Effect of Nitrogen and Phosporous Fertilizers on Seed Yield and Essential Oil of Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

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Abstract

To study the effect of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers on seed yield and essential oil of anise a field experiment was carried out in research field of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Yazd province in 2004-2005 growing season-using factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen fertilizer as urea at five leves (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg ha-1) and phosphorous fertilizer as triple super phosphate at five levels (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 kg ha-1) were applied. Results showed that the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on seed yield was highly significant (P < 0.01). Application of 100 kg ha-1 urea had the highest seed yield (848.9 kg ha-1) and control treatment had the lowest (687.7 kg ha-1). Phosphorus fertilizer also significantly (P < 0.05) affected seed yield of anise. The highest seed yield (811.1 kg ha-1) was obtained in 100 kg ha-1 of phosphorus fertilizer and the lowest seed yield (725.9 kg ha-1) was achieved in control treatment. Nitrogen × phosphorus interaction effect on seed yield was significant (P < 0.01). The most suitable fertilizer treatment for seed production was 100 kg ha-1 of nitrogen plus 100 kg ha-1 of phosphorus fertilizers with seed yield of 930 kg ha-1. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on essential oil yield of anise was highly significant (P < 0.01). The highest essential oil yield (19.5 L ha-1) was obtained by application of 100 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and the lowest (9.5 L ha-1) in the control treatment. Phosphorous fertilizer had not significant effect on essential oil production. In general, for seed and essential oil production in anise, application of 100 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and 100 kg ha-1 of phosphorous fertilizers was suitable treatment.

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