Physiological, Biochemical and Antioxidant Responses of Bakhtiari Savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge.) to Manure Application and Plant Density under Dryland Farming Condition

Abstract

The use of agricultural practices such as plant density and environmental friendly fertilizers are effective in improving plant products. This study was conducted to determine the physiological and biochemical response of Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge.) to cattle manure (30-ton ha-1) and plant density (high plant density, HPD: 80000, medium plant density, MPD: 40000, and low plant density, LPD: 26666 plant ha-1) during 2018 and 2019. Chlorophyll (Chl) content, relative water content (RWC), Malondialdehyde (MAD), proline concentrations, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and essential oil (EO) percentage of Bakhtiari savory were measured under dryland farming condition. Chl a and b increased under manure application at high/MPD in the second year. RWC at high/MPD with manure application in the second-year plants was higher compared to other experimental treatments. The highest MAD was observed in plants at LPD with non-manure application in the first year. Increased proline concentration was found at LPD compared to MPD and HPD. TPC and TFC in second-year plants were significantly greater than the first-year plants. Organic fertilizer improved TPC and TFC content. The greatest TPC and TFC were observed at MPD with manure application in the second-year plants. EO percentage in MPD was higher than other plant densities. The highest EO percentage was achieved at MPD with manure application in the second-year plants. It could be suggested that use of cattle manure and HPD or MPD leads to obtain higher plant production.