Evaluating Domestic Achillea millefolium as a Suitable Plant to Use in the Urban Landscaping of Dry and Semi-dry Regions

In this project, domestication of one of the wild flowering plants, Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow plant) was done to find out its resistance to drought stress condition. Plant samples were collected from the Isfahan region of Iran and were further multiplied by divisions of plants. The study was conducted on the improvement of seeds germination using GA3, morphological and phenological study and to estimate drought tolerance of yarrow plants. The seeds of selected plants were treated with GA3 hormone (0, 250 and 500 ppm) to break the dormancy and improve the germination percentage. GA3 treatment improved the seed quality parameters and the best results were obtained with GA3 @ 500 ppm. The plants propagated through division were cultivated in the field for the domestication of plants and to estimate their potential for landscape purposes. Also, the Phenological cycle of plants was monitored. Attractive flowers, Long duration of flowering and applying green cover during the year was positive points of yarrow for using in the landscape. Irrigation was applied at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels of available water from April to September. Morphological and physiological parameters showed that A. millefolium could significantly tolerate drought treatments until 50% of available water and even at 75%, plants could survive and produce new stems.