payvand samimifar

Dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica) is well-suited for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions due to its low water requirements and short growth cycle (approximately 80-95 days). These characteristics make it particularly valuable for the climatic conditions of Iran, especially in Azerbaijan. Given the diversity in growth and yield characteristics among different ecotypes, evaluating various quantitative and qualitative traits using statistical methods can help identify and introduce the most suitable and adaptable ecotypes for the region. This study aimed to assess the seed oil percentage and yield of 49 ecotypes of Dragon’s head to determine the most promising ecotypes for potential use in breeding programs.

To evaluate oil-related traits in 49 ecotypes of Dragon's head collected from different regions of Iran, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was implemented in 2015 and 2016 at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz. The study measured key agronomic and qualitative traits, including fertile branch length, seed yield per unit area, seed count in the main and lateral branches, oil percentage, and oil yield. Data normality was assessed using SPSS software, and statistical analyses were conducted based on RCBD using MSTAT-C and SPSS. Mean comparisons were performed using Tukey's test at a 1% probability level. To classify the ecotypes, cluster analysis was conducted using Ward's method, and the optimal cut-off point for the resulting dendrogram was determined using discriminant function analysis. Figures were generated using Excel software.

The results revealed significant differences among ecotypes in studied traits. Regression analysis showed that seed yield per unit area had the highest regression coefficient (1.098) for oil yield. Based on mean comparisons, ecotype No. 37 (Alwar village, Bostanabad) had the highest grain yield (116.3 gr m-2), followed by ecotype No. 23 (Tabriz 4, 107.7 gr m-2), and ecotype No. 24 (Kalvanaq, 14, 101.7 gr m-2)  . The variance analysis of ecotype effect on seed oil percentage showed significant differences. Ecotype No. 8 (Kalvanaq 7) had the highest oil percentage (44.3 %), followed by ecotype No. 27 (Param 1, Harris village). Ecotype No. 37 (Alwar village, Bostanabad) had the highest oil yield per unit area with an average of 44.4 gr m-2.

Based on the findings, ecotypes No. 37 (from Alwar village, Bostanabad), No. 23 (known as Tabriz 4), and No. 24 (designated Kolvanagh 14) have been identified as the most suitable and compatible ecotypes for the Tabriz region, particularly in terms of seed and oil yield. These ecotypes demonstrated superior performance in various agronomic traits, suggesting their adaptability to the local environmental conditions and agricultural practices. Given their promising results, these ecotypes are strongly recommended for further cultivation efforts, as well as for inclusion in potential breeding programs aimed at enhancing productivity in this region. By focusing on these ecotypes, farmers and agricultural researchers can work towards improving not only the quantity but also the quality of the agricultural outputs, thereby contributing to the economic sustainability of the area. Additionally, the adoption of these ecotypes could lead to increased resilience against local pests and diseases, further supporting the agricultural ecosystem in Tabriz.

The significant importance of identifying, studying, evaluating, and conserving native ecotypes of medicinal plants as part of human heritage, along with the collection of cultivated medicinal plants and the ecological assessment of their native ecotypes, makes the introduction of their compatible ecotypes to farmers a necessity. The purpose of this research was to investigate the ecotypes of common Dragon's head in the region in terms of performance and performance components.

In order to evaluate the features related to the yield and yield components of 49 ecotypes of Dragon's head collected from different regions of the country, a research in the form of a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The most important traits measured were the number of capsules in the main and secondary stems, the number of seeds per flower cycle in the main and secondary stems, the number of seeds per plant, the weight of 1000 seeds, biological yield, dry herbage yield and seed yield per unit area and seed harvest index.

Based on the results of the mean comparison, the ecotypes from Alvar Bostanabad village with an average of 116.3 g/m2, Tabriz 4 with an average of 107.7 g/m2, and the local ecotype Kolavank 14 with an average of 101.7 g/m2 had the highest grain yield per unit area. These results indicate the high potential of these ecotypes for grain production and their adaptability to the climatic and soil conditions of the region. The high performance of these ecotypes may be attributed to their genetic characteristics, adaptability to environmental conditions, and appropriate agricultural management. Additionally, the ecotype from Param 2 in Haris and the Zanjan ecotype achieved the highest thousand-grain weights, with averages of 418.5 g and 385.5 g, respectively, among the studied ecotypes. This characteristic not only reflects the high quality of the grains produced by these ecotypes but may also positively impact the final quality of the products and their marketability. Thousand-grain weight is an important indicator in assessing grain quality and can assist farmers in selecting the best ecotypes for cultivation.

