Medicinal Plants
Mehrab Yadegari
Abstract
IntroductionSatureja bachtiarica is one of the important endemic species and uses in medicinal and food industries. This plant is rich in essential oil, flavonoids, monoterpene glycosides, trypanocidal terpenoids. The main compounds of the essential oil from S.bachtiarica L. collected from natural habitats ...
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IntroductionSatureja bachtiarica is one of the important endemic species and uses in medicinal and food industries. This plant is rich in essential oil, flavonoids, monoterpene glycosides, trypanocidal terpenoids. The main compounds of the essential oil from S.bachtiarica L. collected from natural habitats are alpha-pinene, p-cymene, carvacrol and gamma-terpinene. The environmental factors cause changes in the growth, quantity, and quality of active substances (such as alkaloids, glycosides, steroids and volatile oils) in the medicinal and aromatic plants. Among environmental stresses, water deficit stress plays an important role in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants in arid and semi-arid regions like Iran. Drought stress has detrimental effects on growth and yield and can upset the balance between the antioxidant defense system and free radicals by stimulating a series of biochemical reactions, where free radicals cause cell damage. In sustainable production systems of medicinal and aromatic plants, stable quantitative and qualitative functions can be achieved under conditions of environmental stress and it is possible to improve the production of secondary metabolites in these plants under adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the amino acids on the physiological and phytochemical properties of S.bachtiarica to determine and introduce the best amino acids under water stress. Materials and MethodsThis investigation was done from spring (May) 2022 to fall (September) 2023 at the Research Farm (latitude. 32°20′ N, longitude. 50°51′ E, altitude. 2061 m). Based on the Köppen climate classification, the climate of the area of study is classified as cold and semiarid. This study was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split plot layout with three replications. Irrigation regimes (3, 6, 9 day interval) in main plots and foliar application of amino acids (methionine, lysine, phenylalanine and proline) in sub plots were done. In each year, treatments were applied in 3 stage (3 months after sowing, end of vegetation, before flowering, beginning of flowering and early flowering) and harvesting were done in complete flowering. Weed control was done manually during the entire experiment. During the experiment, no fertilizer and no systemic pesticide and herbicide were used. The harvested shoots were transferred to laboratory for extracting and analysis the leaves and stems of treated plants. For assessment of the total chlorophyll content of S.bachtiarica, the leaves were extracted by 80% acetone. The absorbance of the extraction was read at 470, 648, and 664 nm, and the content of total chlorophyll was calculated as mg per g leaf dry weight. Total phenol content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent as reported by Singleton and Rossi. The total phenol content was expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalent per g leaf dry weight according to standard curves of gallic acid. The essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed using GC/MS. Results and DiscussionApplied amino acids significantly influenced the morpho-physiological and phytochemical characters of Satureja bachtiarica. In two years, the highest chlorophyll content (1.41-1.54 mg.g-1FW) and total phenol content (2.45-2.72 mg.g-1FW) were obtained in methionine (2.5 g.l-1) and phenylalanine (100 µM) treatments by irrigation regimes 3 day interval. The highest essential oil contents (1.09-1.61 %) were obtained from the plants treated by methionine (2.5 g.l-1) and phenylalanine (100 µM) treatments by irrigation regime 3 day interval. The main chemical compounds of essential oil were P-cymene (17.12-19.45 %), gamma-terpinene (18.14-16.87 %) and Carvacrol (45.12-51.24 %) belong of cyclic monoterpenes. The treatments had significant effectiveness on cyclic monoterpens such as alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, germacren-d, carvacrol, thymol and p-cymene. Increasing of essential oil content/composition by use of amino acids was seen. The main components of essential oil in plants treated by proline lesser than other treated plants. In two years of this research amino acids of methionine and phenylalanine mad the most amounts of carvacrol and essential oil content. The monoterpene alcohols in volatile oils of the treated plants with amino acids elicitors considerably were higher than the sesquiterpenes. According to ratio of monoterpenes alcohol to sesquiterpenes in volatile oils of the treated S.bachtiarica with different elicitors, the foliar application of amino acids can improve the odor quality of S.bachtiarica volatile oil. ConclusionFoliar application of methionine (2.5 g.l-1) and phenylalanine (100 µM) treatments better than other treatments increased the morpho-physiological and essential oil attributes. Environmental condition plays such as drought is a key role in plant growth and biosynthesis of different metabolic compounds. The observed variation in shoot yield and phytochemical content of S.bachtiarica during the studied years may related to differences in photoperiod, temperature, solar radiation, precipitation and occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses at different growing seasons. Also amino acids had very important effectiveness on content/composition of essential oil of S.bachtiarica. Generally, treats of methionine and phenylalanine can be a good strategy to improve morpho-physiological characters and essential oil quantity and quality of S.bachtiarica in same climate.
Medicinal Plants
Asma Najarzadeh; Hassan Farahbakhsh; Mehdi Naser Alavi; Rohollah Moradi; Mehdi Naghizadeh
Abstract
Introduction
Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a valuable annual medicinal herb suitable for cultivation in many countries, including Iran. Borage is considered as a native of both Europe and Asia. Several species around the world fall under the denomination of “borage”. The presence of ...
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Introduction
Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a valuable annual medicinal herb suitable for cultivation in many countries, including Iran. Borage is considered as a native of both Europe and Asia. Several species around the world fall under the denomination of “borage”. The presence of the γ-linolenic acid in the seeds of borage makes borage distinctively important mainly for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical research. γ-Linolenic acid is an omega -6 polyunsaturated fatty acid which cannot be synthesized in the body and hence falls into the category of essential fatty acids (Evesh et al., 2019).
Chemical fertilizer is an indispensable abiotic factor in agricultural production, especially nitrogen fertilizer. However, in order to improve the yield, people fertilize a lot, which not only wastes resources, but also brings a series of serious problems to the environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions, soil fertility degradation and water resources pollution. Therefore, developing new fertilizers, improving crop nutrient utilization efficiency, replacing chemical fertilizers and reducing environmental pollution is an important direction of agricultural sustainable developme (Zhang et al ., 2020).
Biochar is a carbon rich product formed by pyrolysis of agricultural and forestry wastes under limited air availability. It is generally alkaline in nature, with the characteristics of rich carbon content, large specific surface area and strong adsorption. Biochar addition can reduce soil bulk density and increase porosity, pH, water holding capacity and nutrient content. Additionally, the unique physical properties of biochar can also promote the colonization and growth of some specific microorganisms, which may participate in the mineralization of biochar and promote nutrient cycling. Therefore, biochar has been widely used on improving soil quality and increasing crop productivity. Biochar has a positive effect on root structure and nutrient absorption of plant. Several studies have shown biochar can significantly increase the root length, root biomass, root surface area and specific root length. The study also found that biochar significantly increased the number of plant root tips, the most active part of root, and then increased the ability of plants to absorb nutrients from soil (Zhang et al, 2020).
