Medicinal Plants
Sepideh Houshmand; Saeideh Alizade; Sahebali Bolandnazar; Elyas Aryakia
Abstract
IntroductionTaking into account Iran's unique meteorological and biological characteristics due to its geographic position. This has contributed to the variety and abundance of plant species cultivated there. The Artemisia species, which are among Iran's most valuable plants, are members of the Asteraceae ...
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IntroductionTaking into account Iran's unique meteorological and biological characteristics due to its geographic position. This has contributed to the variety and abundance of plant species cultivated there. The Artemisia species, which are among Iran's most valuable plants, are members of the Asteraceae family and are found across the country in reasonably large numbers. Antioxidants now play an indisputable role in the food, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries. Given that the antioxidant capability is greatly influenced by the kind of solvent used, the technique used to extract the plants that were harvested from each location, as well as other factors like the weather, altitude, and light. The substantial antioxidant activity of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and their protective significance in cancer illnesses are caused by these compounds' regenerative properties. Materials and MethodsIn this work, Artemisia aucheri, a medicinal plant, was gathered from Semnan, Mazandaran, and Isfahan in Iran, and the antioxidant activity of these ecotypes was assessed. In this study, the quantity of total phenol and flavonoids in polar (ethanol) and non-polar (ethyl acetate) extracts, as well as the proportion and diversity of essential oil components, were assessed. Antioxidant content was also determined using the DPPH and FRAP techniques. Results and DiscussionThe most active antioxidant is found in the Semnan ecotype. The polar solvent of ethanol showed the strongest inhibition whereas the non-polar solvent of ethyl acetate shown stronger reducing activity, proving the importance of the extraction solvent on antioxidant activity in various processes. The non-polar extract (ethyl acetate) from the Mazandaran ecotype had the greatest flavonoid concentration, while the polar extract (ethanol) from the Isfahan ecotype had the highest phenolic content. The ethanolic extract performed the best when assessing total phenol. The most crucial elements of essential oils are oxidized monoterpenes. Oxygenated monoterpenes are present in 54.82% of the Semnan ecotype, 38.81% of the Mazandaran ecotype, and 24.41% of the Isfahan ecotype. In comparison to other ecotypes, the Semnan ecotype exhibited the most oxygenated monoterpene compounds and the greatest number of essential oil-containing compounds. ConclusionThese findings suggest that A. aucheri possesses abundant natural antioxidant sources and is useful in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. A key aspect is the act of extraction, which is focused on the extraction's goal. The solvent used during extraction significantly affects the outcomes. Regarding the chemical makeup of the compounds, the solvent's polarity directly affects the solutes that are extracted. Since phenolic chemicals are more attracted to polar solvents, they are found in plant samples. The kind of flavonoids found in plants and their degree of polarity determine the variation in the quantity of flavonoid content between polar and non-polar extracts. On the other hand, a variety of ecological, genetic, regional, and dietary variables may have contributed to the variation in phenolic contents, essential oils, and antioxidant chemicals found in the three analyzed ecotypes.
Growing vegetables
Asghar Marzizadeh; Sahebali Bolandnazar
Abstract
Introduction
Cucumber stands out as a vital greenhouse crop. The continuous cultivation of cucumbers within greenhouse environments, aimed at mass production and the delivery of fresh products, inevitably leads to heightened soil salinity and the onset of soil-borne diseases like Fusarium wilt. Consequently, ...
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Introduction
Cucumber stands out as a vital greenhouse crop. The continuous cultivation of cucumbers within greenhouse environments, aimed at mass production and the delivery of fresh products, inevitably leads to heightened soil salinity and the onset of soil-borne diseases like Fusarium wilt. Consequently, these factors contribute to a decline in both yield and crop quality, underscoring the necessity for research into methods that enhance the yield and quality of greenhouse produce. Grafting cucumber onto various rootstocks and introducing inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi emerge as the most promising strategies for augmenting the yield and quality of greenhouse-grown cucumbers. With this in mind, the current study was undertaken to examine the impact of different rootstocks and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on the growth and performance of greenhouse cucumbers under soilless culture conditions.
Materials and Methods
In order to investigate the effect of the rootstock and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and yield of greenhouse cucumber under the soilless culture conditions, a greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted based on the Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replications. The first factor was grafting of cucumber cv Nagene on the Shintoza rootstock, and none-grafting; the second factor was symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi (Diversispora versiformis) and non mycorrhizal ones. The Nagene greenhouse cucumber cultivar was obtained as a scion from Enza Zaden Company, Netherlands and the desired mycorrhizal fungus was obtained from the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz. The scion seeds were planted earlier than the rootstocks. After completing the planting operation, the seedling trays were moved to the greenhouse with a sufficient natural light. The substrate used for planting of seedlings was peat moss and perlite in the ratio of 1:2, impregnated with the desired amount of mycorrhizal fungi inoculum. Seedlings got ready for transplanting at the true single leaf stage and two weeks after planting the scion seeds. Transplantation of splice grafting was done on seedlings both mycorrhizal fungi treatments (inoculated and not inoculated). After 10 days of transplanting, the transplanted seedlings (which we already treated with mycorrhiza inoculation) were transferred to the transplant chamber immediately. Grafted and inoculated seedlings with the control ones were transferred into the 10-liter pots with peat moss and perlite in a ratio of 1:2. At the time of transferring ths seedlings inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi to the pot; to ensure root inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi, the inoculum including spores, hyphae and root fragments was added to the 10-liter pot of peat moss and perlite in the amount of 50 grams per pot with the substrate around the roots of greenhouse cucumber seedlings. All the plants were fertigated with Hoagland nutrient solution with half strength during the growing period. The pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution were measured daily. At the end of the research, quantitative and qualitative traits were evaluated.
