organic fertilizer

Allium jesdianum is a valuable medicinal and edible plant belonging to the Alliaceae family and is native to Iran. However, due to excessive harvesting in its natural habitat, it is currently endangered. This study aimed to promote the cultivation, conservation, and habitat restoration of this endangered species. To ensure its sustainability, wild ecotypes were cultivated in controlled agricultural environments, and the effects of plant nutrition and gibberellic acid on reproductive success and overall yield were evaluated.

A randomized complete block experiment with three replications was conducted during the 2021–2022 growing season at the research farm of Lorestan University. The experimental treatments included cow manure at two levels (0 and 40 t/ha), NPK biofertilizer (Azotobarvar-1, Potabarvar-2, and Phosphatebarvar-2) at two levels (0 and 100 g/ha), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) at two levels (0 and 250 ppm). Bulbs were collected from their natural highland habitat near the research site and cultivated in the field after being inoculated with NPK biofertilizer and gibberellic acid. Various morphological and yield-related traits were measured, including plant height, fresh and dry leaf weight, weight and diameter of mother and daughter bulbs, daughter bulb production, economic yield, and biological yield. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 software, and treatment means were compared using the LSD test at a 5% significance level.

Applying cow manure, NPK biofertilizer, and gibberellic acid individually or in combination significantly influenced most vegetative and yield-related traits. However, the number of leaves per plant showed no significant variation. The highest plant height (26.53 cm), fresh leaf weight (8.24 g per plant), and dry leaf weight (2.84 g per plant) were recorded in the treatment combining cow manure, NPK biofertilizer, and gibberellic acid. Fertilizer and gibberellic acid application led to an approximately 2.5-fold increase in fresh leaf yield and an 18% improvement in biological yield compared to the control. The combination of cow manure and biological fertilizer had the most substantial impact on plant growth parameters. The weight and diameter of the mother bulb were significantly influenced by both the main effects and their interactions, with the highest values (3.58 g per plant and 22.52 mm) observed under the combined application of cow manure, biological fertilizer, and gibberellic acid. Similarly, the weight and diameter of daughter bulbs followed the same pattern. Reproductive success in A. jesdianum was significantly improved with the combined application of cow manure, biological fertilizer, and gibberellic acid. This treatment resulted in the highest bulb yield, averaging 13.33 bulbs per unit area.

The results indicate that the integrated application of cow manure, NPK biofertilizer, and gibberellic acid significantly enhances plant yield and daughter bulb production. Therefore, this approach is recommended for farmers seeking to improve A. jesdianum cultivation while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.

The annual herb Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fabaceae) is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop. It is commonly known as Fenugreek and used as both a spice and medicinal plant. Fenugreek is used to treat many ailments due to the presence of various bioactive compounds, like apigenin, luteolin, orientin, quercetin, vitexin, isovitexin, saponins, amino acids, phenols, alkaloids, etc. Combining chemical and organic fertilizers offers a sustainable approach to nutrient management. This integrated strategy enhances the effectiveness of chemical fertilizers, fosters improved soil health, and minimizes nutrient loss from the system.Chicken manure is one of the types of animal manure and a source of organic matter to strengthen all types of soil. In addition to having nutrients, it is one of the cheap fertilizers compared to common fertilizers in the production of crops, and it is richer in nitrogen than other animal fertilizers. Potassium is a critical element for plant growth and development, playing a vital physiological role in plant health and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses.

To investigate the effect of chicken manure and potassium sulfate on yield and biochemical traits of the fenugreek medicinal plant, factorial research was conducted in the form of randomized complete block design in three replications in the crop year 2021-2022. Experimental treatments included chicken manure at three levels (0, 1000, and 2000 kg.ha-1) and potassium sulfate at four levels (0, 1.5, 3, and 5 per thousand). To determine the seed yield after full ripening, the seeds were collected from one plant in each plot, weighed, and recorded. Arnon's method was used to measure the pigments in the leaves at the full flowering stage of the plant. To measure the amount of total phenolic compounds in the leaf using the Folin Cicalto method, antioxidant using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, total sugar using anthrone method, total flavonoid using aluminum chloride reagent method was used in the full flowering stage of the plant.

