Due to its importance and wide adoption, wheat cultivation is promptly required to shift towards sustainable practices, reducing the dependency on chemical components. Among bio-based solutions aimed at securing the sustainability of wheat cultivation, biostimulants offer a versatile platform of eco-friendly tools assuring sustainability and profitability. Microalgae present a concrete example of a biostimulant source due to their richness in metabolites and high value products. Therefore, this study evaluated the biostimulant potential of eleven eco-extracts prepared from soil-isolated microalgae strains. Eco-extracts applied via soil drench at low dose (0.1 g/L) were investigated for their biostimulant effects on wheat growth, physiology, yield, and quality under controlled conditions. Results demonstrated significant ameliorations in treated plants as compared to the control, with no phytoinhibitory effects. Remarkable enhancements were notable in growth parameters such as shoot and root lengths (+40-70%), physiological traits such as total chlorophyll and stomatal conductance (+7-52%), yield components in the example of grain number per spike and thousand grain weight (+17-103%), and grain quality namely protein and polyphenol content (+2-fold to 4-fold). Similarly, phosphorus accumulation and uptake were significantly improved, while soil physicochemical status was ameliorated, indicating enhanced fertility. Multivariate analysis and composite index ranking marked Chlorella sp. GA18, Chlorella sp. GA65, Scenedesmus sp. GA69, and Chlorococcum sp. GA63 as eco-extracts with consistent performances across all plant traits. These findings highlighted the promising potential of integrating microalgae-based eco-friendly extracts in sustainable wheat cultivation.
Brown algal extracts increase crop yield by stimulating growth and enhancing resistance to environmental stress, making them a sustainable and effective biostimulant for modern agriculture. Population growth, climate change, and intensive agrochemical use pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and food security. Seaweeds, particularly brown algae, have attracted considerable attention as promising biostimulants for sustainable agricultural applications. Brown algae, the second most prevalent group of marine macroalgae, are rich in polysaccharides (alginates, fucoidans, and laminarins), vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, which contribute to their biostimulant properties. Previous studies have provided important insights into the mechanisms of action of seaweed extracts and the physiological and biochemical changes they induce in crop plants. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of seaweed biostimulants remain incompletely understood, recent research efforts have substantially advanced our understanding of their functional roles. This review discusses conventional and advanced extraction techniques used to obtain bioactive compounds from seaweeds. In addition, it examines the composition of brown algae and their roles in promoting plant growth, development, and stress tolerance in various crop species. Furthermore, this review highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying growth promotion, biotic stress resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance in brown algae-treated plants, along with key findings from recent metabolomics studies. The use of brown algal extracts or their components influences crop plants by enhancing nutrient uptake, regulating phytohormone signalling, boosting antioxidant defence, facilitating osmotic adjustment, and stimulating stress-responsive genes and pathways. Collectively, these properties highlight the potential of brown algae-derived biostimulants to support sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for synthetic agrochemicals while increasing food security amid growing environmental challenges.
Soil degradation is a major concern, causing a decline in crop productivity and making sustainable agricultural practices essential for humankind. Biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are currently applied as affordable and environmentally safe alternatives. Biochar, a porous, carbon-rich by-product of biomass pyrolysis, was applied at 3 % (w/w) alone (control) and in combination with microbial inoculants, including a bacterial consortium. A 15-day pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the effects of biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on plant growth. This study investigates the effects of biochar and PGPB (three Pseudomonas spp. and one Diaphorobacter spp.) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.) when applied individually and in combination. The results were evaluated based on plant growth-promoting criteria namely root and shoot length and chlorophyll content. It was observed that biochar had a positive impact on plant growth parameters when applied individually, however in combination with bacterial inoculants, the results were significantly improved. The consortium treatment showed higher values for root length, shoot length and chlorophyll content compared with individual treatments. This study highlights the major scope and potential of utilising plant growth promoting bacteria and biochar to achieve sustainable increases in plant growth and yield. However, some treatments showed variability in results, which could be attributed to the compatibility between biochar and microbial inoculants. This underscores the need for further optimisation studies on the interaction between biochar and bacterial inoculants.
D. Ruchi, S. Sunita, G. Arpita et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Developing innovative green strategies regarding the integration of by-products and waste from the food industry for sustainable agriculture and a circular economy represents a current challenge of great interest. The present exploratory study evaluated four regional potential food-waste-derived biofertilizers under controlled greenhouse conditions. Eggshell powder (EGP), whey, sea buckthorn pomace powder (SBPP), and grape pomace hydroalcoholic extract (GPHAE), used separately or in combination, were tested to observe the response of a relevant crop, Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. communis Auria Bacăului, in terms of vegetative growth parameters and its phytochemical profile. Plant biometric parameters, some representative metabolites (chlorophyll, carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds, and amino acids), and antioxidant activity were investigated using appropriate analytical techniques. The results demonstrated that bean plants grown on soil amended with EGP exhibit high biometric values, validating the efficacy of this by-product as a potential biofertilizer. The mixture of water and GPHAE used on the amended soils with EGP, and with EGP and SBPP, induces a positive effect on the total chlorophyll content accumulated in the bean samples (0.204–0.212 mg/g) compared to similar samples sprayed only with water. The mixture of water, whey, and GPHAE resulted in free amino acid accumulation in beans regardless of soil amendment. The highest synergetic effect on amino acid accumulation was found between this fertigation solution and the soil supplemented with EGP. The overall results of the present work confirm the potential of these regional food by-products and waste as biofertilizers, offering a dual solution for food industry waste management and sustainable agricultural development.
