Relikt-Rc is a preparation from the group of anti-stress stimulators. The standard Relikt-R is enhanced with the addition of Zircon, i.e. hydroxycinnamic acids, which contribute to the intensification of growth processes and protection against stress. Hydroxycinnamic acids belong to the group of phenolcarboxylic acids — the most widespread group of polyphenolic metabolites that take part in many important processes in plants, which is why they are called the “blood of plants”.
Action, mechanisms of activity, and application of Relikt-Rc
Effect of Zircon on plants
Zircon actively affects the following processes:
- improves seed germination and plant rooting;
- improves growth and formation of roots;
- protects plants from the harmful effects of pesticides;
- protects cells from drought and ultraviolet (UV) radiation;
- improves plant respiration, i.e. the opening and closing of stomata;
- restores, increases, and maintains tissue turgor;
- improves flowering, pollination, and fruit formation;
- regenerates damaged tissues;
- boosts immunity.
Relikt-Rc can be applied for the treatment of seeds, seedlings, and other planting material, as well as at the beginning of vegetation, in order to improve rooting and plant establishment during planting, transplanting, and replanting.
Additionally, it repels insects (as a repellent), balances growth and development to produce larger fruits of regular shape, and stimulates the synthesis of polyphenols — the carriers of fruit flavor, aroma, and quality, as well as sugars, fats, and oils.
Zircon reduces the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stresses, prevents the dropping of blossoms and fruits. It also helps reduce the development and spread of diseases in various crops, particularly acting to prevent the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
§ Germination and Rooting
Hydroxycinnamic acids possess the ability to transform into cis and trans isomers that play a role in many processes. For example, in the cis isomer form, they trigger processes of seed growth and development and plant rooting. To initiate these processes, seeds or seedlings need to be soaked for several hours in a Relikt-Rc solution immediately before planting.
Mechanisms of activity
§ Improvement of Flowering and Pollination
The induction of flowering processes and the formation of generative organs in plants is linked to the synthesis of chlorogenic and caffeic acid. Flowering and pollination are improved by protecting and strengthening pollen vitality. With increased synthesis of this compound, pollen remains viable for longer, and pollination is stronger, especially under poor conditions.
During flowering and pollination, Relikt-Rc is applied twice:
- once at the beginning of flowering;
- once in full bloom.
§ Plant Disease Protection
In combating plant diseases, the preparation also stimulates the synthesis of phytoalexins. Hydroxycinnamic acid is a precursor of these compounds, which the plant synthesizes only when it comes into contact with a pathogen. Preventive treatments are recommended throughout the entire vegetation period to strengthen plants and prevent disease development. However, if disease appears, the preparation shows the best effect when applied in the early stages, together with fungicides. In case of severe infection, it should be applied regularly every 10–14 days, either independently or in combination with each fungicide treatment.
Reduces the occurrence of the following diseases:
- downy mildew,
- powdery mildew,
- fusarium,
- monilia,
- botrytis,
- bacterioses.
§ Aid in Wound Healing
Mechanical tissue damage occurs due to transplanting, hail, storms, or insect action. When plants are mechanically damaged, they tend to form new periderm tissue as quickly as possible, the so-called “wound periderm.”
For healing of wounds, apply Relikt-Rc as follows:
- during transplanting, soak seedlings in solution (about 10 hours) and water plants after transplanting;
- after hail or storms, apply the solution as soon as possible.
If necessary, repeat treatment after 10–12 days. In cases of major insect damage, the solution is very important because it closes wounds that could otherwise serve as entry points for pathogens.
§ Insect Protection
The preparation acts as a repellent against many pests such as:
- whitefly,
- European corn borer,
- thrips,
- aphids,
- striped cucumber beetle,
- codling moth,
- Colorado potato beetle,
- alfalfa weevil,
- sugar beet weevil,
- leafhoppers,
- flea beetles,
- nematodes.
When applied preventively, it reduces insect attacks by up to 60–80%. If infestation has already occurred, it should be applied together with insecticides, which improves pest control effectiveness while also accelerating wound healing and preventing the development of diseases on them.
§ Product Quality Improvement
By increasing the synthesis of polyphenols, sugars, and oils (in addition to the effect of hydroxycinnamic acid on the synthesis of polyphenolic compounds), which are the main carriers of color, aroma, and taste — especially in fruits, grapes, vegetables, medicinal herbs, etc. — and the main indicators of quality, hydroxycinnamic acid also induces sugar synthesis in fruit. This is especially important in sugar beet, grapevine fruit (and other crops). Through interaction with coenzyme A, it also enhances the synthesis of fats and oils and stabilizes their quality. For this reason, and if high fruit quality is desired, treatments should be carried out every 10–14 days from flowering until the end of the growing season.
§ Immunity Boost
Boosting immunity is a very complex but extremely important process for plants. The antiviral effect is explained by the fact that chicoric and chlorogenic acids inhibit the enzyme integrase, which integrates viral DNA into the host cell’s DNA. This prevents viral infections, which are serious and difficult-to-control plant diseases.
