Lithovit – a direct effect
Lithovit is the first CO2 foliar fertilizer that can be used successfully outdoors as well as under glass. It consists of calcium carbonate supplemented by numerous important micro-nutrients.

Most Lithovit particles are so small (< 10 μm) that they can be absorbed directly through the stomata of the plant’s foliage. Inside the leaves, the Lithovit particles break down and release CO2 in particular, but other substances as well.

Diagrammatic representation of how Lithovit works
The low CO2content of normal air (0.04 vol. %) means that most cultivated plants fail to achieve an optimum level of photosynthesis. Assuming that temperature conditions are favorable, there is a sufficient supply of nutrients, and water, the maximum level of photosynthesis is achieved at around 0.1 vol. % CO2.

The use of the Lithovit CO2 outdoor fertilizer can thus improve the photosynthesis performance. In addition, the effect is further enhanced by the micronutrients contained in Lithovit.
The effect of Lithovit on the intensity of photosynthesis

Lithovit helps plants to grow
It has long been known that CO2 acts like a fertilizer on crops cultivated under glass, and it is being used successfully in that way with convincing results.

Effects of improved CO2 supply

Parameter	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 reactivity	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 Impact of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ultraviolet B (UV-B) Radiation and Ozone (O3) on Vegetation (Crops). Vegetation 104:223-238
The other ingredients contained in Lithovit are required for essential biochemical functions is 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 sub-tropical or tropical zones such as millet, maize, or sugar cane. All plants with this type of metabolism can photosynthesize effectively even when the CO2 concentration is low.