Biochemical changes of Bakhtiari savory affected by organic fertilizer and plant density under dryland farming conditions

Organic fertilizers and optimal density are known to alleviate the undesirable effects of biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. This research aimed to study the effect of density and organic fertilizers on the biochemical status of Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge.) under dryland farming conditions. Hence an experiment was conducted as a split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at Homand rangeland research station of Damavand in crop years 2018-19. Organic fertilizer as the main factor was included three levels of cattle manure (30 t ha-1), enriched wheat straw (10 t ha-1) enriched with ammonium sulfate, and control (without fertilizer). Also, the plant density as a sub-factor was allocated with three levels of low plant density (LPD, 26666 plant ha-1), medium plant density (MPD, 40000 plant ha-1), and high plant density (HPD, 80000 plant ha-1). The results revealed that cattle manure and HPD increased glycine-betaine (GB) and anthocyanin. The maximum Carotenoid was observed at HPD with control and also in cattle manure and MPD. The highest total soluble sugar content (TSS) was achieved with cattle manure in the second year. The most remarkable antioxidant capacity (DPPH) was measured in control, LPD, and the second year. Also, increased total protein amount was found at MPD and cattle manure compared with LPD and control. This research could widely improve the current knowledge of management use of organic fertilizers and optimal density in Satureja bachtiarica species under dryland farming conditions.