Soil Condition, Fertiliser
Algae represents a rapidly emerging platform for soil conditioning (including biostimulant) and biofertiliser applications, offering a low-processing, scalable pathway for agricultural inputs. Algal biomass can be produced with minimal resource intensity and applied directly or with simple processing to enhance soil health and productivity.
Current capabilities focus on leveraging the nutrient profile and biological activity of algae to improve soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial function. Algal systems can capture carbon and nutrients during cultivation, enabling their reuse in agricultural settings and supporting circular nutrient management.
Algae-derived products provide a natural source of macro- and micronutrients, as well as bioactive compounds that can promote plant growth, improve water retention, and enhance resilience to environmental stress. These characteristics support their integration into sustainable farming systems and regenerative agriculture practices.
With increasing recognition of algae as an agricultural input, there is growing alignment across production, regulation, and value chains to support broader adoption. This positions algae as a flexible and sustainable solution for soil health, fertiliser replacement, and integrated farming systems.
Key algal-derived compounds for soil and fertiliser applications include:
- Macronutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) – plant nutrition and soil fertility
- Micronutrients (e.g. iron, magnesium, zinc) – essential for plant growth and metabolic function
- Polysaccharides – improved soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity
- Amino acids and proteins – plant growth stimulation and stress tolerance
- Phytohormones growth regulation and yield enhancement
- Organic carbon compounds – soil conditioning and carbon enrichment”
