Horticultural Studies (HortiS) 2008, Vol 25, Num, 1     (Pages: 40-47)

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLANT DENSITIES AND NITROGEN DOSES ON YIELD COMPONENTS OF LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis L.)

Duran KATAR 1 ,Bilal GÜRBÜZ 2 ,Arif İPEK 2

1 Teşkilatlanma ve Destekleme Genel Müdürlüğü / ANKARA
2 Ankara Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü / ANKARA
Viewed : 2050 - Downloaded : 1179 This study was carried out at the experimental field of Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, and University of Ankara in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) seeds obtained from Field Crops Department were used as the study material. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of different plant densities (40x30, 40x40, 50x30, 50x40 cm) and nitrogen doses (0, 4, 8, 12 kg/da) on yield and yield components. Experiments were conducted in split plots in randomized blocks design with three replications. According to the results of the research, the maximum yield was obtained from the dose of 12 kg/da N and 40x30 cm plant density. Average fresh herb yield, drug herb yield, plant height and essential oil ratio were recorded in 2002 as 2785.99 kg/da, 1034.71 kg/da, 39.62 cm, 0.185% and in 2003 as 2982.25 kg/da, 1093.16 kg/da, 33.20 cm, 0.175%, respectively. This study showed that lemon balm can be cultivated successfully and three cuttings in a year can be done in Ankara ecological conditions. It is recommended that 40x30 cm of plant density and nitrogen dose of 12 kg/da is suitable. Keywords : Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, nitrogen doses, plant density, drug herb yield, essential oil ratio