This experiment revealed that chicken manure significantly boosted crop yield and improved most biochemical traits, with the exception of sugar and antioxidant content.The amount of antioxidant activity decreased with increasing levels of chicken manure and soluble sugar was not affected by this manure. Treatment of 2000 kg.h-1 chicken manure has the highest phenol with 10.793 mg.g-1 dry weight, flavonoid with 4.475 mg.g-1 dry weight, Chlorophyll a with 2.591 mg.g-1 of fresh weight, Chlorophyll b with 3.055 mg.g-1 of fresh weight, and seed yield with 1185.8 kg.h-1. Regarding the impact of Soluptas on biochemical traits, all except phenol and antioxidant content peaked at a concentration of three parts per thousand. Notably, these peak levels were statistically indistinguishable from those observed at five parts per thousand.Treatment of 5 per thousand Soluptas also increased 28% seed yield, 13% soluble sugar, 20% phenol, 31% flavonoid, and 97% chlorophyll b. In the interaction effect in the treatment, it was observed that the highest amount of the two fertilizers had the highest amount of yield and biochemical traits, except for the antioxidant, whose activity level decreased with the increase of fertilizer levels. The results showed that the highest amount of soluble sugar in fenugreek leaves was related to the level of no chicken fertilization with Soluptas 5 per thousand at the rate of 21.53 mg.g-1 dry weight. The highest levels of both treatments (2000 kg.h-1 of chicken manure and Soluptas 5 per thousand) caused an increase in grain yield (1396 kg.h-1), phenol (12.86 mg.g-1 DW), and chlorophyll b (3.62 mg.g-1 FW) compared to no fertilization (control level). The highest amount of chlorophyll a was related to the interaction of 2000 kg.h-1of chicken manure and Soluptas 3 per thousand at the rate of 3.11 mg.g-1 of fresh weight.

Overall, chicken manure exhibited the strongest positive influence on the greatest number of traits among the single treatments. When considering the combined effects, a combination of 2000 parts per thousand chicken manure and 5 parts per thousand Soluptas appears to be optimal for enhancing the fenugreek plant's properties.

The use of organic fertilizers is one of the appropriate ways to produce medicinal plants due to their proper impact on the various soil properties, maintaining environmental health and better plant growth. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of various vermicompost levels on the growth and the morphological and physiological properties of the medicinal-ornamental plant of the Mullein, under drought stress conditions. The research was carried out in the form of split plots in a complete blocks design with four replicates. Experimental treatments included the use of vermicompost organic fertilizer at three levels of zero, 4, and 8 kg/m2 (equivalent to zero, 4, and 8 tons per hectare) and drought stress at two levels of normal irrigation (no stress) and irrigation at 50% of soil field capacity (FC). The results showed that the use of vermicompost and drought stress improved the morphological and physiological traits of the medicinal plant of Mullein. The highest height of the stem, the stem flower, the number of leaves, the height of the flower, the dry weight of shoot, and the root length were obtained by the use of vermicompost at 4 and 8 kg/m2 levels. The use of vermicompost at the rate of 8 kg/m2 increased chlorophyll and anthocyanin, respectively, by 53.7 and 122% compared to control. It was observed that by applying vermicompost at the levels of 4 and 8 kg/m2, significant changes in the morphological and physiological traits of the Mullein plant occurred. On the other hand, the combination of vermicompost application and mild drought stress also caused positive changes in the plant traits. Therefore, mild drought stress, and also for improving the vegetative growth and reproductive efficiency of the medicinal-ornamental plant of the Mullein, the use of vermicompost at 4 kg/m2 (equivalent to 4 tons per hectare) are recommended.

To investigate the effects of vermicompost and phosphate biofertilizer Barvar-2 on quantitative and qualitative yield of Silybum marianum L., a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field near Ardebil city in 2018-2019 crop year. Vermicompost was used at five levels (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 ton.ha-1) and biofertilizer at two levels (inoculation and non-inoculation). The results showed that seed yield, 1000-seed weight, number of seeds per capitule, number of capitules per plant, biological yield, oil yield, silymarin yield, and flower fresh weight were significantly affected by different levels of vermicompost. Also, the application of phosphate biofertilizer Barvar-2 had a significant effect on all traits except inflorescence diameter. The highest amount of traits in the vermicompost treatment was obtained in the application of 40 tons.ha-1. However, there was no statistically significant difference for the traits including number of seeds per capitule, oil, silymarin, and silybin percentage, oil yield, and number of inflorescences in the application of 40 and 30 tons vermicompost per hectare. In biofertilizer treatment, the highest amount of traits was observed in inoculation with this fertilizer. The highest silybin percentage (16.81) and silymarin yield (37.61 kg.ha-1) were obtained in the application of 40 tons vermicompost per hectare and the lowest one (16.12% and 30.56 kg.ha-1, respectively) at the control level of vermicompost.

To investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers and their combination on the characteristics of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) in Southern Kerman province, a factorial farm experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications for two years. The factors included rotten cattle manure at two levels (0 (a1) and 15 (a2) ton.ha-1) and NPK fertilizer (urea, triple superphosphate and potassium sulfate) at five levels (0 (b1), 25% (b2), 50% (b3), 75% (b4), and 100% (b5) of the soil test basis). At the end of each year, leaf yield and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lawson concentrations of the leaves were measured in the different treatments. The results of two-year combined analysis showed that the interaction between organic and chemical fertilizer treatments was significant on yield and leaf lawson concentration. The highest leaf dry weight (483.2 g.m-2) was related to the a2b5 treatment which was not significantly different from a2b4 (473.7 g.m-2). The a2b5 and a2b4 treatments had 41.2% and 38.5% better yield than the control, respectively. Also, the a2b5 treatment showed the highest leaf lawson content (30.1 g.plant-1) without significant difference with a2b4 (25.2 g.plant-1). Considering the situation of the study region in terms of non-use of organic fertilizers and also the economic justification of the produced henna, it could be recommended to use 15 ton.ha-1 cattle manure with a 25% reduction of chemical fertilizer NPK for the henna production.

The Lippia genus which has over than 200 species and Lippia citriodora L. is medicinally important. In order to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics and elements of Lippia citriodora L. under the influence of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), vermicompost and biochar, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Alborz Research Station in field conditions, was implemented in 2017 on one-year seedlings. The  first factor included factors: vermi-compost at three levels (0, 6 and 12 ton/ha), the second factors was biochar  at three levels (0, 5 and 10 ton/ha) and the thirs factor was plant growth promoting rhizobacteria at two levels (non-inoculation and inoculation with combination of Azotobacter chroococcum strain 5, Azospirillum lipoferum strain OF and Pseudomonas putida). Comparison of means demonstrated that the highest essential oil percentage (0.86 %) was acquired from control treatment and the highest essential oil yield with 3.74 kg/ha was observed in treatment 12 ton/ha vermicompost, 10 ton/ha biochar and inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. The highest Fe (377.06 ppm) was observed in 12 ton/ha vermicompost, 10 ton/ha biochar and non-inoculation. Generally, application of 6 ton per hectare vermicompost, 10 ton per hectare biochar and PGPRs on Lippia citriodora can improve yield and qualitative traits of the plant through increasing growth, developing root and better absorbing water and nutrients from soil.

Satureja mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey. is one of the native savory species of Iran that has received much attention due to its high essential oil content and phenolic compound of thymol. Determination the most suitable and best planting density as well as soil fertility is very important in increasing the quantitative and qualitative yield of medicinal plants. In this study, to investigate the effects of plant density and feeding with organic fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of essential oils in Satureja mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey. under rainfed conditions, an experiment was conducted as split plots in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the Research and Education Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Kermanshah province in 3 crop years (2018-2020). The main factor included 3 fertilizer treatments and the sub-factor was 3 densities (2.66, 4, and 8 plants per square meter) in rows with a distance of 50 cm and with 3 planting distances (25, 50, and 75 cm). Plant aerial parts were harvested at full flowering stage and their essential oil (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation method. EO yield was calculated according to the plant dry weight and its chemical compounds were identified using GC and GC/MS. The results showed that percentage and EO chemical composition did not show any difference between the years. There was a significant difference between the fertilizer treatments for the percentage and EO yield and thymol, carvacrol, and other EO chemical compounds at the level of 1%. There was a significant difference between the planting densities only for EO yield. Thymol had a positive relationship with the treatments of enriched straw and then rotten cow manure and the highest amount (53.2%) was observed in the enriched straw treatment. Carvacrol with the highest amount of 9.2%, showed a positive relationship with the rotten cow manure treatment.

