SUITABILITY OF SWISS HERB CULTIVARS UNDER FINNISH CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Four newly bred Swiss medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) cultivars have been tested during 1997-2002 under Finnish climatic conditions: Achillea collina ‘Spak’, Thymus vulgaris ‘Varico-1’, Alchemilla xanthochlora ‘Aper’ and Hyssopus officinalis ‘Perlay’. The experiments have been carried out in three research stations (South, South-East and North Finland). Most of these cultivars seemed to be suitable for cultivation under Finnish climatic conditions and have produced high quality raw materials.
The growth, seed production and overwintering of Achillea collina ‘Spak’ was good.
Its biomass production and essential oil content was at medium level.
The biomass production of Thymus vulgaris ‘Varico-1’ was 30% smaller than the ‘Deutscher Winter’ cultivar, but its essential oil content (4.8%) was 40% higher.
As an annual crop, it is suitable for cultivation up to far North, even on the Polar Circle.
Compared to local Alchemilla mollis garden accessions, Alchelmilla xanthochlora ‘Aper’ showed 12-36% higher tannin content (leaves) as well as good overwintering and regeneration after cuttings.
On the opposite, Hyssopus officinalis ‘Perlay’ showed weak growth and overwintering, with lower essential oil content and herb yield than local cultivars.
In conclusion, newly bred Swiss cultivars are able to produce good quantities of high quality raw material under the harsh Nordic climatic conditions.

IV International Symposium on Breeding Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – ISBMAP2009

B. Galambosi, C. Rey, J.F. Vouillamoz

medicinal and aromatic plants, Nordic climate, essential oil, Achillea collina ‘Spak’, Alchelmilla xanthochlora ‘Aper’, Hyssopus officinalis ‘Perlay’, Thymus vulgaris ‘Varico-1’

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.860.25