Title: Algae as a bioresource options in modern agriculture

Biography:

Researcher in Marine Biotechnology specially on plant Physiology and Seaweed Valorization; Ph.D. Student from Ibn Tofail University. Currently, Engineer in Biomass Valorization in the AgroBioSciences (AgBS) research program of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). Engineer in Industry and Safety Food since 2010; Engineer in Biotechnology Applied to Plant Improvement since 2008 from the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques at Cadi Ayyad University. Her research focus on the importance of seaweed liquid extracts in improving the agronomic performance of crops specially Bean and wheat plants cultivated on soil or in hydroponic systems and under abiotic stress.

Abstract

Algae are a group of ubiquitous photosynthetic organisms, including eukaryotic green algae and Gram-negative prokaryotic cyanobacteria, beside macro-forms like seaweeds.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the different application of cyanobacteria, micro- and macro-algae especially in biofertilization, bioremediation as well as their role in improving soil structure and functioning.

Both micro- and macro- algae forms have been reported to improve plant growth and development. This is due to the presence of all major and minor plant nutrients as well as different organic compounds such as auxins, gibberellins and precursors of ethylene and betaine. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that the inoculation of cyanobacteria could increase the availability of other micro- (Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe), etc.) and macronutrients (carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)) in soil and their translocation inside plants, upto grains. 

Furthermore, algae was reported to increase of plant tolerance to toxic trace elements by improving soil proprieties and increasing plant growth, biochemical and physiological plant attributes.