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Dynamics of Agronomic Characteristics and Plant Diversity in Lemon Verbena ( Aloysia citrodora Paláu) Cultivation in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Aikaterini Molla

    (Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Acharnon 2 Street, 10176 Athens, Greece)

  • Alexandra D. Solomou

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Miltiadis Tziouvalekas

    (Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DEMETER, 41335 Larissa, Greece)

  • Alexios Lolas

    (Laboratory of Marine Biology, Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, Greece)

  • Elpiniki Skoufogianni

    (Laboratory of Agronomy and Applied Crop Physiology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, Greece)

Abstract

Nowadays, there is an increasing negative environmental effect of using chemical fertilizer. For this reason, the use of biofertilizers is promoted in the agriculture sector. The purpose of this investigation was to carry out an evaluation of the effects of biological fertilizer (biofertilizers are organic materials that can be used to improve soil properties) use on the growth and agronomic characteristics of Aloysia citrodora . To achieve this aim, a two-year randomized complete blocks field experiment was carried out in central Greece. The experiment included four biological fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 N kg ha −1 ) with three replications. Plant height, dry stem, dry leaves, dry total yield and leaf area index (LAI) were measured during the two growing years. The results showed that in the first and second studied years, the maximum plant height and total dry yield were observed in the BF150 treatment. Moreover, LAI was ameliorated by applying the BF100 and BF150 treatments in both studied years. A key finding in this study is that the A. citrodora ecosystem favors herbaceous plant species richness. Also, soil factors (soil organic matter, P and K) promote positive herbaceous plant diversity within the A. citrodora ecosystem. Finally, A. citrodora could be a promising medicinal plant, cultivated under Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Aikaterini Molla & Alexandra D. Solomou & Miltiadis Tziouvalekas & Alexios Lolas & Elpiniki Skoufogianni, 2024. "Dynamics of Agronomic Characteristics and Plant Diversity in Lemon Verbena ( Aloysia citrodora Paláu) Cultivation in Greece," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:1:p:97-:d:1313082
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexandra D. Solomou & Evangelia Korakaki & Evangelia V. Avramidou & Stefanos Boutsios & Spyridon Oikonomidis & Evangelia Daskalakou, 2023. "Assessment of Herbaceous Plant Composition, Diversity, and Indicator Species in the Juniperus drupacea Forest Openings of the Mountain Parnonas in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Alexian Cheminal & Ioannis P. Kokkoris & Anastasios Zotos & Arne Strid & Panayotis Dimopoulos, 2022. "Assessing the Ecosystem Services Potential of Endemic Floras: A Systematic Review on the Greek Endemics of Peloponnese," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-26, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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