A preliminary study on the effects of seagrass wrack extract as biofertilizer on the growth, ice-ice disease, nitrogen, and phosphorus assimilation and carrageenan quality of eucheumatoid seaweed Kappaphycus striatus

Albaris Tahiluddin; Ertuğrul Terzi

doi:10.3153/AR26014

EN

A preliminary study on the effects of seagrass wrack extract as biofertilizer on the growth, ice-ice disease, nitrogen, and phosphorus assimilation and carrageenan quality of eucheumatoid seaweed Kappaphycus striatus

Abstract

Eucheumatoid seaweed farming is a significant aquaculture activity, not only supplying carrageenan to the global market but also serving as a vital livelihood source for many marginalised coastal communities, particularly in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. However, the practice of applying chemical fertilisers in eucheumatoid seaweed farming to boost production by enhancing growth performance and mitigating ice-ice disease has become a contentious issue among local stakeholders in this region. This preliminary, proof-of-concept study investigated the potential of utilising seagrass wrack (Thalassia hemprichii) as a biofertilizer alternative, evaluating its effects on growth, ice-ice disease prevalence and intensity, nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation, and carrageenan quality (yield and gel strength) in the eucheumatoid seaweed Kappaphycus striatus. The experiment employed various concentrations of seagrass wrack extract (SWE): 0 mL L⁻¹ (control), 9 mL L⁻¹, 18 mL L⁻¹, and 27 mL L⁻¹. The results revealed no significant effects of SWE on growth or ice-ice disease prevalence and intensity (number and length of ice-ice spots per bundle) after 15, 30, and 45 days of cultivation. Nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation did not significantly impact SWE. Additionally, no impact on gel strength was observed after 45 days. Interestingly, a significant difference was detected in carrageenan yield, with the 27 mL L⁻¹ SWE treatment exhibiting a notably higher yield compared to all other treatments at the 45-day mark. While this study demonstrates the potential of SWE to enhance carrageenan yield, its lack of significant effects on K. striatus growth and health raises concerns about its overall suitability as a biofertilizer. Therefore, further research is warranted to explore the potential optimisation of the seagrass wrack extract, investigate the use of alternative seagrass wrack species or combinations, and identify strategies to improve the overall effectiveness of SWE as a biofertilizer.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received external funding from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) PhD Research Scholarship.

Project Number

GBG24-0889

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that this study does not require ethical permission.

Thanks

The authors are indebted to Rizal Jhunn F. Robles for his support during the conduct of the experiment.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Aquaculture

Journal Section

Short Communication

Authors

Albaris Tahiluddin
0000-0002-3237-3552
Philippines

Ertuğrul Terzi ^*
0000-0003-2811-6497
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

March 31, 2026

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

December 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 9 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26014

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA84TT29CD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Tahiluddin, A., & Terzi, E. (2026). A preliminary study on the effects of seagrass wrack extract as biofertilizer on the growth, ice-ice disease, nitrogen, and phosphorus assimilation and carrageenan quality of eucheumatoid seaweed Kappaphycus striatus. Aquatic Research, 9(2), 166-175. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26014

Öz

A preliminary study on the effects of seagrass wrack extract as biofertilizer on the growth, ice-ice disease, nitrogen, and phosphorus assimilation and carrageenan quality of eucheumatoid seaweed Kappaphycus striatus

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Project Number

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite