Medicinal Plants
Somaye Amini; Maryam Shamshirkesh shahri
Abstract
Introduction:
Invasion of weeds is one of the major factors in the reduction of yield of agricultural crops in the field conditions. Use of allelopathic plants is one of the methods of weeds control. So far, numerous laboratory and farm methods have been designed to evaluate the allelopathy in various ...
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Introduction:
Invasion of weeds is one of the major factors in the reduction of yield of agricultural crops in the field conditions. Use of allelopathic plants is one of the methods of weeds control. So far, numerous laboratory and farm methods have been designed to evaluate the allelopathy in various plants. Recently, there have been advances in allelopathy knowledge through the advent of innovative techniques and suitable bioassays. Researchers have shown that numerous problems could be solved in allelopathy investigations by the implementation of such techniques. The old methods have been replaced with new methods such as the Sandwich method by which allelopathic properties of various plants could be evaluated during the shortest time and using the minimum amount of plant sample.
Materials and methods:
Considering that there is significant evidence of the presence of allelopathic compounds in invasive weeds as well as medicinal plants, therefore, in the current research, the main focus was on these two groups of plants for the selection. In this research, the allelopathic activity of 57 plant species (60 samples including leaf, stem, seed, rhizome, flower, gum) of 18 families was investigated using the Sandwich method. In this method, plant samples were first dried at 40 degrees Celsius and then weighed in three replicates with amounts of 10 and 50 mg. Special containers with 6 well were used for cultivation. The diameter of each well was 3 cm. In one row of the wells, 10 mg and 50 mg of plant sample powder were placed in the other row. Then 5 ml of 0.5% agar solution was added to the samples and after the agar cooled and coagulated, another 5 ml of agar solution was added to each well. In this way, the plant sample was placed between two layers of agar. Then, in each well, 5 seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) variety Great Lakes 366 were planted vertically on the agar surface. This variety of lettuce has been selected as an indicator due to its high sensitivity to metabolites. Then the containers were sealed and placed in an incubator with a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in the dark conditions. After 3 days, the percentage of seed germination was checked by measuring the length of lettuce radicle and hypocotyl. To make it easier to compare plants, data clustering was performed using Minitab software.
Results and discusion:
Using this method, 59 plant samples were placed into 10 distinct clusters. The similarity of plants in each cluster was 85%. The findings revealed that the leaf residues of Anethum graveolens and a Cynara cardunculus clustered together based on their allelopathic activity, demonstrating the most significant growth-inhibitory effect at a concentration of 10 mg of the plant sample. The average percentage of inhibition of radicle and hypocotyl growth of lettuce seedlings caused by these two plants was reported to be 94.95 and 87.65 percent, respectively. Also, 13 plants including leaves of Chenopodium album, Prangos ferulacea, Lepidium draba, Petroselinum crispum, Dianthus barbatus, Convolvulus arvensis, Narcissus tazetta, Heracleum persicum, Onosma dichroantha, Stellaria media, Brassica cretica, Ipomoea purpurea and Apium graveolense Seeds were placed in one cluster. This group also had significant growth inhibitory effects. Although their inhibitory effects were always less than Anethum graveolens and a Cynara cardunculus. The average percentage of radicle and hypocotyl growth inhibition in these plants with 10 mg of dry plant sample was 79.76 and 62.27, respectively. This study demonstrated that both the leaf residue of Hypericum perforatum and Hypericum scabrum significantly enhanced the growth of lettuce seedlings. Even minimal amounts (10 mg of the dried plant sample) resulted in a remarkable increase in radicle growth by 14.65% and hypocotyl growth by 45.15%. Additionally, at a mount of 50 mg, Pistacia lentiscus gum demonstrated exceptional efficacy, enhancing radicle growth by an impressive 90%. Among the plants studied in this study, Cupressus sempervirens leaf residues had an inhibitory effect on radicle growth but stimulated hypocotyl growth. Centaurea behen leaf residues only produced a growth-stimulating effect (43.3%) on hypocotyl growth at amount of 10 mg, and in other cases, they showed allelopathic effects in the form of growth inhibition.
Conclusion:
This study confirms the reliability of the sandwich method for identifying allelopathic plants and assessing their properties. It efficiently evaluates a variety of plants with fewer samples and time. The results suggest that plant residues could be used in organic farming to control weeds. Further research is necessary to identify the specific allelopathic compounds involved.
Acknowledgement:
The authors of this article would like to thank Mr. Mohammad Reza Joharchi, a faculty member of the Herbarium of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, for his sincere cooperation in identifying the plants used in this study from a botanical perspective, confirming the Persian names, and matching them with scientific names.
Medicinal Plants
Mahdi moradi; Hossein Nastari Nasr-abadi; Mohammadnaser Modoodi; vahid shamsabadi
Abstract
Introduction
Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is known for its production of essential oils and its medicinal-aromatic properties. Moldavian balm’s essential oil is used for food, cosmetics, flavorings, ...
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Introduction
Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is known for its production of essential oils and its medicinal-aromatic properties. Moldavian balm’s essential oil is used for food, cosmetics, flavorings, and pharmaceutical purposes. Abiotic stresses include drought, soil salinity, flooding, extremes of temperature, and contamination with organic pollutants and heavy metals hamper plant growth and productivity. In recent decades, heavy metal (HM) pollution has spread across the natural and anthropic ecosystems posing inevitable, serious health risks. Soil microbiota plays an important role in the sustainable production of the different types of agrosystems. Mycorrhizae (a combination of mycelium of the fungus and the roots of the plant) form networks that capture water and nutrients from the soil, which facilitate the acquisition of the plant. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a crucial role in mitigating the oxidative damage caused by heavy metal stress in different plant species. Thus, interaction between mycorrhizae, and plants can be an excellent strategy for sustainable agricultural production The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mycorrhizal arbuscular on improving heavy metal tolerance in moldavian balm, a medicinal and aromatic plant.
Materials and Methods
An experiment was conducted to study the effect of AM fungi on growth characteristics and quantitative and qualitative yield of Moldavian Balm, under heavy metals stress at Research Greenhouses of College of Agriculture, University of Torbat-e Jam. Treatments included mycorrhiza (inoculated and non-inoculated) and heavy metals including lead (0, 150 and 300 mg.kg-1) and cadmium (0, 40 and 80 mg.kg-1) which were arranged in factorial based on completely randomized design with 4 replication. Growth criteria, yield components, essential oil content and photosynthetic pigments were evaluated. In this study, different morphological traits (plant height, root length, root volume, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, stem diameter, number of branches), vegetative parameters (fresh and dry weight biomass, root fresh and dry weight), photosynthetic pigment concentrations and essential oil content were measured. Data analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using IBM SAS software (Version 9.1) and the differences between the means were assessed using Duncan’s multiple range tests at p≤ 0.05.
Results and Discussion
Results showed that with increasing the concentration of heavy metals in the soil especially Cd, most of the growth characteristics and yield components of the study plant were significantly reduced as compared to those of controls. Mycorrhizal inoculation improved these traits where plants were grown under heavy metals stress. The highest biomass fresh and dry weight was observed in mycorrhizal plants grown in non-contaminated medium, which was significantly higher than those of the other treatments. The highest biomass fresh weight was recorded in non-stressed mycorrhizal plants. Biomass of fresh weight in non-mycorrhizal plants of Pb150 did not differ significantly from that of mycorrhizal plants of Pb150. Fresh weight biomass in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants stressed by Cd40 or Cd80 was lower compared to mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants grown in non-contaminated media or contaminated media with Pb150 or Pb300. Furthermore, the lowest Fresh weight biomass was observed in non-mycorrhizal plants stressed by Cd80. Root fresh and dry weight of mycorrhizal plants was significantly higher than that of non-mycorrhizal plants. With increasing Cd or Pb concentration in soil, root fresh and dry weight decreased as compared to that of the controls. Inoculation with mycorrhizal improved the photosynthetic pigment concentrations under heavy metals stress. The highest percentage of essential oil content (1.3% v/w) was observed in mycorrhizal plants stressed by Pb150, while the lowest percentage (0.53% v/w) was evident in non-mycorrhizal plants polluted with Cd80. With increasing concentration of the heavy metals, essential oil of moldavian balm was significantly decreased, but the essential oil content in mycorrhizal plants was significantly higher than that measured in non-mycorrhizals.
