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Morpho-agronomic Characteristics, Essential Oil Content and Essential Oil Yield

of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) in Ethiopia

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 Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 4(12), pp. 565-571 December, 2014
Available online at http:// www.scholarly-journals.com/SJAS
ISSN 2276-7118 © 2014 Scholarly-Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Morpho-agronomic Characteristics, Essential Oil

Content and Essential Oil Yield of Oregano
(Origanum vulgare L.) in Ethiopia
Beemnet Mengesha Kassahun1*, Samuel Tilahun2, Zewdinesh Damtew Zigene1, Zinash
Teferi1, Mihret Mekonnen1, Bekri Melka1
1
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box 198,
Shashemene, Ethiopia.
2
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holleta Agricultural Research Center
Accepted 5 December, 2014

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance oregano in different agro-ecology of

Ethiopia for its agronomic and quality traits at Wondo Genet, Koka and Holleta for two years from 2012
to 2013. Data on plant height, leaf to stem ratio, fresh leaf yield/plant, fresh leaf yield/ha, percent
essential oil (EO) content and EO yield were collected from three locations arranged in randomized
complete block design with four replications. Testing location exerted a highly significant influence
(P<0.01) on the performance of oregano. The overall mean performance of plant height, leaf to stem
ratio, leaf yield/plant, leaf yield/ha were 39.87 cm, 2.68, 159.27 g and 8.91 t, respectively. The respective
plant height, leaf to stem ratio, leaf yield/plant, leaf yield/ha of oregano across the tested location ranged
from 34.93 to 39.87 cm, 1.05 to 3.33, 105.86 to 216.08 g and 5.88 to 12.01 t. The highest value of plant
height was recorded at Wondo Genet; while, the lowest was obtained at Holleta. However, the highest
values for leaf yield/plant and leaf yield/ha of oregano was recorded at Holleta. The respective overall
mean value of EO content and EO yield tested at three locations and two years were 0.52% and 45.67 kg.
The EO content and EO yield ranged from 0.37-0.79% and 23.09-69.81 kg, respectively. The highest
values of these characters were obtained at Wondo Genet. The values on EO content and EO yield were
consistent under both testing years. Hence, it is the location that affects the production of oregano in
the country.

Key words: Aromatic Herb, Essential oil, Ethiopia, Oregano, Spice.

INTRODUCTION

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is a spice, medicinal and
aromatic perennial herb that belongs to the member of
the Lamiaceae family and has a complex taxonomy
(Derwich et al., 2010; Fatma et al., 2010). The genus
Origanum includes 39 species (Kintzios, 2002) from
which, only O. vulgare L. is available in Ethiopia.
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean Basin (Thanos,
1995). It grows in different areas at wider ranges of
ecologies (Snogerup, 1971). The climatic life zone for O.
vulgare reported to be 5–28°C with an annual
*Corresponding author’s e-mail:
mengeshabeemnetk@gmail.com.
precipitation of 0.4–2.7 m and a range of soil pH from
4.5–8.7 is appropriate for its growth (Marzi, 1997). It is
cultivated and distributed all over Europe, West and
Central Asia up to Taiwan (Ietswaart, 1980). This
indicates the economic significance of the crop in
diversified societies and communities of the different
countries.
Oregano has been a valuable source of natural
products for maintaining human health for a long period
of time, especially in the last decades (Force et al.,
2000). Oregano plays a primary role among culinary
herbs in world trade (Oliver, 1997). The use of oregano
as medicinal plant is believed to be due to biological
properties of p-cymene and carvacrol (D’Antuono et al.,
2000). The fresh leaves and dried herb of oregano as

