Study of essential oil content and composition of six populations of Satureja rechingeri Jamzad in farm condition

Satureja species are aromatic plants, belonging to Lamiaceae family. The green parts and essential oils of Satureja species are used in medicinal and food industries. Satureja rechingeri Jamzad is an endemic species growing wild in Ilam province. In this research, the seeds of six populations were collected from natural habitats for domestication of this species and study the essential oil content and composition in cultivated plants. The seeds were cultivated in the research farm of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands in three replications in a complete randomized blocks design. For comparing the yields and constituents of essential oil, the aerial parts of each accession were collected in full flowering stage at three consecutive years. The plant materials were subjected to hydro-distillation after drying in room temperature. The oil yields were calculated and the oil compositions were identified by GC and GC/MS analysis and retention indices. Our results showed an increasing pattern for the oil yields of four populations during three years after cultivation and then it reached to 4.8%-6% in the third year. The major compound in all oils was carvacrol accounted for 80 to 88% in two- and three- year-old plants. According to the obtained results and improved yield of essential oil in cultivated samples compared to the wild ones as well as high levels of carvacrol, the cultivation of S. rechingeri in the same condition could be recommended.