Establishment, Growth And Productivity Of Selected Medicinal Plant Species In The Arid Zone 100-200 Mm Rainfall, In Jordan

Six field experiments were conducted at Al-Muwaqar (arid) and Al-Jubeiha (Mediterranean) locations, Jordan for four years to study establishment, growth and production of selected medicinal species under supplimentary irrigation, water harvesting and soil conditioner treatments. Results showed that 70% of plot area left for water harvesting significantly increased leaf number and total fresh and dry weights of Salvia officinalis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Origanum syriacum L., compared with no water harvesting. The larger the water harvesting area the more growth obtained and up to 90% however, total yield remained lower than that of no water harvesting. Soil conditioner (polymer) at 300 g/m2 significantly increased growth of all species and soil moisture content more than in water harvesting treatments. R. officinalis was best established, while water harvesting and soil conditioner were more beneficial to O. syriacum than other species. Studies on adaptability and survival of 15 medicinal plant species in Al-Muwaqar showed great variations in their performance and responses to irrigation. Although some appeared well adapted but their growth and productivity were better at Al-Jubeiha location. Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Carthamus tinctorius L., Lepidium sativum L. and Cynara scolymus L. tolerate Al-Muwaqar dry conditions, while C. scolymus was best established and yearly growing.