§ Plant Protection from Drought and UV Radiation
Stress caused by drought, high temperatures, strong UV radiation, and intense insolation is complex, involving multiple factors and their interactions. Water deficiency reduces leaf turgor, which decreases CO2 uptake from the air, circulation of nutrients, and their absorption from the soil, thus affecting many other plant processes. Plant defense mechanisms are complex, and one of the most important is the synthesis of phenols, which play a key role in the action of turgorins — a group of hormones considered essential for drought resistance. Hydroxycinnamic acid stimulates the synthesis of these phenolic compounds, so in dry periods plants can be significantly supported by regular application of Relikt-Rc every 10–14 days.
Drought is often accompanied by intense insolation and high UV-B radiation levels, which are harmful to plants. It has been proven that under high UV radiation, only epidermal cells containing high levels of hydroxycinnamic acid (in flavonoids) survive. These cells can absorb up to 95% of harmful UV radiation.
Application
1. Soil Irrigation
Applied to trees, shrubs, industrial, aromatic, and medicinal plants. The root system may be watered directly or via drip irrigation. The amount of Relikt-Rc used depends solely on soil quality — 5 liters per hectare for good soil and up to 8 liters for low-quality soil. To enhance the effect, 1–3 kg of ammonium nitrate per hectare can be added to the tank.
2. Treatment of Roots and Lower Plant Parts
If no irrigation system is available (drip, etc.), watering the roots and lower parts of plants is recommended. The working solution concentration is the same as for spraying fruit tree canopies — 1 liter of Relikt-Rc per hectare. A pre-solution of 40–50 liters should be made, which is then added to a sprayer or tank of 300–400 liters to obtain the working solution.
3. Foliar Application, Spraying
Relikt-Rc is applied in the early stages of vegetation for all crops and plantations, both in the field and in greenhouses, especially during transplanting. It is applied alone or in combination with fertilizers and crop protection products. It is recommended for use with every fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide treatment. It enhances the action of pesticides while eliminating their toxic components.
3.1. Non-fruit crops
Cereals, industrial crops, forage crops, aromatic and medicinal plants, vegetables, planting material, and horticulture: for one hectare, dissolve 0.5 liters of Relikt-Rc in 20–25 liters of water and mix well. Add this pre-solution to a sprayer (330–400 liters capacity) to obtain the working solution. In case of mixing with other products, always prepare the Relikt-Rc solution first, and then add the other products (do not mix with copper).
3.2. Fruit trees and grapes
Application is identical to cereals, except the working solution is twice as concentrated. For one hectare, dissolve 1 liter of Relikt-Rc in 40–45 liters of water and add to the sprayer.
Regarding UV radiation and heat, Relikt-Rc must be applied only after the heat has passed — never before or during! This also applies to plantations under protective nets, as they often cannot recover from UV burns or drought damage without treatment.
In short and important(!): Relikt-Rc is used for treatment of roots and lower plant parts as well as foliar application. It is applied to help plant recovery immediately after shock or stress caused by high heat or drought.
Instructions for Use
- in the form of an aqueous solution; use lukewarm water that has been left to stand for at least 48 hours;
- for soil treatment (fertigation), root and lower plant part treatment, and spraying branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, and fruits (foliar application);
- if possible (greenhouses, plastic tunnels), rinse plants with clean water before foliar use to remove deposits (dust, etc.); after 30–60 minutes, apply the preparation with Zircon;
- treat plants in the evening (18:00–19:00);
- absorption period of Zircon is about 16 hours;
- the working solution must be used within 48 hours; discard leftovers.
Relikt-Rc is compatible with all plant protection products except those rich in copper (which, as a rule, should not be mixed with any other substances).
In its concentrated form, mixing Relikt-Rc with other products or agrochemicals is not allowed.
State registration: 003399786 2025 14842 003 000 033 012, dated August 13, 2025. Valid until August 13, 2035.
§ Video
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From the AGRIF Report
Application Data
3.1. Plant species and soil type for which it is intended:
This special product is intended for all plant species, whether cultivated in protected conditions or in open fields, on various soils/substrates, especially under conditions when stimulation of plant growth is needed after abiotic or biotic stress, or when plants are grown on heavy, clay soils and light, sandy soils and/or soils with low organic matter content. The product can also be used for preparation/enrichment of substrates and for treatment of seeds and seedlings.
3.2. Application rate and/or concentration:
A total of 5–10 L/ha per year (our recommendation based on experience: 5–8 L/ha) for soil application, i.e. 1–3 L/ha per single application, with a solution concentration up to 0.2%; and 1–2 L/ha per single foliar application (our recommendation: 0.5–1 L/ha), with a solution concentration up to 0.5%. It can also be applied by soaking seeds and seedling roots in a solution of up to 0.05% concentration, 24 hours before sowing/planting. For substrate preparation, it is applied in quantities of 0.5–2.5 L/m3.
3.3. Timing of application in relation to plant species and soil type:
Pre-sowing, then from the beginning of vegetation/transplanting until the start of fruit formation, or immediately after the occurrence of stress conditions caused by external factors (drought, high and low temperatures, UV radiation, hail, pest attack and/or stress caused by excess salts, acidic soil reaction, as well as stress after transplanting) and after harvest.
