Biometry and Essential Oil of Oregano Grown Under Different Water Depths and Organic Fertilizer Doses in a Protected Environment

Abstract

Information related to the phenological growth of oregano grown in a protected environment associated with water and nutritional availability is scarce. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the performance of oregano plants grown with bokashi organic fertilizer under water deficit. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks in a 6×4 factorial scheme, consisting of six levels of water replacement (60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110% of crop evapotranspiration -ETc) and four bokashi doses (0, 100, 200, and 300 g m −2 ), with five replications. The number of branches, leaf area, mass accumulation, and oil concentration and yield were evaluated to characterize the plant performance. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, multivariate analysis for equation determination, construction of response surface plots and dendrogram charts, and linear correlation. The interaction of the factors water replacement and bokashi organic fertilizer application was significant for the analyzed variables. Morphological components presented better responses under conditions of high water replacement and bokashi organic fertilizer application. The deficit irrigation adopted during cultivation associated with bokashi organic fertilization potentiated the concentration and yield of oregano essential oil.