valuable tool in the sustainable agriculture.

Evaluation of the prospects for the use of growth-stimulating complexes of endometabolites of cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis in soybean cultivation

“…Another study showed that the use of natural stimulants in soybean cultivation led to an increase in the total concentration of lipids in seeds with a slight decrease in protein content. In addition, the authors recorded changes in the amino acid profile and composition of the fat acids of the seeds [16].…”

Sunflower Bark Extract as a Biostimulant Suppresses Reactive Oxygen Species in Salt-Stressed Arabidopsis

“…However, at 0.5 g/L, SBE protected Arabidopsis from oxidative damage induced by a moderate concentration of NaCl in the medium (Figure 4). Also, allelopathic extracts from Levisticum officinale Koch were recently identified to have a positive performance on soybean yield (Szparaga et al, 2021). One of the reasons is that some polyphenols have antioxidant activity and play a role in controlling oxidative stress in plants (reviewed in Ferdinando et al, 2012;Šamec et al, 2021).…”

Identification of a Biostimulating Potential of an Organic Biomaterial Based on the Botanical Extract from Arctium lappa L. Roots

“…Extracts from allelopathic plants have been shown to improve the germination and development of seedlings of many crops [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In addition, when used via foliar or soil application, plant extracts have also affected the seeds yield of soybeans and biometric traits (plant height, location height of the first pod, 1000 seeds weight, and number of pods) [ 10 , 11 ]. Other literature confirms the feasibility of using plant extracts in crop cultivation under conditions of salt stress, proving they represent effective natural biostimulants [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”