Applications of Bioactive Compounds in Salinity Stress Management
摘要
Salinity is one of the most severe abiotic factors that negatively impact agriculture, and it is likely that by 2050, it will reach the point of threatening to cover up to half of arable land. This stress factor reduces crop productivity and yield through a combination of osmotic, ionic, and oxidative stresses. It also promotes the impacts of poor climate and water/land management. On the other hand, plant, microbial and biomaterial-derived compounds known as biostimulants are now widely used to alleviate salinity stress by: improving ion balance, increasing the degree to which plants can resist salt through osmotic adjustments, and enhancing the antioxidant defense leading to better growth and yield under saline conditions. Amongst various sustainable practices, the use of bioactive compounds has become a major concern due to their ability to increase the cultivation of plants in high salinity areas. The chapter intends to offer a thorough examination of the various roles and applications of bioactive molecules in salinity stress management. The discussions revolve around the mechanisms involved among which are the; restoration of ion homeostasis, facilitation of osmotic adjustment, the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the modulation of stress-responsive signalling pathways. Besides that, different practical implementation strategies are also critically assessed placing emphasis on the optimization of delivery through seed treatment, foliar sprays, and nanotechnology-based formulations. The evidence comes from a wide range of crops such as cereals and legumes, thus showing the efficacy across species.