Identification of morphological and phonological characteristics and determination of N, P, K and essential oils in four accession of Stachys pilifera L. vin Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad

In this study, the natural habitats of Stachys pilifera L. were identified in different regions of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. 10 complete plants were collected from localities in order to study and evaluate morphological traits. Flowering stems were used to investigate essential oil quantitatively. Data of locations and vegetative and reproductive characters of each population were recorded. Results were analyzed using a cluster analysis method with SAS software and the correlation between evaluated traits and essential oil productivity was determined. Results showed that the maximum percentage of essential oil (0.8%), nitrogen (1.15%), phosphorus (0.233%), potassium (1.46%) related to plant of Loudab while the minimum percentage of essential oil, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were obtained from plant of Sepidar. It was shown that all attributes measured at habitats except the number of branching stems, decreased with increasing height. Finally the best vegetative and also reproductive characters such as flowering stem length, leaf length and width, and also the highest essential oil production of Stachys pilifera L. were recorded for lowest habitats; therefore, it is recommended for breeding programs or domestication.