Growth and production of essential oil of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and essential oil production of Melissa officinalis in the climatic conditions of Montes Claros – MG. The experiment was conducted from May to November 2009. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with four treatments and five repetitions. In the first analysis, the effect of harvesting time on the biomass and essential oil was evaluated. In the second analysis, the production of biomass and essential oil after 30 days of harvest of the previous study was evaluated. The data were submitted to regression analysis using the software SAEG. From the results, the first cut at 33 days, increased the percentage of dry matter, and the best time of production of the Lemon Balm’s essential oil occurred during regrowth, 30 days after the first harvest of the younger plant. This study concluded that the early harvest in the conditions of northern Minas Gerais favors the production of biomass and feature content of essential oil similar to other crops.

Keywords

• Biomass
• Medicinal plants
• Secondary metabolism