Seaweed Extracts Improve Salinity Tolerance in Cereal Crops-A Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Marine Biotechnology
• Agronomy
• Plant Physiology

Background:

• Seaweed extracts are rich in bioactive compounds.
• Salinity stress is a major threat to crop production and food security.
• Sustainable solutions are needed to enhance crop resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of seaweed extracts in improving salt tolerance in cereal crops.
• To determine the optimal conditions for seaweed extract application.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis of studies using aqueous seaweed extracts as foliar sprays.
• Mixed-effects model to determine effect size.
• Analysis of seaweed classes (Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta) and salinity levels (34.2-100 mM and 101-400 mM NaCl equivalent).

Main Results:

• Aqueous seaweed extracts significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass under normal and salinity stress conditions.
• Extracts from Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae classes were particularly effective.
• Optimal salinity tolerance was observed with foliar application of ≤25% aqueous seaweed extracts.

Conclusions:

• Exogenous application of seaweed extracts improves salinity tolerance in cereal crops.
• Seaweed extracts represent a sustainable resource for enhancing crop resilience.
• Further research is needed to assess the impact on cereal crop yields.