Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Rare SA kelp can improve crop yields
Agricultural company, Afrikelp, has launched an organic version of its LG-1 biostimulant, which is said to increase maize yield between 5% and 7%.
The product can also reduce fruit and nut drop in citrus and almond orchards, among others, resulting in larger crops.
Afrikelp is extracted from freshly harvested seaweed off the coast of Gansbaai, in the Western Cape.
This is the only location in the world where this specific species, Ecklonia maxima, is found.
Afrikelp has been producing the biostimulants since 1971, and has now added an organic version to its product line. The organic product contains a bioflavonoid that replaces the conventional preservative in the product, thereby ensuring its long shelf life. Speaking at the launch of the product, managing director Kobus Lindeque said the E. maxima kelp had been found to have superior qualities compared with other species of kelp.
“The common myth that kelp is kelp is dispelled through research that shows that E. maxima has higher levels of indole-3 acetic acid, which stimulates plant growth and a vigorous network of hair roots that can absorb all the necessary nutrients to ensure strong, healthy plants that produce optimal yields.”
The company had a 15-year concession to harvest the kelp, which was then processed into a liquid supplement applied to crops.
The product could also be used in nurseries to establish seedlings, on vegetable crops, and in fruit and nut orchards, according to a statement by the company. LG-1 had also proven to produce sweeter grapes that ripen evenly, ensuring a reduction in labour as workers only needed to go through the vineyards once to harvest the entire crop.
An additional benefit was that drought-stressed trees were able continue producing a yield, as the plants were in a healthier, stronger state, with better developed roots, and could therefore withstand a reduction in water, the statement said. – Lindi Botha