Volume 29, Issue 3 , November 2013
M. Shokhmgar; R. Baradaran; Gh. Mosavi; M. Poyan; E. Arazmjoo
Abstract
In order to study the effects of irrigation interval and nitrogen on yield and some physiological characteristics of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.), an experiment was carried out as split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, ...
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In order to study the effects of irrigation interval and nitrogen on yield and some physiological characteristics of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.), an experiment was carried out as split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, 2009. Treatments included irrigation intervals (4, 8 and 12 days) as main plot and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha-1 urea) as subplot. Results showed no significant differences for seed yield in irrigation treatments after 4 and 8 days. Increasing N also led to the increase of seed yield but no significant difference was found for seed yield between 100 and 150 kg.ha-1 urea. Decreasing in water use led to the increase of Na, proline and carbohydrate and decrease of K, Cha, carotenoids and total pigments, but it had no significant effect on Chb. Nitrogen significantly increased chlorophyll a, carotenoids, total pigments, and K. Increasing N up to 50 kg ha led to the increase of carbohydrates but then reduced the carbohydrates of leaf. According to the results obtained in this experiment, it can be stated that Fenugreek is somewhat drought tolerant and considering the importance of this medicinal plant, it can be used in conditions of water scarcity as an alternative for the species that have lower economic value under water deficit.
Z. Habibi; M. Ghavidel; M. Yousefi
Abstract
In the current research, aerial parts of Salvia verticillata L. were collected during the flowering stage from Esfehan-Khor and its chloroform extract was investigated. Purification of crude extract was carried out by column chromatography on silica gel with a gradient of n-hexan-ethyl acetate. At the ...
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In the current research, aerial parts of Salvia verticillata L. were collected during the flowering stage from Esfehan-Khor and its chloroform extract was investigated. Purification of crude extract was carried out by column chromatography on silica gel with a gradient of n-hexan-ethyl acetate. At the end of chromatography, the column was eluted by methanol. Finally thirty-seven fractions were collected; further purification was carried out by column chromatography (smaller columns) and thin layer chromatography (glass plates) in n-hexane–ethyl acetate as solvent for several times and yielded pure compounds. The structure of purified natural products was elucidated by using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Mass spectrometry. β-sitosterol and two diterpenoides namely Marrubinone B and Peregrinol were isolated.
S.M. Mousavi; E. Majdi Nasab; V. Yavari; E. Rajabzadeh Ghatarami; M. Razi Jalali
Abstract
Nowadays, the use of medicinal plants and their replacement with hazardous chemicals is increasing in aquaculture industry. One of these medicinal plants is Clove oil extract, mainly used for decreasing stress, anesthesia and sedation in aquaculture industry. Eugenol is a medicinal component derived ...
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Nowadays, the use of medicinal plants and their replacement with hazardous chemicals is increasing in aquaculture industry. One of these medicinal plants is Clove oil extract, mainly used for decreasing stress, anesthesia and sedation in aquaculture industry. Eugenol is a medicinal component derived from clove oil. The aim of the present study was to investigate toxicity effects and mean lethal concentration (LC50) of eugenol on Barbus sharpeyi. Barbus sharpeyi fingerlings (average weight: 5±1 gr) were selected and transferred from Shahid Maleki hatchery to fisheries laboratory of Khorramshahr University of Marine Sciences and Technology. After adaptation, fish were exposed to different concentrations of eugenol (1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) and behavioural changes were recorded on 0, 1, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exposing to anaesthetic drug, and LC50 was determined. According to the results, the concentrations of 1 ppm and 40 ppm eugenol were identified as the best concentrations for decreasing stress (sedation) and anaesthesia induction in Barbus sharpeyi, respectively. In addition, Eugenol at 200 ppm induced acute toxicity. Based on statistical analysis (Probit analysis), 48-hour LC50 of Eugenol was 22.61±1.76 ppm. Based on the results, Eugenol is an anaesthetic drug with moderate toxicity on Barbus sharpeyi. Therefore, Eugenol appears to be a safe anaesthetic agent for substitution with MS222 for native fish aquaculture.