E. Bran, Luminița-Bianca Grosu, Gabriel-Alin Iosob et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations
Abstract Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide, with continuously increasing production due to its broad use in fresh consumption and processing. In the Republic of Serbia, pepper production has a significant role, particularly within intensive and sustainable cultivation systems, where producers face rising production costs and growing demands for environmentally friendly technologies. In this context, microbial biostimulants represent a promising approach for improving both yields and economic efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two microbiological preparations—effective microorganisms (EM) and fungi of the genus Trichoderma— in interaction with agroecological conditions (year), on pepper fruit yield in an organic production system under protected cultivation. A two-factor experiment revealed statistically significant effects (p < 0.01) of the applied treatments. The application of Trichoderma sp. resulted in the highest average yield, exceeding the control by 19.35% and the EM treatment by 13.15%. From an economic perspective, the use of microbial biostimulants demonstrated considerable potential for improving production performance. Increased yields, combined with relatively low additional input costs, led to higher gross margins and improved overall profitability per unit area. Furthermore, lower variable costs per kilogram of produced pepper contributed to reduced production costs compared to conventional technological solutions. The results indicate that microbial biostimulants enhance the economic stability of pepper production, reduce production risk, and increase the competitiveness of sustainable and organic cultivation systems.
M. Bajagić, B. Šević, Robert Radišić et al.· Proceedings of the Internati...· 0 citations
Microalgae exhibit high biodiversity and are found in various habitats, including agricultural soil. The intensification of agriculture by chemical fertilizers results in significant environmental problems, including water pollution, accumulation of xenobiotic chemicals, diminished soil quality and fertility, and adverse effects on human health. Organic farming is highlighted as an effective approach to mitigate these problems. Microalgae offer key functions in agriculture as biostimulants, biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, sources of phytohormones, and soil moisturizers. These roles indicated the importance of microalgae in sustainable and organic agriculture, particularly for CO2 sequestration, nutrient recycling from waste streams, and enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress. This review discusses practical application methods, field challenges, sustainable water sources for microalgae biomass production, market trends for biofertilizers made from this biomass, and long-term sustainability factors to establish safety and standardization protocols to ensure their reliability. Microalgae biomass can be produced in photobioreactors or open ponds and applied to agricultural land as wet inoculum, dry biomass, or extracted metabolites. Integration with irrigation and hydroponic systems offers additional potential for efficient nutrient delivery. The global market for microalgae fertilizer is projected to expand significantly due to increasing awareness of sustainable farming and rising demand for organic food. These fertilizers are eco-friendly, reduce nutrient waste and soil degradation, and are suitable for organic crop production as they are natural and free from synthetic chemicals or GMOs. In conclusion, microalgae represent sustainable and effective strategies to enhance soil fertility, stimulate plant growth, and strengthen crop protection in organic farming.
Keywords: biocontrol agents, algal biomass, circular bioeconomy, commercial viability, abiotic stress mitigation
Datia Siti Nur Lisa, Aida Nursidah, Hani Susanti· Buitenzorg: Journal of Tropi...· 0 citations
Enhanced soil salinity is a major constraint to rice production in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Salinity stress impairs nutrient uptake and induces ionic toxicity and osmotic stress, while excessive use of chemical fertilizers degrades soil health and causes environmental pollution. A novel salt-tolerant endophytic fungus, Aspergillus welwitschiae Ocstreb1, isolated from the halophytic wild rice Oryza coarctata, exhibited multiple plant growth–promoting traits under both non-saline and 900 mM salt-stress conditions in vitro. These findings suggest that Ocstreb1-based biofertilizer could serve as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to enhance rice productivity under saline conditions. In this experiment, the biofertilizer was prepared using fungal spores produced on wheat bran and subsequently mixed with talcum powder as a carrier. Field trials were conducted following a randomized complete block design (RCBD), incorporating different levels of chemical fertilizer application (0%, 80%, and 100% of the BRRI-recommended NPKSZn rates) in both biofertilizer-treated and untreated plants. Compared with the 100% chemical fertilizer treatment, the combined application of biofertilizer and 80% chemical fertilizer resulted in a comparable yield in Barguna and increased yield of 196.6 kg ha⁻¹ in Satkhira. Profitability analysis showed that this treatment provided an additional economic benefit of USD 48–68 ha⁻¹ over the 100% chemical fertilizer treatment. Moreover, fumonisin B1 levels in grains from biofertilizer-treated plants were negligible. In conclusion, commercial production of this biofertilizer will pave the way for enhancing rice yield with less use of chemical fertilizer while promoting sustainable agricultural practice particularly in areas affected by salinity stress.
Amit Chowdhury, J. Bhattacharya, Md. Iyasir Arafat et al.· Discover Agriculture· 0 citations