Articles
EFFECT OF MULCHING ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS IN ORGANIC FARM GUEST HOUSES
Article number
723_56
Pages
405 – 410
Language
English
Abstract
The Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) cultivation enters in a concept of rusticity and rediscovery of ancient traditions.
Recently, MAP cultivation has been spreading in the marginal areas of the Piedmont Region (Italy). This can encourage the diversification of agricultural production and the conversion of current farms into farm guest houses.
The creation of an array based on aromatic plants (i.e. infusions, liquors, cooking spices, fragrances) could introduce autochthonous and novel MAP cultivation and give an added value of the areas.
The present research consisted of introducing MAP cultivation, according to the dictates of organic farming, in farm guest houses of the Pellice Valley in Piedmont.
The experiments lasted from 2001 to 2004, testing two different polypropylene black mulches for weed control of rosemary, thyme and lavender cultivations in two sites, Rorà and Bibiana.
Periodical samplings of plant growth consisted of canopy diameter and height measurements; visual observations were made to determine life-span of the tested mulches.
Results indicated that mulching technique favoured plant growth.
At the Rorà site, thyme and lavender diameter was positively influenced by mulching.
At the Bibiana site, the strong weed presence limited lateral plant development of thyme and rosemary, enhancing their growth height.
For all the species considered in both sites no differences were found between the two types of polypropylene mulch tested.
Recently, MAP cultivation has been spreading in the marginal areas of the Piedmont Region (Italy). This can encourage the diversification of agricultural production and the conversion of current farms into farm guest houses.
The creation of an array based on aromatic plants (i.e. infusions, liquors, cooking spices, fragrances) could introduce autochthonous and novel MAP cultivation and give an added value of the areas.
The present research consisted of introducing MAP cultivation, according to the dictates of organic farming, in farm guest houses of the Pellice Valley in Piedmont.
The experiments lasted from 2001 to 2004, testing two different polypropylene black mulches for weed control of rosemary, thyme and lavender cultivations in two sites, Rorà and Bibiana.
Periodical samplings of plant growth consisted of canopy diameter and height measurements; visual observations were made to determine life-span of the tested mulches.
Results indicated that mulching technique favoured plant growth.
At the Rorà site, thyme and lavender diameter was positively influenced by mulching.
At the Bibiana site, the strong weed presence limited lateral plant development of thyme and rosemary, enhancing their growth height.
For all the species considered in both sites no differences were found between the two types of polypropylene mulch tested.
Publication
Authors
E. Fontana, J. Hoeberechts, S. Nicola
Keywords
Organic farming, rural development, mulching, biometric measurements, lavender, thyme, rosemary
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