Postharvest physiology
M. Kiaeshkevarian; T. Raiesi; B. Moradi; J. Fattahi Moghadam; M. Faghih Nasiri
Abstract
Introduction
Consumers demand for organic products is increasing due to their awareness of health and nutritional quality. Organic manures maintain soil health and ecological balance of the region. Organic agriculture, as an alternative agricultural system to protect human health and the environment ...
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Introduction
Consumers demand for organic products is increasing due to their awareness of health and nutritional quality. Organic manures maintain soil health and ecological balance of the region. Organic agriculture, as an alternative agricultural system to protect human health and the environment can improve the quality and storability of the product. Kiwifruit is one of the most important agricultural products in north of Iran, which plays an effective role in trade and employment of the people. Fertilization is one of the main factors affecting the yield and quality of kiwifruit. Growers use organic manures and chemical fertilizers in their orchard to achieve higher yields. It is necessary to study the effect of various organic manures available in the region on the nutrition of kiwifruit vines due to increase chemical fertilizer prices and the formation of the market for organic fruits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of using five types of organic manures and chemical fertilizer on the quality of Hayward kiwi fruit during cold storage.
Materials and Methods
This research was conducted as randomized complete block design consisting six treatments (including complete chemical fertilizer, sheep manure, cow manure, chicken manure, vermicompost and azolla) on Hayward kiwifruit vines in orchard and factorial experiment with three replicates in cold storage during four years. The fruits were harvested at TSS: 6.5 (approximately mid-November) and then stored at 0.5 ° C and 90% RH for three months. Sampling was performed every month and physicochemical characteristics, including flesh color parameters (L*, C*, h◦), total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness and weight loss of fruit were measured. Sensory evaluation of fruits was also performed at the end of three months cold storage. Analysis of variance of the data was done using SAS 9.1 software. The significance of differences between the mean of treatments was determined by using Duncan’s test.
Results and Discussion
The results showed the interaction between year, type of nutrition and cold storage period affected color indices, lightness and chroma. Lightness and chroma value didn’t show significant differences between organic and chemical fertilizer treatments. In addition, their value decreased during cold storage period, significantly. The chroma value indicates the degree of saturation of the green color and is associated with fruit firmness. The hue value was also influenced by the interaction between year and cold storage period and the simple effect of the nutrition type. The highest hue value was observed in chicken manure (108.63) and the lowest in vermicompost (107.66). The hue value decreased significantly after 90 days cold storage. According to the results, a decrease in fruit firmness, TA and an increase in TSS and TSS/TA were observed during cold storage irrespective of treatments. After 90 days, total soluble solids content was higher when organic fertilizers were applied. During the storage of kiwifruit, total soluble solids content increased, significantly. The titratable acidity value in organic fertilizer treatments was higher than chemical fertilizer after 90 days cold storage, significantly. Moreover, titratable acidity value decreased at the end of the cold storage period, significantly. The highest flesh fruit firmness was obtained in cow manure (8.74 kg/cm2) in forth year and chemical fertilizer treatment had the lowest flesh firmness (3.2 kg/cm2) in third year. Fruit lost firmness gradually during the cold storage period. However, no significant difference was found in maturity index (TSS/TA) between treatments. The TSS:TA ratio is highly increased after 90 days. Based on the results of the last two years, azolla, cow and chicken manures showed less weight loss percentage than chemical fertilizer treatment. Moreover, weight loss increased significantly during cold storage period in all treatments and years. Also the results of sensory analysis showed that fruits treated with vermicompost had a higher overall acceptance than other treatments.
Conclusion
Generally, organic nutrition plays an important role in increasing the nutritional value and shelf life of kiwifruit cv.Hayward. Organically produced fruits had higher firmness than conventionally grown fruits during storage. Application of cow manure and vermicompost showed favorable effects on important properties of kiwi fruit such as firmness, weight loss, TSS, TA and sensory quality. Therefore, organic fruits will have better quality in the cold storage. As a result, it seems that by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in the current orchards, kiwi production will be close to the standards defined for organic fruit.
B. Soltanian; P. Rezvani Moghaddam; J. 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.
Kamran Ghasemi; Seied Mostafa Emadi; Yousef Ghasemi
Abstract
Introduction: Broccoli is one of the valuable vegetables among brassicas which has received great attention throughout the world and is cultivated both in soil and soilless culture. Currently, we face restriction in high quality of the soils and water resources as two essential inputs in agriculture. ...
