Plant Growth, Physiological, and Biochemical Responses of Medic Savory [Satureja macrantha (Makino) Kudô] to Bio-organic and Inorganic Fertilizers

Nowadays, the use of bio-organic compounds has been increased due to adverse effects of chemical fertilizers in production of medicinal plants. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil amendments (bio-organic and inorganic fertilizers) on plant growth, physiological and biochemical properties of medic savory [Satureja macrantha (Makino) Kudô]. The experiment included nine treatments to be NPK (50:25:25 kg ha−1), vermicompost (VC) (5 t ha-1), NPK +VC, Thiobacillus (T), T + VC, T + sulfur (S) (250 kg ha−1), T+S 500 kg ha−1, Glomus mosseae, and control (untreated plants). Plant height, the number of branches and crown area gradually increased with the application of soil amendments. Accordingly, the simultaneous application of VC and NPK fertilizer significantly increased the amount of these traits compared to other experimental treatments. According to the effect of combined amounts of inorganic, organic, and bio-fertilizers, it was noted that the combination of VC and NPK fertilizer gave the highest chlorophyll content. In both years, soil amendments used in our study gradually increased the total soluble sugar (TSS) and relative water content (RWC) compared to control. Higher essential oil (EO) content and yield were observed under the combination of VC and NPK in comparison toother soil amendments. Our results suggest the simultaneous application of VC and NPK to meet the optimum growth and EO yield of medic savory.