Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Kutchman, Robert R. [1], Brosi, Sunshine [2], Howell, James [1].

The impact of artificial shade cloth and substrate on the establishment success of cultivated Actaea racemosa L. in western Maryland, USA.

Black coshosh, Actaea racemosa L., has been popularized as an herbal treatment for symptoms associated with menopause. Et situ conservation efforts and commercial cultivation are uncommon with this species to date. As demand increases it is essential to determine optimal conditions for survival, growth, and production of active constituents. Limited information exists, however, on effective methods of cultivation (Fischer et al. 2006). Previous studies have shown increasingactein and deoxyactein concentrations under increasing light using 78% artificial shade and forested areas (McCoy et al. 2007). Questions remain of the ideal shade cloth percentage for production in non-forested areas. Rhizomes from two sources were transplanted under 50, 60, 70, and 80% artificial shade. First year mortality rate under shade conditions was 35.3%. The full sun plots suffered 67% mortality. This contrasts a previous study, under irrigated conditions, which correlated successful growth in full sun (Persons and Davis 2005). One of the main factors affecting emergence and survival for this study was initial rhizome weight. Rhizomes with an initial weight of less than 10g experienced 90% mortality, while rhizomes weighing above 50g had over 50% survival. Initial rhizome size was significantly correlated with plant height (r²= 0.13, p=0.0446), but not diameter (r²=0.07, p=0.2653). Between artificial shade percentages there were no significant differences in survival, height, or diameter (p >0.05). Future studies include evaluating the material for active constituents. This research will aid in identifying factors for et situ conservation and cultivation for this important medicinal herb. Fischer, J., M. Berti, R.Wilckens and A. Del Pozo. 2006. Development of vegetative propagation for Actaea racemosa Nutt. Industrial Crops and Products. 24, 244-252. McCoy, J., J.M. Davis, N.D.Camper, I. Khan, and A. Bharathi. 2007. Influence of rhizome propagule size on yields and triterpene glycoside concentrations of black cohosh. [Actaea racemosa L. syn Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nuttal].HortScience 42:61-64. Persons, W.S. and J.M. Davis.2005. Growing and marketing ginseng, goldenseal, & other wood- land medicinals. Bright Mountain Books, Inc., Fairview, N.C. 466pp.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Allegany College of Maryland, Science , 12401 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD, 21502, USA
2 - Frostburg State University, Biology, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD, 21532, USA

Keywords:
black cohosh
conservation
Appalachia
medicinal herbs
cultivation.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PCB005
Abstract ID:133