Medicinal Plants
Roghayeh Nabipour Sanjbod; Esmaeil Chamani; Younes Pourbeyrami Hir
Abstract
1. Title: The improvement of germination, growth, and biochemical indices of Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey. under different light qualities
2. Introduction: Medicinal plants, as a valuable source of herbal medicines and bioactive compounds, are rapidly declining due to uncontrolled collection from nature. ...
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1. Title: The improvement of germination, growth, and biochemical indices of Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey. under different light qualities
2. Introduction: Medicinal plants, as a valuable source of herbal medicines and bioactive compounds, are rapidly declining due to uncontrolled collection from nature. Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey. belongs to the Boraginaceae family and has a special place in Iranian traditional medicine. This plant is native to Iran and has been used to treat many infectious and inflammatory diseases, as well as modern diseases related to stress and anxiety, for many years. However, low germination percentage and uneven germination are some of the obstacles to the growth and propagation of this valuable medicinal plant. Recently, it has been reported that LED light sources have significantly increased the germination of some medicinal species. The response of plants to light spectra depends on the plant species. However, blue and red light are more useful because green plant tissues more readily absorb them. Considering the medicinal importance of E. amoenum, the present study was conducted to improve the germination and growth characteristics under LED treatments.
3. Materials and methods: This study was conducted at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2024. E. amoenum seeds were purchased from Pakan Bazr Company. After surface disinfection, the seeds were placed in Petri dishes containing wet filter paper and transferred to light chambers. Germination indices (germination percentage, speed of germination, mean daily germination, germination energy, seed efficiency, seedling efficiency, seedling vigor index, coefficient of velocity of germination, daily germination speed) were recorded for up to 21 days. Morphological indices (fresh weight of seedling, dry weight of seedling, shoot length, root length, percentage of root dry weight, percentage of shoot dry weight) were measured in 7-day-old seedlings. Then seedlings were transferred to the growing medium (peat moss and perlite), and the pots were placed in the same light chambers. After 4 weeks, biochemical indices (photosynthetic pigment content, total carbohydrate content, total protein content, and total phenol content) were evaluated. The experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replications. The 4 light treatments included 100% white LED light (W), 100% blue LED light (B), 100% red LED light (R), and a combination of blue and red LED light (50:50, BR). The data were analyzed using SPSS Inc. version 16. Means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test at a 5% probability level. Graphs were drawn using Excel software.
4. Results and Discussion: The results of the present study revealed that red light (R) treatment significantly improved germination percentage, germination speed, mean daily germination, germination energy, seed efficiency, seedling efficiency, seedling vigor index, coefficient of velocity of germination, and blue light (B) application reduced the germination of E. amoenum seeds. Similarly, E. amoenum growth characteristics, including fresh weight, dry weight, seedling length, root length, percentage of root dry weight, and percentage of shoot dry weight, increased under the positive effect of red LED light (R). Also, the blue light (B) application did not indicate any positive effect on growth indices. In biochemical indices, the application of a combination of blue and red light (BR) resulted in a significant increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrate content, total protein content, and total phenol content. In addition, blue LED light (B) had a negative effect on biochemical indices compared to other treatments. In general, light quality changes can affect photosynthesis and energy production efficiency. Blue and red light are known to be the most effective wavelengths for plants, and their absorption peaks correspond to the absorption peaks of photosynthetic pigments. Therefore, their application alone and in combination can effectively increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, and the biosynthesis of macromolecules including carbohydrates and proteins. In addition, applying blue and red light increases phenolic compounds by increasing the production of enzymes related to plant secondary metabolism.
5. Conclusion: The observations of the present study showed that the seeds of E. amoenum are considered in the group of plant species that require light or are photoblastic positive. Hence, the application of red LED (R) can be considered an effective treatment to improve and increase the germination and growth characteristics of E. amoenum plant at the seedling stage. In the later stages of plant growth, the response of E. amoenum to light qualities was different. The combination of blue and red light (BR) was considered an effective treatment to increase the content of photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrates, total proteins, and total phenols.
6. Acknowledgement: We would like to thank the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili for financial support.
