Adaptation and agronomic performance of Artemisia annua L. under lowland humid tropical conditions

► There is a resurgence of malaria in different parts of the tropics following the development of drug resistant strains of the causative organism, Plasmodium falciparum. Thus far, these protozoan parasites are mainly susceptible to artemisinin which is derived from the leaves of Artemisia annua. ► This plant can grow easily in the humid tropics though the artemisinin yield appears to be affected significantly by several factors including seed origin, planting season, soil moisture availability and cultivation methods. ► It is demonstrated by the current data that using improved cultivars, Artemisia annua L. can be cultivated successfully and also has the inspiring possibility of becoming a very profitable crop in the agricultural landscape of the tropics for the production of the life-saving artemisinin drug.