Some agronomical characteristics and essential oil content of oregano (origanum onites l.) as influenced by planting densities

Kizil S., Ipek A., Arslan N., KHAVAR K. M.

Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants, vol.12, no.2, pp.172-180, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/0972060x.2009.10643707
  • Journal Name: Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.172-180
  • Keywords: Carvacrol, Dry leaf yield, Essential oil yield, Oregano, Planting density
  • Yozgat Bozok University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Oregano (Origanum onites L.) a highly valued medicinal plant, is rich in essential oil. The objective of the experiment was to determine the relative importance of planting densities on yield components and essential oil components of O. onites under semi arid rain fed conditions of South East Anatolian Turkey. Plant densities and environmental conditions affected growth components, essential oil percentage and essential oil yield variabilty. The results suggested variation among fresh and dry herb yield, dry leaf yield and essential oil composition in O. onites during two years of experimentation. Totally twenty-six components were identified in the oregano essential oil by GC-MS. Carvacrol (39.6 - 52.2 %) dominated all components identified in the essential oils. 45 x 20 cm plant density showed economical optimum herbage and oil yield on the non-calcareous arid soils of Diyarbakir in the Southeastern Anatolian Turkey. © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.