Seaweed products

growth hormone

It has been detected that seaweed extract contains plant growth regulators. In fresh 

seaweed formula, it contains cytokinin and indoleacetic acid (IAA) gibberellins, cell 

division like compounds and polyphenols. In higher plants, IAA appears with carboxyl 

groups, glycans, amino acids and peptides, which are converted into free IAA after hydrolysis.

betaine

As a compatible solute in plants, betaine alleviates osmotic stress induced by salt 

and drought stress, and other functions have been proposed, such as enhancing 

leaf chlorophyll. There is also evidence that betaine can be used as a source 

of nitrogen at low concentrations and as a higher concentration osmotic solution.

Sterols

Generally speaking, plant cells contain a mixture of sterols, such as stigmasterol, 

24-methylcholesterol and cholesterol. Brown seaweed mainly contains phycosterol 

and phycosterol derivatives, while red seaweed mainly contains cholesterol and cholesterol 

derivatives. Ergosterol and 24 methylcholesterol were mainly accumulated in green algae.

Production method of seaweed fertilizer

Generally, it can be divided into chemical hydrolysis method (i.e. potassium hydroxide 

hydrolysis method), physical extraction method, biological fermentation method (i.e. 

enzyme degradation method), etc., as well as the fertilizer which is made by extracting 

bioactive substances from the waste of seaweed industry and then scientifically compounding.

The extraction method has a great influence on the content of active substances and 

nutrients. Even if the content of nutrients is the same, the content of active substances 

may be very different. If the active ingredient of seaweed can keep its original state 

to the maximum, its application effect is the best.

Impact on soil health

Soil structure and water conservation not only promote plant growth, but also affect 

physical, chemical and biological properties, which in turn affect plant growth. Seaweed 

and seaweed extracts enhance soil health by improving moisture retention.

Alginate combines with metal ions to form a high molecular weight complex in soil to 

absorb water, expand, maintain soil water and improve aggregate structure. This leads 

to better soil aeration and capillary activity in soil pores, which in turn stimulates plant 

root growth and promotes soil microbial activity. The characteristics of unicellular algae 

have been confirmed to have a certain value in soil remediation, especially in the remediation 

of heavy metal pollution in contaminated soil.

Impact on crop yield

Seaweed extract can promote early flowering and fruiting. In many crops, when flowering 

is related to the number of flowers produced, seaweed extract can effectively promote 

flowering and enhance plant growth. The increase of plant yield after seaweed treatment 

is considered to be one of the reasons for the increase of hormone extracts, especially cytokinins. 

Plant cytokinin organs are related to the distribution of nutrients. The distribution of photosynthetic 

products may shift, perhaps significantly, from vegetative organs (roots, stems and young leaves) 

to fruit development for fruit growth and development.

Vegetative reproduction

Seaweed products are used to propagate many crop varieties of traditional nutritional plants. 

Exogenous application of auxin is a common practice to enhance rooting of cuttings. At 1:100 dilution, 

the number and quality of root cuttings were increased, and the root activity of difficult root cuttings was improved.