Abstract
Two seaweed suspensions (SWS), obtained from whole brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum (ANS) or lamina of Laminaria hyperborea (LHS), were evaluated for their effects on the growth of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) seedlings. The promotive effect observed in a lettuce seedling bioassay was an increase in cotyledon area, elicited by both SWS. As ashed SWS and KCl treatments also elicited the effect it was attributed to the presence of potassium in the SWS. No organic growth promoter intrinsic to either SWS was found, as the growth promotion observed was not greater than KCl treatments with a comparable potassium ion concentration. At higher ANS concentrations the presence of phenolic compounds was most likely responsible for an observed growth inhibition. A further inhibitory compound was found in the LHS supernatant extract that reduced seedling growth at low concentration. From the results obtained the two seaweed suspensions analysed could be described as plant fertilisers promoting plant growth solely due to their mineral content.
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