Adaptation of technique of cultivation of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) to the re­qui­rements of GACP

Abstract

Goal. To adapt the technology for cultivation oregano with the requirements of GACP through the introduction of elements of intense techniques — application of the method of growing seedlings and drip irrigation. Methods. Methodological approaches used in domestic practice and medicinal plants growing. The schemes of experiments were elaborated according to the methods developed by B. O. Dospekhov and M. M. Horianskyi. Sampling of plants, biometric measurements, and phenological observations was carried out with consideration of peculiarities of medicinal plants according to the methods developed by A. I. Brykin and O. A. Porada. The humidity of the root layer of soil during vegetation maintained at 80% of the smallest moisture content. Results. During the study of the influence of the density of planting oregano in the biological productivity of dry grass, there was a direct relationship with the increase in the number of plants per unit area and increased productivity. That was observed in the 1st and 2nd years of operation of the plantation. Thus, at a planting density of 41.7 thousand plants/hectare yield of dry raw oregano I the 1st year of vegetation was 1.76 t/hectare. With the increase of plant density to 55.6 thousand plants/hectare, the yield rose to 2.07 t/hectare. The highest rates of the yield (3.16 t/hectare) were recorded in the variant with a sowing density of 166.7 thousand plants/hectare. In the 2nd year of operation of the plantation, they cropped 2 yields of oregano. In the variant with a sowing density of 41.7 thousand plants/hectare, the yield of dry grass was 6.10 t/hectare; at the planting density of 55.6 thousand plants/hectare, the yield rose to 7.17 t/hectare. The highest yield of raw oregano (10.08 t/hectare) was recorded in the variant with a sowing density of 166.7 thousand plants/hectare. Conclusions. The data indicate a direct correlation with the biological yield of oregano on the number of plants planted per unit area. With the increase in the number of plants of oregano from 41.7 to 166.7 thousand plants/hectare the yield of dry grass in the 1st year of vegetation increased from 1.76 to 3.16 t/hectare; in the 2nd year of operation of plantation for 2 mowing — from 6.10 to 10.08 t/hectare. The best conditions for the accumulation of essential oil in oregano were at a planting density of 55,6 thousand plants/hectare. The content of the essential oil amounted to 2.77 ml/kg, which meets the requirements of the national part of the GFC and GACP.