The effect of different snowing density and harvest times on yield and quality of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) in Cukurova ecological conditions

This research was conducted at the experimental area of Field Crops Department, Agricultural Faculty of Cukurova University in 2010, to determine the effects of different plant densities (30x90 cm, 45x90 cm, 60x90 cm) and harvest times (3 September and 14th October ) on yield and essential oil content of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench). Field trial was arranged in split plot design with three replications, plant density as main plots and harvest times times as sub-plots.In terms of yield parameters, highest herbage (2639.99 kg/da), highest dry herbage (653.76 kg/da), highest fresh flower (938.51 kg/da), highest dry flower (234.32 kg/da) highest fresh root (364.19 kg/da), highest dry root (150.62 kg/da), highest fresh leaf (1292.59 kg/da) and highest dry leaf (283.07 kg/da) yields were obtained from plant density of 30 x90 cm and harvest time of 14th October. The highest essential oil content for dry root, flower and leaf were 0.06 %, 0.17 % and 0.06 % respectively.In general E. purpurea is known to bloom in the second year. The plants in the study, bloomed in the first year after transplantation. Considering the obtaining the high herbs yield in the first year, Cukurova region has a great potential for commercial production of purple coneflower, which its herb is used in alternative medicine. Also, flowering periods is longer the two months, it can withstand high summer temperature of Cukurova region. This implies use of its flowers, in long space and as cut flowers during the summer months