Effects of density on yield and yield components of thyme (Thymus lancifolius Celak.) under dry farming conditions of Lorestan province

This research was aimed to study the effects of density on yield and yield components of thyme (Thymus lancifolius Celak.) under dry farming conditions of Lorestan province. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with three sowing density treatments (4, 6, and 8 plants per square meter) and three replications. The plant height, crown diameter, number of shoots, shoot dry yield, root length, and essential oil yield and content were measured. The results of combined analysis showed that the highest number of branches was obtained at a density of 8 plants per square meter as compared with 4 and 6 plants per square meter. According to the results, the dry matter yield and essential oil yield and content were calculated to be 3937.9 kg ha-1, 77.52 kg, and 1.973%, respectively. In addition, in the fourth year of study, the number of flowering branches, crown diameter and height were calculated to be 317.153, 42.87 cm and 15.3cm, respectively. The essential oil T. lancifolius contained more than 44% carvacrol and 31% thymol.