Effect of Organic Fertilization on Growth and Development of the Root System of two Medicinal Plants, oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.)

Field experiment was conducted in western Greece to determine the effects of organic fertilization on root growth of medicinal plants oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.). The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. Two treatments were applied; compost 2000 kg ha-1 (F1) and compost 4000 kg ha-1 (F2). The results indicated that the soil properties were influenced by organic fertilization. The highest organic matter and total nitrogen content were found under F2 treatment. Also, F2 treatment improves soil porosity. Moreover, there were significant differences in root growth between fertilization treatments. For both medicinal plants the highest root length density, root mass density and root surface density were found under F2 treatment. Furthermore, there were significant differences in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) root colonization between fertilization treatments. The greatest values were observed for F2 treatment. The highest AMF root colonization was found for oregano. A positive correlation was found between AMF root colonization and root surface density. Our results indicated that oregano and milk thistle root growth was improved with increasing compost application rates.

[1]  T. Cavagnaro.  Impacts of compost application on the formation and functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizas , 2014 .

[2]  Yongqiang Tian,et al.  Short-term compost application increases rhizosphere soil carbon mineralization and stimulates root growth in long-term continuously cropped cucumber , 2014 .

[3]  N. Grosso,et al.  Antioxidant activity of fractions from oregano essential oils obtained by molecular distillation. , 2014, Food chemistry.

[4]  A. Carrubba.  Organic and chemical n fertilization on coriander (coriandrum sativum L.) in a Mediterranean environment , 2014 .

[5]  M. Yaseen,et al.  Integrated nutrient management in Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum) , 2014 .

[6]  P. Nový,et al.  Antioxidant activity of Lamiaceae herbs grown under organic and conventional farming , 2014 .

[7]  G. Ceronio,et al.  Response of carrot (Daucus carota L.) yield and quality to organic fertiliser , 2014 .

[8]  Z. Kaloo,et al.  Medicinal importance of genus Origanum: A review , 2013 .

[9]  D. Bilalis,et al.  Antifungal Activity of Plant Essential Oils Against Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium italicum and Penicillium digitatum , 2013 .

[10]  H. H. Kayikcioglu.  Effects of Composts from Agroindustrial Wastes on Microbial Activity of a Typic Xerofluvent Soil Under Mediterranean Conditions, SE Turkey , 2013 .

[11]  D. Bilalis,et al.  Cultivation of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.), a medicinal weed , 2011 .

[12]  Sally Brown,et al.  Changes in Soil Properties and Carbon Content Following Compost Application: Results of On-farm Sampling , 2011 .

[13]  A. Karamanos,et al.  Field studies of nitrogen application on growth and yield of Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart) , 2010 .

[14]  R. Capasso,et al.  Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future , 2010, Phytotherapy research : PTR.

[15]  P. Alves,et al.  Organic fertilization on phytomass production and essential oil content and quality of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) under protected cultivation , 2010 .

[16]  D. Bilalis,et al.  Combined Organic/Inorganic Fertilization Enhance Soil Quality and Increased Yield, Photosynthesis and Sustainability of Sweet Maize Crop , 2010 .

[17]  G. Zinati,et al.  Improvement of soil properties using compost for optimum parsley production in sandy soils , 2009 .

[18]  K. Zitterl-Eglseer,et al.  Arbuscular mycorrhiza alter the concentration of essential oils in oregano (Origanum sp., Lamiaceae) , 2006, Mycorrhiza.

[19]  Ş. Kılıç,et al.  Effects of compost, mycorrhiza, manure and fertilizer on some physical properties of a Chromoxerert soil , 2004 .

[20]  Manuela Giovannetti,et al.  AN EVALUATION OF TECHNIQUES FOR MEASURING VESICULAR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION IN ROOTS , 1980 .

[21]  J. M. Phillips,et al.  Improved procedures for clearing roots and staining parasitic and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for rapid assessment of infection. , 1970 .

[22]  J. M. Bremner.  Determination of nitrogen in soil by the Kjeldahl method , 1960, The Journal of Agricultural Science.