Evaluation of the Vegetative Characteristics and Physiological Traits of Different Ecotypes of Dragon's Head (Lallemantia Iberica Fischer & C.A. Meyer) in East Azerbaijan Region

Evaluation, identification, and conservation of native ecotypes of medicinal plants as human heritage are essential. Therefore, collecting and evaluating native ecotypes, as well as introducing adaptive ecotypes, are important for farmers. In order to evaluate the agricultural characteristics of 49 ecotypes of the dragon's head collected from different regions of the country, a randomized complete block design with three replications was applied at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture at Tabriz University. The tallest plant was associated with the ecotype number 6 (Kolvanagh 5), with an average of 41.13 cm. The ecotype number 23 exhibited the highest number of leaves on the main stem, with an average of 30.14 leaves. The highest chlorophyll index was associated with ecotype number 49 (Nazirlo and Darwish Bakal villages), averaging 36.04. The highest leaf area index was associated with ecotype No. 20, averaging 2.89 cm2. The highest seed yield of a single plant was associated with ecotype number 25 (the local population of Taze Kand 1 Haris village), averaging 1.05 g. The findings indicate that ecotypes No. 7 (Kolvanagh 6) and 14 (Tabriz 3), which exhibited the highest biological performance, could be used for fodder production.