| abstract |
A liquid fertilizer is obtained by treating seaweed under pressure, for example from 40-120 per square inch at a temperature above 100 DEG C with a dilute aqueous solution of an alkali carbonate, in the absence of alkali metal hydroxide, until the greater part of the seaweed passes into solution whereupon it is separated from the insoluble residue. Potassium carbonate is preferably employed, four parts of a 1 per cent solution of which is used per part by volume of seaweed, a pressure of 80 per square inch entailing a treatment of 300 minutes. The separated solution may be used directly or diluted within the range of 1/100 to 1/1000 . |