M.R. Akhgar; A. Pourmirzaie; M. Moradalizadeh; T. Salarkarimi
Abstract
The genus Neogaillonia, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, has 4 species in Iran. This research was aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Neogaillonia eriantha, from endemic species of Iran. The aerial parts of Neogaillonia eriantha (Jaub. & Spach) ...
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The genus Neogaillonia, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, has 4 species in Iran. This research was aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Neogaillonia eriantha, from endemic species of Iran. The aerial parts of Neogaillonia eriantha (Jaub. & Spach) Lincz., were collected from the area between Sirjan and Hajiabad, at a height of 2900 m, Kerman province, Iran during May 2010. Essential oil of the aerial parts of the plant was extracted using hydrodistillation method and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The average essential oil yield was 0.2% (w/w). Essential oil compounds were identified by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-two compounds, representing 99.6% of the total oil, were identified in the essential oil. The main constituents were β-pinene (17.1%), 1,8-cineole (15.4%), δ-3-carene (11.4%), piperitone (11.3%), α-pinene (9.1%), and limonene (8.7%). As a result, monoterpenes (95.9%) were the main group of compounds found in the essential oil of the species.
S. Shahriari; M. Azizi; H. Aroiee; H. Ansari
Abstract
In order to study the effects of different irrigation regimes and mulch types on growth parameters and essential oil content of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), this experiment was performed in research field of Agricultural College of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2010. The experimental design ...
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In order to study the effects of different irrigation regimes and mulch types on growth parameters and essential oil content of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), this experiment was performed in research field of Agricultural College of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2010. The experimental design was factorial in a randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Treatments included three irrigation levels (100, 80 and 60 percent of water requirements calculated by evaporation pan class A) and two mulch types (black plastic and wood chips) in comparison to control. Results showed that the effect of irrigation on fresh weight, dry weight, leaf relative water content, leaf area and essential oil yield was significant (p< 0.05). The effect of mulch on fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area, inter-node distance, number of branch and essential oil yield was significant (p< 0.05). Interaction between irrigation and mulch on inter-node distance, fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area was significant (p< 0.05). This study showed the highest dry weight yield per plant (38.35 g) and the highest essential oil yield (82.83 L.ha-1) on the first level of irrigation with the use of wood chips mulch. Also, there was no significant difference between the first level of irrigation and mulch wood chips with the third level of irrigation and mulch wood chips. The lowest dry matter yield (14.87 g) and the lowest essential oil yield (29.57 L.ha-1) were obtained at third level of irrigation and without mulch. In addition, wood chips was identified as the best treatment to reduce the stress caused by deficit irrigation. In conclusion, results showed that the use of wood chips as mulch and 60 % of irrigation water requirement resulted to the highest water productivity in Peppermint production.
M.T. Darzi; M.R. Hadj Seyed Hadi; F. Rejali
Abstract
To study the effects of vermicompost and biofertilizer on quantity and quality (anethole, gama-himachalene and estragole content) of essential oil in anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), an experiment was conducted at Homand Research Station in Damavand, Iran in 2009. The factors were vermicompost (0, 5, 10 ...
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To study the effects of vermicompost and biofertilizer on quantity and quality (anethole, gama-himachalene and estragole content) of essential oil in anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), an experiment was conducted at Homand Research Station in Damavand, Iran in 2009. The factors were vermicompost (0, 5, 10 t/ha) and phosphatic biofertilizer (non-inoculated, inoculated seed and inoculated seed + spraying on soil in stem elongation stage). The experimental design was factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with nine treatments and three replications. According to the results, the highest essential oil content in seed and the maximum anethole content in essential oil were obtained at 10 t/ha and 5 t/ha vermicompost treatment, respectively. Also, the lowest gama-himachalene content and estragole content in essential oil was obtained at 5 t/ha vermicompost treatment. Phosphatic biofertilizer also showed significant effects on the mentioned characters, as the highest essential oil content in seed and anethole content in essential oil and the minimum gama-himachalene content and estragole content in essential oil were obtained in two times application of phosphatic biofertilizer. The intractions effect of biofertilizer and vermicompost on gama-himachalene content and estragole content in essential oil were significant, as the lowest gama-himachalene content and estragole content in essential oil were obtained at treatment of 5 t/ha vermicompost and two times application of phosphatic biofertilizer.