7. Keywords: Chlorophyll, Germination percentage, Morphological, Phenol, Protein
Ornamental plants
M. Osku; A. Khandan Mirkohi; R. Naderi
Abstract
Introduction The genus Chlorophytum (also known as spider plant) which is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant for its slash and colored leaves, specifically distributed in the pantropic regions. It is a perennial rhizomatous plant with often short and indistinct rhizomes, while with thicker ...
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Introduction The genus Chlorophytum (also known as spider plant) which is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant for its slash and colored leaves, specifically distributed in the pantropic regions. It is a perennial rhizomatous plant with often short and indistinct rhizomes, while with thicker or slightly fleshy roots. The roots of these species are considered as one of the important phytochemical components. the use of Chlorophytum comosum as a contaminant accumulator has already been documented in the literature.This plant is a soil conditioner and can absorb lead, cadmium, Se and As while its leaves accumulate mercury. It is also able to absorb toxic organic pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene and is also able to retain CO2. Leaf surface morphology has been shown to affect the ability of a particular plant to retain contaminants. Chlorophytum comosum introduced as a plant that requires high nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential macro element for the growth and development of plants which involved in many physiological reactions and it is one of the elements that plants need in all their activities. The effect of N form on plant growth depends on plant species and nitrogen level of the soil. Plants absorb both ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) from soil solution, and these two mineral forms are their most important sources of nitrogen to supply the plant demand. Absorption of ammonium by plants requires less energy than absorption of nitrate. It seems that most plants have the best performance in a certain ratio of nitrate to ammonium (NO3-/NH4+ ratio). This ratio seems to regulate the distribution of absorbed nitrogen between the branches and roots. It may also vary between species. The optimal ratio may also depend on the environmental conditions such as pH, light intensity, and root zone temperature. This study was performed to determine the effect of different levels of ammonium nitrate on growth, yield factors and ornamental aspects of the spider plant as a desired ornamental product. The use of ammonium nitrate to meet the houseplants demand considering the supply of both types of nitrogen sources, increases the yield and quality of these plant. However, despite the importance of the nitrogen in the performance of this ornamental plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the desired amount of nitrogen for its growth and quality has not yet been reported. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of ammonium nitrate on the growth and physiological characteristics of spider plant to find the best level of application of ammonium nitrate fertilizer as an easily available source to increase the growth and visual quality of this plant.Materials and Methods This research was conducted based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications. Treatments include four levels of ammonium nitrate of 100 (control), 200, 400, 600 mg-1 kg of soil. Treatments applied first at the substrate preparation process and then was applied in the one third depth of each pot, monthly. Desired factors such as morphological characteristics (plant height, leaf number, stolon number, fresh weight, dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root volume, root depth, root length, pot weight, leaf area) and physiological characteristics (total chlorophyll, total protein, texture nitrate and proline) were evaluated. Also soil analysis was performed before starting of the experiment. Statistical analyses of the data for examined traits were performed using SAS software and comparisons of means using Duncan's multiple range test, at 5% probability level.Result and Discussion The results indicated that the application of ammonium nitrate fertilizer significantly improved most of the studied traits. Supplying ammonium nitrate fertilizer at desired level meet the nitrogen demand of Spider plant during the growth and improved production of biomass. The plant height, leaf number, fresh weight, dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, and leaf area were increased by increasing ammonium nitrate level. Nitrogen fertilizers play an important role for increasing plant yield by expanding shoots and producing sufficient carbohydrates. In addition to plant growth, they also affect plant morphology. Maximum amount of protein, nitrate of tissue and total chlorophyll observed in 400 mg-1kg of ammonium nitrate level. Nitrogen is one of the essential elements that plays an important role in the production of chlorophyll and protein, therefore the use of nitrogen fertilizers leads to synthesis of chlorophyll and protein at higher level. The highest amount of proline (11.20 μg-1 mL) was measured at 600 mg-1kg of ammonium nitrate level and the lowest (3.57 μg-1 mL) in the control, because with high consumption of nitrate, the plant needs more water and nitrogen is a structural component of proline. Accumulation of proline helps the plant to survive and recover after drought stress.Conclusion According to the results of our experiment, application of nitrogen fertilizer had a positive effect on growth, and consequently led to increase the plant vegetative yield. Treatment of 400 mg-1kg of ammonium nitrate level increased growth and yield factors and the ornamental aspect of Spider plant as a desired ornamental crop. Application of 400 mg-1kg of ammonium nitrate level are recommended to access an acceptable quantitative and qualitative yield in this plant.
