IMPROVING AGROBIOTECHNOLOGICAL CULTIVATION METHODS OF MEDICINAL ESSENTIAL OIL PLANTS UNDER UZBEKISTAN’S ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

The cultivation of medicinal essential oil plants is emerging as a strategic agricultural sector in Uzbekistan, driven by growing global demand for natural phytochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and aromatherapy products. Uzbekistan’s unique combination of arid and semi-arid climates, diverse soils, and long daylight periods creates a favorable environment for the production of high-value aromatic crops such as Lavandula angustifolia, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Foeniculum vulgare. Despite this potential, productivity and essential oil quality are often limited due to traditional farming practices, inadequate agronomic techniques, suboptimal irrigation, and lack of integration of biotechnological innovations. This study evaluates the agrobiotechnological methods available for medicinal essential oil crop cultivation in Uzbekistan and proposes strategies to optimize productivity and oil composition. Through integrating precision irrigation, biofertilizers, plant growth-promoting microorganisms, tissue culture propagation, and post-harvest phytochemical preservation techniques, essential oil plants can achieve higher yield, improved metabolite profiles, and greater resistance to abiotic stresses. The study further identifies the main challenges hindering sector development and offers solutions grounded in applied plant biotechnology, agronomy, and sustainable environmental management. These insights provide a roadmap for scaling up essential oil production to meet international quality standards while promoting economic growth and environmental sustainability in Uzbekistan.