Role of algae and cyanobacteria in sustainable agriculture system

Algae are very large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms that can carried out photosynthesis and have ability to capture energy from sunlight. Algae play an important role in sustainable and organic agriculture where it is used as biofertilizer and soil stabilizers. Algae, particularly the seaweeds, are used as fertilizers, resulting in less nitrogen and phosphorous runoff than the other from the use of livestock manure. This in turn, increases the quality of water flowing into rivers and oceans. These organisms are cultivated around the world and used as human food supplements. They can produce a clean and carbon-neutral food also and can be grown on abandoned lands and arid desert lands with minimal demands for fresh water. Seaweeds are an important source of iodine and rich source of several protein and vitamins. Thus it is also a supplement food for animal feed and aquatic flora. In this review, we emphasize the critical aspects of algae and its agricultural uses.