THE TOTAL RECOVERY OF SEABUCKTHORN

(Hippophae rhamnoides sp.) in Romania

V.Ciobanu,S.Nicolescu,E.Marica,Aurelia Meghea,Maria Giurginca

"NATURA" Ecological Society started research Seabuckthorn,because of big interst for fructs of this bush.It is unknown for more of 2/3 of population because are spreed circumstantial and zonal in our country.

In a questionnaire made by our society was obtained the following results: 9% from asked persons aren’t able identify the plant, 7% aren’t recognize the fruits or make confusions, 60% haven’t heard about plant, 30% don’t know any utilisation.

The plant is known much more by population of rural zones from spreading area and for the rest of population it is unknown.

In the romanian literatury, the plant is less mentionated or iven less; the only mention is that like it is an important source of a n invigorating tea.

In the last 50 years, were exist a lot of attemps of research of Seabuckthorn, without a sistematic research so far.

In 70-80 period as a result of some researches, it was initiated a programme of Seabuckthorn plantations with a view to improve some degradated lots or to stop the process of desertification of some areals from South of Romania.

After 1990, these plantations were vanished step by step, because of two reasons: the biological decline and the massive clearing to obtain grazes lots.

In present, in wild state, the Seabuckthorn is growing naturaly in cca 200 ha, espeacially in subcarpatic zone, in basins of principally rivers, in the Danube Delta and the Black Sea.

The Seabuckthorn is exploited massive on small surfaces, especially by Forest Administration, though the valorification of fruits, in fresh way to export.

In our country, are few products: invigorating tea, Seabuckthorn oil and some cosmetic creams.

The market with fruits for export represent cca 25% of total production from spontaneous flora.

Because of gathering of the fruits, remain only stumps and branches and therefore in a short time, the Seabuckthorn will disappear from our flora.

"NATURA" Ecological Society started a research project, included in our National Programme for Researches and Development, financed by Romanian Gouverment.This project has the principal objectives:

• The Seabuckthorn spreading reevaluation in our country, the evaluation of cultures situation, recovery capacity, taxonomic research about species and subspecies , local existed variety, usage, stop of Seabuckthorn disappearing.
• The setiing up of a genetic fund with exemplaries from all area and setting up of a Seabuckthorn crop on experimental lot for established of a crop tehnologies adequate with the place.
• The analyse of composition in bioactive elements of fruits, leaves and barks..
• Obtaining of new products or in combination with other medicinal and aromatic plants.
• Transfer of knowledge.
• Elaboration of some documentations about Seabuckthorn situation in Romania for notice the authorities.