Materials and Methods
In order to evaluate the effect of damask rose waste (DRW), walnut green skin waste (WGW) and cow manure biochars on biochemical, physiological and yield characteristics of European borage, an experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design at the greenhouse conditions in Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. The experimental treatments contain: without of biochar (control), biochars of cow manure (0.75%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% w/w), walnut green skin biochar (WGW) (0.75%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% w/w) and damask rose waste biochar (DRW) (0.75, 1.25, 2.5 and 5% w/w). The physicochemical properties of the biochars and soil were analyzed. Five seeds were planted in three-kilogram pots at a depth of 1.5 to 2 cm. The greenhouse was maintained at an average temperature of 25 °C during the day and 20 °C at night, with a relative humidity level of 60%. Upon concluding the experiment, various biochemical, physiological, and functional characteristics of European borage were assessed and measured.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that DRW (60%) and WGW (13%) biochars had the highest and lowest amount of stable organic carbon, respectively. The investigated treatments significantly (p≤ 0.01) affected the biochemical, physiological and performance traits of European borage. Application of DRW and manure biochars caused a significant (p ≤ 0.01) increase in yield and photosynthetic pigments of European borage compared to the control. Applying WGW biochar at the level of 2.5% increased the shoot dry weight of the plant by 119% compared to the control treatment. Application of 1.25% of cow manure biochar also increased the shoot dry weight by 29.7%. WGW biochar applying not only had no positive effect on the growth and yield of the European borage, but also lead the decreasing growth and prevent flower production of borage. The highest CAT activity related to applying 2.5% of DRW biochar and 1.25% of manure biochar. Application of WGW in concentration of 0.75% significantly increased the proline contents. Using biochar improves soil fertility.
Conclusion
In general, applying DRW biochar in concentration of 2.5% and cow manure biochar in concentration of 1.25% were the most suitable treatments.
Heshmat Omidi; Fatemeh Pirjalili; Khadijeh Ahmadi
Abstract
Introduction: Water deficit is one of the major abiotic stresses, which adversely affects crop growth and yield. Plants use two different strategies, including drought avoidance and drought tolerance to grow under drought stress. Drought avoidance species are able to have a normal growth, which is due ...
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Introduction: Water deficit is one of the major abiotic stresses, which adversely affects crop growth and yield. Plants use two different strategies, including drought avoidance and drought tolerance to grow under drought stress. Drought avoidance species are able to have a normal growth, which is due to: 1) efficient and fast metabolism, 2) high uptake of water and nutrients, and 3) little production of secondary metabolites under deficient water conditions. While drought tolerance species maintain their regular growth, under drought stress, by: 1) adjustment of osmotic potential, 2) changes in cell wall properties, and 3) production of antioxidants and secondary metabolites, these species under prolong drought, and irrespective of plant type, plant produces higher rate of secondary metabolites, as a non-enzymatic mechanism. Such products are able to maintain plant activities, under oxidative stress, and in the presence of high rate of reactive oxygen species. Medicinal plants, including Balangu (Lallemantia royleana Benth.), are cultivated across different parts of the world including Iran for food and biodiesel purposes. Investigating the effects of drought stress on the production of secondary compounds by medicinal plants is an important issue. According to the previous studies drought stress increases the production of secondary compounds affecting the quality of medicinal plants. This must be considered when developing tolerant medicinal plants under stress, especially if the quality of medicinal plants is of higher importance than their quantity. The tolerance of medicinal plants is different under stress. Due to the importance of drought and its effects on the growth and the quality of medicinal plants, in this research the effects of stress intensity and plant species on the growth and physiology (including the medicinal contents) of Balangu plants were investigated. To our knowledge, there are not much data on such effects. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of drought stress on: 1) Balangu growth and yield, and 2) Balangu physiology including the activities of morphological traits, yield components and oil yield and the production of antioxidant enzyme affecting plant medicinal content. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to investigate grain yield, yield components, and superoxide dismutase enzyme in three populations of Balangu (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) under drought stress. This study was conducted as a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Shahed University during 2013-2014 growing season. The main factor consisted of four levels of drought stress (soil moisture content of -0.5, -3.5, -6.5 and -9 atm) and three Balangu Shirazi populations (Mashhad, Kerman and Taleghan) as sub-factors were considered. The main factor included drought stress levels at four levels (soil moisture content of -0.5, -3.5, -6.5 and -9 atm) and three Balangu Shirazi populations (Mashhad, Kerman and Taleghan) were considered as sub-plots. Measured traits were included root length, plant height, fresh and dry weight per plant, grain yield, grain yield components, mucilage percent and yield. In order to study the morphological traits, seven plants of each plot were selected with consideration of marginal impacts. About four square meters of each plot was harvested at maturity for determination of yield and its components.. The analysis of variance was does through SAS 9.12 statistical program and the means were compared by Duncan's multiple range test in 5% level. Results and Discussion: A set of yield and biochemical properties of three different species of Balangu which were affected by drought levels were determined. According to the analysis of variance the yield and biochemical properties of Balangu were significantly affected by drought, and there were significant differences between three species. The results showed that drought stress had a significant effect on growth components, yield components, grain yield, and oil yield and superoxide dismutase enzyme. With decrease of soil water content, plant height traits (24.73 cm), the number of branches (5.44), fresh (17.36 g) and dry (3.80 g) weight of plant, 1000-grain weight (1.51 g), harvest index (6.41 %), grain yield (157 kg.ha-1) and oil yield (37.77 kg.ha-1) decreased. Root length and superoxide dismutase content increased by 24.02 and 66.63% under severe stress compared to no stress condition, respectively. The highest grain and oil yield was obtained in Mashhad population under drought stress. In relatively severe stress conditions, the grain and oil yield of Taleghan population increased with the mean of 315.75 and 86.5 kg.ha-1, respectively. Under drought stress levels, the lowest reduction was observed in some growth characteristics and grain yield of Kerman population. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that drought stress at flowering stage increased root length and superoxide dismutase enzyme of the studied populations. Furthermore morphological traits, grain yield components, harvest index, relative water content, grain yield and seed oil of Balangu populations were decreased. The highest seed and oil yield gained under moderate stress which belongs to Taleghan population and Mashhad population revealed the highest seed and oil yield under mild stress. Therefore, given the high stresses, introducing high-yielding populations under relatively severe stresses can lead to water use efficiency and irrigation management. Finally, the production of Taleghan population under relatively severe conditions such as arid and semi-arid cropping systems is recommended.
Nasrin Shahabi; Alireza Abdali Mashhadi; Mohammad Hossein Gharineh; Amin Lotfi Jalal Abadi
Abstract
Introduction: The German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is an annual herb from the Asteraceae family. This plant has many medicinal uses. Chamazulene, α-bisabolone oxide A and b-farnesene are part of essential oil components of German chamomile. Chamomile causes the chamomile essential oil ...
