Seed Yields and Essential Oils of Annual and Biennial Caraway (Carum carvi L.) Grown in Western Canada

ABSTRACT

Field trials were conducted to assess the potential of annual cultivars of caraway (Carum carvi L.) for essential oil production in western Canada, a location where severe winter temperatures limit the production of commercial, biennial caraway cultivars with higher carvone concentrations. Among the caraway cultivars tested, ‘Karzo’ produced the highest seed yields and had the highest essential oil content (3.4%). For optimum yields, the cultivar Karzo required high seeding rates (about three times current seeding rates used with other cultivars), a 2.5 to 4 cm seeding depth, and seeding no later than May 19 (to ensure full seed maturity).

KEYWORDS:

• Aromatic plant
• culinary herb
• production
• spice