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THE CULTURE OF AROMATIC CROPS IN CYPRUS

D. Droushiotis, Chr. Metoxis and N. Vouzounis

Agricultural Research Institute

NICOSIA-CYPRUS

Lntmduption

Man has used perfumes, cosmetics and flavours since the dawn of civilization. Initially, he used pastes and water

extracts of roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits of various plants to beautify himself. These extracts were gradually

replaced by scented waters and finally by steams distilled essential oils, which have become part of the motery perfumes

and cosmetics. Similarly, the primitive man learnt very early to flavour his food with parts of various plants, a practice which

still continues, particularly in countries of the East in the form of spices, like coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom, garlic,

safrani, etc.

Although aromatic crops have always been grown in Cyprus, their cultivation has increased in recent years due to their

use in the international cuisine and their association with better health. It is fortuitous that the agroclimatic conditions in

Cyprus are very suitable for a wide range of aromatic crops. This paper deals with research on the general culture of some

of them.

Selection of local genotype of oregano

(Origanum dubium)

in Cyprus

The aim of this study is to select, among local genotypes of oregano, the best clone for yield and quality. It was

observed that the populations of oregano were not uniform in many parameters such as flowering time, type of flowers

(single or double), colour of leaves, size of leaves, size of the plant, growth habit (erect/prostrate) and scent

(strong/weak). These diversities, particularly in flowering time, create difficulties at harvest resulting in yield and quality

losses, since oregano is normally harvested at full bloom. Oregano is a cross-pollinated species, and hence not geneti

cally uniform. Because of its genetic heterogeneity it is possible to select better genotypes for agronomic and quality

traits. Twenty one genotypes, collected from various parts of Cyprus, were multiplied vegetatively and planted in replicat

ed trials for evaluation. Seed of the best genotypes will be produced in isolation and will be bulked to produce a synthet

ic stock. The first results showed that there are large differences in yield and other parameters among the various geno

types tested. Dry matter yield (leaves and flowers) ranged from 457 to 3450 Kg/ha, while the oil content ranged from

3.52% to 7.25%.

Management of aromatic crops

ElflOtpopulation density.

The aim of this experiment is to determine the optimum population density of oregano plants. The treatments com

prised nine combinations of three row spacings (60, 90 and 120 cm) and three within row spacings (30, 45 and 60 cm).

Two experiments were established at Saittas and at Zygi. During the last two seasons (1997/98 and 1998/99) there were

two cuts each year at Saittas and only one at Zygi. The mean dry matter yield (leaves and flowers) was 4800 kg/ha at

Saittas and 1750 Kg/ha at Zygi. The highest yield in 1998 was obtained from plants spaced 90 x 30 cm (4111 Kg/ha at

Saittas and 2000 Kg/ha at Zygi). In 1999, the highest yield was obtained at Saittas from plants spaced 60 x 45 cm, (4340

Kg/ha), while at Zygi from 90 x 45 cm (1940 Kg/ha). The lowest yield in 1998 was obtained at both locations from plants

spaced 120 x 60 cm, while in 1999 from the spacing 90 x 60 cm.

Effect of cutting height on the yield of oregano

Height of cut is important for yield and persistence. A tall stubble leaves a photosynthetic area that provides addition

al carbohydrates for regrowth after cutting. Also, by adjusting the cutting height it may be possible to get more cuts per

year. Three cutting heights were tested, 8,13 and 18 cm from the soil surface. There were two cuts per season (1998 and

1999) at Saittas and one at Zygi. The mean dry matter yield (leaves and flowers) was 5865 Kg/ha at Saittas and 2100

Kg/ha at Zygi. There were no significant differences in yield among the three cutting heights at Saittas, while at Zygi the

13-cm cutting height produced the highest yield.

Control of weeds

Weeds are a serious problem in aromatic and medicinal crops especially where the crop is irrigated. In a series of pre

liminary experiments initiated in 1996 at the Agricultural Research Institute several pre-emergence herbicides were

screened for their suitability and effectiveness in 15 aromatic plant species i.e.

Foeniculum vulgare

Hyssopus officinalis,

Laurus nobilis, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Mentha piperita, M. viridis, Ocimum bassilicum, Origanum

d/c-

tamus, O. dubium, O. majorana, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia fruticosa, Sideritis scardica and Thymus vulgaris

. The her

bicides selected were further tested in field trials. Trials that started in autumn 1996 with

Lavandula, Salvia

and

Origanum

were completed in 1998. The results showed that among the residual herbicides tested, Chlorthal dimethyl, oxadiazon and

oxyfluorfen, applied post-planting to crops at 7.5 Kg, 0.75 Kg and 0.75 Kg a.i./ha, respectively, were suitable for the above

three crops.

Other trials were initiated in autumn 1998 with

Ocimum

cultivation outdoors and in a greenhouse. The herbicides test

ed were linuron, napropamide, oxadiazon, propyzamide, trifluralin and pendimethalin, all applied before crop establish

ment at the rates of 0.8,1.25,1.0, 2.1,0.9 and 1.32 Kg a.i/ha, respectively.

Physical methods include soil mulching with transparent or black plastic during the growing period of the crop and soil

covering with straw. Results obtained so far show that soil mulching with black plastic during the growing period of

Ocimum

gave significantly higher yield and better quality.

ГШЭЙоп

Oregano

Four amounts of water are tested with drip-irrigated Oregano. Irrigation in 1999 started in mid-April and ended in mid-

November and was applied every two weeks early in the irrigation season and weekly during the summer and autumn

months. The amounts of water tested were 165, 290, 415 and 540 mm, equivalent to 40,70, 100 and 130% of the esti

mated irrigation requirement, respectively. The crop was harvested in late May, but due to high summer temperatures

regrowth was prevented, irrespective of irrigation treatment. Total fresh yield (stems, leaves and flowers), marketable air-

dried yield (leaves and flowers), oil content and oil yield increased with increasing amount of water applied up to 415 mm.

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