Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on yield of thymus daenensis in dry condition

Abstract

Thymus daenensis is an aromatic medicinal plant endemic to Iran. Recent studies have shown that Thymus species have strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, spasmolytic and antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of two factors of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth, yield, quality and quantity of effective material of T. daenensis under dry farming condition. Two randomized block experiment design were established with three and four treatments and three replicates for nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, respectively. The designed treatments for phosphorus consisted of 0, 65 and 130 kg/ha triple superphosphate and designed treatments for nitrogen consisted of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha Urea. In this study, some variables such as wet and dry weight, number of flower and tiller per plant, diameter of canopy, yield and percentage of the essence and plant height was measured. The results indicated that third and fourth treatments of urea had similar effect on Thymus and in the similar condition, the third treatment is preferred. Also, third treatment of triple super phosphate was the best treatment. Finally, according to interaction effect of them, treatment of P 3N 3 (100 kg/ha urea and 130kg/ha triple super phosphate) was the best treatment and it was most effective for yield of Thymus under dry farming condition. © Indian Society for Education and Environment (iSee).