Growth and essential oil composition responses of parsley cultivars to phosphorus fertilization and harvest date

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on three cultivars (Italian Giant, Italian Plain, and Local) of parsley to compare plant growth, herb fresh weight, and essential oil (EO) content, yield and composition at three harvest times (Day 1, 47, and 91) in response to phosphorus (P) application rates (0, 12, 24, and 36 kg ha⁻¹). Repeated measures analysis revealed that the ideal P rate for the growth of parsley and its EO yield is 24 kg ha⁻¹; whereas the second harvest gives the highest height and weight; and the third harvest gives the highest EO content and yield. At all harvests, the highest EO content was obtained from Italian Giant fertilized with 36 kg ha⁻¹ P. β-myrcene, 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, β-phellandrene, and myristcin were the major compounds in all three cultivars, but their ideal P fertilization and harvest time varied with cultivar. This study showed biomass, EO content and yield, and the accumulation of EO constituents of parsley cultivars are influenced by P application and harvest date in different ways.

Keywords:

• fresh herb
• Petroselinum crispum
• phosphorus fertilizer
• repeated measures analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.