The following study aimed to conduct an integrative scientometric and systematic review of seaweed-derived biostimulants and their vital role in sustainable agriculture, analyzing numerous publications (2000–2025) and the findings of 25 experimental studies. The Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases, keyword co-occurrence, thematic, and factorial analyses were approaches used to explore the global research trends, the important species, and agronomic impacts. Ascophyllum nodosum, Ecklonia maxima, and Gracilaria emerged as dominant species with consistent positive effects on crop performance, including crop growth and development, nutrient uptake, chlorophyll content, stress tolerance, and antioxidant activities. Leading journals and institutions, particularly those in China and India, drive innovation in this field. Field studies also confirmed dose-dependent efficacy, with foliar applications (0.1%–0.5%) and soil drenches (0.5–2 g/L) improving crop yields under abiotic stress conditions. Despite these benefits, gaps remain in extract standardization, molecular mechanisms, and large-scale application. This study underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches to translate marine biostimulant research into scalable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Biostimulant, productivity, review analysis, seaweed, sustainable agriculture
This review highlighted the Ascophyllum nodosum (brown alga) as the most studied seaweed species for boosting plant growth and development and stress tolerance through foliar and soil applications, despite challenges in standardization and scalability.