دکتر فاطمه سفیدکن

Savory belongs to the family Lamiaceae and the genus Satureja. Among the 16 savory species in Iran, 9 are endemic to Iran. The most important composition of the essential oil of these species is carvacrol, which has antiseptic properties and is used in the composition of some organic substances. The flowering branches and the aerial parts of the savoury plant are the most critical usable parts, usually harvested when flowering and dried in the shade and have a fragrant smell. In this study, we evaluated the adaptation of different savory accessions (Satureja spp.) in the climatic condition of Kurdistan province.

Thirty-seven accessions belonging to 10 Saturejaspecies were used in a randomized complete block design experiment in three replications at the Grize Station in Sanandaj from 2009-2013. The seeds were collected from different regions of Iran (Khorasan, East Azerbaijan, Yazd, Mazandaran, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Ilam, Gilan, Isfahan and Zanjan provinces). Savory species include S. sahendica Bornm, S. avromanica Maroofi, S. bachtiarica Bunge, S. spicigera (C. Koch) Boiss, S. mutica Fisch, S. macrantha CAMey, S. atropatana Bunge, S. rechingeri Jamzad, S. khuzistanicaJamzad, and S. isophylla Rech. The seeds were planted using transplanting trays, and at the stage of 8-10 leaves, the healthy plants were selected to be cultivated in unique pots. After levelling the ground and implementing the drip irrigation system, the healthy seedlings were transferred to the foremost field in the research farm. A sampling of savoury branches in the full flowering stage was done in early summer to mid-autumn. Variance analysis and average data comparison were done using Duncan's multiple range test. Using cluster analysis of the investigated characteristics, the accessions were separated into groups with different origins. Also, a variance distribution of the main components of the data was done for the principal components analysis. Essential oils obtained from 3 replicate samples were mixed and analyzed by GC and GC/MS.

Based on the variance analysis there was a significant difference between species and accessions at the level of (p≤0.01) in terms of essential oil yield percentage, essential oil yield per hectare (based on the dry weight of flower and leaf per hectare), total phenolic compounds of essential oil, plant's fresh weight yield per hectare and plant's dry weight yield per hectare, dry weight of leaf and flower yield per hectare, canopy area, the mean of the branch's height and establishment percentage. Also, the effect of the year on essential oil yield was significant. Comparison of the average species of savory showed that the average yield of essential oils in hectares (based on the weight of flower and leaf per hectare) was the highest in S.spicigera, S.mutica, S.rechingeri, S. macrantha, S.khuzestanica, S.sahendica, S.bachtiaricawith 45.20, 38.44, 19.00, 12.40, 12.07, 9.45, 9.26 kg/ha and the lowest in species of S.avromanica, S. isophylla, S. atropatana with 0.74, 1.64, 2.48 kg/ha, respectively. Species of S.khuzestanica, S.rechingeri,S.avromanica, S. mutica, S.spicigera, S.bachtiaricawith 91.90, 90.26, 58.45, 53.03, 51.35 and 50.49, respectively had the highest total phenolic compounds of essential oil and the species of S. isophylla, S. macrantha, S.sahendica, S. atropatana had the lowest with 29.15, 36.55, 36.85 and 37.60%, respectively. Species of S. avromanica, S. macrantha, S. spicigera, S. mutica, S. isophylla, S. sahendica with averages of 93.32, 92.30, 91.76, 83.82, 83.11, 81.44% had the highest survival or percentage of establishment, and S. atropatana, S. rechingeri, S. khuzistanica species had the lowest establishment percentage with 26.44, 31.73 and 38.89%, respectively. Comparison of traits in different species of Saturejashows that the yield of fresh plant weight per hectare is the highest in S. mutica and S. spicigera species with 13637.73 and 13570.76 kg and S. isophylla, S. atropatana and S.avromanica had the lowest values with 1199.43, 1604.31, and 1764.89 kg, respectively. The yield of the dry weight of flowers and leaves per hectare was the highest in S. spicigeraand S. mutica with 2173.94 and 2101.89 kg and S. atropatana, S. isophylla and S. avromanica had the lowest values with 338.45, 427.48, and 457.03 kg, respectively.

Based on the cluster analysis results, S. sahendica, S. bachtiarica, S. macrantha, S. spicigera and S. mutica were prioritized for planting in Kurdistan. S. avromanica, S. Tropicana and S. mesophyll were placed in the second priority for planting, and S. recharger and S. khuzestanica, with an average yield of essential oil of 2.87 and 2.41%, respectively (higher than the native species), due to their sensitivity to cold, the low establishment, the small area of the canopy and finally the lack of dry weight of flowers and leaves can be concluded that these two species are not suitable for cultivation in the same conditions of Kurdistan. On the other hand, based on the biplot diagram, the yield of essential oil per hectare positively correlates with the canopy area and the wet and dry weight of the plant. Therefore, S. spicigera, S. mutica, S. bachtiarica, S. macrantha and S. sahendica species, in addition to the large canopy area and as a result of increasing the dry weight of flowers and leaves in them, showed essential oil yield per hectare in the climate conditions of Sanandaj. Also, S. spicigera, S. mutica, S. macrantha, S. sahendica, and S. bachtiarica species have the highest dry weight yield per hectare with 5992, 5694, 2061, 1046, and 1622 kg per hectare and 20.45 38.44, 12.40, 9.45, 9.26 kg per hectare had the highest yield of essential oil.

 Seseli olivieri (Apiaceae) is an exclusive species of the Alborz Mountains, Iran. In this research, the effect of environmental conditions on the vegetative traits and essential oil compounds of this species was investigated. For this purpose, three habitats with different heights were selected and the vegetative characteristics of this species were measured. In each habitat, soil samples and flowering branches of this species were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The relationship between the functional traits of this species and environmental factors was determined using CA and PCA. Variance analysis of functional traits and soil parameters showed a significant difference between the three habitats. The highest values of vegetative traits were related to Tuyeh habitat. In Tange Kavard habitat, the main effective substances were Apiol and cis-Cadina-1(6),4-diene; in Enzo habitat, Apiol and Bornyl acetate; and in the Tuyeh habitat, Bornyl acetate and α-Pinene. Among the environmental factors, altitude, annual precipitation, annual temperature, minimum temperature of the coldest month, minimum absolute temperature, lime and nitrogen had the most significant correlation with the functional traits of this plant. Based on the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of this species was determined in the critically endangered.

This study investigated the effects of harvesting time including vegetative and flowering stages and four different ratio of volumes of distillate to 1 kg of fresh plant (2, 4, 6, and 8 L per 1 kg fresh plant) on physiochemical characters and essential oils of the peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) distillate. In addition, comparisons were made between distillate resulted from dried (drying in shade, sunlight+shade, and sunlight) and fresh peppermint samples. Distillation was performed using the water distillation method. Standard protocols were used to investigate the physiochemical properties of distillate. Analyses of the essential oils were done using Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Two-way analyses of variances showed significant effects of the harvest time and distillate volume on ester number, oxidation number, iodine number, and essential oils quantity of the distillate. The highest amount of ester no. (10.8 ± 0.02) and oxidation no. (165.33 ± 70.46) was quantified in the vegetative stage and 1:4 L of distillate. Total amount of essential oils in the flowering (37.83% ± 5.9) were higher than the vegetative (28.25 ± 8.73) stages. In addition, distillates volumes of 2:1 (35.50 ± 3.56%) and 4:1 (40.33 ± 5.53%) had higher essential oils than the other distillate volumes. Drying methods had significant effects on all physicochemical properties of distillates. Menthol (33.9-40.6 %) and menthone (11.3-34.9 %) were the highest components of the oils within the distillates. The results indicated that the peppermint distillate may have higher quality when the plants harvested at flowering stage, dried at sunlight+shade, and distillate taken at 2 and/or 4 L to 1 kg plant.

Deficiency or excess of any growth factor leads to morphological, anatomical, physiological, and growth disorders in plants. Drought stress means a lack of water in the plant. This situation occurs when the amount of transpiration exceeds the amount of water absorption. Low irrigation (watering less than the optimal water requirement of the plant) is a strategy to save water, but it affects the plant at a particular stage of growth or the entire season. Biofertilizers develop the root system, changing host plant water relations and plant metabolism. They also activate the defense system, improving access to minerals and tolerance to drought in the host plant, making it environmentally friendly and natural. To manage the prevailing water crisis, one should look for solutions such as reducing water consumption and stopping irrigation at all stages of growth. This is without harming the plant's final performance. In addition, due to the importance of medicinal plants and increasing their biomass, biological fertilizers and the adjustment of drought stress effects have a special place. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge. against dehydration at different stages of growth. It also investigated the consumption of mycorrhizal fungi and growth-stimulating bacteria to manage plant production with high quality and quantity.

