Plants sprayed using seaweed extract are also characterized by a higher

resistance to pest and pathogens pressure and by a better absorption of

nutrients from the soil. Seaweed extracts contribute to recovery following

damage caused by insects and bacterial and fungal diseases.Seaweeds

based formulations are rich in phytohormones (Gibberellins,Auxines,

Cytokinins),in amino acids and in essential fatty acids that are responsible

for the growth of the plant,its development, and its resistance to pathogens.

The biostimulant activity of extracts obtained from marine seaweed is linked

to the presence of plant growth regulators, especially cytokinins mainly

responsible for delaying the aging process of the plant,inducing mytosis,

stimulating the maturation of the chloroplast, the growth of the young

shoot and lateral buds.

The amount of cytokinins varies and their proportion compared to the growth

hormones of other plants depends on the seaweed species, which results in

different effects of seaweed extracts on crops and plants. Seaweed extracts

can be provided to plants in different ways. Soaking the seeds in seaweed

extracts is one of the methods. This mode of treatment can affect seeds

germination, foliar and soilapplication can be used as well. In addition to

the application methods, there is also the concentration of the seaweed

extract, the seaweed species, the variety of plant that affect the efficacity

of the seaweed biostimulant. The seaweed biostimulants are known to

be chelators of minerals helping to transport the nutrients into the plant

and to enhance the absorption of fertilizers. This allows to decrease the

use of fertilizers and therefore to save money.

The Auxins are responsible for the elongation during the

growth of plant tissues and for apical dominance,

cell division, movements and aging of the plant.

The Cytokinins are involved in the regulation of the cell

division affecting the growth of the plant and its hibernation

period.In addition,they inhibit the aging of plants

tissues and play a crucial role in the transport of nutrients.

The Gibberellins régulate the initiation of the seeds

germination, regulate the growth, the braking of the

inactivity of the buds,the flowering and the developement

of the buds.

The Ethylene is responsible for the reaction to stress

factors, the inhibition of cell growth, the acceleration

of the aging of the plant.

The Abscisic acid is involved in regulating the
seed germination .

In addition to hormones, the seaweed extract is a supply of trace

minerals and of nutrients which are found in the sea but are

lacking in our agricultural soils. Seaweeds are selective about

their nutrients intake, for instance, even though they are

surrounded by salt, they have a low sodium level, whereas

at the same time, they selectively absorb and concentrate

the Potassium that they get from the water. The partial list

of the nutrients that are found in seaweeds is iodine, Selenium,

Boron, Manganese and Copper.There are overall 71 nutrients

in the seaweed.

The seaweeds the most used in Agriculture because of their beneficial

biostimulant activity are the seaweeds of the brown seaweed family such

as the Ascophyllum Nodosum (black seaweed),the Ecklonia Maxima,

the Sargassum and the Undaria Pinnatifida.

We,at Waikaitu, use only Undaria Pinnatifida, which is rare in the

fertilizer industry.Considered as having too much value to be used as

a fertilizer, it is normally used for food and for raw material for

pharmaceuticals. However, since it is an invasive species in New
Zealand, we have too much of this seaweed and have the possibility

to use it as fertilizer in a cost effective manner.as a by-product of

our food and pharmaceutical uses.

The best way to maximize the effects of NZBioAmino is to apply the extracts

often and in small quantities. This approach ensures that the plants and if

possible the soil fill up with the beneficial components of our seaweed extracts.

The application in this way ensures a protective shield is maintained around

the roots of the plant which stimulates the mechanisms of natural resistance

of the plant itself, maing it healthier and more productive.

The scientific research has proven that plants treated regularly with seaweed

extracts develop deeper roots. These roots maintain the vigorous health of

the plant and a more rapid growth.