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.