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Introduction: The German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is an annual herb from the Asteraceae family. This plant has many medicinal uses. Chamazulene, α-bisabolone oxide A and b-farnesene are part of essential oil components of German chamomile. Chamomile causes the chamomile essential oil to turn blue color. Chamazulene is the most important part of chamomile essential oil. Chamazulene has many therapeutic properties, including lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides and generally having a high anti-concentration effect of lipoprotein (Hyperlipidemia) in the blood. Most plants are more vulnerable in the early stages of growth. Within a region with adverse climatic conditions, microclimate can make more survival possible for the plants. In very warm and dry areas, in furrow sowing condition, seeds sowing in the bed of furrow in the different geographical orientations causes the formation of microclimates, especially in short plants and at the germination and seedling stages. For example, salt accumulation on the ridge and reducing soil salt in the bed of furrowimprove growth conditionsand on the other hand, shading the ridge on the furrow, by reducing the time of sunlight shining on the furrow bed reduces soil temperature and evapotranspiration in early stages of seedling growth. The geographical orientations of the sowing can affect the shading period time of the ridgeon bedfurrow.
Materials and Methods: Under low irrigation and saline-sodic soil condition (At a depth of 0 to 30 cm, with an average electrical conductivity of 7.7 dS.m-1, pH 7.7, silty clay soil texture, 1% organic matter and with an altitude of 22 meters above sea level), a field experiment conducted in a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (North East of Ahvaz, 2016-2017). The experimental treatments were included the geographical orientations of sowing rows (control (nonlinear flat sowing) and orientations of sowing rows in the North-South, East-West, North East-South West, North West-South East) and chamomile landraces (Ahvaz, Isfahan, and Shiraz).The traits that were studied included: plant height, diameter of main stem, light extinction coefficient, capitule diameter, dry weight of 10 inflorescences, number of flowers per plant, number of stems per plant, dry inflorescence yield, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield, biological yield, percentage of chamazulene, α-Bisabolone oxide A and b-Farnesene in essential oil .
Results and Discussion: Experimental factors had no significant effect on dry weight of 10 inflorescences and capitule diameter. The lowest light extinction coefficient was observed in nonlinear flat sowing. The landraces had no significant effect on main stem diameter but the effect of geographical orientations of sowing rows were significant. The lowest and highest diameter of main stem were obtained from nonlinear flat sowing, respectively. The main effect of geographical orientations of sowing rows and interaction of populations and geographical orientations of sowing rows on number of stems per plant were significant. The highest number of stems per plant (15.2) was obtained from Shiraz landrace and northwest-southeast geographical orientation but the lowest number of stems per plant was in Shiraz landrace and nonlinear flat sowing (8.7). In both the highest and the lowest number of stems per plant, the landrace of Shiraz was common, this indicates a high effect of geographical orientations of sowing rows on this trait. The highest and the lowest of number of flowers per plant was observed in Isfahan landrace in north-south orientation (78.5) and Shiraz landrace and nonlinear flat sowing (49.5), respectively. The highest number of flowers per plant, dry inflorescence yield, and the highest biological yield were obtained from Isfahan landrace in the north-south, north-south and north west-south east orientations, respectively. The highest essential oil percentage was obtained from the Isfahan landrace (East-West orientation). The lowest and highest yield of essential oil was observed in Isfahan landrace and in nonlinear flat sowing and east-west direction, respectively, which increased by 221%. Isfahan landrace received different signals due to different climatic conditions (Ahwaz) compared to the main region (Isfahan) and this increased the percentage and yield of essential oil even more than native landrace (Ahwaz population). The highest percentage of chamazulene, b-Farnesene, and α-bisabolone oxide were shown in the Ahwaz (north-south), Shiraz (south west-north east) and Isfahan (north to south) landraces, respectively.
Conclusion: Isfahan non-native landrace had higher biological yield (northwest-southeast orientation) and essential oil percentage (east-west orientation) and essential oil yield (east-west orientation) than Shiraz and Ahwaz native landraces. Generally, row sowing in the furrow and in a suitable geographical orientation can be a low-cost method to increase crop productivity.
Mohammad Behzad Amiri; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Mohsen Jahan
Abstract
Introduction: Maintenance of soil fertility as a permanent bed for continuous production of agricultural products is one of the most important issues affecting the sustainability of food production. In order to achieve healthy food production, application of ecological inputs such as organic fertilizers ...
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Introduction: Maintenance of soil fertility as a permanent bed for continuous production of agricultural products is one of the most important issues affecting the sustainability of food production. In order to achieve healthy food production, application of ecological inputs such as organic fertilizers are inevitable. Organic fertilizers are fertilizer compounds that contain one or more kinds of organic matter. They can improve the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients. They create a beneficial environment for earthworms and microbial organisms that break the soil down into rich, fine humus. Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost can greatly enhance the physical structure of soil. The addition of compost may provide greater drought resistance and more efficient water utilization. Vermicompost is the final product of composting organic material using different types of worms, such as red wigglers or earthworms, to create a homogenized blend of decomposed vegetable and food waste, bedding materials and manure. Vermicompost helps store nutrients and keeps them safe from leeching and irrigation, functioning to balance hormones within plant physiology, and adding beneficial biology to soil. Vermicompost improves soil aeration, enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding enzymes such as phosphatase and cellulose), attracts deep-burrowing earthworms already present in the soil and improves water holding capacity, enhances germination, plant growth and crop yield, improves root growth and structure. Cow manure is an excellent fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients. It also adds organic matter to the soil which may improve soil structure, aeration, soil moisture-holding capacity, and water infiltration. Plant density is the number of individuals of a given plants that occurs within a given sample unit or study area. Planting density can impact the overall health of plants. Plantings that are too sparse (the density is too low) may be more susceptible to weeds, while planting that are too dense might force plants to compete over scarce nutrients and water and cause stunted growth. Despite of many researches on the effect of organic fertilizers and plant density on different crops, information on the effects of these factors for many medicinal plants is scarce, therefore, in this study effect of organic fertilizers and plant density on morphological characteristics and yield of Echium amoenum in a low input cropping system was studied.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of different fertilizers on quantitative characteristics of Echium amoenum at different plant densities, a factorial experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2011-2013 growing seasons, in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Experimental factors included three plant densities (10, 5 and 3 plant per m2) and five different types of organic and chemical fertilizers (municipal waste compost, vermicompost, cow manure, chemical (urea) fertilizer and control).
