This study investigates the potential of Baltic Sea algae, in particular Furcellaria lumbricalis, as a sustainable agricultural resource to improve the sustainability of the food value chain in Latvia. This research study is in line with Latvia's Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3), which aims to reconcile economic development with environmental sustainability through the efficient use of natural resources. This study was conducted in two phases: the first involved the collection and analysis of macroalgae samples from various coastal areas in Latvia, while the second focused on controlled experiments to assess the effect of liquid digestate from anaerobically fermented algae on seed germination.
The results indicate that Furcellaria lumbricalis has a high dry weight potential and optimal acidity levels for Latvian soils, making it suitable in plant production. Experiments showed that a 12% concentration of liquid digestate significantly accelerated seed germination compared to lower concentrations (3% and 6%). The overall germination rate was highest with the 12% concentration, suggesting that Baltic Sea algae can serve as an effective growth promoter for cultivated plants.
This study concludes that Baltic Sea algae can improve the sustainability of the food value chain by providing a renewable source of nutrients, leading to healthier and more nutritious food options. However, further research is needed to assess the long-term effects of algal liquid by-products on plant growth and green mass. Filling this research gap is crucial to fully realise the potential of algal biomass in sustainable agriculture and to promote a climate-resilient food system.