Biostimulant-Induced Metabolomic Responses in Maize

Summary of Metabolomic Responses of Maize Shoots and Roots Elicited by Combinatorial Seed Treatments With Microbial and Non-microbial Biostimulants

Biostimulant Effects on Maize Growth and Metabolism

Sustainable maize (Zea mays L.) production can benefit from treatments that enhance plant growth and metabolic activity. Recent studies highlight Biostimulant-Induced Metabolomic Responses as an important mechanism by which seed applications of protein hydrolyzates and microbial consortia improve both shoot and root development.

Enhancing Shoot Biomass with Biostimulants

Protein hydrolyzate-based treatments (PH), applied alone or with Trichoderma koningii TK7 and rhizobacteria, significantly increased shoot biomass by 16.6% compared to untreated plants. These effects are associated with changes in secondary metabolism and hormone signaling pathways.

Promoting Root Development through Microbial Treatments

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma led to a 48% increase in root dry biomass. This indicates that microbial biostimulants selectively stimulate root growth, supporting nutrient uptake and overall plant stability.

Metabolic Reprogramming Induced by Biostimulants

Different biostimulant treatments resulted in distinctive metabolomic profiles, reflecting unique molecular pathways. Secondary metabolites, including phenylpropanoids and terpenes, were highly affected. Protein hydrolyzate treatments promoted the accumulation of these compounds, while microorganisms alone showed contrasting trends. These findings illustrate the complex Biostimulant-Induced Metabolomic Responses in maize.

Mechanisms Underlying Growth and Metabolism Changes

The observed increases in biomass and metabolic shifts can be linked to modulation of phytohormone interactions and improved nitrogen use efficiency via the GS-GOGAT system. This demonstrates how biostimulants orchestrate physiological and molecular responses to optimize maize growth.

Conclusion: Biostimulants for Sustainable Agriculture

Overall, microbial and non-microbial biostimulants enhance maize growth and metabolic activity. Understanding the physiological and metabolomic effects of these treatments, including key Biostimulant-Induced Metabolomic Responses, is essential for developing sustainable crop management strategies.