Chemical compounds and essential oil release through decomposition process from Lavandula stoechas in Mediterranean region

All aromatic plants emit volatile substances into the environment either during their life or during the decomposition process. During decomposition, these volatile constituents affect the top soil microflora and the nutrients recycle process. Lavandula stoechas is a perennial aromatic shrub, rich in aromatic substances which can be found abundant across the Mediterranean. The aim of the present study was to investigate the essential oil degradation during decomposition process of L. stoechas and how the essential oil major compounds are released during this process. Fresh leaves and flowers of lavender were used for this study using the litter bag technique. The essential oil content of the initial plant was 1.46% dw and after seventeen months period dropped at 0.06%. There were no differences in oil degradation among the different experimental sites. Most of the essential oil compounds had disappeared after a year. However, the most toxic compounds in the plant material still remained after seventeen months.