Agronomical and phytochemical investigation of Hyssopus officinalis

Authors

• Bertalan Galambosi Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, South Savo Research Station, FIN-50600 Mikkeli, Finland
• Katerina P. Svoboda Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Group, Scottish Agricultural College,, Auchincruive AYR KA6 5HW, Scotland, United Kingdom
• Stanley G. Deans Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Group, Scottish Agricultural College,, Auchincruive AYR KA6 5HW, Scotland, United Kingdom
• Eva Hethelyi Research Institute for Medicinal Plants, H-2011 Budakalasz, Hungary

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72652

Abstract

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) obtained from various commercial sources was grown for three years (1990-1992) in Finland. Yield characteristics, flower colour, volatile oil content/composition and its antimicrobial quality were studied. For comparison, Scottish-grown hyssop was included in oil and quality determinations. The description of the flower colour given by the seed firms was not a reliable indicator of the true colour in many cases. Oil yield was satisfactory and oil composition was rather uniform. Only one different chemotype was identified, this was derived from a Romanian seed source. There was considerable variation in herb yield between plants from different sources. The total fresh herb yield was 0.5-3.2 kg/m2, the dry leaf yield was 67-326 g/m2. Seed germination was satisfactory (76-99%), offering opportunities for seed production of varieties with different characteristics.