Seaweed-based fertilizers: The key to improve the resistance of our crops
To understand if seaweeds are good in our fertilizers, we have to ask ourselves the question What are seaweeds?
Seaweeds are photosynthetic organisms that live in salt water, mainly in the oceans and seas. They use sunlight to produce oxygen and carbohydrates that are essential for aquatic ecosystems. Algae do not have roots, stems or leaves, but have structures called rhizoids that help them adhere to rocks. There is a great variety since their size can be microscopic like phytoplankton, as well as visible algae like the nori seaweed that we consume so much, or large algae like kelp, a lamellar algae.
There are several types of seaweeds, and they are mainly classified into three groups, according to their color and chemical characteristics:
- Green algae: They are green in color due to chlorophyll, the pigment they use for photosynthesis and are usually found in shallow coastal waters and in areas of high light.
- Brown algae: They are brown in color due to a pigment called fucoxanthin, in addition to chlorophyll, and are found in cold or temperate zones.
- Red algae: They are red in color due to phycobilin pigments, which complement chlorophyll in photosynthesis and are more common in deeper waters, where light is dimmer, due to their ability to better absorb deeper wavelengths of light.
The algae most commonly used in fertilizers are brown algae due to their richness in alginic acid and mannitol.
The best known is Ascophyllum nodosum as it stimulates growth and resistance to stress. There are many published studies where its efficacy has been proven in crops with good results.
There are also other types of algae that can be used as fertilizers: Macrocystis pyrifera, very rich in minerals such as potassium and calcium, Sargassum spp, used to improve soil moisture retention or Ecklonia maxima which stimulates root growth.
Seaweed-based fertilizers are of particular interest due to their high content of bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, phytohormones, amino acids and trace elements. These components have the ability to interact with plants in a way that enhances their ability to withstand adverse conditions and maximize their efficiency.
How do seaweeds manage crop resistance?
- Improved tolerance to water stress: Drought is one of the most devastating effects of climate change. Seaweed-based fertilizers help plants better manage available water. By applying these fertilizers, plants increase their ability to retain water, allowing them to withstand periods of drought more efficiently.
- Increased resistance to temperature extremes: Seaweeds have the ability to regulate plant response to high or low temperatures. When plants are subjected to extreme temperatures, seaweeds promote the production of natural antioxidants, which protect plant cells from thermal damage.
- Improved resistance to salinity: In many agricultural regions, saline soil is an increasing challenge due to rising sea levels and inadequate agricultural practices. Seaweed fertilizers can help plants tolerate higher salt levels, improving water and nutrient uptake in saline soils and increasing productivity under these conditions.
- Stimulation of root growth: A strong root system is key to nutrient and water uptake, especially under stressful conditions. Seaweed fertilizers can promote the development of deeper and denser roots, improving the ability of plants to access vital resources, even in impoverished soils or extreme conditions.
These are the main functions of adding seaweed extract to fertilizers. However, there are many more, such as increasing plant health, reducing dependence on chemical products or increasing productivity.
Seaweed-based fertilizers are a powerful tool in the fight against the effects of climate change on agriculture. Their ability to improve crop resistance to water stress, temperature extremes and salinity offers a sustainable and effective solution to increase agricultural productivity in a context of increasingly unpredictable climate change. Furthermore, by promoting greener agricultural practices and reducing reliance on chemical inputs, seaweed fertilizers represent a promising option for a greener and more resilient future.
If we are increasingly introducing seaweed into our foods, why not give it to our plants as well?
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