Results and Discussion: The results showed that with reduction of plant density, effect of organic fertilizers on increasing the flower yield was exacerbated and at the lowest density, municipal waste compost, vermicompost and cow manures increased flower yield 112, 79 and 223% compared to control, respectively. In all studied densities, length of lateral branches in conditions of organic fertilizers application was more than control. Municipal waste compost, vermicompost, cow manure and chemical fertilizer increased total phenol 106, 54, 66 and 173% compared to control, respectively. In plant mean density (5 plant per m2), application of municipal waste compost, vermicompost and cow manure increased total anthocyanin 83, 74 and 57% compared to control, respectively. In general, result of this study showed that application of organic and chemical fertilizers at optimal plant densities, can improve growth characteristics and quantitative and qualitative yield of Echium amoenum.Organic fertilizers are the most significant resources for development of agricultural soil quality and increase in the yield of different medicinal plants. It has been reported that this ecological inputs provide favorable conditions for plant growth and development through improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, therefore, it can be concluded that improvement of the most studied traits in the present study were due to use of organic fertilizers. Fallahi et al., (20) have reported the positive effects of organic fertilizers on the improvement of quantitative and qualitative characteristics in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.). It seems that plants compete with each other over scarce nutrients and water in high plant density and cause stunted growth. Some other studies have reported that suitable plant density can increase the growth and yield of some medicinal plants such as coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), Ajwain (Carum copticum L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.).
Conclusion: In general, results of this study showed that application of organic and chemical fertilizers at optimal plant densities, while improving growth and yield characteristics of Echium amoenum flower can be ensured health of production of this important medicinal plant.
Zeinab Safaei; Majid Azizi; Hossein Arouiee; Gholamhossein Davarynejad
Abstract
Introduction: Nigella sativa L. is one of the herbs that has a variety of uses and has been used in Iran’s traditional medicine since old times. Today this plant is considered as one of the most important kinds of medicine. Almost all the metabolic activities of plant cells, including the construction ...
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Introduction: Nigella sativa L. is one of the herbs that has a variety of uses and has been used in Iran’s traditional medicine since old times. Today this plant is considered as one of the most important kinds of medicine. Almost all the metabolic activities of plant cells, including the construction of active ingredients in medicinal plants, depend on lack of absorbable water by plants can lead to the morphological, physiological and biochemical changes, including decrease of cell swelling and growth and thus reduction of leaf area and plant height, stomatal closure and photosynthesis restriction, increase of soluble compounds for regulating the osmotic pressure, reduction of nutrient absorption and ultimately reduction of crop production. The use of anti-transpiration compounds is considered as a promising tool for the regulation of transpiration in respect of water conservation at an optimal level, where the strategies such as the use of anti-transpiration compounds have the potential for transpiration regulation. The aim of the present study is to improve the yield and yield components of medicinal plant N. sativa by anti-transpiration compounds under drought stress conditions.
Materials and Methods: The research was done using a split plot experiment on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The irrigation intervals (8 and 16 days) in main plots and anti-transpiration compounds of chitosan (0.25, 0.5 and 1 %), Plantago psyllium mucilage (0.5, 1 and 1.5 %) and arabic gum (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 %) were put in subplots with three replications. Also, the distance between the main plots in each block and distance between the two blocks were assigned as 100 cm and 200 cm, respectively; so that the moisture content of a plot had no effect on the adjacent plots. Planting date was April 16 and planting was performed by hand in 0.5cm-deep furrows. Anti-transpiration compounds were sprayed simultaneously with applying drought stress till the flowering stage once a week at sunset. Plant height, leaf area index, irrigation water efficiency index, leaf temperature and stomatal conductance were measured.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that there were significant differences between treatments in all studied traits. The best rate of the measured traits was observed at 8-day irrigation interval and chitosan treatment. Providing plant favorite conditions such as reducing plant temperature, increasing morphological traits comparing to rainfed at 16-day irrigation interval. Applying arabic gum did not improve growth but acted as a growth inhibitor. Anti-transpiration compounds led to significant changes in all the studied traits compared to the control, indicating the effectiveness of these natural compounds. Chitosan stimulating abscisic acid synthesis in the treated plant would result in stomatal closure, reduction of stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and water content. It also pointed out that the anti-transpiration effect of chitosan was because of its stimulatory effect in increasing abscisic acid concentration in the treated leaves of bean plant. As the above compounds are natural and biodegradable, as well as safer and less expensive than other chemical anti-transpiration compounds, they can serve as a good alternative to the chemical compounds. Cognition and expertise in water relations of plant and drought stress tolerance is considered as the main program in agriculture and the ability to withstand this stress is of great economic importance.
Conclusion: The important processes, including nutrition, photosynthes is, stomatal opening and closure and growth are all influenced by water. In this study, it was observed canopy temperature and stomatal conductance would increase at 16-day irrigation interval, where the increase is considered as a drought tolerance mechanism. Also, the anti-transpiration compounds led to significant changes in terms of all the studied traits compared to the control, indicating the effectiveness of theses natural compounds. Providing the appropriate conditions, 1% chitosan treatment can enhance the yield under drought stress. Spraying by arabic gum did not improve the growth conditions. According to this experiment, 1% chitosan treatment and 1.5% Plantago psyllium mucilage is considered the most appropriate strategy to enhance the yield of Nigella sativa under drought stress.
Fatemeh Salimi; Mohammad Fattahi; Javad Hamzei
Abstract
Introduction: Medicinal plants contain antioxidant compounds are benefits to human health and celery as a medicinal plant, is rich in antioxidant. Celery (Apiumgraveolens L.) seed has a lot of essential oil (EO) and this EOs has long been used for fragrance industries, spice, pharmacological and cure ...
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Introduction: Medicinal plants contain antioxidant compounds are benefits to human health and celery as a medicinal plant, is rich in antioxidant. Celery (Apiumgraveolens L.) seed has a lot of essential oil (EO) and this EOs has long been used for fragrance industries, spice, pharmacological and cure diseases. EO for celery seeds is 1.5-3% (v/w). Although a number of methods are applied for the acquisition of essential oils, the most frequently used method is steam distillation. Among EO extraction methods, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is an inexpensive, simple, and efficient extraction technique. This is most likely due to the intensification of mass transport and to the facilitation of solvent penetration into plant tissues which are damaged by the ultrasounds. Response surface methodology (RSM) is a powerful mathematical model with a collection of statistical techniques where in, interactions between multiple process variables can be identified with fewer experimental trials. It is widely used to examine and optimize the operational variables for experiment designing, model developing and factors and condition optimization. Antioxidants deactivate free radicals before they can damage to the bimolecular cells structure. In the present study, to find effective antioxidant constitutes of EO, antioxidant activity were determined using DPPH scavenging assay and FRAP methods.
Materials and Methods: In this research, the effect of seed to water ratio (X1), ultrasonic time (X2), and extraction time (X3) on essential oil extraction (v/w) from wild celery seeds were evaluated by the following equations. Antioxidant activity ofEO was measured via two methods of FRAP, and %DPPH30min.
