Use of elicitors from macroalgae and microalgae in the management of pests and diseases in agriculture

Feeding a growing population is a big challenge for agriculture, being necessary for new and ecological alternatives to reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Scientists have found that micro- and macroalgae are essential reservoirs of chemical compounds with a high potential role as biopesticides. Some of these molecules can act as elicitors, activating systemic and local defensive responses even without biotic stress. Among elicitors from macroalgae, there are ulvans, laminarin, alginate, carrageenan, glucuronan, fucans and tannins, which can activate plant defenses against viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, nematodes, and insects. The induction of defense mechanisms on crops by microalgae is related to their application as biomass, polysaccharides, exopolysaccharide or other elicitors, such as lactic acid or glucosamine. Unlike macroalgae, the biopesticide effect by microalgae has only been described against bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes, being necessary more studies to elucidate and discover their role as elicitors. In general, both macro- and microalgae are sources of compounds with great potential as biopesticides following the current needs for the development of sustainable agriculture.

Automated summary

Feeding a growing population is a challenge for agriculture, and researchers are searching for ecological alternatives to reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Algae, both micro- and macroalgae, have been found to contain chemical compounds that can function as biopesticides. These compounds, such as ulvans, laminarin, and alginate, can activate plant defenses against various pathogens. While macroalgae have shown potential against a wide range of pests, more research is needed to fully understand the role of microalgae as biopesticides.