Benefits of Kelp

Kelp
As a foliar application
Kelp will improve seed germination and increases root development. Increases bloom set and size of flowers and fruit. It contains natural growth hormones, it will Increases and stabilizes chlorophyll in plants, which results in darker green leaves and increased sugar content in plants.
It is said to relieve stress in plants caused by extreme weather conditions and will Increase plant vigor, and thus imparts a greater resistance to disease, insect attack, drought, and frost.
It Increases microorganisms in the soil that can fix nitrogen from the air, increases mineral uptake from the soil and into the plant.
Kelp Increases the storage life of fruits and vegetables by retarding the loss of protein, chlorophyll, and RNA.
It Retards the aging process in plants (senescence), thereby lengthening the production season.
Many of the trace minerals contained in seaweed have important regulatory functions when applied to land plants, and in the animals and humans that consume the plants.

As a soil amendment:
Kelp meal applied to the soil will feed and stimulate the necessary microorganisms to digest organic material and improve the quality and texture of the soil.
It contains 60 trace minerals and an assortment of amino acids, enzymes, and alginates that feed and stimulate the necessary microorganisms in your soil, and natural growth hormones. A healthy, active microbial population will breakdown organic material and improve the quality and texture of the soil.
It is an exceptional natural ingredient for increasing organic matter, it mproves microbial activity in the soil, it reduces nutrient leaching, it increases water retention
Kelp promotes manageability and tilth in heavy soils and improves soil fertility.

* I cannot say good enough about Kelp, I use a lot of it, more then any other product combined, the plants react amazingly to kelp, in my opinion you cannot over apply Kelp. I use kelp as a foliar, as a soil amendment in the spring: 100 lbs to 3000 sq ft.
I add a heavy amount of kelp to my tea.