Seaweeds are not just important for food and industry—they also play a key role in marine ecosystems. During my dissertation at CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, I studied the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii to understand how it copes with stress.
My research focused on the role of abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone known for helping plants respond to tough conditions like drought or high salt levels. I looked at how ABA changes the biochemical profile of seaweed, including stress-related metabolites and enzyme activity. I also analyzed gene expression patterns to identify key genes regulated by ABA that support growth and stress tolerance.
The findings suggested that ABA plays an important role in helping Kappaphycus adapt to challenging environments. This opens up exciting possibilities—not just for improving seaweed cultivation, but also for exploring how such mechanisms could be applied in agriculture, biotechnology, and climate resilience.
What’s your thought—could seaweed research like this become a bigger part of sustainable solutions for the future?
MBH/PS