Seaweed Fertilizer

​ r popularly
Modern day farming has suggested the use of ​synthetic fertilizers o

known as ​chemical fertilizers ​which input nutrients into the soil in order to help a plant’s

growth, but the real question is, are these fertilizers really useful and efficient in helping

plants grow healthier? According to Thomas Corriher (2009), these ​chemical fertilizers

only help store the basic needs of the plant which are nitrogen, potassium, and

phosphorus, but it kills other natural nutrients found in the soil which can transform

nitrogen from the air into a healthy substance useful for plants and can help a plant’s

growth and keep the environment healthy.

Not only does this kill natural nutrients of the soil, but it also brings unwanted

chemicals and bacteria in plants that get harvested and sold in different markets all over

the world. People tend to buy these and have caused them diseases and sicknesses.

As of different kinds of sicknesses, and diseases, Corriher (2009) discussed that:

Omega-3 oils are one of many nutrients which are rapidly declining in our foods.

A lack of omega-3’s is known to lead to heart disease, cancers, mental disorders

such as attention deficit order, and Alzheimer’s disease… These conditions were

rare and merely occurred in society’s most elderly.

Another reason behind our nutritional deficiencies is that fruits and vegetables

are now being picked prematurely. For instance, non-organic tomatoes are now

being made to look red using synthetic ethylene instead of sunlight. (​¶ 3, 4)

This group has opted to test organic substances which may not only help in a

plant’s growth, but in a person’s health, and the environment’s safety as well. Multiple
researches have been done on organic materials which can be used and has been

successful on finding an alternative which is seaweed.

Seaweed is an edible marine plant which has high content in vitamins and

minerals such as vitamins A and C, potassium, iron, and many more. Seaweed is most

commonly being used in sushi, salads, and a large proportion of Japanese food. Not

only does this have a good effect on human’s health, but on a plant’s growth as well.

Marion Owen (n.d.) claims that “Every natural element known to man exists in the

ocean…Seaweed, which concentrates these elements in its tissues, in turn provides

plants with more than 70 minerals, vitamins and enzymes.” She further explains that the

best way to grow healthy plants is to get a good and fertile soil by using organic fertilizer

and seaweed is one of them.

As said in the previous paragraph, seaweed has a large content of vitamins and

minerals and can affect a plant’s growth in many ways. As stated by Lisa Chinn (n.d.),

seaweed contains nitrogen which is necessary for the growth of plants. It affects a plant

in a way that it grows larger which means a healthy plant is coming your way. Chinn

further discusses that seaweed also contains phosphorus which strengthens a plant’s

root system. Seaweed lessens the possibilities of plant roots having root rots for it

improves soil texture.

With seaweed affecting a plant’s growth in a good way, people can also benefit

from eating it. According to researchers, seaweed contains vitamin K which helps in

sending signals in certain parts of the body to create blood clots when there is an injury.
It also contains calcium which helps strengthen the bones and teeth in the human body,

and iron which allows us to have enough energy in our day-to-day activities.

Seaweed does not only affect a plant’s growth, and a human’s body but the

environment as well. Based on studies done by Leon Harris (n.d.), unlike chemical

fertilizers, seaweed has no chemicals whatsoever which can help lessen water pollution

by absorbing nitrogen levels from run-offs which goes into the water supply. In a way,

this can lessen pollution done on the environment.

The main project of the group is to look for an organic fertilizer which can not only

benefit a plant’s growth, but a person’s health, and the environment as well and

seaweed is one of them. If it was to be used more especially in large-scale farming,

then it would most likely decrease diseases and man-made pollution. Seaweed should

be promoted more in order to lessen the selling of chemical fertilizers in order to save

ourselves, and the future ahead of us.

Sources:

Chinn, L. (n.d.). SFGate: The effects of seaweed fertilizer on the growth of plants.

Retrieved from

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/effects-seaweed-fertilizer-growth-plants-60197.htm

Corriher, T. (2009). The Health Wyze Report Fidelity Ministry: How chemical fertilizers

are destroying your body, the soil, and your food. Retrieved from

https://healthwyze.org/reports/100-how-chemical-fertilizers-are-destroying-your-b

ody-the-soil-and-your-food

Harris, L. (n.d.). Ecopreneurist: The benefits of seaweed farming on the environment.

Retrieved from

http://ecopreneurist.com/2012/11/09/the-benefits-of-seaweed-farming-on-the-env

ironment/

Owen, M. (n.d.). PlanTea: Help from kelp: How ocean plants help our garden plants.

Retrieved from http://www.plantea.com/seaweed-kelp.htm

English 10B CN 3

Gilliane del Rosario July 10, 2016