MINERAL NUTRITION, PRODUCTION, AND ARTEMISININ CONTENT IN ARTEMISIA ANNUA L.

The effect of various levels of macroelements on the production of dry material of Artemisia annua was studied. The influence of the nutritional status on the production of artemisinin and artemisinic acid was also evaluated.

The cultivation was done hydroponically at the Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture (CPQBA) at the University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, during the years of 1992 and 1993.

The results show omission of N and P drastically affect plant growth and dry matter production. The artemisinin and artemisinic acid production were related to the levels of all nutrients studied.