Ecological variation of yield and aroma components of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

The research was conducted to determine a variation of yield and essential oil compositions of cultivated summer savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) in 5 different locations (Isparta, Kütahya, Eskişehir, Bursa, and Tokat) in Turkey in 2004. Field studies were carried out during 2014 vegetation periods in all locations. Essential oil compositions were analyzed with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). As a result of the research, maximum yields (fresh and dried herb yield) were obtained from locations with the higher temperature (Bursa and Tokat). On the other hand, essential oil contents were highest in Bursa having the higher temperature and followed by Isparta (highest altitude). The maximum value of carvacrol, the main component in the essential oil of the plant, was obtained from Isparta while γ-terpinene was obtained from Kütahya followed by Bursa and Tokat. Plants were harvested twice in Bursa, and values of yields were higher at first harvest than that of second harvest similar to γ-terpinene, while for carvacrol, higher yield was obtained from the second harvest. The results showed that climatic factors affected the variation of yield and essential oil components, significantly. Maximum data of carvacrol was obtained from locations with higher altitude as a result of high solar radiations. The results are useful in innovative strategies for production of plant material with high yield and quality in aromatic plants such as Satureja hortensis.