Marjoram is a perennial herb native to Southern Europe that is cultivated for its leaves and flower heads, which contain high levels of terpenes and linalool. It is grown for use in the food and fragrance industries. Major producers and consumers of marjoram oil include France, Egypt, and the United States. The document provides details on propagating, growing, harvesting, and distilling marjoram for medicinal and commercial purposes.

1. Production technology of Marjoram
Prepared by
Dr. Uttam Tripura (Ph.D)
Assist. Professor (Hort.),
LPU

2. Marjoram
BN: Majorana hortensis M.
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Southern Europe
E. Part: leaves and flower heads
Chem. constituents: Terpene
(28.973%), linalool + cis-sabinene
hydrate (27.404%)
Uses: Flavour and fragrance industry

3. Economic importance
• The oil is mainly employed in food processing industries for
flavouring
• it is also used in high grade flavour preparations and perfumes, and
in soaps.
• Medicinally, it is also useful for sprains, bruises, stiff and paralytic
limbs and tooth ache, and diarrhoea.
• Sweet marjoram is considered to be carminative, expectorant and
tonic; leaves and seeds are astringent.
• Leaves of marjoram has got antimicrobial activity against Bacillus,
Proteus, Salmonella, Streptococcus, and Aspergillus.

4. Origin and Distribution
• It is native to Southern Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor.
• It is cultivated throughout Europe, Mediterranean region as well as
North and South America.
• France and Egypt are the major exporters of marjoram oil in the
world.
• United States of America alone consumes about 300-400 tonnes of
marjoram oil per annum, but France and Germany have larger
markets with over 500 tonnes requirements.
• In India its grown as in home gardens of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu

5. Description of the plant
• It is a perennial herb grows upto height of 20 to 40 cm with a
woody main stem and many softer branches.
• Stem are erect, glabrous to tomentose
• Leaves are round soft, matgreen and of a marvellous sweet
smell.
• Flower heads are grey green in colour and expand slightly to
show the frill of tiny white flower.

6. Soil and Climate
• Well drained and nutrient rich soil are good for its successful
growth.
• It can be grown even on saline or alkaline soil as well and can
withstand high salt content in the soil.
• The plants resist drought but prolonged period of drought are
harmful.
• It is a warm season plant but it can be grow in colder regions.
• It requires sunny position, though mid-day shade is preferred.

7. Propagation
Nursery raising
• Propagated by seed.
• Seeds sown during June-July and September-October nursery beds
at 15 x 15 cm apart.
• Seed rate: 50 g/ha seeds for seedling raising
• Seeds germinate after 8-10 days.
• Seedlings are ready for transplanting when they are about 2
months old.
Vegetative propagation
• Propagated through cuttings
• Cuttings of 15 cm length are made from healthy plants.
• Cuttings take about one month to root
• Establishment of rooted cuttings in the main field is about 90-
95 per cent

8. Season
November (Bangalore conditions)
Planting
• Healthy seedlings or rooted cuttings are transplanted into the
main field at a spacing of 15 cm x 7.5 cm.
Fertilizer Application
• Bangalore conditions, N:P:K @ 240:40:80 kg/ha in three equal
split doses gives maximum herbage and oil yield in marjoram.

9. Use of growth regulators
• application of GA3 at 200 ppm increased the fresh herb recovery,
recording the maximum oil yield (0.397% oil content and 55.54 kg/ha of oil
yield).
• Although cycocel at 500ppm and triacontanol at 6 ppm increased the fresh
herb recovery and oil yield over control.
Irrigation and intercultural
• After transplanting the crop is irrigated by a sprinkler for 5-6 days and
then a light surface irrigation is given.
• Subsequently, the crop may be irrigated once in 4-8 days depending upon
the season and the soil type.
• The crop is weeded as and when required which is followed by hoeing to
provide good aeration in the soil.

10. Crop rotation
Crop rotation with coriander, cumin, methi are promising.
Insect pests and diseases
• No serious pest and disease has been reported
• Some times attacked by termites which may be controlled by the
application of termex 20% EC.
• Leaf rust disease is noticed.
• It can be easily controlled by spraying 0.2 per cent Blitox at weekly
intervals

11. Harvesting
• The first harvesting is done after 90 days of planting, when the crop
starts flowering.
• While harvesting about 10 cm of the shoot above the ground level
is left for further growth.
• subsequent harvests can be carried out after 45 days of the first
harvest.
• On an average about 4-5 harvests are taken annually.
• To obtain the oil of export quality, the first harvest should be done
only after 90 days of planting.

12. Distillation of oil
• Fresh herbage of marjoram is steam distilled for obtaining the oil.
• About four to five hours are required for completing distillation.
• The oil should be made free from sediment, suspended matter and
moisture before storing.
• It is stored in aluminum containers.
Yield
• Herbage yield: 16-18 t/ha
• Oil yield: 35-40 kg/ha
• Oil recovery: 0.3 to 0.4%