The influence of soil fertilization on the quality and extraction efficiency of rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)

In this study we have investigated the physiological and biochemical behavior of rosemary crop when exposed differentiated fertilizations. The rosemary plants were grown in vegetation pots in the presence of various combinations of the Hoagland nutrient solution including the control group (Vo - Hoagland), group 1 - Hoagland with addition of K X 2 and group 2 - Hoagland with addition of P X 2. During the experimental period we have measured the intensity of photosynthesis by using the gas exchange method and the quantitative determination of chlorophyll pigments. Additionally, we have also extracted and analyzed the volatile compounds. The main compounds identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometry were the monoterpenoids and also lower levels of sesquiterpenoids. Our results show that potassium (K) fertilization had a positive influence on both the amount of dry matter and photosynthesis. Regarding the biochemical analysis of the volatile oils, in group V1, over 16 compounds were identified, with terpinen and cymen, being the most dominant.