Medicinal plants, scented plants and spice plants
PDFCrop contribution Aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs
Aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs serve for the production of medicinal and cosmetic products, for spicing food, as vegetables and as ornamental plants.
The cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs requires a special knowledge in botany and in cultivation procedures of the different crops. For the success, the correct choice of location is of crucial importance, because the cultures mentioned above put special claims to soil and climate.
If plants are not used as food but as medicinal plants, so called herbal drugs are made of them. In that case they serve as a medicine for health maintenance for both, humans and animals. Thereby dried plants as well as plant parts or end products are used like e.g. ethereal oils. Ethereal oils operate antiphlogistic and digestive, bitter compounds have germicidal and calming effects, tannins are bactericidal and soothing, the flavonoids (colors) are radical quenchers and protect the cells and saponins inhibit the fungal growth.
In the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, the additional supply of different nutrients via foliar fertilization is only just beginning. On the basis of the multiplicity in botanical species and the different use of the harvest products a general statement is difficult. An aimed foliar fertilization offers a fast remedy in case of insufficient nutrient availability with an e.g. high pH value of the soil or aridity.
Growth promotion in case of stress
In weather-related stress situations (e.g. cold and wet but also aridity), it is possible to support the plant forming protein and carbohydrates with a direct supply of amino acids. This leads to an increase of the metabolism as well as to a stimulation of the photosynthesis performance. For this main application we recommend the product Lebosol®-Total Care.
Stress is not only weather-dependent but can be caused as well by plant protection measures (e.g. leaf-active herbicides). In this combination the application of Lebosol®-Total Care has proved itself.
The second possibility to cause stress in young plants is the transplanting. Amino acids promote the root formation and the plant growth. The sooner a plant forms new roots after putting, the earlier an optimal growth can begin. Moreover it is advisable to dip the seedlings in an Aminosol®-solution or to treat immediately after transplanting.
With unfavorable weather situations the application of soil herbicides also leads to stress (rain after application).Here the addition of 0,4 l/ ha Herbosol® is able to prevent that the active substance is shifting too fast into the root horizon.
With unfavorable weather situations the application of soil herbicides also leads to stress (rain after application).Here the addition of 0,4 l/ ha Herbosol® is able to prevent that the active substance is shifting too fast into the root horizon.
Vitality and resistance of potassium phosphonate
The promotion of plant’s own antibodies plays an important role in the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs. A treatment with potassium or magnesium phosphite strengthens the resistance as well as the vitality of the most different crops and has already proven itself in practice over years. Ideally the treatment is combined with fungicide measures.
Several applications of Lebosol®-Kalium Plus or Lebosol®-Magnesium-Plus support the plant’s own antibodies and preserve leaf quality and –health.
Promotion of leaf quality, leaf health as well as quantity and quality of the substances by foliar fertilization
In particular chlorotic lightenings, leaf spots or also slack plants with light yellow stripes and brown spots are unwanted. To bring the plants back to the desired leaf quality, the foliar fertilization with macro- and micro nutrients offers fast help.
A plant analysis shows which nutrients are lacking. Based on this, an aimed foliar fertilization is possible, which always has a positive influence on yield and quality.
Good potassium supply as a preparation for durability and storage stability
For a fast recovery of a potassium lack we recommend a liquid potassium fertilization via leaf with Lebosol®-Kalium 450.
A good potassium supply can raise the stability in storage and quality, so that an improved durability is to be expected.
Micronutrient supply
For the improvement of fruit setting of the adequate types of medicinal plants and herbs, elements like boron and zinc play an important role. In addition Lebosol®-Robustus SC (boron + calcium) and Lebosol®-Zink 700 SC can be applied before blossom.
A lack of manganese appears with a yellow coloring between the nerves. The first symptoms of a mangan lack appear on the just entirely developed leaves and later also on the younger leaves. In contrast to the magnesium lack where these first symptoms appear on the oldest leaves.
In the buds stage and in blossom a lack of manganese can have an negative effect on oil content and oil quality and can lead to a weaker fruit setting. Like boron manganese has a limited availability in case of aridity and high pH-values. A foliar fertilization with Lebosol®- Mangan Gold SC can put things right.Sulphur supply
Sulphur lack appears particularly often in crucifer species, and also in lily species. They need sulphur for the formation of glucosinolates. Particularly the taste is affected by contained sulphur compound.
Sulphur lack promotes fungal disease, the plants metabolism suffers, too. A foliar fertilization with Lebosol®-Schwefel 800 SC or VITALoSol® GOLD SC as combined variation (sulphur, manganese, copper) supports the plant care and strengthen the plant resistance.
With all additional effects which we achieve by foliar fertilization, it is important to know that in the range of macro nutrients we do not replace an adequate soil fertilization.
Main recommendations
| Aim/Problem | Recommendation | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement in effectiveness and tolerability of soil-applied herbicides | 0,2 - 0,6 l/ha Herbosol® (Increase to 0.6 l/ha on light soils with a low humus content; reduce to 0.2 l/ha for heavy soils with a high humus content.) | With soil-applied herbicides |
| Improvement in effectiveness and tolerability of plant protection products | 150 - 300 ml Aminosol® (per 100 l spray water) | With plant protection products |
| Improvement in effectiveness and tolerability of plant protection products | 1 - 2 l/ha Aminosol® | With post-emergence herbicides, in extreme weather conditions |
| Root formation, growth, initial development | Aminosol® (Immerse the plants in a solution of 1% or alternatively water with 5 - 10 l/ha) | Before new planting |
| To cover periods with poor growth conditions | 4 - 6 l/ha Lebosol®-Total Care | In the event of stress at the site |
| Improvement in flowering quality, fruit set, calcium transport, fruit quality, internal quality |
1 - 3 times 2 l/ha Lebosol®-Robustus SC + 1 - 3 times 0,25 l/ha Lebosol®-Zink 700 SC |
Before flowering |
| Storage stability, internal quality, increase in resilience | 2 - 4 times 4 - 6 l/ha Lebosol®-Calcium-Forte SC | From 10 - 14 days after planting or from the end of flowering to harvesting |
| Initial development, vitality, energy and water balance, N efficiency | 1 - 2 times 6 - 8 l/ha Lebosol®-PK-Maxor1 - 2 times 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Magphos | Once sufficient leaf mass has developed |
| Improvement in leaf quality, chlorophyll, vitality, photosynthesis rate | 2 - 3 times 3 - 5 l/ha Lebosol®-MagSOFT SC | Once sufficient leaf mass has developed |
| Yield, vitality, improvement in nodulation | 1 - 2 times 0,25 l/ha Lebosol®-Molybdän | Once sufficient leaf mass has developed |
| Improvement in quality and shelf life | 2 - 4 times 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Kalium 450 | Once sufficient leaf mass has developed |
| Photosynthesis rate, internal quality, vitalisation |
1 - 3 times 3 - 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Schwefel 800 SC + 1 - 3 times 1 l/ha Lebosol®-Mangan GOLD SCor1 - 3 times 4 - 6 l/ha VITALoSol® GOLD SC |
Once sufficient leaf mass has developed |
| Boosting of resistance to illness | 2 - 5 times 2 - 3 l/ha Lebosol®-Kalium-Plus | When required |
| Treated crops are avoided by mice | 3 - 5 times 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Schwefel 800 OD | When required |
| Treated crops are avoided by furred game | 2 l Aminosol® (With 2 l water 2 - 3 days beforehand (quantity for 1 ha)) | When required |