The role of seaweeds in the reduction of methane emissions (a greenhouse gas much more dangerous than CO2) is one of the topics in the book “Seaweeds as Plant Fertilizer, Agricultural Biostimulants and Animal Fodder”, which may be bought from tomorrow on. Using seaweed in animal feeding can contribute to the resolution of one of the main problems of dairy farmers and beef producers.
Leonel Pereira, one of the coordinators of this book edition and also co-author of a chapter, is also a professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra and a researcher at the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE).
The book, published by CRC Press of Taylor and Francis Group (USA), is part of the INTERREG - NASPA (Natural fungicides against air and soil post pathogens in the Atlantic Area) project, focused on creating natural alternatives to fertilizers and synthetic agrochemicals used in agriculture today.
Over 12 chapters written by scientists of various nationalities, the book explores “the use of algae and seaweed extracts as stimulants for agricultural use, plant growth regulators and plant protectors against pests (fungi, insects, etc.). It also mentions the use of algae in animal feed, particularly in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions; in the production of food for fish aquaculture, among other uses,” says the FCTUC seaweed specialist.
Depending on the species, habitat and conditions such as water temperature, light intensity and nutrient concentration in the water; seaweeds have great characteristics for several purposes.