Support Cultivation Technology of High-essential-oil Melaleuca altennifolia

Leaf-production of a high-essential-oil variety of Melaleuca alternifolia was studied to improve the cultivation based on tissue-culture of the plant. Planting density, plant height and time at harvest, as well as mortality rates of the seedlings started with tissues and cuttings were determined on a field experimentation. Content of essential oils in the leaves on the seedlings in different seasons and low-temperature tolerance of the seedlings grown from tissue-culture and cuttings were monitored. The results showed that the highest leaf yield up to 37.8 tons per hectare was achieved when a planting density was 22, 500 seedlings per hectare. The yield increased continuously year after year, and became stabilized at approximately 43.95 tons per hectare in the 4^th year. The plant height at time of leaf-harvesting significantly affected mortality rate of the plants. For best results, the optimum harvest was to be carried out when a plant was 50 cm high and in mid-November. The low-temperature tolerance of the seedlings started with tissue-culture was found superior to those began with plant cuttings.