Cultivation trials of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L. subsp. symphyandra Murb.) in west part of Slovenia

Abstract

Introduction of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) into cultivation has been recognized as
an important step in conservation of natural resources of MAPs and in supply of raw materials
for industrial needs. Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L. subsp. symphyandra Murb.), an
endangered plant species in Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe, was included into the study.
Two ecotypes of yellow gentian (Nanos and Vremščica), three different locations (Vogrsko,
Vremščica and Podkraj), and two different transplanting periods (spring and autumn) were
studied with regard to the plants survival, yield and quality of harvested roots. Plant’s ecotype
did not have any statistically significant impact on survival, but it had strong impact on the
yield and the quality of harvested drug. The location had no significant effect on the yield.After two years of cultivation the potential productivity was estimated to be between 2.3 and
3.1 tones of fresh roots per hectare. Contrary, the location had a strong impact on the quality
of harvested plant drug. Transplanting period had strong impact on plants’ survival, but there
was no influence of transplanting period on the yield and its quality.