Diversity of southern sweet-grass in its natural habitat and in cultivation
Journal Title: Herba Polonica - Year 2017, Vol 63, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. & Schult.) is a wild growing plant. Its leaves, collected from natural sites, are aromatic raw material used in alcohol industry and as a food additive. Their quality is highly diversified. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the development of plants and the accumulation of coumarin in leaves of southern sweet-grass occurring in natural environment and introduced into cultivation. Methods: The in situ and ex situ studies were carried out on the same population. Observations on plant development, morphological parameters of leaves and their weight were made. In the leaves, the level of the coumarin was detected by HPLC-DAD as well as the total contents of flavonoids and phenolic acids were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Plants from the natural stand and from cultivation differed significantly in the developmental and morphological parameters as well as in the content of biologically active compounds. Plants from natural site were characterized by a significantly higher coumarin content in leaves, whereas those from cultivation – higher weight of leaves and higher generative reproductive capacity. Conclusions: In cultivation, H. australis is characterized by much less variation in both developmental and yielding parameters, including leaf weight and coumarin content.
Authors and Affiliations
Katarzyna Bączek
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP327302
- DOI 10.1515/hepo-2017-0008
- Views 63
- Downloads 0
Determination of nicotine levels in the leaves of some Nicotiana tabacum varieties cultivated in Syria
Introduction: Tobacco is the most widely grown non-food crop in the world. Nicotine is the most abundant volatile alkaloid in tobacco leaves. Objectives: This work aimed at measuring nicotine levels in the leaves of seve...
Comparison of antioxidant activities of fractionated extracts from seedlings and herb of Chelidonium majus L. using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods
Introduction: Our study is a part of a trend of studies on the antioxidative properties of Chelidonium majus extracts or their fractions suggesting that antioxidant activities may depend on total flavonoid and/or alkaloi...
Influence of storage and pre-sowing treatment of southern sweet-grass seeds on their germination and initial growth of seedlings
Introduction: Southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. et Schult., Poaceae) is a perennial tuft-grass occurring in North-Eastern part of Europe. Its leaves are collected from wild growing plants as an a...
Application of multi-shoots cultures in micropropagation of willow herb (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.)
Introduction: Willow herb (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop. syn. Epilobium angustifolium L. from Onagraceae family is a valuable medicinal plant that has been used in the treatment of urogenital disorders including...
8-Prenylnaringenin from hop (Humulus lupulus L.) – a panacea for menopause?
8-Prenylnaryngenin (8-PN) is the strongest known phytoestrogen (PE). Its main source is the female inflorescences of hops (Humulus lupulus L.). 8-PN, which, in contrast to other PEs, is proven to have stronger activity a...