The importance of algae in agriculture

¿Do you know how important are algae in agriculture? In the search for a more sustainable and efficient agriculture, algae have emerged as a powerful biostimulant tool. With unique properties that improve both soil and plants, algae contribute significantly to increasing yield and crop quality.

Algae used in agriculture are mainly divided into three categories:

• Green algae (Chlorophyta): Common in fresh and sea waters, they are rich in chlorophyll and essential nutrients.
• Red algae (Rhodophyta): Found mainly in sea waters, they are known for their content of phycobiliproteins and other bioactive compounds.
• Brown algae (Phaeophyceae): Species such as Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria sp. and Fucus sp., that grow in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, are included. These algae have developed unique adaptations to survive in extreme environments.

Each type has specific features and benefits, but brown algae are the most valued in agriculture because of their biostimulant properties.

Algae are rich in a variety of compounds that offer multiple benefits to plants such as phytohormones, trace minerals, polysaccharides and carbohydrates, amino acids and antioxidants.

• Phytohormones: Auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins that regulate growth and development.
• Trace minerals: Iron, zinc, manganese and copper, which are essential for metabolic and enzymatic functions.
• Polysaccharides and carbohydrates: They act as elicitors and improve water and nutrient retention.
• Amino acids: Building blocks of proteins which are essential for growth.
• Antioxidants: They help fight oxidative stress by protecting plant cells.

The quality and quantity of compounds in algae extracts present in biostimulants depend entirely on their handling and extraction process. When comparing algae extracts from different species, we observed variations in the diversity and concentration of active metabolites, such as mannitol and alginic acid.

Several methods can be used for the extraction of these compounds, such as the use of solvents, hot water or steam, maceration and hydrolysis. The choice of method depends on the type of algae, the specific components to be extracted and the final use of the extract.

At Herogra Especiales, we use Ascophyllum nodosum, one of the most researched and valued seaweed in agriculture. These algae grows exclusively in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. We use a low temperature extraction process to minimize degradation and maximize the beneficial metabolites gain, thus offering multiple advantages compared to the use of other algae, such as:

• Higher concentration of bioactive compounds that help plants resist environmental stress, allowing them to adapt to extreme conditions.
• Rich in auxins and cytokinins, promoting strong root and aerial growth.
• They contain alginic acid, oligosaccharides, micronutrients and mannitol, which protect plants from stress and improve nutrient absorption.
• They include alginates and fucoidans, which are unique compounds not found in terrestrial plants, which provide antioxidant properties, stimulate growth and improve resistance to stress.

Products from Herogra Especiales with algae

The use of seaweeds in agriculture is a big step towards more sustainable and efficient practices. At Herogra Especiales, we are proud to use high quality Ascophyllum nodosum to create products that improve crop yield and quality, while caring for the environment. Thanks to their exceptional properties, our biostimulants help farmers meet the challenges of modern agriculture.

HEROMAR

Powerful biostimulant and plan metabolism natural regulator based on pure extract of Ascophyllum nodosum. This high quality extract is obtained through a cold process that preserves its natural stimulating power. HEROMAR contains polysaccharides, amino acids, micronutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, which are essential to improve the metabolic condition of the crop at any stage of development.

ECOTOP 

Ecotop includes the exclusive fruit setting enhancer ST14, which optimizes the natural synthesis of auxins. It also contains Ascophyllum nodosum, which acts as an osmoregulator to reduce crop stress.

AMINOMAR FORTE

NPK fertilizer with chelated micronutrients specially formulated with Ascophyllum nodosum and specific amino acids capable of maintaining an optimal metabolic condition and stimulating any stage of the crop: plant growth, flowering and fruiting.