The tendency to produce aromatic and medicinal plants and the demand for natural products is increasing especially in the world. Ecological agriculture (Agroecology) of medicinal plants guarantees their quality and reduces the possibility of negative effects on their quality and yield. Evaluation of different plant nutrition systems is one of the most important principles in the production planning of medicinal plants in order to achieve high yield and quality of effective ingredients. Proper fertilizer management is one of the most important factors in agricultural production. Identification of fertilizers which are compatible with nature and are suitable for plant growth could have favorable effects on quantitative and qualitative indices of the plant. Organic fertilizers are genuine and risk-free products that could be suitable for agricultural sustainability. Soil organic matter improves fertility and water retention, provides proper ventilation, long-term storage of plant nutrients and microorganisms, so replacing chemical fertilizers with fertilizers such as vermicompost and biofertilizer can reduce the above-mentioned effects. Biofertilizers are one of the operations that is nowadays in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture for soil fertility. Biofertilizers include the compost of one or more types of useful soil organisms or as metabolic by-products of these organisms that are used to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs in an agroecosystem.

In order to investigate the effect of biochar, organic and biological fertilizers on the quantity and quality of Ocimum bacilicum L., a factorial experiment was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included two levels of biochar (0 and 20 ton ha-1) and five levels of fertilizers (vermicompost (10 ton ha-1), Mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas and no fertilizer application). Prior to planting sweet basil seed, biofertilizers and vermicompost were mixed with soil to the depth of 15 cm. Mycorrhizal fungi were mixed with seed. Azotobacter and Pseudomonas bacteria were also incubated with seeds (seed inoculated). It should be added that in this study no chemicals were used to control weeds and pests.

According to the results, the highest plant height and number of main branches were obtained in biochar application with vermicompost (49.37 cm and 7, respectively), which was significantly better than other treatments. The interaction effect of biochar and fertilizer had a significant effect on fresh and dry weight of leaf and stem. Mean comparison of treatments showed that the highest leaf and stem fresh weight were obtained in biochar + Pseudomonas application (792 and 876 g m-2, respectively), which had no significant difference with biochar + vermicompost; and also, the maximum leaf dry weight and stem dry weight were obtained in biochar with Pseudomonas application (166 and 175 g m-2, respectively). The interaction between biochar and fertilizer on phenol, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of basil showed a significant differences between treatments.

In general, the results showed that the use of biochar and biological and organic fertilizers could be effective in both the quality and quantity of sweet bail, where, the use of the bacterium Azobacter and Pseudomonas with biochar had the greatest effect on the quality and quantity of sweet bail. Finally, it could be concluded that the combined use of biochar with biological fertilizers had significant impacts on the quantitative and qualitative traits of sweet bail in ecological or low input agricultural.

In order to investigate the effect of plant growth promoting rhizo-bacteria (PGPRs) and humic acid on some morphological and physiological characteristics of marshmallow (Altheae officinalis L.) a pot experiment was carried out under greenhouse condition at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, in 2017. The experiment was conducted using a complete randomized blocks design based on factorial arrangement with three replications. First factor was seed inoculation with strains of Pseudomonas fluorescence bacteria at four levels (non- inoculation, inoculation with strains 51, 79 and 163) and second factor was humic acid at four levels (0, 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg soil). Results showed that Pseudomonas fluorescence strains and humic acid had significant effects on morphological and physiological measured traits. The most effects of inoculation created by strain 163 of Pseudomonas fluorescenss bacteria and it increased leaf dry weight, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll index, carotenoids and protoin leaf compare to control. The result also showed that increasing of humic acid concentration up to 150 mg/kg of soil increased, leaf area, leaf chlorophylls index, chlorophyll fluorescence index and protein leaf compare to control. Combination use of Pseudomonas fluorescenss bacteria (strain 163) and humic acid (150 mg/kg soil) had the most effect on increasing of leaf fresh weight, leaf area, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids and phosphor leaf compare to control. Due to these results, application of biological fertilizers containing Pseudomonas fluorescence and humic acid can improve morphological and physiological characteristics of marshmallow.

Environmental stresses are the most important factors that reduce agricultural yield all over the world. The water stress especially in flowering damages yield and yield quality, however, some studies showed that sometimes it does not have any harmful effect on yield. For instance, some studies approved that deficit irrigation improves sugar content and then fruit quality. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effects of potassium sulfate, vermicompost and water stress on yield and quality of four years old nectarine (CV Red gold), an experimental study was carried out on a garden which covers 5000 m2 in Eslamdeh (Sari) during 2015 to 2016.

