Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Niš
2. Maize Research Institute, Belgrade
3. Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The production of medicinal plants depends on two major factors: the seed quality and the presence of seed-borne pathogens. The use of conventional plant protection products is not allowed in organic production, and therefore such production is highly risky. In an attempt to find an environmentally-safe solution and the equilibrium between the seed germination and the presence of fungal pathogens, the impact of essential oils of oregano, cinnamon, basil, caraway, mint, and lavender, at concentrations of 0.002 to 1% on Althea officinalis seeds aged one, two and three years, has been investigated.
Results
The treatment with lavender essential oil at the concentration of 0.02% was the most effective in three-year-old seeds. This treatment increased both seed germination and seedling growth by 13% and 24–35%, respectively. It also reduced the presence of seed-borne fungal pathogens in the range from 53 to 100%.
Concuclusions
The results indicate the benefits of certain essential oils in crop production. They may provide more sustainable and successful cultivation of marshmallow crops, especially in organic production.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Reference49 articles.
1. Impact of Althaea officinalis extract in patients with atopic eczema: a double-blind randomized controlled trial;Khalighi N;Clinical Phytoscience,2021
2. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects of Phytohustil® and Root Extract of Althaea officinalis L. on Macrophages in vitro;Bonaterra GA;Frontiers in pharmacology,2020
3. Banaee M, Soleimany V, Haghi BN, editors. Therapeutic effects of marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.) extract on plasma biochemical parameters of common carp infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. Veterinary Research Forum; 2017: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
4. Allelopathic effects of leachates of Juglans regia L., Populus tremula L. and juglone on germination of temperate zone cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants;Zubay P;Agroforestry Systems,2021
5. Cultivation cost-benefit analysis of some important medicinal plants in Serbia;Pljevljakušić D;Lekovite sirovine,2020