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Introduction: Broccoli is one of the valuable vegetables among brassicas which has received great attention throughout the world and is cultivated both in soil and soilless culture. Currently, we face restriction in high quality of the soils and water resources as two essential inputs in agriculture. Like other parts of the world, Iran is losing hundred hectares of its arable and fertile land annually due to salinity, alkalinity and waterlogging. One of the important strategies to overcome these adverse conditions is soilless culture systems. Among the different methods of soilless culture, substrate culture is more common and cheaper than others. Different kinds of organic and inorganic substances are used in soilless culture system, but the optimum mixture of growing medium is still a challenging issue. Physical and chemical characteristics of growing media can potentially affect the yield and product quality in direct and indirect ways. A good medium for soilless culture should have easy drainage, appropriate aeration, high water holding capacity and low price, as well as no weed seeds and pathogens. Therefore, this research was aimed to evaluate different prevalent growing media in broccoli soilless culture system.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted as an outdoor soilless culture system in outdoor hydroponic site in Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Recourses University (SANRU). To begin with, broccoli seeds were sown in transplanting tray, and after five weeks, the developed transplants were cultivated in growing bags in a soilless system. In this work, different mixtures of culture media were evaluated for yield component and mineral elements of broccoli. Ten kinds of different media comprising of cocopeat, perlite, sand, sawdust, sand+sawdust, sand+vermicompost, cocopeat+perlite, cocopeat+LECA, cocopeat+ pumice, and cocopeat+perlite+ vermicompost were compared in completely randomized design with tree replications. At the end of the growing season, vegetative growth and yield components of broccoli were measured. The macro nutrients including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (k), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S) were then analyzed in the harvested broccoli. Four important micro elements such as Iron (Fe), cooper (Cu), boron (B) and zinc (Zn) were measured as well. A statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software (version 9.1) and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at 0.05 and 0.01 probability levels.
Results and Discussion: According to the results, culture medium showed no significant effect on plant height, dry matter and the number of auxiliary heads, while it significantly affected diameter and weight of main head (p≤0.01). The highest head diameter was seen in sand+vermicompost mixture which had no significant difference from cocopeat, cocopeat+LECA, and prlite+cocopeat+vemicompost. The mixture of sand+vermicompost resulted in the heaviest broccoli heads that were significantly greater than all other growing media used in the experiment. Since vermicompost contains some mineral elements like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and some growth stimulators as well, mixing this substrate with sand can create an appropriate and ideal culture for root growth and development. Pure perlite and sawdust media contributed to the lowest yield with no significant differences from each other. The macro and micro nutrients of broccoli head were not significantly affected by growing medium, except for nitrogen and zinc. The highest concentration of nitrogen in broccoli head was recorded for pure perlite and sawdust which was significantly more than other media. The highest zinc concentration in broccoli head was observed in Sawdust medium (p≤0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between plant height and three main macro nutrients (N, P and K). The negative correlation between some macro nutrients and plant growth can be related to the excessive amount of these elements in nutrient solution. Positive and significant correlation was also seen among plant height, head diameter and head weight. In other word, the tallest plants could produce bigger and heavier head.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that a mixture of organic and inorganic substances can be better than a single substance medium. On the other hand, our results showed that role of medium substances and composition is not as important as nutrient solution, so an appropriate nutrient solution with a proper rate can potentially provide all plant's needs regardless of media composition.
Farima Doaei; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Reza Ghorbani; Ahmad Balandary
Abstract
Introduction: In order to response to greater demand for wild medicinal plants consumption, it has been recommended that wild medicinal plants can be brought into cultivation systems. Cichorium pumilum Jacq. is an annual species of Asteraceae family, that has a long history of herbal use and is especially ...
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Introduction: In order to response to greater demand for wild medicinal plants consumption, it has been recommended that wild medicinal plants can be brought into cultivation systems. Cichorium pumilum Jacq. is an annual species of Asteraceae family, that has a long history of herbal use and is especially of great value for its tonic effects upon the liver and digestive tract. The root and the leaves of chicory are digestive, hypoglycemic, diuretic, laxative and tonic. Using chemical fertilizers can be easily lost from soils through fixation, leaching or gas emission that can lead to reduced fertilizer efficiency. The applications of organic fertilizers such as compost and vermicompost can be considered as a good management practice to increase cropping system sustainability, reducing soil erosion and improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil microorganisms have a significant role in regulating the dynamics of organic matter breakdown and the availability of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and sulfur.
