THE ROLE OF SEAWEED EXTRACTS IN ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES: A REVIEW OF BIOSTIMULANT AND BIOFERTILIZER APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Conventional agricultural practices face increasing scrutiny due to their environmental impact, including soil degradation, water pollution, and high reliance on synthetic inputs. Sustainable agriculture seeks to mitigate these issues by integrating ecologically sound and economically viable methods. Marine macroalgae, commonly known as seaweed, have emerged as a promising natural resource with multifaceted applications in sustainable farming. This paper reviews scientific literature on the use of seaweed and seaweed-derived extracts as biostimulants and biofertilizers. Key E-mail: asmazafar956@gmail.com bioactive compounds, including phytohormones, polysaccharides, amino acids, osmoprotectants, and micronutrients, contribute to improved plant growth, stress tolerance, soil health, and nutrient-use efficiency. The review synthesizes mechanisms through which seaweed applications can enhance crop productivity and resilience and considers constraints related to compositional variability, standardization, field performance, scalability, and regulation. Future research priorities for optimizing seaweed utilization across diverse agricultural systems are also discussed.