The role of biostimulants in Durum wheat (Triticum durum) cultivation

Abstract

Durum wheat Triticum turgidum spp. durum is a high agronomic, nutritional and socio-economic value crop, especially in the Mediterranean, as production becomes limited by drought and heat stress, and more environmentally friendly, low input farming systems are required. The biostimulants have become a promising agent in promoting crop performance, nutrient use efficiency and stress tolerance without pressuring the environment. This experiment was used to test the implications of various types of applied foliar biostimulants on the yield, biomass production, and also the carbon,nitrogen balance of durum wheat grown in rainfed Mediterranean under Central Greece. In 2024-2025 growing season, in the field Anavra, Karditsa, a field experiment was done with six treatments and two replications based on a randomized complete block design. The treatments were an untreated control and five commercially available biostimulants that represented amino acid based formulation (Trainer, Amine), a seaweed extract (Alga 600), a silicon based product and a complex formulation (Megafol). Products were used twice in critical growth phases of the plants and fertilization and crop control was maintained in the same manner among treatments. The yield components, stem biomass, dry matter allocation and total carbon and nitrogen levels in the plant tissues were observed and the analysis was done using ANOVA at the level of p ≤ 0.05. There were no differences in biostimulant treatment regarding the increase of grain yield and stem biomass when compared to control. The maximum yield of grain was achieved using Amine and then Alga 600, Megafol, and Silicon with a lesser response of Trainer. Amine and Alga 600 encouraged reproductive allocation, whilst Megafol encouraged the greatest stem biomass, which is a consequence of increased vegetative growth. Use of biostimulants enhanced total carbon levels in plant tissues in all treatments with Alga 600 recording the highest levels. Treatment has a significant effect on total nitrogen concentration and C:N ratio, and it was found that Trainer and Silicon significantly increased nitrogen accumulation and decreased C:N ratio, which is a measure of better nitrogen uptake and assimilation. On the whole, the findings indicate that biostimulants can substantially improve the yield and distribution of biomass and nutrient status of the durum wheat during rainfed Mediterranean environments. These differences in product response demonstrate the necessity of matching biostimulants to particular agronomic goals, e.g., maximizing grain yield, enhancing the efficiency of nitrogen use or promoting vegetative vigor. Biostimulants are hence an effective aspect of sustainable intensification plans of durum wheat production under water stressed conditions.