The Effect of Different Nitrogen Doses on Yield and Some Yield Components of Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang

Abstract

Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang which belongs to Lamiaceae (mint) family is a perennial, herbaceous and essential oil bearing plant. Its essential oil and extract could be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. However, there is a limited number of reports on agronomy and chemical contents of Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang. In this study, effect of five different nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 ) on some agronomic traits of Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang were examined in the conditions of Mediterranean climate in 2011 and 2012. All traits were significantly affected by the different nitrogen doses in the second year of the experiment. Higher nitrogen doses increased plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield, fresh leaf yield, dry herbage yield and dry leaf yield. On the other hand, the highest N dose (200 kg ha-1 ) did not give the highest values in terms of plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield and dry herbage yield. In the second year, 150 kg ha-1 nitrogen treatment was appeared to be better than other treatments.Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang which belongs to Lamiaceae (mint) family is a perennial, herbaceous and essential oil bearing plant. Its essential oil and extract could be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. However, there is a limited number of reports on agronomy and chemical contents of Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang. In this study, effect of five different nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150and 200 kg ha-1) on some agronomic traits of Melissa officinalis subsp. L. altissima (Sibthr. et Smith) Arcang were examined in the conditions of Mediterranean climate in 2011 and 2012. All traits were significantly affected by the different nitrogen doses in the second year of the experiment. Higher nitrogen doses increased plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield, fresh leaf yield, dry herbage yield and dry leaf yield. On the other hand, the highest N dose (200 kg ha-1) did not give the highest values in terms of plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield and dry herbage yield. In the second year, 150 kg ha-1 nitrogen treatment was appeared to be better than other treatments.