The experiment was carried out in the form of split plots in the form of a randomized complete block design in three replications in the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch, in 2018. The main and sub-factors were included in 4 water stress (I1: without stress, I2: cut irrigation in stem elongation stage, I3: cut irrigation at the budding stage and I4: cut irrigation at 50% flowering stage) and 5 biofertilizer levels (b1: without inoculation, b2: inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae, b3: inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis, b4: Funneliformis mosseae + Rhizophagus irregularis and b5: Azosprillium+Pseudomonas+Azetobacter), respectively. The harvest was in full flowering stage.

The comparison of the average of irrigation interruptions showed that the most number of leaves, stem diameter, canopy extent, root weight, leaf yield, flowering stem yield, and flowering branch yield belonged to the irrigation interruption at the 50% flowering stage. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae mycorrhizal fungus achieved the highest leaf yield (912.06 kg/ha), flowering stem yield (1071.25 kg/ha) and flowering branch yield (1983.32 kg/ha) in inoculation with Azosprillium + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter was observed. The highest percentage of essential oil was found in inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae with an average of 1.76%. The maximum average yield of essential oil at 30.50 kg/ha was observed in the inoculation treatment with Azosprillium + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter. The results of the comparison of the average of the interaction effect showed that the maximum height of the plant and the number of inflorescences with an average of 61.72 cm and 30.46 per plant were found in the interaction effect of the treatment of interruption of irrigation at the stemming stage and inoculation of Rhizophagus irregularis + Funneliformis mosseae, which is about 31 and 39 The percentage increased compared to their lowest value. Stopping irrigation in the budding stage ×Funneliformis mosseae had the highest percentage of essential oil with an average of 2.33%. Stopping irrigation in the stemming stage ×Rhizophagus irregularis had the lowest essential oil percentage. The highest leaf yield (1212.83 kg/ha), flowering stem yield (1494.75 kg/ha), flowering branch yield (2707.58 kg/ha) and essential oil yield (44.39 kg/ha) in the interaction effect of cutting × Azosprillium + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter irrigation was observed at the 50% flowering stage, which increased by 70, 82, 81 and 87% compared to the lowest ones.

The correct management of soil fertility, improvement, and maintenance of soil fertility in modern agricultural systems will provide the nutrients needed by the plant and thus enhance the yield. Therefore, in recent years, many studies have been conducted on biological fertilizers. Mycorrhizal fungi are essential factors in the stable plant-soil system, which coexists with more than 85% of plants. Drought stress is one of the most influential environmental factors in plant growth and causes morphological, physiological, and metabolic changes. In addition, biofertilizers increase plant access to nutrients and produce and direct hormones involved in the growth of the root environment. They also increase stress tolerance and enhance yield. Considering the arid and semi-arid conditions of the country and the increase in demand for medicinal plants and Satureja bachtiarica spices, it is recommended to stop irrigation at the 50% flowering stage and use Azotobacter, Azospirillium, and Pseudomonas biofertilizers to obtain the maximum yield of leaves, flowering branches, and essential oil.

