Seaweed extract (Goemar GA 14), applied as a foliar spray increased the total fresh matter production of maize seedlings by 15 to 25% over the control. This was reflected in the increase of root and stem mass per plant. However, only minor differences were measured in stomatal resistance just after treatment and in net carbon assimilation rate two weeks after spraying. No other significant differences were observed in gaz exchanges characteristics. The physiological mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of seaweed concentrates on plants and the nature and mode of action of the compounds contained in these concentrates have not yet been elucidated.

No abstract