Microalgae, soil and plants: A critical review of microalgae as renewable resources for agriculture

Abstract The tension between a growing global demand for food, rising environmental impacts of agricultural intensification, and the uncertainty of future changes in our global climate highlight a crucial need for sustainable alternatives to maintain and increase agricultural productivity. Microalgae, including cyanobacteria, are renewable resources with a broad range of options for applications in agricultural settings. This review incorporates fundamental and applied aspects of microalgae impacting critical agricultural needs such as biological nitrogen fixation, soil phosphorus cycling, effects on soil microorganisms, plant growth promotion either by soil nutrient cycling and/or phytohormones or root associations, biocontrol, and soil stabilization. In this context, the review summarizes progress on microalgal biofilms and consortia as platforms for technological improvement. To complete the review, research needs for future advances are outlined, including evaluations on different types of soil and agroecological regions, scaled production of inoculum and methods of deployment, and further developments on applications such as biostimulants and soil reclamation and restoration.