Overcoming winter growth challenges in potted herbs

Consumer demand for high-quality, locally grown potted herbs remains strong year-round. However, nurseries in regions with low winter light levels face significant challenges in maintaining consistent plant growth. Even with supplemental lighting, reduced light availability slows plant development, making it difficult to meet market expectations.

To address this issue, ABiTEP, an Andermatt Company in collaboration with ECF Farmsystemsin Berlin, Germany, conducted a production trial on potted basil in an aquaponic system with RhizoVital C5, a biostimulant designed to enhance root development and overall plant vigor. The objective was to accelerate plant growth, allowing herbs to reach market readiness 1–2 days earlier, thereby ensuring a stable production routine even in low-light months.

Trial setup and application
RhizoVital C5 was incorporated into the nursery's production process with minimal disruption. The biostimulant was applied directly after sowing through the irrigation system via a Dosatron.

Key findings
The trial demonstrated that RhizoVital C5 significantly improved seed emergence, root growth, and plant structure, ultimately allowing for earlier market delivery. Using RhizoVital C5 ensured faster and more uniform germination, more even seed emergence, and stronger early root development.

'K' (control, untreated) on the left and RhizoVital C5 (treated) on the right.

Effects 5-6 weeks after sowing
The plants developed stronger root balls with increased fine root growth, which improves water and nutrient uptake. Additionally, they exhibit enhanced resilience to drought stress, ensuring longer freshness both in retail settings and at customers' homes.

Future outlook
The results clearly indicate that RhizoVital C5 supports faster, more uniform plant growth, particularly in challenging winter conditions. By integrating this biostimulant into standard nursery practices, growers can maintain consistent production schedules, reduce delays, and deliver high-quality potted herbs year-round.

This trial underscores the value of RhizoVital C5 as a reliable solution for optimizing potted herb cultivation, ensuring market-ready crops even in the most demanding conditions.