Research aimed at the evaluation and selection of biological material, genetically valuable for several genotypes of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. The experiment, that took place during the years 2008 şi 2009, aimed the phenological study and the content of active principles in several genotypes of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench received from 8 different locations in Europe and of a population from Cluj (acclimated since 1982 in our university). All the tested plants have been multiplied by means of seedlings. Among the investigated genotypes during both consecutive years, under the climatic conditions from Cluj – Napoca, the earliest (regarding the vegetation period) were:  Porrentry (Switzerland) and the population from Cluj, related to the control variants (the average of the experimental plot).The aerial parts had a major contribution to the whole plant weight. It was noticed that, during each year of experience, the genotypes Warsaw-Poland, Műnchen-Germany, Siena-Italy, and Jena-Germany, compared to the control variant  (field average).As related to the field average, in both experimental years, the  higher content in phenyl propanic derivates was detected in the genotypes Porrentry-Switzerland, Műnchen-Germany, Gdansk-Poland, and within the population of Cluj. Concerning the content of immunostimulatory polysaccharides, the following variants were more valuable: Nantes-France, Porrentry-Switzerland, the populations of Cluj and Műnchen- Germany. A high degree of novelty characterizes this study, because such research was not performed in our country. Our research focused some genotypes we received from some European locations. The study of the Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench genotypes in Cluj–Napoca environment, showed a variability of the productive morpho-physiological elements. This aspect is favourabkle for the improvement programmes. The paper is original and important in the field of the medicinal and aromatic plants.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench; varieties; biology; active principles

Presentation: oral