Regrowth of Yerba Mate Plants (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. - hill.) Submitted to Dynamized High-dilution Preparations

Abstract

Aims: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) provides leaves and branches as raw material for medicinal and infused / tea drinks, generate employment and income for small farmers and plays an important role in the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. Harvesting causes high stress as a result of drastic defoliation. High dilution preparations have been indicated for treatment of illnesses, also, they showed a positive effect on plant growth. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the vegetative recovery of yerba mate by using dynamized high-dilution preparations of Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis and Carbo vegetabilis at 12 and 30CH (centesimal hahnemannian), just after formation pruning. Place and Duration of Study: The experimental work was conducted in Fraiburgo, SC, Brazil, from July 2015 to August 2016 in agroforestry system. Study Design:  The statistical design was completely randomized with 22 replicates and 7 treatments. Each plant represented an experimental unit and the treatments were applied by spraying. Methodology: The evaluations started after the first thinning, when number of buds, height and length of regrowth were registered. At 399 days after the first cut, the second cut was performed, and after that, the harvested branches were weighed. Results: Fresh mass weight was higher in plants treated with Arnica montana 30CH (0.2212 kg/plant) and Calendula officinalis 30CH (0.2185 kg/plant) in comparison to Potable water (0.1136 kg/plant). Final plant height was 32 cm higher on plants treated with Calendula officinalis 30 CH. Carbo vegetabilis showed no effects on the regrowth of yerba mate. Conclusion: Therefore, Calendula officinalis 30CH has the potential for use in the recovery of yerba mate plants after harvesting their branches.