Red macroalgae: an ecological alternative for sustainable agriculture in Ecuador

Abstract

The use of bioactive compounds from macroalgae in agricultural formulations is an emerging technology with great potential to reduce dependence on synthetic agrochemicals. Currently, seaweed extracts are considered a sustainable resource due to their biodegradable nature. This review discusses their potential to replace or reduce a variety of synthetic molecules in economically important crops, such as synthetic nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers, synthetic hormone growth regulators, and organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides. Due to the presence of a wide range of bioactive substances already reported in certain algae, they are foreseen as good candidates for the production of plant bioformulations. In this sense, the commercial and biotechnological exploitation of macroalgae could benefit the local economy. However, despite the potential of algae, there is very little information on their total metabolomic or chemical content. This literature review summarises information proposing the use of the macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii, Acanthophora spicifera and Hypnea spinella in the Ecuadorian agricultural sector as an alternative for pesticide reduction..