Effect of Irrigation on Growth and Development of the Root System of Two Medicinal Plants, Hyssopus officinalis and Passiflora incarnata

  • Dimitrios BILALIS Agriculture University of Athens, Department of Crop Production, Athens
  • Ioanna KAKABOUKI University of West Greece, Department of Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises, Agrinio
  • Fotini ANGELOPOULOU Agriculture University of Athens, Department of Crop Production, Athens
  • Panagiota PAPASTYLIANOU Agriculture University of Athens, Department of Crop Production, Athens
  • Anestis KARKANIS Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Magnesia
  • Aristidis KONSTANTAS Agriculture University of Athens, Department of Crop Production, Athens
  • Ilias TRAVLOS Agriculture University of Athens, Department of Crop Production, Athens
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:10410
Keywords: Hyssopus officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, irrigation, medicinal plants, root characteristics

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants are known to be used by a large portion of global population for their medicinal therapeutic effects. Water is among the most important factors for the development, yield and quality of medicinal plants since its deficiency may cause serious growth damages and yield losses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two irrigation rates on the development and characteristics of the root system of medicinal plants Hyssopus officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L. The experiments were conducted in 2013 in western Greece in the region of Agrinio according to completely randomized design. The root parameters that were determined were root density, root diameter, root surface and root volume, while some soil parameters and abscular mycorrhiza colonization were also measured. The results indicated that for both medicinal plants the increase of irrigation rate had a positive effect on density and volume of the root system, and the other characteristics of the root correlated with the growth and the forage yield of the plants. In conclusion, irrigation can positively affect the growth and development of the root system of H. officinalis and P. incarnate with a beneficial impact on overall plant growth and productivity.

Author Biography

Dimitrios BILALIS, Agriculture University of Athens, Department of Crop Production, Athens

Agric Univ of Athens

R 83

Published
2014-11-30
Issue
Vol. 71 No. 2 (2014): Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Horticulture
Section
Horticulture and Forestry - Research Articles

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