Potential of seaweeds as biostimulants in Cuban agricultural production

To minimize the use of agrochemicals and stimulating the use of the natural products obtained from local feedstocks constitutes a challenge for modern agriculture. Seaweeds are rich source of carbohydrates, plant growth regulators, macro and micronutrients, vitamins, amino acids, osmoprotectants, antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. They have been used since ancient times as alternative agro-inputs to improve soil properties, enhance seed germination, plant growth and yield, obtaining productively superior harvests. In Cuba, the seaweeds represent an economic, available and abundant local resource throughout the coastline, characterized by a great diversity of species. Its use in Cuban industry has been limited mainly to the extraction of phycocolloids, so its potentialities such as biofertilizers, biostimulants, soil enhancement and for crops protection have been little used. This work shows an updated overview on the diversity and chemical composition of Cuban seaweed, with emphasis on those species and/or genera with greater possibilities of use due to their abundance and availability of biomass. The outlooks of macroalgae-derived products are discussed as an alternative to stimulate agricultural production in the country, to reduce the application of agrochemicals to crops and to produce healthier foods. This research is basic to promote effective strategies in Cuban agriculture, based on the use of seaweed extracts.