S.M. Hossaini; M. Aghaalikhani; F. Sefidkon; A. Ghalavand
Abstract
The Sahandi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) is a native medicinal species of Iran, which is exposed to extinction. Organic farming of this species in low input systems has an important role to protect this valuable genetic reserve. To evaluate the essential oil content and components of the savory ...
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The Sahandi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) is a native medicinal species of Iran, which is exposed to extinction. Organic farming of this species in low input systems has an important role to protect this valuable genetic reserve. To evaluate the essential oil content and components of the savory in natural habitat and field conditions, an experiment was conducted to investigate the plant growth responses to different fertilizer and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) density (0, 6, 12 and 18 plants/m2) in two planting patterns (rectangles, zigzag). The experiment was carried out in factorial based on RCBD with three replications at the Qazvin Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center during 2010 to 2012. The nutrient treatments included NPK plus foliar application of micronutrients, four tons/ha vermicompost, two tons/ha vermicompost plus 40 liters/ha vermi-tea (liquid formulation of vermicompost). At the flowering stage, the essential oil content and compounds were measured in both samples of field and natural habitats. The effect of planting pattern was not significant. The highest content of essential oils in first harvest (28.38%) and in second harvest (46.04%) were obtained from organic fertilizer treatments, two tons vermicompost + 40 liters vermin-tea and four tons vermicompost, respectively. These treatments were superior to the savory harvested from natural habitats. The essential oil content of savory under competition of redroot pigweed at all densities were higher than the natural habitats and the highest content in first and second harvest (30.41% and 51.80%) was obtained at 18 plants/m2 pigweed density. In all fertilizer treatments, the content of thymol in comparison to natural habitats (38.49%) was superior and the highest content (42.95%) was obtained with application of four tons vermicompost. In the absence of weed, the Sahandi savory produced the greatest content of thymol (45.18%) compared to the savory grown in natural habitats.
S.M. Hossaini; M. Aghaalikhani; F. Sefidkon; A. Ghalavand
Abstract
Regarding to the important role of weed management, soil fertility and organic farming of the medicinal plants, in this research, the effect of different levels of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexux L.) density on growth and yield of sahendi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) was studied in several ...
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Regarding to the important role of weed management, soil fertility and organic farming of the medicinal plants, in this research, the effect of different levels of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexux L.) density on growth and yield of sahendi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) was studied in several fertility regimes including vermicompost with complete and decreased amount of conventional fertilizers. Experiment was carried out using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of treatments with three replicates in Esmaeil Abad Station of Agriculture and Natural Resoursec Research Organization of the Qazvin province during 2010-2012. Fertility factors included NPK plus micro nutrients spraying in first and second year (CF), vermicompost (4 t/ha) in first year (V4), vermicompost (2 t/ha)in first year plus liquid vermitea(40 L/ha) in second year (V2T). Redroot pigweed density levels included 0, 6, 12, and 18 plants per square meter (W0, W6, W12 and W18). Results showed that in first year main effect of fertilizer on shoot weight, and main effect of weed interference on essential oil (p<0.05) and shoot weight (p<0.01) were significant. Weed dry weight significantly (p<0.01) was influenced by weed density in both years of the experiment. The highest percentage of savory essential oil was obtained at 2 t/ha vermicompost+vermitea in no weed treatment. Sixteen compounds were identified in the essential oil of savory of which thymol, р-cymene and γ-trepinene were the most important ones. According to the results of the essential oil analysis, treatment of 4 t/ha vermicompost in weed free condition increased thymol production. However, thymol decreased and р-cymene increased in response to the existence of weeds.
