Review Article

Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment

Volume: 31 Number: 2 September 12, 2026

Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment

Abstract

Biological inputs often perform well in controlled studies yet respond inconsistently in farmers’ fields. This review examines the conditions under which microbial inoculants and non-microbial biostimulants can be deployed as reliable technologies for cereals, grain legumes, oilseeds, fibre, sugar and forage crops. Across 1,087 paired observations from 180 open-field studies, non-microbial biostimulants increased yield by 17.9% on average (95% confidence interval: 16.7-19.0%), but this mean masked variation among products, crops, soils, climates and application strategies. Rhizobia, beneficial bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma, endophytes and designed consortia can improve nitrogen fixation, nutrient mobilisation, root development, stress signalling and rhizosphere function; humic substances, seaweed extracts and protein hydrolysates can strengthen plant acclimation and microbial establishment. We propose a five-fit framework in which reliable field performance depends on crop genotype, soil and resident microbiome, climate and stress timing, formulation and delivery, and management and economics. Biological inputs should therefore be developed and recommended as precision technologies, not universal products. Future progress will depend on identifying effective microbes, developing stable and seed-compatible formulations, tracking their field performance, and predicting response, risk and economic return. The main challenge is no longer finding promising traits, but turning them into reliable, profitable outcomes with proven environmental benefits under real farming conditions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan and Ege University, Izmir, Turkey provided academic support for this work.

Project Number

Not applicable

Ethical Statement

This study did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive data. Ethical approval was therefore not required.

Thanks

The authors thank the Editorial Board of the Turkish Journal of Field Crops for the invitation to prepare this review.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Field Crops and Pasture Production (Other)

Journal Section

Review Article

Publication Date

September 12, 2026

Submission Date

July 31, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 31 Number: 2

APA
Daur, I., & İlker, E. (2026). Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment. Turkish Journal Of Field Crops, 31(2). https://doi.org/10.17557/tjfc.2007464
AMA
1.Daur I, İlker E. Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment. TJFC. 2026;31(2). doi:10.17557/tjfc.2007464
Chicago
Daur, Ihsanullah, and Emre İlker. 2026. “Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment”. Turkish Journal Of Field Crops 31 (2). https://doi.org/10.17557/tjfc.2007464.
EndNote
Daur I, İlker E (September 1, 2026) Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment. Turkish Journal Of Field Crops 31 2
IEEE
[1]I. Daur and E. İlker, “Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment”, TJFC, vol. 31, no. 2, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.17557/tjfc.2007464.
ISNAD
Daur, Ihsanullah - İlker, Emre. “Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment”. Turkish Journal Of Field Crops 31/2 (September 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.17557/tjfc.2007464.
JAMA
1.Daur I, İlker E. Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment. TJFC. 2026;31. doi:10.17557/tjfc.2007464.
MLA
Daur, Ihsanullah, and Emre İlker. “Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment”. Turkish Journal Of Field Crops, vol. 31, no. 2, Sept. 2026, doi:10.17557/tjfc.2007464.
Vancouver
1.Ihsanullah Daur, Emre İlker. Biostimulants and Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Field Crops: From Mechanisms to Precision Deployment. TJFC. 2026 Sep. 1;31(2). doi:10.17557/tjfc.2007464

Turkish Journal of Field Crops is published by the Society of Field Crops Science and issued twice a year.
Owner : Prof. Dr. Behçet KIR
Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops
Editor in Chief : Prof. Dr. Emre ILKER
Address : 848 sok. 2. Beyler İşhanı No:72, Kat:3 D.313 35000 Konak-Izmir, TURKEY
Email :  turkishjournaloffieldcrops@gmail.com contact@field-crops.org