Conclusions
AM fungi are widely believed to support plant establishment in soils contaminated with heavy metals, because of their potential to strengthen defense system of the AM mediated plants to promote growth and development. Mycorrhizal inoculation of moldavian balm promoted plant growth and, in addition, mycorrhization enhanced yield as well as active substances in this plant grown in the heavy metals stress condition. However, these approaches show promise in mitigating the adverse effects of heavy metals stress and improve the overall health and productivity of plants. Based on the enhanced physiological and biochemical responses, as well as increased essential oil content, it is recommended to use arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi fertilization under heavy metals stress.
Medicinal Plants
F. Rezvani Nia; S. Zamani; M.T. Ebadi
Abstract
Introduction
The increasing use of medicinal, aromatic plants and spices has increased the economic production, value and trade of these plants. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) is a perennial rhizome plant which is considered as the most important spice in the global trade. Ginger rhizome has bioactive ...
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Introduction
The increasing use of medicinal, aromatic plants and spices has increased the economic production, value and trade of these plants. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) is a perennial rhizome plant which is considered as the most important spice in the global trade. Ginger rhizome has bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and essential oil. Essential oil (including zingiberene, α and β-pinene, camphene etc.) is responsible for the aroma of ginger. Important phenolic compounds of ginger include Gingerol, Shogaol, Paradol, and Zingerone, which are responsible for the spicy taste of ginger. Ginger has important effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antilipemic, anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-nausea, and liver protective activities, improving digestive problems, etc. In addition to medicine, ginger rhizome is widely used as a spice and flavoring in foods, drinks, etc., and is also defined as a dietary supplement by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In this study, while examining and analyzing the world market of this valuable spice, Iran's production potentials were examined to supply internal needs and enter to the export section.
Materials and Methods
In this research, the data on the production and trade of ginger was evaluated using the codes determined in the Harmonized System (HS codes 091010, 091011 and 091012). The area harvest, production amount, yield and the top producing countries were extracted from the statistics section of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The export and import trade data of ginger in Iran and the world, the top exporting and importing countries during 2010-2022 years were evaluated using the World Trade Center data.
Results and Discussion
According to the obtained assessments, the total production of ginger in the world has increased from 1.718.571 tons in 2010 with an increase of 183% to 4.874.216 tons in 2022, and India, Nigeria, China, Nepal, and Indonesia are among the main ginger producer countries in the world during these years. Also, the investigation of the global trade of ginger showed that the export of this product increased from about 655.9 million dollars in 2010 with a growth of 37% to 900.5 million dollars in 2022, and the import value also increased by 97%, from 568.7 million dollars in 2010 to 1.125 billion dollars, which indicates an increase in the global trade of this product. China, Netherlands, India, Peru, and Thailand were the top exporters while America, Japan, Netherlands, Germany, and Pakistan as the top importers of ginger. The analysis of Iran statistics showed that the total export value of ginger was 15.000 dollars in 2022, while the amount of import reached 36.6 million dollars from 1.35 million dollars in 2010, which shows an increase of 4.7 folds the import volume of this product. Iraq and Azerbaijan were the destinations of ginger exported from Iran, and the origins of ginger imported to Iran were China, United Arab Emirates, and India. In Iran, Tehran province was the only ginger-producer province in the country, which produced 23 tons of ginger with 0.3 ha of area in greenhouse conditions. Price fluctuations of ginger produced in countries such as the USA, China, Brazil and Peru and offered in the USA market in 2022 were investigated. The price of ginger varies throughout the year due to factors such as supply, demand, weather conditions and market dynamics. The highest ginger price ($9.19) was recorded for American ginger in the USA market from August 19 to September 14, and it still had a high price in the cold season. As mentioned, ginger is one of the most important spices in global trade and has a high value in global export and import. In Iran, production less than the internal demand has caused a significant increase in imports compared to exports. Therefore, according to the evaluation and success of the cultivation of similar products in the country, the existence of wide areas harvested and favorable weather conditions, especially in provinces such as Sistan & Baluchestan, and Hormozgan, it is suggested to pay attention to the cultivation of ginger to supply internal markets and achieve extensive exports. Also, according to the area under greenhouses cultivation, which is 24,000 hectares, taking into account the average production of 10 tons of ginger per hectare, if only 10% of the existing greenhouse cultivation is dedicated to ginger production, it is possible to produce 24,000 tons of fresh ginger, which will fully meet domestic needs and provide the export.
Conclusions
Global ginger production and trade grew significantly from 2010 to 2022, led by producers like India, Nigeria, and China, and top exporters like China, the Netherlands, and India. Iran’s ginger imports rose due to limited local production, and this underscored the potential for cultivation in regions such as Sistan & Baluchestan and Hormozgan. In addition, utilizing greenhouse capacity could meet domestic demand and boost exports, integrating Iran into the global ginger market.
Medicinal Plants
F. Soleimani; D. Samsampour; A. Bagheri
Abstract
Introduction
Medicinal plants have reservoirs rich in the active ingredients of many medicines. Medicinal plants have rich reservoirs of essential active ingredients of many drugs. Considering the importance of medicinal plants, especially in the pharmaceutical industry and their scarcity in nature, ...
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Introduction
Medicinal plants have reservoirs rich in the active ingredients of many medicines. Medicinal plants have rich reservoirs of essential active ingredients of many drugs. Considering the importance of medicinal plants, especially in the pharmaceutical industry and their scarcity in nature, it is very important to study the various agricultural aspects of these plants, considering the increasing spread of saline soils, to find a solution. It seems necessary to prevent living and non-living environmental stresses or at least reduce them. One of these methods is the use of symbiotic relationships between mycorrhizal fungi and host plants, which reduces the stress caused by salinity. Due to the increasing expansion of saline soils, it seems necessary to find solutions that can prevent or at least reduce the living and non-living environmental stresses. There are different ways to overcome these tensions in different situations. Water salinization is one of the most important environmental limiting factors for crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, since Iran is located in the arid region of the world, given that salinity is one of the environmental factors. Are that have a strong effect on the growth and activity of lemongrass; There are also vast resources of saline and semi-saline groundwater, although not currently used and likely to be used in the future. Solutions to address abiotic stresses include the use of biofertilizers. One of these methods is to use the symbiosis of fungi with host plants, which leads to a reduction in salinity stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. On vegetative and biochemical traits of lemongrass under salinity stress. Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and production of crops. Fungi as a biological fertilizer can be useful in meeting the nutritional needs of plants and reducing the effects of environmental stresses on plants.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with two factors of four salinity levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 ds.m-1 NaCl) and fungi (no inoculation and fungal inoculation). For inoculation of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with mixed potting soil was applied to the lemongrass. Plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of leaves, relative water content, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were measured.