M. Ghorbanli; A. Alibabaee; M. Payvandi
Abstract
Hypericum perforatum L. is a valuable medicinal species. The plant geneus includes 17 species in Iran, but H. perforatum is the only valuable species.The species plays an essential role in the treatment of depression. In this study, Hypericum perforatum was treated with different concentrations of molybdenum ...
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Hypericum perforatum L. is a valuable medicinal species. The plant geneus includes 17 species in Iran, but H. perforatum is the only valuable species.The species plays an essential role in the treatment of depression. In this study, Hypericum perforatum was treated with different concentrations of molybdenum including (control, 0.1, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 µΜ) in Hoagland solution at 6.8 pH and then samples were used to measure biochemical parameters. Molybdenum significantly increased proline content. The shoot catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities increased in all treatments of molybdenum, but in root, it was reduced in higher concentrations. Shoot peroxidase activities increased by treatments of molybdenum, except at a concentration of 0.8µΜ. The increase in peroxidase activity was also observed in roots but it was reduced at higher concentrations. The malondealdehyde and molybdenum content increased in higher concentrations of molybdenum. Molybdenum content increased by increasing treated molybdenum. Therefore, molybdenum stress increased the proline content and peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities, and toxicity symptoms were observed in high concentrations of molybdenum as lipid peroxidation. Data were analyzed by SPSS and mean comparisons was performed by Duncan's multiple range test. In each experiment, 3 replications were used.
R. Kalvandi; M. Mirza; K. Safikhani; M. Naderi
Abstract
Rhabdosciadium aucheri Boiss., belonging to Apiaceae family, is an endemic species in flora of Iran that grows in Hamadan, Lorestan, Chaharmahale Bakhteyari, Kohkeyloye va Boyrahmad and Tehran. Aerial parts of Rhabdosciadium aucheri Boiss were collected at full flowering stage on July, 2010 from Iran: ...
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Rhabdosciadium aucheri Boiss., belonging to Apiaceae family, is an endemic species in flora of Iran that grows in Hamadan, Lorestan, Chaharmahale Bakhteyari, Kohkeyloye va Boyrahmad and Tehran. Aerial parts of Rhabdosciadium aucheri Boiss were collected at full flowering stage on July, 2010 from Iran: Hamadan, Asadabad at an altitude of 2330 m. Then, 100 g of air-dried aerial parts of plant was subjected to hydrodistillation. The essential oil yield was 0.67% based on the dry weight of plant. The oil was analyzed by GC and GC/Mass. Totally, eighteen constituents were identified. β-sesquiphellandrene (49.9%), epi-α-bisabolol (11.9%), intermedeol (8.20%), germacrene D (7.6%) and β-bisabolene (4.9%) were identified as the major constituents. This research was carried out for the first time in the world.
E. Modiri; F. Sefidkon; Z. Jamzad; A. Tavasoli
Abstract
The genus Ziziphora (Lamiaceae) consists of four species (Z. clinopodioides L., Z. capitata L., Z. persica Bunge. and Z. tenuior L.), wildly distributed in Iran. Ziziphora clinopodioides with the common Persian name of “kakuti-e kuhi” is a rich source of essential oils. In this study, aerial ...
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The genus Ziziphora (Lamiaceae) consists of four species (Z. clinopodioides L., Z. capitata L., Z. persica Bunge. and Z. tenuior L.), wildly distributed in Iran. Ziziphora clinopodioides with the common Persian name of “kakuti-e kuhi” is a rich source of essential oils. In this study, aerial parts of five subspecies of Z. clinopodioides were collected. After drying the plants, the essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation. The composition of the essential oils was analyzed and identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/Mass (GC/MS). The essential oils of different subspecies were different qualitatively and quantitatively. In the essential oil of subsp. Rigida, collected from Urmia and Fars, 15 and 19 compounds were identified, respectively. In both, the main compound was pulegone (46.8%) and (36.1%), respectively. In the essential oil of subsp. filicaulis from Arasbaran, subsp. bungeana from Tabriz and subsp. ronnigeri from Urmia, 15, 18 and 19 compounds were identified, respectively. The main compound was pulegone (46%), (23%) and (52%), respectively. In the essential oil of subsp. pseudodasyantha, collected from Qazvin (before to Zoshk) and Qazvin, 14 and 16 compounds were identified, respectively. Pulegone (49.8%) and Limonene (29%) were identified as the main compounds, respectively. In the essential oil of the mentioned subspecies, collected from Garmabdareh and Shahrestanak, 18 and 16 compounds were identified, respectively. The main compounds were g-terpinene (16.1%) and 1,8-cineol (32.4%), respectively.
