Regional altitude and soil physicochemical factors ınfluence the essential oil of thymus pubescens (Lamiales: Lamiaceae)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the effects of regional altitude and soil physicochemical factors on essential oil of Thymus pubescens. To achieve this goal, aerial parts of this species and top 30 cm soil samples of from five regions in East Azarbaijan province of Iran was collected. Oil samples were extracted by hydrodistillation method. Percentage of essential oil with soil pH has a significant positive relation and there is significant negative relation with altitude. Evaluating environmental factors, we found regional altitude and soil pH as the important factors influencing the production of oil. We conclude that ecological factors are important and should be taken into account for cultivation of Thymus pubescens.