As more farmers realise the advantages of using natural and organic products on their land, we find ourselves rediscovering techniques and solutions which have been around for thousands of years. Except this time around, science and technology have assisted us in advancing these ideas even further.
Using seaweed to promote soil health and plant growth has been part of our history since earliest records began. The introduction of modern science has allowed us to enhance one of nature’s richest resources to create increasingly powerful tonics which, in their natural liquid form, are more readily absorbed by the leaves & root systems to support and boost our soil and plants without the use of harmful chemicals.
“Seaweed and kelp contain a wide range of amino acids, carbohydrates, trace elements and minerals which, when applied in liquid form, are easily and readily absorbed by plants, forming a natural bio-stimulant to promote growth,” explains seaweed expert, Kath Coopey.
“To ignore the earth, root or the foliar system, limits the potential for increased quality and quantity.”
New Zealand Seaweeds Limited Technical Services Manager, Kath, has been in the industry for over 30 years. She firmly believes in, and has seen for herself, the advantages of using liquid seaweed explaining that one of the biggest advantages is less waste.
“KoFert is an organic tonic produced from a combination of seaweed. It is taken up by the plant leaves and roots, what ends up in the soil is beneficial to the mycorrhizae,” Kath explains. “Compare this to solid products which sit around until they break down properly and once they do get into the soil, the plant may or may not take it up before it leaches out and is wasted, causing potential environmental issues. Not to mention it’s harmful to the same microbes that are benefited by liquid seaweed.”
As a concentrated tonic, KoFert application rates vary widely for different plants as well as depending on whether the application is via aerial spraying or ground spraying.
Ideally KoFert should be sprayed lightly onto the leaves for the foliar effect first. Unused tonic then runs down to the ground where it is readily absorbed by the roots.
National distribution is now via Pastoral Improvements Limited who recently acquired the production and marketing assets of KoFert and other seaweed derived products from New Zealand Seaweeds Limited.
Seaweed products, they advise, are a natural partner to their pastoral pasture seed and high diversity pasture seed blends.