Brown seaweed extract is a powdered biostimulant derived from Ascophyllum nodosum—a cold-water brown algae species harvested from the North Atlantic (Iceland, Norway, Canada). The extract is produced through enzymatic hydrolysis, a gentle biocatalytic process that breaks down large-molecule alginate and polysaccharides into small-molecule algal oligosaccharides while preserving the integrity of natural plant hormones (cytokinin, gibberellin, auxin), betaines, and mannitols. Unlike chemical extraction (which uses strong acids or alkalis at high temperature and destroys most bioactive compounds), enzymatic hydrolysis operates at low temperature (40-60°C) and neutral pH (6-7), preserving the full bioactive profile. The result is a 100% water-soluble brown powder containing ≥30% alginate, ≥40% algal oligosaccharides, ≥16% K₂O, and ≥700 ppm natural hormones (CTK/GA/IAA).

This is the most common selection question in the seaweed biostimulant market. Brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) and green seaweed (Ulva/Enteromorpha) differ in three critical ways for agricultural use: (1) Stress-hormone content: Cold-water brown algae produce 2-3× more betaines, mannitols, and phenolic cryoprotectants than warm-water green seaweed, providing built-in stress tolerance. (2) K₂O content: Brown seaweed extract contains K₂O ≥16%; green seaweed typically ≤5%. (3) Sourcing cleanliness: Cold-water North Atlantic waters have lower industrial pollution and heavy metal contamination. Selection guidance: Brown seaweed extract is best for stress tolerance, fruit quality, high-value crops, organic farming, and NPK bulk blending requiring high K. Green seaweed is best for nitrogen-deficient soils and basic vegetative growth.

Yes. The enzymatic process introduces no chemical residues. The product is an OMRI-listed organic seaweed fertilizer and complies with major organic agriculture standards: OMRI Listed (included), CERES Organic Certification (included), ECOCERT (available on request for EU organic markets), JAS (available on request for Japanese organic markets). Heavy metal content falls well below EU 2019/1009 fertilizer regulation limits: Cd <0.5 mg/kg, Pb <5 mg/kg, Hg <0.1 mg/kg, As <2 mg/kg, Cr <50 mg/kg.

Not recommended for direct tank mixing. Alginate in the product can react with Ca²⁺ to form insoluble calcium alginate gel, reducing the efficacy of both products and potentially clogging drip emitters. If both are needed, apply separately with at least 3-5 days interval. Alternatively, use chelated calcium (EDTA-Ca, amino acid-chelated Ca) instead of calcium nitrate for better compatibility.

For drip-irrigated greenhouse tomatoes: Foliar 0.5 g/L (5 g per 10 L water), 7-10 day intervals; Fertigation 1-2 g/L (1-2 kg per 1000 L water), at flowering, fruit set, and bulking stages; Total seasonal 8-12 kg/ha. For field tomatoes: Foliar 0.5-1 g/L, 14-21 day intervals; Base 5-10 kg/ha mixed with NPK before transplanting. Total seasonal application should not exceed 15 kg/ha to avoid excessive vegetative growth.

24 months when stored in original sealed packaging in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse (5-30°C, relative humidity ≤60%). The shorter shelf life compared to humic products (36 months) is due to natural hormone stability—cytokinins and gibberellins gradually degrade over time. After opening, reseal the bag tightly to prevent moisture absorption. The product is mildly hygroscopic (caking threshold >12% moisture). Avoid direct sunlight and heavy pressure. Keep away from strong acids, strong alkalis, and oxidizing agents.

Yes. We customize brown seaweed extract powder to your specifications: hormone ratio (standard 1:1:1, customizable to 2:1:1 or 1:2:1), K₂O content (10-20% range), alginate content (20-50% range), oligosaccharide content (30-50% range), color, and packaging. Minimum order quantity for OEM: 1 MT. Lead time: 15-25 days after artwork confirmation. We support both pure OEM (your brand only) and technical endorsement (JINGFENG + your brand).

Every production batch undergoes in-house QC testing: full technical index panel (16 parameters including alginate, oligosaccharides, K₂O, hormones), HPLC-MS hormone profile, heavy metal panel, microbial panel, solubility and dissolution rate test. COA is issued per batch with traceable batch numbers. Random third-party audits are conducted by SGS / Bureau Veritas / TÜV on a quarterly basis. Batch-to-batch variation for key parameters is maintained within ±3%.

For stock specifications (Type I standard), 7-10 days after order confirmation. For custom specifications, 15-25 days. Shipping time depends on destination port — typically 25-40 days by sea to most major ports. Air shipping available for urgent orders (3-7 days). 20ft FCL loads approximately 12-14 MT: 1kg bags × 12,000 / 25kg bags × 480 / jumbo bags × 12.

Yes. We provide 500g-1kg free samples of brown seaweed extract powder for distributor evaluation and field trial. Shipping cost is borne by the receiver (DHL/FedEx, 3-7 days worldwide). Contact us via the COA / Sample Request button on this page with your full address, intended application, and any specific customization requirements. Sample shipments include a full COA and TDS, plus optional 1-on-1 technical consultation with our agronomy team.

Seaweed extract and humic acid are complementary, not competing categories. Seaweed extract is a plant biostimulant (bioactive compounds, hormones, stress tolerance) sourced from cold-water Ascophyllum nodosum with K₂O ≥16%, best for foliar, fertigation, high-value crops, organic farming, and stress mitigation. Humic acid is a soil amendment (improves soil structure, CEC, water retention) sourced from leonardite / weathered coal, best for soil application, soil reclamation, and base fertilizer. Recommendation: For premium agricultural programs targeting both plant performance and soil health, combine seaweed extract with humic acid—seaweed for biostimulant activity (foliar/fertigation), humic acid for soil conditioning (base application). Many successful programs use both at reduced rates (e.g., 3-5% seaweed extract in NPK + 5-10% humic acid in NPK bulk blend).