A split-split plot experiment based on complete randomized block design (RCBD) with 18 treatments in three replications (totally 54 treatments (trees)) was used in this study. Some complex soil samples were gathered individually from 0-30 and 30-60 cm to determine macro and micro fertilizer demand and were analyzed to determine physicochemical characteristics. Two levels of tree water requirement (50% and 100%) as the main plot, vermicompost in three levels (0, 5 and 10 kg per tree) as subplot, and three levels of potassium sulfate, (0, 200 and 400 g per tree) as sub-sub plothad been applied. The rest fertilizer demand was recommended based on soil analysis. vermicompost, potassium sulfate and other essential fertilizers were applied in late winter and then aeration or digging was carried out. The fruit was picked after ripening and was weighed. Diameter, height and mass weight were measured. Soluble solids, the total sugar content of fruit was measured based on pH-meter, refractometer and Arnon methods. Potassium and chlorophyll were measured by flame photometer and chlorophyll meter.

The results showed that the effects of different levels of applied treatments were not significant on fruit pH. In addition, effects of different levels of potassium sulfate on TSS, leaf chlorophyll, potassium sulfate levels of leaf, fruit weight and yield, fruit height, and flesh weight, single fruit weight were all significant at 1 % level. The results also showed that levels of vermicompost on K level of leaf and fruit yield was significant at 1% level, and on fruit weight at 5% level. Effects of other treatments were not significant on other studied traits. Results of mean comparison showed that fruit crop was increased with an increase in vermicompost application. The minimum yield (41.44 kg/fruit) obtained from control and application of 10 and 20 kg/h vermicompost resulted in 58.33 and 60.61 kg/h, respectively. Application of potassium sulfate also showed to be effective on fruit yield. The minimum yield obtained from control, applying 200, 400 g of potassium sulfate, resulted in 54.89 and 61.33 kg/tree. Furthermore, potassium sulfate levels resulted in TSS enhancement. The minimum obtained from control plot (8.083) and maximum obtained from 8.864 and 9.612 with applying 200, 400 g of potassium sulfate, respectively. Potassium application also resulted in fruit level volume. The minimum level observed at control plot (116.2), applying 200, 400 g of potassium sulfate, resulted in 131.5 and 141.3 kg/tree. The interaction effects of different levels of potassium sulfate, vermicompost and irrigation showed that maximum fruit yield obtained from 400 g/K, 10 kg of vermicompost and applying 100% tree water requirement with yield of 70.66 g which was not statistically different with triple interaction of 400 g/K, 10 kg of vermicompost and applying 50% of tree water requirement.

In the current research, the effects of the use of potassium sulfate and vermicompost on maintaining plant balance and fruit quality and also decreasing water use in stress conditions were studied. Results showed that the use of potassium sulfate along with vermicomposts had a significant effect of improving morphological and physiological characteristics of nectarine. Furthermore, they increased nutrition availability for the crop and then increased yield and fruit quality. The following conclusion to be drawn is that fruit was increased with an increase in vermicompost application. Application of potassium sulfate also showed to be effective on fruit yield and TSS enhancement. The interaction effects of different levels of potassium sulfate, vermicompost and irrigation showed that maximum fruit yield obtained from 400 g/K, 10 kg of organic matter and applying 100% tree water requirement with yield of 70.66 g which was not statistically different with triple interaction of 400 g/K, 10 kg of vermicompost and applying 50 % tree water requirement.

Azolla grows well in wetlands and reservoirs in northern Iran. This plant can be used as a source of compost and as an organic fertilizer. In this study, azolla compost (AZC) and humic acid (HA) were used in the production of daffodil. The experiment was carried out with factorial arrangement based on the completely randomized design. The first factor was AZC (25%, 50%, 75% and 100 %v/v) and the second factor was humic acid (0, 250 and 500 mg L-1). Results showed that the longest flowering stem with 24.03% increase compared to control, was recorded at 25% AZC + 500 mg L-1 HA. Treatments 100% AZC + 250 and 500 mg L-1 HA, produced the highest flowering stem diameter. Maximum anthocyanin content obtained in compost 100% + 250 mg L-1 humic acid. In compost 25% + 500 mg L-1 humic acid, the amount of nitrogen and calcium was at the maximum. In compost 75% + 500 mg L-1 humic acid, the concentration of phosphorus and potassium increased compared to the control. The results of the present study showed that the use of azolla compost and humic acid is effective in improving the quantitative and qualitative traits of daffodil.