%EO (v/w) = 1.200000 + 0.075000 X1 -0.300000X2 + 0.875000X3 + 0.725000X12 – 0.825000X22 + 0.725000X32+ 0.300000X1X2 – 0.150000X1X3 + 0.300000X2X3
%DPPH30min = 60.4136 + 6.3782 X1 -22.7935X2 + 3.7569X3 – 8.0662X12 – 45.5443X22 – 13.5193X32- 6.6459X1X2 – 5.8430X1X3 + 21.7333X2X3
FRAP (µMFe+2/50µl EO) = 1432.94+ 166.65 X1 + 166.22X2 + 126.29X3 – 384.48X12 – 1215.25X22 – 322.43X32- 87.85X1X2 + 575.35X1X3 – 219.80X2X3
For optimization of EO extraction conditions, the RSM method was used. A Box–Behnken design (BBD) with three center points was used to study the effects of three independent variables, water to seed ratio (X1), ultrasonic time (X2), and extraction time (X3) on three dependent responses (EO, %DPPH30min, and FRAP). The independent variables were transformed to three levels (−1, 0, 1), and the complete design consisted of 15 experimental runs with three replications of the center points. The following quadratic polynomial model was fitted to the predicted responses of EO, %DPPH30min, and FRAP with changing water to seed ratio (X1 = 375, 500, and 625 ml water to 35g seed); ultrasonic time (X2= 10, 20, and 30 min); and extraction time (X3=1, 2, and 3 h) in extraction samples; Where EO, %DPPH30min, and FRAP stands (Yn) for the predicted responses for X1–X3; b0 is the constant coefficient; b1, b2, and b3 are the linear coefficients; b11, b22, and b33 are the quadratic coefficients; and b12, b13, and b23 are the cross-coefficients. The accuracy of the estimated coefficient was analyzed by ANOVA method and the model accuracy was obtained using the F test at 1 and 5 % by indicating coefficient R2.
Yn = b0 +
Results and DiscussionAccording to the results, the best ratio of treatments (optimized condition) was 35g seed to 625 ml water ratio, ultrasonic time of 20 min, and extraction time of 3h. At this optimization conditions, the ratio of 35g seed/625 ml water, non-using ultrasonic, and extraction time of 3h was used as a control treatment. Under optimized condition, the highest essential oil percentage (v/w) and antioxidant activity with styles of FRAP, and %DPPH30min was obtained 2.33% (v/w), 1513.6µMFe+2/50µl EO and 48.52%, respectively. However, at the control treatment, the highest essential oil percentage (v/w) and antioxidant activity with styles of FRAP, and %DPPH30minwas revealed at 1.45 % (v/w), 1064µMFe+2/50µl EO and 29.30%, respectively. In the study of optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of anthocyanins from mulberry, using response surface methodology and also, optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of pomegranate seed oil were shown similarity results.
ConclusionsThe values of adjusted R-squared (0.9972, 0.9598, 0.9472) for the equation are reasonably close to 1, indicated a high degree of correlation between the observed and predicted values. Therefore, the experimental values were agreed with those predicted by RSM models, and it suggested that using RSM method foroptimization of extraction condition is suitable. Furthermore, application of ultrasonic technology increased essential oil extraction and its antioxidant activity. In addition, results indicated that the UAE method is a powerful tool for the extraction essential oil from seeds.
Zeinab Aghakhani; Majid Azizi; Hossein Arouiee
Abstract
Introduction: Evening primrose (OenotherabiennisL.) is a relatively new and valuable oilseed crop for temperate region. Its oilseed is important because of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid. Seeds contain 20-30% oil which includes 70% linoleic acid (LA) and 10% gamma ...
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Introduction: Evening primrose (OenotherabiennisL.) is a relatively new and valuable oilseed crop for temperate region. Its oilseed is important because of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid. Seeds contain 20-30% oil which includes 70% linoleic acid (LA) and 10% gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Oil content in O. biennis is a quantitative trait which controlled by many genes and similar to any other quantitative traits varies with environmental conditionssuch factors as age of seed and growth conditions. Evening primrose oil, especially gamma-linolenic acid, has many therapeutic properties, and it uses as cure for many diseases such as Diabetes, Eczema, inflammation, Cardiovascular, Cancer, Autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression. Studies on Medicinal Plants in nature and farmlands show that the use of sustainable agriculturae andnatural sources are two suitable methods for producing healthy plants.Additionally, the use of bio-fertilizers lead to maximum yield and quality in these plants. Azizi et al.(6) showed that interactions of vermicompost and plant density had significant effect on oil content, oil density and refractive index of evening primrose oil. The best treatments were also including 2 Kg/m2 of vermicompost,20 plants/ m2in terms of oil production,9 plants/ m2in terms of oil quality and ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated, respectively.
Material and Method: The aim of this research was to determine the effect of humic acid and bio-phosphor application on growth parameters in O. biennis. The experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with 8 treatments and three replicates during 2013-2014 growing season, at the experimental farm of the faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.. Treatments consisted of 4 levels of humic acid (0, 1, 3, 5 ml/L) and 2 levels of bio-phosphor (without bio-phosphor or with bio-phosphor). Liquid form of humic acid was used, which has low percentage of organic matters (16.5%) and applied as foliar spray after stem elongation in three stages with 10 days intervals until flowers stage. The use of bio-phosphor contain three strains of phosphate solubilizing bacteria(Pseudomonas pautida, Bacillus circulans and Bacillus subtilus) withCFU 108 numbers of spores (the number of living cells of each bacteria per milliliter). Analysis of variance was calculated using MSTATC andDuncan's multiple range tests was employed at probability level of 5%.
Results and Discussion: The results showed thatmaximum plant height (85.59 cm),number of seed per capsules on main shoot (251.17), oil percent (21.75 %) was obtainedby interaction effect between 5 ml/Lhumic acid and without bio-phosphor. Also, seed yield (1080 kg/ha) and oil yield (227 kg/ha) increased byinteraction effect between 3 ml/Lhumic acid and without bio-phosphor. Humic acid had a significant effect on increasing number of lateral branches (26/8), number of capsules on main shoot (117/35), as the highest value of all traits were obtained in 5 ml/L humic acid treatment. The highest number of capsules in lateral branches was observed in bio-phosphor treatment without humic acid. Bio-phosphor application had no significant effect on increasing oil percent. Oil yield was reduced by using of this fertilizer with 1ml/L humic acid treatment but application of 3 and 5 ml/L of humic acid showed no significant difference in comparison to control. Ahmed et al.reported that humic acid is a suspension based on potassium humate, which can be used as a plant growth stimulant in order to increase plant natural resistance against diseases and pests and subsequently increase plant yields. Phosphorus is an important element for cell division, root development and seed formation. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria produce organic acids which increase solubility of phosphorus and make it available for plants. Use of bio-fertilizers not only improves plant structure and activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, also it provides good availability of water and nutrients which finally improve plant yield. It can be said that foliar spray by humic acid stimulates plant growth and increaseevening primrose oil content.
