Molecular Basis and Mechanistic Insights into Ascophyllum nodosum Extract-Mediated Regulation of Plant Growth, Nutrient Acquisition, and Stress Responses
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Bioecology and Biological Education, M. Akmullah Bashkir State Pedagogical University, 450000 Ufa, Russia
- 2All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, 143050 Bolshye Vyazemy, Russia
- 3Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- 4Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional Unidad Sinaloa, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guasave 81049, Mexico
- 5Departamento de Agricultura y Ganadería, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
Abstract
Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (ANE) are widely used biostimulants associated with improvements in plant growth, productivity, nutrient acquisition, and abiotic stress tolerance. However, the molecular mechanisms linking extract composition to plant signaling and physiological responses remain incompletely resolved. ANE contains a complex mixture of bioactive constituents, including polysaccharides, osmolytes, phenolic compounds, and phytohormone-like molecules. Their composition varies according to biomass source, environmental conditions, and extraction methodology, contributing to variability in biological activity. Current evidence suggests that ANE functions mainly as a signaling modulator rather than a direct nutrient source. ANE treatment has been associated with early cellular responses, including cytosolic Ca2+ influx, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-associated signaling events. However, many proposed mechanisms remain unresolved, and a considerable proportion of the available mechanistic evidence originates from studies using purified ANE-derived polysaccharides or related elicitor systems. ANE-associated responses include modulation of nutrient transport, primary metabolism, hormonal regulation, transcriptional reprogramming, and stress-responsive pathways, contributing to improved root development, nutrient acquisition, and defense-related responses. Nevertheless, limited knowledge of receptor-mediated perception mechanisms, signaling hierarchies, and extract-dependent variability continues to constrain mechanistic understanding and reproducibility. Future research should prioritize receptor identification, bioassay-guided fractionation, integrated multi-omics approaches, and improved standardization of extraction and formulation procedures. These advances will be essential for establishing robust mechanistic models and supporting the development of evidence-based ANE biostimulants for sustainable crop production.
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BibTeX
@article{renganathan2026molecular,
title = {{Molecular Basis and Mechanistic Insights into Ascophyllum nodosum Extract-Mediated Regulation of Plant Growth, Nutrient Acquisition, and Stress Responses}},
author = {Prabhaharan Renganathan and Lira A. Gaysina and Juan Carlos Saínz-Hernández and Edgar Omar Rueda Puente},
journal = {Plants},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.3390/plants15121913},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15121913},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molecular Basis and Mechanistic Insights into Ascophyllum nodosum Extract-Mediated Regulation of Plant Growth, Nutrient Acquisition, and Stress Responses
AU - Prabhaharan Renganathan
AU - Lira A. Gaysina
AU - Juan Carlos Saínz-Hernández
AU - Edgar Omar Rueda Puente
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/20
JO - Plants
DO - 10.3390/plants15121913
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15121913
AB - Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (ANE) are widely used biostimulants associated with improvements in plant growth, productivity, nutrient acquisition, and abiotic stress tolerance. However, the molecular mechanisms linking extract composition to plant signaling and physiological responses remain incompletely resolved. ANE contains a complex mixture of bioactive constituents, including polysaccharides, osmolytes, phenolic compounds, and phytohormone-like molecules. Their composition varies according to biomass source, environmental conditions, and extraction methodology, contributing to variability in biological activity. Current evidence suggests that ANE functions mainly as a signaling modulator rather than a direct nutrient source. ANE treatment has been associated with early cellular responses, including cytosolic Ca2+ influx, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-associated signaling events. However, many proposed mechanisms remain unresolved, and a considerable proportion of the available mechanistic evidence originates from studies using purified ANE-derived polysaccharides or related elicitor systems. ANE-associated responses include modulation of nutrient transport, primary metabolism, hormonal regulation, transcriptional reprogramming, and stress-responsive pathways, contributing to improved root development, nutrient acquisition, and defense-related responses. Nevertheless, limited knowledge of receptor-mediated perception mechanisms, signaling hierarchies, and extract-dependent variability continues to constrain mechanistic understanding and reproducibility. Future research should prioritize receptor identification, bioassay-guided fractionation, integrated multi-omics approaches, and improved standardization of extraction and formulation procedures. These advances will be essential for establishing robust mechanistic models and supporting the development of evidence-based ANE biostimulants for sustainable crop production.
SN - 2223-7747
ER -