Seaweed products have growth-promoting activity, and the use of seaweed formulas as biostimulants has been very mature in crop production. Biostimulants are defined as "materials that promote the growth of crops in addition to fertilizers." When a small amount is applied, plants will grow and are called "metabolism enhancers." Seaweed extract is biologically active at low concentrations (diluted to 1:1000 or more).
Growth hormone
It has been biologically detected that the seaweed extract contains plant growth regulators. The fresh seaweed formula contains cytokinin and indole acetic acid (IAA) gibberellin, cell division, and polyphenol compounds. In higher plants, IAA appears With carboxyl groups, glycans, amino acids, and peptides are converted into free IAA after hydrolysis.
Betaine
As a compatible solute in plants, betaine relieves osmotic stress induced by salt stress and drought stress. Other functions have also been proposed, such as enhancing leaf chlorophyll. There is also evidence that betaine can be used as a source of nitrogen at low concentrations and used as a higher concentration of osmotic solution.
Sterol
Generally, plant cells contain a mixture of sterols, such as stigmasterol, 24-methylcholesterol and cholesterol. Brown seaweed mainly contains phycosterol and phycosterol derivatives, while red seaweed mainly contains cholesterol and cholesterol derivatives. Green seaweed mainly accumulates ergosterol and 24-methyl echo cholesterol.
