The Effect of Biochar Obtained From Pruning Residue of Oil-Bearing Rose on Flower Yield and Essential Oil Content of Oil-Bearing Rose

Oil-bearing rose (Rosa damascena Mill.), which the most important rose species used in essential oil production in the world, is performed in Lake Region where 85% of production realized in Isparta, Turkey. Each year, oil-bearing rose pruned within February and March in the region, therefore, considerable amount of pruning residues burning in the field causing significant damage to the soil organic matter content. This research was carried out to determine the effect of biochar that is obtained from oil-bearing rose pruning residues on the flower yield and essential oil content of the oil-bearing rose. Collected residues were subject to 400 °C heat treatment in oxygen free environment, afterwards obtained biochar applied to oil-bearing rose plant at 500, 1000 and 2000 kg ha-1 doses. Biochar application increased daily flower yield quantity; however, no evidence was found if biochar is providing earliness. Based on the overall mean values, biochar application was improved total flower yield significantly compared to the control. The highest essential oil content was determined in the areas where the highest biochar dose applied as 2000 kg ha-1