Results and Discussion
Results showed that there was a significant differences between the rootstock and colonization with the mycorrhizal fungi regarding the growth, yield and qualitative traits. Plants inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and grafted on Shintoza showed a better growth parameter, fruit number, and yield than the other treatments. This treatment with 2115.62 g per plant had the highest fruit yield and the non-grafted non-mycorrhizal control plants with 1569.64 g per plant had the lowest fruit yields. Therefore, the fruit yield increased about 34% in comparison to control. Also, the fruit quality characteristics such as antioxidant capacity and soluble solids (TSS) content were higher in the grafted and colonized plants with mycorrhizal fungi. In addition, there was no significant difference between the treatments in term of pH and total phenol of fruit and titrable acidity of the fruit. These effects show the high potential of mycorrhizal fungi and rootstock in uptake of the nutrients, which provide nutrients that are unavailable to the plant with a special mechanism, and thus affect the growth and yield of greenhouse cucumbers. They have an effect that ultimately improve the growth and yield of the produced crop.
Conclusion
Based on this experiment results, it can be concluded that the simultaneous application of mycorrhizal fungi and grafting on Shintoza rootstock in the soilless culture using peat moss and perlite as the substrate (2:1) is of one the most efficient techniques to increase the yield and fruit quality of greenhouse cucumbers and therefore it is recommended.
Rozita Khademi Astaneh; Seyyed Jalal Tabatabaie; Sahebali Bolandnazar
Abstract
Introduction: Selenium is a non-metallic, rare chemical element and essential for many organisms but this element is not mentioned as an essential element for plants. Due to its presence in antioxidant defense systems and hormonal balance, selenium is known to be necessary in human and animal health ...
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Introduction: Selenium is a non-metallic, rare chemical element and essential for many organisms but this element is not mentioned as an essential element for plants. Due to its presence in antioxidant defense systems and hormonal balance, selenium is known to be necessary in human and animal health Plants exhibit a variety of physiological responses to selenium.Some species accumulate large amount of selenium, while many plant species are sensitive to presence of large amounts of selenium in soil and water. The mean, the maximum and tolerance level of selenium required for humans is 45, 55 and 400 micrograms, respectively (Dietary Reference). but acute toxicity level in animals are found with a concentration of 1000 ppm. Plants absorb and storage selenium in chemical form and concentration depends on pH, salinity and calcium carbonate content. High contents of selenium reduce plant growth and plant dryness, however in some plants low selenium concentrations improved growth and increase stress resistance by maintenance of chloroplast enzymes. Positive response to the use of selenium were mentioned in lettuce, potato, mustard, crap, darnel, soybean (Glycinemax L), potatoes and green tea leaves. Research has shown that there is a positive relationship between selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity, which is a reason to delay aging and increase growth of aging plants. The results of this study had shown that the application of selenium treatments increased leaf area of plants and, consequently, the higher availability of asmilates, can increase plant growth. The results of the studies also indicated that all vegetative characteristics of plants are increased due to the concentration of selenium and the accumulation capacity of plants affected by selenium application. Since there is no research on the effect of selenium on cabbage, it seems that the use of this element can affect the growth and development of this plant.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was tested in a controlled condition hydroponic greenhouse of Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, The greenhouse was covered with polyethylene monolayer and equipped with a cooling and fogging systems to control the temperature in the warm months and humidity, respectively. Daily temperatures were setted3 ± 20 3 ± 16. Seeds of Gemmifera varieties brussels cabbage weregerminated in petri dishes. Seedlings were transferred to the plastic cups (to the floating system) with perlite in four leaf stage. . Plants root system were floated in solution. Modified Hoagland nutrient solution (Table 1) was prepared (12 liters per container with 40 and 32 cm height and diameter, respectively.
Results and Discussion: Results of vegetative Brussels sprouts button showed that selenium significantly increased leaf, stem and root dry weight, leaf number and leaf area. Leaf area, leaves, stems and roots fresh and dry weight increased with increasing selenium up to 8 mg L- but then decreased due to a high concentration of selenium toxicity. There were no significant difference in the treatments on stem length, stem diameter. Number of buds was significantly (P≤0.05) affected by selenium treatments and the highest number of sprouts were in two levels of 8 and 16 mg selenium per liter, respectively. Yield and shoot dry weight showed a significant increase (at 1 percent) with increasing levels of selenium,.Conclusions Plants yield significantly (P≤0.01) affected by selenium treatments, so that selenium concentration in the nutrient solution increased from 0 to 8 mg L-1increased yield and reduced afterward. The maximum yield was observed at a concentration of 8 mg L-compared with control. Based on the findings of this study, selenium concentration can be up to 8 mg L-1 in order to improve plant growth to nutrient solution.
