Preliminary trials on effect of nitrogen nutrition on growth and on secondary metabolism of Achillea millefolium L. ssp collina

The studies on the effect of mineral nutrition on Herbs secondary metabolism and yield could lead an improvement of the production of these plants in industrialised countries, where high quality products are required. It is known that the synthesis of secondary chemicals is affected both environmental and agronomic conditions. A recent trial on Yarrow, growth in different climate localities in Alpine cultivated areas with different agronomic techniques, showed significative differences concerning growth and chemicals composition (1). Furthermore, studies on mineral nutrition of H. perforatum showed the relationship between nitrogen supply and Hypericin content (2). To study the effect of nitrogen nutrition on Yarrow, we made a preliminary trial on Achillea millefolium L. spp Collina growth in nutritive solutions with different nitrogen supplies in greenhouse (T 25°C, UR 60% and 18 h photoperiod). The plants growth on high level of nitrogen, compared to the ones growth on lower level, showed a significative increase of number of shoots (61%), fresh weight of shoots (311 % ), dry weight of shoots (243 %) and shoots/roots ratio (204%). Differences in phytochemicals profile also emerged. References: 1. Donald, P. et al. (2000) Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 38: 413-420. 2. Giorgi, A. et al. (2005) Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, 3: 47-58