Evaluation of the effects of environmental conditions on morphological, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics in two populations of Lamb's Ear Plant (Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl) in Zanjan Province
Subject Areas : Medicinal PlantsMahnaz Vafadar 1 , Seyyed Mostafa Mohammadi 2 , zahareh togharangar 3 , Aleyeh Vatan khah 4
1 - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
2 - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran,,
3 - Department of Biology, University of Zanjan
4 -
Keywords: Ecophysiology, Essential oil, Habitat, Lamb, s ear, Zanjan province,
Abstract :
This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on the morphological, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of the mountain tea plant (Stachys lavandulifolia) in two regions of Zanjan province (Tarom and Qaidar). Plant and soil samples were collected during the reproductive phase in spring 2023. Essential oil was extracted using the hydro-distillation method and analyzed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Soil properties and plant parameters were also measured. The results showed that the Tarom samples had a higher yield and content of essential oil, while the Qaidar samples had higher essential oil quality. The essential oil of the Qaidar and Tarom plants contained 45 and 31 compounds, respectively. Soil analysis revealed higher levels of pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and manganese in the Qaidar region, while higher levels of nitrogen, zinc, and potassium were found in Tarom. The Tarom plants had higher levels of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll, while the Qaidar plants had higher levels of flavonoids. The Tarom population also had larger leaf and flower sizes, longer inflorescence axis and root lengths, and taller plants compared to the Qaidar population. These differences may be attributed to the more favorable habitat conditions in Tarom, including lower altitude, lower soil electrical conductivity, and higher nutrient and organic carbon content. Overall, this study suggests that the Qaidar region has a higher quality of essential oil and recommends the exploitation of mountain tea plants from this region.
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