Effects of sowing date and plant density on morphological characteristics and yield of Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) is a well known medicinal and aromatic plant, native to Southern Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus, Iraq and western Iran, but nowadays it is cultivated worldwide. In order to evaluate the effect of sowing date and plant density on the yield and morphological characteristics of Satureja hortensis L. a field experiment was conducted in Sary Agricultural University using split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications during 2010. Main factors were three sowing dates (11 April, 22 April and 3 May) and sub factors were three plant density (15×35, 25×35 and 35×35cm). The species were investigated at full flowering stage. Sowing date and plant density had significant effects on most of the morphological characteristics. According to the results of mean comparison, the highest plant height (52.3 cm), lateral shoot (23.22 N/P), number of nod (17.81), shoot diameter (8.8 mm), root diameter (9.12 mm) and dry weight of root (2.76 g/p) were recorded for first sowing date. Delay in sowing time increased the dry shoot yield significantly as the highest dry shoot yield (3023.1 and 2663.9 kg/ha) was obtained at third and second sowing time. The result of mean comparison showed that the highest root diameter (9.33mm) and dry weight of root (2.56 g/p) were recorded for third density. In addition, the highest plant height (53.03 and 51.09 cm), lateral stem (21.94 and 21.79 N/P), number of nod (17.06 and 16.32) and shoot diameter (7.92 and 7.4 mm) were obtained at third and second densities. Plant density had no significant effect on dry shoot yield. The obtained results showed that morphological characteristics of Satureja hortensis were affected by agronomic treatments and growth performance may be enhanced by proper management.