Selection and production of oregano rich in essential oil and carvacrol

There is an increasing interest in oregano essential oil and its component carvacrol for the use as a feed additive with antimicrobial properties, enhancing the health of poultry and pigs. This chapter describes the initial agronomic attempts (in the years 2001-2004) to acquire and develop Origanum strains rich in essential oil and carvacrol for optimal field production (of crop biomass and essential oil yield) under Dutch climatic conditions. Research activities to improve field production of oregano and efficient processing of this crop are briefly described.