Evaluation of Morphological Characteristics and Seed Yield of Dragon Head (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) Using Different Levels of Nitrogen and Micronutrient Elements

To evaluate agronomical characteristics and yield of dragon head by using different levels of nitrogen and microelements (Fe, B, Zn), a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in Khoy, during 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. The first factor consisted of three levels of recommended nitrogen fertilization (1- before planting, 2- one half before planting+15 days after planting, 3- one third before planting+ one-third one month after planting+ one-third 45 days after planting) and the second factor was the use of microelements with five levels including non-consuming treatments, iron with boron, iron with zinc boron, zinc. Nitrogen consumption resulted in significant effect on stem diameter, 100 seed weight, fresh weight of plant and essential oil yield. According to the results, growth and yield increase were observed using fertilizers. Therefore, the highest plant height was in two stages, the fresh yield of 10805.80 kg.ha-1, in three stages, essential oil percentage of 0.59% and essential oil yield of 16.33 kg.ha-1 in nitrogen application in two stages and iron, boron and was observed. Although the second treatment of nitrogen (half before planting and half after sowing) along with that of boron and zinc micronutrients, the highest percentage of essential oil was 0.59%, but the consumption of other micronutrients also increased the essential oil content. Meanwhile, the highest fresh yield of nitrogen in nitrogen application was obtained at 10805.7 kg.ha-1 during three stages. It can be concluded that in growing dragonhead, nitrogen should be used in several stages and micronutrients usage also improves the quality and quantity of plant yield.