eK-lon MAX: at K-Adriatica, science unveils the hidden potential of seaweed
The future of sustainable agriculture lies in a deep understanding of molecular mechanisms: during the Biostimulants World Congress 2025, cutting-edge research confirmed that K-Adriatica’s biostimulant eK-lon MAX acts as a true physiological activator capable of interacting with the plant genome.
Professor Antonio Ferrante, Professor of Horticulture and Floriculture at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, presented a transcriptomic (RNA-Seq) analysis explaining the mode of action of eK-lon MAX, K-Adriatica’s natural biostimulant obtained from fresh fronds of Ecklonia maxima processed exclusively through low-temperature physical extraction methods.
What is eK-lon MAX and how does it work on crops?
eK-lon MAX is a natural biostimulant produced exclusively from fresh Ecklonia maxima seaweed fronds. Thanks to a low-temperature physical extraction process, the phytocomplex remains intact, acting as a powerful biochemical signal for plants.
Unlike conventional products, eK-lon MAX acts at the transcriptomic level — the set of genetic messages plants send to their cells to regulate growth, defense mechanisms, and fruit production.
Today, eK-lon MAX is also OMRI USA Listed, a certification issued by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), verifying compliance with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards for use in organic agriculture in the United States.
This certification represents a strategic passport for international markets:
- facilitates access to the U.S. organic market, one of the largest worldwide;
- provides assurance recognized in many non-EU countries aligned with NOP standards;
- strengthens export positioning where compliance with international organic standards is a key requirement for distributors and professional operators.
OMRI Listing therefore confirms not only agronomic effectiveness but also compliance with the most stringent international organic regulatory frameworks.
Scientific benefits of eK-lon MAX
Professor Ferrante’s study analyzed tomato plant responses 6 and 24 hours after treatment, revealing systemic genetic reprogramming:
Nutrient efficiency: activation of phosphorus transport genes (PHO1–3);
Stress resilience: expression of detoxification and heat-protection genes (HSC70);
Fruit quality: modulation of genes related to cell wall structure and uniform ripening (PG2, Man4).
Why are strigolactones key to this biostimulant’s performance?
One of the most relevant findings concerns the strigolactone pathway. Analysis showed modulation of 141 genes linked to this hormonal pathway — significantly more than other hormone pathways such as auxins or gibberellins.
Stress resilience: expression of detoxification and heat-protection genes (HSC70);
Fruit quality: modulation of genes related to cell wall structure and uniform ripening (PG2, Man4).
Why are strigolactones key to this biostimulant’s performance?
One of the most relevant findings concerns the strigolactone pathway. Analysis showed modulation of 141 genes linked to this hormonal pathway — significantly more than other hormone pathways such as auxins or gibberellins.
What are strigolactones and why are they important?
Strigolactones are carotenoid-derived plant hormones playing a crucial role in:
Strigolactones are carotenoid-derived plant hormones playing a crucial role in:
- shoot branching control;
- balance between apical and lateral growth;
- improved stress resilience, particularly: drought phosphorus deficiency;
- promotion of mycorrhizal symbiosis, enhancing nutrient uptake.
Their strong activation indicates that eK-lon MAX helps plants optimize resource allocation, improving efficiency and stability.
