Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L.) as a Novel Multipurpose Crop for Agriculture in Marginal Environments: A Review

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a versatile crop that has adapted to the broadly different soil and environmental conditions throughout all continents. To date, fruits (“seeds”) of plant are only reliable source silymarin, which, given its recognized therapeutic effects many present potential uses, led significant re-discovery enhancement in recent years. Overall, although studies have been carried out globally on bioactivity, phytochemistry, genetics milk thistle, few discontinuous research activity conducted basic agronomy as well farm opportunities offered by cultivation this species. However, multiple uses reduced need for external inputs suggest can perfectly fit among most interesting alternative crops, even marginal environments. The growing interest natural medicine, increasing popularity herbal dietary supplements, possibilities livestock feeding arguments supporting idea rural areas, could represent tool enhancing stabilizing income. several issues still be addressed. species retains some morphological physiological traits belonging non-domesticated plants, which make application common agronomic practices challenging. Furthermore, lack field data devoted definition suitable cropping protocols represents major constraint spread farmers. This review therefore focused updating information main phytochemical characteristics novel uses. Several gaps technical knowledge addressed, further goals experimental outlined order guide farmers eager cope with such challenging resource-rich crop.