Table 1. Summary of site descriptions for three testing locations in Ethiopia.
Testing
Latitude Longitude Soil pH
locations
Wondo Genet 7°192'N 38°382'E 6.4
Koka 8°26' N 39°1' E - Clay soil
Holleta 9°03' N 38°30' E 5.5
well as essential oil are used medicinally (Hammer et al.,
1999). The essential oil of oregano has antifungal (Cleff
et al., 2010; Ertas et al., 2005), antibacterial (Baydar et
al., 2004; Viuda-Martos et al., 2008), antioxidant (Milos et
al., 2000; Sahin et al., 2004; Shan et al., 2005; Wojdylo et
al., 2007), antihyperglycaemic (Lembadri et al., 2004),
antithrombin (Goun et al., 2002) and cytotoxial activity
(Sivropoulou et al., 1996). Some authors have reported
the effectiveness of oregano extracts to reduce lipid
oxidation (Djenane et al., 2002; 2003; Fasseas et al.,
2007; Camo et al., 2008), color loss, and microbial
growth (Djenane et al., 2002; 2003; Camo et al., 2008;
Zinoviadou et al., 2009) in some types of meats. Herbs
and extracts of oregano have been added in a variety of
foods to improve their sensory characteristics and extend
shelf-life (Shahidi et al., 1992).
There are many factors that influence agronomic
characteristics, biomass and essential oil yield of
aromatic plants. Among these, genotype and growing
conditions (Marotti et al., 1994; Beemnet and Getinet,
2010; Beemnet et al., 2011; 2013), harvesting age
(Marotti et al., 1993; Beemnet et al., 2011) and spacing
(Yasin et al., 2003; Khazaie et al., 2007; Al-Ramamneh
2009; Solomon and Beemnet, 2011; Beemnet et al.,
2012) are primarily mentioned. In Ethiopia, there exists
diverse ecological condition (NMSA, 1996; Kebebew,
2003; Andargachew, 2007). Due to the existence of
diverse agro ecologies, it is a prerequisite to evaluate the
performance of oregano under different locations of
Ethiopia for its agronomic and chemical characters for
getting optimum benefit out of the cultivation of oregano.
In Ethiopia, Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center
is conducting and coordinating a number of research and
development activities about the production, processing,
marketing and utilization of prioritized aromatic and
medicinal plants at national level. From these priority
crops, oregano is the one. Despite the crop has got
diverse potential uses, no effort has been made to
evaluate its performance on morpho-agronomic and
chemical traits in Ethiopia. This indicates that, the current
knowledge about its agronomy, variety development and
biology are neither complete nor conclusive and, hence,
many aspects of oregano remain unknown under
Ethiopian condition before this study. Consequently, our
knowledge on this potential crop is limited. This lack of
information is a major hindrance to exploit this
economically important spice, aromatic and medicinal
herb more. To help in filling the aforementioned research
Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 566
Annual average
Rainfall Altitude
Soil type temperature (°c)
(mm) (m.a.s.l)
Minimum Maximum
sandy clay loam 1000 1876 12.02 26.72
830.9 1604 13.68 28.30
red brown clay loam soil 1100 2390 6.13°C 22.2°C
and development gaps, this experiment was carried out
with the objective of evaluating the performance of
oregano for agronomic and chemical traits under different
agro ecologies of Ethiopia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Planting material maintained at the botanic garden of
Wondo Genet Agricultural Research was used for the
study. The experiment was conducted in Oromia and
SNNPRS regions of Ethiopia at Wondo Genet, Koka and
Holleta for two years from 2012 to 2013. The ecological
descriptions of the testing locations are summarized
under table 1. Top cuttings having five pairs of leaves
were taken from 6 months old disease free mother plants
for seedling preparation. The lower two pairs of leaves
were removed and planted in properly prepared soil
mixtures in polyethylene bags of 10 cm diameter and 12
cm height. Seedlings were raised in the nursery for three
months in polyethylene bags before being transplanted to
the field experimental plots.
A spacing of 60 cm was maintained between rows and
30 cm between plants. Six rows each having six plants
were maintained in the plot. No fertilizer and chemical
was applied during evaluation activity. All cultural
practices and watering through flooding irrigation were
done as required. Harvesting was done 6 months after
transplanting to the main experimental field. Harvesting
was done by cutting the plant 5 cm above the ground
level with the help of sickles as soon as the night dew
has evaporated from the plants.
Data on plant height, leaf to stem ratio, fresh leaf
yield/plant, fresh leaf yield/ha, percent EO content and
EO yield were collected from four locations arranged in
randomized complete block design with four replications.
Percent EO content was determined on fresh weight
(w/w) basis from 250g of fresh composite leaves
harvested from the three middle row plants of a plot. The
laboratory analysis was done at Wondo Genet
Agricultural Research Center. EO was extracted by hydro
distillation as illustrated by Guenther (1972).
To statically analyze the differences in agronomic and
chemical characteristics caused by the growing locations
and years, five samples were taken from the central rows
of each plot replicated four times. Statistical analysis of
experimental data was performed by analysis of variance
(ANOVA) using SAS PROC GLM (2002) at P<0.05.
Kassahun et al., 567

