Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran
2
Professors, Rangeland Department, Research Institute Forests and Rangelands, ARREO, Tehran. .3&4- Professors and Assistance
3
Professors and Assistance, Botanical Department of Forests and Rangelands, ARREO, Tehran
4
Assistance, Botanical Department of Forests and Rangelands , Agricultural Research Education and extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
10.22092/ijrfpbgr.2025.369705.1478
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Due to widespread climate change and land-use modifications, plant genetic resources face serious threats, with some species potentially facing extinction in nature. Therefore, the collection, identification, preservation, and evaluation of the genetic resources of medicinal plants in gene banks is a priority. Given the significance of medicinal plants, different accessions of three species-chicory, marjoram, and lemon balm-were evaluated to select superior genotypes for cultivation and domestication, which can subsequently be introduced to users.
Materials and Methods: To identify and evaluate the genetic resources of these medicinal plant species, 26 accessions of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), 6 accessions of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), and 5 accessions of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) were cultivated and evaluated over three years (2018–2019) in separate field experiments. The experiments employed a completely randomized block design with three replications at the Alborz Research Farm in Karaj, Iran. Measured traits included sprouting percentage, plant height, number of stems, aerial biomass, and fresh and dry weight. At the flowering stage, herbarium samples were prepared, and a botanist identified their scientific names. Data for each species were analyzed using variance analysis, and mean comparisons between accessions were performed using the Tukey method. Relationships between traits were assessed via correlation analysis, and accessions were grouped using cluster analysis.
Results: For chicory, accessions 43888-Khorasan, 13210-Talesh, 14332-Talesh, and 40086-Tehran showed higher performance than other accessions across all measured traits. A positive and significant correlation was observed between aerial biomass (fresh and dry weight) and both the number of nodes per stem and stems per plant. Cluster analysis classified the 26 accessions into two groups, with the first group exhibiting superior traits. For marjoram, the highest sprouting percentage and aerial biomass (fresh and dry weight) were recorded in accession 10594-Ardabil. There was a positive and significant correlation between aerial weight and sprouting percentage. Cluster analysis divided the six accessions into two groups, with accessions from Noshahr and Mazandaran in the first group showing significant superiority. In lemon balm, mean comparisons indicated that accession 23756-Qazvin outperformed the others across all traits. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between aerial biomass and both the number of stems and canopy cover. Cluster analysis grouped the five accessions into two clusters, with the superior accessions in the first cluster and the remaining in the second.
Conclusion: Evaluation of the three species identified superior accessions for cultivation and domestication: 43888-Khorasan, 13210-Talesh, 14332-Hamedan, and 40086-Tehran in chicory; 10594-Ardabil in marjoram; and 23756-Qazvin and 10750-Ilam in lemon balm, based on higher vegetative traits and productivity. Cluster analysis further highlighted the same accessions with superior economic traits within specific clusters, suggesting their potential for cultivation, domestication, and the introduction of improved medicinal plant varieties.
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