Macroalgae as Innovative Agricultural Inputs and Climate-Smart Agroecosystems: From the Sea to the Soil
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editors
Interests: soil organic matter; humic substances; biochar; soil fertility; plant nutrition; stress protection; enhanced-efficiency fertilizers; spectroscopy characterization; chemometric analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: soil organic matter; humic substances; biochar; soil fertility; plant nutrition; stress protection; enhanced-efficiency fertilizers; spectroscopy characterization; chemometric analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: soil organic matter; humic substances; biochar; soil fertility; plant nutrition; stress protection; enhanced-efficiency fertilizers; spectroscopy characterization; chemometric analysis
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Marine macroalgae are emerging as a versatile and sustainable resource with vast potential to transform modern agriculture. This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research, reviews, and applied studies focused on the development and application of macroalgae-derived technologies and products to promote climate-smart and circular agroecosystems.
We welcome original contributions that explore the extraction, characterization, formulation, and efficacy of bio-based agricultural inputs such as biofertilizers, biostimulants, soil conditioners, and controlled-release fertilizers derived from macroalgae biomass. The submission of studies addressing macroalgal extracts’ physiological, biochemical, and molecular effects on crop growth, stress tolerance, and soil health is highly encouraged.
The relevant topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The development and optimization of macroalgae-based biofertilizers and biostimulants;
- The utilization of polysaccharides (e.g., carrageenan, alginate, agar) to develop sustainable nutrient delivery systems;
- The influence of macroalgae-derived compounds on the soil microbiome, carbon cycling, and the soil structure;
- The evaluation of macroalgae products in field trials and controlled environments;
- The integration of macroalgae technologies into climate-smart and circular agricultural practices;
- Multi-analytical approaches for the characterization of macroalgal extracts and formulations;
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) and economic feasibility and sustainability evaluations;
- Regulatory frameworks and market prospects for macroalgae-derived agricultural inputs.
For this Special Issue, we hope to receive interdisciplinary studies bridging marine biotechnology, soil science, plant physiology, and sustainable agriculture, fostering innovations that contribute to the development of resilient and productive agroecosystems.
Dr. Andrés Calderín García
Dr. Danielle França de Oliveira Torchia
Dr. Tadeu Augusto van Tol de Castro
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable agriculture
- macroalgae
- climate-smart agroecosystems
- circular agriculture
- soil health
- marine biotechnology
- life cycle assessment (LCA)
- environmental sustainability
- green technologies
- sustainable nutrient management
- plant–soil interactions
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