scholarly journals Is the Commercialization of Wild Plants by Organic Producers in Austria Neglected or Irrelevant?

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Schunko ◽  
Christian Vogl

European countries are split over the appreciation of wild berries, fruits, mushrooms, and herbs. While some countries provide public statistics on wild plants, others seem to neglect wild plant gathering and commercialization. In this study, we aimed to understand if wild plant commercialization is neglected or irrelevant in Austria, a country that does not provide statistics. We focus on organic producers, because organic certification of wild plant gathering might have potential for countering frequent concerns about commercial gathering, including destructive gathering and overharvesting. Using a mixed-methods approach with a concurrent triangulation design, databases of six organic certification bodies were analysed concurrently with semi-structured expert interviews of their representatives. We found that organic certification for gathering was issued to 1.5% of organic producers in the year 2016 in Austria and is relevant for three distinct gatherer types: regular, diversified, and single-plant gatherers. Organic gathering is most frequently part of agricultural or horticultural farms and rarely an isolated commercial activity. It is related to mixed farming, deepening on-farm diversification, and contributes to maintaining traditions, as well as the local socio-ecological memory of wild plant products. Organic wild plants are directly marketed to consumers as traditional and innovative products, but also supplied to mass markets. We conclude that from a socio-cultural perspective and a focus on regional economies, organic gathering is neglected in Austria, whereas from an income perspective, wild plant gathering seems to be indeed relevant for few organic producers, although exhibiting potential.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Schunko ◽  
Sarah Lechthaler ◽  
Christian Vogl

The gathering and commercialisation of non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Europe has repeatedly been praised for its potential to support rural development. However, political support mechanisms explicitly targeting NTFP remain underdeveloped. In this study, we aimed to contribute to the design of support mechanisms by understanding the factors that influence the commercialisation of wild plants by organic farmers. We first developed a conceptual framework based on fifteen factors and then applied the framework to a case study in South Tyrol (Alto Adige), Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all fourteen members of the Vereinigung Südtiroler Kräuteranbauer (Associazione Coltivatori Sudtirolesi Piante Officinali), who commercialised wild plant species, and the data were then analysed using qualitative content analysis. Agricultural intensification, pesticide drift, limited access to gathering sites suitable for organic certification, legal restrictions, lack of consumer awareness about the additional value of organic wild plant certification, and limited product diversity were perceived as limiting factors; management techniques in organic farming, organic certification, a trend for wild, regional and healthy foods, the availability of training, and favourable cultural values and attitudes towards wild plant gathering were perceived as supportive. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the many diverse factors that may influence wild plant commercialisation in Europe and beyond and provides guidance on how political support mechanisms could unlock the much heralded potential of wild plant commercialisation for rural development.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Van Amerongen

Wild plant gathering and consumption has previously been described as being unimportant during the Bronze Age in the western Netherlands. It was believed that the people were full-time farmers and that the food produced on the settlement was enough for people to be self-sufficient. However, the analysis performed here to re-evaluate this statement has shown that wild plants were also essential to life in the Bronze Age. The combined information obtained from ethnography, ethnobotany, archaeology, ecology, nutritional studies, and physical anthropology has indeed indicated that wild plants, and especially their vegetative parts, would have had to have been gathered yearround in order for people to remain healthy.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3229
Author(s):  
Mat Yunus Najhah ◽  
Hawa Z. E. Jaafar ◽  
Jaafar Juju Nakasha ◽  
Mansor Hakiman

This study aims to investigate whether the in vitro-cultured L. pumila var. alata has higher antioxidant activity than its wild plant. An 8-week-old L. pumila var. alata nodal segment and leaf explants were cultured onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various cytokinins (zeatin, kinetin, and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP)) for shoot multiplication and auxins (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and picloram) for callus induction, respectively. The results showed that 2 mg/L zeatin produced the optimal results for shoot and leaf development, and 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D produced the highest callus induction results (60%). After this, 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D was combined with 0.25 mg/L cytokinins and supplemented to the MS medium. The optimal results for callus induction (100%) with yellowish to greenish and compact texture were obtained using 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D combined with 0.25 mg/L zeatin. Leaves obtained from in vitro plantlets and wild plants as well as callus were extracted and analyzed for their antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP methods) and polyphenolic properties (total flavonoid and total phenolic content). When compared with leaf extracts of in vitro plantlets and wild plants of L. pumila var. alata, the callus extract displayed significantly higher antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid content. Hence, callus culture potentially can be adapted for antioxidant and polyphenolic production to satisfy pharmaceutical and nutraceutical needs while conserving wild L. pumila var. alata.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 335
Author(s):  
Daniel Lizzi ◽  
Alessandro Mattiello ◽  
Alessio Adamiano ◽  
Guido Fellet ◽  
Emanuele Gava ◽  
...  

