Growth Characteristics of Dracocephalum moldavica L. in Relation to Density for Sustainable Cropping Technology Development

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants hold a high share of interest in Romania. To offset the harvesting of spontaneous flora and ensure the sustainable conservation of natural resources, the cropping of highly valuable plants of interest represents a priority for the current agricultural system. This study was conducted due to the need for more balance in species exploitation. Therefore, it assessed the emergence dynamics, leaf appearance, growth and development of the plants depending on row spacing and plant distance. The research was conducted at the INCDCSZ Brașov, within the Technology Department, Laboratory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The density of planting is the most important factor. Plants sown in continuous rows showed the highest yields of fresh and dry herbs, especially when the distance between the rows was set to 25 cm. Row-by-row distances of 50 cm ensure average values for all growth and development parameters. An increase in the row-by-row distance up to 70 cm drastically reduced the dry biomass up to 7.89 t ha−1 in continuous rows, followed by a 2 and 2.5 t ha−1 decrease for 15 cm and 25 cm plant-by-plant distances, respectively. Continuous row planting and a 25 cm row-by-row distance negligibly reduce the climate impact on growth and development. Greater spaces between plants leads to an average increase in individual development, but with a decrease in the total potential yield.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxic, Antioxidative and Antimicrobial Effects of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Cultivars

“…There is important variation in the secondary metabolites of D. moldavica , related to its growth period, ecological conditions, and geographical location [ 54 ]. The D. moldavica species can be cultivated in ecological systems with favorable micro-climates and optimized technological conditions [ 3 ]. Exposure to different environmental conditions can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and, in this way, cultivation treatments that are used for this species may affect the quality of obtained plants.…”

“…It is an annual herbaceous species that can be found in temperate areas, being native to Central Asia and naturalized in Europe [ 2 ]. In Romania, the species is rarely found in spontaneous flora, and is only found in limited areas of the eastern, northwestern, and southern parts [ 3 ]. The species has thin, brown roots; petiolated lower leaves; crenate–serrate margins; and sessile upper leaves with spiny-serrate edges and is straight, reddish, and strongly branched at the base stem.…”

“…The species has thin, brown roots; petiolated lower leaves; crenate–serrate margins; and sessile upper leaves with spiny-serrate edges and is straight, reddish, and strongly branched at the base stem. The corolla of flowers is usually purple–blue and, less frequently, light blue or white, and the fruits are brown, ovoid, and tetranucleate [ 3 , 4 ]. Its aerial parts are traditionally used for the treatment of stomach and liver pathologies, headaches, snake bites, stomatitis, or fungal infections [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…The cultivation of medicinal species is an important practice worldwide, as the chemical compositions of medicinal species may vary depending on their geographical locations, climates, and cultivars, influencing their biological activities [ 3 , 6 , 9 , 39 ]. Although genetically controlled, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is strongly influenced by not only environmental and ecological conditions but also agronomic conditions, such as harvesting and processing [ 2 , 40 ].…”