Scale position and type of growing medium can affect the production of bulb in the lily plant. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with two factors, scale position in two levels, outer and inner scales, in combination with growing media in five levels. Base or control treatment included 50% peat + 50% perlite; in the other four beds, 50% perlite was kept constant, but the peat fraction of the base bed was replaced with 15 or 30% compost or vermicompost of cow manure; the experiment was conducted with four replications. The results showed that the highest number of bulb (3), bulb diameter (12.79 mm) and bulb dry weight (0.25 g) were obtained in the combined treatment of 15% vermicompost and outer scales. The highest number of roots (5.61) was recorded in peat + perlite bed, and the highest leaf number (15.25) and bulb fresh weight (1.18 g) were observed in the 15% vermicompost treatment. Root length (8.55 cm) was the lowest in the 15% compost. The highest number of roots (4.96), root length (10.66 cm) and bulb fresh weight (1.19 g) were obtained in the outer scales. The total chlorophyll content of the plants produced in the treatment of outer scales in combination with control, vermicompost 15% and 30% and 15% compost showed no significant difference. The highest root diameter (1.56 mm), leaf length (14.5 cm) and nitrogen content (2.48%) were obtained in the outer scales and peat + perlite (control) treatment. The highest potassium concentration (4.91%) was obtained in the combined treatment of vermicompost 15% and outer scales. The lowest phosphorus concentration was observed in the combined treatment of 30% compost and inner scales. Therefore, the outer scales and low levels of vermicompost could be optimal for the lily bulb production.

The use of organic fertilizers is very important in sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the Camelina sativa (DH1025 line) plant response to chemical and organic (sheep and cattle manure) fertilizers. And their impact on quantitative and qualitative yields. The experiment was carried out based on a complete randomized design with 5 replications in fall 2016 in the village of Zalkah, Mahedasht, Kermanshah Province, Iran. The experiment was carried out in 4 treatments including: control (without fertilizer), full fertilizer (150 kg ha-1), sheep and cow manure (both 50 tons per hectare). In this research, quantitative and qualitative yields and biochemical traits were evaluated. The results of data analysis showed that the use of cow manure had a significant effect on grain yield. There was a significant difference between fertilizer treatments on fatty acids. The cow manure indicated the highest effect palmitic acid, oleic, linoleic and arachidic acid which was 1.8%, 8%, 0.81%,6/6% respectively. The cow manure fertilizer showed the lowest effect on stearic  acid( 4.57% lower than the control). Also, cow manure treatment reduced the amount of Erusic acid to 12.93% lower than the control, which is a significant nutritional result.

One of the important factors in the succeeding the medicinal plant cultivation is the use of appropriate fertilizers. Plants grown with appropriate fertilizers have more secondary metabolites than those that grown in the usual system. On the other hand, there is increasing concern about soil interrelated environmental problems such as desertification, soil degradation, loss of fertility and erosion. So, the use of suitable fertilizer for plant growth is very important. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) oil is widely used as a floral substitute of the rose scent, due to its smell very similar to rose, being therefore one of the most valuable natural materials for the cosmetic and perfumery industries. Geranium oil is obtained from steam distillation of the flowers or green foliage of Pelargonium graveolens or some of its hybrids. Geranium oil is sometimes listed on the label of supplements promoted for athletic performance, weight loss, and body building. Sometimes it is used for nerve pain (neuropathy), depression, diarrhea and various skin conditions or to help with healing. Also, geranium oil is likely safe when taken by mouth in food amounts. Analyses of phytochemical profile of geranium oil included the major constituents such as citronellol, citronellyl formate, geraniol and isomenthone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compounds of geranium essential oil in treatment of three types of fertilizers including organic, chemical and compost fertilizer.
In order to investigate the effects of organic, chemical and compost fertilizers on chemical composition of essential oil of geranium, an experiment was conducted at Barij research farm, Kashan, Iran, in 2015 as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included; organic fertilizer at one level (3 tons/ha), chemical fertilizer as urea at two levels (75 and 100 kg/ha), compost fertilizer as plant debris at two levels (15 and 20 tons/ha) and control (no fertilizer). The aerial parts of the treated geranium were collected during stage of flowering in October, and their essential oils were obtained from Clevenger apparatus, and after dehydration were analyzed by GC device. The GC analysis was carried out using Varian 3800 GC, equipped with a CP-Sil 8 fused silica capillary column (60 m × 0.32 mm i.d., 0.25 µm f.t.); carrier gas, Helium; flow rate 1.0 ml/min; split ratio, 1:50 and using a flame ionization detector. The column temperature was programmed at 50 °C heated to 250 °C at a rate of 3.0 °C/min, then kept constant at 250 °C for 20 min; injector temperature, 230 °C; detector temperature, 250 °C. Also, plant height, number of branches per plant, average fresh weight of the plant, maximum fresh weight of the plant and plant yield were measured. Data analysis was done by SPSS Statistic 17.0.
The results showed that treatment with different fertilizers had no significant effect on essential oil percentage. In the cultivation of aromatic herbs, despite the percentage of essential oil, the type and composition of the essential chemical composition is also important. So, the chemical compounds of essential oils obtained from different treatments were studied. Citronellol (44.5%-56.6%), citronellyl formate (12.2%-18.3%), geraniol (2.2%-7.6%), and isomenthone (1.9%-6.1%) were found as four major components in essential oil of geranium. However, it’s found that the amount of citronellol (51.94%) reach to the highest level in the essential oil obtained from germanium treated with compost fertilizer at level of 15 tons/ha. However, other treatments had no significant effect on other compounds of essential oil. Several studies indicate that the use of compost on land may soil parameters and improve several plant and which would make compost an interesting option for soil restoration purposes, as well as take advantage of its fertilizer properties. Other potential benefits of compost application are enhanced nutrient availability for plants, improved biological activity, and the suppression of soil borne diseases. Moreover, many authors have reported higher yields with compost application and better quality of the harvested crops. Also, no significant differences among geranium for plant height, number of branches per plant, average fresh weight of the plant, maximum fresh weight of the plant and plant percentage were observed.
The results point to the beneficial effects of a compost fertilizer at level of 15 tons/ha as alternative nutrition systems on the growth characteristics. So, in addition to reducing costs, can be achieved high quality essential oil.

