Commercial Extracts of the Brown Seaweed Ascophyllum Nodosum Enhance Growth and Yield of Strawberries

Strawberry growers are often looking for sustainable products to enhance yields of their crop.  Over three years, one summer and two winter studies conducted in the Oxnard area of California, showed that soil drip-tape applications of seaweed extract (Acadian LSC, Acadian Seaplants Limited) enhanced yield and growth of strawberries.  The trial conducted winter 2008/2009 had very high soil salinity levels however leaf sodium levels were reduced and yield enhanced  in the seaweed extract treated plots, despite the high soil salinity.  In 2007, plant weight was increased 77%, nine weeks after planting.  Root length, surface area, volume, and number of tips were increased 27-74% when measured with WinRhizo software in 2009.  Overall yield was enhanced in all studies, with more early flowers and fruit noted all three years.  This yield increase may be due in part to an increase in the numbers of crowns.  In all of the studies, the numbers of crowns per plant were increased by 20% - 41%.   These results indicate that seaweed extract is an excellent option for enhancing growth and yield of strawberries.