Results and Discussion
The results indicate that all studied traits were significantly affected by the interaction of mycorrhiza and salinity stress. The application of mycorrhizal fungi in the presence of salinity stress due to the absorption of nutrients and water led to improved growth of lemongrass. The results showed that under salinity stress of 150 mM plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of leaves, relative water content, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes in lemongrass inoculated with arbuscular fungus at 23.05, 32.69, 25.31, 48.14, 31.83, 30.33, 52.72 and 33.41% respectively, increased compared to the control (no inoculation). In general, based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the use of mycorrhizal fungi can increase the salinity tolerance of lemongrass and cultivate it in saline soil.
Conclusion
In summary, the results of the present study showed that inoculation of the fungi can protect the lemongrass plant against salinity stress. In addition, the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on lemongrass under salinity stress has been investigated for the first time. According to the results obtained in this study, salinity reduced morphological parameters and lemongrass as a reaction to salinity to maintain its status to increase the amount of enzyme activity through the mechanism of osmotic regulation to stress conditions. Compromise and to some extent deal with salinity. In the study, it was observed that inoculation with Arbuscular had a positive effect on all measured traits. The application of mycorrhizal fungi in the presence of salinity stress due to the absorption of nutrients and water led to improved growth of lemongrass. By examining all the measured traits, it can be concluded that by using mycorrhizal fungi, the salinity resistance of lemongrass can be increased and cultivated in saline soil. Arbuscular species seems to be more suitable for improving the growth of lemongrass in all conditions.
Medicinal Plants
Zhaleh Zandavifard; Majid Azizi
Abstract
Introduction: St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a medicinal plant which used mainly in treatment of mild depression, neurological disorders and has been recently shown to have anticancer potential. The principle medicinal components of St. John’s wort are hypericin, pseudohypericin, ...
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Introduction: St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a medicinal plant which used mainly in treatment of mild depression, neurological disorders and has been recently shown to have anticancer potential. The principle medicinal components of St. John’s wort are hypericin, pseudohypericin, and hyperforin. Light is one of the most important environmental factors affecting plant growth, survival, reproduction and distribution. The light quality, light intensity, duration and photoperiod directly affect plant growth. Light quality refers to the color or wavelength reaching the plant's surface. A prism (or raindrops) can divide sunlight into respective colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Red and blue have the greatest impact on plant growth. Green light is least effective (the reflection of green light gives the green color to plants). Blue light is primarily responsible for vegetative leaf growth. The principle objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of different spectral quality including red, blue, green and white on the growth factors and production of hypericin.Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted on the basis of Completely Randomized Design with four treatments and 10 replications in the growth chamber in the Department of Horticulture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), Iran. In this study, seeds were obtained from the research greenhouse of FUM. Seeds after soaking in running water for 24 hours were planted in small pots (250g). After the seedlings have reached to height of 25cm, each 10 pots were put inside the boxes (20×30cm) made of colored filters. Experiment continued in a growth chamber with day and night temperature 25 and 21°C, respectively, relative humidity 45%, 16 hours of light with the intensity of 1000 lux and 8 hours of darkness for 50 days. Then morphological parameters including plant height, number of stems, number of leaves, number and length of internodes, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root were measured. To count the number of black nodules, the upper, middle and lower parts of seedling were evaluated individually. Hypericin content of the H. perforatum plantlets were measured according to the previous work of Azizi & Omidbaigi, 2002. Data were analyzed statistically by using SAS and Excel software. The significant differences between means were assessed by Tukeyʼs test at P < 0.05.Results and Discussion: The results showed that morphological parameters including plant height, leaf number, internode length, root fresh weight, dry weight of stem and root were affected significantly by light treatments. Minimum and maximum of plant height was related to white and red lights, respectively. Increasing plant height under the influence of red light was due to the variation in levels of growth regulators. Red and blue light by changing of the GA hormone level in the plant and affected elongation of plant stem. Minimum and maximum of leaf number was related to blue and white light respectively. Also, other morphological traits including internode length, fresh and dry weights of stem and root showed significant differences. Internode length for white light was less than red, green and blue light. Maximum of the fresh and dry weight of shoot and root of seedlings was observed under white light. Results suggest that photosynthetic compounds move in plant under the influence of light quality. Also the number of black nodules in three different parts of plant and hypericin content were compared in plantlets under the effect of light quality. Results analysis also confirmed that different lights had the significant impact on the number of black nodules in upper and middle leaves of H. Perforatum seedlings. Seedlings treated with the red light had the highest number of black nodules in the middle section of H. perforatum. In the top third of St. John’s wort seedlings, red, blue and green light was inducted the highest number of black nodules formation than white light. The highest level of hypericin was related to red, white, blue and green lights, respectively. The number of black nodules in the plant and the hypericin content have positive correlation. It seems that in the seedlings treated with the red light, carbohydrates made from photosynthesis most used in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites than plant growth. In fact, carbon allelochemical compounds such as terpenes and phenolics have such metabolism direction to explain the increasing in secondary metabolites.Conclusion: Different light spectra affects plant hormones levels and with alteration in the primary and secondary metabolites lead to a change in the morphological and biochemical traits of plant. In general, it can commented that the quantity and quality of light is able to affect the growth and the active metabolites of medicinal plants and using red and white mixture of light during seedling growth period have an effective role on generation of more strong seedlings with higher potential production of active ingredients.
Bijan Soltanian; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Javad Asili
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays the demand for medicinal plants is increasing in the pharmaceutical industries. Echinacea spp. is an herbaceous, perennial plant containing valuable substances which belong to different chemical groups, most notably phenolic compounds. Echinacea is the most well-known and most ...
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Introduction: Nowadays the demand for medicinal plants is increasing in the pharmaceutical industries. Echinacea spp. is an herbaceous, perennial plant containing valuable substances which belong to different chemical groups, most notably phenolic compounds. Echinacea is the most well-known and most important treatment for the immune system and protects against cough, cold and fever. Drought stress can be a major factor in increasing the content of secondary metabolites in many medicinal plants. Organic fertilizers are known to be one of the fertility factors for soil and plant nutrition due to the impacts on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of yield and phenolic compounds as the most important group of active compounds in Echinacea in response to different levels of water stress, chemical and organic fertilizer management and their interactions. Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried out during 2016 and 2017 years at the experimental Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, located at 10 km East of Mashhad. The split plot based on factorial design was implemented in 3 Replications. The studied factors in this experiment in the main plot were water stress at three levels, including1- Non-Water stress (6000 m3.ha-1), 2- Moderate Water Stress (4500 m3.ha-1), 3- Severe Water stress (3000 m3.ha-1).In sub plots, fertilization treatments applied in eight levels, including, 1- NPK fertilizer (500 kg.ha-1) ; 2-Humic acid (20 L.ha-1); 3-Vermicompost (6000 kg.ha-1); 4-Humic acid+NPK (20 L.ha-1+500 kg.ha-1); 5. Vermicompost+NPK (3000 kg.ha-1+250 kg.ha-1); 6-vermicompost+humic acid (3000 kg.ha-1+20 L.ha-1); 7. Vermicompost+Humic acid+NPK (3000 kg.ha-1+20 L.ha-1+250 kg.ha-1) and 8.control. The amount of irrigation needed at each turn was calculated by NETWAT software. In combined treatments, half of the NPK fertilizer which used in the pure treatment was replaced with the equivalent amount of vermicompost. Constant amount of liquid humic acid was applied at the same time with vermicompost and NPK in rosette leave developing and before stem-elongation phase. The total amount of phenolic compounds in the sample was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Data were analyzed with MSTAT-C statistic software and means compared by Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results and Discussion: The most amounts of stem dry matter, flower dry matter and biomass were observed at vermicompost and non-stress treatment and the least amount of them was obtained from control and severe water stress condition. The highest amounts of leaf and root dry weight were obtained under vermicompost+humic acid and moderate water stress treatments and the least amount of leaf dry weight was observed at control and severe water stress treatments. At the same time with the increase of water stress, the impact of organic fertilizers on leaf dry weight decreased, however the application of organic fertilizers increased the leaf dry weight even under severe stress conditions. Maximum seed yield was observed under vermicompost+humic acid+NPK and NPK treatments with severe water stress condition. With increase in the stress level, root to shoot ratio was increased and the maximum amount of that was obtained in control treatment under severe water stress condition and the minimum amount of that was obtained at vermicompost and non-stress treatment. The application of vermicompost and humic acid increased root to shoot ratio in severe stress conditions and it were effective in developing root systems in these conditions. Maximum amounts of phenolic compounds were observed under humic acid+vermicompost treatment with severe stress condition and minimum of these compounds were obtained under humic acid treatment at no-stress. Conclusion: The response of aerial parts of plant was associated with a decrease in irrigation levels, however this trend was reversed in underground sections. Thus, the maximum amount of root dry weight, root to shoot ratio and root phenolic compounds were observed in severe stress treatment. The highest amount of Phenolic compounds of the root, the ultimate goal of this plant, were observed under humic acid+vermicompost combination treatments. Therefore the production of this plant in terms of supplying 50% of the required moisture content (is equivalent to 300 mm of irrigation during the one-year growth period) and the use of fertilizer treatments containing humic acid and vermicompost compounds is recommended.