Due to ever increasing greenhouse cultures, using organic fertilizers for enhancing healthy products is necessary. To investigate the effect of two types of these fertilizers on tomato, in a factorial experiment, based on completely randomized design with 3 replications, with 2 pots in each replication, 0 g/kg humic acid (Humic0) and 1 g/kg (Humic1) and amino acid at 3 levels of 0 g/kg (Amin0), 1 g/kg (Amin1) and 2 g/kg (Amin2), were fertigated once every 10-day. Fruit characteristics at first and second harvests in green, orange, pink and red phases were studied. Results showed that fruit dry weight was less affected by humic acid and amino acid than fruit fresh weight, especially in green and orange phases. In pink and red phases, in the first harvest, fruit dry weight was increased with amino1 and amino2, in both concentrations of humic acid, as compared with control. Amin1 and humic1 had the highest total soluble solids. Fruit phosphorus concentration in humic1 and amin2 was the highest. Potassium concentrations in amino1 and amino2 in both humic acid concentrations were higher than control. Nitrogen concentration in humic1 and amin2 was increased. Therefore, it is recommended that greater amount of these fertilizers or more application times, be used in nutrient solution of tomato at fruit ripening stage and first harvest. Since using these fertilizers is more effective on fresh weight than on dry weight, it is recommended to use them for fresh tomato consumption than for processing tomato for paste.

Organic production is one of the important aspects in the medicinal plants industry and the use of organic fertilizers is very important in this topic. Seaweeds are important marine living resources with tremendous commercial applications and many commercial products from seaweed extract are used in agriculture and horticulture. Seaweed extracts can be used in liquid form as a foliar spray, soil drench or in powder and granular forms as soil conditioners and manure. Using seaweed extracts as fertilizers can improve plant productivity, because they contain growth-promoting hormones. Several studies have also shown that the seaweed extracts can suppress plant diseases and insect pests. Nowadays, seaweed extract is used as an organic fertilizer in order to increase the quantitative yield of medicinal plants and also resistance to environmental stresses. Summer savory is one of the medicinal and spice plants that has a high area under cultivation in our country for food and medicine. Various studies on its essential oil had been shown that it contains high amounts of phenolic compounds like Carvacrol, γ-Terpinene, Thymol, p-Cymene, β-Caryophyllene, Linalool, and other terpenoids.

