The use of seaweed polysaccharides as biostimulants in horticulture

Abstract

In order to meet the food needs of populations, it has become essential to improve crop yields in an ecological and sustainable way while reducing the use of chemical inputs which have negative impacts on the environment and living beings. Innovative technology to address these important challenges involves the development of novel plant biostimulants (PBs) and effective methods for their applications. Over time, macroalgae (seaweed) and its extracts are used as fertilizers, being cost effective and environmentally friendly and have shown a significant increase in crop yield globally. Recent studies suggest that biostimulants based on polysaccharides extracted from seaweed could be a solution to this problem. Application of these extracts has been shown to improve nutrient uptake and improve crop growth performance under stress and normal conditions. In this article, we review the role of these extracts as plant biostimulants and current studies of their uses in stimulating seed germination and the growth and elicitation of natural plant defense systems. This review article therefore focuses on the exploitation of seaweed extracts in agricultural activities as part of an eco-sustainable green technology.

Keywords: Plant biostimulants, algal polysaccharides, plant growth, natural plant defense