Ozonated water application as an innovative tool for elicitation of plant defense response: A minireview

To face the new emerging challenges in agriculture as the production of safe, nutritious, and sustainable food, plant priming results as a worthwhile practice. Low doses of ozonated water (<10 mg L−1) can be supplied through foliar spray, soil drench, seed preconditioning or through the ozonisation of nutrient solutions in hydroponic systems, without leaving chemical residues on crops. Here we review morphological, physiological, and biochemical effects of this innovative technique, emphasising stimulatory effect on plant metabolism (in particular on secondary metabolism) and providing an overview about the priming effect induced by the application of ozonated water. Overall, the literature survey unveils that ozonated water is a powerful tool to elicit plant resistance and promote plant nutraceutical value.