Seed dormancy is a common phase of the plant life cycle; different treatments can be used for breaking dormancy. The aim of this study was to find the best treatment for breaking dormancy and improve germination of caper (Capparis spinosa L.). This study based on the completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications was done at research Laboratory of Medicinal Plants Institute, ACECR, Karaj, Iran. After different induction treatments containing different levels of potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ), GA 3 , soaking and soaking with runner water, sulfuric acid, thidiazuron, and benzyl amino-purine, seeds were placed in Petri-dishes and incubated in two temperature regimes, first at fixed 20 ͦ C, and second, alternate between 20 and 30 ͦ C. The result showed that the germination percentage and germination rate of caper increased up to 75% and 1.35 respectively when the seeds treated with sulfuric acid for 15 min, and 2000 ppm GA 3 under alternate 20-30 ͦ C temperatures. Caper seed dormancy is mainly due to the inhibitors and hard seed coat that it prevents seed germination.

In order to determine the morphophysiological and phytochemical properties of various Ducrosia anethifolia populations, the plant samples were collected from 20 locations in native regions. Current study indicated significant differences in the morphophysiological and phytochemical characteristics of D. anethifolia populations collected from 20 locations in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. The highest value of plant height and the number of lateral stems, node per plant, umbellate per umbel, seeds per umbellate and the roots fresh and dry weight were related to the location with relatively high rainfall (130–161 mm) and low altitude (up to 1165 m) compared with others. Based on the essential oil components, D. anethifolia populations were divided into five different chemotypes. Chemotypes I, II and III were characterized by high amounts of methyl chavicol, chrysanthenyl acetate and decanal, respectively. Moreover, the populations with high amounts of decanal, anethole and dodecanal were placed in chemotype IV. Chemotype V was attributed to the Naserabad population with 1‐decanol as the major compound.

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Background: The content and composition of effective components of medicinal plants in different natural habitats are affected by various factors such as elevation of sea level. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of altitude of sea level on the essential oil composition of Ducrosia anethifolia Boiss in its natural habitats in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Methods: The plant aerial parts were gathered at full flowering stage from four different altitudes including altitudes of 0-400, 800-400, 800-800 and 1600-1200 meters above sea level and dried in shade. The essential oil was extracted by the hydro-distillation method by Clevenger-type apparatus. The composition of the essential oil was determined by combined GC/MS and GC. Results: Results showed that habitat height had a significant effect on the essential oils composition and cis-Chrysanthenyl acetate with an average of 44.77% was the main component, which was observed at 0-400 and 400-800 m above sea level. Also, n-Decanal, α-Pinene, Citronellal, and p-Cymene were 7.59%, 3.37%, 2.70% and 1.91% of the other main components, respectively. The amounts of these compounds at various altitudes were significantly different. Conclusion: A significant relationship between the altitude of sea level and essential oil components of Ducrosia anethifolia were observed. Also, sea level elevation was an important factor in changes of essential oil composition of this plant.