M. Mohammadpour; A. Ghasemnejad; M.H. Lebaschy; B. Abbaszadeh; M. Azadbakht
Abstract
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) is a well known medicinal and aromatic plant, native to Southern Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus, Iraq and western Iran, but nowadays it is cultivated worldwide. In order to evaluate the effect of sowing date and plant density on the yield and morphological ...
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Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) is a well known medicinal and aromatic plant, native to Southern Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus, Iraq and western Iran, but nowadays it is cultivated worldwide. In order to evaluate the effect of sowing date and plant density on the yield and morphological characteristics of Satureja hortensis L. a field experiment was conducted in Sary Agricultural University using split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications during 2010. Main factors were three sowing dates (11 April, 22 April and 3 May) and sub factors were three plant density (15×35, 25×35 and 35×35cm). The species were investigated at full flowering stage. Sowing date and plant density had significant effects on most of the morphological characteristics. According to the results of mean comparison, the highest plant height (52.3 cm), lateral shoot (23.22 N/P), number of nod (17.81), shoot diameter (8.8 mm), root diameter (9.12 mm) and dry weight of root (2.76 g/p) were recorded for first sowing date. Delay in sowing time increased the dry shoot yield significantly as the highest dry shoot yield (3023.1 and 2663.9 kg/ha) was obtained at third and second sowing time. The result of mean comparison showed that the highest root diameter (9.33mm) and dry weight of root (2.56 g/p) were recorded for third density. In addition, the highest plant height (53.03 and 51.09 cm), lateral stem (21.94 and 21.79 N/P), number of nod (17.06 and 16.32) and shoot diameter (7.92 and 7.4 mm) were obtained at third and second densities. Plant density had no significant effect on dry shoot yield. The obtained results showed that morphological characteristics of Satureja hortensis were affected by agronomic treatments and growth performance may be enhanced by proper management.
M. Rezae; R. Baradaran
Abstract
In order to improve seed yield and enhance the quality of medicinal plants, the establishment of sustainable agricultural aystems and utilization bio-fertilizers is considered of great importance. In order to study the effect of bio-fertilizers on yield and yield components of pot marigold (Calendula ...
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In order to improve seed yield and enhance the quality of medicinal plants, the establishment of sustainable agricultural aystems and utilization bio-fertilizers is considered of great importance. In order to study the effect of bio-fertilizers on yield and yield components of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), an experiment was carried out as factorial in randomized complete blocks with 8 treatments and 3 replications in 2010. Treatments included compost (vermi-compost, city refuse compost, no organic fertilizer, granular organic fertilizer) and phosphate bio fertilizer (inoculated, not inoculated). Mean comparison was carried out using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level). Results showed that phosphate bio fertilizer had not significant effects on plant height, flower yield, number of flower and grain harvest index but flower diameter, number of lateral stems, biomass yield, seed yield and flower harvest index wrer significantly affected. Also, significant differences were observed in most of the traits between treatments and control (no fertilizer, no inoculation). Biological fertilizers significantly increased plant height, total biomass yield, seed weight and harvest index however, flower diameter, number of secondary stems, dried flower yield, flower number per square meter and seed yield were not affected by treatments. The highest values of most of the traits were obtained at vermi-compost and phosphate bio fertilizer, affecting the yield components and seed yield of pot marigold positively.
