LAUSR

Abstract Foliar application of nitrogenous organic compounds effects on the quantity and quality of Echinacea purpurea were investigated. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in growing season of years 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. Treatments included Humiforte (H) and Fosnutren (F) organic fertilizers with concentrations of (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, and 2 L ha−1). Most of the vegetative traits, all of the caffeic acid derivatives measured in aerial parts and roots were significantly affected by foliar application of these nitrogen-contained organic compounds. Generally, best quantitative and qualitative performance belonged to F(2) and F(0.5) treatments, respectively. The application of organic compounds led to significant increase in qualitative and quantitative traits in Echinacea which could be considered as a strategy for increasing medicinal metabolites production in this plant.