Medicinal Plants
Mehdi Rastegar; Hassan Mumivand; Alireza Shayganfar; Abdolhossein Rezaei Nejad
Abstract
Introduction: In the last decades, human activities have had adverse effects on the atmosphere and the stratospheric ozone layer, resulting in an increase in the ultraviolet radiation on the ground, especially in highlands. Among living organisms, plants are the most exposed to ultraviolet rays due to ...
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Introduction: In the last decades, human activities have had adverse effects on the atmosphere and the stratospheric ozone layer, resulting in an increase in the ultraviolet radiation on the ground, especially in highlands. Among living organisms, plants are the most exposed to ultraviolet rays due to their high and unavoidable need to light for photosynthesis, and are therefore more vulnerable to them. Plants show different responses to ambient UV radiation. The response of plants to ultraviolet light is manifested in two general ways, including tolerating the destructive effects of this radiation or/and avoiding it. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet light on growth, morphological and phenological characteristics of three cornflower cultivars under greenhouse conditions in 2018.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was performed as a split plot in a completely randomized design. Ultraviolet light was considered as the first factor in four levels (including: control, ultraviolet –A radiation, ultraviolet -B radiation and ultraviolet A + B radiations) and three cornflower cultivars (including: ‘Kornblume pink’, ‘Kornblume rot’ and ‘Kornblume blau’) as the second factor. The UV treatment was applied by lamps made by Q-Lab Co, USA. It should be noted that the 40-watt lamps used in this study were broadband and had the highest compliance with ultraviolet B (in the case of UV-B lamps) and ultraviolet A (in the case of UV-A lamps) received from the sun on the ground. So they provided the best possible simulation. During the growth period of plants, phenological traits were recorded and morphological traits and biomass traits were measured at the end of the experiment.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that UV-B radiation and simultaneous application of UV-A and UV-B radiations resulted in the reduction of the most morphological traits and yield traits including plant height, internode length, leaf width, leaf area, flowering stem length, plant fresh and dry weight, leaf dry weight, flower dry weight and number of flowers. However, flower yield was not affected by ultraviolet radiations. UV-A treatment reduced the flowering stem length and fresh and dry weight of plant in compared to the control treatment, but it had no significant effect on plant height, leaf width, leaf dry weight, flower dry weight and number of flowers. Plants response to ultraviolet radiation is very different. In many species, it has been observed that UV-A does not have a negative effect on plant growth, while, UV-B reduced the growth and yield of plants. It seems that the main reason for the reduction of plant growth and production is prevention of cell division caused by ultraviolet radiation. Degradation of plant pigments (chlorophyll) is also one of the main reason of photosynthesis decrease led to plant growth and yield reduction. The results of the present study showed that the application of UV-A reduced the number of days until the emersion of the first flower bud and the number of days until the opening of the first flower in cornflower cultivars compared to the control. UV-B treatment forced cornflowers to earlier flowering than UV-A. However, the fastest entry into the reproductive and flowering phase of cornflower cultivars was observed with the simultaneous application of UV-A and B radiations. Plants mechanisms against environmental stresses mainly depend on their origin and genetic factors. These mechanisms include three main strategies including “avoidance”, “tolerance” and “escaping”. One of the most important ways to reduce the life cycle is early flowering. It seems that the process of early flowering and completing the growth in cornflower species is a kind of stress escaping under ultraviolet radiation stress.
Conclusion: In this study, ultraviolet radiation reduced the growth and development of all three species of cornflowers. However, UV-A treatment showed the least negative effect on flower yield of plants. On the contrary, UV-B radiation and simultaneous application of UV-A and UV-B radiations reduced the growth and development of cornflowers, but did not have any significant negative effect on the flower yield (as the main useable organ of plant). Therefore, it seems that the ultraviolet radiation can be considered as a positive factor due to its positive effects on the production of secondary metabolites and early flowering and lack of significant negative effects on plant flower yield. Finally, ‘Kornblume pink’ cultivar, with higher flower yield and earlier flowering, is more suitable for cultivation than other cultivars.
Ali Rezaei; Mohammadtaghi Ebadi; Hassan Pirani
Abstract
Introduction: Organic production is one of the important aspects in the medicinal plants industry and the use of organic fertilizers is very important in this topic. Seaweeds are important marine living resources with tremendous commercial applications and many commercial products from seaweed extract ...
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Introduction: Organic production is one of the important aspects in the medicinal plants industry and the use of organic fertilizers is very important in this topic. Seaweeds are important marine living resources with tremendous commercial applications and many commercial products from seaweed extract are used in agriculture and horticulture. Seaweed extracts can be used in liquid form as a foliar spray, soil drench or in powder and granular forms as soil conditioners and manure. Using seaweed extracts as fertilizers can improve plant productivity, because they contain growth-promoting hormones. Several studies have also shown that the seaweed extracts can suppress plant diseases and insect pests. Nowadays, seaweed extract is used as an organic fertilizer in order to increase the quantitative yield of medicinal plants and also resistance to environmental stresses. Summer savory is one of the medicinal and spice plants that has a high area under cultivation in our country for food and medicine. Various studies on its essential oil had been shown that it contains high amounts of phenolic compounds like Carvacrol, γ-Terpinene, Thymol, p-Cymene, β-Caryophyllene, Linalool, and other terpenoids.
