Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Growth, Yield and Volatile Oil Contenton Rosmarinus officinalis L. Plant

Abstract

The influence of deficit irrigation on the growth, yield and essential oil content of (Rosmarinus officinalisL.) wasrninvestigated. Three irrigation treatments were applied in this experiment. The first treatment was 100% of the fieldrncapacity as a control. The second and third treatments were received 80% and 60% of the field capacity, respectivelyrnas deficit irrigation treatments. Deficit irrigation significantly reduced growth parameters and relative water contentrnof rosemary plants compared to the control. The volatile oil percentage was increased; however yield was decreasedrnby applying deficit irrigation treatments. The GC results showed that the main components were α-pinene, 1,8rncineol, linalool, camphor and borneol and were affected by deficit irrigation. Chlorophyll content was graduallyrnincreased with increasing irrigation frequency however, carbohydrate percentage increased by deficit irrigationrntreatments. Deficit irrigation, as a possible technique for saving water, can be used to control growth and save waterrnin rosemary cultivation.