Effect of different level of vermicompost and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and essential oil content of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

In order to study the effect of organic and chemical fertilizers, a field experiment was carried outby using of split plot based on randomized complete block design with seven treatment and three replications ongeranium (Pelargonium graveolens), in Fahlian, Nourabad, Fars province territory. Treatments concluded control (no fertilizer and vermicompost), pure nitrogen (200 kgh-1), vermicompost 4 th-1 with 160 kgh-1 nitrogen, vermicompost 8 th-1 with 120 kgh-1 nitrogen, vermicompost 12 th-1 with 80 kgh-1 nitrogen, vermicompost 16 th-1 with 40 kgh-1 nitrogen and pure vermicompost (20 tonh-1). Traits assessed include: plant height, number of lateral branches, biologic yield, branches yield, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield and harvest time. Results indicated significant effect of fertilizer treatments and harvesting time on all traits except harvest time. Theintraction of harvesting time and fertilizer was only significant on biological yield and essential oil yield. The mean comparision showed that all traits were higher in the secend harvest compared to the first one. In two harvests organic fertilizer leading to increase studied traits compared to the control treatment. Application of 20 th-1 vermicompst and after that, treatment of 16 th-1 vermicompost with 40 kgh-1 nitrogen had the highest effect in increasing studied traits.