July 17, 2002
MEDICINAL PLANT RESEARCH PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION

MANITOBA AGRICULTURE AND FOOD NEWS RELEASE
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A Covering New Ground research project is gathering agronomic and pest management information about medicinal herbs to help increase the potential for the substantial economic returns available to those seeking to enter the nutraceutical industry. 

For the past four years, the research initiative has been working to close this information gap with data gathered from plots near Carman and Roblin.  So far, the research has focused primarily on echinacea angustifolia, feverfew, valerian and milk thistle. However, a number of other species were included for adaptability and demonstration purposes. 

"The best way to be successful is to do your homework and to understand marketing as well as what you are doing when it comes to growing," said Keith Beaulieu, greenhouse and alternative crops specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives in Carman. 

"Our research will provide valuable data to help new growers get off on the right foot in producing a quality product." 

The amount of active ingredient in a medicinal plant is one of the most important factors in its value. The research has examined what effects stresses such as row spacing, weed competition and weather may have on the amount of active ingredient in a plant. 

"We found that the level of active ingredient in echinacea angustifolia plants grown here is fine," said Beaulieu. "In terms of row spacing, a six to eight-inch in-row spacing is probably best for the plant, although we are not yet certain of the effect on active ingredient content." 

Currently, no pesticides are registered for use on medicinal plants, making pest management a challenge. So far, the project has not experienced any major insect problems. The most significant pest problem has been aster yellows disease. This pathogen also infects a wide range of other host plant species. 

"Aster yellows is spread by the aster leafhopper which arrives from the south on the wind," Beaulieu explained. "When the insect sucks sap from the plant, it transfers the pathogen to the plant." 

Medicinal plant production is very labour intensive and requires a high degree of management input. It can also be very expensive to get into the business but it has the potential to reward the conscientious producer with high economic returns. According to Beaulieu, the best advice is to start small with a variety of plant species. This will help to lower the start-up costs and spread the risk for marketing. 

He cautioned that it is critical to have a marketing plan in place before going to the expense and trouble of establishing the plants. He said that some people have been left with plants they couldn't sell because they grew them before they established a market for them. 

The project will continue to gather information for producers looking to enter the medicinal plant industry.

This is the 15th in a series of news releases on agricultural sustainability produced by Covering New Ground, a program that funds local projects to help find economical solutions to environmental challenges in Manitoba's agricultural community.