Genetic and biochemical diversity assessment of promised population thyme collected from Iran

Thymus is the eighth important genera of Lamiaceae family with regard to the number of containing species. It’s been used as a medicinal, aromatic and spicy plant. Demand for thyme products is growing and is not likely to be supported by collecting from natural populations because of insufficient/irregular rainfall in traditional source areas as well as destruction of its natural habitat. In this investigation nine populations (four population of Thymus kotchyanous from different part of Iran, one population of Thymus daenensis collected from Zanjan and four cultivars of Thymus vulgaris) planted in RCBD design with 3 replicates. Morphologically important traits were recorded to assess the genetic diversity within the Thymus genus. Considering dry matter yield, T. danensis with 4.1 tons/ha and 60% thymol component in essential oil has been selected as the most recommended population for cultivation in the cold region conditions. In the second rank, T. kochyanous code 54 had 3.5 tons/ha dry matter yield and 60% carvacrol content in essential oil samples. In conclusion, T. daenensis and T. kotchyanous_70 could selected for next phase of seed production.