Plant Growth Trials
Growth Trials
We are actively carrying out trials to test the effectiveness of our liquid seaweed biostimulant. Some of the results are shown below, and we will update this page as new results come in...
Spring barley crop trials with Scottish Agronomy - 2024
In 2024 Scottish Agronomy were commissioned to run controlled, replicated crop trials on spring barley using our liquid extracts as a foliar spray, to determine if any (or all) promote barley growth and could be developed further as biostimulants for Scottish farmers. The Scottish Agronomy crops trial centre is based in Fife and is one of the largest in Scotland (see https://scottishagronomy.co.uk/services/field-trials/). We submitted six variations of our liquid kelp extracts for the controlled the replicated crop trials as part of a ‘screening’ process to identify which of our extracts were worth developing further as biostimulants.
The kelp extracts were applied as a foliar spray at three different concentrations (2.5L/ha, 5L/ha, 10L/ha) to test ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’ doses, and sprayed onto plants on three separate occasions in May (with approximately 3 weeks intervals between each application). There were four control plots (no seaweed extract), and four replicate plots per seaweed treatment. The spring barley was drilled on 22/04/2024 and harvested on the 29/08/204, and yields were recorded per plot. The seaweed extracts were applied on the 20th May (1st application), 1st June (2nd application) and 21st June 2024 (3rd application).
All kelp extracts resulted in an increase in barley yield, with most treatments resulting in a statistically significant increase in yields (at 95% confidence) compared to the control. This is a very positive finding, especially given the climate challenges that farmers faced in 2024 (very wet), and provides compelling evidence that our liquid kelp extracts could be developed for biostimulants markets. When we visited the farm trial site in August 2024, it was also clear that spring barley plots sprayed with kelp extracts were greener than control plots, suggesting that the kelp delays senescence and increases the ripening period, which subsequently increases yields. The best performing extract increased barley yields by an average of 8%, resulting in 0.6 tons more barley per hectare.
(Above Left): Scottish Agronomy crop trails site in Fife, showing spring barley plots in August 2024. (Above right): Bar plot showing results of the crop trials on spring barley, in which yields increased significantly when the plots were treated with our kelp extracts.
Drought Resistance: Kelp extract helps plants grow with less water
Small trials have shown that the our liquid kelp extract improved drought resistance in garden cress (Lepidium sativum). Seed trays were planted with cress and sprayed with 2.5% and 5% kelp extract after planting. A ‘control’ tray of cress did not receive any kelp extract, only water. Trays were watered normally between treatments. Once the cress was fully grown, watering was stopped for 10 days, and then resumed. It was very clear that cress plants treated with our kelp extract before the ‘dry spell’ continued to look strong and lush even when not watered, while the ‘control’ plants wilted and did not recover well. Yields of cress were up to 87% greater when treated with our kelp extract, and the roots were noticeably thicker and more developed. This trial shows that kelp stimulates biological processes that improve a plant’s resilience to drought, which may be due to its content of bioactive compounds such as amino acids, complex carbohydrates, various macro and micro nutrients as well as plant growth hormones.
(Above): Images showing cress plants that were treated with 0%, 2.5% and 5% Just-Kelp seaweed extract, then not watered for 10 days, after which watering was resumed. Cress plants treated with Just-Kelp had more developed roots, bigger leaf biomass, and did not wilt as much when watering stopped.
Increased Flowering
Pansy plants sprayed with a 5% solution of Just-Kelp seaweed extract 1-2 times per month produced up to 39% more flowers per plant after 6 weeks, compared to those that were not treated with Just-Kelp liquid seaweed extract. Want to have more flowers? BUY NOW>
Improved germination
Seaweed contains natural phytohormones which are known to ‘wake’ seeds up from dormancy. To test this, we soaked radish seeds in a 5% solution of Just-Kelp for 24 hours before planting, and soaked ‘control’ seeds in water. There was a germination rate of 73% for the ‘control’ seeds, and a germination rate of 93% for the seeds soaked in the dilute Just-Kelp solution. This demonstrates that Just-Kelp liquid seaweed extract increases germination rates of seeds by up to 20%. Interested in how seaweed works as a growth stimulant? READ MORE>.