Table 2. Mean squares form the combined analysis of variance for the different traits of oregano tested at Wondo Genet, Koka and
Holleta tested during 2012 and 2013.

Source of Plant Leaf to stem Leaf Leaf EO content EO

Df
Variation height ratio yield/plant yield/ha (%) yield
Replication 3 7.23 0.95 762.1 2876708 0.0041 191
Location (L) 2 49.90* 2.59ns 24362.6* 75009809** 0.4452** 4379**
Year (Y) 1 86.26* 0.10ns 29.9ns 363ns 0.0001 2.66
L*Y 2 46.9ns 0.31ns 805.1ns 2707928ns 0.0028 69.19
Error 15 13.18 0.97 1726.13 5640039 0.0058 152
CV 9.76 ns 29.52 26.66 14.65 26.99
**= Significant at P < 0.01 level, *= Significant at P < 0.05 level and ns=Non significant at P < 0.05 level.

Table 3. Some morphological characters of oregano

Morphological Characters Range Average

Leaf length (cm) 1.7-2.8 2.21
Leaf width (cm) 1-1.50 1.18
Leaf to stem ratio 1.05-3.33 2.68

Differences between means were assessed using the
least significance difference (LSD) test at P<0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Variation in Morpho-agronomic Characteristics and
Chemical Traits of Oregano
Mean squares from combined analysis of variance for six
characters of oregano tested for two years at three
locations of Ethiopia are summarized in table 2. Testing
year exerted a significant influence (P<0.05) only on plant
height. Interaction effects of location by testing year
exerted a non significant influence (P<0.05) on all
parameters considered in this activity indicating
performance consistency of the different characters over
the testing years under different locations. Location
exerted a significant influence (P<0.05) on plant height
and fresh leaf yield/plant, and a highly significant
influence (P<0.01) on leaf yield/ha, percent EO content
and EO yield. This indicates, these traits were influenced
by a change in the growing environment. The significance
of location effect was expected because Wondo Genet,
Koka and Holleta vary in their soil type, rainfall and
temperature (Table 1). In agreement to the present study,
Fehr (1991) reported that every factor that is a part of the
environment of a plant has the potential to cause
differential performance. Likewise, Frankel et al. (1994)
and IRRI (1996) reported that fluctuating features of the
location such as rainfall, relative humidity, temperature,
etc. are some of the environmental factors that cause
performance variation in plants. The influence of location
on agronomic and chemical traits of aromatic and
medicinal plants were also reported Aloysia triphylla L.
(Beemnet et al., 2013), Coriandrum sativum L. (Beemnet
and Getinet, 2010), Cymbopogon citratus L. (Beemnet et
al., 2011), Artemisia annua L. (Belay, 2007; Zewdinesh et
al., 2011), Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Beemnet et al.,
2012) and Aflatuni (2005) for Mentha arvensis L. and M.
piperiata L., indicating the importance of knowing
optimum growing locations before intending production of
oregano in Ethiopia.
Performance of Oregano in Morpho-agronomic and
Chemical Characters
Analysis of variance revealed that there existed a
performance variation in morpho-agronomic characters
(plant height, leaf to stem ratio, leaf yield/plant and leaf
yield/ha) and chemical characters (percent EO content
and EO yield/ha) of oregano across testing locations and
years (Table 2). The overall mean and range values of
morphological characters (leaf length and width) are
summarized in table 3. The respective mean
performances of agronomic and chemical characters of
due to location effects and testing years are summarized
in tables 4 and 5.
Performance of Oregano in Morphological and
Agronomic Characters in Ethiopia
The overall mean performance of leaf length, leaf width,
plant height, leaf to stem ratio, leaf yield/plant, leaf
yield/ha were 2.21 cm, 1.18 cm, 37.18 cm, 2.68, 159.27 g
and 8.91 t, respectively. The respective leaf length, leaf
width, plant height, leaf to stem ratio, leaf yield/plant and
leaf yield/ha of oregano across the tested location ranged
from 1.7 to 2.8 cm, 1 to 1.50 cm, 34.93 to 39.87 cm, 1.05
to 3.33, 105.86 to 216.08 g and 5.88 to 12.01 t. The
highest value of plant height was recorded at Wondo
Genet; while, the lowest was obtained at Holleta.
 Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 568

