We evaluated the production aboveground fresh weight of arnica and essential oil content and yield in arnica, influenced by liming, mineral nutrition, and organic fertilization. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using allic Cambisol. Three soil fertilization treatments (mineral, organic, and half mineral and half organic) were employed, with or without liming, and an additional treatment, with Litholic Neosol, coming from an area where arnica is endemic. These treatments were arranged in a 2x3+1 factorial scheme, in completely randomized design, with six replications, and one plant per pot (2.6 L of soil). After 150 days of cultivation the aboveground fresh weight (AFW) production, the content and yield of essential oil in AFW, were measured. The AFW decreased in this order: mineral > mixed > organic treatments, being only the last treatment influenced by liming. Higher essential oil contents were observed in organic treatments with and without liming, and mixed treatment without liming. The organic treatments presented smaller essential oil yields, while higher oil yields were measured in mineral and mixed treatments, without liming. Among all treatments, the best results were observed in the treatment using both organic and mineral fertilization without liming.
Lychnophora pimaster; mineral nutrition; organic nutrition; medicinal plant