Seyyed Mohammad Bagher Razavi nia; Nasibeh Pourghasemian; Farzad Najafi
Abstract
Introduction: Pollution of the biosphere with toxic levels of metals has accelerated dramatically since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Soil pollution by heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) is a global problem, which can cause agricultural lands to become hazardous for wildlife ...
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Introduction: Pollution of the biosphere with toxic levels of metals has accelerated dramatically since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Soil pollution by heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) is a global problem, which can cause agricultural lands to become hazardous for wildlife and human populations. Accumulated Cd and Pb in their roots and shoots may also be negatively affect their photosynthesis, growth, and reproduction. Cd and Pb uptake and their effects on plants may be influenced by a variety of factors, e.g. the plant species, cultivar, soil characteristics and etc. Heavy metals such as Cd and Pb may cause the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage plant tissue membranes, and inhibit photosynthesis, carbon dioxide assimilation, and growth. Photosynthesis is the fundamental process of energy metabolism and therefore, closely related to the plants growth and productivity. However, it is a sensitive process and an important target of environmental stresses. Plants counteract the harmful effects of heavy metals by a variety of protective mechanisms including immobilization, exclusion, chelation, compartmentalization, osmotic regulation and elevating antioxidant system.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a widely grown aromatic and medicinal plant of the Labiatae family. The plant has various therapeutic properties and is also used to flavor different food products due to its particular taste. Little scientific data exist on the response of this medicinal plant to Cd and Pb stress. Therefore, the objective of this work was to investigate the biological and physiological responses of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) under cadmium and lead stress conditions.
Materials and Methods: A factorial randomized complete block design experiment with four replications was used to study the effect of Cd in four concentrations (0, 6, 12 and 24 mg.kg-1 soil) as well as Pb in four concentrations (0, 150 300 and 450 mg. Kg-1 soil). Before harvesting, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic and transpiration rates were measured with fluorescence meter and photosynthetic meter, respectively. Thereafter, plants were harvested and the roots were washed in distilled water. Then, half of the plants were separated into roots and shoots, which were dried at 105 °C for 24 h to determine the dry weight, Cd and Pb concentrations, Cd transfer factor and essential oil content. The other half of the plants were separated into roots and shoots, kept in liquid nitrogen, and then stored in freezer for one week to determine proline and shoot MDA concentrations. Data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the difference between means was compared using LSD test. A significance level of 95% was applied by SAS 9.2.
Results and Discussion: According to the results, root and shoot dry weight, protein content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and chlorophyll fluorescence were decreased by increasing Cd and Pb concentrations. However, Cd concentration decreased these traits more than Pb. The shoot MDA concentration, essential oil and proline content were enhanced by increasing Cd and Pbconcentrations. The combination of two pollutants (Cd and Pb) together reduces the negative impact of each element alone. Shoot and root Cd and Pb concentrations were increased by increasing Cd and Pbconcentrations. The interaction effect of Cd×Pbapplication showed that increasing Cd concentration decreased root and shoot Pb concentrations and increasing Pb concentration decreased root and shoot Cd concentrations. Cd and Pb were not detected in essential oil. Moreover, the Cd transfer factor was increased with increasing Pb concentration under high Cd concentration levels (12 and 24 mg.kg-1).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Cd toxicity is more than Pb toxicity due to its high mobility. There was an antagonistic relationship between Cd and Pb. Furthermore, due to the absence of Cd and Pb in the essential oil, lemon balm may be a suitable plant for areas contaminated with heavy metals especial Cd and Pb.
Saba Nejatie Zadeh; Saeid Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Ali Reza Astaraei; Nasrin Moshtaghi
Abstract
Introduction: An emerging field of nanotechnology in recent years is the use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials in agricultural systems which is due to their excellent mechanical, electrical, optical, surface properties, crop protection and nano-fertilizers. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a class of nanoparticles ...
