Mehdi Moradi; Hamid Reza Roosta; Ahmad Estaji
Abstract
Introduction: Iron is an essential element for plant growth which is involved in many plant processes such as photosynthesis and activating enzymes involved in mitochondrial and photosynthetic electron transfer. Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common disorder affecting plants in many areas of the world, and ...
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Introduction: Iron is an essential element for plant growth which is involved in many plant processes such as photosynthesis and activating enzymes involved in mitochondrial and photosynthetic electron transfer. Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common disorder affecting plants in many areas of the world, and is chiefly associated with high pH, calcareous soils. Plant Fe deficiency has economic significance, because crop quality and yields can be severely compromised. Deficiency or low activity of iron in the plant causes chlorophyll is not produced in sufficient quantities and the leaves are pale. The decrease of chlorophyll leading to the reduction of the plant food processor and finally the yield is reduced. Iron fertilizers are grouped into three main classes: inorganic Fe compounds (soluble ones such as FeSO4·7HO), synthetic Fe chelates [such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylenediamine-di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDHA)] and natural Fe-complexes (humates and amino acids). Iron could be applied in different chemical forms, including chelates and inorganic Fe salts. To our knowledge, no published data for tomato growing under hydroponic conditions have assessed the effects of application methods and different sources of Fe Fertilizer on plant yields, growth and nutritional condition. Therefore, this work was carried out to study the effect of FeSO4, Fe-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA and Fe-DTPA as a foliar spray and root-applied on the growth, yield, physiological characteristics of tomato plants under hydroponic system. Material and Methods: Regarding to the role of application methods and Fe sources on the absorption of this element and the process of photosynthesis and plant growth, a factorial experiment was carried out to determine the best methods of application (add to nutrient solution and foliar spray) and iron fertilizer (FeSO4, Fe-EDTA, Fe-DTPA and Fe-EDDHA) for growth and physiological characteristics of tomato in hydroponic system with three replications. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the SAS program. If ANOVA determined that the effects of the treatments were significant (P ≤0.01 for F-test), then the treatment means were separated by Tukey range test. Result and Discussion: The results indicated that the plant height, dry and fresh weight affected by the application methods and iron fertilizer, so that the maximum and minimum plant height, and dry and fresh weight were obtained in application of Fe-EDTA to nutrient solution and foliar application of FeSO4, respectively. Mohammadipour et al., (2013) reported that by applying nano-chelate fertilizer of iron, iron sulfate, Fe-EDTA and Fe-EDDHA by two methods of foliar application and root-applied (soil) of Spathiphyllum plant, a significant difference between the types of fertilizer and application method were used. So that the maximum height and dry weight of the plant were obtained in Fe-EDDHA fertilizer treatment to the root application. The root and leaf Fe concentration affected by source of iron and the method of application so Fe-EDTA added to nutrient solution and foliar application had the highest amount of Fe in the root and leaf, respectively. Cu, Mn, Zn and some macro elements such as; Mg and P also influenced by the type of fertilizer and method of application. Roosta and hamidpour (2013) showed that the foliar application of Fe-EDDHA under aquaponic and hydroponic conditions increased the amount of K, Mg, Fe and decreased the concentration of Zn, Cu and Mn compared to the control treatment in tomato plants. Current experiment results showed that the maximum chlorophyll content (a, b and total) and maximal quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and performance index (Pi) values of young and old leaves were found with Fe-EDTA in nutrition solution and the highest carotenoids and sugar soluble content were found in FeSO4 in nutrient solution and foliar application, respectively. Roosta and Mohsenian (2012) reported that there was also a linear relationship between leaf-Fe and chlorophyll content in pepper. The application of inorganic Fe salt (FeSO4) and Fe-chelates (Fe-EDDHA and Fe-EDTA) on pepper plants increased Chl a content in leaves of these plants compared to the control. Additionally, several investigations have described the beneficial effects of foliar Fe. Iron deficiency caused a significant reduction in the amount of chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids of pea (Iturbe-Ormaetxe et l., 1995). Conclusion: Based on the results, Fe-EDTA and Fe-EDDHA had the highest significant effect on vegetative growth of tomato, respectively. Thus, at neutral pH of nutrient solution as occurred in this experiment, application of Fe-EDTA in nutrition solution is suitable than the other source of iron fertilizer for tomato growth.
