20.10.2024
Kelp's profile beyond the excellent auxin-cytokinin ratio.
Ecklonia maxima, a brown algae, is appreciated for much more than its auxins. It contains a number of bioactive chemicals that have substantial benefits for plant growth and health.
Ecklonia maxima tends to have a higher auxin-cytokinin ratio, favouring root growth and development, compared to Ascophyllum Nodosum, for example.
In addition to auxins, the following main components contribute to its usefulness in agriculture, horticulture or professional lawn care:
1: Cytokinins: Cytokinins are another type of plant hormone present in Ecklonia maxima. They increase cell division, shoot development and delay leaf senescence (ageing). Cytokinins contribute to the balance of root and shoot growth, increasing the overall vigour of the plant.
2. Gibberellins: Gibberellins are plant growth hormones that promote stem elongation, seed germination and fruit production. They work together with auxins and cytokinins to promote plant growth, particularly in the early stages of development.
3. Polysaccharides: Ecklonia maximum contains a variety of polysaccharides, including alginates and fucoidans. These chemicals improve soil structure by retaining moisture and nutrients, increasing the soil's ability to support plant growth. They also increase microbial activity in the soil, leading to a healthier root environment. Fucoidans are known for their biostimulatory activities, which help with stress management, disease resistance and general plant health.
4: Amino acids: Contains amino acids such as arginine, cysteine and proline, which are necessary for protein synthesis and play important roles in stress tolerance, food absorption and general plant metabolism. Amino acids also serve as chelators, increasing the availability and absorption of nutrients.
5. Vitamins: Ecklonia maxima contains essential vitamins, including B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), vitamin C and vitamin E. These vitamins act as antioxidants, protecting plants from oxidative stress produced by environmental variables such as drought, heat and heavy metal toxicity.
6. Minerals: Seaweed is rich in vital minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron) as well as trace elements (zinc, copper and manganese). These minerals support root development, chlorophyll synthesis and enzyme activation. The natural form of these minerals in seaweed is often more bioavailable to plants than manufactured fertilisers.
7: Florotannins: Ecklonia maximum includes florotannins, a phenolic substance with antioxidant effects. These molecules help plants overcome the stress caused by exposure to UV rays, drought and infections. They also help the plant's defence systems against pests and diseases.
**Betaines are organic chemicals discovered in Ecklonia maxima that promote plant tolerance to stress, particularly against abiotic stress factors such as drought, salt and high temperatures. Betaines help maintain the osmotic balance of cells, which improves water absorption and retention in plants.
9: Organic acids: Ecklonia maxima contains organic acids such as citric acid and malic acid, which help to chelate nutrients and make them more available for absorption by plants. These acids can also increase the pH of the soil and increase the solubility of nutrients.
10: Plant defence compounds: Seaweed has several natural defensive chemicals, such as laminarins and alginate oligosaccharides, which help plants to activate their innate immune response. These chemicals can increase resistance to disease, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
11: Sugars that promote growth: Some sugars found in Ecklonia maxima, such as mannitol, act as osmoprotectants, helping plants to manage osmotic stress. Mannitol also provides energy to beneficial soil bacteria, increasing microbial activity in the rhizosphere.
12: Hormones: Ecklonia maxima includes hormone-like substances that promote germination, initial growth and plant health.
Conclusion: Although auxins are one of the main compounds in Ecklonia maxima, its true usefulness lies in the diverse spectrum of bioactive molecules it contains. Ecklonia maxima contains cytokinins and gibberellins that stimulate growth, as well as polysaccharides, amino acids and minerals that increase soil structure and plant resistance. These properties make it a very useful tool for sustainable lawn care practices.
