Effect of Ascophyllum nodosum extract and chemical fertilizers on the growth, yield and composition of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil

ABSTRACT Nutrition is essential to optimize the quantitative and qualitative performance of medicinal plants, as well as prevent biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of seaweed extract [Ascophyllum nodosum; non-application, soil application (SA), foliar application (FA) and SA + FA] and chemical fertilizers (application and non-application) on yield, essential oil content and compounds of savory, in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design. A significant increase was observed in the savory dry weight and essential oil yield under chemical fertilizer and SA + FA, being the highest dry matter yield obtained with (SA + FA) + chemical fertilizer. There was a significant correlation between essential oil yield and dry weight, dry matter yield and essential oil percentage. The carvacrol content increased under the application of seaweed extract. The use of seaweed extract as an organic fertilizer has the potential to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of savory.