Laleh Poorshahabadi; Seyyed Hossein Mirdehghan; Hamid Reza Roosta
Abstract
Introduction: Consumer’s demand for high valuable bioactive compounds have been increased in recent years. Microgreen is a stage in the growth of vegetables that is popular among consumers for their high nutritional value. It can consider as young and tender edible seedling to enhance salad quality ...
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Introduction: Consumer’s demand for high valuable bioactive compounds have been increased in recent years. Microgreen is a stage in the growth of vegetables that is popular among consumers for their high nutritional value. It can consider as young and tender edible seedling to enhance salad quality and safety. At the same time, it has been reported that microgreen can provide higher amount of phytonutrient (ascorbic acid, phenolics and carotenoids) and minerals. Hydroponics is defined as a system of growing plant in nutrient solution which could provide necessary micro- and macro-elements for early seedling growth. The use of hydroponic gardening by commercial growers is steadily increasing as the ability to control the growing factors while conserving space is of paramount importance to crop yields and commercial profits. It is also worth noting that hydroponic systems are good for the environment. As the water is recirculating, it is not being evaporated as readily or absorbed into the ground quickly. Therefore, it is important and valuable to study the growth of some common vegetable in hydroponics as microgreen in terms of higher bioactive compounds and minerals.
Material and Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate two production systems (hydroponic and soil system) and also two growth stages (microgreen and mature) of 6 vegetable species (green basil, violet basil, lettuce, radish, dill and coriander). Different growth characteristics and bioactive compounds were measured as indices of yield and quality include: root dry/fresh weight, shoot dry/fresh weight, leaf area, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolics, antioxidant activity and micro- and macro-nutrients in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. The weight of roots and shoots were measured at two stages during growth. Leaf area of vegetables were determined using a leaf area meter (CI-202, USA). Ascorbic acid determination was performed by 2, 6-dichlorophenolindophenol reagent. Chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolics and antioxidant activity were tested spectrophotometric analysis. Samples of dry leaves were ground and dry-ashing at 550 °C for 4 h. The ashes were dissolved with 5 ml 2 N HCl and made up to 50 ml with distillated water. The concentrations of K were measured by flame photometry (Jenway, model PFP7). Analysis of Ca and P was carried out by titration and spectrophotometry (model T80 UV/VIS) , respectively. The Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu were identified by atomic absorption procedure.
Result and Discussion: The results showed that growth characteristics of violet basil, green basil, lettuce, radish, dill and coriander were higher at the adult stage than microgreen stage. The results also showed that the growth characteristics of green basil, lettuce, radish, dill and coriander were higher in hydroponics than soil cultivation. Total chlorophyll content of violet basil, green basil, lettuce and dill were higher at microgreen stage than adult stage, while total chlorophyll content of leaf radish and dill plants were higher at the adult stage than microgreen stage. However, the chlorophyll content of the whole plants was higher in the conditions of soil cultivation than hydroponic conditions. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of lettuce, radish and coriander leaves were higher at microgreen stage than adult stage, while these traits were higher in adult stage than in microgreens in violet basil, green basil and dill. Vitamin C was also higher in all vegetables in the microgreen stage compared to the mature stage in both cultures except for dill and coriander. Mineral elements content was higher at microgreen stage than in the mature stage, except for zinc element.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that the production and cultivation of these six vegetables in the microgreen stage could be considered as a suitable method for high nutritional value.
Elyas Aryakia; Hamid Reza Roosta; Nahid Rahmizade
Abstract
Introduction: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the most important fruit species grown in Iran. This plant is mainly grown in the south of the country, where pH of soil is high, resulting in poor nutrient uptake. Furthermore, because of high yield and annual pruning of date palm, large amounts ...
