Chapters 5.54

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Suggested citation for this chapter.

Duncan,A. (2022) Echinacea as Low-Cost Cash Crop for Smallholder Farmers to Increase Resiliency to Climate Change, In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org

Background of Echinacea

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is a perennial medicinal plant that offers promise to smallholder farmers as an income source that is buffered against climate change. It is commonly known as purple coneflower and comprises a group of herbaceous flowering planting of the daisy family with nine species (Billah, 2019). The majority of commercial cultivation of Echinacea is located in the North-West United States and Western Canada (Letchamo, 2002). Areas such as Austria, Germany, Russia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, and the Republic of South Africa also have well-established cultivation of Echinacea (Letchamo, 2002).

Medicinal Benefits

Echinacea is an herbal medicine is used to combat the common cold, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and some inflammatory conditions (Percival, 2000). The chemical composition of Echinacea raw material is of interest to both the herbal industry and regulatory agencies as a determinant of product quality and authenticity (Letchamo, 2002). Approximately 85% of the traditional Echinacea medicine sold is collected from the wild, threatening the species with overharvesting (Thomsen, 2012).

Echinacea growth

Echinacea is native to North America and can be found growing in the wild in moist to dry prairies and open wooden areas (Billah, 2019). Echinacea is a perennial. The plant lays dormant in the winter, then by spring, the plant is approximately one meter in height (Thomsen, 2012). In mid-summer, the plant is flowering, then aerial parts wilt by fall, spreading the seeds before going dormant again (Thomsen, 2012). The growing season can vary depending on location, for example, 135 days in Siberia to 365 days in tropical/subtropical environments (Letchamo, 2002). Direct weed removal and hay mulch are cost-effective weed management options for Echinacea (Kristiansen, 2009). The integration of methods such as tillage and chipping with other techniques such as crop rotations, false seedbed preparation, and fertilizer banding may improve productivity (Kristiansen, 2009). Echinacea should be grown with relatively high nitrogen concentrations in the soil (at least 200 kg nitrogen/ ha) (Thomsen, 2012). Echinacea thrives in loam soil consisting of loose topsoil, with good aeration, drainage and fertility (King, 2005). Echinacea angustifolia seeds survive in a wide pH range of 5.9 to 8.0 (King, 2005).

Echinacea seed collection involves cutting a stalk supporting a spent flower, then enclosing the flower in a paper bag, and hanging the plant upside down. The plant will release the seeds into the bag when they are ready. The seeds are then separated from the chaff, dried for a few weeks and stored in a cool, dry place (Billah, 2019). It is recommended to harvest aerial parts yearly during the wilting stage until the plant is three to four years old (Thomsen, 2012). If aerial parts and roots have to be harvested in the same year, it is best to harvest the seeds in the summertime, one week after gathering the aerial parts (Thomsen, 2012).

Climate Change

Echinacea is resilient and thrives in most regions, but it is also drought-resistant, which is beneficial in the context of climate change (Billah, 2019). The plant can also survive long winters with soil temperatures below 0°C (Thomsen, 2012). The plant can be grown in the subtropics zones, at sea level to high altitudes, and in-land or near the coast (Thomsen, 2012).

Echinacea does not like waterlogged conditions and should have soil with a water-holding capacity between 40 and 50 per cent and air porosity of 15 to 25 per cent (King, 2005). Irrigation or soil moisture with sodium levels over 100 ppm should be avoided (King, 2005). Echinacea angustifolia is more drought-tolerant than E.purpurea, and equal to E. pallida; it will not tolerate standing water (King, 2005).

Implementation by smallholder farmers

Echinacea may be a source of income for smallholder farmers. Smallholder women farmers in rural areas are increasingly susceptible to climate change's adverse effects, due to crop losses and increased labour associated with more challenging collection of firewood and water (Jost, 2016). Echinacea is ideal for smallholder women as the plant can act as a buffer to climate change given its high level of tolerance to extreme environments.

