At the end of October elements of the IPCB team – Politécnico de Castelo Branco (Fernanda Delgado de Sousa, João Paulo Carneiro, Margarida Ataíde, Miguel Rodrigues Ferreira, Celina Barroca and David Franco Frazão), established a test of the provenance of Cistus ladanifer.
Cistus ladanifer exists in regions of dry and hot climate, in the areas of xerophitic scrubs and under the cover of tree species, in poor and acidic soils, originated in shales, granites, sandstones and, more rarely, decarbonated limestones. It can form very dense populations, called stislets, that colonize burned or disturbed areas with some frequency. Its biochemical properties continue to be studied, but recent work indicates that this genetic resource can be used economically in a viable way.
This assay aims to measure and analyze, for 2 years, Cistus ladanifer plants from 10 different populations, selected based on their high genetic variability. About 500 plants, produced from seed, and with about 1 year old were planted.
The final interest of the assay is to select plants with the highest biomass production and higher levels of phytochemical and pharmacological compounds, which can be used in cosmetics and medicine. The objective is to start a breeding program for the species, to provide stakeholders with a set of plants selected in this experimental field, with high economic potential. Learn more about this project here: https://icultivar.pt/projetos/cistus-ladanifer-ensaio-de-proveniencia-com-objetivos-de-melhoramento-genetico-e-conservacao/
