Ecological Adaptability of Some Cultivars and Breeding Samples of Origanum vulgare L.

Abstract

Since the registry of common oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) cultivars does not involve regionalization, a comprehensive study of cultivars bred by different institutions in the intended cultivation region is valuable and relevant. The objective of the research was to assess the possibility of using various indices of ecological adaptability originally developed for grain crops for their use in the most adapted genotypes’ selection (breeding samples and cultivars) of Origanum vulgare L. to the temperate climate of the Crimean Peninsula. The research was carried out in the piedmont zone of Crimea from 2016 to 2019. The study material consisted of breeding samples No. 10 and No. 82 from the collection of FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea”, as well as cultivars Zima, Raduga, and Slavnitsa selected by the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ARSRIMAP). Genotype had the greatest influence on yield of fresh oregano material (43%) with the influence of the weather conditions of the year being 2%. On the contrary, meteorological conditions had a much greater effect on the essential oil accumulation and its areal yield, which were 30% and 25%, respectively. In terms of the coefficient of ecological variation of fresh yield, sample No. 82 and Slavnitsa cultivar were the best (11.47–16.7%). The local genotypes No. 10 and No. 82 varied less by the essential oil content and its yield. The genotype effect value was greater than 0 in the Raduga cultivar and local genotype No. 82 for the yield, but only in No. 82 genotype for the other two characteristics. Cultivars Zima and Raduga were classified as intensive (bi > 1) by the environmental flexibility of fresh yield, while local genotype No. 82 and Slavnitsa cultivar formed the group of intensive ones by essential oil content and essential oil yield. Local genotypes No. 10 and No. 82 were better than the introduced cultivars in terms of essential oil content homeostability and essential oil yield (Hom = 1.91–2.18). Thus, local genotypes proved to be more adapted to the region’s conditions in terms of essential oil accumulation. However, they were inferior to the registered cultivars of ARSRIMAP breeding in terms of fresh yield.