Awareness of changes in medicinal plant yield quantity and quality over time is one of the most important goals in agricultural management. Satureja mutica is one of the valuable medicinal species growing in Iran. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different planting beds on changes in vegetative characteristics and essential oil components over the years of growth in S. mutica under rainfed conditions. The experiment was conducted in the form of split plots in a randomized complete block design for three years (2018-2020) in the rainy conditions of Feridounshahr city, Isfahan province. Planting beds as the main plot included cow manure (30 tons per hectare), wheat straw (10 tons per hectare), and control (without cow manure and wheat straw). After the preparation of the field, the seedlings were planted at the bottom of the wells created at a distance of 50 x 50 cm from each other. During the growing season and at the time of 50% flowering, the studied traits including total plant dry weight, leaf and stem dry weight, plant height, crown diameter per plant, canopy area per plant, and in each square meter of land and the number of stems per plant were measured. For essential oil extraction, the flowering branches of the plants were harvested at the full flowering stage. After drying in the shade, the essential oil was extracted by the water distillation method. After determining the yield of essential oils based on the dry weight of the plant, the essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography, and gas chromatography was connected to a mass spectrometer in the phytochemistry laboratory of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Considering that the plant is several years old and measurements are carried out every year on fixed plots, the design analysis was done on divided plots at the time of implementation. The SAS computer program was used to perform statistical calculations, and the LSD test was applied to compare the means. For essential oil extraction, the flowering branch of the plant was harvested at the full flowering stage. After drying in the shade, the essential oil was extracted by the water distillation method. After determining the yield of essential oils based on the dry weight of the plant, the essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography, and gas chromatography was connected to a mass spectrometer in the phytochemistry laboratory of the Research Institute of Forests and Pastures. The SAS computer program was used to perform statistical calculations, and the LSD test was used to compare the means. The variance analysis of the data showed that the effects of bed, year, and their interaction effects on the measured traits were significant in many cases. Results showed that the highest values of plant height, crown diameter, canopy area, and number of stems per plant in the first year were seen in manure treatment. In the last year, they were in control. The highest rates of total dry weight, leaf dry weight, essential oil yield, and essential oil percentage were observed in control in the last year. These rates were 1427, 891, 42 kg ha-1, and 4.67%, respectively. The main essential oil components are thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and gamma-terpinene. These essential oil components are affected by the planting bed and the growth year. So in the case of p-cymene, the highest amount obtained in the first year was in the straw treatment. The highest amounts of gamma-terpinene were observed in all three planting bed treatments in the last year of growth. S. mutica had significant amounts of thymol, and the trend of changes among planting bed treatments and during growing years was very small. The highest amounts of carvacrol were observed in straw treatment and animal manure in the second year of growth. The results of the correlation coefficients showed that the most vital traits affecting essential oil yield were total dry weight, leaf and stem, and essential oil percentage. Thymol and p-cymene were inversely correlated with carvacrol and gamma-terpinene. On the whole, to produce S. mutica under rainfed conditions similar to this study, manure or straw could affect yield and essential oil over the first and second years; however, in the third year, this effect diminished, and control treatment was superior to straw and manure treatments.

Numerous studies on the chemical composition of Nepeta species essential oils in Iran show that changes in chemical composition are influenced by various factors including geographical location, weather conditions, plant growth stages, and analysis techniques. It is crucial to understand the variables that influence the effective substances of these medicinal plants. Nepetalactone is the first chemotype for the essential oils of plants in this genus. Nepetalactone can be divided into different isomers. For example, 4aα,7α,7aα-Nepetalactone found in Nepeta cephalotes Boiss., Nepeta crassifolia Boiss. & Buhse, Nepeta mirzayanii Rech.f. & Esfand. and Nepeta racemosa Lam.; 4aα,7α,7aβ-Nepetalactone in Nepeta cataria L., Nepeta meyeri Benth. and Nepeta pogonosperma Jamzad & Assadi; and 4aβ,7α,7aβ-Nepetalactone in Nepeta bornmuelleri Hausskn. & Bornm., Nepeta eremophila Hausskn. & Bornm. and Nepeta persica Boiss. are highly useful as biochemical markers for Nepeta essential oil in chemotaxonomic studies. The 1,8-Cineole chemotype or with Linalool makes up the second category. The first chemical is the most prevalent in a number of Nepeta species, including Nepeta binaloudensis Jamzad, Nepeta crispa Willd., Nepeta denudata Benth., Nepeta ispahanica Boiss. and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse. The essential oils of Nepeta species in Iran contain 33 effective substances in a significant amount. These oils are comprised of monoterpenes and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. To date, research on the phytochemical variety of Nepeta species and how ecological conditions affect their morphological characteristics and secondary metabolites has only looked at Nepeta asterotricha Rech.f., Nepeta binaloudensis, Nepeta eremokosmos Rech.f. and Nepeta pogonosperma. In these studies, it has been frequently mentioned that altitude affects the quantity and quality of beneficial substances found in the species of this genus. There has been no exploration of other factors related to the species' habitat. The purpose of this research project was to conduct a thorough investigation of the effect of environmental parameters on the essential oil composition of medicinal species Nepeta eremokosmos.
 

