Seaweed Polysaccharides in Agriculture: A Next Step towards Sustainability
Source abstract
Abstract
The seaweed-based biostimulants available in the market are proven to achieve better results than synthetic commercial fertilizers in plant growth parameters. There are many compounds present in seaweeds that are responsible for the plant bioactivities. Seaweed polysaccharides, such as agar, alginate, and carrageenan, make up most of the seaweed biomass and are proven to achieve excellent results in agricultural crops (in poly- and oligosaccharides formula). These types of compounds are reported to improve seed germination and plant vigor, increase the uptake of soil nutrients, and protect plants against several abiotic and biotic stresses such as salinity, drought, temperature, and pathogens. When applied to the soil directly or sprayed on the foliage, seaweed poly- and oligosaccharides can protect plants against pathogens by stimulating a plant to produce secondary metabolites and manage its defense pathways. Therefore, seaweed poly- and oligosaccharides constitute an important source of potential elicitors in plants and have a particular interest for agriculture. Thus, in this review, the focus is on the potential application of these compounds in the agricultural domain: problems, obstacles, and possibilities.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques · Marine and coastal plant biology · Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
MARE–Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET–Aquatic Research Network, IATV–Institute of Environment, Technology and Life, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Coimbra Agriculture School, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
Instituto do Ambiente Tecnologia e Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Funding
national funds through the FCT–Foundation for Science and Technology · national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) · European Regional Development Fund
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