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Explora: Environment
and Resource Application of Algae for seed priming

Table 1. (Continued)
No. Name of algae Class Seed species Concentration Effect References
applied
111. Planktochlorella nurekis Trebouxiophyceae Brassica 1%, 5%, and 10% Act as natural herbicides and biostimulators for 68
oleracea the safe production of healthy food
112. Lactuca sativa
113. Triticum
aestivum
114. Raphanus
sativus
115. Chlorella sp. Trebouxiophyceae Raphanus 1% and 2% Increases root and shoot length, weight of fresh 69
sativus biomass, and germination percentage
116. Chlorella vulgaris Trebouxiophyceae Triticum 0.1 – 2 g/L Improves seed germination indices and 70
aestivum biometric parameters, and acts as an eco-friendly
117. Solanum biostimulant
lycopersicum
118. Spirulina platensis Cyanophyceae Lupinus luteus 0.25%, 0.5%, and Increases growth indices, yield, and 71
1.0% photosynthetic pigment content
119. Chlamydomonas Chlorophyceae Solanum NA Increases leaf temperature differential, leaf 72
reinhardtii lycopersicum thickness, pigment content, fruit weight, and
120. Chlorella sp. Trebouxiophyceae fruit diameter.

environmental stresses during germination and early a widely recognized blue-green alga, is frequently used
growth stages. Research further indicates that bioactive in agriculture due to its high nutritional value, including
5
compounds in seaweed can enhance plant tolerance proteins, fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, and essential
to drought, salinity, and temperature fluctuations by minerals. Anabaena minutissima extract has been reported
modulating metabolic and physiological responses. In as an effective priming agent for tomato seeds, where
addition, seaweed extracts have been shown to activate it contributed to increased seedling dry weight and
plant defense mechanisms, potentially aiding in early-stage enhanced plant chitinase activity. Other microalgae,
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resistance against pathogens. 23 such as Phormidium sp., Parachlorella sp., Scenedesmus
In addition to macroalgae, microalgae have also been sp., Chlorella sp., Planktochlorella sp., Graesiella emersonii,
extensively explored as effective seed-priming agents Chlorococcum sp., Arthrospira platensis, Acutodesmus
in agriculture due to their rich content of bioactive dimorphus, Desmodesmus sp., Micractinium pusillum,
compounds, vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have shown potential
and plant growth regulators. Microalgal-based priming in improving seed germination, plant vigor, and stress
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23,29-31
treatments can significantly improve seed germination tolerance.
rates, seedling growth, and overall stress resilience. These In particular, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus
microalgae not only enhance plant development but also quadricauda have been applied to Beta vulgaris (sugar
contribute to soil enrichment by promoting beneficial beet) seeds, leading to improved germination efficiency
microbial activity, which aids in nutrient cycling and and uniformity. A study by Gitau et al. demonstrated
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stress mitigation. Chlorella is one of the most widely used that tomato seeds primed with C. reinhardtii and Chlorella
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microalgae in agriculture due to its high chlorophyll, amino sp. exhibited increased leaf temperature, leaf thickness,
acid, vitamin, and mineral content, making it an excellent pigment content, fruit weight, and fruit diameter,
biostimulant. In addition, Chaetomorpha antennina has indicating improved plant growth and yield potential.
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been utilized to prime Lycopersicum esculentum seeds, As a whole, both macroalgae and microalgae offer
resulting in improved vegetative growth and yield. significant benefits in seed priming applications, serving
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Extracts from Leptolyngbya sp. and Chlorella sorokiniana as sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical-based
applied to radish, spinach, fenugreek, and turnip seeds methods. Their rich composition of bioactive compounds,
resulted in enhanced early germination, plumule, and plant growth regulators, and essential nutrients
radicle elongation, and biomass accumulation. Spirulina, contributes to enhanced germination, seedling vigor, and
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Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 7 doi: 10.36922/EER025120025