By Herbert Rosenauer, Biochemist, Sevres (S&O) France

 

Apart from providing all the main elements needed by plants - Nitrogen, Potash, Phosphorus, Calcium, Boron, Chlorine, Sulphur, Copper, Cobalt, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Magnesium, Molybdenum, seaweed is a complex base exchange substance. The alginic acid which it contains makes it act as a collector of trace elements and spectral analysis has shown several dozen to be present.

 

The Boyce Institute of California has shown that seaweed, on decomposition, produces plant hormones which have an important effect on root development and general growth. Research into the interdependence and interaction of the different parts of the plant, which has been undertaken at Long Ashton and elsewhere, has helped us to understand better the mechanisms (mostly enzymic) which condition the quality of a plant. Enzymes depend on the presence of metallic ions, so that trace element deficiency can upset the functioning of one enzyme systems (Van Niel). It can easily happen that the quantity of the crop will remain high, the quality alone suffering. Thus, top quality is not necessarily associated with maximum quantity.

 

To correct a trace element deficiency it is not enough to add merely the mineral whose lack is indicated. An apparent lack of one element may, in fact, be a question of nonavailability due to an excess of another. This, excess of iron produces the symptoms of a deficiency of manganese and phosphorous, excess copper and zinc makes Iron less available - excess of molybdenum on grasslands produces a shortage of copper and so on. It is thought prudent and sensible always to apply a balanced nutrient complex instead of a fragmented one.

 

Seaweed acts biochemically and electromagnetically on soil the soil and produces balance in its structure - plants become more resistant to disease.

 

Seaweed produces a favorable medium for the formation of intermediary substances which aid production of the principal constituents of plants, such as nitrogen, etc. It is interesting to note that the nature of products finally obtained seemed to depend on the needs of the plant, and ecological conditions. This means that plants only take in what they need.

 

Organic compounds stimulate the activity of phototropic bacteria (probably acting as hydrogen donors) and seaweed is an excellent culture medium. This is important when it is realized that as much as 50% of the photosynthesis of the higher plants is bacterial photosynthesis (Rabinowich). Liquid seaweed is an ideal foliar spray.

 

The qualitative variations of raw materials can be allowed for by the addition of extracts of land plants, particularly from mountain areas, chosen for there biological value.

 

Here are some secondary beneficial qualities of seaweed complex which we were neither looking for nor expecting to find. The application of seaweed has the effect of balance on the structure of the soil. It is in fact a remarkable soil conditioner. The humic and alginic acids contained by seaweed acts as a binder for soil particles as a result of catalytic action. The component parts of alginic acid increases the moisture retaining qualities of the soil (Quastel & Webley). This results in better soil aeration and therefore an increase in the aerobic bacteria. For this reason the available oxygen and moisture are increased, much to the benefit of the root system. The considerable increase of the surface area assists chemical and biochemical exchange, which leads to increased productivity.

 

Aphids, particularly the black and green aphids, rarely attack, or do not attack at all, crops sprayed with liquefied seaweed. We do not know what is responsible for this phenomenon, but controlled experiments have shown that this is indeed the a fact. (NOTE: Our consultants state that it is possible that iodine gives this beneficial effect).

 

Similarly, eelworm (nematodes) seem to dislike fields that have been treated. The work of Lamy, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, in 1939 - and the work of C.L. Duddington in England in 1956, lead to the conclusion that a well prepared does not lend itself to eelworm attack. Duddington insists on the fact that a well composted soil stimulates the increase of predatory fungi, the natural enemies of eelworm. Liquefied seaweed, of coarse, correctly applied, gives to the soil the properties of compost.

 

A healthy soil which has no deficiencies does not, I believe, suffer from these two pests, aphids and eelworm. Human medicine gives us confirmation of this, for it is known that a person in a good state of health resists infection.

 

Colors of flowers become brighter, old trees often become rejuvenated by the application of liquefied seaweed. Liquified seaweed is applied applied to to the leaves in a fine spray. This application to the parts above the soil line produces an economy of 80% of the product used, compared to with its application in the conventional manner to the soil. Liquefied seaweed is non-toxic and non-alkaline and can be applied in any dilution to the soil as kind of a special compost, but its application as a foliar spray is to be preferred for reasons of economy and, in particular, it allows us to care for the quality of the crops.