Articles
Effect of substrate type and cultivation site in the urban fabric on growth and safety to consume the edible medicinal species Origanum dictamnus
Article number
1327_64
Pages
487 – 494
Language
English
Abstract
Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae) is a small herb endemic of Crete, potentially threatened with extinction due to harvesting of wild plants for use as herbal tea.
In the present work, the effect of substrate type and cultivation site on growth, as well as on accumulation of heavy metals in its edible parts was studied.
Plants were planted in December 2016 in plastic containers with a green roof infrastructure (moisture retention and protection with an insulation mat, drainage layer and filter sheet) fitted and were placed on two cultivation sites: on a fully exposed roof, as well as along a moderate traffic street (Iera Odos), at the Agricultural University of Athens.
Two types of substrates were used, grape marc compost:perlite:pumice (3:3:4, v/v) and grape marc compost:perlite:pumice:soil (3:3:2:2, v/v) in 10 cm depth.
Plants were regularly irrigated in the April-September period and their growth was evaluated monthly.
In September 2017, leaves and flowers were collected in order to determine the content of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn) by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Plant growth was enhanced by the soil-containing substrate.
Plants cultivated at street level showed higher concentrations of heavy metals in the leaves and flowers compared to the roof cultivation.
Substrate type had a significant effect only on Mn concentration, with the highest values observed in soil-containing substrate.
Concentrations of all heavy metals, except Cu and Zn in flowers, exceeded the permissible limits at both cultivation sites.
Therefore, O. dictamnus produced in urban environment was unsafe for consummation by humans.
In the present work, the effect of substrate type and cultivation site on growth, as well as on accumulation of heavy metals in its edible parts was studied.
Plants were planted in December 2016 in plastic containers with a green roof infrastructure (moisture retention and protection with an insulation mat, drainage layer and filter sheet) fitted and were placed on two cultivation sites: on a fully exposed roof, as well as along a moderate traffic street (Iera Odos), at the Agricultural University of Athens.
Two types of substrates were used, grape marc compost:perlite:pumice (3:3:4, v/v) and grape marc compost:perlite:pumice:soil (3:3:2:2, v/v) in 10 cm depth.
Plants were regularly irrigated in the April-September period and their growth was evaluated monthly.
In September 2017, leaves and flowers were collected in order to determine the content of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn) by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Plant growth was enhanced by the soil-containing substrate.
Plants cultivated at street level showed higher concentrations of heavy metals in the leaves and flowers compared to the roof cultivation.
Substrate type had a significant effect only on Mn concentration, with the highest values observed in soil-containing substrate.
Concentrations of all heavy metals, except Cu and Zn in flowers, exceeded the permissible limits at both cultivation sites.
Therefore, O. dictamnus produced in urban environment was unsafe for consummation by humans.
Authors
A.N. Martini, M. Papafotiou, Ι. Massas, N. Chorianopoulou, I. Živanović
Keywords
grape marc compost, perlite, pumice, soil, urban agriculture, heavy metals accumulation
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Working Group Humulus and Other Cannabaceae
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