PRODUCTION OF INFLORESCENCES AND FLOWER STEMS OF PYRETHRUM (Tanacetum coccineum) IN MONTECILLO, MÉXICO

Abstract

Pyrethrins extracted from pyrethrum are plant insecticides effective against pests, and they are less dangerous to humans and to the environment than synthetic chemical insecticides. Because of the economic potential of pyrethrums originated from Irán and Yugoslavia, this study was carried out to quantify the yield of inflorescences and flower stems (scapes) of pyrethrum (Tanacetum coccineum (Willd.) Grierson) in México, and to analyze phenotypic variability among plants. The sowing was done in seedbeds and the seedlings were transplanted outdoors, in Montecillo, México. Two years after transplant, 84 % of the plants grew stems with inflorescences, while 16 % yielded only leaves. The mean number of stems per plant was 15, with a maximum of 84. The obtained yield was 400 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of dry inflorescences and 948 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of dry stems. High variability was observed in inflorescence color (ranging from white to pink and red), number of inflorescences per plant (C V = 88 %), inflorescence weight (C V = 28 %), inflorescence diameter (C V = 15 %), number of stems per plant (C V = 88 %), stem weight (C V = 37 %), and stem length (C V = 30 %). No correlation was found between number and weight of inflorescences per plant (r = - 0.03), or number and weight of stems per plant (r = 0.01). In conclusion, commercial cultivation of pyrethrum is possible in México.