Seaweed and microalgae as major actors of blue biotechnology to achieve plant stimulation and pest and pathogen biocontrol – a review of the latest advances and future prospects

Abstract Modern agriculture needs proper solutions to face the current trend of pesticides and fertilizers reduction. One available leverages support this transition is use bioproducts that are more environmentally friendly less hazardous for human health. Among them, blue biotechnology precisely seaweed microalgae gain interest every year in scientific community. In agriculture, seaweeds (Macroalgae) have been used production plant biostimulants while still remain unexploited. Microalgae widely described as renewable sources biofuels, bioingredients biologically active compounds, such polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, sterols, vitamins polysaccharides, which attract considerable both industrial communities. They affect agricultural crops enhancement growth, seedling growth. can also improve nutrient incorporation, fruit setting, resistance properties against pests diseases, improving stress management (drought, salinity temperature). The present review aimed at agronomy, with a specific focus on microalgae, their biological activities possible application potentially sustainable alternative enhanced crop performance, uptake resilience environmental stress. This does not only comprehensive study but biofertilizers, particular emphasis future challenges these will deal with, being able synthesize secondary metabolites potential biopesticidal action.