Algae are autotrophic uni or multicellular organisms (photosynthesizing organisms) living in a humid environment and find use in human and animal nutrition, the cosmetics, paper and textile industries, medicine and agriculture. In L. Gobbi srl formulations we can find two species of algae: Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria digitata. The choice of using one type of seaweed or their mixture in the different formulations is related to the specific characteristics of each. Ascophyllum nodosum, which is richer in substances with natural bioregulatory action, is recommended near flowering to improve fruit set and flower resistance under adverse conditions. For this reason it is also associated with elements such as boron, administered close to these stages. Laminaria digitata is richer in carbohydrates and in substances that facilitate nutrient uptake and translocation. For this reason, elements with difficulty in “movement” are associated with this alga. The mixture is proposed when both of the above conditions occur.
Extraction, processing and yield of derived materials.
They are extracted in the cold northern seas using collecting boats equipped with special machinery or even manually on the seabed during low tide. Subjected to the constant movement of the tides, the algae live under particularly stressful conditions. To survive in such conditions, they develop unique internal regulatory processes that allow them, not only to endure but also to have balanced growth.
Seaweeds in general are very rich in iodine and alginates (surfactant role) and oligosaccharides (defense elicitors). Also very rich in growth factors (Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Betaine), which stimulate growth that can reach peaks of 12 centimeters per day in Laminaria digitata. The process involves washing and subsequent open-air dehydration of the harvested material. At this point, two paths open up. One part of the dehydrated material is micronized and ground down to flour, another part is rehydrated, and on this part mineral salts, growth factors, some organic matter, and carbohydrates are extracted and concentrated in a process that does not involve raising the temperature. Then the two fractions are mixed again to obtain the product with a higher concentration in useful substances. On average it takes nearly 20 kg of fresh seaweed to produce one kg of our concentrated algin matrix.
The formularies
Underlying all products is a high supply of alginates (for better nutrient delivery within the leaf), vitamins and oligosaccharides (to increase stress resistance) and trace elements.
The algae found in Gobbi products
Seaweed-only specialties | Seaweed Special | Ascophyllum nodosum | – |
Seaweed-only specialties | Seaweed Mix | Ascophyllum nodosum | Laminaria digitata |
Macronutrient fertilizers | Seaweed 6.5.5 | – | Laminaria digitata |
Mesoelement-based fertilizers | AlgiMAG | – | Laminaria digitata |
Mesoelement-based fertilizers | AlgiCAL | – | Laminaria digitata |
Mesoelement-based fertilizers | Alga Ca | – | Laminaria digitata |
Microelement-based fertilizers | Alga B Fe Mn | Ascophyllum nodosum | Laminaria digitata |
Microelement-based fertilizers | Seaweed Mix B Mg | Ascophyllum nodosum | Laminaria digitata |
Micronutrient-based fertilizers | CMZ seaweed | – | Laminaria digitata |
Micro-nutrient fertilizers | Fe algae | – | Laminaria digitata |
INSIGHTS
Due to their natural origin, seaweeds possess without the need for any external supplementation peculiar properties given by the set of components present: Mineral Elements, Carbohydrates, Protein Substances, Bioregulators, “anti-stress” Substances, Polyamines and Vitamins.
Effects of brown algae on plants
Effects on nutrition:
- Increased root uptake of nutrients and faster distribution of nutrients to more actively growing tissues
- Increased foliar uptake of nutrients by increased cell membrane permeability, particularly with Laminaria spp.
- Faster and more uniform translocation of nutrients into plant tissues.
- regular course of enzymatic reactions in which trace elements intervene as coenzymes.
Effects on physiological phenomena:
- Increased photosynthesis (and thus increased dry matter)
- reduction of perspiration
- Stimulation of vegetative recovery and flowering
- Stimulation of fruit set and fruit growth
- Improvement of fruit organoleptic characteristics (average weight and size, flesh texture, sugars, color)
- Slowing of senescence phenomena (e.g., chlorophyll degradation).
Stress-relieving effects:
- Increased resistance to temperature changes (early frosts, high temperatures)
- Increased resistance to water shortages and salinity
- Overcoming the phenomena of stress from the use of pesticides
- Activation of natural defense mechanisms.
Algae for integrated and quality fruit production
Tips for getting the best results:
- Intervene with specific formulations at precise phenological stages to promote fruit set, fruit growth, and improved organoleptic characteristics
- also intervene in a mixture with agrochemicals
- intervene in meso- and microelement mixture
- Employ specific formulations for prevention of particular physiopathologies such as chlorosis, bitter pitting, or to increase fruit resistance to post-harvest rot and handling
- Intervene “to the rescue” with a stress-relief function (e.g., frost).