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Introduction: An emerging field of nanotechnology in recent years is the use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials in agricultural systems which is due to their excellent mechanical, electrical, optical, surface properties, crop protection and nano-fertilizers. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a class of nanoparticles which widely used in the food industry, cosmetics, papers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and industrial raw materials. The widespread industrial application of TiO2 is due to its white pigment, ultraviolet blocking property, and chemical features commonly used to alleviate pollutants concentration in water, soil and air. Owing to its increasing use in the industry, a large part of TiO2 residues are released into the environment, and currently, TiO2 nanoparticles are being considered an emerging environmental contaminant. However, there have been a number of studies reporting beneficial effects of TiO2 on growth and physiological traits of crops. It has been postulated that the TiO2-induced improvement of crop growth is not merely related to the promotion of photosynthesis; other biochemical processes especially nitrogen metabolism are also involved in this event. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a widely used as a chelating agent, i.e., the chemical is able to sequester metal ions such as Ca2+ and Fe3+. EDTA is used as nitrogen source for doping of TiO2 nanoparticles which improves TiO2 photocatalytic features. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles and EDTA on growth indices and biochemical parameters in spinach (Spinacia oleracea). For detailed evaluation of treatment effects, different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles were sprayed on spinach leaves and the samples were collected in a time course.
Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment was carried out in the form of completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Soil samples were taken before cultivation of spinach (S. oleracea) seeds (Var VIROFLAY) and analyzed for nutrients’ concentration. Treatments include different levels of TiO2 (T1=0, T2=0.05mg/l and T3=0.1mg/l) and two concentrations of EDTA (E1=0 and E2=130mg/l) sprayed on spinach plants in research greenhouse of agriculture faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Aqueous solutions of nanoparticles were treated by ultrasound for 10 min to enhance homogeneity. The solutions were sprayed on the plant at six- leaves stage. The plant samples were taken before reproductive phase for measurement of biochemical parameters. Nitrogen content of plant samples was measured by PDV 500 Macro- Kjeldahl device; Potassium content was determined by 310c flame photometer; phosphorus concentration in plant samples was measured by spectrophotometer model 2100. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were measured by the method proposed by Lichtenthaler (1978). For analysis of growth parameters, plant samples were taken a week after TiO2 treatments and leaf area, shoot fresh/dry weight, stem length, internode length, root area, root fresh/dry weight and total root diameter were measured.
Results and Discussion: Application of 0.05mg/l of TiO2 nanoparticles without EDTA resulted in 13.5% and 9.48% increase in nitrogen and protein; respectively, however by increasing nanoparticles to 0.1mg/l, nitrogen and protein content in the treated plants were respectively reduced to 21% and 19.57% of those of control group (p
Maryam Haghighi; Mohsen Kafi
Abstract
Information of heavy metal toxicity about physiological aspect of lettuce is limited. Therefore an experiment was conducted in CRD designed with 7 replications on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Treatments were cadmium in 3 concentration (0, 2 and 4 mg/L) added to Hoagland solution. Results were shown that ...
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Information of heavy metal toxicity about physiological aspect of lettuce is limited. Therefore an experiment was conducted in CRD designed with 7 replications on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Treatments were cadmium in 3 concentration (0, 2 and 4 mg/L) added to Hoagland solution. Results were shown that increasing in cadmium of nutrient solution caused increasing in SOD, POD antioxidant and proline contents of leaf tissues, in addition, cadmium decreased the amount of fresh weight and organic acid. Applying 2 and 4 mg/L cadmium in nutrient solution produced POD, SOD and Proline around 8 and 53%, 55 and 106%, 39 and 119% in 2 and 4 mg/L cadmium, respectively. Whereas in the same concentrations of cadmium protein decreased 25 and 5 %, respectively. Under cadmium stress, toxic effects decline photosynthesis more than chlorophyll content.
