Physiological responses of oregano under different water management and application of fermented bokashi compost

ABSTRACT.

Growing conditions such as water supply and soil fertility influence oregano morphological development and physiological responses. Our study aimed to analyse the physiological responses of oregano plants grown under different water conditions and bokashi application rates. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse under a randomized block design and a 3 x 4 factorial scheme. Treatments encompassed three water replacement levels (60, 80, and 100% crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and four bokashi rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 g m^-2), with five replications each. Oregano seedlings were transplanted and grown in a spacing of 0.3 m between plants and 1 m between bed rows. After 60 days, treatments were evaluated for photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (Gs), internal CO₂ rate (Ci), transpiration (E), and water-use efficiency (WUE). Data underwent variance analysis by F-teste, multivariate analysis, and Pearson's linear correlation. Oregano physiological responses were significantly influenced by water replacement level and the application rate of fermented bokashi compost. The multivariate analysis allowed us to analyse the interaction effect between water replacement level and bokashi rate on photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, internal CO₂, and transpiration.

Keywords:
organic fertilization; Origanum vulgare L.; water management.