Materials and Methods: For evaluating the effects of organic, mineral and biological fertilizers on seed yield and yield components of dwarf chicory (Cichorium pumilum Jacq.), a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (36016/ N, 59036/ E, elevation 985 m) during growing season of 2011-2012. The experimental layout was factorial based on randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental treatments were all combination of organic and chemical fertilizers (compost 4 t/ha, vermicompost 4 t/ha, urea fertilizer 130 kg/ha and control) and biological fertilizer (biosulfur biofertilizer + pure sulfur 100 kg/ ha and control). Before conducting the experiment, soil sample were taken from the depth of 0-30 cm, and physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and also used compost and vermicompost were determined. All fertilizer treatments were added to the soil and mixed well with the soil before sowing. In order to avoid leaching, all urea fertilizer was divided to two parts and these were used in two dates during the growth period. Cichorium pumilum Jacq seeds were hand sown in 2.5 ×4 m plots in five rows and with plant density 20 plants m−2. Before harvesting the grain, five plants were randomly selected in each plot from 2500 cm2 (50×50cm) and their characteristics and traits such as plant height, number of tiller per plant, number of branch per plant, number of inflorescence per plant, number of seed per inflorescence, number of seed per plant and seed weight were determined. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan multiple range test at 0.05 level were performed using SAS version 9.1 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA).
Results and Discussion: The Results indicated that studied factors and their interactions had not significant effect on morphological traits (plant height, number of tiller per plant, number of branch per plant) and on yield components of seed such as: number of seed per inflorescence, 1000-seed weight, seed weight per plant, seed yield and harvest index (HI). The results showed that organic and chemical fertilizers had significant effect on number of inflorescence per plant, number of seed per plant, biological yield (p< 0.05).The highest number of inflorescence per plant, number of seed per plant and seed weight per plant were observed in chemical fertilizer + biosulfur biofertilizer treatment. The highest seed yield (1489 kg.ha-1) obtained from compost + biosulfur biofertilizer treatment. Chemical fertilizer + biosulfur biofertilizer treatment (7576 kg.ha-1) produced the highest biological yield. It seems that because of high solubility of chemical fertilizer, nutrients are immediately available to the plants therefore, plants can use nutrients of chemical fertilizer faster than other fertilizers. Biofertilizer and organic fertilizer can improve soil properties and also through nutrient supply, improves plant growth.
Conclusion: In this study, it seems that the morphological traits (plant height, number of tiller and number of branches per plant) and yield components such as the number of seeds per inflorescence and seed weight were influenced by genetic characteristics and fertilizer treatments had little effect on mentioned traits and the plant was able with nutrient available in soil, overcome its needs. Overall in this study, results showed that the use of compost combination with biosulfur biofertilizer had positive effect on studied traits of dwarf chicory and use of them can be an effective step towards sustainable production and replacement use of chemical fertilizers.
Tahereh Bahrami; Vahid rouhi; abdolrahman mohammadkhani; saeid reezi
Abstract
Introduction: Green roof is one of the newest phenomenons in architecture and urbanism that refers to the sustainable development concepts and it will be usable for increasing landscape design, improving quality of the environment and reduction in energy consumption. Ensure of existing adequate green ...
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Introduction: Green roof is one of the newest phenomenons in architecture and urbanism that refers to the sustainable development concepts and it will be usable for increasing landscape design, improving quality of the environment and reduction in energy consumption. Ensure of existing adequate green landscape in urban areas and improving access to natural areas surrounding the cities can help to offset negative effects of urban life. The use of green roof technology in cities is one of advanced techniques of green landscape. A green or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium on top view of buildings. Green roof layers that considered for roof side consist of protection layer, drainage layer, growing medium and plant layer. Medium layer is the medium culture of green roof that plants are begins to grow in it. This space should enable to save enough minerals and water for conserve of green-roof plants. All kinds of plants can growth on the green roof, but there are some constraints in creative of design because of roots dimension, plant canopy, necessary volume of soil, suitable direction to light, good weather, weight of designed structures, budget of repairing and keeping.
Materials and Methods: To evaluate the effect of some culture medium on water consumption, vegetative and reproductive traits of Gazania (Gazania hybrida) in condition of green roof a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with nine treatments and three replications in 2014. Treatments were three levels of vermicompost (zero, 5%, and 10%) and rice hull (zero, 7, and 14%). Seedlings of plants cultivated in the media mixture of coco peat 15%, perlite 15%, leaf 10%, manure 10%, and filed soil 50%. The container had 60 × 60 ×25 cm dimensions that placed on the roof of greenhouse building with four meters height. The measured traits was number, average, and diameter of flower, stem diameter, plant height and diameter, crown diameter, the number of produced seedlings, root volume and chlorophyll. The weight of different mediums measured for medium of green roof suitable texture. In addition, in the certain period (three months), water consumption calculated with considering of daily evaporate and transpiration for each of medium. Data analyzed using SAS and MSTAT-C statistical program and means compared using a Duncan test (p < 0.05).