Conclusions: Application of 3 and 5 ml/L of humic acid had the best results on traits andinteraction effect between humic acid and bio-phosphor showed positive effects on all traits except oil percent and oil yield. Generally, humic acid had positive effect on plant growth, oil yield, content and composition. Although, bio-phosphor had good effect on seed yield as a growth trait,its application with humic acid improved this trait.While bio-phosphor had no significant effect on oil content, it can be relative impact on oil composition.
Mohammad Behzad Amiri; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Mohsen Jahan
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, the effect of ecological inputs on soil properties and plant growth characteristics has received renewed attention. Although the utilization of mineral fertilizers could be viewed as the best solution in plant productivity, this approach is often inefficient in the long-term ...
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Introduction: In recent years, the effect of ecological inputs on soil properties and plant growth characteristics has received renewed attention. Although the utilization of mineral fertilizers could be viewed as the best solution in plant productivity, this approach is often inefficient in the long-term in many ecosystems due to the limited ability of low-activity clay soils to retain nutrients. Intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural systems is also known to have irreversible effects on soil and water resources. Maintenance of soil fertility as a permanent bed for continuous production of agricultural products is one of the most important issues affecting the sustainability of food production. In order to achieve healthy food production, application of ecological inputs such as soil amendments and bio-fertilizers is inevitable. Humic substances are a group of heterogeneous molecules that are bonded together by weak forces; therefore, they have a high chemical stability. This material included 65 to 80 percent of total soil organic matter. Application of bio-fertilizers is an appropriate alternative of chemical fertilizers to enhance soil fertility. In fact, bio-fertilizers include different types of free living organisms that convert unavailable nutrients to available forms and enhance root development and better seed germination. Mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi are coexist microorganisms that improve soil fertility, nutrients cycling and agroecosystem health. Mycorrhizal fungi are the most abundant organisms in agricultural soils. Many researchers have pointed to the positive roles of mycorrhizal fungi on plants growth characteristics. Echium amoenum is a perennial plant belongs to Boraginaceae family. This plant is native of North of Iran. Petal extract of E. amoenum have sedative, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects. These plants are wild perennial herbs and known in Iran as oxtongue. It is one of the most important medicinal plants in Iranian traditional medicine. Petals of Iranian oxtongue have been advocated for a variety of effects such as demulcent, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, especially for common cold, anxiolytic, sedative and other psychiatric symptoms including obsession in folk medicine of Iran. Despite many research on the effects of organic acids and bio-fertilizers on different crops, there is scarce information on the effects of these factors for many medicinal plants. Therefore, in this study effect of organic acids and bio-fertilizers on morphological characteristics and yield of Echium amoenum in a low input cropping system was studied.
Materials and methods: In order to evaluate the effects of soil amendments and different bio-fertilizers on morphological characteristics and seed yield of Echium amoenum, an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2011-2013 growing seasons, at the Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Treatments were eight different types of soil amendments and bio-fertilizers concluding: 1) Humic acid, 2) Fulvic acid, 3) Nitroxin® (Azotobacter spp. and Azospirillum spp.), 4) Biophosphorous® (Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.), 5) Biosulfur® (Thiobacillus spp.), 6) Mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae), 7) Mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices), and 8) no fertilizer as control.
Result and Discussion: The results showed that mycorrhiza species increased flower yield compared with control, as the flower yield in treatments of G. mosseae and G. intraradices were 24 and 11 percent more than control, respectively. Soil amendments and different bio-fertilizers increased the number of flower cycle per plant compared with control. Although the effect of biophosphorous® was more pronounced, as the number of flower cycle per plant increased from 342 to 1322 cycles in control and biophosphorous® , respectively. Humic acid treatment increased seed yield, biological yield, seed weight and seed number per plant by 82, 66, 63 and 66 percent compared with control, respectively. It seems that different species of mycorrhiza improved morphological characteristics and yield of Echium amoenum, because of better conditions to absorption and transportation of nutrient to the plant. It has been reported that organic acids provide favorable conditions for plant growth and development through improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Therefore, it could be concluded that improvement of most studied traits in the present study was as a result of use of organic acids.
Conclusions: Generally, our results showed that organic acids and biological fertilizers had positive effects on most of studied criteria. The highest flower and seed yields were obtained from G. mosseae and Humic acid treatments, respectively.
Mohammadtaghi Ebadi; Majid Azizi; Fatemeh Sefidkon; Noorollah Ahmadi
Abstract
Introduction: Organic fertilizers with beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability help maintain yield and quality, and they are less costly than synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are two organic fertilizers that they contain a biologically active mixture of bacteria, ...
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Introduction: Organic fertilizers with beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability help maintain yield and quality, and they are less costly than synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are two organic fertilizers that they contain a biologically active mixture of bacteria, enzymes and phytohormones, also these organic fertilizers can supply the nutritional needs of plants. Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora Kunth, Verbenaceae) is an evergreen perennial aromatic plant. The lemon-scented essential oil from the lemon verbena has been widely used for its digestive, relaxing, antimalarial and lemony flavor properties. In order to decrease the use of chemical fertilizers for reduction of environmental pollution, this research was undertaken to determine effects of vermicompost and vermiwash in comparison with chemical fertilizer on leaf yield, essential oil content and composition of lemon verbena.
Materials and Methods: A pot experiment based on a completely randomized design with six treatments and three replications on Lemon verbena was carried out in the experimental greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 2012. Treatments consisted of 10, 20 and 30 % by volume of vermicompost and vermiwash (with an addition to irrigation in three steps, including: two weeks after the establishment of plants in pots, the appearing of branches and three weeks before harvest), complete fertilizer and control without any fertilizer. Each replication contained six pots and each pot contained one plant of Lemon verbena provided from Institute of Medicinal Plants, Karaj, therefore 108 pots were used in this experiment. The pots were filled up by a mixture contained 3/5 soil and 2/5 sand (v/v). After three months, plant aerial parts were harvested concomitantly at starting of the flowering stage. Aerial parts were dried at room temperature for 72 hours and dry weights of dried branches and leaves were measured. For isolation of essential oils, about 20 g of dried leaves (three replications of each treatment) was subjected to hydro-distillation for 2 h with a Clevenger apparatus. The extracted essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and then they analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software and means compared with Duncan's multiple range test.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that differences between treated plants with organic fertilizers were not significant for aerial part yield, but leaf yield and essential oil content were affected by fertilizer type (p
Sarah Khorasaninejad; Hassan Soltanloo; Javad Hadian; Sadegh Atashi
Abstract
Introduction: Plants are usually exposed to different environmental stresses which limit their growth and productivity as well as cause considerable loss of worldwide agricultural production. One of the most important factors affecting plant and production of secondary metabolites is the salt stress. ...
