Status of medicinal and aromatic plants in - Inia

PRESENTED PAPERS 49
- Region 2
The development of special regions for utilization of indigenous plant flora was obvious in
the north-central mountainous region of Hungary (Fig. 1) since the beginning of the 20 th
century. In the production areas of Rosa spp., Sambucus nigra, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus spp.,
etc., buying arrangements and centralized processing facilities were installed. Examples of
centres of MAP production in the northern part of Hungary include Balassagyarmat, Pásztó,
Veresegyháza and other towns and villages.
• Specialization of cultivation areas
In the development of the specialized cultivation areas for MAPs, beside traditional and
accidental elements the ecological and economical considerations became ever more
important.
- Region 3
The region for lavender cultivation (Lavandula angustifolia and L. intermedia) was created in
the 1930s mostly based on ecological considerations. Suitable ecological conditions had to be
chosen for the cultivation of species of Mediterranean origin (Németh 1996). Plantations
were established on the southern slopes of the Tihany Peninsula and in the neighbouring
territories (Balatonakali, Daránypuszta, etc.) where the ecological conditions show some
similarity to the Mediterranean. The importance of lavender plantations has decreased in
recent decades; however a relict of the first plantation still exists in the Tihany Peninsula.
- Region 4
Both ecological and economical considerations led to specialization in marjoram (Origanum
majoranna) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) cultivation in the region. The climate of Region 4,
situated in the southern part of Hungary, is relatively warm and receives appropriate
sunshine. Its climate meets the ecological requirements of species of Mediterranean and
subtropical origin. From an economical point of view, this area is also known as a major
cultivation area for red pepper. The drying and postharvest processing of red pepper and
medicinal and aromatic plant/spices are very similar. This means that the available
technology and processing facilities located in the region can be utilized for both plant
groups.
- Region 5
The introduction of the cultivation of ergot (Claviceps purpurea) in this area was motivated by
both ecological and economical considerations. From the wide-ranging cultivation areas of
the host plant (Secale cereale), a special area possessing suitable ecological conditions for the
development of fungi had to be chosen. As a result of compromise the southwestern slopes
of Bakony Mountain were selected for the purpose. The cultivation area has since been
equipped with valuable cultivation and postharvest technological tools.
- Region 6
The cultivation of poppy (Papaver somniferum) has a great tradition in Hungary owing to its
wide-scale use as both an important food plant and a source of oil and industrial raw
material. Its large-scale cultivation is organized and controlled by the pharmaceutical
factory "Alkaloida". The poppy cultivation region can be divided into two sub-regions. The
cultivation of spring-sown varieties is concentrated in the Great Plain of Hungary and some
parts of the northwestern regions of the country (Region 6a), while autumn-sown varieties,
because of their susceptibility to winter damage, are situated in the western part of Hungary
(Region 6b) where winters are usually much milder and snow covers the fields more
frequently.