In Semnan province, three different habitats for Nepeta eremokosmos, each with distinct environmental conditions, were selected. A systematic random method was used to establish a series of plots in each habitat. Vegetative traits, such as plant height, canopy diameter, canopy cover,

 
biomass, and leaf area, were meticulously measured in every plot. To prepare a herbarium sample, the flowering aerial parts of Nepeta eremokosmos were collected in June 2022 from three specific regions: Momenabad, Hajjaj, and Javin. Three replicates of the flowering branches of Nepeta eremokosmos were taken from each population. The samples were dried in both the open air and shade after being transferred to the laboratory. The Clevenger apparatus was used to extract the essential oils through hydrodistillation after grinding the dried samples. GC-FID and GC/MS were used to identify essential oil compounds. In each habitat, five soil samples were also collected, and important physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, OM, N, P, K, lime, gypsum, and soil texture were measured. Afterwards, the data were examined by conducting one-way variance analysis and comparing mean values using SPSS software. Correlation analysis was used to determine the most significant environmental factors that influenced vegetative traits and essential oil compounds. Moreover, principal component analysis was carried out using Minitab software. The conservation status of Nepeta eremokosmos was determined using the IUCN method and based on the criteria of EOO and AOO using GeoCAT software, as well as data related to population size and habitat quality.
 

Nepeta eremokosmos' vegetative traits varied significantly between the three regions in terms of plant height and leaf area, with a 0.1% difference, the canopy diameter and cover are at 1%, while the biomass is at 5%. The comparison of mean vegetative traits revealed that the highest values of height, canopy diameter, canopy cover, leaf area, and biomass, with 20.8 cm, 34.1cm, 2.3%, 4.1cm2, and 30.1g, respectively related to Momenabad habitat. The variance analysis of essential oil components in three populations of Nepeta eremokosmos revealed that their effective substances were significantly different at levels of 0.1, 1 and 5%. The Momenabad habitat contained 1,8-Cineole, 4a, 7a-Nepetalactone, and p-Cymene, with a respective concentration of 50.8, 7.2, and 6.5%. Hajjaj had the highest concentration of 1,8-Cineole, Myrtenal, and p-Cymene, while Javin had 20, 8.7, and 8.1%. According to the variance analysis of soil chemical parameters of Nepeta eremokosmos, the three habitats had a significant difference of 0.1%. By comparing the mean parameters, it was demonstrated that the soil in Momenabad habitat is more acidic and lighter. The concentrations of OM, N, SP, P, and gypsum were elevated with 0.24%, 4.4%, 65.1%, 5.4 mg/l, and 73.9%, in comparison to other habitats. Javin habitat had an EC, K, and lime level that was 1.5 ds/m higher than those in the other two habitats by 117.4 mg/l and 31.6%. Among the environmental factors, altitude, annual precipitation, annual temperature, maximum temperature of the hottest month, N, P, K, OM, gypsum, and lime showed the most significant correlations with the vegetative traits and essential oil compounds of Nepeta eremokosmos. The conservation status of Nepeta eremokosmos in Iran is Critically Endangered, based on its occupancy of 1.250km2 and the extent of its occurrence in 69,862km2. Plant species' essential oils have biological effects that are influenced by their effective substances, which can be affected by both genetic pathways and environmental factors. The plant's chemical performance can be maximized by selecting the most appropriate chemotype based on specific goals and providing optimal environmental conditions. According to the research findings, Nepeta eremokosmos prefers steppe habitats with higher essential oil content and compounds with higher antioxidant properties. Thus, this habitat is deemed suitable for conserving and cultivating Nepeta eremokosmos.

