ABSTRACT
Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. and Hohen. is an Iranian medicinal plants that grows in different areas of Iran such as Mazandaran, Gilan, Azarbayejan, Kurdistan and Tehran. The objective was to identify the essential oil content and composition in 15 Iranian populations of T. kotschyanus. The essential oils content and composition of 15 Iranian populations of T. kotschyanus were studied in a randomized complete block design [RCBD] with three replications. The aerial parts of thyme populations were harvested in the full blooming stage. The essential oils contents were obtianed by clevenger apparatus. For accurate measurement of the essential oils compounds, the oil samples analyzed by gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry [GC-MS]. The results showed that the populations of T. kotschyanus had significant [p<0.01] differences in respect of essential oil contents. The highest essential oil content was found in the populations of Tehran, East Azarbayjan-I and East Azarbayjan-IV. The maximum thymol content was identified in the Kordestan-I population [40.42%] and the highest content of carvacrol was related to Kerman [33.08] and Zanjan-III [30.49%] populations, respectivily. Also, the thyme populations had significantly [p<0.01] differences in essential oil compositions except of carvacrol. Generally, 23 compounds in the essential oils were identified. The main constituents were carvacrol, thymol, borneol, 1.8-cinole, cymne [ortho[, carvacrol methyl ether, [z]caryophyllene, camphor, and linalool. Although, the populations of T. kotschyanus were planted in the same ecological and agronomical conditions, they had significant differences in terms of phytochemical traits, which probably could be due the genetic factors
ABSTRACT
Bio-stimulators as biological substances stimulate metabolism and metabolic processes, which can be increase plants yield and secondary metabolites content. The aim is to introduce bio-stimulators as bioactive amino acid compounds to increase yield and help to sustainable agriculture. This experiment was conducted at ACECR on the base of randomized complete blocks design with three replications in 2011. The treatments were commercial formulations of Aminolforte, Kadostim, Fosnutren, Humiforte [each of them 0.75 and 1.5 L.ha[-1]], chemical fertilizer NPK [70 kg.ha[-1]], and control treatment [no foliar application]. The treatments had significant effect on the studied parameters except SPAD value. Humiforte 1.5 L.ha[-1] caused increase in plant dry weight to 37.46%, capitula dry weight to 36.92%, leaf area to 34.44%, relative water content to 32.03%, harvest index to 20.40%, capitula number/plant to 40.64%, total carbohydrates of capitula to 18.43%, total flavonoids of leaves to 19.35%, and total flavonoids yield of leaves to 38.3% compared to control. The highest amount of total flavonoids in capitula [0.25%, with increase to 32% compared to control] was related to Aminolforte 1.5 L.ha[-1]. Kadostim 1.5 L.ha[-1] increased plant height to 36.83%, leaves number to 26.65% and total flavonoids yield of capitula to 38.82%, total carbohydrates of leaves to 13.52%. Content of N, P and K increased with foliar application of bioactive amino acid compounds. Humiforte and Kadostim 1.5 L.ha[-1] were the best treatments in regard to existence of amino acid compounds and macro-nutrients of N, P and K in their formulations