TY - JOUR T1 - 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 AU - Terzi, Ertuğrul AU - Tahiluddin, Albaris PY - 2026 DA - April Y2 - 2026 DO - 10.3153/AR26014 JF - Aquatic Research JO - Aquat Res PB - Nuray ERKAN ÖZDEN WT - DergiPark SN - 2618-6365 SP - 166 EP - 175 VL - 9 IS - 2 LA - en AB - 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. KW - Biofertilizer KW - Carrageenan KW - Eucheumatoid seaweed farming KW - Kappaphycus KW - Seagrass wrack CR - [BAFS] Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards. (2021). Philippine National Standard. Seaweeds- Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP). 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Reviews in Aquaculture, 14(1), 414–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12606 UR - https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26014 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/5544186 ER -