Microalgal based biostimulants as alleviator of biotic and abiotic stresses in crop plants

Abstract

Microalgae or microphytes are microscopic, unicellular organisms present in maritime and freshwater, capable for photosynthesis and produce approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen. Microalgae are gaining the attention of plant growers, agrochemicals businesses and scientists, because they have multifaceted biostimulants properties. Microalgal biostimulants (MBS) have been used in crop plants to enhance crop performance and improved agricultural sustainability. MBS are currently being used in various economically important crop plants by different applications methods like seed priming, foliar application and soil amendment. Application of MBS leads to multiple benefits including improve soil water use efficiency, reinforced rooting system, boost crop quality and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses like drought and salt. Microalgal biostimulants are environment friendly, beneficial for ecosystem and reduce the hazardous impact of synthetic chemicals on human, animal and plants health. MBS have multiple strategies to suppression of stresses by the production of phytohormone like compounds. In this chapter, role of microalgal biostimulants emphasizing on stress alleviation activities in plants will be discussed. It would surely helpful to understand plant- microalgal interaction. MBS are unexploited for wide adaptable used in agriculture globally, such study provides deep perception and highlights of the current researches and next generation development priorities. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.