A practical guide to plant extracts for high-performance organic farming

Faced with the major environmental challenges of our time - climate disruption, biodiversity collapse, soil and water pollution - organic farming stands as an essential solution for the future. Consumers, increasingly aware of public health and environmental issues, are favoring organic products, thus creating new opportunities for farmers in transition.

In this context, plant extracts and essential oils represent particularly promising natural alternatives. These solutions, derived from carefully selected plants for their protective and stimulating properties, allow:

• Significant reduction in chemical input use
• Preservation of soil life and biodiversity
• Maintenance of satisfactory yields
• Guarantee of production health quality

Recent studies demonstrate that transitioning to these natural solutions is not only technically possible but also economically viable. Indeed, while the initial investment may seem substantial, the reduction in input costs and the valorization of organic products generally allow for superior profitability from the second or third year.

Important note: this content is provided for informational purposes only as part of a bibliographic synthesis. Regulations concerning the use of natural extracts in agriculture are complex and evolve regularly. It is each farmer's responsibility to verify regulatory compliance before any use, particularly within the framework of organic certification. Landema, as a producer and supplier of pure natural extracts, cannot be held responsible for uses other than those mentioned on the official labels and technical documents of its products.

 

The rise of natural solutions: a necessary turning point

Conventional agriculture, after decades of intensive chemical input use, now shows concerning limitations. Recent studies reveal alarming impacts:

• An average loss of 1.2% organic matter in agricultural soils per year
• A 75% reduction in insect populations over 30 years
• Pesticide residues detected in 72% of conventional fruits and vegetables
• Increasing contamination of groundwater by nitrates and pesticides

Faced with these observations, natural solutions such as plant extracts emerge as a credible and necessary alternative. These preparations, inherited from ancestral knowledge and validated by modern research, present numerous advantages:

Natural crop protection:

• Stimulation of plants' natural defenses
• Creation of an unfavorable environment for pathogens
• Enhanced resistance to environmental stress

Ecosystem preservation:

• Complete biodegradability without toxic residues
• Maintenance of beneficial auxiliary populations
• Enhancement of soil microbial life

Proven agronomic benefits:

• Improvement of soil structure
• Optimization of nutrient absorption
• Increased drought resistance

Plant extracts, combined with other agroecological practices, enable a transition toward more life-respecting agriculture while maintaining satisfactory production levels. This evolution also meets growing consumer demands for healthy and environmentally friendly products.

 

Preparation techniques: the key to success

To obtain effective plant extracts, three main methods should be prioritized:

• Maceration (12-24h): ideal for nettle and comfrey, preserves heat-sensitive active ingredients
• Decoction (30 min at 70°C maximum): particularly suitable for horsetail and fern
• Fermentation (8-15 days between 18-25°C): recommended for chamomile and yarrow

Essential equipment for professional production:

• Food-grade 304 stainless steel tanks (30 to 500 L)
• Instant-read laser thermometer (±0.5°C)
• 200-micron plate filter press

Extraction techniques comparison:

Process	Ideal duration	Star plants	Active yield	Energy cost
Maceration	18-24h	Nettle, comfrey	65%	€0.15/L
Decoction	45 min	Horsetail, fern	82%	€0.35/L
Fermentation	10-12 days	Yarrow, chamomile	91%	€0.20/L

5 common mistakes:

1. Using chlorinated water (neutralizes enzymes)

2. UV exposure during storage (-40% efficiency)

3. Mixing nettle/fern purin (molecular antagonism)

4. Foliar overdosing >10% (cellular burns)

5. Fermentation temperature >25°C (protein denaturation)

 

Proven economic results

Comparative analysis between conventional and organic farming using plant extracts reveals encouraging figures:

• Input cost reduction from €480 to approximately €100/ha
• Increased labor time offset by organic premiums (+18-25%)
• Average return on investment of €1.8 for €1 invested over 3 years

Economic impact: 5-year comparative analysis

Annual costs/ha (intensive market gardening):

Item	Conventional	Organic + Extracts	Difference
Inputs	€520	€130	-€390
Labor	55h	68h	+13h
Yield	22t	19.5t	-2.5t
Market premium	€0	€4,300	+€4,300

Detailed ROI:

• Initial investment: €1,200 (equipment)
• Average annual savings: €2,870
• Return on investment: 6 months

INRAE 2024 Study:

• Post-harvest loss reduction: +28%
• Soil organic matter increase: +1.2%/year

 

Practical applications: farmers' testimonials

In organic market gardening, weekly use of horsetail decoction allows a 57% reduction in mildew. In arboriculture, combining organic Winter Savory (Satureja montana) essential oil (3%) with seaweed extracts significantly improves tree health while reducing the Treatment Frequency Index (TFI) from 2.1 to 0.4.

