It has long been known that CO2 acts as a fertilizer on crops cultivated under glass, and it is being used successfully in that way with convincing results.
| Parameter | The direct effect of doubling CO2 |
| Photosynthesis rate | Substantial in the case of C3 plants; C4 plants show hardly any improvement |
| Stomatal opening | Reduced with C3 and C4 plants |
| Water use efficiency | Increased with C3 and C4 plants |
| Leaf surface | Increased more with C3 plants than with C4 plants |
| Leaf weight | Increased with C3 and C4 plants |
| Flowering | Accelerated with C3 and C4 plants |
| Maturity of plant | Earlier flowering of C3 and C4 plants |
| Dry mass production & yield | Substantially increased with C3 plants (up to 30% and more); C4 plants show hardly any improvement |
| Differences in plant reactions | Clear differences between C3 and C4 plants Differences between varieties possible |
| Drought stress | Plants less susceptible to water stress |
From: KRUPA, S.V., and KICKERT, R.N. (1993) The Greenhouse Effect – The Impacts of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) Radiation and Ozone (O3) on Vegetation (Crops). Vegetatio 104: 223-238
The other ingredients contained in Lithovit are required for essential biochemical functions in plant metabolism (calcium: important in metabolism and for cell walls; magnesium: an important component of chlorophyll; manganese: cofactor of enzymes and participation in oxygen development in photosystem II; zinc: cofactor of enzymes; copper: component of enzymes and a redox catalyst; cobalt: cofactor in the symbiotic fixation of molecular nitrogen).
Lithovit brings about a clear enhancement of performance of many plants, which is demonstrated in particular by more rapid growth, higher yields, and in many cases also by a lower water requirement and improved general vitality.
Particularly remarkable in addition is the reduction that has repeatedly been observed in the susceptibility of plants strengthened with Lithovit to fungal diseases (leaf rust, mildew, false mildew, fruit rot, leaf rot, etc.).
C3 Plants
Typical representatives of this category are cultivated plants of the temperate zones such as wheat, barley, rice, soya, potatoes, lettuce, vegetables, and fruit trees. With this type of metabolism, the natural CO2 concentration is too low for optimum photosynthesis. In addition, the process called photorespiration interferes with photosynthesis. Lithovit® can thus exert its full effect.
C4 Plants
Typical representatives of this category are plants cultivated in the subtropical or tropical zones such as millet, maize or sugarcane. All plants with this type of metabolism can photosynthesize effectively even when the CO2 concentration.