Effect of harvest times on quantity (morphological) and quality characteristics of Thymus daenensis Celak. in Isfahan

Background & Aim: Deanaie thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak.), a member of the Lamiaceae family.  Thymus in one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants that was used in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics hygienic industries in most of developed countries. Recent studies have showed that thyme have strong antibacterial, antifungal, spasmolytic and antioxidant activities. Experimental: This experiment was done in a random block design with three replications conducted in field of Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan (Isfahan) 2010. Treatment phonological stages such as: before flowering stage; at beginning of flowering stage; 50% flowering stage; at full flowering stage and at fruit set stage Results & Discussion: The results obtained in our study, showed that effects phonological stages had very significant effect (p<0.01) on plant height, diameter, fresh and dry herb weight and thymol percentage. The highest plant height (31.83 cm) and highest plant diameter (38.50 cm) were at the fruit set stage. The highest fresh herb weight (10621 kg/ha) and the highest dry herb weight (4243 kg/ha) was at the fruit set stage. The lowest Fresh herb weight (5545 kg/ha) and the lowest dry herb weight (2035 kg/ha) was at the before flowering stage. The highest essential oil content (1.41%) was extracted at the 50% flowering stage. The highest thymol content (84.1%) was extracted at the before flowering stage. Industrial and Practical Recommendations: According to the findings of this research, the fruit set stage can be introduce as a the most appropriate time of harvesting for gaining the highest function of wet and dry Thymus daenensis, but for achieving to highest rate of thymol , the flowering stage can be recommended.