Harnessing Biostimulants to Mitigate Abiotic Stress in Soybean Production: An Overview

Abstract

Abiotic stress factors, such as drought, temperature extremes, and soil salinity, significantly impact soybean (Glycine max) growth, yield, and quality. In recent years, biostimulants have emerged as a promising solution to improve crop resilience against these stresses. Biostimulants, derived from natural sources, enhance plant growth and tolerance by stimulating physiological and biochemical processes essential for stress adaptation. This study focuses on the application of biostimulants to mitigate abiotic stress in soybean, examining their effects on growth parameters, yield stability, and biochemical responses under stress conditions. Specifically, biostimulants based on seaweed extracts, amino acids, and microbial inoculants have shown considerable potential in promoting soybean resilience by enhancing water-use efficiency, modulating antioxidant systems, and improving nutrient absorption. The findings highlight the importance of biostimulants in sustainable agriculture, offering insights into optimizing their use to improve soybean production in challenging environmental conditions.