The development of sustainable agriculture is critical in order to address the growing challenges of global food security while reducing environmental impact. This study focuses on the potential of Furcellaria lumbricalis, red algae found in the Baltic Sea, that can serve as a source of biostimulant. The research methodology included several consecutive steps combining qualitative and quantitative research methods: (1) an analysis of secondary data and literature review; (2) the production of algae digestate by anaerobic fermentation; (3) supervised laboratory experiments; (4) economic analysis; and (5) an assessment of the availability and prospects for use of algae biomass in the Baltic Sea region. The anaerobic fermentation process was used to produce algae digestate, the effectiveness of which was tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Experiments with basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants showed that 3% digestate concentrations significantly enhanced plant growth, increasing green mass by 52.7% to 85.4%. Economic analysis revealed the potential to increase gross profit for different crops in Latvian agriculture. The results indicate the potential of Furcellaria lumbricalis digestate as an effective and sustainable biostimulant that can contribute to the development of the green economy in the region. However, further research is needed to optimise production processes, explore long-term impacts on soil and ecosystems and conduct field trials on different crops under different climatic conditions. In addition, it is necessary to investigate precise mechanisms of action at the molecular level and develop standardised quality control processes for the production of biostimulants.

Europe’s food system currently faces significant challenges, including demographic changes, high dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and growing climate change impacts. Aligned with the goals of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork policy, this study aims to explore the potential of an algal digestate-based biostimulant to enhance crop productivity and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers in sustainable agricultural systems. A vegetation tray trial was conducted using three cover crops representative of palustrine species in the Baltic Sea region: lettuce, radish, and spinach. The effects of full and reduced mineral fertilization with and without algal biostimulant supplementation were assessed. The results showed that using the biostimulant, especially at a 6% application rate, could partially compensate for reduced nutrient input. This approach exceeded the yields of conventional full-strength fertilization while improving soil health and minimizing fertilizer input. Statistical analyses (ANOVA and Tukey HSD) confirmed significant yield increases for treatments with the biostimulant, particularly under nutrient-limited conditions. These results suggest that algal biostimulants have the potential to advance sustainable and resilient food production systems in Europe.

One of the main objectives for the Baltic Sea regions is the harmonisation of the economic development and environmental sustainability. The identification of knowledge-intensive bioeconomy as one of the primary fields of the strategy for smart specialization (RIS3) in Latvia indicates the transition to sustainable and climate neutral approach for the development of Latvia. The strategy aims to promote a more sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, to create high added value, to promote coordination of export and economic interests with environmental protection. This is a multi-faceted and complex process. A scientifically sound approach is needed to develop the most appropriate solutions. The article examines algae biomass as a potential for renewable resources in the agriculture of Latvia in the context of sustainability. The research is aimed at exploring the potential of the Baltic Sea algae as a sustainable agricultural resource in Latvia, focusing on its impact on cultivated plants during the study. The potential is being assessed by conducting a practical study in two stages. The results of the study confirm the potential use of Baltic Sea algae as an agricultural resource in Latvia, which requires further evaluation of the effect of the liquid digestate fraction on crop green mass to determine its potential applicability in agriculture using algal biomass.

This study uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to conduct a hierarchical analysis and systematically identify and prioritize legal risks associated with the commercialization of seaweed biostimulants in the Baltic region. The study addresses the complex regulatory environment that encompasses international, EU, regional, and national legal frameworks impacting market entry and operational sustainability. Using a systematic expert evaluation and a pairwise comparison methodology, four primary risk criteria were identified and weighted: regulatory compliance (0.52), operational efficiency (0.20), environmental impact (0.20), and seasonality mitigation (0.08). Three commercialization approaches were evaluated: marine cultivation with mechanical harvesting, coastal cultivation with manual harvesting, and wild harvesting with mechanical harvesting. Marine cultivation with mechanical harvesting achieved the highest overall AHP score (0.822), demonstrating superior risk mitigation capabilities. A consistency ratio of 0.019 validates the reliability of the decision matrix. This paper provides industry stakeholders and policymakers with evidence-based strategic guidance for navigating EU Regulation 2019/1009 and associated regional legal frameworks.

Modern agriculture is increasingly reliant on imported fertilizers and subject to price volatility, compounded by environmental pressures arising from the overuse of synthetic fertilizers. This study assessed the impact of Furcellaria lumbricalis algal biostimulant, produced by anaerobic fermentation, on dry matter yield and plant development indicators of garden radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus) in five soil substrate types. Biostimulant doses aimed at reducing mineral fertilizer application to 75% of the full rate while maintaining or improving yield were evaluated; yet no statistically significant effect on dry matter yield was observed, and the hypothesis was therefore not statistically confirmed. The experiment included five substrate types (sandy clay, sandy clay with organic matter, sand, sand with organic matter, and peat) and six fertilizer/biostimulant treatments, including 75% mineral fertilizer combined with 3%, 6%, and 12% algal biostimulant concentrations. Linear mixed models showed that substrate type (F = 19.58; p < 0.001) and fertilizer variant (F = 5.00; p < 0.001) had statistically significant effects on total dry matter yield, but their interaction was not statistically significant. All 75% and 100% mineral fertilizer variants with and without biostimulant produced statistically significantly higher yields than the unfertilized control (p = 0.0016–0.0337). The leaf development indicator (AtLeaf) index was statistically significantly higher in all biostimulant variants compared to the unfertilized control. Principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) demonstrated that substrate type determines the primary structure of the substrate–plant system, while biostimulant effects were expressed as modulation of existing processes within the substrates. The results indicate substrate-specific responses to Baltic Sea algal Furcellaria lumbricalis digestate with statistically significant effect observed only in peat, consistent with previous findings, while no significant effects were detected in other substrates. Although the effects of the biostimulant on dry matter yield were not consistently statistically significant, the observed trends in plant development indicators and substrate–plant system responses suggest that Furcellaria lumbricalis digestate may have potential as a nutrient recycling component within a circular bioeconomy framework.