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Explora: Environment
and Resource Application of Algae for seed priming

Figure 6. Effect of algal extract on the antioxidant defense systems
Abbreviations: CAT: Catalase; Cu: Copper; GPx: Glutathione peroxidase; Mg: Magnesium; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; SOD: Superoxide dismutase;
Zn: Zinc.

Figure 7. Effect of algal extract on nutrient bioavailability

activation, cellular growth, and enzyme function. However, Brown seaweeds, such as A. nodosum, S. wightii, and
limitations in nutrient solubility and uptake efficiency Laminaria digitata contain high levels of alginates, which
can restrict germination success. Algal extracts, rich in enhance the solubility of micronutrients, such as iron, zinc,
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bioavailable nutrients, organic acids, and chelating agents, and manganese, ensuring their efficient uptake. 109,110 This
enhance nutrient mobilization and absorption, thus is particularly important for iron, whose low solubility in
accelerating germination and improving seedling vigor. A soils often limits seedling development. Studies have shown
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key mechanism underlying this benefit is the high content that priming seeds with algal extracts rich in chelated iron
of organic acids in algal extracts – such as alginic acid, significantly improves iron uptake, leading to enhanced
phytic acid, and citric acid. These compounds act as natural chlorophyll synthesis and early seedling establishment.
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chelators, binding essential minerals and converting them In addition, algal extracts supply a balanced composition
into forms more easily absorbed by germinating seeds. of macronutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus,
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Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 14 doi: 10.36922/EER025120025