Ascophyllum nodosum, state-of-the-art biostimulation

In the agriculture world, we are all aware of the overexploitation of the land and the fatal consequences this entails. The wear and tear of the land due to the indiscriminate use of agricultural practices not only has a negative impact on the probability of success of future harvests, but also has a harmful effect on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the environment.

Faced with this problem for years, our company, aware of the concern for the need to evolve to good agricultural practices in order to take care of the environment, focused on the development of high performance biotechnological products that, after application, would be able to regenerate the soil.

Therefore, we decided to bet on what we know will be the fertilizer of the future: agricultural biostimulants formulated from algae extracts.

Why apply algae to cropland?

Every crop cycle damages the soil. The use of chemicals consumes soil nutrients and, if left unchecked, can make the soil infertile. Applying biosolutions formulated with seaweed extract improves soil structure and sanitizes the soil, in addition to providing several benefits by containing natural materials that promote seed germination, increase crop development and yields due to their content:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Growth regulators
• Wetting agents
• Mucilaginous colloids

Studies indicate that when algae extract-based products are applied to the soil, their enzymes activate certain reversible catalytic enzymatic hydrolysis reactions in the soil, which the enzymes of the living beings found there — including the roots — do not have the capacity to carry out in a significant way.

Ascophyllum nodosum, indispensable as a biostimulant

Within the variety of algae we work with in HEFE Fertilizer, we want to highlight one in particular due to its remarkable properties and its potential in the agricultural field: Ascophyllum nodosum.

This type of seaweed is found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. It grows in coastal areas and has historically been used for centuries in various applications due to its special nutritional benefits. Today, it is one of the most sought-after components in the manufacture of biostimulants.

What does Ascophyllum nodosum provide as a biostimulant?

Ascophyllum nodosum has a wide range of beneficial properties for plant growth and soil health. Here are some of its main characteristics.

• Plant growth stimulant: the extract of this type of algae contains a variety of natural plant hormones - auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins - that promote plant growth and development. These hormones stimulate cell division, increase nutrient uptake and improve resistance to environmental stress.?

• Improves soil quality: it contributes a wide range of nutrients and organic compounds to the soil, improving its structure and increasing its water holding capacity. Its alginic acid content helps stabilize soil aggregates, reducing erosion and improving permeability. It also promotes the activity of beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.

• Increased resistance to diseases and stress: strengthens the immune system, making the plant more resistant to diseases and pathogens. Its polysaccharide and antioxidant content mitigates oxidative stress caused by drought, salinity and extreme temperatures.

• Stimulation of flowering and fruiting: increases flower and fruit production, improving crop quality and yield. It has been demonstrated that its use favors nutritional content, flavor, aroma and shelf life of the fruit. Reduces the incidence of deformities and promotes uniformity of size and shape.

• Nutrient absorption enhancer: it has chelating compounds that bind to soil nutrients, improving their availability. Contains photosynthetic pigments - chlorophyll and carotenoids - that increase the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants. This brings greater energy production and carbon dioxide fixation capacity, which promotes faster growth.

NAUTA, the maximum expression of Ascophyllum nodosum

In NAUTA, our star biostimulant made from Ascophyllum nodosum extract, we find the perfect example of a product that brings together all the beneficial characteristics described above. Its power lies not only in the benefits provided by the algae, but also in the reinforcement of its properties thanks to the high content of free amino acids it contains.

It combines its formulation in a perfect mix: its Ascophyllum nodosum part is mainly focused on the stimulation of root growth and the improvement in quality and quantity of fruits — thanks to the physiological adaptation of the algae —; while the free amino acids favor nutrient absorption, increasing the production of phytohormones.

Specific advantages of NAUTA

• Increases root system
• Stimulates root growth
• Promotes organic growth of the plant
• Increases fruit number and fruit quality
• Promotes nutrient exchange between root and soil
• Helps the crop recover from stress
• Increases root uptake and nutrient translocation
• Decreases sodium uptake by the plant
• Activates and enhances plant protection treatments
• Prevents water loss while maintaining cellular integrity

Do you want to know more about NAUTA?

If you need to know more about the benefits of this biotechnologically superior product, visit this link to learn more about it.