Medicinal Plants
Behrooz Rahimkhani; Mahboobeh Naseri; Ahmad Ahmadian; Masoud Ali Panah
Abstract
Introduction
Polyamines are a group of low molecular weight organic compounds with two or more amine groups that are present in almost all living organisms. Polyamines are organic compounds that play a crucial role in various physiological processes in plants, particularly in response to stress. Research ...
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Introduction
Polyamines are a group of low molecular weight organic compounds with two or more amine groups that are present in almost all living organisms. Polyamines are organic compounds that play a crucial role in various physiological processes in plants, particularly in response to stress. Research has demonstrated that these compounds-primarily putrescine, spermidine, and spermine-are involved in cellular functions such as growth regulation, cell division, and differentiation. Their role in stress responses is complex and varies significantly depending on the plant species and the specific type of stress encountered. The level of polyamines in plants increases under stress conditions, and this increase of polyamines from the plant against salinity by removing free radicals, stabilizing membrane and cell structure, creating cation and anion balance, regulating it protects ion channels. The foliar application of putrescine can significantly improve various physiological traits in plants subjected to salinity stress. By enhancing growth, photosynthetic efficiency, osmotic adjustment and oxidative stress tolerance, putrescine acts as a valuable tool for improving plant resilience under challenging environmental conditions. Echium amoenum is an annual plant of Boraginaceae family and is considered as one of the important medicinal plants in traditional medicine. Blue-violet petals of E. amoenum are used in Iranian traditional medicine as a painkiller, relaxant, invigorator, anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. To investigate the impact of putrescine on the morpho-physiological characteristics of Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey seedlings under salinity stress, a greenhouse experiment was conducted.
Materials and methods
The experimental design was factorial, incorporating two factors: the application of putrescine and salinity stress induced by sodium chloride. This was organized as a completely randomized design. The first factor involved two levels of putrescine (0 and 1.5 mM), while the second factor included three levels of salinity stress (1600, 4000, and 8000 ds/m). Seeds were purchased from Pakaan Seed Company in Isfahan. Selecting high-quality seeds suitable for the growing conditions is crucial for successful plant growth. After soaking, the seeds were transferred to small pots containing a mixture of three parts peat moss and one part perlite. This mixture enhances aeration and moisture retention in the soil, creating an optimal environment for root development. One week after transplanting the seedlings to the main pots, a foliar application of putrescine was performed. Putrescine is a polyamine compound that can enhance plant growth and resilience against stress. This application was repeated every two weeks. One week after the first application of putrescine, salinity stress was introduced. To prevent shock to the plants, the salinity treatment was gradually applied in three stages. This gradual approach helps the plants acclimate to the new conditions. To prevent salt buildup in the soil, leaching with regular water was conducted every two weeks.
Results and discussion
The results indicated that both the individual effects of salinity and putrescine, as well as their interaction, significantly influenced shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, root length, and the overall dry weight of the borage plants. The application of putrescine enhanced the levels of proline and potassium in the leaves, which mitigated the detrimental effects of salinity stress on the borage plants. Furthermore, foliar spraying of putrescine increased chlorophyll content, thereby promoting photosynthesis and improving plant growth under saline conditions.Comparative analysis of the average data revealed that the highest dry weight of borage seedlings (0.6 g), relative leaf water content (85%), chlorophyll a (4 mg/g), and chlorophyll b (1.2 mg/g) were achieved with the combination of putrescine and salinity at 1.6 mm/m. The results underscore the potential of putrescine as a practical strategy for enhancing the growth and resilience of borage plants under salinity stress. By improving growth parameters such as shoot and root weights, root length, and overall dry weight, as well as enhancing physiological traits like proline and potassium levels, putrescine plays a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of salinity.
Conclusions
rhe The foliar application of putrescine at 1.5 mM presents a valuable and practical strategy for managing salinity stress in borage. By enhancing photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant properties, putrescine helps the plant maintain its physiological functions and resilience under stress. This approach not only supports the growth and health of borage but also has implications for improving the quality and yield of its medicinal properties.
