Changes in essential oil accumulation of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) in response to phosphate biological and chemical fertilizer

A field experiment was carried out with a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2014. Triple super phosphate (0, 3.75, 7.5, 11.25 and 15 g m−2) was applied in main plots and phosphate bio-fertilizer (seed inoculation and topdressing) was allocated to sub plots. Results indicated that application of plants with phosphorus (P) bio-fertilizer as topdressing increased plant height and the number of the lateral branches under low levels of chemical P fertilizer, while plants from seed inoculated with P bio-fertilizer had more of those traits under high levels of chemical P fertilizer. Maximum leaf and flower dry weights were found under the lowest level of chemical P fertilizer. Moldavian balm plant demonstrated highly responsiveness to biological fertilizers in terms of increase in essential oil (EO) percentage and yield. It can be concluded that the effects of bio-fertilizer as seed inoculation is more during the early vegetative growth of plants. Thus, plants from seeds inoculated with P bio-fertilizer treatment had more biomass and EO percentage under high levels of chemical P fertilizer.