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Abstract
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Dracocephalum multicaule are mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine for
enhancement of cognitive performance. The lack of appropriate nitrogen fertilizer dose
recommendations is one of the limiting factors for its ex-situ conservation and largescale
cultivation, as plant nutrition is vital in determining crop growth and productivity
[1]. Plant nutrition plays a vital role in determining crop growth and secondary
metabolites productivity [2]. Thus, a study at the experimental field and unheated
greenhouses. The research factors were nitrogen (N) dose (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha-1 in
the field) with the random block method. It was found that D. multicaule could grow
successfully outside their natural habitat with sufficient N fertilization when the fresh
and essential oil yield per plantation area was also positively affected. N fertilizers
enhanced plant, shoot fresh biomass, essential oil content and yield. The significant
increase in shoot fresh weight (77.8 g per plant) and essential oil contents (0.545%) of
D. multicaule confirms the efficient role of 60 and 90 kg ha-1 in the field, respectively.
The results of this study indicate that utilizing nitrogen fertilizer at a moderate rate (60
and 90 kg ha-1 in the field) can increase the yield and essential oil content of D.
multicaule.
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