Materials and Methods: In order to study the effect of different levels of seaweed fertilizer on the growth characteristics, plant material yield, essential oil percentage of summer savory, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) during 2017. The treatments included: 0 (control), 2.5, 5 and 10 ml/liter seaweed fertilizer that they were used as a foliar application for three times in the growing season. According to the meteorological data, the area had an average rainfall of 246 mm and a semi-arid climate. In order to determine the physical and chemical properties of the soil, soil sampling and testing were done. To prepare the field, the soil tillage operation was carried out using a 40 cm depth plow. Then, plots with a 2 × 2 meters at a distance of half a meter from each other were prepared. The seeds used in this experiment were prepared from Varamin landrace, which is mainly cultivated by farmers in Tehran and Alborz provinces. Sowing operation was carried out manually. In each plot, 7 rows (30 cm spacing between rows) were cultivated and all of the plots were irrigated in the same conditions. The organic fertilizer (Bioalgax) used in this experiment was based on an extract of seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), which was obtained from the Kimitec company, Spain. This fertilizer is a natural source of phytohormones such as cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellins and also, it has some minerals. After reaching the height of 20 cm (eight weeks after planting), spraying of the fertilizer solutions was applied three times during the growing season at intervals of 10 days. The foliar application was carried out at sunset time by using a manual sprayer. The harvest was carried out at full flowering stage and 3 plants of each plot were harvested. The studied traits were: plant height, stem diameter, the number of branches, leaf length, and width, shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, SPAD index, essential oil yield and content.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that different concentrations of seaweed fertilizer had a significant effect on the number of branches, shoot dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, leaf width and plant height at 1% probability level. They also had a significant effect on the shoot fresh weight, essential oil percentage, and yield at 5% probability level. On the basis of the results, the highest number of branches (35.44), leaf length and width (43.22 and 8.07 mm), stem diameter (5.00 mm), root fresh and dry weight (15.17 and 6.42 g), shoot fresh and dry weight (181.01 and 37.69 g) and SPAD index (48.13) were obtained from 10 ml/liter seaweed fertilizer and the lowest amounts were observed in control treatment. The maximum plant height (54.66 cm) and the highest percentages and the yield of essential oil (2.51% and 6.28 g/m2) were also obtained from 5 ml/liter seaweed fertilizer. According to the results, the response of summer savory to the use of seaweed fertilizer was positive and it could be placed in the fertilization program of farmers.
Mohammad Reza Asghari; Zahra Azarsharif; Hossein Tajik; Alireza Farrokhzad
Abstract
Introduction: Galbanum, an aromatic oleo-resin gum, is produced from umbelliferous Persian plant species in the genus Ferula with the common Persian name “Barije”, chiefly endemic flora of the mountain ranges of northern Iran. Cuminum cyminum is an edible medicinal plant, which is widely distributed ...
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Introduction: Galbanum, an aromatic oleo-resin gum, is produced from umbelliferous Persian plant species in the genus Ferula with the common Persian name “Barije”, chiefly endemic flora of the mountain ranges of northern Iran. Cuminum cyminum is an edible medicinal plant, which is widely distributed in Iran, Turkey, India, Egypt and Central America countries. Calcium (Ca2+) is a secondary messenger that plays pivotal roles (such as cell wall structure, signaling in fruit ripening and ethylene biosynthesis) in regulating physiological functions in fruits, vegetables and flowers during postharvest life. Sweet cherry is one of the most popular fruits among consumers because of its good taste and abundant nutrients and bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. This fruit is a highly perishable product due to its high respiration rate and rapid softening process at room temperature, which ultimately cause the color changes, weight loss, browning and changes of nutrients and restrict its shelf life. Several studies have demonstrated that the postharvest life of sweet cherries can be extended by different preservation techniques, such as refrigeration, synthetic chemical fungicides, modified atmosphere packaging, osmotic treatments, hypobaric treatments, heat treatments and edible coating. In the last several years, edible coatings have been widely studied for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. Edible coating with semipermeable films might extend the postharvest life of sweet cherry through a reduction of moisture migration, gas exchange, respiration and oxidative reaction rates. Materials and Methods: Healthy fruits, uniform in size, shape, color, and degree of maturity were selected from sweet cherries collected from orchard in Kahriz located in Urmia. Effects of galbanum gum (0, 1, 2 and 3% W/V), cumin essential oil (0, 100 and 200 µl/l) and calcium chloride (0 and 1% W/V) coating on the physiological and quality responses of sweet cherry (Prunus avium Cv. Siah Mashhad) fruit were investigated. The fruits were coated, and stored at 2±1 ºC and 90-95% relative humidity for 30 day and then transferred to 20 ºC for an additional 1 day. The quality of sweet cherries was analyzed at the initial day, 15-day after storage in 2±1 ºC and 30-day after storage in 2±1 ºC+ an additional 1 day in 20 ºC. Different qualitative and physicochemical attributes including pH, total soluble solid, titrable acidity, fruit water content and moisture percentage, proline, malondialdehyde, phenyl alanine amonialyase (PAL) enzyme activity and nutraceutical (total phenol and flavonoid) evaluations were performed. Statistical analysis of data was done by SAS (version 9.4) and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan's multiple range test. Result and Discussion: Significant differences were observed in fruit coated galbanum gum 1% W/V, cumin essential oil 200 µl/l and calcium chloride 1% W/V as compared to the control. The coating applications including gum, cumin essence and calcium chloride resulted in slower rise of pH and TSS, and were effective in maintaining higher titrable acidity, fruit water content, moisture percentage, PAL enzyme activity, total phenol and flavonoid. Coating with 1% W/V galbanum gum combined with 1% W/V calcium chloride resulted in highest increase of PAL enzyme activity and total phenol 15-day after storage, which effectively prevented rapid decline enzyme activity and phenolic compound to the end of storage. The combined coating of galbanum gum 2% W/V with CaCl2 1% W/V or 200 µl/l cumin essential oil significantly maintained total flavonoid 30-day after storage in 2±1 ºC + an additional 1 day in 20ºC; These treatment are not significantly different with galbanum gum 1% W/V with CaCl2 1% W/V or 200 µl/l cumin essential oil. Concomitantly proline content (0.002748 mgr/gr F.W.) was at higher levels and malondialdehyde (0.0320 mmol/gr F.W.) at lower levels in tissues of treated fruit with 1% W/V CaCl2 compared with those of control fruit at the end of storage. Conclusion: Fruit and vegetables are highly perishable, and the causes of postharvest losses can generally be ascribed to physiological deterioration associated with consumption of the internal water and reserve substances. In addition, increasing public concern towards healthy foods has contributed to the promotion of interest in the development of alternative (Safe) methods for controlling postharvest decay and deterioration. These results suggest that galbanum gum, cumin essence and CaCl2 treatments delayed the development of senescence process ‘Siah mashhad’ sweet cherry by delaying the loss of quality parameters, polyphenol substances and maintaining the structural integrity of cell membrane. Application of 1% W/V galbanum gum coating combined with 1% W/V CaCl2 might be enhanced low temperature tolerance by maintaining quality parameters, antioxidant compound and shelf life of sweet cherry fruits.
Zhaleh Zandavifard; Majid Azizi; Hossein Arouiee; Amir Fotovat
Abstract
Introduction: Among the heavy metals, cadmium, because of high mobility and bioavailability in soil and also toxicity at low concentrations is very important. Cadmium (Cd) is known as carcinogen and can induce many types of cancers. Human activities (metallic industries, contaminated fertilizer, herbicides ...
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Introduction: Among the heavy metals, cadmium, because of high mobility and bioavailability in soil and also toxicity at low concentrations is very important. Cadmium (Cd) is known as carcinogen and can induce many types of cancers. Human activities (metallic industries, contaminated fertilizer, herbicides or insecticides, irrigation with contaminated groundwater, and use of contaminated sewage sludge) are largely responsible for accumulation of different levels of Cd in soil. Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a medicinal plant and belongs to the family Hypericaceae which its extract, one of the best-characterized herbal medicines, known as the Cd-hyperaccumulator, is widely sold for the treatment of depression. Hyperaccumulator plants are species able to accumulate high amounts of heavy metals in their tissue at concentrations of 10 to 100 times higher than tolerated by crop plants. Zinc (Zn) is an essential element occurring in several enzymes, where it plays a catalytic or structural role. Cadmium and zinc have similar electron configuration, valence state as well as affinity to S, N and O donor ligands and thus their geochemical and environmental properties are comparable. The antagonism activity between Cd and Zn in the environment and their chemical similarity can lead to interactions between Cd and Zn during plant uptake, transport from roots to shoots, or accumulation in edible tissues. Ion exchange is one of the methods used for the removal of several toxic substances. In recent years, natural amendments, such as zeolite have been widely used to address trace metals contamination. Therefore, adding zinc and zeolite to the growth medium of plant can be moderating the toxic effects of cadmium.
