Impact of planting density and organic fertilization on the cultivation of the Greek endemic Helichrysum amorginum Boiss. and Orph.

Abstract

Native phytogenetic resources can offer valuable germplasm diversity with potential for sustainable utilization. Helichrysum amorginum Boiss. and Orph. (Asteraceae) a Greek endemic, range-restricted neglected and underutilized plant species (NUP) holds significant utilization potential stemming from its known biochemical properties. The current study presents the results of a three-year experimental cultivation scheme of documented Greek H. amorginum germplasm aiming at its sustainable exploitation. Different planting densities in combination with ascending levels of organic fertilization in two distinct experimental fields were applied and plant growth coupled with inflorescence emergence and biomass yield were evaluated across a period of three years. The results highlighted the growth enhancing effect of organic fertilization under different planting densities with lower densities presenting a trend to sustain larger plants in terms of increased plant base diameter. Inflorescence emergence increased significantly from the second cultivation year onwards in both experimental fields with increasing levels of organic fertilization delivering higher rates of inflorescence number under decreasing planting densities. The current study provides a basis for a systematized research scheme that can facilitate further domestication and upscaling efforts leading to the sustainable utilization of H. amorginum in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors, offering at the same time, local economic development.

Keywords

• agronomic utilization
• domestication
• Helichrysum amorginum
• neglected and underutilized germplasm
• pharmaceutical plants
• range-restricted species