In order to study the effect of different levels of seaweed fertilizer on the growth characteristics, plant material yield, essential oil percentage of summer savory, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) during 2017. The treatments included: 0 (control), 2.5, 5 and 10 ml/liter seaweed fertilizer that they were used as a foliar application for three times in the growing season. According to the meteorological data, the area had an average rainfall of 246 mm and a semi-arid climate. In order to determine the physical and chemical properties of the soil, soil sampling and testing were done. To prepare the field, the soil tillage operation was carried out using a 40 cm depth plow. Then, plots with a 2 × 2 meters at a distance of half a meter from each other were prepared. The seeds used in this experiment were prepared from Varamin landrace, which is mainly cultivated by farmers in Tehran and Alborz provinces. Sowing operation was carried out manually. In each plot, 7 rows (30 cm spacing between rows) were cultivated and all of the plots were irrigated in the same conditions. The organic fertilizer (Bioalgax) used in this experiment was based on an extract of seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), which was obtained from the Kimitec company, Spain. This fertilizer is a natural source of phytohormones such as cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellins and also, it has some minerals. After reaching the height of 20 cm (eight weeks after planting), spraying of the fertilizer solutions was applied three times during the growing season at intervals of 10 days. The foliar application was carried out at sunset time by using a manual sprayer. The harvest was carried out at full flowering stage and 3 plants of each plot were harvested. The studied traits were: plant height, stem diameter, the number of branches, leaf length, and width, shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, SPAD index, essential oil yield and content.

The results showed that different concentrations of seaweed fertilizer had a significant effect on the number of branches, shoot dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, leaf width and plant height at 1% probability level. They also had a significant effect on the shoot fresh weight, essential oil percentage, and yield at 5% probability level. On the basis of the results, the highest number of branches (35.44), leaf length and width (43.22 and 8.07 mm), stem diameter (5.00 mm), root fresh and dry weight (15.17 and 6.42 g), shoot fresh and dry weight (181.01 and 37.69 g) and SPAD index (48.13) were obtained from 10 ml/liter seaweed fertilizer and the lowest amounts were observed in control treatment. The maximum plant height (54.66 cm) and the highest percentages and the yield of essential oil (2.51% and 6.28 g/m2) were also obtained from 5 ml/liter seaweed fertilizer. According to the results, the response of summer savory to the use of seaweed fertilizer was positive and it could be placed in the fertilization program of farmers.

To study the effects of different levels of vermicompost and humic acid on the seed macro-elements uptake, seed yield, and essential oil of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), an experiment was conducted in a field located in Mobarakeh city as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during the growing season 2016-2017. Experimental treatments included vermicompost at three levels (0, 5 and 10 ton ha-1) and foliar application of humic acid at four levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 lit ha-1). The results showed that the application of 10 ton ha-1vermicompost increased the essential oil yield and seed phosphorus content by 86.7 and 33% as compared to control, respectively. The foliar application of 4 lit ha-1 humic acid along with 0, 5, and 10 ton ha-1vermicompost application increased the seed potassium content by 27.8, 9.6, and 9.2% as compared to control, respectively. The highest percentage of seed nitrogen was observed in the combined application of humic acid at 4 lit ha-1 and vermicompost at 10 ton ha-1, which was 11.7% more than control. The foliar spray of 4 and 6 lit ha-1 humic acid at 10 ton ha-1 vermicompost increased seed yield by 11.1 and 9.9% as compared to control, respectively. The combined use of humic acid and vermicompost could meet the nutritional needs of cumin and could be considered as an effective step towards achieving sustainable agriculture goals while increasing quantitative and qualitative performance.

One of the important requirements in agronomic planning is the use of various non-chemical plant systems. In order to investigate the effects of vermicompost and humic acid on Myrtus communis, an experiment was conducted in a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with 16 treatments and 3 replications at the Alborz Research Station, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands of Iran. Treatments included vermicompost (9, 18, 27, 36 and 45 t/ha), Hiumic acid (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 l/ha), five combinations of them (V9+H15, V18+H12.5, V27+H10, V27+H7.5) and control. There was significant diference between treatments in shoot, leaf, essential oil yields and essential oil percentage. The highest leaf yield (356 kg ha-1), shoot yield (773kg/ha) essential oil percent (1.86%) and essential oil yield (14kg/ha) acheaved in treatment of 45 tons per hectare vermicompost. The main components of the essential oil were α-pinene (5.63-48.5%), limonene (3.4-22.6%), 1.8-cineole (2.2-18.7%), linalool (7.96-26.7%), myrtenol (2.1-19.2%), trans- carveol (0.1-2.5%) and α-terpinyl acetate (1.8-7.7%) .