Application of seaweeds in plant disease management

Dehghan AA, Ghaderi R (2020) Application of seaweeds in plant diseases management. Plant Pathology Science 9(1):101-107. DOI: 10.2982/PPS.9.1.101. Abstract Algae are the most important plant growth stimulants due to their high content of minerals, amino acids, vitamins and growth regulators such as auxin, cytokinin and gibberellin. Use of these stimuli in crops can improve rooting, yield, photosynthetic capacity and their resistance to pathogens. Application of algae (mainly seaweeds) against various plant diseases including bacterial, fungal, viral and nematode diseases as well as pests has been proven. Seaweeds are used as a powder or extract mixed with soil, or foliar spray to control of plant diseases. They are usually involved in controlling plant pathogens by inducing plant resistance, antagonistic activity by induced activity of other microorganisms, and enhancing plant growth. In general, seaweeds can be applied as biofertilizers, biostimulators and soil amendments in integrated plant diseases management programs.