Effects of Different Plant Densities on Some Agronomic Characteristicsand Essential Oil Ratios of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of planting density on agronomic characteristics and essential oilratios of the plant Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) ecotype between 2011 and 2012 in Erzurum. The study has been established with three replications, including 3 row spacing and 3 intra row spacing (intra row: 40, 50, and 60 cm; row spacing: 30, 40 and 50 cm), on a split plot in “Randomized Block” design for two different ecotypes of tarragon (Dadaşköy and Bayburt). In the trial, clones were placed on main plots and the planting densities were placed in sub- plots. Each plot consisted of four ridges, and seven plants took place on each ridge. Obtained clones were replicated in the greenhouses and planted into the field on 24 May 2014. In the trial, plant height (cm), green herb yield (kg da^-1), green leaf yield (kg da^-1), drug herb yield (kg da^-1), drug leaf yield (kg da^-1) and essential oil ratio (%) have been analyzed. Regarding the results of the study, the effect of the trial years has been significant on the analyzed characteristics. The plant height, green herb, green leaf yield, green leaf ratio and essential oil ratio have been higher in the second trial year. The ecotypes differ from each other from the point of the studied characteristics; as plant height, green herb, green leaf, drug herb yield of Dadaşköy ecotype, drug leaf and essential oil ratio of Bayburt ecotype has been recorded higher. Plant densities have been significantly effective on the characteristics of the plant, except plant height. At the planting density of 40x40 cm, drug herb and drug leaf, at the planting density of 40x30 cm, green herb and green leaf yield, at the planting density of 40x50 cm, essential oil ratio were determined in the highest values. In conclusion; regarding the yields of drug herb and drug leaf of the analyzed characteristics, plant density of 40x40 cm is recommended for both ecotypes.