Determination of some traits in cultivated Melissa officinalis subsp. altissima

There are three subspecies of M. officinalis: subsp. officinalis, subsp. inodora and subsp. altissima; however, only subsp. officinalis has commercial value and the characteristic lemony odor of lemon balm. Limited number of scientific reports on subsp. altissima were exist, although it's essential oil could have some potential as antifungal etc. The aim of the study was to determine some plant traits such as fresh herbage yield, fresh leaf rate, fresh leaf yield, plant height, number of stem per plant, leaf/stem rate of Melissa officinalis subsp. altissima. M. officinalis subsp. altissima seeds collected from the natural flora of Antalya and germinated in a greenhouse during winter season. After sixty days, seedlings were transplanted to the experimental field of the Faculty with 50 cm – 30 cm row and intra-row spacing, respectively. The experiment was carried out in randomized plots design with three replications. Drip irrigation system was used for irrigation and weeding control was done by the use of hand tools. No fertilizers were applied to the plots. Plants were harvested in flowering time with pruning shears. According to the results, average plant height was found 77 cm, average number of stem per plant was found 91, average fresh herbage yield and leaf yield were found 1996 kg/da and 1062 kg/da, respectively, essential oil rate was 0.12% and major component in the essential was caryophyllene oxide with the average rate of 43.50%.

References:

[1] Basta A, Tzakou O, Couladis M (2005), Flavour Fragrance Journal 20: 642 – 644