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Introduction: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the most important fruit species grown in Iran. This plant is mainly grown in the south of the country, where pH of soil is high, resulting in poor nutrient uptake. Furthermore, because of high yield and annual pruning of date palm, large amounts of macro and micronutrients are removed from soil. So, annual fertilizing should be applied for good performance. Research shows that use of manure alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers improves physico-chemical indices of fruits and leaves of palm trees. Regarding to high nutrition dependency of date palm, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of different fertilizers on physico-chemical indices of its leaf and fruit. The main objectives of this study were thus to evaluate the effect of cow manure, ammonium sulfate and potassium sulfate on physico-chemical indices in fruit and leaf of Mazafati date.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in bam zone, Kerman, Iran, in 2011- 2012. The area was located at 28°53′40′′N latitude, 58°37′18′′E longitude and 1050 m above sea level. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design was performed during month of March. Factors included ammonium sulfate (0, 500 and 1000 g/tree), potassium sulfate (0, 750 and 1500 g/tree) accompanied by cow manure (5 kg/tree). For leaf and fruit analysis, sampling was performed during month of June. Physico-chemical indices including nitrogen, potassium, iron, chlorophyll a, b and total, carotenoid, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, TSS and TSS/TA were evaluated. Chlorophyll was measured by using the method of Lichtenthaler (1987). Total soluble solid (TSS) was measured by using refractometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and the treatment means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range tests.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that because of supplying nitrogen, sulfur and potassium and their significant effects on noted physico-chemical indices, the highest nitrogen and iron content, photosynthetic pigments of carotenoid and chlorophyll (a and total) of leaf, and fruit weight were obtained in treatments of ammonium sulfate (1000 g/tree) and potassium sulfate (1500 g/tree) combination with cow manure (5 kg/tree). The highest potassium content of leaf, TSS and TSS/TA ratio of fruit were obtained by using ammonium sulfate (500 g/tree) and potassium sulfate (1500 g/tree) in combination with cow manure. The general increase in physico-chemical indices of fruits and leaves of date palm by the application of cow manure plus mineral fertilizer might be due to the increase in the availability of nutrients especially available N, P and K in the soil. In many reports, the effects of mineral fertilizers on nitrogen, potassium and iron content of the plant tissues were discussed. For example, date palm (two cultivars including Zaghloul and Samany) treated by ammonium nitrate and nitrobean (a bio-fertilizer) had the highest amount of leaf nitrogen and potassium. The highest rates of nitrogen, iron and potassium in palm fruit were obtained from cow manure in combination with NPK. Nitrogen, iron and potassium contents of the date and pistachio were increased by using ammonium sulfate fertilizer. Fruit weight, length, diameter and dry weight increased, while fruit moisture content decreased by organic manures either alone or in combination with mineral NPK as compared to the mineral N. Higher fruit TSS was obtained by the application of organic manures alone or in combination with mineral NPK as compared with mineral fertilization alone. Nitrogen concentration can be increased by using nitrogen fertilizer, for example ammonium increased leaf nitrogen concentration more than nitrate. Mineral nutrient, especially sulfur and nitrogen supplied by ammonium sulphate and potassium sulphate, increased the content of chlorophyll and carotenoid due to their roles in the synthesis of these compounds. Higher potassium content of leaves promotes photosynthetic rate of chloroplast, phloem transport of photosynthates to sink tissues and finally improves quality and yield of the fruit, which is associated with high sugar content.
Conclusions: For feeding of date palm tree, cow manure fertilization alone is insufficient. Ammonium sulfate and potassium sulfate alone or in combination with cow manure could improve physico-chemical indices of leaves and fruits. This mixed fertilizer, supplying nitrogen, potassium and sulfur macronutrients, had significant effect on physico-chemical parameters, and subsequently improved the content of nitrogen, iron, potassium, photosynthetic pigments (a, b and total, carotenoid), TSS, TSS/TA ratio and the fruit weight.
Hamid Reza Roosta; Somayeh Arabpour
Abstract
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an herb belongs to Lamiaceae family. The essential oil of basil is widely utilized as an aromatic agent in the food, pharmaceutical and perfumery industries. Basil essential oil possesses antimicrobial property. Due to high economical value and high demand, basil production ...
