FIRESEA – Harnessing Invasive Seaweed to Combat Fire Blight
- FAM Foundation
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
Hosted by MARE and Politécnico de Leiria, led by Carina Costa Felix, the FIRESEA project explores the biotechnological potential of the invasive seaweed Asparagopsis armata as a sustainable solution to combat fire blight, a major bacterial disease threatening pear production in Portugal . By transforming an ecological challenge — the proliferation of an invasive marine species — into an agricultural opportunity, the project integrates marine biotechnology with sustainable crop protection strategies.
The initiative addresses the urgent need for alternatives to conventional control methods, many of which have been restricted in the European Union due to environmental and resistance-related concerns. By leveraging marine-derived bioactive compounds, FIRESEA contributes to the development of environmentally responsible plant protection approaches aligned with food security and ecosystem protection goals.
Field Validation and Agronomic Impact
A large-scale field trial was implemented in a commercial pear orchard during the 2025 flowering season . The experimental design evaluated preventive and curative application modes of the seaweed extract under real agricultural conditions, alongside appropriate controls.
Although methodological refinements were identified for future campaigns — particularly regarding inoculation strategies — key agronomic indicators were successfully assessed. Notably, trees treated preventively with the extract demonstrated a substantial increase in fruit production compared to infection controls, while no negative effects on fruit quality parameters were observed .
Measurements of fruit weight, firmness, sugar content, diameter, respiration rate, and maturation indices showed stability across treatments, supporting the safety profile of the approach. These findings reinforce the feasibility of advancing toward a nature-based biopesticide solution.
Environmental Safety and Soil Monitoring
Beyond plant-level performance, the project evaluated environmental dimensions essential for regulatory validation. Soil samples were collected throughout the campaign to assess potential impacts on soil quality and microbial balance .
The experimental framework incorporated continuous physiological monitoring of trees, biochemical sampling, and preparation for molecular-level analyses. Future phases will further investigate plant response mechanisms to better understand how the extract interacts with plant defense pathways.
This integrated evaluation strengthens the environmental credibility of the proposed solution and supports its potential positioning as a sustainable agricultural input.
Circular Bioeconomy and Biomass Valorisation
In parallel, the project explored secondary valorisation pathways for residual biomass generated during extract production . Initial trials assessed its potential use as a biofertiliser, although early results indicated that raw biomass incorporation into soil may negatively affect seed germination.
Subsequent work is focusing on alternative processing strategies aimed at improving agronomic compatibility. This circular approach seeks to maximise resource efficiency while reducing marine ecosystem pressure caused by invasive species accumulation.
Dissemination and Innovation Recognition
FIRESEA demonstrated strong dissemination and stakeholder engagement throughout 2025 . The project was presented in European-level webinars, agricultural innovation events, and sectoral workshops, contributing to dialogue on sustainable pest management and marine bioeconomy applications.
Additionally, the initiative received recognition in agri-food innovation platforms, reinforcing its translational potential and alignment with regenerative agriculture strategies.
Please find more information on the report above.
FAM Foundation is committed with the sustainable development goals, Blue Carbon in Algarve project impact the following SGD's.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
