Apollon, a new Artemisia annua variety with high artemisinin content

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide isolated from the herb Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae), is a highly potent antimalarial compound, which is efficient againt multidrug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The promotion of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) by the WHO during the past years lead to a strong pressure on the world market of artemisinin. The artemisinin world market is volatile and therefore efforts to improve performance of this culture are often limited. The use of varieties with high artemisinin content is a key factor for the development of such cultures. This should secure the supply of artemisinin, lower its cost of production and improve the competitiveness of this new culture with other commercial crops. After the variety Artemis, Mediplant launches a new variety called Apollon with about 20% yield increase. Performances of this new hybrid, with artemisinin content nearing 1.6%, are being presented.