Popular seaweed biostimulant for crop enhancement in the UK

In agriculture, every growing day counts. Maximising the potential of each day in a crop's lifecycle is crucial for optimal yield and quality. This is where MAXICROP^®, a seaweed-based biostimulant, has been making a difference for farmers for decades.

Whether you are cultivating vegetables, developing roots and tillers on a cereal or broadacre crop, raising quality on fruits and potatoes, MAXICROP^® offers a natural way to support your crops growth and yield potential when it or you need a boost. By using the beneficial properties of seaweed extracts (SWE), this trusted solution assists growers in addressing the various agronomic pain-points that we will always face and boosting the plant's the capacity to remain balanced from establishment to harvest and beyond.

But how exactly does it work? Let us explore the details.

What is MAXICROP^® and how does it boost crop growth?

MAXICROP^® is a liquid plant growth stimulant made from the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum which is harvested from Syngenta's managed seaweed fields in the harsh Arctic waters of Norway. Natural compounds found in the SWE include mannitol, fucoidans, and betaines, which enhance plant growth and health, and provide protection from environmental stresses. This means stronger plants that can continue growing through sub-optimal conditions.

The science behind MAXICROP^®'s seaweed extract benefits

Remember how we said that the Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed is found in harsh Arctic waters? The seaweed grows in the intertidal zone, the area where the ocean meets the land between low and high tides. That means it is continuously either submerged in salt water or exposed to the air, daily experiencing extreme environmental pressure like exposure to heat and cold, high salinity levels, and on those long summer days, intense bright light. It is these challenging conditions that stimulate the production of the beneficial compounds which produce more resilient crops.

The compounds are extracted using steam and high pressure (hydrolysis) to keep them intact. This 'MAXICROP^® process,' was pioneered back in 1952, and we have continued to refine, improve and develop the science, extraction technology and scope to ensure MAXICROP^® remains a leading product in the 21st century.

Why MAXICROP^® stands out among biostimulants

MAXICROP^® is the first and most researched liquid SWE in the UK. It is also completely sustainably sourced. Its efficacy is backed up by Syngenta's unique knowledge of individual extracts and the effects they have on plants and soil. This knowledge helps us select the best extracts for our products that will meet growers' needs.

Top benefits of using MAXICROP^® in your crop nutrition programme

Including MAXICROP^® in your crop nutrition programme boosts yield and quality by:

• Establishment: Stimulating root and shoot development, providing that essential early growth stage support when plants are at their most vulnerable. 

  
  

• Backward: Bring crops forward have been affected by weather conditions, drill dates or simply struggling to grow. 

  
  

• Buying time: All crops face stress (e.g. heat, poor roots, cold, pest and disease pressure, cold, wet soil). Their ability to be able to grow and make every growing day count is the driver for yield.

How to apply MAXICROP^® for optimal results

MAXICROP^® can be applied early as a foliar spray or root drench. Co-applied with most professional farm application to encourage root development and improve nutrient uptake. 

MAXICROP^® is a tried and trusted product which provides those consistent improvements in yield and quality that the market demands. Not only that, but it also offers the chance to achieve this sustainably. As a 100% natural product, it is perfect for use in organic systems as well as a valuable tool for environmentally conscious conventional growers.