| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products:  (seeds, leaf, herb);  (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower); 
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb);  (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
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(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
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Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
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Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
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Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
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Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
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Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
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Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
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Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
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Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
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Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
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Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
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Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
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Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
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Market
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Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
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Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
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Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
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Market
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Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
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Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
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Market
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Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
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(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
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(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
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Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
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Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
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|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
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Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
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Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
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Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
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Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
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Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
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Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
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Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
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Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
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Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
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Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
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Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
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Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
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Market
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Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
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