Assessment of Growth Characteristics and Essential oil of Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) With Application of Copper and Zinc

Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients, that higher values are classified as heavy metals. So deficiency and toxicity of them causes growth inhibition in most plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of Cu and Zn on morphological traits, essential oil content and the determination of these elements in during the process of steam distillation. This experiment was conducted as factorial based on complete randomized design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. The treatments consisted of three levels of Copper (0, 5 and 25 mg.kg-1 CuSO4) and zinc (0, 10 and 50 mg.kg-1 ZnSO4) and their combination. Results showed that interaction of Cu and Zn on the fresh weight of root and chlorophyll (p≤ 0.05), dry weight of roots, concentration of Cu and Zn on the shoots, residual distillation water and material (p≤ 0.01). With increasing Cu and Zn in soil, concentrations of them increased in shoots. Concentration of Cu and Zn in the sum of residual distillation water and material were similar the concentration of metals in shoots plant before distillation. Negative interaction between Cu and Zn occurred at higher application, therefore should consider combining these two elements not done at high levels. Retention of cu and Zn in the sum of residual distillation material and water, asset cannot transmit the elements into essential oil and cultivation of these medicinal plants in contaminated soils with Cu and Zn.