Productivity of wormwood (Artemisia abrotanum) enhanced by trace elements

Abstract Background and objective Artemisia abrotanum (A. abrotanum) used for against cancer, cough, fever, and tumors; also, it contains essential oil (EO) used in antimicrobial possesses. Trace elements (iron, Fe; magnesium, Mg; and manganese, Mn) play important roles in physiological processes and metabolisms of A. abrotanum plants. In this study, growth, yield, EO, and nutrient contents of A. abrotanum were evaluated under foliar spray of Fe, Mg, or Mn treatments. Materials and methods Plants subjected to different rates of Fe (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g/L), Mg (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/L), or Mn (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/L) as individual experiments. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA-1. Results Obtained results showed that Fe (3 g/L), Mg (8 g/L), or Mn (300 mg/L) resulted in the greatest values of growth characters (plant height, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts), EO content (% and mL/100 plants), major constituents of EO (2-hydroxy-1, 8-cineole, β-eudesmol, and camphor), nutrient contents, and their uptakes. Different changes were found in various chemical classes of EO (mono and sesquiterpenes). Conclusion Significant variations were detected in growth, yield, EO, and nutrient contents due to foliar applications of various trace elements such as Fe, Mg, and Mn.