Fatemeh Abri; Mahmood Ghasemnejad; Reza Hassan Sajedi; Davoud Bakhshi; Mohammad Ali Shiri
Abstract
In this study, effect of different concentration of ascorbic acid (AsA, 0, 2, 4 and 6 mM) on delaying senescence in cut rose flowers cv. Royall Class was investigated based on factorial design. The results showed that the greatest delay in senescence was obtained with 4 mM AsA as compared to control ...
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In this study, effect of different concentration of ascorbic acid (AsA, 0, 2, 4 and 6 mM) on delaying senescence in cut rose flowers cv. Royall Class was investigated based on factorial design. The results showed that the greatest delay in senescence was obtained with 4 mM AsA as compared to control (distilled water). Therefore, fresh weight and diameter of flowers treated with 4 mM AsA was more than others treatments. Biochemical attributes such as protein, proline, anthocyanin content and lipid per oxidation levels were determined only in DW and 4 mM AsA. Application of 4 mM AsA treatments was shown to retard degradation of protein over 8 days vase life. Proline content in AsA treated flowers was slightly lower than DW flowers but no significant differences were found in treated flowers with AsA. Anthocyanin content declined gradually with onset of senescence, while AsA treatments suppressed decreasing its content. Therefore, treatment with 4 mM AsA suppressed malondialdehyde accumulation and delayed flowers senescence.
Ali Akbar Shokouhian; Gholamhossein Davarynejad; Ali Tehranifar; Ali Rasoulzadeh
Abstract
The base of nut production in almond is flower buds set with best quality and quantity. Although the process of flower buds set is controlled by genetic characteristics, however it affected with inside and outside diverse factors. To understand relationship between these factors for achieve to annual ...
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The base of nut production in almond is flower buds set with best quality and quantity. Although the process of flower buds set is controlled by genetic characteristics, however it affected with inside and outside diverse factors. To understand relationship between these factors for achieve to annual and regular nut production economically. An experiment was conducted in order to evaluate effects of effective microorganisms (EM) under water stress conditions on bud flower formation in two genotypes of almond trees in Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2011. In this research effects of two different concentrations (0 and 5%) of EM and three levels of aridity stress treatments (100, 66, and 33% of FC) on number of flower buds in two genotypes (H1and H2) of almond was evaluated. This experiment was arranged as a factorial experiments based on a randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Results showed that the EM increased amount of leaf area, chlorophyll, storage protein, N, K and P in leaves. In this research, effects of different genotypes, EM and irrigation levels on number of flower bud set were significantly different at the %1 level. Number of flower bud formation increased by treatments of EM application, H1 genotype and irrigation level of FC% 100. There was significant interaction between treatments for this trait at %1 level. The best result was obtained from interaction between H2 genotype and irrigation using level of FC% 100 and EM application.
Zahra Setayesh-Mehr; Ali Ganjeali
Abstract
In order to study the effect of different water potential on Anethum graveolens L. an experiment was conducted. This study was carried out based on completely randomized design with three replications. In this experiment, morpho-physiological characteristics were assessed under hydroponic. Stress was ...
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In order to study the effect of different water potential on Anethum graveolens L. an experiment was conducted. This study was carried out based on completely randomized design with three replications. In this experiment, morpho-physiological characteristics were assessed under hydroponic. Stress was established with PEG 6000, and drought potentials were: 0 (control), -1.5, -2, -2.5 and -3 bar. The results showed that effect of drought stress on morphological characteristics including: shoot length, root length, surface of leaves and leaves number was significant (p≤0.01). Mean comparison of treatments showed that with increasing drought stress, all parameters decreased. Effect of drought stress on amount of a, b and total chlorophyll, carotenoid, soluble proteins, phenolic compounds and K+, P and Ca+2 concentrations in shoot and root were significant (p≤0.01). Effect of drought stress on chlorophyll a/b ratio was significant (p≤0.05). Mean comparison of treatments showed that with increasing drought stress, amount of chlorophyll, carotenoid, soluble proteins, K+, P and Ca+2 and shoot/root K+ ratio decreased where as amount of phenolic compounds in shoot and root increased. Shoot to root length ratio and shoot/root K+ ratio were not influenced by drought stress (p≤0.05). From the results of this study, it can be deducted that dill medicinal plant respond to drought stress by increasing of phenolic compounds.
