<i>Heracleum sosnowskyi</i> (Apiaceae): eradication or wise utilization of plant raw Materials?

Abstract

The uncontrolled spreading of the monodominant colonies of Sosnowsky's hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. (Apiaceae) in Russia made the researchers look for methods of using its biomass in various sectors of the economy, which should prevent its further spread. The proposed methods of using plant biomass and technologies for obtaining useful substances from H. sosnowskyi have been developed regardless of inevitable changes in populations’ characteristics: in populations on abandoned lands that are currently unaffected by anthropogenic disturbance, under regular utilization the regeneration will decrease, resulting in reduced yields and profitability of production. It is possible to maintain a high yield of hogweed necessary for its utilization only under strictly controlled cultivation, which prevents its “escape”; however, it is not possible now, as this species has been removed from the State Register of Breeding Achievements Approved for Use. At the same time, there is a sufficient range of alternative sources of raw materials that contain useful substances, which are suggested to be obtained from H. sosnowskyi. Harvesting of H. sosnowskyi for raw materials from the roadside treelines and small rivers' riparian areas is so much a problem, that it is not considered in publications, although these particular ecotopes are the constant foci of ongoing invasion. Due to the uncontrolled spread of the H. sosnowskyi, the biodiversity of agricultural lands, including wild-growing food, technical and medicinal plants (including wild relatives of cultivated plants) are under threat.