In the world of current
agriculture, where shifting climatic patterns and environmental stressors are
more common than ever, finding novel ways to increase crop resilience has taken
on much significance. The use of seaweed extracts is one such solution that has
caught the interest of both researchers and farmers. These extracts, derived
from different marine algae, have shown fantastic potential in promoting crop
growth and reducing the negative impacts of abiotic stressors. This blog
explores the value of seaweed extracts in agriculture and their crucial part in
enhancing crops' resistance to and ability to recover from environmental
stresses.
Composition of Seaweed Extract
For its numerous
advantages, seaweed extracts have been used for centuries by many different
cultures. Seaweed's natural chemicals have shown to be a gold mine for crop
enhancement, from conventional treatments to contemporary agricultural
applications. These extracts are full of vital nutrients, hormones that
encourage development, antioxidants, and other bioactive substances that
directly boost the health and production of plants.
Hormones: Auxins,
cytokinins, and gibberellins, among other plant growth regulators or hormones,
are present in seaweed extracts. In controlling plant growth and development,
these hormones play crucial functions.
Carbohydrates:
Mannitol and laminarin are two examples of carbohydrates that are frequently
found in seaweed extracts. They assist several metabolic processes and serve as
a source of energy for plants.
Amino Acids: Amino
acids, the building blocks of proteins and necessary for the growth and
development of plants, can be found in seaweed extracts.
Alginic Acid:
Seaweed extracts contain alginic acid, a natural biopolymer. It enhances the
availability of nutrients, water retention, and soil structure.
Micro and macronutrients:
Seaweed extracts are a good source of important nutrients like iron, zinc,
copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
These nutrients encourage healthy growth and support a variety of plant
processes.
Vitamins:
Vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and vitamin E, which support
general plant health and vigor, may be present in seaweed extracts.
Antioxidants and polyphenols: Seaweed extracts contain antioxidants and polyphenolic chemicals that help shield plants from oxidative stress and environmental harm.
Betaines:
Some types of seaweed include betaines, which can increase a plant's ability to
withstand environmental challenges like salinity, drought, and other factors.
It's crucial to remember
that different kinds of seaweed might have varied compositions, and the
extraction procedure can affect how the seaweed extract product is ultimately
composed. As a result, different seaweed extract products on the market may
have varied ratios and amounts of these components. To achieve the greatest
benefit for the crops while using seaweed extract in agriculture, it's crucial
to pick a reliable product and adhere to the application instructions provided
by the manufacturer.
Types of Seaweeds use for
extraction
Ascophyllum nodosum: One
of the most regularly used species for the manufacturing of seaweed extracts is
this brown seaweed, also known as knotted wrack or egg wrack. It is valued for
its high nutrient content and growth-promoting chemicals and is widespread
along the North Atlantic shores.
Fucus vesiculosus: This
brown seaweed, also referred to as bladderwrack, is a common option for the
manufacturing of seaweed extract. It includes a variety of advantageous
components, such as alginates, fucoidan, and other bioactive ingredients.
Sargassum spp.: Brown seaweeds belonging
to the big genus Sargassum are found in tropical and subtropical waters. It has
been used in formulations using seaweed extract because of its high mineral concentration.
Laminaria spp.: Several
types of Laminaria, also referred to as kelp, are utilized to produce seaweed
extract. The minerals, alginates, and other bioactive substances in these brown
seaweeds are abundant.
Enteromorpha spp.: Green
seaweed Enteromorpha, often known as sea lettuce, is occasionally used to make
seaweed extracts. It includes a range of nutrients and plant-friendly bioactive
compounds.
Ulva spp.: Another
green seaweed used in the creation of seaweed extracts is ulva, also referred
to as sea lettuce. It has bioactive substances and necessary nutrients.
Role of seaweed extract
in Abiotic Stress Mitigation
Through a variety of
mechanisms that enable plants to more effectively withstand and adapt to
challenging environmental conditions, seaweed extracts have been proven to
improve abiotic stress tolerance in crops.
Osmotic Control: Mannitol
and betaines, two substances found in seaweed extracts, assist control the
osmotic equilibrium in plants. This is essential in times of drought and
salinity stress because these substances help to sustain water intake and
cellular hydration, lowering the plant's stress from water.
Antioxidant Activity:
Antioxidants including polyphenols and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are abundant
in seaweed extracts. These anti-oxidants aid plants in fending off oxidative
stress brought on by things like intense lighting, pollution, and temperature
changes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase, two enzymes that
scavenge damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and shield plant cells from
damage brought on by stressors, are present in seaweed extracts.
Root Development and
Nutrient Uptake: Seaweed extracts encourage the growth and
development of the roots, which increases the root surface area and improves
nutrient and water absorption. Even in times of stress, plants with improved
root systems can access soil nutrients.
Regulation of Abscisic
Acid: Plants' levels of Abscisic Acid (ABA) can be altered
by seaweed extracts. A key component of plant stress responses, including
stomatal closure to lessen water loss during drought stress, is the hormone
ABA.
Metal Chelation: Metals
can be chelated in seaweed extracts, making heavy metals in the soil less
poisonous to plants and reducing their toxicity. This is crucial in
contaminated soils where plant growth might be hampered by heavy metal stress.
Accumulation of Proline:
The amino acid proline, which serves as an osmoprotectant and stabilizes
cellular structures under stress conditions, can be accumulated as a result of
the use of seaweed extracts.
Stress Signaling
Pathways: Seaweed extracts can activate various stress-related
signaling pathways in plants, activating genes that respond to stress and
producing proteins that are particular to that condition.
Improved Photosynthesis:
By preserving chlorophyll levels and increasing the effectiveness of
photosystem II under stress circumstances, seaweed extracts can improve
photosynthetic efficiency.
Microbial Interactions: Seaweed
extracts can encourage advantageous microbial activity in the rhizosphere,
improving nutrient cycling and nutrient availability to plants. It increases the activity of helpful bacteria
in the soil, encouraging nutrient cycling and increasing the availability of
nutrients to plants.
Innovative solutions are
essential as global agriculture navigates the difficulties brought on by
climate change and environmental pressures. A sustainable and promising method
for increasing crop tolerance to abiotic stresses is using seaweed extracts.
They serve as a crucial instrument in guaranteeing food security and
sustainable farming practices for a vibrant future because of their many
benefits, which include nutrient enrichment, hormonal balancing, and stress
reduction. The use of seaweed extracts can open the door for a more robust and
productive agricultural landscape through a holistic strategy that fuses
scientific understanding with real-world application.