Ferula assa-foiteda L., as one of the most significant medicinal and export plants in Iran, plays a role in the livelihood of stakeholders and the pharmaceutical industry. Over exploitation of this plant habitats and recent droughts will reduce plant density and eventually the extinction of this species in the near future. This study was conducted to identify potential habitats of this species in Isfahan province using modeling species distribution. For this purpose, during 3 years of field surveys, data of the studied species were collected from 88 presence points. Physiographic information (slope, elevation, aspect) and 19 bioclimatic variables were used in the modeling process. The potential species distribution map was produced using maximum entropy model and Geographic Information System. The results of model evaluation showed the proper performance of the model with the AUC value equal to 0.962. Analysis of variable importance using Jackknife test, showed that slope, temperature annual range, annual precipitation and precipitation of coldest quarter were identified as the most important environmental factors influencing the species distribution. Regarding the response curves to environmental factors, Ferula assa-foiteda is more likely to occure in areas with a slope of more than 70%, temperature annual range from about 37 to 43 °C, annual precipitation and precipitation of coldest quarter about 70 and 40 mm, respectively. Based on the obtained results, about 7% of the habitats of Isfahan province especially in the semi arid and steppe areas are suitable for the growth of Ferula assa-foiteda which is very important in management of rehabilitation and develop cultivation.

In order to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of Satureja spicigera essential oil with proper plant nutrition, this study was carried out in East Azerbaijan.

This research was carried out as a randomized complete block design with eight fertilizer treatments (no fertilizer, N50, P25, K25 (kg/ha), Cow Manure (30, 60 ton/ha), Cow Manure (30, 60 ton/ha) +(kg/ha) N50, P25, K25 , Vermi-compost (5 ton/ha), Vermi-compost (5 ton/ha) +(kg/ha) N50, P25, K25) and three replications in four years (2017-2020). During the cropping season, plant height, flowering date, canopy area and green shoot yield were measured. Essential oil was extracted by distillation with distilled water and analysis of essential oil was done by gas chromatograph (GC/MS).

There was a significant difference between fertilizer treatments in terms of all traits. The main components of essential oil were thymol, parasimen and gamaterpinen, respectively. The highest yield of flowering branches at 3687 kg/ha and yield of essential oil at 54.65 kg/ha and the highest quality of essential oil (total phenolic compounds of thymol and carvacrol) at 62.59% by applying Vermi-compost5ton/ha+N50P25K25kg/ha were obtained.

Combined consumption of fertilizer treatments, especially animal manure with chemical fertilizers, in addition to increasing the yield, causes the crop to ripen early and not face the cold of early autumn. As the plant ages, the yield of the essential oil increases, but the yield is later and the quality of the essential oil decreases.

The genus Anthemis L. is the second largest genus in the Compositae family, which consists of 39 annual and perennial species scattered throughout Iran. In this research, a species of Anthemis lorestanica Iranshahr was collected from two regions in Isfahan province, namely Makdin region (sample 1) and Badum Valley region (sample 2) in 2017.  The samples were identified in the herbarium of the Research Institute of Forests and Pastures in the Department of Botany. The essential oils were extracted from its flowers and leaves by water distillation method (Klenger method). Then the essential oil samples were measured and identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography connected to mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The amount of essential oil in sample 1 was 0.12% for flower and 0.08% for leaf. Major compounds in the flower consisted of methyl decanoate (18.6%), α-cadinol (11.1%), and n-tricosan (9.1%). Major compounds in leaves were neryl acetate (13.4%), α-cadinol (12.9%), and dihydro eudesmol (8.5%). Essential oil contents of sample 2 were 0.2% for flower and 0.08% for leaf. The main flower compounds included spathulenol (68.8%), dehydro-aromadendrane (5.2%), and oplopanone (3%). The main compounds of the leaves were oplopanone (12.3%), 1-icocen (11.5%), and dihydro eudesmol (10.9%).

This research was carried out to study the effects of chemical and biological fertilizers (manure and vermicompost), as well as their combinations on the quality and quantity of the essential oil content and composition of S. khuzestanica in Zagros Botanical Garden of Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Lorestan based on a complete random block design with 3 replications in 3 years, during 2016-2020. There were 24 plots of 3x3in the study, 100 cm away from each other, in which the plants were sown art a distance of 50 cm. The experimental treatments included 50 kg/ha of NPK (50, 25, 25), animal manure (30 and 60 tons/ha), vermicompost (5 tons/ha), and a combination of NPK combination and animal manure and vermicompost, all applied only once at the planting stage. During the flowering stage, shoots were harvested and their essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation.  The essential oils were then analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the effects of year and interaction of year and fertilizer on the percentage of essential oil were significant at p≤0.05 and p≤0.01, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum essential oil percentage and oil yield in S. khuzistanica were 5.4% and 433 kg/ha with NPK + M60 treatment during the third year. Carvacrol (93.1-88.8, 96.0-89.6,94.9-88.8 percent) was the most important composition of the essential oil in all treatments and years of the experiment. In general, the nutritional treatments increased the amount of essential oil and carvacrol compared to the control, and during the three years of testing, the yield of dry weight and therefore essential oil increased. The results of this research indicated that the use of organic fertilizers alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers has a positive effect on improving the essential oil yields, and the use of integrated nutrition method for S. khuzestania is economic.

