Response of marjoram plant (Majorana hortensis, L.) growth, oil content and oil composition to organic fertilization treatments [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

This study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 to study the effect of organic manure sources,and rates on the growth, herb yield and active composition of marjoram (Majorana hortensis, L.) plants. Organic manure was added through the soil preparation before planting at the different rates (10, 15 and 20 m³/fed. cattle manure, 8,12 and 16 m³/fed. for sheep manure and 5, 7.5 and 10 m³/fed. for poultry manure. Plants in the two seasons were harvested at three cutting times. The application of poultry manure at 10m³ /fed proved to be the superior treatments, which reflected in the greatest influence upon all the studied characters, i.e., fresh and dry herb yields, highest volatile oil percentage and oil yield/ plant of marjoram plant, followed by sheep manure at 16 m³/fed. Organic fertilization altered the oil compositions strictly due to the level of applications; however, the highest dose of fertilization resulted in rising the major contents of the oil components.

Summary in arabic.

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