Effects of Compost, Vermicompost and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Content and Chemical Compositions of Essential Oil of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.)

The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of compost, vermicompost and nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the content and chemical compositions of essential oil of Hyssopus officinalis L. from Firouzkuh region, Iran. The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications in the research field of the Agriculture Company of Ran in Firouzkuh in 2012. The treatments were compost (20 ton ha-1), vermicompost (12 ton ha-1), nitrogen-fixing bacteria (inoculated seeds with Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum), compost (10 ton ha-1) + vermicompost (6 ton ha-1), compost (10 ton ha-1) + nitrogen-fixing bacteria, vermicompost (12 ton ha-1) + nitrogen-fixing bacteria, compost (10 ton ha-1) + vermicompost (6 ton ha-1) + nitrogen-fixing bacteria and control. The results showed that the highest content (0.200%) and yield (5.21 kg ha-1) of essential oil were obtained after applying 12-ton ha-1 vermicompost plus nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The maximum cis pinocamphone (63.56%) and beta phellandrene (9.71%) and the minimum trans pinocamphone (2.50%) in essential oil were obtained by using the 10 ton ha-1 compost, 6 ton ha-1 vermicompost plus nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Generally, the highest essential oil quantity with the integrated application of 12 ton ha-1 vermicompost and biofertilizer and the highest essential oil quality with the integrated application of 10 ton ha-1 compost, 6 ton ha-1 vermicompost and biofertilizer were obtained.