Results and Discussion: The results showed that vermicompost treatments had significant effects on the number and diameter of flowers and stem height of the plant, but had no effect on plant's stem diameter. Based on the results, different amounts of vermicompost increased the flower number and average per day and also the plant length. The largest flower number (88.33) and average (6.3) per day and the plant length (14.52) were observed in 10% vermicompost treatment and the lowest observed in control treatment. In addition, rice hull treatments had significant effect on flower number and diameter. However, rich hull had not any significant effect on stem number and diameter. Mean comparisons showed the highest and lowest flower number (82.4 and 82.1), mean flower number per day (5.88 and 5.86) in 14% and 7% rice hull treatments, respectively. Also, the highest flower diameter was related to 14% rice hull treatments. Result of analysis variance table showed significant effect on flower crown weight, length and diameter and root volume. Rice hull treatments also had significant effect on flower crown number and diameter and root volume. In this study, combination of 10% vermicompost with %7 rice hull treatment, have the greatest impact on the latedmost traits and reducing water consumption on green roof. As results showed water consumption in the certain period (three months), the lowest consumption belonged to 14% rice hull without vermicompost that had lowest water consumption in comparison with reference. In addition, the heaviest weight of different mediums was related to control and the lightest medium was belonged to 5%, vermicompost in combination with 14% rice hull.
Conclusion: The vermicompost and rice hull as bio-fertilizers not only increased structure, physical and chemical condition of medium but also increased nutrition and reduced water consumption. Vermicompost and rice hull both improved the most flower traits on green roof and reduced water consumption and weight of different mediums. Therefore, the vermicompost and rice hull (14% and 7%) combined with soil mixture can be used as a culture medium in green roofs.
mohammad taghi darzi; bijan sadeghi nekoo
Abstract
Introduction: Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a perennial herb which is cultivated in temperate regions of Asia, Europe and America. The essential oil of hyssop is widely used as traditional drug in some of the parts of Asia and Europe to treat respiratory diseases. Hyssop is also used in food, pharmaceutical, ...
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Introduction: Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a perennial herb which is cultivated in temperate regions of Asia, Europe and America. The essential oil of hyssop is widely used as traditional drug in some of the parts of Asia and Europe to treat respiratory diseases. Hyssop is also used in food, pharmaceutical, flavor and cosmetic industries throughout the world. It is mainly used for antispasmodic, stomachic, antifungal, relax spasm and cough treatment. Applying organic fertilizers and biofertilizers such as compost, vermicompost and nitrogen fixing bacteria contain Azotobacter and Azospirillum has led to a decrease in chemical fertilizers consumption and has provided high quality agricultural products. Several studies have shown that organic and bio-fertilizers application such as vermicompost and nitrogen fixing bacteria can increase essential oil content of medicinal plants of dill, basil and fennel.The main object of this work was to record the best suitable treatment of organic and biological fertilizer to obtain highest yield of Hyssop.
Materials and Methods: A field experiment, arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with eight treatments and three replications at research field of the Agriculture Company of Ran, Firouzkuh, Iran during the growing season of 2012. The treatments were (1) 20 t/ha compost, (2) 12 t/ha vermicompost, (3) biofertilizer [inoculated seeds with Azotobacter and Azospirillum], (4) 10 t/ha compost + 6 t/ha vermicompost, (5) 20 t/ha compost + biofertilizer, (6) 12 t/ha vermicompost + biofertilizer, (7) 10 t/ha compost + 6 t/ha vermicompost + biofertilizer and (8) control [without fertilizer application]. Inoculation was carried out by immersing the hyssop seeds in the cells suspension of 108 CFU/ml for 15 min. The required quantities of compost and vermicompost were applied and incorporated to the top 5 cm layer of soil in the experimental beds before planting of hyssop seeds. Each experimental plot was 3 m long by 2.28 m wide with the spacing of 15 cm between the plants and 38 cm between the rows. There was a space of one meter between the plots and 2 meters between replications. Hyssop seeds were directly sown by hand. There was no incidence of pest or disease on hyssop during the experiment. Weeding was done manually and the plots were irrigated weekly (as trickle irrigation system). All necessary cultural practices and plant protection measures were followed uniformly for all the plots during the entire period of experiment. In this study, some morphological traits and yield hyssop including plant height, branch no./plant, fresh weight of plant, dry weight of plant, herb fresh yield, herb dried yield, essential oil content and essential oil yield were evaluated. In order to determine herb fresh yield and herb dry yield, 1 m-2 plants were used at the harvest time (full blooming). For determine the essential oil content (%), About 100 g dried herb of hyssop (dried in shadow) as sample from the each plot were selected and then were subjected to hydro-distillation (Clevenger type apparatus) for 3 hours. Essential oil yield also was calculated by using essential oil content and herb dried yield. Analysis of variance by using SAS software and mean comparisons by Least Significant Difference Test (LSD) (at the 5% probability level) was done.
