Agriculture and horticulture
leili safaei; Fatemeh Sefidkon; saeed- davazdahemami-; Davood Aminazarm
Abstract
Background and objectives: Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and is one of Iran’s exclusive species. Due to its high essential oil content and significant amounts of carvacrol, it is particularly important in the cosmetic, health, and pharmaceutical ...
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Background and objectives: Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and is one of Iran’s exclusive species. Due to its high essential oil content and significant amounts of carvacrol, it is particularly important in the cosmetic, health, and pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed to evaluate the plant’s adaptation to the climatic conditions of Isfahan province and enhance its quantitative and qualitative performance by identifying the most suitable fertilization method.Methodology: This project was conducted at Fozveh Station of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan from 2017 to 2020 under irrigation conditions, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight fertilizer treatments. The treatments included different levels of chemical fertilizers (N50P25K25), organic fertilizers (30 and 60 tons/ha of cow manure, and 5 tons/ha of vermicompost), and combinations of chemical and organic fertilizers (N50P25K25 + 30 tons/ha cow manure, N50P25K25 + 60 tons/ha cow manure, and N50P25K25 + 5 tons/ha vermicompost). These treatments were compared with a control group, and the experiment was replicated three times. Seeds and seedlings were sourced from the Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center and the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Cultivation was performed indirectly through seedlings, which were first grown in greenhouse conditions using cultivation trays. In April 2017, after favorable weather conditions were established, the seedlings were transplanted to the field. Drip irrigation was applied immediately after transplanting, with watering scheduled twice a week in the early growth stages and once a week after plant establishment. The aerial parts of the plants were harvested at 50% flowering, cut 5 cm above the soil surface, and dried in the shade. Essential oil extraction was performed annually using water distillation (Clevenger apparatus). The essential oil percentage was measured, its composition was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), and qualitative assessment was conducted through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: According to the results, the maximum essential oil percentage and oil yield in S. khuzistanica were 3.7% (in the third year) and 132.6 kg/ha (in the second year), respectively. Across the experimental years, the highest oil yield was obtained in the combined treatment of 50 kg/ha nitrogen, 25 kg/ha phosphorus, and 25 kg/ha potassium, plus 5 tons/ha vermicompost, in the third year. Throughout the study, 14 compounds were identified in S. khuzistanica essential oil, with carvacrol being the predominant component. The concentration of carvacrol ranged from 86.4% to 95.3%.Conclusion: According to the results, the qualitative yield of essential oil in S. khuzistanica was less affected by soil fertility treatments, while the quantitative yield showed a significant increase, which indirectly enhanced the qualitative yield. Ultimately, the study concluded that the intermediate fertilization method was the most effective treatment for improving quantitative yield and promoting sustainable agriculture. The high carvacrol content in this species adds to its economic value. Given its diverse biological properties, including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities, S. khuzistanica is recommended for applications where this valuable compound is required.
