Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron fertilizers on essential oils yield in lemon verbena (Alyosia triphylla)
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abstract
Essential oils (EO) are liquid mixtures of volatile compounds obtained from aromatic
plants. They constitute what is called the "essence" of a plant and usually have pleasantly
scented fragrances[1]. The chemical composition of the EO extracted from Lemon
verbena [Aioysia triphylla (L'Her) Britton], has been frequently studied because the aerial
parts of this plant are used in folk medicine. Lemon verbena is an herbal species indigenous
to South America which was introduced into Europe at 17th century[2]. it has been
cultivated mainly due to the lemon-like aroma and utilized for herbal tea, which is reputed
to have antispasmodic, antipyretic, sedative and digestive properties[3). The aim of this
study was to determine the accumulation of EO in Lemon verbena growth under different
fertilizer regimes of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and boron (B). All the
nutrients were applied as liquid organic fertilizers. The nutrient solution was applied in
soil surface through the holes made in the anti-weeds plastic mulch by where the plants
grow. The nutrients were applied at the rates: 0, 37.5, 75 and 112.5 kg N ha·•; 0, 37.5 and
75 kg P P s ha·1; 0, 37.5 and 75 kg ~0 ha·1; and 0. 75 and 1.5 kg B ha·•. The total rates
of fertilizers were fractionated into three applications during the growing season. The
experimental design included three replications of all fertilizer treatments. Field samples,
5 to 6 individual plants were collected, weighed and dried. The determination of the EO
yield was performed by the hydro-distilled process. The plant material was subjected to
extraction for 3 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The results here presented should
be considered preliminary. However, it seems that the increase in biomass due to the
increasing rates of N, P and B decreased the oil content in the plant. ForK treatment,
that relationship was not found. The high oil yields were found from the samples coming
from the most productive plots.
Funded by Projects PRODER no 46025 - Gestao Sustentave/ da Produr;ao de Plantas
Aromaticas e Medicinais, and PRODER n° 46207 - Adaptar;ao cultural de hortela-vulgar e Stevia.
