The use of microalgae as a high-value organic slow-release fertilizer results in tomatoes with increased carotenoid and sugar levels

Abstract

The heightened awareness concerning environmental preservation, resource scarcity, food safety, and nutrition has engendered the need for a more sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural production system. In this context, microalgae offer the potential to recover nutrients from waste streams and subsequently use the microalgal biomass as a sustainable slow-release fertilizer. The aim of this study was to assess microalgal bacterial flocs treating aquaculture wastewater and marine microalgae as organic slow-release fertilizers for tomato cultivation. Comparable plant growth was observed using microalgal and commercial organic fertilizer treatments. Furthermore, the microalgal fertilizers improved the fruit quality through an increase in sugar and carotenoid content, although a lower tomato yield was obtained. An economic evaluation indicates the economic feasibility of the microalgae-based fertilizers. Further research is required to optimize the microalgae-based fertilizer composition

Life cycle assessment of high rate algal ponds for wastewater treatment and resource recovery

“…Nevertheless, it has to be mentioned that the biofertilizer is a higher quality product compared to the digestate, since it contains high amounts of proteins rich in essential amino acids, as well as phytohormones that stimulate plant growth and improve soil quality (Coppens et al, 2016;García-Gonzalez and Sommerfeld, 2016;Jäger et al, 2010;Uysal et al, 2015). However, these benefits were not taken into account in this study.…”

“…On the other hand, microalgae also offer the potential to recover nutrients from wastewater and, subsequently, to be applied as a sustainable fertilizer. During the last decade, this alternative has been described by several authors, considering the fact that microalgae contain high amounts of proteins rich in essential amino acids, as well as phytohormones that stimulate plant growth (Coppens et al, 2016;García-Gonzalez and Sommerfeld, 2016;Jäger et al, 2010;Uysal et al, 2015).…”

Effects of manure enriched with algae Chlorella vulgaris on soil chemical properties

“…Some algae strains favour high biomass production and other high lipid concentration (Yoo et al 2010). Biomass of microalgae in agriculture can be used also as bio fertilizer and as soil conditioner (Faheed & Fattah 2008;Mata et al 2010;Coppens et al 2015;Uysal et al 2015;Abdel-Raouf et al 2016;Renuka et al 2016). Additionally, the role of blue-green algae in supplying N for rice growing and for improving physico-chemical properties of soil is well documented (Metting 1996;Mandal et al 1999;Song et al 2005).…”

Biotecnología microalgal en Costa Rica: Oportunidades de negocio para el sector productivo nacional

“…Las microalgas han sido objeto de estudio por parte del sector académico y la industria para lograr el desarrollo y la innovación (I+D+i) de nuevos productos en el sector agrícola, especialmente en el diseño de nuevas formulaciones de biofertilizantes [20], [21], [22]. El potencial del uso de las biomasas microalgales como biofertilizantes radica en que contienen altos niveles de micronutrientes y macronutrientes esenciales, así como algunos reguladores de crecimiento, poliaminas, enzimas, hidratos de carbono naturales, proteínas y vitaminas que tienen un efecto favorable en el crecimiento vegetativo, en el estado nutricional de las plantas y el rendimiento de los cultivos.…”