Comparison of Roots and Essential Oil Yield of Valerian Under Field and Hydroponic Conditions

Abstract

During the last few years, the use of medicinal plants as an alternative to traditional medicine has soared considerably. The demand for some plant species largely exceeds the offer and supply for good quality products can be a serious problem. Soil-less greenhouse cultivation of medicinal plants would thus allow growers to market very high quality products, year around, in a pesticide free environment. Valerian(Valeriana officinalis) plants were grown in Investigative Greenhouse and Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in IRAN (59 N latitude), and evaluated for their response to the field and soilless culture conditions. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential growth of Valeriana officinalis using a NFT growing system and evaluate their profitability. The results showed that valerian studied was well adapted to the NFT system. After 50-120 days, root dry weight of Valeriana officinalis, was 4.4 times higher, in the NFT system compared to field growing plants. Also, the shoot dry weight of hydroponic growing plants were15.2 times higher than field-grown plants. Essential oil yield were 0.57% and 0.48% in NFT and field conditions, respectively.