Influence of nitrogen dose and harvesting date on the yield and biological value of raw garden savory (Satureja hortensis L.) of Saturn cv

Garden savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is an aromatic spice plant commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Biological value of this plant is influenced by biotic and abiotic conditions, which include fertilization and date of harvesting. The research was aimed at determining the effect of differentiated nitrogen fertilization (nitrogen doses 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 g·m–2) and different harvesting time (initial flowering and full flowering phase) on yield of fresh plant weight, yield of essential oils, dry matter, protein, L-ascorbic acid contents in the raw material of garden savory of Saturn cv. The highest yield of fresh mass and essential oil was recorded in the herb harvested in the initial flowering phase after applying the highest doses of nitrogen. The obtained results allow to conclude that the greatest influence on the content of L-ascorbic acid in the herb had a dose of 4 g N∙m–2 in both examined dates. The highest amount of protein and dry matter was found in savory raw material after applying the highest dose of nitrogen in the full flowering phase

Effect of natural fertilization and calcium carbonate on yielding and biological value of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)

Thyme belongs to herbal plants, the yield and quality of which depend on biological factors, agrotechnical procedures and the way of processing and storage. Basic factor differentiating the biological value of plants is fertilization, including manure, as well as plant growth and development, which is significantly influenced by the pH of the substrate, in which the plants are grown. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of manure dose (12.5 and 25 g·dm–3) and calcium carbonate (5 and 15 g·dm–3) on the yield and biological value of thyme. The fresh thyme mass yield was changed under the influence of the factors used. The highest yield of raw material was recorded after using a high dose of manure and calcium carbonate. Significantly higher concentration of essential oil in thyme was found after feeding the plants with higher dose of manure. The inverse relationship was demonstrated for the amount of L-ascorbic acid that decreased with the increase in manure dose. Calcium fertilizers not only serve to regulate the acidity, but are also a source of calcium for plants. After applying a higher dose of CaCO3, significant increase in the yield of fresh thyme mass was observed and higher dry matter content was recorde

Effect of potassium fertilization on yield, growth and chemical composition of basil herb

In the cultivation of herbal plants, besides the size of the crop, the quality of obtained raw material is extremely important, which is proven not only by the appearance and taste, but also biological value. Factors that affect these parameters include plant nutrition. The main nutrient affecting the correct course of metabolic processes in a plant is potassium. To obtain high yield in terms of quantity and quality, the nutritional requirements of plants must be met. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of potassium nutrition on the quality of basil herb. The experiment was established in a two-factor scheme, in which the factors were: potassium dose (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g K·dm–3) and the type of potassium fertilizer (KCl, K2SO4, KCl + K2SO4). The yield of basil plants was influenced by the dose and type of potassium fertilizers used (0.5 g K·dm–3 – 92.5; 1.0 g K – 67.3; 1.5 g K – 69.75 g·plant–1). The highest content of L-ascorbic acid was found in basil plants fed with the average potassium dose (65.9 mg·100 g–1 FW). The least nitrates (V) were contained in basil fertilized with KCl in the highest dose of K (63 mg·100 g–1 FW). No effect of the dose and type of potassium fertilizer on the content of phosphorus and sulfur in the plant material, was recorded. The content of Ca and Mg was influenced by both the potassium dose and the type of potassium fertilizer. The most of these components was revealed by plants fed with KCl, and with the increase of the dose, the content of both these mineral components decreased. Chlorine content in the herb increased with the applied potassium dose, the effect on the concentration of chlorine in the plant material was exerted by the type of potassium fertilizer applied – the highest concentration of this element was recorded. The content of macroelements in the substrate from basil cultivation was influenced by the dose and type of potassium fertilizers used. The best quality parameters of basil were obtained after application of 1.0 g K·dm–3 substrate in the form of KCl + K2SO4