Cited by 536Plant Growth Enhancement TechniquesAgriculture, Plant Science, Crop ManagementAgricultural Science and Fertilization

Microalgal Biostimulants and Biofertilisers in Crop Productions

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Ronga, Domenico, Biazzi, Elisa, Parati, Katia, Carminati, Domenico, Carminati, Elio, Tava, Aldo·2019·Agronomy

Abstract

Microalgae are attracting the interest of agrochemical industries and farmers, due to their biostimulant and biofertiliser properties. Microalgal biostimulants (MBS) and biofertilisers (MBF) might be used in crop production to increase agricultural sustainability. Biostimulants are products derived from organic material that, applied in small quantities, are able to stimulate the growth and development of several crops under both optimal and stressful conditions. Biofertilisers are products containing living microorganisms or natural substances that are able to improve chemical and biological soil properties, stimulating plant growth, and restoring soil fertility. This review is aimed at reporting developments in the processing of MBS and MBF, summarising the biologically-active compounds, and examining the researches supporting the use of MBS and MBF for managing productivity and abiotic stresses in crop productions. Microalgae are used in agriculture in different applications, such as amendment, foliar application, and seed priming. MBS and MBF might be applied as an alternative technique, or used in conjunction with synthetic fertilisers, crop protection products and plant growth regulators, generating multiple benefits, such as enhanced rooting, higher crop yields and quality and tolerance to drought and salt. Worldwide, MBS and MBF remain largely unexploited, such that this study highlights some of the current researches and future development priorities.

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Authors
Ronga, D., Biazzi, E., Parati, K., Carminati, D., Carminati, E., & Tava, A.
Affiliations
  • Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria (IT)
  • Istituto Sperimentale Italiano Lazzaro Spallanzani (IT)
Corresponding author
Ronga, Domenico
Venue
Agronomy
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2019-04-15
Volume
9
Issue
4
Pages
192
ISSN
2073-4395 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2935790340
Cited by
536
References
157
Citations by year
2026: 67 · 2025: 81 · 2024: 90 · 2023: 83 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 74 · 2020: 54 · 2019: 5
FWCI
39.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Agronomy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • IRIS UNIMORE (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Fondazione Cariplo (2015/1411)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture, Plant Science, Crop Management
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Agricultural Science and Fertilization
Keywords
microalgae, biostimulants, biofertilizers, crop production, plant growth promotion, abiotic stress tolerance, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, seed priming, foliar application, soil fertility, sustainable agriculture, bioactive compounds

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