Seaweeds As A Biofertilizer

Abstract

Seaweeds are large plants growing in the sea, especially various marine algae like the rockweeds, kelps, sea lettuce and dulses. Dried or fresh seaweeds and liquid extracts have been increasingly employed by horticulturists, gardeners, farmers, and orchadists as a fertilizer. Seaweed extracts are now commercially available as maxicrop, seasol, SM3, kelpak , and cytokin. The effect of seaweed extract is due to the microelements and plant growth regulators such as cytokinin present in it. Seaweed extract is used as a foliar spray, application to soil and for soaking of seeds before sowing. It enhances the germination of seeds, increases uptake of plant nutrients, and gives resistance to frost and fungal diseases. Seaweed extract is effective for ripening of fruits, increasing shelf-life of the produce, improves the quality of produce, and serves as an excellent soil conditioner.