| abstract |
In a process for the producing a plant growth stimulant derived from a mixture of seaweed and peat an aqueous solution of a base e.g. sodium carbonate is prepared, to which is added seaweed and peat. The aqueous mixture of seaweed and peat is heated to a temperature of at least 100 DEG C e.g. to approximately 150 DEG C at 5 bar for approximately four hours, until substantially all of the alginates, nutrients and humates in the seaweed and peat have passed into solution. The aqueous mixture is then cooled, and the aqueous solution containing the extracted alginates, nutrients and humates is separated from the residue. The solution is a 15% concentrate of alginate, nutrients and humates and may be preserved, or alternatively spray dried. The residue is composted. |