Results and Discussion: The present results have shown that the highest plant height and branch no/plant in treatment of integrated application of 20 t/ha compost,biofertilizer,the maximum fresh weight of plant and herb fresh yield in treatment of application of 20 t/ha compost were obtained. Also, the highest dry weight of plant in treatment of integrated application of 10 t/ha compost, 6 t/ha vermicompost and biofertilizer and the highest herb dried yield, essential oil content and essential oil yield in treatment of integrated application of 12 t/ha vermicompost and biofertilizer were obtained. Vermicompost application through high ability for absorption of mineral nutrients like N, P and K by plants and then increase of biomass amount has a positive effect on secondary metabolites concentration such as essential oil and subsequently the enhanced essential oil content. Increased essential oil yield in treatment of 12 tonnes vermicompost per hectare and biofertilizer can be owing to the improvement of yield attributes such as herb dry yield and essential oil content.
Conclusion:Integrated application of organic manures and biofertilizer positively influenced morphological traits and yield of hyssop, as the highest herb dry yield, essential oil content and essential oil yield were obtained in treatment of integrated application of 12 t/ha vermicompost and biofertilizer and treatment of integrated application of 10 t/ha compost, 6 t/ha vermicompost and biofertilizer. On the base of research results, organic amendments and biofertilizer application can be caused in improvement of morphological characters and yield of hyssop.
Mohammad taghi 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
H. Makarian; H. Shahgholi
Abstract
Introduction: In recent decades, excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes environmental problems such as water resource pollution and decrease in soil fertility. Organic matters are excellent sources of plant-available nutrients and their addition to soil could maintain high microbial populations ...
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Introduction: In recent decades, excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes environmental problems such as water resource pollution and decrease in soil fertility. Organic matters are excellent sources of plant-available nutrients and their addition to soil could maintain high microbial populations and activities. In crop studies, Prabha et al. (2007) reported that there was excellent plant growth as well as yield in garlic plants that received vermicompost as nutrient in the field (28). Recent studies confirmed that, a number of bacterial species mostly associated with the plant rhizosphere, are found to be beneficial for plant growth, yield and crop quality. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the growth promoting effects of organic and bio-fertilizers on tomato growth and yield.
Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the College of Agricultural, University of Shahrood in 2011. Geographically, the site is located in Bastam (36° 25’E, 54° 58’N, 1349 m a.s.l.).The climate of this region is semi-arid. Treatments included three levels of organic fertilizers: vermicompost (1300 kgha-1), cow manure (3350 kgha-1), and control, biological fertilizer in four levels (Pseudomonas putyda, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter chrococcum and control). The bacterial suspension for each species was applied at a rate of 3 liters per hectare. Metribuzin herbicide (wettable 80% powder) was used at a rate of 1000 gr. ha-1. Petopride No. 2' variety of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was used in the present experiment. At the time of harvesting, the plant characteristics namely lengths and diameter of stem, number and weight of fruit, weight of stem and leaf were also registered. Statistical analyses of data were performed with statistical software Mstatc. Significant differences between means refer to the probability level of 0.05 by LSD test.
Results and Discussion: There sults showed that main interaction effects of bio and organic fertilizers were significant (P
N. Rashidi; isa arji; Mohammad Gerdakaneh; Abdol Karim Kashi
Abstract
In order to investigate effect of organic manure and super absorbent on physiological and biochemical traits of potato (Solanum tubersum, cv Marfona), a split plot experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Farm, Agriculture College, University of ...
