A sustainable approach to enhancing fruit production and quality through seaweed based biostimulants

Fruits play a crucial role in human nutrition by providing essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber, which support overall health and help prevent chronic diseases. Although India, being the second-largest fruit producer globally, but faces significant challenges in fruit production, including environmental stress, postharvest losses and the adverse effects of chemical-intensive agriculture. The increasing demand for sustainable farming solutions has led to the exploration of biostimulants, particularly seaweed-based formulations, which enhance plant growth, nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. Seaweed extracts are rich in bioactive compounds such as phytohormones, amino acids and antioxidants. The role of seaweed based biostimulants in modern agriculture is significant, as they positively impact on soil health, plant metabolism and on improving fruit yield, quality and resilience to abiotic stresses, environmental sustainability. Additionally, the application of seaweed extracts in fruit crops, particularly grapes, apples and citrus, has shown promising results in enhancing yield, improving fruit quality attributes and mitigating stress-related damages. The seaweed at 1 g/L was treated as a foliar treatment that can boost the anthocyanin content, increasing the yield and number of berries in grapevine Vitis vinifera L. The foliar application of seaweed extract at 4 mL/L increases the mineral nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, iron and zinc in the leaves of mango Mangifera indica L. The integration of seaweed biostimulants with precision agriculture techniques further strengthens their role in sustainable farming. Future trends in biostimulant research focus on developing cost-effective, environmentally friendly formulations with enhanced bioactivity. This study underscores the significance of seaweed-based biostimulants as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, contributing to improved agricultural productivity while ensuring ecological balance. By adopting such innovative solutions, the agricultural sector can enhance fruit production efficiency, minimize losses and promote long-term sustainability in horticulture.