3.4. Method of application:
Via soil, across the whole surface or locally, foliar, by soaking seeds and seedling roots before sowing/planting, as well as for substrate preparation. The listed methods of application can be combined in different ratios, respecting the maximum annual amounts.
3.5. Number of treatments per year:
Several times, most often 2–4 times, at intervals of 14–21 days (our recommendation: 10–14 days), depending on the length of the vegetation period of specific crops; once for soaking seedlings/seed material and substrate preparation; or after stressful conditions.
3.6. Limitations in application:
In case of mixing with other products, the mixing order is as follows: water, Relikt-Rc, plant nutrition product, plant protection product.
Nutritional Value Data
5.1. Nutritional value level or percentage (%) of yield increase (leaf mass) or fruit quality improvement:
The basic component of this special fertilizer consists of humic acids, which have a stimulating effect on plant growth and development through the activation of microbiological processes and stimulation of microbial biomass activity in the soil. In addition to biological effects, chemical and physical properties are also improved, especially of heavy clay and light sandy soils and/or soils with low organic matter content (structure, water-air properties, cation and anion adsorption capacity, buffering capacity, etc.). Furthermore, by activating and stimulating microbiological processes, nutrients from the solid phase of the soil are mobilized and plant nutrition is improved, especially with phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn).
Humic acids in the soil also act as chelating agents, particularly for microelements from the soil and from applied fertilizers, which positively affects plant nutrition with these nutrients. These substances also form stable gels with calcium, magnesium, and other multivalent ions essential for plant nutrition, retaining these elements in the root zone, thereby improving their availability to plants. Moreover, humic acids positively influence the nutrition of plants with nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and microelements, which, during the mineralization of the aliphatic parts of their molecules, are converted from organic into mineral forms and appear in the soil solution as ions, i.e. forms that plants can directly use.
There are also data on the biostimulatory effect of humic acids, which affect seed germination and root development, nutrient uptake, and overcoming abiotic stress.
Foliar application of humic acids is linked to stimulation of photosynthesis and plant growth and development, making foliar use of the product particularly effective after stress caused by abiotic and biotic factors.
Treatment of seeds/seedlings with humic acids results in: higher germination efficiency, stimulation of root development and proper rooting of plants, and better plant nutrition in the early growth phase.
In addition to humic acids, this product contains the microelement iron, which is essential in numerous metabolic processes and reactions such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll synthesis, enzymatic reactions, etc. Adequate plant nutrition with iron influences both yield and quality. This product contributes to the supplementary nutrition of plants with iron, especially fruit, grapevine, and vegetables, and can reduce the likelihood of iron deficiency symptoms (Fe-chlorosis) on calcareous soils as well as on neutral and slightly to strongly alkaline soils. A particular value of this fertilizer is the EDDHA iron chelate, which allows application through the soil on all soils with a reaction not higher than pH 9 (the stability limit of the EDDHA chelate). At the same time, foliar application provides more effective uptake and utilization of iron chelate compared to iron from its inorganic salts.
Conclusion and Proposal
6.2. General assessment of chemical and physical properties and biological nutritional value of plant nutrition products and soil enhancers:
… This product meets the necessary quality requirements regarding the declared content of elements, and it influences metabolism, plant growth and development, plant nutrition, and the physico-chemical properties of soils, thereby affecting the yield of various plant species grown on different soils/substrates in protected or open-field cultivation. The product has positive effects on plant vitality and yield, especially under conditions where recovery after abiotic and biotic stress is needed.
6.3. Assessment of other characteristics:
At the proposed rates and recommended methods of application, no adverse effects on plants can occur. The established contents of heavy metals are significantly lower than their maximum permitted values in plant nutrition products.
6.4. Proposal for application:
На основу утврђеног садржаја хранљивих елемената сагласно захтевима важећег Правилника, специјални производ под комерцијалним називом Relikt-Rc, може се примењивати у производњи свих биљних врста у заштићеном простору или на отвореном пољу, на различитим земљиштима/супстратима, посебно у условима када је потребна стимулација раста биљака након деловања абиотског и биотског стреса или при гајењу биљака на тешким, глиновитим и лаким, песковитим земљиштима и/или земљиштима са ниским садржајем органске материје.
Примењује се:
- a) for soaking seeds and seedling roots in a solution of up to 0.05% concentration, 24 hours before sowing/planting,
- b) via soil, pre-sowing and multiple times during vegetation, most often 2–4 times, at intervals of 14–21 days, from the beginning of vegetation/transplanting until the beginning of fruit formation or immediately after stress conditions, as well as after harvest, in amounts of 5–10 L/ha per year, i.e. 1–3 L/ha per single application, with a solution concentration up to 0.2%,
- c) foliar, multiple times during vegetation, most often 2–4 times, at intervals of 14–21 days, from the beginning of vegetation/transplanting until the beginning of fruit formation or immediately after stress conditions, in amounts of 1–2 L/ha per single application, with a solution concentration up to 0.5%,
- d) for substrate preparation/enrichment in amounts of 0.5–2.5 L/m3.
The listed application methods can be combined in different ratios, respecting the maximum annual application amounts.