Effect of Using Different Levels Manure on Quality and Quantity of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) under Salt Stress Condition

Abstract

To study the effects of using different levels manure under salt stress conditions on the quantity and quality of rosemary a field experiment is conducted in split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Zahedan during fall season of 2013-2014. The experimental treatments consisted of salinity with two levels (irrigating the field with drinking water of Zahedan [EC = 1.1 ds/m (S1)] and irrigating the field with salty water of Zahedan [EC = 4.4 ds/m (S2)] considered as the main factor and using manure with four levels (M1- without manure, M2- 15 t.ha-1, M3 - 30 t.ha-1 and M4 - 45 t.ha-1) as sub factor. Traits evaluated were plant height, leaf dry weight, leaf to stem ratio, shoot dry weight, percentage and yield of essence. Experimental results showed the salt stress did not affect significantly plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, biomass and essence of rosemary as comparied with drinking water (non-salinity), but a decreasing effect of saline water was observed. Using 45 t.ha-1 of manure, in comparison with other manure treatments, did have beneficial effect on most of the traits under study. However, no significant difference was observed between this treatment and with that of 30 t/ha. The simple correlation showed there is a positive and significant relationship between plant biomass and all other traits. The results also showed that there was positive and significant relationship between essence percentage and essence yield