Patent ID: 6277419
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: A01G,A01H,A01N,C05F,C05G

Abstract:
A method of cultivating plants thereby to achieve as an effect at least one of enhancing root growth of plants, prolonging freshness and tastiness of edible agricultural products yielded by the plants, and decreasing the dropping of fruit before harvest time, comprising applying Stevia to soil in which the plants are cultivated and/or to the plants in a quantity per unit area not greater than about 20 grams per square meter of soil effective for at least one of said effects, the Stevia being in the form of particles of Stevia of at least 10 .mu.m diameter or a liquid extract of Stevia, the Stevia consisting of stalk and leaves harvested prior to budding of the Stevia plant, wherein said stalk and said leaves are in a weight ratio of about 8 parts of said stalk to about 2 parts of said leaves.