Evaluating chemical and thermal weed suppression in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) cultivation

The usefulness of 3 herbicides and flame weeding in lemon balm sown directly into the field was assessed a two-year experiment. Glufosinate-ammonium (600 g∙ha–1) (90 kg propane∙ha–1) were applied 12–13 days after sowing, i.e. shortly weed emergence 4 before crop emergence. Bentazon (960 fluazifop-P-butyl (150 sprayed approximately weeks during balm, when weeds cotyledon – 2–4 true leaves stage. All studied control methods significantly reduced number fresh weight growing sowing. most effective method spraying with glufosinate-ammonium, which controlled 69–76% weeds. efficiency slightly lower. caused slight, temporary chlorosis some cotyledons. Content essential oil (1.9–2.1%), its composition content rosmarinic acid (2.08–2.44%) leaves, as well total nitrogen (2.18–2.55%), phosphorus (0.30–0.32%), potassium (2.94–3.22%), calcium (1.02–1.60%), magnesium (0.30–0.32%) raw material independent method. oil, phosphorus, higher dryer year. Studied proved useful cultivation from direct sowing field. Methods action (flaming glufosinate-ammonium) more than those selective (bentazon fluazifop-P-butyl).