Soil influence on the performance of 26 native herbaceous plants suitablefor sustainable Mediterranean landscaping

摘要

Native herbaceous plants have the potential for renaturalizing and recovering derelict soils, such asurban or anthropized soils. Ecological restoration following the establishment of a native wildflower meadow should lead toa reduction in management costs and to the preservation of native plant populations. This study wasaimed at determining the ecological characteristics and the cultivation needs of 26 herbaceous speciesnative to Italy and southern Europe in order to identify their landscape potential in low-maintenanceconditions. The species were selected on the basis of their adaptation to unproductive soils in semi-natural and rural areas, and on their ornamental value, including their ability to attract insects. Mono-specific plots were set up in three different soils. Seed germination, seedling emergence, floweringdynamics, and plant growth were determined. Dormancy-breaking treatments were effective inimproving the germination of most species. The percentage of field establishment and biomass appearedto be affected by the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. Soil texture slightly affectedseedling emergence, whereas soil texture and the C and N levels affected plant growth, the number offlowers and the duration of flowering. Dianthus carthusianorum, Verbascum blattaria, Matricariachamomilla and Hypochoeris radicata developed a higher biomass per plant in the soils with a lownutrient content, indicating their adaptability to infertile soils. Daucus carota, Papaver rhoeas, Verbascumsinuatum, Coleostephus myconis produced a higher biomass per plant in the most fertile soil, where theyappeared to show a higher potential when competing with other species. The ecological characteristicsshown by the native plants are extremely important in terms of combining seeds of different species tocreate and to maintain semi-natural herbaceous communities in low-maintenance landscapes.