Abstract
Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon), known as “tarkhun” in Iran, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, which has a long history of use in culinary traditions. A factorial experiment based on the Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications was used. The treatments were performed at four level of foliar applications of Ca(NO3)2 and KNO3 fertilizers (including control (sprayed with water), 1.5, 3 and 6 gl -1 ). This experiment was conducted at field conditions in a farm in “Ray” in 2010. The results showed that Ca(NO3)2 application significantly increased plant height, fresh and dry matter yield by an average of 10.1, 35.8 and 33.5%, respectively. Essential oil content was not significantly affected with Ca(NO3)2 fertilization. Nevertheless, Ca(NO3)2 application increased essential oil content by an average of 64.4% compared with the control. Ca (NO3)2 foliar application increased N and Ca content of leaf tissues. The concentrations of P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu significantly affected by Ca(NO3)2 levels. Plant height, fresh and dry matter yield, essential oil content and yield significantly increased with KNO3 foliar application by an average of 4.4, 60.5, 50.4, 42.5 and 119.6%, respectively compared with the control. The KNO3 application significantly increased N, K, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations compared with the control. Also, leaf P, Ca, Mg and Cu contents were influenced by KNO3 fertilization. The interaction between Ca(NO3)2 and KNO3 treatments was significant in leaf N, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents.
Highlights
In the third millennium, the promotion of human health is a priority of crop producers
The treatments were performed at four level of foliar applications of Ca(NO3)2 and KNO3 fertilizers (including control, 1.5, 3 and 6 gl-1)
Plants can contain a broad range of mineral elements, but concentrations in each plant will vary depending on species, genotype and environmental constraints (Dwyer, 1991; American Dietetic Association, 2002).The potential role of these plants as sources of minerals is being realized, especially in situations where most of the commonly consumed foods are low in human-essential minerals (Taylor et al, 1982)
Summary
The promotion of human health is a priority of crop producers. (tarragon), known as “tarkhun” in Iran, is a perennial herb in the Astraceae family, which has a long history of use in culinary traditions. It possesses a wide range of health benefits and has been widely used as a herbal medicine (Obolskiy et al, 2011). This plant can be consumed as fresh, dried, and frozen product. The amount of mineral elements on the aerial parts of tarragon is high and it has the potential to serve as a dietary source of human-essential minerals
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