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Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an herb belongs to Lamiaceae family. The essential oil of basil is widely utilized as an aromatic agent in the food, pharmaceutical and perfumery industries. Basil essential oil possesses antimicrobial property. Due to high economical value and high demand, basil production in greenhouse for permanent market selling is expanding. In order to the investigation of the effect of soilless culture systems on yield and essential oil content of basil an experiment was arranged as a factorial in the framework of a completely randomized design with two factors, growing system (aquaponics and hydroponics) and varieties (green and violet basil) with 3 replications. The results showed that the most of the growth factors in two cultivars were higher in the hydroponics compared with aquaponics. So that, shoot and root fresh and dry mass, hight, leaf area and node number per plant were higher in hydroponics than aquaponics. SPAD value was affected by growing system treatments and it was 12.86% higher in hydroponic system. Essential oil content in shoots was not affected by the systems or cultivars. Lower amount of N, P and Mn in shoots were probable reasons of lower SPAD value and growth reduction of plants in aquaponics compared with hydroponics. Notwithstanding, plants growth were normal and there were no deficiency symptoms in aquaponic-grown plants. Thus, nutrient deficiency in aquaponic system might be alleviated by increasing of the fish number per water volume unit and elevation of fish feeding. Therfore, aquaponic system has potential of medicinal plant production.
Zahra Mohammadi; Hamid Reza Roosta; Ahmad Tajabadipour; Hossein Hokmabadi
Abstract
This research carried out in the Rafsanjan pistachio orchard to investigate the effect of N form, manure, K and Fe on yield, nut quality and leaf mineral nutrients concentrations of Pistacia vera L. cv. Fandoghi grafted on Badami-Riz Zarand rootstock. The experiment was as factorial with four factors ...
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This research carried out in the Rafsanjan pistachio orchard to investigate the effect of N form, manure, K and Fe on yield, nut quality and leaf mineral nutrients concentrations of Pistacia vera L. cv. Fandoghi grafted on Badami-Riz Zarand rootstock. The experiment was as factorial with four factors including; manure (without manure and 10 kg tree-1 sheep manure), N form (ammonium sulfate and calcium nitrate), K (without K and 600 kg K tree-1) and Fe (without Fe and 100 g Fe tree-1) and randomized complete blocks design with 6 replications. Fertilizers were added to the soil in holes with 40-60 cm depth on two sides of trees, and treatments effects was evaluated during two years. The results showed that ammonium application increased the nut yield compared to nitrate fertilizer, this increase in yield is may related to the higher N and Fe in plants and consequently leaf chlorosis alleviation due to the chlorophyll contents elevation by these elements. Combination of ammonium-N and Fe increased split pistachio nuts. In this research, ammonium application increased the concentration of Fe, Zn, N and K and reduced P, Ca and Mg concentrations in leaves. Therefore, it is suggested to use N fertilizer containing ammonium rather than nitrate in pistachio orchards with mainly high soil pH.
Mohammad Hassan Bagheri; Hamid Reza Roosta
Abstract
In this study the effect of nitrogen form and different oxygen levels on growth and development and macronutrients concentrations in lettuce plants was investigated. This investigation showed that sole ammonium application caused fresh and dry weight reduction of shoot and root in lettuce plant. But ...
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In this study the effect of nitrogen form and different oxygen levels on growth and development and macronutrients concentrations in lettuce plants was investigated. This investigation showed that sole ammonium application caused fresh and dry weight reduction of shoot and root in lettuce plant. But different oxygen levels had no effect on them. Nitrogen concentration of shoot was higher in ammonium treatments compared to nitrate treatment and with increasing of oxygen levels in the presence of ammonium, nitrogen content also increased, although it was not the same in nitrate treatment. Phosphorous concentrations in shoot and root were not affected by any of treatments and their interaction. Ammonium also caused reduction of potassium concentration in shoots, but different oxygen levels and its interaction with nitrogen form had no significant effect on it. Magnesium content of shoot also decreased in the presence of ammonium, although it was not the same in root. With increase of dissolved oxygen level, magnesium content of shoot decreased in ammonium treatment, but in nitrate treatment the concentration of this element was not affected by oxygen levels. It is concluded that probably reduction of potassium and magnesium in ammonium-fed plants has a role in plant growth reduction, and it was also observed that in spite of increase in the concentration of shoot nitrogen and root magnesium with increase of dissolved oxygen level in ammonium treated plants, lettuce growth was not affected by oxygen levels.
Mahbobeh Rajabi; Hamid Reza Roosta; Hamid Reza Karimi; Hossein Hokmabadi
Abstract
Considering to high lime in pistachio orchards of Iran, choosing of tolerant rootstock and cultivars to high pH is important. In order to investigate the effect of sodium bicarbonate on pistachio rootstocks factorial trail with two factors of sodium bicarbonate at 3 levels (0, 50 and 100 mM) and pistachio ...