In order to study foliar application of amino acids on morphophysiological properties and thyme essential oil under different irrigation regimes, an experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Research Farm of Tarbiat Modares University Faculty of Agriculture in the year 2020 crop season. Experimental factors were irrigation regimes at three levels including normal irrigation, moderate water stress, severe water stress (withholding irrigation until  25%, 45% and 65% of soil available water depletion in the root zone respectively and then irrigation up to field capacity from plant establishment to harvest time), were randomized to the main plot units and spraying at 6 kinds (aspartic acid, tyrosine, proline, commercial amino acids, distilled water and without spraying) were located in subplot units. The results showed that with reduction of irrigation to the level of severe water stress, plant height, fresh and dry weight of leaves, leaf area, total chlorophyll, percentage of essential oil decreased, and glycol peroxidase and proline showed a significant increase compared to optimal irrigation. Catalase activity also increased under moderate water stress and decreased under severe water stress. Foliar application of amino acids had a positive additive effect on the studied traits. The highest essential oil yield (about 11.20 kg/ha) was assigned to plants under commercial and proline amino acid foliar application under full irrigation conditions. Based on the general results of proline foliar application, increasing the concentration of osmolites such as proline under water stress conditions was able to help the plant withstand drought stress by helping to maintain osmotic pressure and compensate for part of the reduction in growth and dry weight. Therefore, consumption of this type of amino acid under stress conditions is recommended to reduce the effects of drought stress. Under non-stress conditions, foliar application of this type of amino acid had the greatest effect on plant growth and yield.

Box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) is one of the most important monophagous pests. This pest feeds on the leaves and bark of the Box trees' stems, causing the death of the trees in some cases. For pest monitoring in 2017, 160 Delta pheromone traps were and to investigate the possibility of pest control by pheromone traps in 2018, 600 funnel pheromone traps were installed in the 450-hectare boxwood forest of Cheshmeh - Bulbul (Bandar-e-Gaz, Golestan Province). Also, two light traps and four pheromone-light sticky traps with photocell lamps were installed in the studied area. The results showed three flight peaks for the box tree moth and the best time for chemical control and use of the pheromone traps were determined. Our results also indicated the effectiveness of funnel-pheromone traps in reducing the damage to box tree moths. A significant difference between the number of boxwood moths trapped in pheromones with and without pheromones (P-value <0.05) was obvious; thus, combining light traps with pheromones increases their efficiency.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of habitat on the quantity and quality of essential oil of Teucrium stocksianum Boiss. Accordingly, the branch of this species at the time of flowering (August 2017 and 2018) were collected from 4 regions of Hormozgan province (northern side of Tang Zagh mountain at 1100 meters of altitude; Abmah mountain at 850 meters of altitude; Tang Zagh mountain at 1400 m and Enveh mountain at 2000 m) . Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation method ( Clevenger apparatus) and were analyzed by using GC and GC/MS. The results showed that with decreasing altitude, the amount of essential oil reduced, so that the lowest and highest amounts of essential oil belonged to the samples of Abmah mountain at 850 m and Enveh mountain at 2000 m, respectively. Chemical analysis of T. stocksianum essential oils showed that the common compounds in the essential oils of this species were elmol (2.4 to 8.5%), caryophylene oxide (3.0 to 7.1%) and β-eudsmol (2.2 to 12.1%). Compounds such as α-pinene and myrcene, the most volatile compounds found in essential oils, were not observed in lower-altitude samples, which may be related to high air temperatures in plant geographical location. Also, significant amounts of compounds such as valerianol, polgon, limonene and epi-alpha-cadinol were observed in some samples, which shows the effect of the ecological and climatic conditions on the quality of plant essential oil.

