The James Hutton Institute has announced its involvement in a pioneering research project considering the role of seaweed as a fertiliser.
The project is spearheaded by Algapelago Marine Ltd in collaboration Atlantic Mariculture Ltd and the UK Agri-Tech Centre, to investigate how biologically driven nutrient management strategies can improve soil health and crop performance.
Backed by Innovate UK and a coalition of industry experts, the project aims to foster plant resilience while optimising soil microbial and fungal ecosystems through leveraging the natural properties of seaweed biostimulants and reducing reliance on mineral fertilisers.
The research will also lay the groundwork for larger-scale field trials, further investigating the impact of kelp-derived biostimulants on nutrient use efficiency (NUE).
Previous studies suggest that applying seaweed extracts to the collection of microorganisms that live in the soil and around plant roots and play an essential role in the degradation of organic matter, nutrient retention and recycling, can significantly enhance microbial diversity and improve crop yield and quality.
This project builds upon prior research, including an Innovate UK-supported initiative on low-energy kelp extraction for soil and livestock applications.
It will examine the potential of biostimulants and livestock feed additives, derived from sugar kelp through an innovative low-energy extraction process, to improve soil conditions and enhance feed efficiency.
Speaking of the project, Gordon McDougall, research leader at the Hutton, said, “We are delighted to bring our expertise in seaweed biochemistry, biostimulants and crop trials to this important research project.
“Understanding how these novel low-energy seaweed extracts can maintain or improve crop yield whilst altering the soil microbiota and reducing inputs of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers could provide new approaches for greener agriculture.”
Luke Ansell, Head of Operations at Algapelago Marine Ltd, said, “We’re thrilled to have secured funding for a second Innovate UK project focused on the development of kelp biostimulants. The project aims to address data gaps and build the evidence case for the role of cultivated seaweed extracts in modern crop production. The SKE-NMT will test the hypothesis that sugar kelp extracts can improve plant nutrient use efficiency here in the UK.”
Cultivated kelp provides a sustainable and scalable alternative to wild-harvested marine biomass but the potential of novel cultivated seaweed biomass, especially in applications like biostimulants, remains under-explored.
This project seeks to establish an innovative supply chain where cultivated seaweed biomass plays a crucial role in the transition to global sustainable agricultural practices.
It will quantify the ability of these low-energy seaweed extracts to improve NUE in stringently designed crop trials. The trials will explore yield responses under reduced nitrate and phosphate conditions and correlate improved uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus under fertiliser limitation with impacts on microbial diversity and community structure.