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Introduction: Plants are usually exposed to different environmental stresses which limit their growth and productivity as well as cause considerable loss of worldwide agricultural production. One of the most important factors affecting plant and production of secondary metabolites is the salt stress. Salinity of soil or water is one of major stress, obstacles to increase production in plant growing areas throughout the world and especially in arid and semi-arid regions it can severely limit plant production. Iran is among the world's arid and semi-arid land, and faces water resources shortage and saline lands. According to the concept of sustainable development and role of Agriculture, using saline water and soil resources seems mandatory. Recently, medicinal and aromatic plants have received much attention in several fields such as agroalimentary, perfumes, pharmaceutical industries and natural cosmetic products. Although, secondary metabolites in the medicinal and aromatic plants were fundamentally produced by genetic processing, but, their biosynthesis are strongly influenced by environmental factors. It means that biotic and abiotic environmental factors affect growth parameter, essential oil yield and constituents. Abiotic environmental stresses, especially salinity and drought have the most effect on medicinal plant. Medicinal plants cultivation is one of ways to exploit these resources. Essential oils help to easier adapt to the environmental stress conditions. Also, essential oils are not constantly in the quantitative and qualitative terms. They are changing continuously, due to the requirements of the environment, and to individual survival. The different results were dedicated from the effect of salinity stress on the quantitative and qualitative parameters. Lavender (Lavandula angustifulia Miller) is a perennial woody medicinal plant that cultivated for its an essential oil in leafs and flowers. Major parts of Lavender produces essential oil are flowers and leaves.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications to study the effect of salinity stress on growth parameters, essential oil constituents and yield of Lavender (Lavandula angustifulia) at the Horticultural Sciences Department, Plant Product faculty, Gorgan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Lavender plants were obtained from seed plantation. The seeds in this investigation were obtained from the Institution of Forests and Range researches in Tehran. After three weeks stratification (4ºC) and germination, five plants were transplanted into similarized pots that were filled with perlite and cocopeat (2:1). Irrigation treatments with hydroponic solution were completed during germination until stage of 6-8 leaf. Then, five levels of salt stress, including 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl levels were investigated during four months, applied in hydroponic. Length, shoot wet weight, root wet weight and root dry weight were measured at full flowering stage (after five months). The same time in order to evaluate percentage and composition essential oil, each plant were harvested and dried under room condition. After two weeks, Clevenger method was used to extract the essential oil from the plant foliage. The obtained essential oil were measured for calculating of essential oils percentage and then, analyzed by using GC/MS (Gas choromatography-mass spectrometry) for identification and quantification of the components. Statistical analysis of data was used with SAS software and charts preparing was done with Excel software. Mean comparison with LSD’s test in 5 percent probability was used.
Results and Discussion: Results indicated that salinity stress motivated a significant influence in all of the growth parameters and essential oil yield and percent in P < 0.05. Increasing salt of the soil led to reduce in stem length, shoot wet weight, root wet weight and root dry weight and increase length of root and leaf essential oil percent at first, and then led to reduce these two parameters.
The highest values of the essential oil percent were obtained from second level of salinity. Also, it was reported that salt stress had a significant effect on yield and percent of essential oil that was similar to our finding. This was reported that percent of essential oil in each plant and composition of essential oil changed. According to the results of this research, salinity treatment significantly increased essential oil percentage in Lavandula angustifulia.
Conclusion: The most important of leaf essential oil component is Borneol that was increased. So, the medium level of salinity stress caused to increase in percent and quality of lavender essential oil.
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.
Moslem Jaberi; Reza Baradaran; Seyyed Gholamreza Mousavi; Mahsa Aghhavani Shajari
Abstract
Introduction Drought is one of the most important factors whichdecrease crop production in arid and semi-arid regions of the world (1, 20). Appropriate nutritional management has an effective role in the resistance to environmental stresses on crops (7). An important issue about sustainability of food ...
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Introduction Drought is one of the most important factors whichdecrease crop production in arid and semi-arid regions of the world (1, 20). Appropriate nutritional management has an effective role in the resistance to environmental stresses on crops (7). An important issue about sustainability of food production is the maintenance of soil fertility through the use of organic matter and biofertilizers. One option to increase agricultural production is the use of beneficial soil microorganisms such as PGPR and fungi (45). This group of bacteria through biological fixation of nitrogen, increase phosphorus and potassium solubility, an increasethe availability of mineral elements in the soil, inhibits pathogen appearance and producehormones that regulate the growth of plants to affect crop yield (18, 47). Mycorrhiza enablesymbiosis with the roots of most crop plants, through the availability of phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients and thus increases water absorption and produces plant hormones, increases resistance to pathogens and environmental stresses, strengthens the soil microbial community and induces improving the growth and performance of plants in agricultural systems (5, 32, 37, 40).Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.)is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 50 cm (14). Since limited water is at very critical level now, the importance of further research in this area is felt. So, the study of medicinal plants considring water management and organic food is very important. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of organic and biofertilizers and irrigation on yield and yield components of fenugreek in Birjand.
Materials and Methods In order to study the effects of irrigation intervals and biofertilizers on quantitative traits and yield of fenugreek, an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on a complete randomized block design with 3replications at the research station, Faculty of Agriculture, Azad University, Birjand, Iran, during 2010-2011. Experimental treatments were irrigation intervals in three levels (every 6, 9 and 12 days) and biofertilizer in five levels (nitroxin, biophosphorus, and micorhyza fungi G. mosseae, G. intraradices and control-no fertilizer). Fenugreek was planted through furrow in mid-April 2010. The distance between rows and between plants was 30 and 10 cm, respectively. Seeds were covered by Nitroxin (including: Azotobacterchroococcum, Azospirillum lipoferum and Azospirillum brasilense) and biophosphrous (including: Pseudomonas fluorescens) and then were cultured.They were used at a depth of 2cm below the seed from Glomusintraradiceand Glomus mosseae. Fenugreek was harvested in early July when the plants became yellow and at least 80% of the pods were reached. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SAS 9.1 and MSTATC. Mean comparison were compared by the Duncan test at 1% and 5% level of probability.
Results and Discussion: Results of statistical analysis showed that irrigation treatments and biofertilizers had significant effect on most indices. Interaction effect of irrigation and biofertilizer were significant on seed and leaf yield (p
Shirin Nateghi; Alireza Pirzad; Reza Darvishzadeh
Abstract
The higher levels of essential elements in soil may be caused in optimum yields and crop quality. So it seems to be necessary to examine different levels of nutrients like Fe and Zn on plants and their productivity. To evaluate effects of iron and zinc application on yield and yield components of Pimpinella ...