H. Kordi; M. Aghdasi; M. Khalafi
Abstract
Silybum marianum L. is an annual or biannual herbaceous species from Asteraceae which is important in medicinal industry. The main components of this species are various flavonolignans consisting of silibinin, isosilibinin, silychristin, silydianin and taxifolin that are known as silymarin. This species ...
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Silybum marianum L. is an annual or biannual herbaceous species from Asteraceae which is important in medicinal industry. The main components of this species are various flavonolignans consisting of silibinin, isosilibinin, silychristin, silydianin and taxifolin that are known as silymarin. This species is used in treatment of heart diseases, diabetes, blood cholesterol, liver diseases (jaundice, cirrhosis and hepatitis), and gallbladder disease. In this research, different organs of Silybum marianum (young and old leaves, stem, root, inflorescence and seeds) were separately collected during the different months in the Gorgan region and then total flavonoid, silymarin content, and the amount of silymarin components were measured by HPLC method. Our results showed that the highest amounts of total flavonoid were observed in the seed and inflorescence samples and then in the stem samples. Meanwhile the effect of time on flavonoid content and also the effect of sampling month and organ factors on flavonoid content were significant. Data from the HPLC analyses revealed that the silymarin compositions, observed in this study, were similar and the main difference among samples was the amount of silymarin composition. The highest amount of silydianin was observed in the stem sample; however the amount of other components were higher in the seed sample. According to the results, Gorgan is a suitable region for the cultivation of Silybium marinum and since the stem of this species contain significant amounts of silymarin, it could be considered as an optimal source of the production of pharmaceutical substances.
L. Jafarzadeh; H. Omidi; A. Bostani
Abstract
To investigate the effect of drought stress and bio-fertilizer (nitrogen) on flower yield, yield components, photosynthesis pigments and proline content of Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), a study was performed at Shahed University Agricultural Research Station, located 30 km south of Tehran. A ...
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To investigate the effect of drought stress and bio-fertilizer (nitrogen) on flower yield, yield components, photosynthesis pigments and proline content of Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), a study was performed at Shahed University Agricultural Research Station, located 30 km south of Tehran. A split-plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in cropping years of 2010-2011. Drought, as the main factor, included soil water potential (SWP) of 0.5 atm and equal to field capacity (FC) as control, SWP of 3.5 atm as moderate stress, SWP of 6.5 atm as relatively sever stress, and SWP of 10 atm as severe stress and was applied to the four-leaf stage. Application of bio-fertilizer (nitrogen) as sub factor including control, 2 liters/ha bio fertilizer (nitrogen) with water irrigation and inoculation of 2 liters/ha bio-fertilizer (nitrogen) with seed treatment), were considered in subplots. Results showed that drought, application of bio fertilizer (nitrogen) and its interaction had a significant effect (P≤0.01) on plant height, flower yield, photosynthesis pigment content, proline content, and flower extract percentage. The highest flower yield (574.46 kg.ha-1) and yield of flower extract (22.79 %) were obtained at a soil water potential (SWP) of 0.5atm (FC). Also, the highest plant height (27.11cm) and photosynthesis pigment contents (17.59 mg/g) were obtained under moderate stress (SWP of 3.5atm). Proline content under optimum irrigation (SWP of 0.5atm or FC) was 47 % lower than that of relatively severe stress (SWP of 6.5atm). Based on the results, the highest plant height, flower yield, proline content and yield of flower extract were obtained from inoculation of bio-fertilizer (nitrogen) with seed treatment. In generall, results showed that calendula along with application of two liters/ha bio-fertilizer (nitrogen) with seed inoculation can tolerate relatively severe levels of drought (SWP of 6.5 atm).
K. Jaimand; H. Ahrabi Asli; Z. Behrad
Abstract
This research was aimed to extract and measure the quercetin and kampferol in Foeniculum vulgare Mill. For this purpose, in the end of May 2010, samples were collected from Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, and then various organs (flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds) were extracted with different ...
