Potential and Future Prospects for Using Certain Organic Acids in Sustainable Horticultural Crop Culture

Abstract

In modern horticultural production, minimizing the use of chemical inputs to protect soil health is a cornerstone of sustainability. In this context, humic, fulvic, and low molecular weight organic acids (citric, malic, amino acids, etc.) are widely discussed in the literature as biostimulants that promote plant growth. Low molecular weight organic acids temporarily lower the pH in the root zone, facilitating the chelation and uptake of microelements such as phosphorus and iron bound in the soil. Amino acid and fulvic acid applications activate the plant's antioxidant defense system (enzyme activities such as SOD, POD, and CAT) against stress factors such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures.Scientific studies have proven that organic acids increase chlorophyll synthesis, optimize photosynthetic activity, and promote the accumulation of sugars and vitamin C in fruits. In the future, the integration of organic acid applications with "Precision Agriculture" technologies is expected.In particular, it is predicted that nanobiotechnology, through the controlled release of organic acids to targeted tissues via nano-carriers, will be an application method that increases effectiveness while reducing application doses. Furthermore, one of the biggest expectations for the near future is that "biological cocktails," combining microbial synergies in nature—plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR)—and organic acids will be the strongest candidates to replace chemical fertilizers. In addition, it is thought that the development of specific organic acid formulations, acting as "plant vaccines" against the irreversible environmental stresses caused by the accelerating climate change the world has been experiencing in recent years, will be critically important for global food security. Organic acid applications are not only a means of increasing yield but also a sustainable management strategy that protects the ecosystem. Future research is expected to focus on the effects of acids on molecular-level signal transduction pathways. 

This article evaluates the effects of organic acids on plant physiology and their potential future uses. 

Sustainable Agriculture, Biostimulants, Organic Acids, Nutrient Availability, Plant Physiology.