Stand establishment and yield potential of organically grown seeded and transplanted medicinal herbs

Abstract

Field studies were conducted in 1995 and 1996 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Alcalde, New Mexico, to compare direct seeding to transplanting for stand establishment and yield estimates of calendula (Calendula officinalis), catnip (Nepeta cataria), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), and globemallow (Sphaeralcea spp.). Calendula established well from seed or transplants at both sites. Transplanting increased establishment of lemon balm, catnip, stinging nettle, and globemallow. Lemon balm establishment was increased by 230% to 400% at Las Cruces, and catnip establishment was increased by 84% to 100% at Alcalde by transplanting. Direct seeding resulted in little or no stand establishment for stinging nettle and globemallow at Alcalde. In 1996, transplants increased lemon balm and stinging nettle dry weight yields by a factor of three or more at both sites. Dry weight yields of transplanted catnip were 4.86 t·ha-1 in 1995 and 7.90 t·ha-1 in 1996 in Las Cruces. Alcalde yields for transplanted dried catnip were 2.43 t·ha-1 in 1995 and 5.12 t·ha-1 in 1996. Transplanted globemallow dry weight yields were 6.04 t·ha-1 in 1995 and 9.17 t·ha-1 in 1996 for Las Cruces. Transplanted stinging nettle yield in Alcalde was 5.91 t·ha-1 for plants that overwintered and were harvested in the second season. Transplanting versus direct seeding medicinal herbs has the potential to substantially increase stand establishment and yield in New Mexico, particularly in the more northern and cooler part of the state.