Drug yield and essential oil and carvacrol contents of two species of Satureja (S. khuzistanica Jamzad and S. rechingeri Jamzad) cultivated in two different locations

•The drug yield of S. khuzistanica (1.95 ± 0.93 t ha−1) was higher in either region.•The essential oil yield obtained from S. reshigeri (77.3 ± 33.7 kg ha−1) was higher than that from S. khuzistanica due to its high essential oil content (4.5 ± 0.28%).•The higher drug yield was obtained from the plants grown in colder region.•Plants grown in the warmer region produced a higher essential oil content.

Satureja khuzistanica and Satureja rechingeri are two valuable medicinal perennial species endemic to Iran. They grow wild in southwest parts of Iran. These species are rich in carvacrol, with considerable biological activities. In order to study the effects of climate and region conditions on plant height, leaves + flowering shoots yield (drug yield), essential oil content and yield, and carvacrol content, two years field experiments were conducted in two different locations (Andimeshk and Kashkan) in Iran during 2012 and 2013. The result showed that (average of both years) drug yield of either species in Kashkan (2.6 t ha−1) was higher than in Andimeshk (1.05 t ha−1). Drug yield of S. khuzistanica (1.9 t ha−1) in either region was higher than that of S. rechingeri (1.7 t ha−1). S. reshingeri (37.6 ± 3.5 cm) was shorter than S. khuzistanica (40.5 cm) in either location. In Kashkan, the species grew taller (40.9 cm) than in Andimeshk (37.3 cm). In addition, essential oil content of S. rechingeri (4.5%) in both regions was more than that of S. khuzistanica (1.9%). Essential oil content of both species in Andimeshk (3.3%) was more than in Kashkan (3.1%). Essential oil yield obtained from S. reshigeri (77.3 kg ha−1) was higher than that from S. khuzistanica due to its higher essential oil content. However, neither location nor species significantly affected carvacrol content. Carvacrol was the main component of the essential oil (95.9-96.7%). Overall, the results showed that both species performed better in the cooler region (Kashkan) but with a higher essential oil content in the warmer region (Andimeshk).

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