The effect of density and enriched straw on phytochemical responses and yield of Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge.) in dry farming condition

This study was conducted to evaluate the yield and phytochemical properties of Bakhtiari savory under the influence of enriched wheat straw and plant different densities. The experiment was conducted in the form of split plots based on randomized complete block design in 1396 and 1397 in dry farming condition and at Hamand Rangeland Research Station. The main factor included, 10 tons of wheat straw per hectare (enriched with ammonium sulfate) and the control and sub-factor included, density 26666 and 40,000 and 80,000 plants per hectare. The measured traits included fresh and dry weight yield, percentage and essential oil yield and identification of essential oil compounds, which was performed from the plant shoots at full flowering stage. The essential oil was extracted by water distillation. Also, GC and GC/MS analysis methods were used to determine the percentage and type of essential oil compounds. The highest yield of essential oil with 3.7 kg. ha-1 was obtained with enriched straw treatment and high plant density and in second year. The highest percentage of essential oil compounds, the carvacrol with 61.85% was obtained in treatment of enriched straw, high density and in second year. The highest percentage of thymol with 12.51% was obtained in treatment of enriched straw and medium density in second year. The results of this study showed that the Bakhtiari savory by using enriched straw and high and medium densities from second year could increase the major compounds percentage of essential oil, including carvacrol and thymol, γ-terpinene and linalool.