Microalgae biotechnology as an agricultural tool against the effects of climate change

• The results of the MICROCLIMATT project allow us to corroborate that microalgae biostimulants are a productive and sustainable alternative for agriculture
• On February 23, the final webinar of the MICROCLIMATT project was held, which presented its results to more than 150 attendees
• MICROCLIMATT has largely achieved the main objectives of the innovative project

The final Webinar was held on February 23 “MICROCLIMATT Operational Group: Microalgae for productive and sustainable agriculture”. The event, which had the participation of more than 150 professionals from the agri-food sector, made it possible to publicize the results and conclusions of this innovative project.

Nowadays the climate change It is considered one of the main challenges for agriculture and food, given that its consequences alter the fragile balance in which many crops are grown. The risk is greater in Mediterranean countries, with Spain being one of the regions where a 75% of its surface already suffers some degree of desertification.

Heat stress and water scarcity cause abiotic stress in plants, which generate a physiological response; This allows them to protect themselves from this situation while reducing crop yields, affecting food production.

Added to this problem is the infertility of the soil as a consequence of the application of chemical agricultural inputs, which negatively affects agricultural production. For this reason, it is intended to use innovative alternatives such as biostimulants. Biostimulants are products that act on the physiology of the plant in different ways, improving vigor, crop yield and fruit quality. Microalgae are an excellent alternative for the production of biostimulants, in addition to their numerous nutritional properties, they fix large amounts of CO₂ contributing to combating climate change.

In this context, the GO MICROCLIMATT seeks to test the effectiveness of microalgae biostimulants, through demonstrative trials (phenotypic, physiological and transcriptomic), in the fight against the effects of climate change on wheat and tomato. To this end, the increase in carbon fixation in soils and plant biomass and the resistance of crops to water stress situations have been evaluated.

During the final day, the results of the project were presented, showing benefits from the application of biostimulants in both crops. They reflect that microalgae biostimulants activate different improvement mechanisms in the plant, especially in unfavorable climatic conditions, verifying the effectiveness of these innovative inputs on crop productivity. In addition, the project has contributed to expanding knowledge about how these act on plants, from the gene to the harvest.

In conclusion, the main objectives of the project have been achieved, to a large extent, by producing two optimal biostimulants based on microalgae and the characterization of their effects on wheat and tomato crops. These results allow us to corroborate the usefulness of biostimulants derived from microalgae as a promising alternative for productive and sustainable agriculture.

About AlgaEnergy

AlgaEnergy is a biotechnology-based company specialized exclusively in the microalgae sector. The company consolidates the deep knowledge that exists in Spain in the science of microalgae, generated by universities and other research centers over the last five decades. With a strong investment in R&D&i, it has positioned itself as the international reference in this field. AlgaEnergy's mission is to develop and market innovative and high-quality solutions, based on microalgae, that are aimed at responding to the specific needs in different industries.

About IBVF

The Institute of Plant Biochemistry and Photosynthesis (IBVF) is a Joint Center of the University of Seville and the CSIC, which aims to study the biology of photosynthetic organisms responsible for the primary production of organic matter and oxygen in the biosphere. A singularity that distinguishes the IBVF from other centers in the field of biotechnology and plant biology is addressing the study of phototrophic biology in all its complexity, that is, using all types of photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria, microalgae and plants). Scientific activity at the IBVF focuses on molecular and cellular biology of photosynthetic organisms, as well as “omic” techniques (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and big data analysis.

About CEBAS

The CEBAS-CSIC seeks to contribute, through research, to generating the necessary knowledge that allows developing strategies to achieve the Sustainability of the fragile resources existing in semi-arid areas, managing them correctly and making possible in that environment, the development of a sustainable agriculture. quality and obtaining healthy and safe plant foods. The research carried out will help to address problems such as water scarcity, provide a better environment (reduction of the greenhouse effect, conservation of soil and vegetation, as well as organic matter and carbon), thus guaranteeing sustainable, intelligent agriculture, and adapted to climate change, with the capacity to mitigate it.

About IMIDRA

The Madrid Institute for Rural, Agrarian and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA) is the public research organization of the Community of Madrid to carry out R&D actions and support innovation in the primary sector and its associated industry. It has 8 farms and facilities to implement R&D, pilot projects and demonstration activities, perform analysis services, disseminate and display its results, offer training, and facilitate the transfer of R&D results. In MicroClimatt participates through Agri-Food R&D Department.

About HANDLE

Asaja (Young Farmers Agrarian Association) was created in 1989 as a result of the merger agreement of CNAG, CNJA and UFADE. It is a professional agricultural organization in Spain, with more than 850 offices spread throughout the national territory. It has a National Headquarters located in Madrid, 15 Regional centers, 40 provincial offices and 810 local offices, as well as a permanent representative office in Brussels. Asaja is established for the representation, management, defense and promotion of the professional interests of the agricultural sector in general and its member organizations with full legal personality and subject to strictly democratic principles. As a national organization with a general vocation, it integrates within it all branches of agricultural activity in its agricultural, livestock, forestry, environmental management and hunting activities. The national office is made up of a technical department (each specialized in a specific subject), labor-fiscal department, communication department and the training department.

About BIOVEGEN-Plant Biotechnology Technology Platform

BIOVEGEN is a public-private partnership currently made up of 171 partners (companies and research/technology centers) working on agrobiotechnological innovation. The objective of BIOVEGEN is to promote R&D&i activities in science-business collaboration, offer R&D management services and facilitate the business development of its associates through plant innovation. BIOVEGEN is supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

«Responsible for content: MICROCLIMATT Operational Group»