Can Alaska Kelp Help Washington Crops Beat the Heat?

The quick transformation is a reminder of how recently the kelp was growing and of a practical challenge facing Alaska’s young kelp industry: Once it is harvested, what happens next? Courtesy of Pacific Kelp Co.Their answer is KelpEdge, a concentrated liquid plant biostimulant made from Alaskan giant kelp. KelpEdge isn’t meant to replace fertilizer—Smet describes it as a supplement that may support stronger roots and help crops better withstand heat, drought, and disease pressure. Pacific Kelp is collaborating with Washington State University scientists to study the extract’s effects on different crops. Smet says WSU researchers are also testing a Pacific Kelp extract as one possible tool for helping Washington raspberries withstand heat stress.