title: Seasonal variation in essential oil yield and composition from Thymus vulgaris L. during different growth stages in the south of Jordan.
abstract: The effect of plant space and time of harvesting on yield and quality of Thymus vulgaris was evaluated in Jordan. Thyme was cultivated in rows of 50 cm apart with inter-row spacing of 15, 30 or 45 cm and was grown at various development stages. Plants were harvested during different growth stages including vegetation, beginning of blooming, full blooming and fruit maturation. Results indicated that oil yields of thyme were affected by growth stage and inter-row spacing. The maximum oil yields was obtained by harvesting at the early growth stage, which was found superior to oil yield corresponding to the later stages of collection. With 45 cm inter-row spacing, the maximum oil yield was recorded when the samples were collected at growth stage. Indicated results showed that the chemical composition during various growth stages was characterised by high percentage of carvacrol and its corresponding monoterpenic hydrocarbon precursors ρ-cymene and γ-terpinene, and ether 1,4-cineol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, Al-Shouback University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, P.O. Box (5), Code No. 71911, Al-Shouback, Jordan.
authors.forename: Mohammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abu-Darwish
authors.forename: Muhammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Alu'datt
authors.forename: Abdel Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Al-Tawaha
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ereifej
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almajwal
authors.forename: Nidal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Odat
authors.forename: Wesam
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Al Khateeb
mesh_terms: D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000032:analysis; D000081007:Cymenes; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D007597:Jordan; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; C018669:gamma-terpinene; C073316:carvacrol; D000077591:Eucalyptol