Numerous papers have provided information on the types and role of secondary metabolites in medicine, but in the field of agriculture there are few. In this review it is explained how different biotic and abiotic elicitors are applied as effective methods in different agricultural crops to stimulate the accumulation of secondary metabolites, as well as the role that these metabolites have in agricultural production. Elicitors mean agents that stimulate plant protective responses. In addition to the types of elicitors (chemical, physical and biological), dosage and treatment regimen are the main factors determining the effects on the production of secondary metabolites. In agriculture, secondary metabolites find many applications such as protection of plants against microorganisms, and insects, as phytohormones and help decompose the soil by increasing the amount of macro and microelements.