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The higher levels of essential elements in soil may be caused in optimum yields and crop quality. So it seems to be necessary to examine different levels of nutrients like Fe and Zn on plants and their productivity. To evaluate effects of iron and zinc application on yield and yield components of Pimpinella anisum an experiment was conducted at the research farm of Urmia University in 2009. Treatments, iron application (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) and zinc (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%), were arranged as factorial based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Results showed the significant effect of interaction between iron and zinc on the number of seed in per plant,1000 seed weight, biomass yield, seed yield and harvest index (HI). The maximum value of the 1000 seed weight (2.22 g) was obtained from 0% of Fe and 0.2% of Zn, whereas the minimum value of the 1000 seed weight (1.92 g) belonged to 2% of iron and 0% of zinc. The highest number of seed per plant (762), maximum value of biomass yield (2652 kg/ha) and highest of seed yield (1372 kg/ha) were obtained from 0.6 and 0.4 percent of Fe and Zn and the lowest number of seed per plant (272), maximum value of biomass yield (716 kg/ha) and highest of seed yield (470 kg/ha) were obtained from 0 and 0.6 percent of Fe and Zn, respectively. The highest HI (66.18) was obtained at control treatment and the lowest one (46.67) at both 0.4 percent of Fe and Zn. The essential oil percent increase in average values of Fe and Zn spraying. But accumulation of Fe and Zn were the maximum in higher levels of spraying.
Ghorbanali Asadi; Ali Momen; Mina Nurzadeh Namaghi; Sorur Khorramdel
Abstract
Application of organic manures is one of the most important strategies for plant nutrition compared to chemical fertilizers, especially in organic management of medicinal plants. In order to evaluate the effects of different organic and chemical fertilizers on yield, yield components and qualitative ...
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Application of organic manures is one of the most important strategies for plant nutrition compared to chemical fertilizers, especially in organic management of medicinal plants. In order to evaluate the effects of different organic and chemical fertilizers on yield, yield components and qualitative characteristics of isabgol (Plantago ovata), a field experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, during growing season of 2011-2012. Treatments included three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (25, 50 and 75 kg.ha-1), three levels of cow manure (5, 10 and 15 t.ha-1) and three levels of vermicompost (2, 4 and 6 t.ha-1) and control.The results showed that the effectof different fertilizers was significant (p≤0.05) on all studied traits except swelling rate of isabgol. The maximum amounts were observed in 6 t.ha-1 vermicompost and 15 t.ha-1 cow manure. The highest seed yield (548.4 kg.ha-1) was observed in 6 t.ha-1 vermicompost that it enhanced up to 26% compared to control. By increasing in organic fertilizers enhanced mucilage content, swelling factor and swelling content of isabgol. The maximum mucilage content and swelling factor were observed in 15 t.ha-1 (with 35.3% and 13.4 ml, respectively). Since, organic matters improved quantitative and qualitative yield of isabgol compared to chemical fertilizer, it concluded that these organic inputs could be regarded as a suitable alternative to enhance the growth and yield of medicinal plants such as isabgol especially in low input systems.
Esmaeil Rezaei Chiyaneh; Saeid Zehtab Salmasi; Alireza Pirzad; Amir Rahimi
Abstract
Although micronutrients effect on growth and yield of different plants has been intensively investigated, but there is limited information on its effect on grain yield and seed oil content of pot marigold) Calendula officinalis L.). In order to investigate the effects of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn) ...
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Although micronutrients effect on growth and yield of different plants has been intensively investigated, but there is limited information on its effect on grain yield and seed oil content of pot marigold) Calendula officinalis L.). In order to investigate the effects of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn) spraying on yield and yield components and seed oil of pot marigold, a field experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of Payame Noor University of Nagadeh in 2010. Treatments included Fe, Zn, Mn, mixed solutions of these elements (Fe+Zn, Fe+Mn, Zn+Mn, Fe+Zn+Mn) and control (water). Treatments were applied in 2 g/litter twice at stem elongation and early flowering stages. Different traits such as plant height, number of capitol per plant, number seed per capitol, thousand seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, seed oil percentage and oil Yield were recorded. The results showed that foliar application of micronutrients had significant effects on all of these traits. Yield components, seed yield, oil percentage and yield were enhanced by foliar application, compared with control (untreated plants). The maximum number seed per capitol, thousand seed weight and biological yield were relevant to Fe treatment. The highest numbers of capitol per plant and seed yield (643.33 kg.ha-1) were relevant to Zn+Fe treatment and the maximum oil yield (124.20 kg.ha-1) was produced by Zn+ Fe+ Mn treatment. Seed yield and oil yield increased by 31.27% and 44.18% yields more than control, respectively. It can be concluded that, foliar application of micronutrients had positive effects to obtain high yield and oil of pot marigold.
Darush Ashoori; Seyyed Ali Noorhosseini; Mohammad Naghi Safarzadeh
Abstract
To study the effect of plant density and planting pattern on Iranian ox-tongue, an experiment carried out with two factors: planting pattern (square and rectangular pattern) and plant density (2, 4, 6, 8 plant m-2) in a factorial test performed based on RCBD in 3 replications during 2009-2010 in Latmahalleh ...
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To study the effect of plant density and planting pattern on Iranian ox-tongue, an experiment carried out with two factors: planting pattern (square and rectangular pattern) and plant density (2, 4, 6, 8 plant m-2) in a factorial test performed based on RCBD in 3 replications during 2009-2010 in Latmahalleh Eshkevarat village in Guilan province, Iran. Characteristics that measured included: dry flowers yield, plant dry-weight, number of inflorescence per plant, number of flower per inflorescence, plant height and flower length. The results indicated that effect of plant density on dry flowers yield, plant dry weight, number of inflorescence per plant, number of flower per inflorescence and flower length (P
Reza Shahhoseini; Reza Omidbaigi; Davood Kiani
Abstract
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most popular medicinal plants that containing essential oil. Essential oil of this plant has been utilized extensively in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biological ...
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Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most popular medicinal plants that containing essential oil. Essential oil of this plant has been utilized extensively in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biological fertilizers of biosulfur, nitroxin and super absorbent polymer and their interactions on the growth and essential oil content of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in the randomized complete block design (RCBD). Aerial parts of plants were harvested at full bloom and evaluated their yield index. All material were air-dried in the shade and subjected to hydrodistillation by Clevenger type apparatus. The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference among the treatments in terms of dry herbage weight at 1% level. The highest yield was obtained in (biosulfur+nitroxin+super absorbent). There was no significant difference in essential oil content according to v/w, but there was the significant difference between treatments in terms of w/w. The highest oil content (w/w) was observed in biosulfur+nitroxin treatment. These differences are probably due to variation in the constituents and specific gravity of the oils.
