Microalgae and Cyanobacteria-Based Sustainable Solutions for Agriculture
摘要
Climate change, the increasing environmental impacts of agricultural intensification, and the growing global demand for food highlight the need for sustainable alternatives to maintain and boost agricultural productivity. As a result, microalgae and cyanobacteria have emerged as renewable resources with attractive potential for modern agriculture. On one hand, they can sequester carbon and contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, they can be produced from various agricultural residues and wastewater. In terms of enhancing agricultural productivity, these microorganisms improve crop growth and soil health by fixing nitrogen, solubilizing potassium and phosphorus, releasing trace elements from the soil, and converting organic matter into usable nutrients. They also release bioactive substances, vitamins, and hormones that promote plant growth and control pests. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the effects of cyanobacteria and microalgae to improve soil fertility and soil quality while promoting plant growth. Moreover, their production is described, including formulation and global market aspects the technical and economic challenges of this environmentally friendly microbial alternative are also analyzed. In this context, the chapter summarizes the advances in microalgae and cyanobacteria technology as sustainable bioproduct platforms for the future of climate-ready agriculture.