Find other useful essential oils in the article "Top 5 essential oils for abundant organic harvests"

Field applications: concrete results

Case study of organic market garden in Dordogne, France (5ha):

- Mildew reduction: 62% with weekly horsetail spraying

- Annual savings: €9,200 on inputs

- Ecocert certification obtained in 8 months

Expert testimony:

"Our homemade extracts cover 85% of sanitary needs. The remainder comes from AB-certified professional products." - Pierre, organic farmer since 2018

Technical innovation:

• Low-pressure sprayer with micrometric adjustment
• GPS dosing for large plots
• IoT pH monitoring sensors

The strategic role of essential oils and natural extracts

Essential oils and plant extracts represent valuable allies for high-performance farming that is more respectful of soils and biodiversity:

Natural preventive solutions:

• Antifungal protection with organic Winter Savory essential oil (Satureja montana) (3-5% spraying)
• Pest insect repulsion with organic Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita) (2% solution)
• Stimulation of natural defenses through seaweed extracts

Complementarity and synergy:

• Combination of organic Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) + horsetail extract against mildew
• Mixture of organic Thyme linalol essential oil (Thymus zygis) + fermented nettle to strengthen plant immunity
• Enhancement of classic organic treatments (copper, sulfur)

Specific advantages:

• Rapid and targeted action of aromatic molecules
• No toxic residues in soils
• Easy integration into existing treatment programs

Points of vigilance:

• Respect recommended dosages (risk of phytotoxicity)
• Favor chemotyped essential oils from recognized suppliers such as Landema
• Consider weather conditions for application

This combined approach of plant extracts and essential oils enables natural optimization of crop protection while maintaining the balance of agricultural ecosystems.

To learn more about this topic, read "Essential oils, the natural weapon against pests and diseases for your crops"

 

Regulatory framework: securing your transition

Plant extract regulations:

• Only plants listed in RCE 848/2018 are authorized in organic farming
• Only essential oils with specific approval can be used as plant protection products in organic farming. To date, five active substances are authorized in France: sweet orange essential oil, eugenol, geraniol, thymol, and clove essential oil. You will need to check the regulations in your country if needed.
• Mandatory detailed preparation record keeping
• Compliance with maximum concentrations for each extract type
• Precise labeling with composition and maximum 6-month shelf life

Landema certified organic solutions:

Landema's essential oils and plant extracts meet the strictest standards:

• AB and COSMOS certification for over 80% of the range
• Complete plant traceability (France and EU origin)
• Detailed technical sheets and safety data sheets with analyses

Landema essential oils are pure natural extracts whose quality is guaranteed by strict certifications. For any specific use, please refer to the official technical documents and product labels.

Pitfalls to avoid:

• Marketing without approval number (fines up to €7,500)
• Using unlisted plants (immediate organic certification control)

 

Toward sustainable and profitable agriculture?

Facing climate and economic challenges, plant extracts represent a future solution for organic farming. Experience shows that with rigorous methodology and quality products like Landema's, transitioning to organic becomes not only possible but profitable.

To succeed in this transition:

• Start gradually with 2-3 targeted extracts
• Train in proper preparation and application practices
• Precisely measure your economic and agronomic results
• Trust certified suppliers like Landema for your supplies

Operational Summary:

Plant extracts represent a key solution for high environmental performance agricultural systems. Their gradual adoption enables:

• 40% reduction in input costs from year 1
• Achievement of 95% phytosanitary autonomy within 3 years
• Market premiums up to 27% higher

Data updated according to EU regulations 2024/115 and Ecocert V4.2 standards

 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions from professionals

Q: How can we ensure extract effectiveness?

A: Combine visual observations with objective measurements (chlorophyll tester, soil analyses)

Q: What profitability can be expected?

A: Average ROI of 18 months with progressive protocol optimization

Q: Solutions for large areas?

A: Concentrated mixtures with tractor spraying (80L/ha)