The determination of agricultural and industrial value of immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) in Isparta conditions

This study was carried out in 2020 to determine the agricultural and industrial value of immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) in Isparta conditions. In the study, 4-year-old immortelle plants, whose seeds were supplied from Bosnia-Herzegovina and France and whose seedlings were planted in 2016, were used as material. The study was carried out as random blocks trial design. According to our results; it was observed that plant height was longer and number of florets was higher in Bosnian ecotype, while the number of flowers was higher in France ecotype. Fresh and dry herb yields were determined as 2.649 kg/da and 1.086 kg/da, respectively, in France ecotype. Morever, the average essential oil content was found to be 0.238% in the highest France ecotype, and it was measured as 0.270% in the middle and end of flowering during the flowering period. The essential oil yield was calculated as 2.40 kg/da in Bosnia ecotype and 7.13 kg/da in France ecotype. In our study, an average of 106.6 kg of fresh flowers in the Bosnian ecotype and 85.4 kg of fresh flowers in the France ecotype are required to produce 1 kg of concrete. For the production of one kg of absolute, 1.71 kg and 1.49 kg of concrete are needed, respectively. The main components of the essential oil of Bosnian ecotype are ar-curcumene (19.02-24.72), neryl acetate (12.32-19.28) and α-pinene (9.57-14.72%), according to the harvest time and ecotypes, essential oil, concrete and absolute components. The French ecotype was found to be neryl acetate (64.05-69.83%), geranyl isovalerate (6.27-8.97%) and geranyl butyrate (1.27-14.29%). Finally it can be suggested that the French ecotype should be cultivated because it has a better performance in terms of fresh herb yield, essential oil content and essential oil yield and contains high neryl acetate.