Medicinal Plants
B. Rahimkhani; M. Naseri; A. Ahmadian; M. Alipanah
Abstract
Introduction
Historically, medicinal plants have been one of the most important resources for therapeutic purposes, and even today, their use is expanding in many developed countries. Salinity stress is a major factor that limits plant growth by reducing metabolic and physiological activities. One of ...
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Introduction
Historically, medicinal plants have been one of the most important resources for therapeutic purposes, and even today, their use is expanding in many developed countries. Salinity stress is a major factor that limits plant growth by reducing metabolic and physiological activities. One of the effects of salinity stress is the increased production of abscisic acid in plants. In recent years, the use of seaweed and its extracts has been tested as a method to mitigate the effects of salinity stress on plants. According to the studies conducted in some plants, seaweed extract can cause the growth and expansion of the roots and help to increase the absorption of water and minerals through the roots. Also, based on the research conducted on some plants, the use of seaweed increases the amount of chlorophyll in the plant and accelerates the time of flowering and fruit formation in the plant. Echium amoenum is a perennial plant belonging to the family Borage is a valuable plant in terms of its medicinal properties is considered. In general environmental factors have a significant effect on flower production in these plants. Therefore, for the successful cultivation of medicinal plants, including in general environmental factors have a significant effect on flower production in these plants. Therefore, for the successful cultivation of medicinal plants, including Echium amoenum, providing optimal environmental conditions is a priority, providing optimal environmental conditions is a priority. Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract contains significant amounts of high-use mineral elements such as nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and low-use mineral elements such as iron, copper, and manganese. Therefore, according to the current results, in this study, the effect of foliar spraying of algae extract was investigated. The morphological characteristics of Echium amoenum seedling under salt stress were investigated
Materials and Methods
In order to investigate the effects of foliar spraying of seaweed extract on borage flower seedlings under salinity stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted with two factors of seaweed and salinity stress with sodium chloride salt, in the form of a completely randomized design in the greenhouse. The seeds were purchased from Pakan Seed Company of Isfahan and soaked in normal water for 24 hours, and then they were transferred into small pots containing three parts of peat moss and one part of perlite. One week after transferring the seedlings to the main pots, foliar spraying with seaweed extract was done. Foliar-spraying was repeated once every two weeks and in total the seedlings were sprayed three times with seaweed extract. In this experiment, a concentration of 1500 ppm of seaweed extract and three levels of salinity (EC=1.6, 4, 8) were used. The seaweed extract used in this experiment belonged to Akadin Company. The type of seaweed from which the extract was prepared was Ascophyllum nodosum and it is a type of brown algae. One week after the first foliar application of seaweed extracts, the application of salinity stress began. In order to prevent shock in plants, salinity treatment was done gradually and in three stages. In order to prevent salt accumulation, washing with ordinary water was done once every two weeks.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the use of seaweed extract can significantly protect plant growth under salinity stress. Seaweed extract increased the amount of proline and potassium in the leaves of the plant and thereby reduced the harmful effects of salinity stress on the borage plant. In addition, foliar spraying of borage plant with the use of seaweed extract increased the amount of chlorophyll in the plant, and in this way, by increasing the amount of photosynthesis in the plant; it helped the plant to grow better under salt stress conditions. The results of this research indicate that the use of seaweed extract helps plants maintain their health under salt stress by increasing proline levels and enhancing potassium absorption in plant tissues. Additionally, foliar spraying with seaweed extract preserves the chlorophyll structure in plants experiencing salinity stress, thereby increasing photosynthetic efficiency and promoting better growth under such conditions.
Conclusions
Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that seaweed can mitigate the negative effects of salinity stress in Iranian borage seedlings. Furthermore, due to its low cost and availability, it can serve as a suitable bio-fertilizer to support plant growth in saline conditions.
