Maturation, processing and seed storage of Elephantopus mollis Kunth

ABSTRACT. Elephantopus mollis Kunth (Asteraceae) is an aromatic medicinal species native to South and Central America with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and leishmanicidal properties. We evaluated its maturation, ideal harvest moment, processing and seed storage, aiming to contribute to the production of this medicinal plant. We collected flower capitula between 7 and 56 days after anthesis for determination of seed moisture content, seed dry matter accumulation and germination, and correlated these factors with the morphological characters of the capitula. Capitulum processing was conducted with sieves and a seed blower to evaluate the purity, 1,000 seed weight, germination and cultural value of the seeds. The germination potential of seeds stored for 18 months refrigerated and at room temperature and the correlation of these results with those of an accelerated aging test were determined. The ideal harvest moment occurs at 49 days after anthesis and can be identified in the field by the brown coloration of the interfloral bracts. Seeds with cultural value above 80% can be obtained with the use of a 0.59 mm sieve and seed blower. The seeds can be stored cold for 12 months, and the accelerated aging test allows estimation of the viability of the seeds during storage for 18 months.

摘要 白花地胆草（Elephantopus mollis Kunth，菊科Asteraceae）为原产于中南美洲的芳香药用植物，具备保肝、抗炎、抗肿瘤及抗利什曼原虫活性。本研究针对其成熟度、最佳采收时期、加工方式与种子贮藏条件开展评估，旨在为该药用植物的生产提供参考。研究人员于开花后7至56天采集头状花序，用以测定种子含水量、种子干物质积累量及发芽率，并将上述指标与头状花序的形态性状进行关联分析；采用筛网与种子风选机对头状花序进行加工处理，以评估种子的纯度、千粒重、发芽率及播种价值；同时测定了经冷藏与室温贮藏18个月的种子发芽势，并分析该结果与加速老化试验结果的相关性。最佳采收时期为开花后49天，田间可通过花间苞片（interfloral bracts）呈褐色进行识别；采用孔径0.59 mm的筛网配合种子风选机，可获得播种价值高于80%的种子；该种子可冷藏贮藏12个月，且加速老化试验可用于预测其贮藏18个月后的种子活力。