Plantain
Tonic
Tonic plantain is a perennial herb with a fibrous, coarse root system. It has moderate drought tolerance and can provide feed during dry periods.
Product overview
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.
Product benefits
- 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
Usage instructions
| Rate | 1kg/acre with 12kg grass and clover (2.5 + 35kg/ha) |
| Time | April to mid-August, into warm soils (>10°C) |
| Depth | 10mm |
| Process | 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 10-15mm. 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. |
| Comments | Visit the tonic guide for management advice. |