Domestication of woody plants from Mediterranean maquis to promote new crops for mountain lands

Woody plants of Mediterranean maquis play an ecological role of fundamental importance. From ancient times they have been used: to protect lands from the risks of desertification or to increase forestry development; to produce wood or fodder; to prepare food, spices? essential oils, and folk remedies; as ornamental plants. Today, interest in these plants is rapidly increasing with three goals in mind: a) to enhance their use in ecological and sustainable forestry; b) to develop food, aromatic and medicinal uses of some species; c) to increase and improve their use as ornamental plants through specific breeding programs. In accordance with these objectives by 1994 five species were studied to facilitate their domestication: lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.); strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.); myrtle (Myrtus communis L.); rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.); wild olive (Olea europaea L. var. oleaster). All species were analysed from the biological and ecological viewpoint. Lentisk was studied for the selection of female ecotypes characterised by high reproductive efficiency for the colonisation of lands with a desertification risk. Strawberry tree was evaluate as a potential small fruit tree. In this case, the aims of the ecotype selection program were focused on fruit characteristics, such as pulp fibre, acid and sugar content. A mass selection program was carried out on myrtle to select clones for intensive growth and fruit yield for the liqueur industry, as a seasoning crop, and for essential oil extraction. Eleven ecotypes were selected from spontaneous population of rosemary for evaluation as seasoning and essential oil crop. Olive wild ecotypes were studied for sustainable forestry purpose.