Greenhouse gas emissions continue raising the planet’s temperature by 1.5 °C since the industrial age, while the world population growth rate is 1.1%. So, studies aimed at food security and better land use are welcomed. In this paradigm, we choose Vigna unguiculata to test how it would behave in the face of severe abiotic stresses, such as drought and salt stress. This study shows that under abiotic stresses V. unguiculata tries to overcome the stress by emitting chlorophyll a fluorescence and promoting photobleaching. Thus, fewer photons are directed to photosystem I, to generate lethal reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant system showed a high activity in plants submitted to drought stress but fell in salt-stressed plants. Thus, the reductor power not dissipated by fluorescence or heat was captured and converted into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) which was 2.2-fold higher in salt-stressed V. unguiculata plants. Consequently, the malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in all treatment. Compiling all data, we can argue that the rapid extinguishing of chlorophyll a fluorescence, mainly in non-photochemical quenching and heat can be an indicator of stress as a first defense system, while the H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation would be considered biochemical signals for plant defenses or plant injuries.

Cultivating Limnospira maxima, renowned for its abundant proteins and valuable pigments, faces substantial challenges rooted in the limited understanding of its optimal growth parameters, associated high costs, and constraints in the procurement of traditional nitrogen sources, particularly NaNO₃. To overcome these challenges, we conducted a comprehensive 4 × 3 factorial design study. Factors considered included white, red, blue, and yellow light spectra, along with nitrogen sources NaNO₃ and KNO₃, as well as a nitrogen-free control, for large-scale implementation. Optimal growth, measured by Optical Density, occurred with white and yellow light combined with KNO₃ as the nitrogen source. These conditions also increased dry weight and Chl-a content. Cultures with nitrogen deprivation exhibited high values for these variables, attributed to carbon accumulation in response to nitrogen scarcity. Phycocyanin, a crucial pigment for nutrition and industry, reached its highest levels in cultures exposed to white light and supplemented with KNO₃, with an impressive content of 384.11 g kg⁻¹ of dry weight. These results highlight the efficacy and cost-efficiency of using a combination of white light and KNO₃ for large-scale L. maxima cultivation. This strategy offers promising opportunities to address global food security challenges and enhance the production of industrially relevant pigments.

Conventional fertilizers often result in the accumulation of chemical residues in the environment with a significant threat to ecosystems, with leaching to the groundwater disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. To mitigate the adverse effects of chemical residues, we need new methods and the use of eco-friendly alternatives. Cyanobacteria could play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by reducing the partial/complete use of synthetic fertilizers. This study assessed the impacts of different concentrations of Limnospira maxima extract on the physiological aspects of Vigna unguiculata, Stevia rebaudiana, and Solanum melongena. The gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and phenotypic characteristics were measured. The net photosynthesis (A_N) of V. unguiculata, S. rebaudiana, and S. melongena increased by 23%, 40%, and 44%, respectively, upon the application of cyanobacteria extracts. Furthermore, the quantum yield of photosystem II showed that the extract application enhanced this response in the three species by 8.7%, 4.8%, and 11.3%, respectively. Similar results were found in the total plant biomass production with significant increases of 17%, 130%, and 80% with respect to the control. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between A_N and the majority of the evaluated parameters, which could illuminate the plant’s responses to the studied treatments. The promising potential of this cyanobacteria as a biofertilizer was accentuated.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), threatens banana and plantain production throughout South America. Because Colombian biosafety regulations restrict in vitro work with Foc TR4, we tested the antifungal activity of Nostoc commune against F. oxysporum race 2 isolated from cv. ‘Manzano’ (Musa AAB). An ethanolic extract of the cyanobacterium (EEC) was profiled by gas chromatography and evaluated with a Kirby–Bauer assay (1000–4000 ppm; n = 4). Synthetic Sico^® and botanical Timorex^® served as positive controls, and solvent-free plates were the negative control. Growth reduction (GR) and percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) were analysed with Student’s t-test (α = 0.05). Forty-two compounds—mainly fatty and carboxylic acids associated with antifungal activity—were detected. Sico achieved complete inhibition (100 ± 0%), Timorex suppressed 76 ± 2%, and 4 000 ppm EEC curtailed mycelial expansion by 45 ± 3% (p < 0.01). Although less potent than commercial fungicides, EEC impeded F. oxysporum growth, demonstrating that N. commune synthesises bioactive metabolites. Optimising cyanobacterial cultivation and formulation could yield a sustainable biocontrol alternative for managing Fusarium wilt in the region.

Limnospira maxima is widely cultivated due to its abundance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and phycobiliproteins. However, limited information, high production costs, and nitrogen source limitations have hindered the optimal utilization of this cyanobacteria. The main goal of this study was to address these limitations by identifying ideal cultivation parameters to maximize yields, reduce costs, and contribute to global food security. It was demonstrated that the white and yellow light spectra are the most suitable for cultivating L. maxima, and the use of KNO3 as a nitrogen source proved to be the most cost-effective on a large scale. Nitrogen deficiency stimulates the production of dry biomass but also affects the concentration of key pigments such as chlorophyll and phycocyanin. A notable characteristic of L. maxima is its adaptability and survival capability in various environmental conditions, including nitrogen-deficient environments. This resilience is achieved through the degradation of phycobilisomes and the storage of glycogen. By identifying the optimal growth conditions and understanding the physiological responses of L. maxima, cultivation practices can be improved to be more efficient and sustainable.