SEAWEED-BASED BIOFORMULATION FOR SUSTAINABLE PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT - A REVIEW

Abstract

Seaweed- derived bioformulations have emerged as promising sustainable alternative approaches for managing plant diseases in modern agriculture. Growing concern about the excessive use of synthetic pesticides- including environmental contamination, the development of pathogen resistance, and adverse effects on non-target beneficial organisms has intensified the search for eco- friendly, bio- based solutions. Marine macroalgae, primarily classified into Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyceae, are rich in sources of diverse bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, phenolics, phytohormones, and various secondary metabolites. These compounds play a critical role in modulating plant defense mechanisms and suppressing a wide range of phytopathogens. This review provides a comprehensively discusses the diversity of seaweed species, major extraction methodologies, and the key bioactive compounds involved in disease suppression. Special attention is given to polysaccharides, including laminarin, carrageenan, fucoidan, alginate, and ulvan, which trigger plant immune responses such as systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR). In addition to their role in defense induction, certain seaweed extracts exhibit direct antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities against economically important plant pathogens. Recent advances in nano- formulation, along with the increasing availability of commercial seaweed- based products, further highlight their potential in integrated disease management strategies. Overall, seaweed- derived bioformulations represent an effective, environmentally sustainable approach to enhancing crop protection and improving plant health within agricultural ecosystems