| KELPAK PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS |
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
PRODUCT NAME : KELPAK�
MANUFACTURER : Kelp Products (Pty) Ltd
P.O. Box 325
Simon's Town 7995
South Africa
Tel +27 21 7862090
Fax +27 21 7863274
E-mail kelpak@iafrica.com
Website www.kelpak.com
CLASSIFICATION : Fertilizer Supplement and Plant Growth Stimulant
FORMULATION : Liquid concentrate of freshly-harvested seaweed
(Ecklonia maxima). The patented high-pressure
differential technique results in cellular burst,
obviating the use of chemicals, heat, freezing or
dehydration to ensure extended hormone stability
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS : Natural growth compounds, carbohydrates, nutrients
and amino acids
OTHER INGREDIENTS :Buffer and Preservatives
APPEARANCE : Green aqueous liquid with faint seaweed smell
STORAGE : Should be stored out of direct sunlight, and
preferably in a cool area
SHELF LIFE : At least 2 years
HAZARD RATING : Low - KELPAK is regarded as non-toxic and is
non-hazardous to users and the environment
MEDICAL & FIRST AID : The product is non-toxic. If slight eye-irritation is
experienced, rinse with cold water
PACKING MATERIAL : Plastic containers
CONTAINER DISPOSAL : No special precautions as product is non-toxic |
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MODE OF ACTION AND RESPONSES
Kelpak is a plant growth stimulant made from the seaweed species Ecklonia maxima, (commonly known as kelp) and found in the cold waters of the South African West Coast. This species has a prolific growth rate, due mainly to the presence of nutritional elements and other natural growth stimulating compounds. The cell sap containing these substances is extracted from freshly harvested kelp with the unique cell burst technology, patented worldwide. No heat, freezing or harsh chemicals are used to break the cell walls in the extraction process. This ensures that the delicate compounds found in the kelp are maintained in their active form in Kelpak. The natural ratios of growth stimulating compounds in the fresh kelp are therefore maintained in the end product. The UK Soil Association, KRAV and SGS have accredited this organic product for use in organic agriculture.
The auxin-like activity and phosphate dominated extract stimulates prolific adventitious root formation when Kelpak is applied to almost any plant. This drastic increase in root tips leads to an increased level of cytokinins in treated plants, as this group of hormones is mainly produced in root tips. The increased root volume and number of root tips also increase moisture and nutrient uptake from the soil. The improved nutrient status together with the higher level of cytokinin in the plant gives better top growth which causes the increase in yield and quality of crops. The improved root system also makes the plant more resistant to stresses such as drought, waterlogging, soil nutrient deficiency and salinity, nematode infestations and soil borne diseases.
Kelpak applied to plants in nurseries not only shortens the period in the nursery prior to plant-out, but also produces plants with a stronger root system showing enhanced transplant shock resistance. In tobacco nurseries Kelpak is applied 6 weeks and again 10 days before plant-out by watering the plants with a 1:500 dilution in a watering can. Fruit trees, coffee, macadamia, tea, ornamentals and flowers such as roses and forestry plants in nurseries are treated by watering the plants with a 1:500 dilution of Kelpak at monthly intervals. When these plants are planted out into the field, a soil drench with a 1: 200 dilution Kelpak is recommended to reduce transplant shock and to increase initial growth of the plants.
Leaf vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and lettuce are treated with a 1:100 root dip before plant-out and two foliar applications at 3 Pts/Acre, with the first 14 days after plant-out and the second 21 days later. This leads to consistent head weight increases of 10 to 20%. Melon, pepper and tomato seedlings are treated with a 1:100 root dip, followed by three 2Pts/Acre sprays 14 to 21 days apart. Such a treatment not only will increase yields, but also increases the shelf life of the produce. Beans are treated with 2 Pts/Acre at the third trifoliate stage and repeated two more times with 14 day intervals leading to consistent increases between 30 and 40%. Similarly treatment of soya with 4 Pts/Acre at the third trifoliate followed by 2 Pts/Acre 14 days later will increase the yield between 20 and 30%.
Kelpak is used worldwide on soil crops such as potatoes and onions. Seed potatoes are dipped in a 1:500 dilution for 5 minutes prior to planting and this is followed by a foliar spray of 4 Pts/Acre 28 days after emergence, followed by a further spray at 2 Pts/Acre 14 days later. Such Kelpak treatments consistently give yield increases of 15 to 30%. The roots of onion seedlings are dipped into a 1:100 dilution prior to plantout and this is followed by three 2 Pts/Acre foliar sprays 14 to 12 days apart. This application gives consistent yield increases above 25%.
Field crops such as maize, grain sorghum and wheat are sprayed with 2 Pts/Acre Kelpak at the 4 to 5-leaf stage, resulting in average yield increases of 12%. Similar results are obtained with barley, lupins and lucerne, with higher increases in yield.
The use of Kelpak was only recently introduced on bearing macadamias in Malawi where trees were sprayed four times with 2 Pts/Acre. The Kelpak treatment gave a consistent increase in NIH yield, crack-out percentage and saleable kernel yield over three cultivars. Although a slight increase in discoloured kernel was observed, the net increase in income averaged $1 300 per ha over the three cultivars. Kelpak was also applied at 2 Pts/Acre on tea to the first leaves of regrowth after pruning. The treatment increased picking weight with first and second round pickings by 25 and 30% respectively.
Kelpak can be applied as a foliar spray and enhances the uptake of nutrients when applied with foliar feeds as a tank mix. Kelpak should not be applied in a spray solution with a pH above 7, never be more dilute than 1:500 and should not be applied more frequently than 14 days apart.
Kelpak�s efficiency as a cost effective agricultural biostimulant has been proven internationally in numerous research programs under differing climatic conditions and on a wide variety of crops. This natural product has a broad application base, is easy to apply and is compatible with most crop protection chemicals and foliar feeds. Its consistency in result and cost efficiency has lead to its position as market leader in various countries worldwide.
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NOTES ON KELPAK
KELPAK is a non-toxic natural product manufactured from Ecklonia maxima, an edible species of brown seaweed (kelp).
The manufacturing process 'bursts' the cells of freshly harvested kelp, releasing the contents of the cells into a pure seaweed cream.
The thin walls are then filtered off and organic preservatives, a food grade vegetable dye and a food grade pH buffer are added.
The resultant product is completely non-toxic to humans, animals, birds and insects and is neither flammable nor explosive.
The product is bio-degradable and is beneficial to soils.
Copies of numerous scientific studies confirming KELPAK's efficacy to stimulate root development, improve plant growth and increase yields are compiled in a separate folder.
NOTES ON TOXICOLOGY
In South Africa the product falls under the laws controlling the storage and sale of Pesticides and Agricultural Remedies, which requires exhaustive statistical trials. KELPAK is registered in terms of this Act as a Growth Stimulant.
Because of the nature of the product, all requirements of the Act regarding toxicity, combustibility, explosive properties, etc, have been waived.
However, because of requirements for certain international markets, certain toxicological studies have been done. Summary as follows: ( * )
ACUTE ORAL LD50 ( MALE RATS )
| > 5600 mg/kg - non-toxic
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ACUTE DERMAL
| > 8600 mg/kg - non-toxic
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EYE IRRITATION
| Non-irritant for corneal opacity,
iris lesion, conjunctival redness, and
conjunctival oedema ( 72 hours )
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SKIN IRRITATION
| Non-irritant - all scoring intervals
(72 hours)
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*Should you require additional information, please forward your request to the following e-mail address : kelpak@iafrica.com
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