Based on the results of this research, the ecotypes from Alvar Bostanabad village, Tabriz 4, and Kolvanagh14 have been identified as the best options in terms of grain yield. These ecotypes, by providing the highest grain yield per unit area, demonstrate their high adaptability to the environmental and climatic conditions of the Tabriz region. Additionally, the ecotypes Tabriz 3, Leilab Varzeqan village, and Alvar Bostanabad village exhibited the highest performance in terms of dry biomass yield and yield components. These results emphasize that these ecotypes can be recognized not only for grain production but also as the most suitable and compatible options for cultivation in the city of Tabriz. Identifying these ecotypes can assist farmers in selecting the best varieties for cultivation, leading to improved agricultural performance and increased productivity in the region. Overall, this research can serve as a solid foundation for future studies and agricultural planning aimed at enhancing agricultural production in the Tabriz area.

Considering the growing human population and the loss of environmental moderation, it is essential to use effective scientific methods to produce as many crops as possible and create more diversity in them. Sustainable agriculture is the most beneficial way to use the sun's energy and convert it into agricultural products without destroying the soil, water and environment. The global approach to the use of medicinal plants and natural compounds in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic-sanitary and food industries, followed by the attention of the people, officials and domestic industries to the use of medicinal and aromatic plants, creates an urgent need for extensive basic and applied research. It shows in this context. Medicinal plants are one of the most valuable resources in Iran's wide range of natural resources, which can play an important role in society's health, job creation, and non-oil exports if scientifically recognized, cultivated, developed, and exploited correctly. The diversity of climate and different ecological conditions have caused the diversity and richness of medicinal plants throughout Iran. The need for comprehensive research and correct utilization of these plants is very necessary, especially when the world's use of medicinal plants in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic-health and food industries has accelerated. In this regard, in this research, it has been tried to evaluate the ecotypes of the common Dragon's head in the region in terms of performance and performance components, and identify and introduce the most suitable ecotypes for the region and, if necessary, in the improvement programs. be noticed. In order to evaluate the performance and components of performance of 49 ecotypes of Dragon's head (Gare Zarak) collected from different regions of the country, a research was conducted in the form of randomized complete block design with 3 replications during 1995 and 1996 in the research farm of Tabriz University's Faculty of Agriculture. The most important traits measured were the number of seeds per capsule, number of seeds per plant, thousand seed weight, seed yield and harvest index. The obtained results showed that the ecotypes showed significant differences with each other in most of the studied traits. Ecotype No. 37 (Alvar Village, Bostan-Abad) was highly superior in terms of many traits, especially in terms of grain yield. The results of correlation, regression and causality analyzes showed that the number of seeds per plant and the number of seeds per capsule had the highest correlation with seed yield and are considered effective components in increasing seed yield. The highest correlation coefficient (0.879) was observed between the number of seeds per plant and the seed yield of a single plant. Based on the cluster analysis, ecotypes were grouped into two separate clusters based on seed yield and related traits, the second group included 22 ecotypes with the highest value in terms of traits such as number of seeds per plant and number of seeds per capsule. Based on the results of this research, ecotypes No. 37 (Alwar Bostan-Abad village), 23 (Tabriz 4) and 24 (Kalvanagh 14) in terms of seed yield traits and ecotypes No. 14 (Tabriz 3), 44 (Lilab village, Varzeghan) and 37 (Alvar Village, Bostanabad) were recognized as the most appropriate and compatible ecotypes for Tabriz city in terms of dry fodder yield. Based on the average comparison results, ecotype No. 35 (Param 2 Haris village) and ecotype No. 48 (Zanjan) have the highest 1000 seed weight among the studied ecotypes with an average of 5.418 grams and 5.385 grams, respectively. They gave. Based on the results of regression analysis and causality analysis of seed yield, the number of seeds per plant and the number of seeds per capsule had a direct positive effect on the seed yield of a single plant. Based on the Word method and based on grain yield, Dragon's head ecotypes were divided into two groups. The second group includes ecotypes 2, 8, 10, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33, 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 49. Was. The percentage of deviation from the average for all traits in this group was positive; Therefore, the ecotypes of this group are superior to the first group in terms of performance and traits related to it, and they can be used in breeding programs and selection of suitable ecotypes in terms of seed yield, number of seeds per plant and number of seeds per capsule. According to the results of various statistical analyzes of some important traits with seed yield, it can be said that the selection and cultivation of ecotypes No. 37 (Alvar village, Bostanabad), No. 23 (Tabriz 4), No. 24 (Kluvanq local mass 14), No. 25 (Tashe local mass) Kend 1 Harris) and No. 7 (Kelwanq 6) are recommended to the farmers of Tabriz as the most suitable ecotypes for sowing.