Productivity and essential oil quality of Himalayan Thyme (Thymus linearisBenth.) in relation to plant densities and drying methods

Thymus linearis (Benth. ex Benth), commonly known as Himalayan thyme, is used extensively in folk medicines, food-flavours due its extract and aromatic constituents. The impact of plant densities on dry herb productivity and quality essential oil of T. linearis, as well as the effect of drying procedures on essential oil quality, were investigated in this study. Six plant spacing and four drying methods were applied. The plant densities have significant effect on dry herb (p<0.1) and essential oil yield (p<0.01) of T. linearis. Total 28 compounds were identified, forming 95.1–98.9% of composition. Phenolic monoterpenoids (41.7–59.0%) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (29.8–47.5%); with thymol (36.6–53.9%), γ-terpinene (17.7–24.1%) and p-cymene (3.8–17.0%) were the major constituents. The yield of dry herb and essential oil in thyme influenced by plant densities. Results showed that narrower spacing produces higher grain and quality essential oils in thyme as compared to wider spacing.