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In order to investigate effect of organic manure and super absorbent on physiological and biochemical traits of potato (Solanum tubersum, cv Marfona), a split plot experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Farm, Agriculture College, University of Razi in 2010. Main factor included two levels of super absorbent A200 (0 and 70 Kg/ha,) and split plot included nine levels (0, chemical fertilizer (according to soil test), granule chicken manure (1000 kg/ ha), common chicken manure (12 ton/ha), soil mix (1000 kg/ha), cow manure (20 ton/ha), vermicompost (20 ton/ha), compost (20 ton/ha) and tea compost (soaking tubers and spraying at four times). Investigating physiological traits such as leaf chlorophyll index, chlorophyll florescence and stomata conductance showed that only leaf chlorophyll index was affected by superabsorbent (P < 0.01) and organic manure (P < 0.05), while stomata conductance wad significant under it’s interaction effect at (P < 0.05). Quality and biochemical traits show that phosphorous amount of tuber was significant in superabsorbent treatment in compare to control. Crude oil percentage, protein, fiber, starch, sugar, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content were not affected by organic manure. The highest amount of oil and fiber were obtained under compost and cow manure respectively. Sugar and nitrogen content were high under cow manure treatment. The highest amount of potassium and phosphorous content were belonging to chicken and Khakparvar manure respectively.
R. Gholinegad; A. sirousmehr; B. Fakheri
Abstract
In order to study the effects of drought stress and organic fertilizers (compost and vermicompost) on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of borage, an experiment with complete randomized block design in split plot arrangement with three replications was conducted in Zabol University, ...
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In order to study the effects of drought stress and organic fertilizers (compost and vermicompost) on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of borage, an experiment with complete randomized block design in split plot arrangement with three replications was conducted in Zabol University, Zabol, Iran. The treatments included 3 levels of stress as a witness or 100% of field capacity, 80%field capacity(mild stress) and 60% field capacity (tension) as the main factor and use organic fertilizers, including control (nofertilizer), consuming 40 tons of compost per ha, and consumes 4 ton of vermicompost per ha, were considered as minor. Results showed that chlorophyll index (SPAD) decreased with increasing severity of dehydration and the amount of chlorophyll fluorescence were added. The highest chlorophyll a (11.383 mg/g) in conditions stress and application of compost obtained and it was reduced with increasing stress intensity level and the lowest (5.763mg/g) in severe stress and lack of fertilizer application, respectively. The same trend was observed for total chlorophyll content. Most of the enzymes catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in conditions of severe stress and lack of application and at least 100% of field capacity and compost application, respectively. Proline at 60% field capacity and no application of any fertilizer (20.213 mmol/g wet weight) was a significant difference with other compounds treatments. Drought stress affected the dry weight of the borage plant and cut it and dry yield (6.134826 kg/per ha) in the water level control was not a significant difference with mild stress (80% field capacity). Overall production in drought conditions and the amount of enzyme scavengers, hydrogen peroxide and free radicals increases , then, in order to have acceptable performance of dry borage, crop irrigation to 80% capacity seems appropriate.
P. Abrishamchi; Ali Ganjeali; A. Beyk Khormizi; A. Avan
Abstract
Two separate experiments were carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of vermicompost and its aqueous extracts on traits related to germination and growth of tomato varieties, (Mobil and Superorbina). In the first experiment, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 100% extracts of vermicompost ...
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Two separate experiments were carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of vermicompost and its aqueous extracts on traits related to germination and growth of tomato varieties, (Mobil and Superorbina). In the first experiment, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 100% extracts of vermicompost (V - V) along with control (distilled water) were studied on germination of two varieties of tomato. The number of germinated seeds was counted each day and was sampled after a week. Then, the percentage and rate of germination and length and dry weight of shoot and root were determined. In the second experiment, volume ratios of vermicompost to sand, including to, 0:100; 10:90; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40; 80:20 and 100: 0, on tomato varieties seedling growth were investigated. The seeds were planted in plastic pots and the sampling of seedlings was carried out 22 days after planting. Both experiments were conducted in Completely Random Design with four replications. The results showed that vermicompost extract could not improve the growth of Mobil and Superorbina varieties, whereas application of vermicompost, had a significant effect on plant height, area and dry weight of leaves, stem dry weight, area, diameter and dry weight of roots and the concentration of potassium, calcium and phosphorus in tomato leaves. These results confirm that using low ratios of vermicompost, have more effect on the growth of tomato seedlings rather than high ratios, so that the maximum effect of vermicompost were recorded in the ratios of 20 and 40 % for Mobil and Superorbina varieties, respectively. In this experiment, high vermicompost ratios had a negative effect on growth of tomato seedlings.
