3rd Edition Of Plant Science and Molecular Biology World Conference 2026

Abstract

The presentation focuses on the use of ionic liquids as a rational and versatile platform for the design of novel active substances for agricultural applications. Ionic liquids are organic salts composed of a positively charged cation and a negatively charged anion, whose structures can be independently combined and systematically modified. This exceptional structural flexibility enables precise tuning of key physicochemical properties, including solubility, lipophilicity, stability, and ionic character. Owing to this “designability,” ionic liquids have found broad applications across science and industry and, more recently, have emerged as promising tools in the development of innovative agricultural formulations.
Among the physicochemical properties relevant to agrochemicals, water solubility plays a particularly important role, as it strongly influences the bioavailability of an active substance to plant tissues. However, modifying water solubility alone is neither the only possible strategy nor a guarantee of improved biological performance. In practice, biological activity results from the interplay of multiple physicochemical parameters that jointly determine transport, uptake, and interaction with plant systems. Because it is not always evident which parameter will be decisive at the outset, the design strategy is based on deliberate structural modifications that allow exploration of different combinations of properties in search of an optimal balance tailored to a specific application.
Within this framework, salicylic acid represents an especially attractive biological motif. It plays a central role in plant physiology as a signaling molecule regulating numerous processes, including seed germination, growth and development, flowering, and photosynthesis. Salicylic acid also interacts with other phytohormones, enabling fine control over the balance between growth-related processes and stress responses. 
The application of salicylic acid or its functional and structural analogues increases the endogenous pool of this compound in plants, enhancing their responsiveness. As a result, plants are able to react faster, more strongly, and in a more coordinated manner to both developmental cues and environmental stress factors.
From a biostimulatory perspective, salicylic acid contributes to the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis by modulating the production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species and activating antioxidant defense systems. It stabilizes cellular membranes and proteins under stress conditions, supports proper cell division and differentiation, and improves photosynthetic efficiency through enhanced chlorophyll stability and photosystem performance. Together, these effects translate into increased tolerance to abiotic stress and improved physiological performance of plants.
The described mode of action closely corresponds to the declared functions of plant biostimulants, which are defined as products that improve nutrient use efficiency, stress resistance, and yield quantity or quality independently of their nutrient content. The presentation demonstrates how rational chemical design based on ionic liquids can bridge fundamental chemistry with practical agricultural needs, leading to the development of multifunctional, application-oriented technologies such as designable salicylates.
The presentation outlines the complete development pathway of this technology—from the initial concept formulated in the laboratory, through studies on simple experimental models, to field trials confirming effectiveness under conditions close to real agricultural practice. These results ultimately provided the basis for obtaining European registration of the product as a plant biostimulant, highlighting the successful translation of molecular design into a validated agricultural solution.
This research was supported by The National Centre for Research and Development (Poland), project LIDER (LIDER13/0211/2022) - “Growth and development stimulants with immunity-inducing effect as an innovative product for use in the cultivation of agricultural consumer plants”.