Biostimulants for the Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism in Plants under Abiotic Stress

Global food security for a growing population with finite resources is often challenged by multiple, simultaneously occurring on-farm abiotic stresses (i.e., drought, salinity, low and high temperature, waterlogging, metal toxicity, etc.) due to climatic uncertainties and variability. Breeding for multiple stress tolerance is a long-term solution, though developing multiple-stress-tolerant crop varieties is still a challenge. Generation of reactive oxygen species in plant cells is a common response under diverse multiple abiotic stresses which play dual role of signaling molecules or damaging agents depending on concentration. Thus, a delicate balance of reactive oxygen species generation under stress may improve crop health, which depends on the natural antioxidant defense system of the plants. Biostimulants represent a promising type of environment-friendly formulation based…