Phenology and compatibility of different Thymus species under agricultural conditions

The Thymus genus، belonging to Lamiaceae family، consists of over 215 different species in the world. Eighteen species are growing naturally in Iran، among which four species are endemic. Different species of thyme are used in the food، pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. This research، conducted in Yazd province during 2008-2011، was aimed to investigate the phenology and compatibility of different thyme species. The seeds of 69 accessions of unknown thyme species، provided by the natural resources gene bank of Iran، were planted to study the phenology and establishment rate. According to the obtained results، among 69 accessions studied، eight accessions were compatible with the climate conditions of the study station، 28 accessions were fairly compatible، and 33 accessions were less compatible. The average of establishment rate was calculated to be 75%، 68% and 58% in 2009، 2010 and 2011، respectively. The highest establishment rate (100%) was related to accession BHUXD )T. fedchenkoi×T. pubescens (، selected as superior accession، and the lowest establishment rate (7%) was related to accession XDRNJI (T. lancifolius×T. pubescens).