Field Evaluation of Twelve Clones of Oregano Grown in the Main Production Areas of Argentina: Identification of Quantitative Trait with the Highest Discriminant Value

Abstract

In Argentina, oregano (Origanum spp.) is one of the most important aromatic species. Leaves and flowering tops are used as seasoning, targeting the retail consumer, industrial and less to export. Local production has low-average yields due to the variability of cultivated material, the vegetative propagation methods used, and the lack of knowledge and adaptive experimentation on advanced cultivation practices. Clones of oregano grown in the country were collected in order to characterize the germplasm used in Argentina. Twelve oregano clones, sanitized by meristems culture and micropropagated in vitro, were field evaluated in three different growing locations. Regardless of growing site, the quantitative variables with more discriminating value were essential oils yield, internode length, length of the longest branch, fresh weight, dry weight of leaf and stem, leaf/stem ratio, and leaf area. Based on the quantitative traits, oregano clones can be classified into four groups. From the observations based on botanical characteristics, it was determined that the evaluated clones belong to three different taxa: Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare, Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum, and Origanum x majoricum (hybrid). Within each group, the clones belong to the same taxon.

Creation of New Oregano Genotypes with Different Terpene Chemotypes via Inter- and Intraspecific Hybridization

“…Ovh essential oil was mainly composed of carvacrol (35.59%), thymol (21.34%), and γ-terpinene (16.75%). The results showed that the dominant components in Ovh essential oil, carvacrol and thymol, were similar to those reported previously [ 22 , 27 ], but their proportions were slightly different. Similarly, the dominant components in Omh essential oil were similar to those reported previously [ 45 ], although their proportions were different.…”

“…Oregano essential oil has great value in international trade and is an important source of pharmacologically active substances. Therefore, the development of varieties with high essential oil yield is one of the main objectives of oregano breeding program [ 27 ]. Carvacrol and thymol are the characteristic volatiles exhibiting a variety of biological activities [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], and are, therefore, considered important targets of oregano breeding.…”

Development in Origanum ssp.: A simple phenological scale to determine thermal time requirements to critical reproductive events

“…hirtum Ietsw. (Torres et al, 2012) were studied. Plant samples of both subspecies were deposited at the ACOR herbarium (Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; coded as AMP 3482 and AMP 3483, respectively).…”

“…Our phenological approach includes the determination of simple aspects, such as presence/absence of axillary or flower buds, which makes this scale very versatile for use in different ecotypes. The marked morphological differences between subspecies (Torres et al, 2012), mainly evident in internode and epicastro length (Figs. 1 and 3), did not prevent the use of the scale since it takes into account the progress of development of axillary buds (Table 2).…”

Floral transition in Origanum vulgare L.: Anatomical analysis across phenological stages in response to different photoperiodic regimes

“…vulgare and Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw., respectively (Torres et al, 2012). The type specimens of both subspecies were deposited at the ACOR herbarium (Universidad de Cordoba [UNC], Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias [FCA]; named AMP 3482 and AMP 3483, respectively).…”