Abstract

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon), known as “tarkhun” in Iran, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, which has a long history of use in culinary traditions. A factorial experiment based on the Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications was used. The treatments were performed at four level of foliar applications of Ca(NO₃)₂ and KNO₃ fertilizers (including control (sprayed with water), 1.5, 3 and 6 gl^-1). This experiment was conducted at field conditions in a farm in “Ray” in 2010. The results showed that Ca(NO₃)₂ application significantly increased plant height, fresh and dry matter yield by an average of 10.1, 35.8 and 33.5%, respectively. Essential oil content was not significantly affected with Ca(NO₃)₂ fertilization. Nevertheless, Ca(NO₃)₂ application increased essential oil content by an average of 64.4% compared with the control. Ca (NO₃)₂ foliar application increased N and Ca content of leaf tissues. The concentrations of P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu significantly affected by Ca(NO₃)₂ levels. Plant height, fresh and dry matter yield, essential oil content and yield significantly increased with KNO₃ foliar application by an average of 4.4, 60.5, 50.4, 42.5 and 119.6%, respectively compared with the control. The KNO₃ application significantly increased N, K, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations compared with the control. Also, leaf P, Ca, Mg and Cu contents were influenced by KNO₃ fertilization. The interaction between Ca(NO₃)₂ and KNO₃ treatments was significant in leaf N, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents.

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