Seaweed: A Miracle Bio-stimulant in Crop Production

This book delves deeply into the science, application, and potential of seaweed extracts as bio-stimulants in agriculture. It begins with an overview of the challenges facing modern agriculture, such as declining soil health, climate change, and the need to reduce chemical inputs. The book explores the composition of seaweed extracts, highlighting their rich content of bioactive compounds such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, and betaines, which promote plant growth and development. It discusses how these compounds work synergistically to improve nutrient uptake, enhance photosynthesis, and boost plant immunity, gene expression, hormonal regulation, and metabolic processes, ultimately leading to increased crop yields and quality.

Another important aspect the book covers is the mode of action of seaweed extracts in the soil-plant system. This includes discussions on how seaweed extracts stimulate beneficial soil microorganisms, improve soil structure, and enhance nutrient availability, all of which contribute to healthier and more productive crops. Additionally, the book provides practical guidance on the application of seaweed extracts in different crops and farming systems. This includes information on the best methods of extraction, formulation, and application timing to maximize their effectiveness. Case studies and testimonials from farmers who have successfully used seaweed extracts are also included to illustrate their real-world impact.

Overall, this book serves as a comprehensive and authoritative guide on this innovative and sustainable agricultural practice, appealing to a wide audience of researchers, agronomists, farmers, and policymakers interested in enhancing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.

Dr. Sukamal Sarkar is Assistant Professor of Agronomy at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute and an agricultural scientist ranked among the Top 2% Scientists Worldwide (2025) by Stanford University and Elsevier. He specializes in cropping systems modelling, plant nutrition and climate-smart agriculture, with particular expertise in integrating field experimentation with sea-weed based plant nutrition for coastal and dryland agro-ecosystems. His collaborations with CSIRO and IRRI have advanced greenhouse gas mitigation and nutrient management. With over 120 peer-reviewed publications and more than 3,800 citations (h-index 29), his global scholarly influence is well established. He currently leads multidisciplinary projects funded by ACIAR, DFAT, SWISSAID, and IRRI, focused on building climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in vulnerable farming communities.

Dr. Sourav Garai has been serving as an Assistant Professor of Agronomy at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Narendrapur campus, since 2022. He earned his Ph.D. (2022) and M.Sc. (2017) in Agronomy from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, following a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Palli-Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, in 2015. Dr. Garai has an impressive portfolio of over fifty publications and scientific articles in prestigious national and international journals and magazines. His contributions to the field of Agronomy have been recognized through several accolades, including the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award, Best Oral Presentation Award, and Best Poster Award.

Dr. Arup Ghosh is Director and Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, and Professor at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad. His multidisciplinary research spans seaweed-based biostimulants, organic farming, soil science, degraded land reclamation, microalgae, biofuels, halophytes, and animal feed additives. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers, led more than 20 national and international projects, and facilitated technology transfers to over 15 clients. A co-author of NITI Aayog's 2024 policy document on seaweed value chains, he has also shaped national policy on seaweeds. His honors include the CSIR CAIRD Award (2012), Best Technology Transfer Award (2018), and the CSIR Raman Research Fellowship. He is a Fellow of the Crop and Weed Science Society and Associate Fellow of the Gujarat Science Academy.

Dr. Koushik Brahmachari serves as a Professor at the Department Agronomy and Former Registrar and Former Director of Extension Education, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in West Bengal, India. With a prolific academic background, Dr. Brahmachari has contributed significantly to the field, boasting a publication record of over 125 scientific articles across esteemed national and international journals. His expertise extends beyond scholarly pursuits, as evidenced by his involvement in sixteen national and international research projects. These initiatives span various aspects of agricultural innovation, encompassing the development, testing, and widespread implementation of novel agricultural technologies and proven practices. Notably, Dr. Brahmachari has played a pivotal role in advancing agricultural sustainability in the Indian Sundarbans region of West Bengal, India. Over the course of more than a decade, he has been actively engaged in the dissemination of innovative technologies tailored to thrive in coastal saline environments. These efforts have been conducted under the auspices of ACIAR-supported research projects, further underscoring his commitment to impactful agricultural development.