Most current studies on the relationships between plans and engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are focused on food crops, while the effects on spontaneous plants have been neglected so far. However, from an ecological perspective, the ENMs impacts on the wild plants could have dire consequences on food webs and ecosystem services. Therefore, they should not be considered less critical. A pot trial was carried out in greenhouse conditions to evaluate the growth of Holcus lanatus L. (monocot) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. DC. (dicot) exposed to cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2). Plants were grown for their entire cycle in a substrate amended with 200 mg kg−1nCeO2 having the size of 25 nm and 50 nm, respectively. nCeO2 were taken up by plant roots and then translocated towards leaf tissues of both species. However, the mean size of nCeO2 found in the roots of the species was different. In D. tenuifolia, there was evidence of more significant particle aggregation compared to H. lanatus. Further, biomass variables (dry weight of plant fractions and leaf area) showed that plant species responded differently to the treatments. In the experimental conditions, there were recorded stimulating effects on plant growth. However, nutritional imbalances for macro and micronutrients were observed, as well.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Padma Raj Gajurel ◽  
Tajum Doni

Wild edible plants are found very useful in the fulfilment of food and nutritional requirements. Because of the availibity and cultural preference, the consumption of these plants among the tribes is high. To find out the diversity, utilisation pattern and sociocultural importance of the wild plants, a study was conducted in the state of Arunachal Pradesh selecting the Galo tribe, and accordingly the wild edible plants consumed are documented here. Data were collected through extensive field surveys and interviews with the community in the selected 12 villages in Upper Subansiri and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Overall, 125 wild edible plant species under 99 genera and 54 families are reported. These species are consumed mostly as leafy vegetables, fruits, medicine, spices and condiments and as a substitute to food grains. The Urticaceae with ten species is the most utilised family followed by Asteraceae, Moraceae and Lamiaceae with at least five species in each. Herbs with 47 species were found to be the most dominant growth form followed by trees with 44 species. Based on parts used leaves with 66 species were recorded to be the most used plant parts followed by fruits. The highest edibility index of 50 % was reported in Solanum americanum. The analysis of relative frequency of citation revealed that total 78 species exhibits more than 0.50 relative frequency of citation value with highest value in Pouzolzia hirta (0.95). It has been found that the wild plant resources play a vital role in the socio-economic aspects of the Galo tribe.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
Khoiratul Hasanah ◽  
Ari Hayati ◽  
Hasan Zayadi

Wild plants are plants whose presence on agricultural land can reduce crop yields. Losses due to wild plants to cultivated plants vary depending on the type of plant cultivated, climate, species of wild plants and technical cultivation applied. This study aims to determine the diversity of wild plants in the land of maize (Zea mays L.) in Bung-bungan Village Bluto District Sumenep Regency. This method uses a descriptive exploratory method, for each wild plant found in ± 3600 m2 of corn land. Sampling of wild plants using a 4x4 m plot method. The measured data includes the number of species and the number of individuals calculating important values ​​and diversity indices. The results of the study showed that the Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index analysis of the highest value in maize plants in plantations was found in land II, which was 2.678 indicating moderate diversity, categorized as moderate because there were not too many wild plants on maize.  Keywords: Corn, diversity, wild plants,  ABSTRAK Tumbuhan liar merupakan tumbuhan yang kehadirannya pada lahan pertanian dapat menurunkan hasil tanaman. Kerugian akibat tumbuhan  liar terhadap tanaman budidaya beragam bergantung dari jenis tanaman yang diusahakan, iklim, jenis tumbuhan  liar dan teknis budidaya yang diterapkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui diversitas tumbuhan liar di lahan jagung (Zea mays L.) di Desa Bung-bungan Kecamatan Bluto Kabupaten Sumenep. Metode ini menggunakan metode deskriptif eksploratif, terhadap setiap tumbuhan liar yang ditemukan pada lahan jagung seluas ±3600 m2. Pengambilan sampel tumbuhan liar menggunakan metode plot berukuran 4x4 m. Data yang diukur meliputi jumlah spesies dan jumlah individu menghitung nilai penting dan indeks diversitas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan analisis Indeks Keanekaragaman Shannon-Wienner tumbuhan liar nilai tertinggi pada tanaman jagung di lkebun terdapat pada lahan II yaitu 2,678 menunjukkan keanekaragaman sedang, di kategorikan sedang karena jenis tanaman liar yang ada pada lahan jagung tidak terlalu banyak. Kata kunci: Jagung, Diversitas, Tanaman liar