Cancer is a complex disease and the second cause of death worldwide. Eight million individuals die from cancer every year. Essential oils are aromatic compounds that have various roles in plants and are also used to treat different disorders and complaints. In this paper, the anti-cancer effects of some aromatic plants and their essential oils are based on the results of research projects conducted in research papers. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Division and project of "Study of essential oils in Iranian aromatic plants" as well as review and research papers were presented. Among chemical compounds, α-Bisabolol, α-Humulene, elemene, eugenol, b-caryophyllene, thymol, thymoquinone, geraniol, germacrone, Farnesol, Limonene, and Nerolidol exhibited anticancer activity. Some medicinal plants such as Thymus vulgaris, Juniperus spp, Matricaria chamomilla, Achillea santolina, Artemisia spp, Foeniculum vulgare, Curcuma spp, Zingiber spp, Carum carvi, Hypericum spp, Cymbopogon spp, Satureja spp, Salvia spp, and Mentha spp show remarkable anticancer activity.

In this study, in order to investigate morphological characteristics, yield of fiber, essential oil and seed oil yields, seeds of two native ecotypes from Iran and one foreign variety (Fedora17) with its progenies (Fedora17-2) were cultivated in research fields of three locations (Gilan, Golestan, and Alborz province) in Iran and their morphological and phytochemical characteristics were studied. The greatest height and shoot dry matter were observed in Fedora17 and its progenies while the widest coverage and thickest stem was observed in the native ecotypes of Iran. Also, the oil content varied from 18.88% in Fedora17-2 to 40.09 % in Yazd. The highest oil yield was observed in native ecotype of Fars (820 kg ha-1) and Yazd (830 kg ha-1). Plant height fluctuated from 99.7 cm in Safrabasteh to 197.5 cm in Alborz. Fiber yield ranged from 1569 kg ha-1 in Safrabasteh to13991 kg ha-1 in Alborz. The hemp cultivated in Alborz, in terms of morphological and reproductive properties and fiber yield was significantly better compared to the other stations. The oil yield per plant was 11.35 kg in Chalaky station to 36.39 kg in Alborz  station. Therefore, cannabis cultivation is recommended in Alborz with average production of 13991 kg ha-1 fiber, 2.2 t ha-1 essential oil and 1110 kg ha-1 seed oil. The foreign cultivars with the tallest stem and the highest percentage of stem dry matter were proper for fiber production. In addition, the morphological characteristics of Fedora 17 were also preserved in its progeny.

Plant nutrition management is an important factor in the success of cultivation of medicinal plants, which leads to the improvement of their quantitative and qualitative yield. Therefore an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications and 8 nutritional treatments during three growing seasons on Satureja. spicigera Jamzad.The treatments were different levels of chemical fertilizers (N50P25K25), different levels of organic fertilizers (Cow Manure30, Cow Manure60 and 5 ton/ha Vermi-compost) and combination of chemical and organic fertilizers (N50P25K25+ Cow Manure30, N50P25K25+ Cow Manure60, N50P25K25+ 5 ton/ha Vermi-compost). These treatments were compared with the control. The aerial parts of plants were harvested at 50% flowering stage and after drying, the essential oil was extracted using water distillation and Clevenger apparatus. Essential compounds were identified using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC / MS). According to the results, the maximum essential oil percentage and oil yeild in S. spicigera was 2.96% and 58.02 kg/ha during the second year. Based on the results of the experimental years, the highest oil yield was observed in the combined treatment of 50 kg/ha nitrogen, 25 kg/ha of phosphorus and 25 kg/ha of potash plus 5 tons per hectare of vermicompost, in the third year. During the experimental years, 13 compounds were observed in S. spicigera that dominant composition were thymol (26.14-56.15%), g-terpinene (12.83-30.95%) and p-cymen (7.24-16.85%) with a total of more than 97%, had the highest amount. According to the results, the qualitative yield of essential oil of plant was less affected by soil fertility treatments, but the quantitative yield of essential oil had a significant increase that indirectly increases the qualitative yield of essential oil. Also, it could be recommended to use vermicompost along with the chemical and biological fertilizers to increase the essential oil yield of Satureja spicigera.