Articles
MEDICINAL PLANT RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA: CONTRIBUTION BY ARC-ROODEPLAAT VEGETABLE AND ORNAMENTAL PLANT INSTITUTE
Article number
1007_116
Pages
967 – 972
Language
English
Abstract
Many of South Africas medicinal plant species are declining in the wild, facing extinction due to over harvesting and poor regulation of these natural resources.
Some of these species are also entering the commercial market, which demands large quantities of plant material.
There are a limited number of South African medicinal plant species that are cultivated and information on cultivation is generally lacking or very scarce.
Extensive research is taking place on the identification of medicinal compounds, testing of toxicology and efficacy, quality control and product development.
However, the actual commercialization of products is reliant on a sustainable supply of quality material, which implies the production of plant material on a commercial scale.
The ARC-Roodeplaat VOPI is thus conducting research to develop the relevant propagation and cultivation methods for medicinal plant species so as to address this phase in the value chain.
The first step for successful commercial production is the propagation of sufficient material for harvesting.
Both seed multiplication and vegetative production methods are being investigated.
After establishing propagation methods, material has to be grown until harvesting of the specific plant parts.
Cultivation methods, such as spacing, irrigation and fertilization play an important role in plant growth and production, and optimal production practices have to be developed for each species.
The effect of these practices on the medicinal compounds and medicinal activity also needs constant monitoring.
Throughout this process the financial aspect of production has to be taken into account to ensure that cultivation is financially viable.
Finally, the ARC-Roodeplaat VOPI conducts training on medicinal plant propagation and transfers the developed technologies to communities, traditional practitioners and commercial entities to contribute towards the sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants.
The Institute thus contributes towards medicinal plant research by fulfilling a specific niche in the complete value chain of medicinal plant research.
Some of these species are also entering the commercial market, which demands large quantities of plant material.
There are a limited number of South African medicinal plant species that are cultivated and information on cultivation is generally lacking or very scarce.
Extensive research is taking place on the identification of medicinal compounds, testing of toxicology and efficacy, quality control and product development.
However, the actual commercialization of products is reliant on a sustainable supply of quality material, which implies the production of plant material on a commercial scale.
The ARC-Roodeplaat VOPI is thus conducting research to develop the relevant propagation and cultivation methods for medicinal plant species so as to address this phase in the value chain.
The first step for successful commercial production is the propagation of sufficient material for harvesting.
Both seed multiplication and vegetative production methods are being investigated.
After establishing propagation methods, material has to be grown until harvesting of the specific plant parts.
Cultivation methods, such as spacing, irrigation and fertilization play an important role in plant growth and production, and optimal production practices have to be developed for each species.
The effect of these practices on the medicinal compounds and medicinal activity also needs constant monitoring.
Throughout this process the financial aspect of production has to be taken into account to ensure that cultivation is financially viable.
Finally, the ARC-Roodeplaat VOPI conducts training on medicinal plant propagation and transfers the developed technologies to communities, traditional practitioners and commercial entities to contribute towards the sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants.
The Institute thus contributes towards medicinal plant research by fulfilling a specific niche in the complete value chain of medicinal plant research.
Publication
Authors
R. Kleynhans
Keywords
cultivation, propagation, quality control
Online Articles (119)