Rozita Khademi Astaneh; Seyyed Jalal Tabatabaie; Sahebali Bolandnazar
Abstract
Selenium is a non metallic chemical element that affects plant growth and development and but it can due to the presence of antioxidant defense system as a matter of basic human and animal health has been identified. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Se on physiological characteristics ...
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Selenium is a non metallic chemical element that affects plant growth and development and but it can due to the presence of antioxidant defense system as a matter of basic human and animal health has been identified. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Se on physiological characteristics and yield of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. Gemmifera) with six levels of Se (0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg/l) from sodium selenate. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that yield in terms of fresh weight of sprout was significantly (P≤0.01) affected by Se concentration so that increasing Se concentration from 0 to 8 mg/l increased the yield and chlorophyll index, electrolyte leakage (EL) in leaves decreased then with increasing Se concentration decreased the yield and EL in young leaves increased. The highest yield was observed at 8 mg/l Se concentration that was 40% higher compared to the control treatment. With increase concentration of Se in the nutrient solution increased Se concentration and as follow old leaves>young leaves> sprouts. The results showed that Se can be added at the 8 mg/l to the nutrient solution for growing Brussels sprout.
Mohammad Rahmnpourazar; Seyyed Jalal Tabatabaie; Sahebali Bolandnazar
Abstract
Nitrate is an essential component for plants and vegetables are of the most important source of nitrate for human being. It is estimated that vegetables provide 92 % of nitrate for human nutrition. The positive and negative effects of elevated root zone CO2 on growth and yield of some plants have been ...
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Nitrate is an essential component for plants and vegetables are of the most important source of nitrate for human being. It is estimated that vegetables provide 92 % of nitrate for human nutrition. The positive and negative effects of elevated root zone CO2 on growth and yield of some plants have been reported. This study has been conducted in order to examine the effect of root zone CO2 on growth and nitrate accumulation in lettuce. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with four levels of CO2 (0, 200, 400 and 600 ml per minute) and with five replication on two cultivars of lettuce (Sativa and Capitata). The study performed in floating system and aeration was supplied by air pump. The results showed that injection of CO2 had significant effect on the fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems and roots of plants. By increasing the concentration of CO2 fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems and roots increased in both cultivars. Photosynthesis efficiency increased in both cultivars in the treatment of 400 ml/min root zone CO2. The influence root zone CO2 significantly decreased nitrate content in leaves of lettuce. Nitrate concentration in the leaves of lettuce was decreased by injection of root zone CO2 in L.sativa. var. Capitata in the treatment of 400 ml/min and in L.sativa. var Sativa in the treatment 600 ml/min. respectively by 27% and 47.6%. With increasing input root zone CO2 increased activity of nitrate reductase enzyme in both cultivars that showed highest content in treatment 400 ml/min.
Mohanna Mollavali; Sahebali Bolandnazar; Seyyed Jalal Tabatabaie
Abstract
Abstract
Nitrogen is a key nutrient in plant growth and it is necessary for amino acid synthesis. Sulfur has very important role in the biosynthesis of the Alliums flavor and pungency precursors and Potassium improve crop yield and quality. In order to study the effect of ammonium nitrate and potassium ...
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Abstract
Nitrogen is a key nutrient in plant growth and it is necessary for amino acid synthesis. Sulfur has very important role in the biosynthesis of the Alliums flavor and pungency precursors and Potassium improve crop yield and quality. In order to study the effect of ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate on concentration some of the mineral elements in onion (Allium cepa L. Azar Shahr cv.) a pot experiment was carried out with two factors, comprised nitrogen and sulfur, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Nitrogen and sulfate were supplied as NH4NO3 (50, 100, 67.5 and 90kg ha-1) and K2SO4 (0, 78.3 and 156.6 kg ha-1) respectively. Three 8 weeks old onion seedlings were transplanted to pots with 7 kg soil as a experimental unit so, 144 plant were performed in 48 pots. At bulbing stage, one plant were sampled per pot and N, P, K and S concentration in leaves were determined and after bulb harvesting, also N and S in bulbs were measured. The result indicated that, by increasing K2SO4 to 156.6 kg/ha P, K and S concentration in leaves and bulb increased, however the highest N concentration in leaves and bulb were observed by application 78.3 kg/ha K2SO4. Increasing trends in leaves and bulb N and leaves K were observed by 67.5 kg/ha NH4NO3. In conclusion, by considering of nutrient absorption and dry matter production 156.6 kg/ha K2SO4 and 67.5 kg/ha NH4NO3 for better onion bulb production is recommended.
Keywords: Onion, Ammonium nitrate, Potassium sulfate, Nitrogen, Potassium, Sulfur