ROSMARINIC ACID AND ANTHOCYANIN CONTENT IMPROVEMENT BY FOLIAR APPLICATION OF FE AND ZN FERTILIZER IN LEMON BALM (MELISSA OFFICINALIS L.)

Melissa officinalis L. is a well-known medicinal plant from the family of lamiaceae. The plant is high in flavonoid. Flavonoids of lemon balm such as rosmarinic acid and anthocyanin have an antiviral and antioxidant effect. Micronutrients are the element that is necessary for the plant in low concentration. In this experiment the effect of micronutrient (Fe and Zn) was examined on the anthocyanin and rosmarinic acid yield. Results of analysis of variance showed that micronutrients significantly change the rosmarinic acid and anthocyanin content and maximum rate is seen in [Zn(0)+Fe(1g/l) and Zn(1g/l)+Fe(2g/l)] respectively. It can be concluded that these micronutrients positively change the rosmarinic acid and anthocyanin content.