Seaweed Extract on the Growth and Development of Marigold and Sunflower

Seaweed Extracts, of marine brown algea, are marketed for use in agriculture and horticulture.  These marine plants, rich in vitamins and minerals, are known to improve root development and increase nutrient uptake, and plant growth. Liquid organic kelp is known to increase crop yields, drought resistance, frost protection, and stress recovery.  Nature’s NOG is a  plant stimulant that speeds germination and early growth, enhances root growth and hardiness, increases the health, strength and beauty of your plants. This study was conducted to examine the application of seaweed extract on the growth and development of marigolds and sunflowers. These two studies were conducted, during summer 2014, in the greenhouse at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Agricultural Experiment Station for seventy-one (71) days using a complete randomized design. The flower studies had three fertilizers (Control (Scott’s 20-20-20), Nature’s Nog, and Organic Kelp) and three different applications (soil applied, foliar applied, and both (soil and foliar application were alternated)) with four replications of each.  The flower seeds were soaked for one hour in the respective treatments and planted into 15.24 cm flower pots containing Promix Bx Mycorise Pro potting mix. Treatments were applied to each plant every two weeks starting at 150 ml per plant; the volume of the treatments was increased as the plants got older. Plant height and shoot and root dry weights were evaluated. There was a significant difference in shoot height and root dry weight among the treatments for the marigolds study.  The soil applied organic kelp had the highest root and shoot dry weight.  There was a significant difference in root dry weight and shoot dry weight among the treatments for the sunflower study.  The organic kelp treatment tended to have the highest shoot height and the soil and foliar applied Nature’s Nog treatment tended to have the highest root dry weight. Further studies will be conducted to evaluate the effects of seaweed extracts on marigold and sunflower.