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This research was aimed to extract and measure the quercetin and kampferol in Foeniculum vulgare Mill. For this purpose, in the end of May 2010, samples were collected from Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, and then various organs (flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds) were extracted with different methods. In the first method, samples were extracted with chloroform solvent by Soxhlet for 72 hours. In the second method, after removing the solvent, methanol was added to the previous sample extracted with chloroform solvent and extraction was repeated. In the third method, depending on the amount of dry matter, different organs of fresh fennel were weighted; then they were grounded with the solvents of methanol and acetic acid (ratio 1:9) by electric mill and were filtered simoltaneously. In the fourth method, new plants, in accordance with dry matter content of each organ, were grounded by electric mill and soaked for a week with the solvents of methanol and acetic acid (ratio 1:9) and then were filtered. Then, all samples were concentrated to 30 ml. A total of 32 samples were obtained and the composition of quercetin and kampferol was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed that most of the quercetin in Foeniculum vulgare Mill., obtained in flower (2990ppm), leaves (1223ppm) and seed (1779ppm) was related to the method of extraction with methanol, and in stem (1316ppm) was related to the method of maceration with methanol-acetic acid. Also, the lowest quercetin obtained in flower (17ppm), leaves (15ppm), stem (9ppm), and seed (50ppm) was related to the first method (extraction with chloroform). In the same culture conditions, the highest value of kampferol obtained in flower (912ppm), leave (273ppm), stem (184ppm) and seed (1142ppm), was related to the method of maceration with methanol-acetic acid while the lowest kampferol obtained in flower (209), leave (55), stem (45) and seed (427), was related to the chloroform extraction method.
M. Negahban; S. Moharramipour; M. Zandi; S.A. Hashemi
Abstract
Controlled release by nanoencapsulated formulations allow the essential oil to be used more effectively over a given time interval, suitability to mode of application and minimization of environmental damage. In this work, efficiency of nanoencapsulated essential oil of Artemisia sieberi Besser was tested ...
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Controlled release by nanoencapsulated formulations allow the essential oil to be used more effectively over a given time interval, suitability to mode of application and minimization of environmental damage. In this work, efficiency of nanoencapsulated essential oil of Artemisia sieberi Besser was tested on nutritional indices of Plutella xylostella L. Several experiments were designed to measure the indices such as Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Relative Consumption Rate (RCR), Efficiency of Conversion of Ingested food (ECI), Efficiency of Conversion of Digested food (ECD), Approximate Digestibility (AD) and Feeding Deterrent Index (FDI). Treatments were evaluated by the method of leaf disk bioassay at 25 °C, 65±5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (Light: Dark). Ten third-instar larvae were introduced into each treatment containing different concentrations of the essential oil. Then, ingested food and weight gained were measured after 24, 48 and 72 h intervals. Results showed that nanocapsule of A. sieberi oil was highly effective compared to control (A. sieberi oil), and significantly decreased the RGR ECI, ECD and AD. Moreover, findings indicated a post-ingestive toxicity of the essential oil using the nanoencapsulated formulation. As a result, this nanoencapsulated essential oil tested merits further study as potential insecticide for the control of P. xylostella.
R. Taheri; M.H. Lebaschy; A. Zakerin; M. Bakhtiari Ramezani; A. Borjian; M. Makkizadeh Tafti
Abstract
In order to study the effects of plant density on yield and essential oil yield of four species of thymus, an experiment was conducted at Homand Research Station as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots were four species including Thymus daenensis, T. ...
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In order to study the effects of plant density on yield and essential oil yield of four species of thymus, an experiment was conducted at Homand Research Station as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots were four species including Thymus daenensis, T. pubescens, T. kotschyanus and T.vulgaris and sub plots were three levels of plant density including 25, 35 and 50 cm row spacing. Measured characteristics included height, number of lateral branches, root length, canopy diameter, root dry weight, fresh and dry yield, essential oil percentage and yeild. Results indicated significant differences in terms of measured traits. Among the measured traits, the effect of density was significant on number of lateral branch, canopy dimeter, fresh yield, and root dry weight. According to the results of interaction effect between species and density, the highest dry yield and essential oil content (%) was obtained at 25 cm row spacing in T.kotschyanus and the lowest was recorded at 50 cm row spacing in T. daenensis. Results showed that the highest essential oil yield was obtained at 25 cm row spacing for T. kotschyanus and T. daenensis.
