The 20th century bore witness to unparalleled population growth, primarily attributed to advancements in modern medicine and groundbreaking changes in agricultural practices. Synthetic fertilizers emerged as a cornerstone of this era’s food production, with their usage closely paralleling the surge in human population. However, the indiscriminate and protracted application of chemical fertilizers has given rise to a litany of challenges, including soil degradation, nitrogen leaching, soil compaction, diminished soil organic matter, and carbon depletion. Even more disconcerting is the runoff of applied fertilizers into water bodies and the release of potent greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, fuelling grave environmental concerns. In light of these issues and the pressing need to safeguard our planet and its finite resources, global initiatives have resoundingly called for a reduction in the global reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Biofertilizers and biostimulants, often grouped together, serve distinct roles:

• Biofertilizers encompass living micro-organisms that, when introduced to seeds, plants, or soil, establish residence in the rhizosphere or within the plant itself. These micro-organisms stimulate growth by augmenting the supply or availability of essential nutrients to the host plant.
• Biostimulants consist of substances and/or microorganisms that catalyze natural plant processes. While they may enhance nutrient utilization, stress tolerance, or other quality traits, they do not contain nutrients per se. Instead, they trigger the plant and soil to optimize nutrient uptake and utilization.

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