Evaluation of productivity and volatile compounds' quality of Artemisia absinthium L. planted in Valle Camonica (Italy)

This work shows results from a check on Artemisia absinthium L. productivity in Valle Camonica (Italy). The aim of this check was to demonstrate whether products of adequately consistent quality may be obtained when using specific implant material with invariable variety characteristics. Altitude, Maipex mulch treatment and soil characteristics appear to influence the prodn. data: in particular, at altitudes of 1000 m asl and higher the mean prodn. results increased, and a lower level of Ca and cation exchange capacity have a neg. effect on Maipex treatment. On the other hand, no differences correlated to altitude were found for representative volatile compds. in free soil, and a non-significance of differences in quant. compn. of volatile compds. may be assumed. The limited variability of the volatile fraction guarantees sufficient botanical equivalence of the various products.