Effect of different developing stages on some agronomical characteristics and essential oil composition of oregano (Origanum onites)

Abstract

This study reports effects of three plant development stages (pre-flowering, full flowering, and post-flowering) of Oregano (Origanum onites) on plant height, fresh herbage yield, dry herbage yield, dry leaf yield, essential oil content, and essential oil yield. The results showed that the highest fresh, dry herbage, and dry leaf yield were obtained at the post-flowering stage. However, dry leaf and essential oil yield showed a variation between 4.45–5.68 t ha−1 and 119.3–190.1 litre ha−1, respectively. Essential oil content was significantly affected by plant development stages and the highest oil content (3.65%) was obtained at the full flowering stage. The major components of essential oil were determined as carvacrol (42.12–57.0%), thymol (13.21–21.88%), and linalool (8.23–20.28%). © 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.