The effect of sowing date and sowing method on quantity characteristics and essential oil content on Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.)

ABSTRACT: In order to study the effect of sowing date and the methods of sowing on quantity characteristics and essential oil content on Moldavian balm, an experiment was carried out in research field of agronomy factuality of Uremia university in 2011. This research was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with four replications. The first factor was including four sowing dates (April 9, 19 and 9, 29 May) and the second factor was two sowing method (direct planting at main field and sowing in the nursery and then transplanting). The results of analysis of variance showed that sowing date had significant effect on quantity characteristics and essential oil content and yield. The method of sowing factor had significantly affected on essential oil content and all of quantity characteristics. Also, interaction effect between sowing date and sowing method in term of quantity characteristics and essential oil content was significant at the 0.05 probability level. Maximum biological yield and essential oil content were obtained from combination treatments namely first sowing date and transplanting method. However, compare means showed that this combination treatment had no significant difference with combination treatment of second sowing date and transplanting method.