Materials and Methods: This pot experiment was conducted at the Experimental Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM) from September 2013 to June 2014. Treatments consisted of three levels of cadmium (0, 10 and 20 mg Cd kg-1 soil), three levels of zinc (0, 25 and 50 mg Zn kg-1 soil) and three levels of Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) (0, 5 and 10g zeolite kg-1 soil) arranged in a factorial based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Cadmium sulfate (CdSO4·4H2O) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O) were purchased from MERCK company. The zeolite used in this research was collected from the Semnan mine, located in South of Semnan Province. After preparing the soil, the pots (30 cm in diameter with 18 kg capacity) were filled with 18 kg soil and thoroughly mixed with appropriate amounts of cadmium, zinc and zeolite diluted in distilled water. Seeds of H. perforatum L. cv. “Topaz” were obtained from the FUM Research Field. After 24 hours of soaking in tap water, the seeds were sown on the surface of moistened soil in each pot and germinated after 10 days. Following germination, the seedlings (about 1.0 cm high) were thinned and only 10 seedlings in each pot were kept. At the full flowering stage, these plants were harvested after 9 months. Plant height, root length, flowering stem and flower number, leaf area, relative chlorophyll and number of black nodules was measured. Chlorophyll (Chl) content were determined by leaf area meter (Li-Cor-1300,USA) and SPAD chlorophyll meter. Data were analyzed statistically by using JMP 8 and Excel software. The differences between averages were tested by Tukeyʼs test at P < 0.05.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that increasing cadmium levels lead to significant decrease of 6.28, 3.45, 2.04, 5.49, 0.82, 15.71 percents in plant height, root length, flowering stem, flower number, leaf area and relative chlorophyll, respectively compared with control. In comparison to control, the number of black nodules in leaf significantly increased by 4.23 percent. Combined application of cadmium and zinc could significantly decline the effects of cadmium on plant height and root length. Meanwhile, interaction effect of cadmium and zeolite was detected significantly on root length and number of flowers. The results of three-way interactions for root length were superior in Zn0Cd0Z10 treatment. Cadmium is an inhibitor of uptake and accumulation of essential mineral nutrients, reduces conductivity of stomata andwater potential of cells and damaged photosystems; therefore, can decrease biomass production in stem, flower and root. The reduction of Chl content could lead to enzymatic degradation of these pigments or inhibition of their biosynthesis, which could be connected with Cd-induced deficiency of iron and zinc, decrease of magnesium content or cadmium bond to essential thiol groups in both the protochlorophyllide reductase protein and other enzymes involved in the light dependent synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid. Heavy metal stress with impact on biosynthetic pathways of pharmacologically active molecules can either increase or decrease them. Changes in black nodules number, containing hypericin and other secondary metabolites in H. perforatum in response to heavy metals can help us understand the role of this material in stress conditions. It could be assumed that high metal accumulating ability of plants producing specific secondary metabolites in H. perforatum could be also connected with chelation of toxic metals with mentioned substances.
Conclusions: Our results confirmed that the addition of zeolite and zinc presumably improved plant growth, because of increased availability of essential nutrient elements such as K, Mg, Ca, NH4, and micronutrients in presence of zeolite or decreased Cd sorption and transmission in presence of zinc.
Majid Azizi; Mansour Mashreghi; Fatemeh Oroojalian; Naser Shahyahmasebi
Abstract
To study the interaction of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial effects of Kelussia odoratissima and Teucrium polium essential oils consolidated trial based on calculation of MIC and FIC index or differential inhibitory concentration and simple method checkboard designed and implemented. Essential ...
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To study the interaction of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial effects of Kelussia odoratissima and Teucrium polium essential oils consolidated trial based on calculation of MIC and FIC index or differential inhibitory concentration and simple method checkboard designed and implemented. Essential oil of the plants extracted by hydro-distillation using clevenger apparatus. In this study, common food contaminant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enterica and Ps. aureogenosa were used. The results showed that the antibacterial properties of the essential oil of Teucrium is stronger (MIC between 0.16 to 1.25 mg/ ml) than of the oil of Kelussia (MIC between 0.3 to 2.5 mg/ml). Antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (MIC between 0.006 to 0.025 mg) were stronger significantly. Calculate the differential inhibitory concentration index (FICi) implies the existence of synergistic and additive effect between silver nanoparticles and oil of both plant which will depend on the type of pathogen. This means that the combined use of silver nanoparticles and essential oil of the plant especially Teucrium essential oils strong inhibitory effect with lower concentrations of the essential oils was observed. Antagonistic interaction between silver nanoparticles and oil treatments in any of these two plants were observed.
Helale Kaboli Farshchi; Majid Azizi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati; Vahid Rowshan
Abstract
Introduction: Medicinal and aromatic plants can play an important role in commercial crops, which also represent a safe alternative for chemical pharmaceutical industries. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) due to its therapeutic efficacy has been used for decades in folk medicine and is considered ...
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Introduction: Medicinal and aromatic plants can play an important role in commercial crops, which also represent a safe alternative for chemical pharmaceutical industries. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) due to its therapeutic efficacy has been used for decades in folk medicine and is considered as a promising medicinal plant with valuable potential as a source of hypericin, essential oils and antioxidants. Studies on agronomic factors such as application of potassium and humic acid as well as nitrogen fertilization on yield, essential oil and antioxidant activity of Hypericum perforatum have not been investigated thoroughly until now. This study was designed to study the effect of using humic acid and potassium sulphate on morphological and phytochemical characteristics of Hypericum perforatum.
Materials and Methods: The plant material was prepared from Science and Technology Park in Khorasan-e Razzavi–Mashhad. In spring, the plants were transplanted into the field of Horticulture department, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, for fertilizing treatments. The experimental layout was factorial in a complete randomized design (CRD), with three replications. Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4) was applied at the rates of 0.0 (K0), 60 (K60) and 100 (K100) kg ha-1. The other treatment were humic acid, which was applied at three rates 0 (H0), 20 (H20) and 40 (H40) L ha-1. Plants were treated at two stages, before flowering by potassium fertilizer and fertigated four times in 15-day intervals with humic acid. Besides the fresh and dry weight, number of flowers, stem height and number of flowering stems were determined at the end of the growing stage.
Results and Discussion: The ANOVA indicated that most of measured attributes of Hypericum perforatum plant were significantly affected by both treatments. Data presented revealed that the highest stem (91.6 cm) was recorded at the highest level of potassium sulphate (K100) treatment, while the shortest height (60.4 cm) was recorded at the lowest level of potassium sulphate (K0) treatment. On the other hand, the highest stem (80.33 cm) was achieved with the highest level of humic acid treatment. No significant difference was observed between the highest level of humic acid (H40) and the second level (H20), while both mentioned levels showed a significant difference with control (H0). This means that the control plants possessed the lowest stem height (66.7 cm). The DPPH method for evaluation of antioxidant activity reflects the ability of the present compounds to scavenge hydrophilic free radicals. DPPH inhibition was investigated and the results were evaluated as relative activities against α-tocopherol as positive control. A lower EC50 indicates a higher antioxidant activity. As it is shown, the least EC50 which indicates the highest antioxidant activity belonged to plants treated with potassium sulphate at (100 kg.ha-1). Control plants possessed the least antioxidant activity and showed no significant difference compared with plants treated with 60 kg.ha-1 of this fertilizer. Humic acid had a significant effect on antioxidant activity of H. perforatum. The lowest value of EC50 was related to the highest level of humic acid, while the highest value of EC50 was obtained from control plants. There was also significant difference between control and two other levels (20 and 40 L ha-1) of humic acid. Applied fertilizers at their high levels showed significant effects on EC50 decrease, which means the increment of antioxidant activity of H. perforatum. The high antioxidant activity of this medicinal plant is the reason of flavonoids and phenols existence. It seems that application of these fertilizers have led to increment of the mentioned secondary metabolites and followed by an increase of antioxidant activity in comparison with control plants. Totally, H. perforatum possessed a high antioxidant activity. Based on recorded data of the present study, application of the mentioned fertilizers separately or simultaneously caused the increase of this important medicinal plant fresh and dry weight, and finally the yield. Number of flowers, stem height and flowering stems reached the highest value at the highest level of both fertilizers (K100H40). As potassium plays an important role in the development of reproductive parts of plants, it might be one of the reasons of the above mentioned increase. The highest essential oil content was recorded at high levels of both fertilizers (K100H40). Since the highest essential oil content accumulates in the flowering stems, an increase of these stems height and a higher number of flowers would lead to an increase of essential oil content of H. perforatum. Antioxidant activity of this plant is flavonoids contributed. It seems that application of these fertilizers increased the antioxidant activity by an increase of this pigment content.
