444 Handbook of herbs and spices
capacity increases during winter (Omidbaigi, 2000). As a frequent result of late
sowing, the rosettes would not develop during the winter and consequently the plants
would not develop their generative organs even in the second year. The initial
development of germinated plants is slow and only rosettes are formed in the first
year. Lovage is generally sown in a row spacing of 0.5–0.7 m by application of 10–
12 kg/ha of seeds (70–80 seeds/m). The sowing depth should not be over 20 mm,
because of uneven sprouting which usually happens in deeper sowings.
For transplant production, 1.0–1.5 kg/ha of seeds is required to produce 42–55
thousand transplants at a distance of 20–25 cm between rows (Hornok, 1992). The
best seed sowing time for this purpose is in mid-March and transplants will be ready
in early autumn. Transplants are so susceptible to freeze injury that they should be
transplanted to the field before early autumn freezing. Root division is another method
of propagation which is rarely used. Each divided root should have at least one
healthy vegetative bud to be planted. Root division is preferably made in September,
as is usually the case with other spreading rooted plants.
26.3.4 Pests and diseases
The leaf miner (Liriomyza sp.) is the first threat to the well-being of a lovage plant.
These pests are tiny black flies, 0.1 inch long, with yellow stripes. Their larvae
develop from eggs laid on the underside of the leaves. In the spring the larvae tunnel
inside the leaves and stems, damaging tissues and spreading rot diseases. The meandering
white or translucent trails they blaze through foliage are symptoms of their presence
in the leaves. The larvae eventually drop to the ground and pupate in their cocoons,
emerging later as adults (Ganter, 1997; Stuart and Trumble, 2002). Cleanliness is the
best defense against this pest. Remove and destroy infested leaves. Shallow cultivation
of the earth in fall helps by exposing the pupae to cold. Agricultural fleece (row
covers) may protect small plants from egg-laying flies, but this is not a permanent
solution. Handpicking of the chalky white, dry eggs is effective if it is done
systematically, once a week for a month, followed up by a spray of light horticultural
oil, which will suffocate any menacing remnant. Sometimes lovage seed heads attract
aphids but this problem is succinctly solved by gently bending the heads into a basin
of soapy water and swishing them around to dislodge the insects. Naturally, this
should be done before the seeds are fully ripe (Ganter, 1997).
Against the plant louse, some pesticides such as Pirimor (pirimicarb), Wofatox
(methyl parathion) and Phosdrin (mevinphos) may be used. Lovage is frequently
damaged by a fungus disease such as peronospora (Plasmopora nivea), powdery
mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) and septoria (Septoria apiicola). According to Hornok
(1992), the best protection is provided with a 0.1–0.2% benomil solution by spraying
every 10–12 days until mid-September. Powdery mildew can also be effectively
controlled by spraying the plant with wettable sulphur at the initial stage of infection.
26.3.5 Weed control
Weed control is important in successful lovage production. Early weed control is
especially critical. Cultivation is an effective control method for weeds in lovage,
especially young plants. Weed control is usually performed by cultivating between
the rows. Mechanical cultivation can be replaced by the application of herbicides.
Chemical weed control in the autumnal sowing can be accomplished sufficiently by