Harnessing Algal Biomass: Superabsorbent and Biostimulant Hydrogels for Seed Germination in Soilless Cultivation

IF 2.9 Q1 AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

ACS agricultural science & technology Pub Date : 2025-06-19 DOI:10.1021/acsagscitech.4c00723

Camilla Febo*, Manuela Ciocca, Mauro Maver, Tanja Mimmo, Oussama Bouaicha, Luigimaria Borruso, Paolo Lugli, Luisa Petti, Athanassia Athanassiou* and Danila Merino*,

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Hydrogels are emerging as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based foams and pots in horticulture due to their high porosity, enhancing water and nutrient retention. This study develops κ-carrageenan (Carr)-based hydrogels incorporating hydrolyzed (HSW) and nonhydrolyzed red seaweed (WSW) (0–50 wt %) to introduce biostimulant properties for soilless cultivation. Hydrogels were analyzed for swelling in different media, solubility, microstructure (SEM), physicochemical interactions (FTIR, XRD), and mechanical properties, revealing high porosity, superabsorbent behavior (swelling up to 6000%), and reduced compression modulus with increasing seaweed content. Their biostimulant effect was assessed on Arabidopsis thaliana, with 20 wt % HSW hydrogels promoting enhanced root and shoot growth. Additionally, the hydrogels inhibited Fusarium solani, demonstrating antifungal properties. These results highlight the potential of Carr-seaweed hydrogels as multifunctional substrates for sustainable plant cultivation.

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利用藻类生物量：高吸水性和生物刺激素水凝胶在无土栽培中促进种子萌发

由于水凝胶具有高孔隙度，可以提高水分和养分的保持性，因此它正在成为园艺中石油泡沫和花盆的可持续替代品。本研究开发了含有水解（HSW）和非水解红海藻（WSW）（0-50 wt %）的κ-卡拉胶（Carr）基水凝胶，以引入生物刺激素特性，用于无土栽培。对水凝胶在不同介质中的溶胀、溶解度、微观结构（SEM）、理化相互作用（FTIR、XRD）和力学性能进行了分析，结果表明，随着海藻含量的增加，水凝胶具有高孔隙率、高吸水性（溶胀率高达6000%）和压缩模量的降低。他们对拟南芥的生物刺激作用进行了评估，20%的HSW水凝胶促进了根和芽的生长。此外，水凝胶抑制枯萎菌，显示出抗真菌特性。这些结果突出了carr -海藻水凝胶作为可持续植物栽培的多功能底物的潜力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

ACS agricultural science & technology

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量