Determination on the influence of different planting densities and fertilizer formulations on some agronomic and quality properties in lavender (Lavandula sp.)

The purpose of this study is to determine the response of two lavender species (L. x intermedia and L. angustifolia Mill.), which are highly preferable for essential oil and flower yield, to different types of fertilizer and planting densities under Diyarbakır conditions and their cultivability and to compare different applications with some agricultural characteristics of lavender and the effects on essential oil yield and quality were investigated. The present study is conducted using 2 different species, 3 different planting densities (30×30, 50×50 ve 70×70 cm) and 4 different fertilizer types (nitrogen, phosphorus, vermicompost and control) and was carried out with 3 replications according split plot randomised complete block design. In the study, spike length with stem (cm), flower spike length (cm), number of clusters per spike (number/spike), number of flowers per spike (number/spike), leaf width (mm), leaf length (mm), number of flower spikes per plant (number/plant), plant height (cm), number of main branches (number/plant), fresh and dry flower weight per plant (g), fresh and dry stem weight per plant (g), canopy diameter (cm), 50% flowering date, fresh flower yield (kg/da), dry flower yield (kg/da), dry matter ratio (%), stem ratio (%), essential oil ratio (%), essential oil yield (l/da), essential oil component content (%) parameters were examined. According to the results obtained; fresh flower yield 98.19-729.50 kg/da in L. x intermedia species, 40.73-487.47 kg/da in L. angustifolia species; dry flower yield 47.67-381.87 kg/da in L. x intermedia species, 20.20-210.91 kg/da in L. angustifolia species; essential oil ratio was 4.83-9.31% in L. x intermedia species, 2.83-6.42% in L. angustifolia species; the essential oil yield was found as 2.93-25.62 l/da in L. x intermedia species and 1.05-6.04 l/da in L. angustifolia species. As a result of GC-MS analysis, essential oil content and composition were examined over 27 components. Main components of the essential oil of L. x intermedia type were, 38.80-47.20% linalool, 15.60-26.90% linalyl acetate, 5.60-10.60% camphor, 3.20-5.50% 1.8-cineol, 0-4.30% α-terpineol, 2.40-5.60% borneol; and for L. angustifolia type, 27.90-44.50% linalool, 19.10-31.10% linalyl acetate, 5.90-10.20% lavandulil acetate, 2.30-5.90% terpinen-4-ol and 1.80-4.70% α-terpineol.