Tonic plantain seed
Tonic plantain is a perennial herb with a fibrous, coarse root system. It has moderate drought tolerance and can provide feed during dry periods.
The Tonic plantain variety is particularly useful for summer and autumn feeding.
Tonic plantain seed is sown in a mixture with grass and is grazed in situ by the animal. Plantain requires free draining, fertile soils and is highly responsive to nitrogen.
Key benefits of Tonic plantain
- Higher in mineral content than perennial ryegrass
swards (P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, B and Co) - Highly palatable
- Deep rooting giving it access to nutrients deeper in soil
- Tonic Plantain can be added to a grass/clover mixture at a rate of 1 kg Plantain, 12 kg perennial ryegrass and 0.5 kg white clover
- Weed control is best carried out before sowing as post-emergence weed control is limited
- Expected yield of 8 t DM/ha
Ask an expert
Ask an expert if you would like any advice about grassland management.
Sowing rate: 1 kg/acre with 12 kg grass and clover (2.5 + 35 kg/ha)
Sowing time: April to mid-August, into warm soils (>10°C)
Sowing depth: 10 mm
Sowing instructions
Sow in well-drained soils. Control broad-leaved weeds before sowing. Cultivate to achieve a fine, firm seedbed. Ploughing will help level rough fields. Sow in good conditions (warm with rain forecast), no deeper than 10-15 mm. Roll well after sowing to ensure good soil/ seed contact. N, P and K fertiliser requirements are similar to that of grass. Ensure optimum soil pH, P and K indices.
After sowing
- Graze when the crop reaches a height of 10-15 cm and when plants are resistant to uprooting. Generally ready for grazing eight weeks after sowing
- Rotationally graze for best results
- Ensure short, intensive periods of grazing with adequate recovery periods
- Ideally graze to a residual of 4 cm
- In the second and subsequent years, plant height must not exceed 25 cm to limit seed head development and maintain feed quality
- Ensure adequate N, P and K fertiliser is available to the plant
Uses: Dairy – Y; Cattle – Y; Sheep – Y