Influence of N, K, and Seaweed Extract Fertilization on Biomass, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Essential Oil of Thymus vulgaris: Optimization Study by Response Surface Methodology

Nutrient management has a decisive impact on the biomass and essential oil yield of medicinal plants. This study aimed to determine optimal levels nitrogen, potassium, seaweed extract fertilizers maximize quality thyme using response surface methodology (RSM). The experiment was laid out as Box-Behnken design with three replications experimental factors, including nitrogen (urea) (0, 200, 400 kg ha−1), foliar application potassium (Flourish Sulfopotash) 6, 12 ha−1) 3, 6 L ha−1). generated models were statistically significant for all measured traits except γ-terpinene p-cymene. While influence N amount photosynthetic pigments followed quadratic trend, total chlorophyll carotenoids increasing linear. linear, respectively. Potassium had no biomass. Essential reached its peak value (12 when applied at their intermediate maximum rate potassium. Thymol identified highest component (46.1%), by (19.2%), p-cymene (14.1%), carvacrol (5.6%). optimization results suggested that 162 ha−1 urea, Flourish Sulfopotash, 4 sufficient produce dry matter (1247 more than 11 oil, concentration 1%. Through optimization, amounts thymol estimated be much 44.2% 6.2%, resource through RSM can used an efficient method manage consumption in production.