Agricultural Research Updates. Volume 46

This volume contains nine chapters that detail advances in agricultural research. Chapter One presents studies on the impact of the ecologically friendly polycomponent microbial biostimulants on physiological and molecular-genetic characteristics of growth and development of crops like wheat and potato. Chapter Two brings together a collection of information on nitrogen management in forage crops. Chapter Three attempts to underscore the recent advances in biostimulants' effects on date palm and durum wheat under favorable and drought stress conditions. Chapter Four focuses on the role of natural biostimulants in improving agricultural productivity in the Mediterranean region. Chapter Five addresses questions related to biotic and abiotic stress, and their role in plants. Chapter Six reflects on the relevance of rural identity as a potential development factor in areas with low economic dynamism and strong social and economic imbalances. Chapter Seven suggests a holistic framework for assessing farms' competitiveness, taking into account economic, financial, and governance efficiency, and evaluates absolute and comparative competitiveness of governing structures of Bulgarian farming. Chapter Eight addresses the use, dosage and application of tocopherol in agricultural crops. Lastly, Chapter Nine discusses rethinking farm structure designs for climate change adaptation.