Effect of copper and zinc on concentration and uptake of micronutrient (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) and macronutrient (Phosphorus) in savory at greenhouse conditions

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of Cu and Zn on absorption of micronutrient (Cu، Zn، Fe and Mn) and macronutrient (P) in root and shoot Satureja hortensis، an experiment was conducted as factorial based on complete randomized design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of Cu (0، 5 and 25 mg/kg CuSO4) and three levels of Zn (0، 10 and 50 mg/kg ZnSO4) and their combination. The application of adequacy levels of Zn (10 mg Zn kg-1) increased the concentration of of Zn، Cu and Mn of shoots by 85. 36 %، 53. 20% and 66. 08%، respectively. When 50 mg Zn kg-1was applied، the concentrations of Cu، Fe and Mn were decreased by 8. 38%، 12. 09% and 51. 99%، respectively. Application of adequate levels of copper (5 mg Cu. kg-1) increased the concentrations of Cu، Zn and Mn، by 118. 5%، 19. 76% and 63. 21%، respectively. The excess level of copper (25 mg Cu. kg-1) decreased the concentrations of Cu (15. 2%) and Fe (7. 99%) in the shoots، while increased Mn content (201. 89 %). Amounts of Cu and Zn were not detected in the essential oil. In general، it can be concluded that a negative interaction occurred between copper، zinc and iron، when higher Cu and Zn concentrations were applied. Also، due to negligible transport of elements into the essential oil، cultivatin of S. hortensis in the soil with moderate pollution could be considered.