The Effect of Sulphur and Thiobacillus on Nutrient Availability, Vegetative Growth and Essence Production in Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis L.)

M. Yadegari¹*, Rahim Barzegar² and Ramin Iranipour³

¹Islamic Azad University Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord Iran.

²Center of Agronomy Education of Shahrekord, Shahrekord Iran.

³Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources Researches of Shahrekord, Shahrekord Iran.

ABSTRACT: To study the effect of Thiobacillus, Sulphur and Organic material on vegetative growth and essence production in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) a Complete Randomized Design was conducted in pots in field condition at Shahrekord, Iran on 2008. The factors were ten soil treatments inclusive 200,400 and600Kg/ha Sulphur, 200,400 and600Kg/ha Sulphur+Thiobacillus,200,400 and600Kg/ha Sulphur+ Thiobacillus+ Organic material and without application of Sulphur, Thiobacillus and Organic material. The results revealed that there were significant differences among treatments in Copper, Zinc, Iron and Manganese content in soil after harvesting and fresh weight, dry weight and number of lateral stems in plants. Differences between Essence content in dry plants in various treatments were significant too. Treatment of 400Kg/ha Sulphur+Thiobacillus+Organic material and Control demonstrated the highest and lowest Copper and Manganese content in soil after harvesting and fresh weight, dry weight and lateral stems in plants respectively.

KEYWORDS: lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.); essence; fresh herb; dried plant; Sulphur; Thiobacillus

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