Harvest regimen optimization and essential oil production in five tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) genotypes under a northern climate

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) was cultivated at the Norwegian Crop Research Institute at the Apelsvoll Research Centre, Division Kise, in the period from 2000 to 2001. The study focused on different harvesting regimens for high biomass production and essential oil (EO) yield and quality. Two tansy genotypes from Canada (Richters and Goldsticks) and three Norwegian genotypes (Steinvikholmen, Alvdal, and Brumunddal) were studied. The Canadian genotypes reached a height of 130-145 cm and showed a higher dry weight of aerial plant parts compared to the Norwegian plants in 2000. Similar oil yields could be observed for the Canadian types and genotype Steinvikholmen in the range of 30.8-34.6 L/ha when the plants were harvested twice during budding and before flowering after regrowth (year 2001). In contrast, single harvesting at the full bloom stage resulted in higher oil yields, between 42.1 and 44.5 L/ha (Canadian genotypes), whereas 21.0-38.4 L/ha was obtained from the Norwegian types. Tansy genotypes could be grouped into the following chemotypes: the mixed chemotypes Steinvikholmen (thujone-camphor), Alvdal (thujone-camphor-borneol), Goldsticks (thujone-camphor-chrysanthenyl type), and Brumunddal (thujone-camphor-1,8-cineole-bornyI acetate/borneol-alpha-terpineol) and the distinct chemotype Richters, with average concentrations of (E)-chrysanthenyl acetate > 40 % in both leaf and flower EO.