From the Wild to the Field: Documentation, Propagation, Pilot Cultivation, Fertilization, and Phytochemical Evaluation of the Neglected and Underutilized Amelanchier ovalis Medik. (Rosaceae)

Eleftherios Karapatzak; Theodora Papagrigoriou; Katerina Papanastasi; Olga Dichala; Antonis Karydas; Nikos Nikisianis; Giorgos Patakioutas; Diamanto Lazari; Nikos Krigas; Eleni Maloupa

doi:10.3390/plants12051142

From the Wild to the Field: Documentation, Propagation, Pilot Cultivation, Fertilization, and Phytochemical Evaluation of the Neglected and Underutilized Amelanchier ovalis Medik. (Rosaceae)

Plants (Basel). 2023 Mar 2;12(5):1142. doi: 10.3390/plants12051142.

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
² Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
³ Systems of Forest and Environmental Development (SYSTADA), 8 Amasia, 55133 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁴ Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, University of Ioannina (UOI), 47100 Ioannina, Greece.

Abstract

The snowy Mespilus, or serviceberry (Amelanchier ovalis Medik., Rosaceae) represents a neglected and underutilized small fruit tree species with high nutritional value. In this work, we present the results of a long-term study facilitating the sustainable exploitation of A. ovalis as a new germplasm resource from the Greek flora. Ten wild-growing population samples of A. ovalis have been collected from natural habitats in northern Greece. Asexual propagation trials on these materials delivered successful propagation (83.3% rooting) on a selected genotype via leafy cuttings of young, primary, non-lignified soft wood with the application of the rooting hormone. The ex situ cultivation potential of the selected genotype has been evaluated under distinct fertilization regimes in a pilot field trial. Three-year results of this ongoing trial have shown that A. ovalis does not require external nutrient enhancement to be established during its early stages since plant growth rates between conventional fertilization and control plants were similar for the first two years and higher compared to organic fertilization. Conventional fertilization delivered higher fresh fruit production in the third year, with higher fruit number and fruit size compared to organic fertilization and control plants. The phytochemical potential of the cultivated genotype was assessed via the total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of separate extracts from leaves, twigs, flowers, and young fruits, which revealed that individual plant organs have strong antioxidant activity despite their moderate total phenolic content. The multifaceted approach applied herein has provided novel data that may set the framework for further applied research toward the sustainable agronomic exploitation of Greek A. ovalis as a diversified superfood crop.

Keywords: asexual propagation; ex situ conservation; native germplasm resources; nutrient management; serviceberry; snowy mespilus; superfood fruit crops.

Grants and funding

This research has been co-financed during 2018–2022 by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, under the call RE-SEARCH—CREATE—INNOVATE entitled “Highlighting of local traditional and native wild fruit trees and shrubs” (project code: T1EDK-05434).