Effect of Bio and Chemical Fertilizers on the Essential Oil Content and Constituents of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)

AbstractConsidering the importance of medicinal plants growth and biological application of fertilizers with sustainable agricultural production in order to eliminate or reduce chemical input to achieve desirable and sustainable quality, an experimental research was conducted based on a factorial on basis of randomized complete block design with 18 treatments and three replication in 2013. Factors including: Vermicompost at three levels (0, 15 and 30% V/Pot), two levels of biophosphate (treated and untreated) and three levels of chemical fertilizers (0, 250 and 500 mg/pot). The results showed that the essential oil content of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and its constituents were significantly affected by treatments. The most significant essential oil content (0.271 %) was obtained by applying 30% V/Pot vermicompost. Fifteen compounds were identified in the essential oils of M. officinalis. Main constituents of the essential oil are citronellal, β-caryophyllene, neral, geranial and geranyl acetate. Th...