Editorial: Enhancing sustainable crop production: biostimulants and biotechnological approaches in challenging climates

The implementation of biostimulants (BS; based on plant growth-promoting microorganisms or natural bioactive compounds) as plant strengtheners and other green biotechnological strategies are discussed as promising approaches to cope with increasing challenges for crop production related to climate change, limited availability of resources, and environmental protection. The principle effectiveness of these approaches has been frequently demonstrated, particularly in experiments conducted under controlled conditions, also contributing to a basic understanding of the underlying biological modes of action. However, the poor reproducibility of the expected benefits during field application remains a major challenge in bridging the gap between lab research and practical application, which is a major focus of this Research Topic.