Economic and qualitative value of the raw material of chosen species of medicinal plants from organic farming. Part III. Yield and quality of herb and seed yield of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.).

In 2005-2007, in the field experiment, the yield and quality of summer savory herb of Polish cultivar Saturn in organic farming were tested. The experiment was established on six organic farms and one conventional farm in different localities in Poland. The following features were evaluated: fresh and dried herb yield, stem fraction in herb, seed yield, weight of 1000 seeds, essential oil content, macro- and microelement content, nitrate content and microbiological purity. Only from Sosk savory herb yield was higher compared with the yield from conventional cultivation though it contained high amount of stems. Organic savory herb was characterized by high content of essential oil and increased content of macro- and microelements. Evaluation of microbiological purity showed that herb contamination from both types of cultivation did not exceed standard for raw materials treated with hot water.