I Modelli estensivi di coltivazione del mirto

Myrtle maquis, primary or secondary, is still the main source of plant material for use in industry in the region given the limited extension of cultivations and the absence of agroforestry systems. This study analysed by linear transects three maquis formations in different sites and in two of these observed the ripening of the berries during 2004. In the same year, maquis yield was compared with that of two agroforestry systems where myrtle was accompanied by a) rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalisL.) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedoL.) in northern Sardinia and b) cork oak (Quercus suberL.) in southern Sardinia. Vegetation structure analysis showed that the maquis made an important contribution to soil cover even though different percentages were found in the same site. Myrtle maquis on eastern coast granite soil showed up to 98% cover and higher species diversity than in the western effusive soils where the rocky surface showed almost monospecific vegetation since myrtle constituted 87% of total maquis cover. In the eastern granite soils, particularly where the maquis had been affected by fire,Cistus monspeliensisL. with 40% of cover exceeded myrtle. The yield of the best maquis was higher than that of the agroforestry systems while the technological characteristics of the berries depended above all on harvest date. Cork oak height was not improved by myrtle combination.