Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
- Behrooz Esmaielpour 1
- Elham Shojaei 2
- Rasool Azarmi 3
- Zahra Aslani 4
- Seyed Karim Tahami 5
- Mehdi Davari 6
1 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran,
2 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science , Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran
3 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran.
4 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
5 Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) of Ardabil, Ardabil, Iran
6 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran
Abstract
Background and objectives: Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is an aromatic plant from the Lamiaceae family, known for its bioactive compounds, such as thymol and carvacrol, which possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These compounds have applications in various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals. Biofertilizers like mycorrhizal and Trichoderma fungi offer advantages over chemical fertilizers. These include reducing toxic substances in the food cycle, improving soil physical and chemical properties, and being cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Trichoderma species promote plant growth through various mechanisms, including the biological control of soil-borne diseases by producing enzymes and antibiotics and direct antagonism against pathogenic fungi.
Methodology: To evaluate the effect of Trichoderma harzianum on growth parameters, yield, and essential oil composition of savory in organic culture media, a factorial experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications in the Horticultural Science Greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University. The experimental treatments consisted of two factors: 1. Organic matter at three levels: Control (soil and sand mixture), Soil and sand mixture with 30% spent mushroom compost and Soil and sand mixture with 30% vermicompost. 2. Trichoderma harzianum inoculation at two levels: Inoculated and Non-inoculated (control). A 2 cm layer of coarse sand was placed at the bottom of the pots to ensure proper drainage. Savory seeds were initially grown in small pots and later transplanted to the main pots at the two- to three-leaf stage. Standard agronomic practices, such as irrigation and weeding, were maintained throughout the experiment. At the end of the study, vegetative traits (plant height, leaf area, dry weight of stem and root, number and length of secondary branches), physiological traits (chlorophyll index), nutrient content (N, K, P, Mg, Zn), and essential oil yield and composition were assessed.
Results: The results demonstrated that organic fertilizers and Trichoderma inoculation significantly improved vegetative growth and quality traits compared to the control. The highest dry weight of aerial organs (4.82 g) was recorded in the vermicompost treatment, while Trichoderma inoculation resulted in 4.87 g. The highest chlorophyll index (26.86) was observed in plants treated with Trichoderma and vermicompost. Nutrient analysis showed that Trichoderma inoculation significantly increased phosphorus (3606.3 mg/kg), nitrogen (2.55%), and magnesium (55.64 mg/kg) content. In organic substrate treatments, vermicompost application resulted in the highest levels of zinc (47.87 mg/kg), nitrogen (3.06%), and phosphorus (4143 mg/kg). The highest carvacrol content (71.90%) was observed in Trichoderma-inoculated plants, while the highest essential oil yield (0.599 mL per pot) was found in plants treated with Trichoderma and vermicompost.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that organic substrates combined with Trichoderma fungus can serve as an effective alternative to chemical fertilizers, enhancing both yield and essential oil quality in the organic cultivation of savory.
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