Feasibility study of cultivating five medicinal plants in the plains of the Salt-Lake catchment area use in cropping pattern modification programs

The aim of this study was to determine the ecological suitability of cultivating five medicinal species of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), borage (Echium amoenum Fisch. Et Mey), artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare Miller.) Was carried out in 36 plains of the salt lake catchment area as one of the sub-basins of the Central Plateau of Iran. Research methodology includes collection and reconstruction of climatic elements (minimum and maximum temperatures), estimation of agricultural share of water resources separately, estimation of plant water needs, determination of moisture balance, preparation of salinity tolerance layer, preparation of desirability layers and the unfavorable cultivation, finally the overlaying of layers and the production of arable land was suitable for the cultivation of these plants. Chamomile cultivation was considered desirable or very desirable in most agricultural lands of the salt lake catchment area. Cultivation of cumin, Persian cattle, artichoke and fennel in the southeastern lands of the catchment (such as Masileh plains) due to salinity and in western lands (such as Qazvin plains) due to semi-cold stresses It was desirable or undesirable. Cumin cultivation in the northern half and Iranian borage cultivation in the lands of Qazvin and Damavand plains were in a very favorable or favorable situation. Artichoke cultivation in Golpayegan plain was in a very favorable condition. Fennel cultivation in the central plains of the catchment was in a semi-favorable condition. In the eastern regions, water and salinity resources were limited and in the northern regions, the minimum temperature limit was observed for the development of cultivation of these species. The results of this research can be considered in programs to improve the cultivation pattern of the region.