Optimizing oilseed rape growth: exploring the effect of foliar biostimulants on the interplay among metabolism, phenology, and yield

The current agricultural system is in search of new strategies to achieve a more sustainable production while keeping or even increasing crop yield and quality. In this scenario, the application of biostimulants constitutes a potent solution. In the current study, the impact of a blue-green microalgal extract (MB) and a pig tissue hydrolysate (PTH) on rapeseed plants' development was characterized. Obtained results revealed a positive effect on yield parameters of plants treated with MB and, especially, PTH; this was associated to an improvement on the photosynthetic performance. Moreover, this study remarked the effects of biostimulants on plant phenology through their pivotal role in modulating developmental processes. More specifically, proteomic, metabolomic, and hormone content analyses revealed distinct alterations associated with the acceleration of phenology induced by biostimulant application. Additionally, some antioxidant enzymes and stress-related compounds were up-regulated upon MB and PTH treatments, indicating enhanced plant defense mechanisms in response to accelerated phenological transitions. Such findings highlight the intricate interplay between biostimulants and plant physiology, wherein biostimulants orchestrate rapid developmental changes, ultimately influencing growth dynamics. Altogether, the current study reveals that the application of both MB and PTH biostimulants promoted rapeseed plant phenology and productivity associated with an improvement in the photosynthetic machinery while boosting other physiological and molecular mechanisms.