Mina Motamednezhad; Seyyed Vahid Eslami; Mohammad Hassan Sayyari Zahan; Sohrab Mahmoodi
Abstract
Introduction: Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants has always had a special situation in the traditional system of agriculture and these systems have played a major role in the diversification and sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. Tend to produce medicinal and aromatic plants and demand ...
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Introduction: Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants has always had a special situation in the traditional system of agriculture and these systems have played a major role in the diversification and sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. Tend to produce medicinal and aromatic plants and demand for natural products, especially in terms of ecological culture in the world is increasing. Ajowan is an annual herbaceous plant from the Apiaceae family. Biological fertilizers produced by the activity of microorganisms are associated with nitrogen fixation or availability of phosphorus and other nutrients in the soil. Enrichment means increasing the concentration of nutrients in plants especially micronutrients. Application of biological fertilizers instead of using chemicals is one of the most important nutritional strategies in sustainable management of agro ecosystems. In this regard, the effect of enrichment with bio-fertilizers and micronutrients on Ajowan (Carum copticum L.) germination characteristics was studied at Birjand Agricultural Research Laboratory.
Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment based on a CRD (completely randomized design) was conducted with three replications at Birjand Agricultural Research Laboratory during 2011. Experimental treatments consisted of bio-fertilizer application with three levels including without inoculation, and seed inoculation with Azospirillum and Azotobacter and seed enrichment with ten different treatment levels including without enrichment, and enrichment using 1, 2 and 3 mM of Fe, Zn and Mn elements. Bacteria were provided by Soil and Water Research Institute of Tehran. Initially, the seeds were disinfected through immersing them in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 3 minutes and then washing them with the tap water for 2-3 times. For the Enrichment of seeds, depending on the treatments, Petri dishes were treated with 10 ml of micronutrients solution for 24 hours. Then for bacterial inoculation depending on the type of treatments, seeds were soaked in 7 ml of inoculums containing 108 alive and active bacteria per ml for 5 hours. In each treatment, 15 seeds were placed in Petri dishes sealed with parafilm and placed in a germinator set at 70% RH and 25/15 °C. The traits studied were: germination percentage, germination rate, root and shoot length, as well as root and shoot fresh and dry weight. Before analyzing the data, normality test was performed and analysis of variance was performed using Genstat and graphs were drawn using Excel software.
Results and Discussion: The Analysis of variances results showed that seed inoculation with biological fertilizers and micronutrients significantly increased germination rate, root and shoot length, root fresh weight and dry weight of root and shoot of Ajowan compared with the control. Results showed that there were not significant differences between treatments in terms of germination percentage. Using micronutrients for seed enrichment caused increased germination rate. The maximum germination rate value was obtained from the Mn 1mM treatment (2.164 seeds per day), and. its minimum value was obtained from Zn1 (1.55 seeds per day). The maximum and minimum values of root length were obtained from the combined treatments of azotobacter + Fe2 and Azospirillum + Zn3, respectively. The maximum and minimum values of shoot length were obtained from the combined treatments of azotobacter + Mn2 and Azospirillum + Zn3, respectively. The highest and lowest values of shoot dry weight were obtained from azotobacter + Fe3 and azotobacter, respectively. The highest and lowest values of root dry weight were obtained from Zn1 (2.35 mg) and Mn2 (0.4 mg), respectively. The highest and lowest values of root fresh weight were obtained from Azospriliium+ Mn3 and Azospriliium+ Zn2, respectively. The highest and lowest values of shoot fresh weight were obtained from Azotobacter+Mn2 and Mn3, respectively.
Conclusion: During the evaluation of the measured traits regarding to bio fertilizers application on ajowan, it was observed that all biological treatments were superior to the control (non-biological fertilizer) and Azotobacter was the most effective amongst them. Bio fertilizers applications used in this study showed significant effects on root and shoot length, as well as fresh weight of root and shoot. The use of micro-nutrients on ajowan, showed that the application of 1 and 2 mM of Mn and all three concentrations enhanced the examined characteristics, while the application of 1 mM of Zn was just effective on root and shoot dry weight. Overall,application of these micronutrients had significant effects on germination rate and root length and fresh weight of root and shoot as well as dry weight of shoot and root.
Sonayye Beigi; Majid Azizi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati; Vahid Rowshan
Abstract
Introduction: Medicinal plants are rich in active substances and primarily have been used in the manufacture of many drugs. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the important medicinal plants whichbelongs to the Lamiaceae family. Basil essential oil content (between 0.5 to 1.5 percent) varies according ...
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Introduction: Medicinal plants are rich in active substances and primarily have been used in the manufacture of many drugs. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the important medicinal plants whichbelongs to the Lamiaceae family. Basil essential oil content (between 0.5 to 1.5 percent) varies according to climatic conditions of habitat location. Basilneeds a lot of water during growth period and it is very sensitive to water stress and shows wilting symptoms very soon after water shortage. Iran is located in an arid and semi-arid region which has little precipitation that is not enough for crop water requirements. Nowadays, the use of superabsorbent polymers is one of the ways to create sustainable agriculture and increase irrigation efficiency. They can store high water or aqueous solutions in root zone of plants and to reduce negative effects of drought stress. So, improvement of plant growth, increasing of irrigation intervals, reducing water loss and costs of irrigation is due to the application of superabsorbent polymers. Mucilages are also the herbal polysaccharides, soluble in water, and commonly include carbohydrates and can be used as hydrophilic polymers. The aims of this investigation were to study the effects of hydrophilic polymers on water use efficiency, morphological characteristics (dry matter, leaf area, and leaf number), essential oil quantity and yield of basil to harden plant to drought stress and to evaluate its potential to cultivate in arid regions. In addition, taking steps forward towards sustainable agriculture, by reducing the cost of agricultural production, helps protecting the environment.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted as a pot experiment at the department of Horticultural Science‚ college of Agricultural‚ Ferdowsi University of Mashhad‚ Iran, during 2012-2013.The research was set out in a factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized block design with three replications.Two hydrophilic polymer Stockosorb® (industrial) and malva leaf (herbal) with two application methods (mixed with soil, mixed with soil+root) at 4concentrations (0, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% w/w) were used. Leaf number, leaf area, dry matter yield, water use efficiency, essential oil quantity and yield were measured. Improved seeds of Ocimum basilicum var. Keshkeniluvelou were sown and seedlings were transplanted to the pots in four-leaf stage. Hydrogels were prepared and mixed with water after weighing the polymers according to determined concentration. After establishment, all pots were irrigated with a determined amount of water after reaching to the highest concentration (0.3%) of the wilting point. So, in this state in addition to the treatment at 0.3% treatment, lower levels (0.2% and 0.1%)were reached to wilting point earlierand were exposed to water stress.