2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 1966-1975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christelle Lacroix ◽  
Kurra Renner ◽  
Ellen Cole ◽  
Eric W. Seabloom ◽  
Elizabeth T. Borer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTEcological understanding of disease risk, emergence, and dynamics and of the efficacy of control strategies relies heavily on efficient tools for microorganism identification and characterization. Misdetection, such as the misclassification of infected hosts as healthy, can strongly bias estimates of disease prevalence and lead to inaccurate conclusions. In natural plant ecosystems, interest in assessing microbial dynamics is increasing exponentially, but guidelines for detection of microorganisms in wild plants remain limited, particularly so for plant viruses. To address this gap, we explored issues and solutions associated with virus detection by serological and molecular methods in noncrop plant species as applied to the globally importantBarley yellow dwarf virusPAV (Luteoviridae), which infects wild native plants as well as crops. With enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), we demonstrate how virus detection in a perennial wild plant species may be much greater in stems than in leaves, although leaves are most commonly sampled, and may also vary among tillers within an individual, thereby highlighting the importance of designing effective sampling strategies. With reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), we demonstrate how inhibitors in tissues of perennial wild hosts can suppress virus detection but can be overcome with methods and products that improve isolation and amplification of nucleic acids. These examples demonstrate the paramount importance of testing and validating survey designs and virus detection methods for noncrop plant communities to ensure accurate ecological surveys and reliable assumptions about virus dynamics in wild hosts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Poloko Stephen Kheoane ◽  
Clemence Tarirai ◽  
Tendekayi Henry Gadaga ◽  
Carmen Leonard ◽  
Richard Nyanzi

Edible wild plants were investigated as potential sources of antioxidants and prebiotics to benefit human health. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid and total dietary fibre contents were determined in edible wild plants from Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa. Pure probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis (ATCC 25527), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (TUTBFD) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC 314) were cultured in broth containing edible wild plant extracts to assess their prebiotic activity. Cyperus esculantus had the highest arscobic acid content of 603±64.1 mg/100 g edible dry plant material followed by Rosa rubiginosa (500.8±48.8 mg/100 g). The two plants had IC50 of 10.7±0.2 µg/mL and 47.8±0.2 µg/mL for DPPH inhibition, respectively. Forty percent (40%) (n=30) of the edible wild plants had significant (p<0.01) total antioxidant activity (IC50<60 µg/mL) and high ascorbic acid content (>200 mg/100 g). Nasturtium officinale reported the highest yield for soluble fibre (25%) while Hypoxis hirsute had the highest total dietary fibre content (7.3%). Rorippa nudiuscula enhanced the growth of B. animalis significantly (p=0.001), 8-fold more than inulin. Chenopodium album and Urtica dioica stimulated the growth of L. rhamnosus significantly (p=0.0001) than inulin, respectfully, while Tragopogon porrifolius significantly (p=0.0001) stimulated the growth of L. acidophilus than inulin. It was concluded that the investigated edible wild plants from southern Africa have antioxidant and prebiotic properties that may be beneficial to human health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando García-Arenal ◽  
Francisco Murilo Zerbini

Viruses constitute the largest group of emerging pathogens, and geminiviruses (plant viruses with circular, single-stranded DNA genomes) are the major group of emerging plant viruses. With their high potential for genetic variation due to mutation and recombination, their efficient spread by vectors, and their wide host range as a group, including both wild and cultivated hosts, geminiviruses are attractive models for the study of the evolutionary and ecological factors driving virus emergence. Studies on the epidemiological features of geminivirus diseases have traditionally focused primarily on crop plants. Nevertheless, knowledge of geminivirus infection in wild plants, and especially at the interface between wild and cultivated plants, is necessary to provide a complete view of their ecology, evolution, and emergence. In this review, we address the most relevant aspects of geminivirus variability and evolution in wild and crop plants and geminiviruses’ potential to emerge in crops.


2020 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 03008
Author(s):  
M. Y. Karpukhin ◽  
A. V. Abramchuk

The problem of gene pool protection of wild plant species has gained a special relevance in modern times. In connection with the growth of population there is an increase in economic activity of human beings and their active influence on nature: wild lands plowing, overpasses plotting, construction of new and widening the boundaries of existing settlements. In addition, intensive harvesting of plants as medicinal, decorative, food, forage, etc is in progress. All this has a negative effect on the condition of wild plants: their stocks are declining, and some species are disappearing at all. A number of plants such as: spring adonis (Adonis vernalis L.), martagon lily [Liliumpilosisculum(Freyn)) Miscz,L.], butterfly orchid [Platantherabifolia(L.) Rchb], PaeoniaanomalaL. , rosewort (Rhodiolarosea L.) in their status, they belong to the group of rare and endangered species, they are listed in the Red Book of the Middle Urals, and their conservation requires introduction. The study found that the species studied are culturally resistant, adapting well to new conditions. During the growth process, they went through all phenological phases, ending the development cycle with the fruiting phase with seed formation. Seeds with high enough sowing properties was provided by martagon lily, for which self-seeding is characteristic; low germination of seeds is noted in Rhodiolarosea L. and Platantherabifolia (L.) Rchb.


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