Effects of N, P and K on polygodial leaf extract of Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A.C. Smith

Developing systems for the commercial production of native plant species is required to ensure a sustainable supply of quality material. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of key nutrients on the early establishment of <i>Tasmannia lanceolata</i> for potential plantation production of leaves from which polygodial is extracted. Treatments of N, P and K fertilizers were imposed on a single clone in a pot trial with a factorial design. Levels of all other essential nutrients were kept constant. The highest application level of N (20 mM, 2.32% N in leaves) achieved the highest level of polygodial as a percentage of dry matter. The highest P (2 mM, 0.42% P in leaves) and K (12 mM, 1.73% K in leaves) treatments produced a noticeable decline in total polygodial yield, with medium-level treatments of both nutrients producing the highest levels of polygodial. The implications of these findings for the production of commercial quantities of <i>T. lanceolata</i> leaf material are discussed.