**Table 3.**

*Applications of alginate in the fields of agriculture.*

bacteria as plant growth stimulants. Due to the environmental dangers of chemical pesticides, alternative solutions, such as biological control agents have been proposed to solve this problem. One of these promising solutions is the use of insecticidal bacteria, such as *Bacillus thuringiensis* Berliner. For this purpose, the bacteria are placed in a biodegradable alginate coating and sprayed on the plants. After the insects use these capsules, the insects die due to the production of toxic substances by the bacteria [68].

Rhizosphere bacteria with beneficial effects on plant growth and development are known as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR). This group of bacteria is able to affect plant growth in direct or indirect ways. The direct effect includes the production or release of secondary metabolites, such as regulators or growth hormones and, such substances or facilitating the absorption of nutrients from the plant's growth environment. But the indirect effect of PGPRs in stimulating plant growth occurs when the harmful effects of one or more pathogens are reduced or completely prevented. Also, these bacteria are used for bioremediation or to improve the efficiency of other bioremediation methods of soils contaminated with heavy metals. The use of alginate capsules has been attention due to characteristics, such as compatibility with the environment, low cost compared to physical and chemical methods, stabilization and stability during transportation, help to improve soil fertility, etc. These bacteria are inserted in the alginate capsule and during the transfer process, soil stresses, and factors, such as pH and soil moisture are maintained and perform their functions in the best way [69, 70]. Alginate capsules containing "*Pantoea agglomerans*" bacteria have been used as bio fertilizers compatible with the environment as well as controlling some pests [71].

One of the essential uses of alginate in agriculture is the use of encapsulation to transfer beneficial probiotic bacteria into the body of livestock. Transfer of probiotic bacteria into the alginate capsule perform to improve the conditions and survival of these important bacterial species. Food in the digestive system of livestock can be better digested and absorbed in the presence of probiotic bacteria. Prebiotics are food substances that are resistant to digestion in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and reach the lower part of the intestine intact. There, with their direct physiological effect, as well as by the specific stimulation of the growth and activity of the probiotic compounds of the gastrointestinal microflora, including Bifidobacterium, they affect the ecosystem of the gastrointestinal system. Alginate is used for the transfer and function of these materials. Alginate is oftentimes used as an ideal substrate for the delivery of probiotics as well as prebiotics due to its good biodegradability and high compatibility with the body, lack of toxicity (**Figure 4**) [23, 72].

Also, other advantages of using alginate include the slow release of enclosed microorganisms and beneficial substances, low cost, and resistance to stomach acids and enzymes. Another advantage of using alginate is its combination with other useful compounds for the transmission and control of diseases in plants and animals in the agricultural sector. Studies have shown that alginate with chitosan creates a more stable and compatible combination. Also, the controlled release of compounds that are transported, such as various chemical or biological agents, is possible using the combination of alginate and chitosan. A clear example of this is the transfer of beneficial probiotic bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus into the livestock body. By combining alginate with gelatin, microcapsules can be produced, which are used to transport some useful bacteria, such as *Pseudomonas fluorescens*, and this increases the growth rate of potato plants. Also, this bacterium is used to control some diseases, such as dry rot in potatoes [23, 72].

Application of seed strengthening methods in order to eliminate or reduce environmental stress, increase germination percentage and seed yield is of high value. In some studies, it has been shown that the effect of different concentrations of alginate *Applications of Alginate in the Fields of Research Medicine, Industry and Agriculture DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.110209*

**Figure 4.** *Using alginate microcapsules to transfer useful bacteria and micronutrients to the plant.*

biopolymer as a seed coating is effective on the physiological stages of corn seedling growth under the stress of oil pollution [73].
