The study of some ecological characteristics of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. et Hohen and Thymus pubescens Boiss. & Kotschy ex Celak in West Azarbaijan

Thyme is one of the most important species in pharmaceutical, food, health and cosmetic industries. In order to study natural habitats of different species from Thymus genus in west Azerbaijan province, several studies were conducted in habitat conditions during 2001-2003. First, habitat surveys were conducted in different parts of the province and then plot establishment and data collection were performed in the habitats of T. pubescens and T. kotschyanus, in Hajibeyk and Ghoshchi regions, respectively. In this study, in addition to climate and soil data, vegetation indices such as plant height, canopy cover, number of branches and root length were measured. The results of the study showed that T. kotschyanus is distributed at an altitude of 1450-2500 m and slopes of 20-60% in northern slope and with an average rainfall of 400-600 mm while, T. pubescens is distributed at an altitude of 1900-2600 m, and slopes of 10-45 % (east and north), with an average rainfall of 250-400 mm. A soil texture of silty-clay-loam and silty-loam are needed for the growth of T. kotschyanus and T. pubesen, respectively. Essential oil percentage in 50% flowering stage was recorded to be 1/12% and 1/78% in T. pubescens and T. kotschyanus, respectively.