Two pot experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Faculty of Agric., El-Mansoura Univ., Egypt during the two successive seasons of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to investigate the effect of NPK fertilizer and compost treatments on vegetative growth and essential oil of yarrow plant (Achillea millefolium L.). Treatments were arranged in a split block design with 3 replicates, which were the simple possible combinations between compost rates (0, 11, 22 and 33 g/ pot) as main plots and NPK rates (0, 1, 2 and 3 g/ pot) as sub plots. The effect of treatments on vegetative growth parameters, inflorescences production ,essential oil percentage and content of the inflorescences were recorded. Data revealed that increasing compost levels significantly increased all the pre-mentioned parameters. The highest values recorded for compost treatments were those using compost at a rate of 33g/ pot. As for NPK fertilization, data also showed that plants received 3 g /pot produced the highest values of all the previously mentioned parameters of yarrow plants. On the same way, the interaction between compost treatments and NPK fertilization significantly affected all traits. The highest values of all parameters in both seasons were recorded from plants received the interaction treatment of compost at 33 g/ pot plus NPK at 3 g/pot.

The chaste tree, Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae), ranging in size from a shrub to a small tree, is widespread in the Dalmatian coastal region. Clinical investigations of the extracts of the plant showed its antiestrus cycle effect; it is used to relieve menstrual disorders, due to primary or secondary corpus luteum insufficiency, premenstrual syndrome, mastodynia, menopausal complaints, and inadequate lactation (1). We have reported on its ketosteroid hormones (2), as well as the antibacterial activity of the essential oil, and the various extracts of the leaves, flowers, and fruits (3). This paper presents the identification of the essential oil components in leaves, flowers, and fruits of V agnus-castus. The plant material was collected in the Dalmatian coastal region and on the island of Hvar during the summer, and was air-dried and milled to a coarse powder.

No abstract

The present work was carried out at a private Farm in Sammenoud area, Gharbieh Governorate during the two successive seasons of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of bio fertilizers (VAM fungi and phosphorine) and foliar spray of plant extracts (garlic and aloe) on some vegetative growth (plant height, fresh and dry weight) essential oil percentage and chemical constituents of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) plant under different water stress conditions (plants irrigated every 15, 30 and 45 days). The results showed that irrigation of plants every 15 and 30 days were effective in increasing the productivity of vegetative growth, essential oil percentage and uptake of N,P and K % in sage. Spraying plants with garlic extract was more effective than aloe extract at in improving the productivity of vegetative growth, essential oil percentage and uptake of N, P and K content. Plants treated with VAM fungi were effective in increasing the productivity of vegetative growth, essential oil percentage and uptake of N, P and K %.

No abstract