High yield biomass is not the goal of commercial medicinal plant production, but rather quality over quantity (Thomsen, 2012). In the case of Ethinacea, the growth environment and harvest and postharvest treatments can cause large differences in the content of its bioactive medicinal compounds (Thomsen, 2012). Therefore, it is vital to have a compliant, controlled-environment production system (Zheng, 2206). Capital investment required for a one hectare Echinacea operation in a Western nation is estimated to be $14,750: land $2,500, buildings $3,500, and machinery $8,750 (King, 2005). These costs will be lower in rural developing nations. Producers have to market to buyers to ensure a return on this investment. Marketing research questions provide a good basis to understanding local markets. The best way to sell root, seed and herb is to present the product at the best quality possible (King, 2005). Producers should provide as much information to the buyer. Producers can add value through minimal processing of a raw product (chopping, bagging and labelling), and processing the product (into a tincture, pill, infusion, etc.) (King, 2005).

Critical analysis

While Echinacea is reported to provide many health benefits, peer-reviewed research is limited (Percival, 2000). There are genetic differences between seed populations in terms of medicinal compound production, and therefore seeds must be pre-screened (Thomsen, 2012), Resources are available for laboratory services, seed cleaning services, equipment and materials. Echinacea is generally considered to be pest and pathogen tolerant; however, with increased cultivation practices, numerous disease problems can occur, such as cucumber mosaic virus, virus bean wilt, and mosaic diseases (Letchamo, 2002). There needs to be a focus on how best to cultivate this crop, as well as harvest and postharvest production techniques that allow Echinacea production to be sustainable (Thomsen, 2012). A significant challenge for smallholders who wish to attempt this crop is how to connect the harvest to a commercial supply chain.

Further Information to get started

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7IXzt4ha_s Growing Echinacea Background https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxqiRKOUsgs How to Grow Echinacea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtNYlviBcn0 How to deadhead coneflowers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCSFhkki_-s How to Control Spider Mites // Garden Answer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeuYl4JnfEo Growing Echinacea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wACIAwIk3RY How to grow Echinacea from Seed (purple coneflower)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDSp-Pij15M Echinacea: from plant to medicine

References

1. Billah, M. M., Hosen, M. B., Khan, F., & Niaz, K. (2019). Echinacea. In Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements. Chapter 3.13. Elsevier. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kamal_Niaz2/publication/328191403_Echinacea/links/5bf6a70a92851c6b27d1f68c/Echinacea.pdf.

2. Jost, C., Kyazze, F., Naab, J., Neelormi, S., Kinyangi, J., Zougmore, R., ... & Nelson, S. (2016). Understanding gender dimensions of agriculture and climate change in smallholder farming communities. Climate and Development, 8(2), 133-144.

3. King, C., 2005. Commercial Echinacea Production. [ebook] Alberta: Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, pp.8-80. Available at: https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10531/$FILE/188_20_1.pdf

4. Kristiansen, P., Sindel, B. M., & Jessop, R. S. (2008). Weed management in organic echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 23(2), 120-135. doi:http://dx.doi.org.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/10.1017/S1742170507001950

5. Lee, K. M., Hussaini, Q., Ke, S., & Lee, C. W. (1995). Effects of Salinity, Temperature, and pH on Germination of Echinacea angustifolia Seeds. HortScience, 30(4), 869F-869.

6. Letchamo, W., Polydeonny, L. V., Gladisheva, N. O., Arnason, T. J., Livesey, J., & Awang, D. V. C. (2002). Factors affecting Echinacea quality. p. 514–521. In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.), Trends in new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.

7. Li, T. S. C., & Wang, L. C. H. (1998). Physiological components and health effects of ginseng, echinacea and seabuckthorn. In Functional Foods, Biochemical and Processing Aspects (Ed: G. Mazza), Chapter 10. Technomic Publishing, Lancaster and Basel.

8. Percival, S. (2000). Use of echinacea in medicine. Biochemical Pharmacology, 60(2), 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-2952(99)00413-X

9. Thomsen, M.O. (2012) The Impact of Cultivation Techniques and Induced Stress on Bioactive Compounds in Echinacea Species. PhD Thesis, Aarhus University, Denmark. http://pure.au.dk/portal/files/48761202/The_impact_of_cultivation_techniques_and_induced_stress_on_bioactive_compounds_afhandling_MOTH.pdf.

10. Zheng, Y., et al. (2006) Growing Environment and Nutrient Availability Affect the Content of Some Phenolic Compounds in Echinacea Purpurea and Echinacea Angustifolia. Planta Medica, 72(15), 1407–14. doi:10.1055/s-2006-951720.