Table 4. Mean performance of oregano for its agronomic and chemical traits tested at Wondo Genet, Koka and Holleta during the year
2012 and 2013.

Plant height Leaf yield/plant Leaf to stem Leaf yield/ha EO content EO yield
Locations
(cm) (g) ratio (kg) (%) (kg/ha)
Holleta 34.93b 216.08a 3.33a 12004a 0.37b 23.09b
Koka 36.75ab 105.86c 1.05a 5881c 0.39b 44.09c
a b a b a a
Wondo Genet 39.87 155.88 2.29 8835 0.79 69.81
Mean 37.18 159.27 2.68 8906.62 0.519 45.67
LSD0.05 3.86 44.27 2.41 2531 0.08 13.14
CV (%) 9.76 26.08 36.77 26.66 14.65 26.99

Means followed by the same letter with in the same column are statistically non significant at P < 0.05 according to least significant difference
(LSD) test.

Table 5. Mean performance of oregano for its agronomic and chemical traits tested at Wondo Genet, Koka and Holleta
during the year 2012 and 2013.

Testing Plant height Leaf Leaf to stem Leaf yield/ha EO content EO yield
years (cm) yield/plant (g) ratio (kg) (%) (kg/ha)
2012 39.08a 158.16a 2.61a 8902.7a 0.52a 46.00a
2013 35.29b 160.39a 2.74a 8910.5a 0.51a 45.33a
Mean 37.18 159.27 2.68 8906.62 0.519 45.67
LSD0.05 3.15 36.15 0.85 2066.5 0.06 10.72
CV (%) 9.76 26.08 36.77 26.66 14.65 26.99

Means followed by the same letter with in the same column are statistically non significant at P < 0.05 according to least significant
difference (LSD) test.