Results and Discussion: Superabsorbent polymers can by absorption of irrigation and rain water, prevent deep percolation of water and with decreasing irrigation interval and reduced water consumption and increase water use efficiency. The results showed that using Stockosorb superabsorbent polymer and malva leaf as herbal hydrophilic polymersare useful for water supply of the plant in water stress.Application of these substances on morphological characteristics, water use efficiency and basil oil, were superior to the control.According to the obtained results, malva leaf use in soil and roots in treatmentless than (0.1% and 0.2%)number and leaf area and higher than (0.3%)increased dry matter yield, water use efficiency and the essential oil quantity and yield. Stockosorb (0.2%) byboth applying methods increased dry matter yield and water use efficiency. Also Stockosorb (0.2%),soil application increased leaf number and area. The essential oil yield and quantity increasedwith use of Stockosorb in soil + root in for0.2% and 0.3% treatments, respectively.
Conclusion: Due to the importance of cultivation of medicinal plants to provide conditions to increase essential oil yield and quantity at the same time, the best method used were malva leaf and Stockosorb with concentrations higher than (0.3%) and soil application methodor the use of both polymers with application method in soil + root in the moderate concentration (0.2%).For that purpose, we obtained favorable conditions for improving the morphological characteristics, water use efficiency and increasing the quantity and of essential oil yield in drought stress simultaneously. The results showed that natural compounds can be a good alternative for chemical compounds, but further experiments are needed for their commercialization.
Mohsen Jahan; Shiva Ghalenoee; Amin Khamooshi; Mohammad Behzad Amiri
Abstract
Introduction: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to lamiaceae family. This plant is native of India country and other countries in south of Asia. Nowadays, the use of water superabsorbent polymers is increased in agriculture and their role in reducing the drought stress ...
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Introduction: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to lamiaceae family. This plant is native of India country and other countries in south of Asia. Nowadays, the use of water superabsorbent polymers is increased in agriculture and their role in reducing the drought stress and increasing the crops production has been demonstrated in many researches. Superabsorbent polymers can absorb lots of water and keep it in their structure and give it to plant under drought stress conditions (9). Humic substances are a group of heterogeneous molecules that are bonded together by weak forces, therefore they have high chemical stability. Humic acid comprise 65 to 80 percent of total soil organic matter (6). According to medicinal importance of Basil and its roles in the food and pharmaceutical industries, beside the limited water resources and need to increase water use efficiency through using ecological inputs, this study designed and conducted aimed to evaluate agroecological characteristics of Basil as affected by application of water-saving superabsorbent and humic acid under irrigation intervals.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effects of different amounts of water-saving superabsorbent and foliar application of humic acid and irrigation intervals on some quantitative characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), a split strip plot experiment was conducted based on RCBD design with three replications at The Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during growing season of 2012-13. Experimental factors included three levels of water-saving superabsorbent (0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1) as the main plot factor, two levels of humic acid (0 and 3 kg ha-1) as the sub plot factor and two levels of irrigation interval (5 and 10 days) as the strip plot factor. Studied traits were seed number and weight per plant, plant height, number of lateral branches per plant, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that interaction of superabsorbent and humic acid had a significant effect on seed yield (p≤ 0.05), as the highest seed yield (2638.8 kg ha-1) obtained from application of 40 kg ha-1 superabsorbent without humic acid. Evaluation of the superabsorbent and irrigation intervals interaction revealed that in all levels of superabsorbent, dry matter yield under irrigation interval of 5 days was more than irrigation interval of 10 days, so that dry matter yield at irrigation interval of 5 days and 0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1 levels of superabsorbent increased 13, 50 and 17% compared to irrigation interval of 10 days, respectively. Seed number per plant significantly was affected by interaction effects of humic acid and irrigation interval, so that in condition of using of humic acid in irrigation interval of 10 days, seed number per plant increased by 26% compared to control. The triple interaction of superabsorbent, humic acid and irrigation interval had significant effect on branch number per plant, as in irrigation interval of 5 days, in both conditions of application and no-application of humic acid, the highest branch number per plant observed in 40 kg ha-1 level of superabsorbent. In general, the combined use of 40 kg ha-1 water-saving superabsorbent and humic acid in different levels of irrigation, particularly under drought stress condition, while improved quantitative characteristics of basil, played an effective role in alleviation the devastating effects of drought stress. It seems that the appropriate level of water-saving superabsorbent (40 kg ha-1) increased morphological characteristics and seed yield of Basil through the absorption of water (4) and improvement of soil physical characteristics. It seems that humic acid increased quantitative characteristics of Basil by increasing activity of growth hormones such as auxin and improving nutrient uptake. In most of the studied traits, efficiency of humic acid improved in conditions of superabsorbent application and the plant could use the humic acid more efficient.
Conclusions: The cost of this study has been funded by Research and Technology Deputy of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of agriculture, the financial supports is appreciated.
Hajar Neamati Darbandi; Majid Azizi; Samane Mohammadi; Sajede Karimpour
Abstract
To investigate the effect of spraying with different concentrations of Vermiwash solution on the morphological traits, percentage and yield of essential oil of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), this experiment was conducted as Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications in experimental ...
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To investigate the effect of spraying with different concentrations of Vermiwash solution on the morphological traits, percentage and yield of essential oil of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), this experiment was conducted as Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications in experimental field of Agricultural Faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM). The treatments were included 4 different concentrations of Vermiwash solution (0, 3000. 6000 and 12000 ppm). At the flowering stage, morphological characteristics include of plant height, number of nod and internodes length, as well as total fresh weight, leaf area, dry weight of plant, yield and percentage of essential oil were determined. Results showed that there was a significant difference between different treatments in terms of plant height, number of node, internodes length, leaf area, and dry weight of plant and essential oil yield. The highest height (84.91 cm), number of node (23.20), leaf area (8853.52 cm2) and plant dry weight (174.31 g) related to vermiwash concentration of 3000 ppm and the longest internodes (7.02 cm) and essential oil yield (6 g/m2) related to concentration of 1200 ppm. In conclusion, application of 3000 ppm vermiwash was the superior among the all studied treatments that confirmed activity of plant growth regulators in low concentration of vermiwash and availability of nutrient in the solution.
Raheleh Khatibzadeh; Majid Azizi; Hossein Arouiee; Mohammad Farsi
Abstract
To protect and multiply important and rare plant resources, in vitro culture serves as a more efficient alternative to traditional propagation approaches. Levisticum officinale Koch. a member of Apiaceae is an important, endangered and neglected species in Iran, which has been shown to have diuretic, ...
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To protect and multiply important and rare plant resources, in vitro culture serves as a more efficient alternative to traditional propagation approaches. Levisticum officinale Koch. a member of Apiaceae is an important, endangered and neglected species in Iran, which has been shown to have diuretic, spasmolytic and carminative effects. In order to supply enough plant materials for micro-propagation of this herb and study effects of different methods of disinfection and stratification on in vitro seed germination, a factorial experiment laid out in a completely randomized design was set out to establish sterile plants out of seed culture. It was concluded that a pre-chilling treatment for 3 months resulted in maximum percent of germination (92%) and the largest germination rate. The best superficial sterilization protocol was proofed to be soaking in 70% (v:v) ethanol for 30 s and then, using of 2% (v:v) dilution of NaOCl for 15 min, followed by 3 rinses in sterile distilled water.
