Research Concerning the Influence of Fertilization on Some Physiological Processes and Biochemical Composition of Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia L.)

The aim of the research was to study the influence of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization on the main physiological processes in lavender and biochemical characterization of essential oil obtained by steam distillation. Physiological processes studied were the photosynthesis and transpiration intensity. The material used for herbal purposes includes commercial genotype of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). Experiment was carried out under controlled conditions and fertilization was performed with a modified Hoagland nutrient solutions. For biochemical analysis were used average samples of lavender leaf, stem and flowers. Separation and analysis of compounds was performed by gas chromatography analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Transpiration intensity was performed by successive mass determinations from leaves and resulted values were reported per unit leaf area. The rate of photosynthesis was measured by Qubit Systems CO2 analysis package. Researches were performed in the laboratory of Plant Physiology within the Faculty of Horticulture and Forestry and Plant extracts laboratory, Faculty of Food Processing Technology, from Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Timisoara. Following the experiment, it was found that potassium fertilization has a positive effect both on the photosynthesis and transpiration. Linalool (30.398%), lynalil acetate (23.609%), camphor (8.844%), borneol (5.49%) and eucalyptol (3.964%), were determined as the main compounds from over 50 identified through biochemical analysis of the essential oil.