However, the highest values for leaf to stem ratio, leaf
yield/plant and leaf yield/ha of oregano was recorded at
Holleta. The performances of oregano on leaf to stem
ratio, leaf yield/plant and leaf yield/ha over the testing
years was found consistent except for plant height.
Compared with the first testing year, a decreasing value
of 9.69% plant height was measured in second year.
A relatively lower value of leaf length (10–50 mm) and
leaf width (5–25 mm) was reported by Raduiene and
Stankeviciene (2005) during characterization activities of
14 accessions of Lithuania oregano. The current study is
within the range of plant height report from 30–60 cm by
(Kokkini, 1997). In agreement with the present study, a
comparable range of values from 17.31–34.24 cm,
10.59–15.11 cm and 34.50–61.00 cm was reported for
leaf length, leaf width and plant height for studies
conducted on 144 genotypes of Iranian oregano (Andi et
al., 2011). A short plant height range between 15 and 25
cm was reported by Hobincu (2012) in agrobiology study
of oregano species. A lower fresh yield/plant up to 56.6 g
was reported by Dunford and Vazquez (2005) from
experiments under different water stress conditions in
Mexico. Ahmad et al. (2008) reported a comparable plant
height range from 25.45 to 55.58 cm and lower range of
fresh leaf yield/ha (2.02-6.42 t/ha) for Oregano in Iran. A
lower leaf yield/plant range between 50.87 and 98.89 g
was reported for 12 Oregano germplasms evaluated in
Argentina (Torres et al., 2012). A respective range of
2
plant height, leaf yield/plant and leaf yield/m from 27.8 to
62.1 cm, 40.9 to 364 g and 0.17 to 1.52 g was reported
for oregano evaluated under different growth stage in
Poland (Wierdak, 2009).
The variation in morpho-agronomic characters in
oregano in the different reports from the current study
may be due to the variation in genotype, environment,
soil, climatic factors. The existence of variation in
agronomic characters due to genotype/cultivar, edahphic
and climatic conditions was also reported by Nidagundi
and Hedge (2007) for chamomiles. In Ethiopia, variation
in agronomic characters due to the variation in
environmental, climatic and edaphic factors was also
reported for lemon verbena (Beemnet et al., 2013),
lemongrass (Beemnet et al., 2011) and coriander
(Beemnet and Getinet, 2010). As the value obtained in
this experiment demonstrated comparable morpho-
agronomic characters with the different reports, it is
possible to cultivate oregano in Ethiopian for the
production of spice, aromatic and medicinal herbal leaf of
oregano.
Performance of Oregano for Chemical Traits in
Ethiopia
The overall mean value of EO content and EO yield
tested over three locations and two years were 0.52%
and 45.67 kg. The EO content and EO yield ranged from
0.37–0.79% and 23.09–69.81 kg, respectively. The
highest values of these characters were obtained at
Kassahun et al., 569
Wondo Gent. The values on EO content and EO yield
were consistent under both testing years. Hence, it is the
location that affects the production of oregano in the
country. In agreement with the present study, a
comparable value of EO content range from 0.36 to
0.52% was reported by Raduiene and Stankeviciene
(2005) for accessions of Lithuania oregano. Shiyab et al.
(2012) also reported comparable EO content range
between 0.3 and 0.5% for samples taken under different
developmental stage of oregano in Jordan. Likewise,
comparable EO content ranging between 0.21 and 0.6%
with the present study was reported for oregano
evaluated under different growth stage in Poland
(Wierdak, 2009). A wide range of EO content from 0.1 to
3.42% was reported by Elezi et al. (2013) for experiment
conducted on 62 accessions of oregano in Albania.
Similarly, wider EO content range between 0.35 and 2.36
was also reported for 12 Oregano germplasms evaluated
in Argentina (Torres et al., 2012). Higher values of EO
content varying from 0.7 to 2.5% (w/w) was reported for
oregano plants evaluated under controlled environments
(Dunford and Vazquez, 2005). The different variations of
EOs in oregano were reported by numerous researches
(Marzi et al., 1992; Falconieri, 2011). The differences in
these reports from our results may be associated with the
variances in these factors, including genetic, seasonal,
temperature, mois-ture, soil, day length changes on EO
production and quality (Farooqi et al., 1999; Ceylan et al.,
2003; Baydar et al., 2004; Yaldiz et al., 2005). Similarly,
Fahmy (1955) and Langston and Leopold (1954)
mentioned that climatic factors such as temperature, day
length, humidity and rainfall, affected oil content of
aromatic plants.
CONCLUSION
Generally, the available Oregano cultivar was found
adapted well in all the test locations for all morphological,
agronomic traits and chemical traits. Similarly, the values
obtained in this experiment demonstrated comparable
and even higher values in morpho-agronomic and
chemical characters with the different reports. Hence, it is
possible to use the existing oregano cultivar for the
production of herbal, aromatic, spice and medicinal
leaves and essential oil in Ethiopia.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to acknowledge Wondo Genet Agricultural
Research Center and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants
Research Project for providing all the necessary facilities
and support during the entire experimentation. Our
acknowledgement also to Mr. Wondimu Manebo, Mr.
Birara Tilahun, Mr. Yigermal Mola and Mr. Damtew
Tsegaye of technical research assistant who collect all
necessary data from all experimental fields during
experimentation time and also we want to acknowledge
Mr. Zerihun Jomba of laboratory technician who extracts
essential oil of the plant and collect all laboratory data.
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