Seaweed - An Eco-friendly Alternative of Agrochemicals in Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture demands the use of our natural resources to enhance production and productivity without depleting the natural base along with a vision to preserve them for our future generation. The effect of modern agriculture driven by agrochemicals has raised serious concern about the health and wellbeing of our environment and humans as well. The growth of the population and shrinking resources has created the need for searching new technology and resources to balance between feeding and preserving the environment. Researchers are nowadays more focussed towards trying and testing new products to reduce our dependency on agrochemicals. Among the various alternatives, Seaweed has drawn the attention of many researchers due to its unique properties and abundant availability. They are nowadays used to increase the yield by enhancing the nutrient uptake by the plant. This can reduce excessive fertilizer application for yield enhancement. Seaweed extracts are also showing effective response against various pest and diseases. This property can also play a very important role in reducing our dependency on harmful chemicals for pest control.

How Does the Addition of Biostimulants Affect the Growth, Yield, and Quality Parameters of the Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)? How Is This Reflected in Its Nutritional Value?

“…The cultivated area of green beans in Egypt occupies 27,363 hectares, which is equivalent to 10,000 m 2 , and the annual production of this area is 284,299 tons of green beans [3]. With the escalation of challenges in meeting the global requirements for food crops in terms of quantity, quality, and safety, there is a need to confront these challenges by searching for new effective, safe, and environmentally friendly agricultural systems, such as organic agriculture, which is currently successfully applied in some areas around the world [4,5]. Biostimulants can be an interesting option in the face of degraded agricultural areas and uncertainties related to the changing climate.…”

Best Management Practices for Sustainable Agriculture

“…The terms "Farming," "Eco-Agriculture," or "Eco-friendly Agriculture" are suggested as innovative strategies aimed at improving both modern and traditional agricultural practices with the overarching goal of preserving the environment, communities and public health (Mishra, 2013). Natural farming is characterised as using just livestock and no chemicals in the farming process.…”

Marine seaweeds (biofertilizer) significance in sustainable agricultural activities: A review

“…For example, biocontrol active Bacilli which has been demonstrated that antibiotically active secondary metabolites not only inhibit phytopathogens but are also able to activate plant resistance structures. [25]. The foliar application of seaweed extract stimulated maize seedlings' growth, showing a significant increase in root and shoot development [26].…”