Biostimulants in organic fruit production

Nepovoljni okolišni uvjeti i neodržive ljudske aktivnosti sve češći su razlozi velikih gubitaka u voćarskoj proizvodnji. Primjena i istraživanje sigurnih i ekološki prihvatljivih preparata za organsku proizvodnju bilježe porast. Huminske i fulvinske kiseline, hidrolizati proteina, aminokiseline, hitozan, korisni kemijski elementi, ekstrakti morskih algi i mikrobni biostimulatori dokazano mogu igrati ključnu ulogu u smanjenju ovisnosti o gnojivima, povećanju otpornosti na stres te u povećanju konačnog prinosa i kvalitete plodova. Pozitivno djelovanje biostimulatora uključuje poboljšan rast korijena, unos hranjivih tvari i proizvodnju fitohormona, a potvrđena je i osmotska prilagodba u uvjetima abiotskog stresa. Primjena biostimulatora je ekološki prihvatljiva praksa bez negativnih utjecaja na okoliš, kvalitetu plodova i ukupni prinos te predstavlja potencijal u rješavanju izazova održivosti u organskim nasadima, odnosno potencijal za integraciju u upravljanju modernim organskim voćnjacima.Unfavorable environmental conditions and non-sustainable human activities are increasingly common reasons for large losses in fruit production. The use and research of safe and environmentally friendly preparations for organic production is increasing. Humic and fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates, amino acids, chitosan, useful chemical elements, seaweed extracts and microbial biostimulants have proven to play a key role in reducing the dependence on fertilizers, increasing the resistance to stress and increasing the final yield and quality of fruits. The positive effect of biostimulants includes improved root growth, nutrient intake and phytohormone production. Also, osmotic adjustment in conditions of abiotic stress has been confirmed. The use of biostimulants is an ecologically acceptable practice without negative impacts on the environment, fruit quality and overall yield, and represents potential in solving sustainability challenges in organic plantations, i.e. potential for integration in the management of modern organic orchards