Background-Objective
Sideritis raeseri (Greek mountain tea) grows naturally at high altitudes (over 1000m). The plant is native and endemic, as it grows exclusively in Greece. Native plants are declining due to wildfires, uncontrolled grazing, harvesting, and climate change, while increased market demands lead to the need for cultivation, which in turn leads to sustainable utilization and protection of the plant. Usually, studies focus on genetics, nutrients, and essential oils; thus, there is a significant gap in water use. The present study aims to investigate the effect of irrigation levels on growth characteristics, yield, and water use efficiency(WUE) when cultivating tea in plains, where environmental conditions differ from its natural habitat.
Methods
An experimental design consisting of four treatments (0%ET-50%ET-75%ET-100%ET), three replications, 60 plants/plot, was configured at the University of Thessaly farm (70m altitude). Water needs were based on Penman-Monteith. Considering factors as emitters/plant, distance between plants and rows, irrigation timing, dose, and duration were determined.
Results
The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the 0%ET and all other treatments regarding plant height, fresh and dry biomass, indicating that irrigation is essential at low altitudes. The 75%ET treatment showed the highest WUΕ; particularly, 75%ET and 100%ET treatments showed the best growth and yield characteristics with no statistically significant differences between them. However, the correlation of dry biomass with the total water applied indicated that the 75%ET treatment was superior in terms of WUE.
Conclusions
Given its demand, Greek mountain tea can be an alternative crop for farmers at low altitudes, under the condition of irrigation. High yield can be achieved by applying 75%ET, as the plant’s water stress is tolerable, and significant water savings (25%) can be achieved simultaneously. The approach enhances the direction of sustainable water use and contributes to the long-term protection of the plant.
