Germination Capacity of Artemisia umbelliformis Lam. Wild Populations and Agro-techniques to Enhance Seedling Production

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Matteo Case, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini Grugliasco (TO), Italy
• Eric Mozzanini, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini Grugliasco (TO), Italy
• Andrea Mainett, Biodiversity Service and Scientific Research, Gran Paradiso National Park, Fraz, Valnontey , Cogne, Aosta, Italy
• Íris Marisa Maxaieie Victorino, Biological Science Department, Science Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), Av. Julius Nyerere, Campus Principal, Maputo Mozambique
• Erica Lumini, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR), Viale Mattioli Torino, Italy
• Sonia Demasi, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini , Grugliasco (TO), Italy
• Valeria Bianciotto, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR), Viale Mattioli,Torino, Italy
• Laura Poggio, Biodiversity Service and Scientific Research, Gran Paradiso National Park, Fraz, Valnontey, Cogne, Aosta, Italy
• Valentina Scariot, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini , Grugliasco (TO), Italy

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2025

Journal Name

International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology

Abstract

Artemisia umbelliformis Lam. is an alpine herbaceous species that grows in the wild and is mainly used for producing génépi liqueur. It has applications as an ingredient in several food products. Its propagation and cultivation have become the only way to ensure a sustainable supply, thus conserving its occurrence in natural habitats. However, low success rates in seed germination usually limit its propagation. Selected seeds and fine-tuned agro-techniques are priorities in nursery production systems. The current research explored seed germination in three wild A. umbelliformis populations from Valnontey, Soana, and Urtier in the Italian Alps. We evaluated seed germination ability as a description of final germination percentage (FGP), first germination time (FGT), halftime of germination (T50), germination period (GPD), and mean germination time (MGT). Also, assessments of early seedling development appeared valuable. We used three germination substrates with various peat and perlite ratios (v:v), i.e., S1 (100:0), S2 (80:20), and S3 (60:40), either in combination with or without two generalist arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), namely, Rhizophagus intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae. Results highlighted variations in germination capacity, indicating that the Valnontey population appeared superior to Soana and Urtier populations regarding FGP (34.0%, 7.2%, and 8.6%, respectively), FGT (8.7, 13.2, and 14.1 days, respectively), MGT (12.5, 16.5, and 17.1 days, respectively), and T50 (13.8, 17.4, and 16.8 days, respectively). Among the substrates, S3 allowed a higher average FGP value (22.9%) than the other substrates, i.e., in S1 and in S2. No AMF symbiosis occurred, suggesting room for future research into the pros and cons of applying bio-inoculants on génépi seeds and seedlings

Keywords

Alpine medicinal plants Alpine aromatic plants, AMF, Génépi, Germination, Seed quality, Substrate

Grantee Name(s)

Íris Marisa Maxaieie Victorino

Project Title

Mapping of occurrence and eco-sustainable growth stimulation of Pterocarpus angolensis (umbila) in Mozambique

Type of Grant

Research Award

Thematic Area

Climate Change

Recommended Citation

Case, M., Mozzanini, E., Mainett, A., Victorino, Í. M., Lumini, E., Demasi, S., Bianciotto, V., Poggio, L., & Scariot, V. (2025). Germination Capacity of Artemisia umbelliformis Lam. Wild Populations and Agro-techniques to Enhance Seedling Production. International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhst.2024.366123.702