The Impact of Irrigation and Cow Manure on Morphological Characteristics, Yield, and Components of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora Bioss.) in Mashhad

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

M Shemshadi

M Parsa

P Rezvani Moghaddam

S Khorramdel

Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

10.22067/jcesc.2024.88747.1337

Abstract

Introduction
Competition for water resources is a critical challenge globally and in Iran, exacerbated by climate change threats. Medicinal plants, such as Zataria multiflora (Shirazi thyme), represent vast divine potential and, with proper planning, can play a special role in the non-oil economy. This species, native to rocky habitats, possesses limited global distribution and significant antibacterial, antifungal, and therapeutic properties, including proven anti-stress effects. Meanwhile, the application of cow manure as a biological fertilizer enhances soil porosity and organic matter. This improvement leads to better soil fertility, physical and chemical properties, and water retention capacity, thereby facilitating root expansion and the absorption of water and nutrients. Consequently, this results in improved growth and yield. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of irrigation levels and cow manure on the growth and canopy production of Shirazi thyme under field conditions in Mashhad.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was conducted in the research fields of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during the 2020-2021 growing season. A factorial experiment was designed within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments included three irrigation levels (3000, 2100, and 3900 cubic meters per hectare) and four cow manure levels (41.76, 52.2, 62.64 tons per hectare, and a control with no manure). Key morphological traits and yield components were measured, including plant height, leaf area index (LAI), and biomass.
Results and Discussion
Reducing irrigation volume had a negative impact on the morphological characteristics of Shirazi thyme, such that the number of lateral branches, plant and stem height, leaf area index, major and minor diameters, weight (plant, leaf, stem, and flower), and total yield decreased. One of the probable effects of drought stress on plant dry weight can be attributed to the reduction in leaf area due to physiological factors occurring within the plant. In this experiment, the treatment of 2,100 cubic meters per hectare reduced leaf area by 47% compared to the treatment of 3,000 cubic meters per hectare. In this regard, it is likely that the reduction in photosynthesizing surface area and the consequent decrease in photosynthates led to a reduction in leaf weight. Furthermore, with the reduced allocation of photosynthates to the stem—which serves as the structural support for the aerial parts of the plant—its weight also decreased, consequently leading to a reduction in plant height. As a result, aerial growth was restricted, the canopy diameter and number of lateral branches diminished, and the plant ultimately suffered from growth retardation and a reduction in dry weight. Cow manure application notably enhanced the lower canopy diameter and the wet and dry weight of flowers. For example, the irrigation treatment at a rate of 3,900 cubic meters per hectare yielded the highest flower dry weight compared to other levels of manure application at 12 grams per square meter; this amount represented a 100% increase compared to the control. No significant interaction between irrigation and manure treatments was observed on most traits, suggesting independent effects of each factor.
Conclusion
Both irrigation and cow manure significantly impact the growth and yield of Shirazi thyme. Adequate irrigation is essential for maintaining high biomass and essential oil production, while cow manure improves soil fertility and plant health. These findings highlight the importance of integrated water and nutrient management for optimizing medicinal plant cultivation in arid regions. For farmers in similar climatic conditions, a balanced approach to irrigation and organic fertilization is recommended to maximize yield and maintain soil health. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these practices on soil properties and plant health, contributing to more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.

Keywords

Irrigation management

Leaf area index (LAI)

Medicinal plants

Morphological traits

Vegetative growth

Subjects

• Medicinal Plants

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Authors retain the copyright. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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