Abstract

ORTIZ-MORENO, Martha L; SANDOVAL-PARRA, Karen X  and  SOLARTE-MURILLO, Laura V. Chlorella, a potential biofertilizer?. Orinoquia [online]. 2019, vol.23, n.2, pp.71-78. ISSN 0121-3709.  https://doi.org/10.22579/20112629.582.

Microalgae are photoautotrophic organisms with fast growth and the ability to adapt to different environments. They convert carbon dioxide into biomass and are considered to have great biotechnological potential because of it. Algal biomass can be used in food and bioactive compounds industry, in biofuels production, in bioremediation and biofertilization. As biofertilizers, chlorophytes and cyanophytes microalgae produce polysaccharides (mucilage) that can avoid erosion, improve the structure and organic matter content in the soil, and increase the ions concentration for crop plants. Thus, reducing the need for conventional crop chemical fertilizers. The use of this microalgae as biofertilizers is called algalization. Algalization uses mainly chlorophytes due to their high growth rate, their simple large scale cultivation, and their adaptation to soil conditions. Chlorella genus is of special interest because research has shown that it can help with nitrogen fixation, improve physical and chemical properties of the soil, and produce substances that can promote plant development and infections control. Therefore, microalgae from Chlorella genus are a viable alternative for biofertilization, generating benefits for agricultural production and the environment.

Keywords : algalization; chlorophytes; cyanophytes; soil improvement.

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