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Considering to high lime in pistachio orchards of Iran, choosing of tolerant rootstock and cultivars to high pH is important. In order to investigate the effect of sodium bicarbonate on pistachio rootstocks factorial trail with two factors of sodium bicarbonate at 3 levels (0, 50 and 100 mM) and pistachio rootstocks at 4 levels (Atlantica, Sarakhs, Badami-e-Riz Zarand and Qazvini) carried out in hydroponic system. Bicarbonate caused growth reduction in all rootstocks. As the highest reduction in plant fresh weight was observed in Atlantica (70.39%) and Srakhs (51.92%) at 100 mM, and the lowest reduction in Qazvini (31.54%) rootstock. Sodium bicarbonate treatments at 50 and 100 mM caused RWC reduction, proline increase and Cu and Mn reduction in shoots and roots. So that, the highest reduction of Mn and Cu concentrations was observed in Atlantica and the lowest reduction in Qazvini (31.54%) rootstock. The results of this study showed that Qazvini is a tolerant rootstock to sodium bicarbonate, Sarakhs and Badami semi-tolerant and Atlantica sensitive rootstocks.
Najmeh Rasooli; Hamid Reza Roosta; Mohammad Hossein Shamshiri
Abstract
Abstract
Regarding to this issue that nitrogen is one of the main essential elements for plant that growth and efficiency of plant is related to it, and on the other hand most of the water and soil resources in Iran are alkaline; in order to evaluation of the interactive effect of different concentrations ...
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Abstract
Regarding to this issue that nitrogen is one of the main essential elements for plant that growth and efficiency of plant is related to it, and on the other hand most of the water and soil resources in Iran are alkaline; in order to evaluation of the interactive effect of different concentrations of sodium bicarbonate and nitrogen form on snap bean in hydroponic system, this research was done in factorial design with two factors, sodium bicarbonate (0, 1, 5 and 15 mM) and nitrogen form (ammonium and nitrate). Results showed that ammonium decreased vegetative growth compared to nitrate, and on the other hand bicarbonate caused increase of the effect of ammonium toxicity and reduced the plant growth. Ammonium increased flower and pod production compared to nitrate. In the presence of nitrate in nutrient solution, addition of bicarbonate caused reduction in reproductive growth of snap bean plants that can be due to the cumulative effect of bicarbonate and nitrate on the pH increase in nutrient solution.
Keywords: Alkalinity, Ammonium, Bicarbonate, Plant nutrition, Nitrate
Abdoreza Sajjadinia; Hamid Reza Roosta; Mohammad Kazem Souri; Asghar Rahimi
Abstract
Abstract
In this study different proportions of NH4+ and NO3- in the growth medium on plant growth were investigated in hydroponic greenhouse experiments. The objectives of these studies were to investigate if ammonium (NH4+) stress in cucumber, a species sensitive to NH4+ toxicity, can be alleviated ...
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Abstract
In this study different proportions of NH4+ and NO3- in the growth medium on plant growth were investigated in hydroponic greenhouse experiments. The objectives of these studies were to investigate if ammonium (NH4+) stress in cucumber, a species sensitive to NH4+ toxicity, can be alleviated by matching the nitrogen supply rate to the plant nitrogen demand. Ammonium was applied at a relative addition rate of R=0.15 day-1 or R=0.25 day-1. For comparison, plants were also grown with NO3- as N source, as well as at constant concentrations of 1 and 4 mM NH4+. The fresh weight of plants grown with NH4+ as sole N source at R=0.15 day-1 was similar to that of NO3--fed plants, while at the high NH4+ supply rate of 0.25 day-1 a small growth reduction occurred. When available as a constant concentration, NH4+ decreased plant growth at 4 mM. Root:shoot ratio was lower in NH4+-fed plants compared to NO3--fed plants, and the NH4+-fed plants had more branched roots. Calcium concentration decreased in the roots, stems and leaves of NH4+-fed plants compared to NO3--fed plants. There were no differences in leaf chlorophyll fluorescence at the various N treatments. It is concluded that even a putative NH4+ sensitive species such as cucumber can tolerate NH4+ if the supply rate matches the N demand of the plants.
Keywords: Nitrogen, Ammonium toxicity, Nnitrate, Relative addition rate, Hydroponics, Cucumber