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Abstract
Monarda citriodora is an important annual aromatic plant well known for its essential oil and herbal value. Considering its economic importance, an experiment was carried out during year 2022 and 2023 at CSIR-IIIM Jammu to determine the influence of inorganic fertilizers and poultry manure on its vegetative growth, productivity, and essential oil composition. Eight different combinations of poultry manure with inorganic fertilizers laid in RBD were compared with control. The essential oil was extracted and its composition was determined using GC-MS and GC-FID by comparing with standard compounds. Results revealed that among treated plants the combination of poultry manure with chemical fertilizers behaved at par with plants treated with chemical fertilizers only. Maximum plant height at earlier stages was reported for plants treated with chemical fertilizers, but at later stages, plants receiving poultry manure attained maximum height (69.73 cm). Similar trend was followed for number of branches where plants receiving poultry manure and chemical fertilizers grow maximum number of branches (18.33). Maximum plant biomass (136.33g/per plant) was reported for plants receiving poultry manure in combination with chemical fertilizers. The treatment having poultry manure resulted in the highest organic carbon in soils 0.66%. Maximum essential oil recovery (2.11 ml/200g) was observed in T7 (MOP +Urea). The major constituents reported in essential oil were thymol (47.8-78.02%), γ-terpinene (6.30-19.16%) and p-cymene (4.54-17.04%). The study reveals, for increasing crop productivity and quality along with maintaining soil fertility, the mixed application of organic and inorganic fertilizers should be followed.