Development of a sustainable cultivation protocol for <i>Artemisia afra</i> in the Western Cape

The growing demand for medicinal plants in Africa, largely harvested from the wild, poses serious threats to biodiversity. This study focused on developing sustainable, organic cultivation methods for <i>Artemisia afra</i> in the Western Cape while promoting collaboration between traditional healers, small-scale farmers, and researchers. Four organic amendments: vermicompost, mushroom compost, poultry, and kraal manure were evaluated, with poultry manure significantly enhancing plant growth, secondary metabolite concentration, and antioxidant activity. A strong correlation was observed between secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity, indicating improved phytochemical quality under organic cultivation. Complementary social research involving 75 traditional healers revealed that over half depend on wild plant collection for income, yet 96% expressed willingness to cultivate medicinal plants. Workshops conducted with 58 participants demonstrated the effectiveness of hands-on training in propagation, composting, and soil management, boosting confidence and interest in establishing indigenous plant nurseries. The study underscores the importance of integrating scientific and traditional knowledge to promote conservation, reduce reliance on wild populations, and empower communities through sustainable medicinal plant production.非洲地区对药用植物的需求持续增长，且此类植物大多依赖野外采收，这对生物多样性构成了严峻威胁。本研究以西开普省的非洲黄花蒿（Artemisia afra）为研究对象，旨在开发可持续有机种植方法，同时推动传统治疗师、小规模农户与科研人员之间的协作。研究评估了蚯蚓堆肥、蘑菇堆肥、家禽粪便及牲畜圈肥四种有机改良剂的施用效果，结果显示家禽粪便可显著促进植株生长、提升次生代谢物浓度与抗氧化活性。次生代谢物与抗氧化能力之间存在显著相关性，表明有机种植模式可改善药用植物的植物化学品质。配套开展的社会研究共访谈了75名传统治疗师，结果显示超半数从业者依赖采收野生药用植物获取收入，但其中96%均表示愿意参与人工种植药用植物。针对58名参与者开设的实操培训班证实，针对种苗繁育、堆肥技术与土壤管理的实操培训成效显著，有效提升了参与者建立本土植物苗圃的信心与兴趣。本研究强调，需融合科学知识与传统知识，以此推动生物多样性保护、降低对野生药用植物种群的依赖，并通过可持续的药用植物种植赋能当地社区。