Norwegian grower uses Arctic seaweed to build root systems that reach water shallow roots cannot
Source: VFD.com
Grain yields across the continent are estimated to be 10–15% lower, while France is facing its lowest maize harvest in decades and Romania has lost more than one million hectares of maize. High temperatures during sensitive growth stages can reduce yields even where irrigation is available, placing greater emphasis on root development and plant resilience.
"Asco is focused on establishing the plant's framework, while Alaria is used to support metabolic activity and recovery once that framework is in place." Both products are applied as foliar treatments, typically at approximately 1:300, with application rates adjusted according to crop, growth stage, and local practice. Independent research conducted at a plant research institution in 2025 found that treated cucumber seedlings developed primary roots up to twice the length of untreated controls, together with greater lateral root density and more developed root architecture.
Kelpinor says its products have now been shipped to more than 16 countries, with repeat orders increasing across Europe and South America. With European growers already assessing the effects of the 2026 season, root development is likely to remain an important component of strategies for managing heat and water stress in the seasons ahead.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
