S. Dastborhan; S. Zehtab-Salmasi; S. Nasrollahzadeh; A.R. Tavassoli
Abstract
In order to study the effects of biofertilizers and different amount of nitrogen fertilizer on flower yield, essential oil and nitrogen use efficiency in German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), a factorial experiment based on the randomized complete block design with three replications was performed ...
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In order to study the effects of biofertilizers and different amount of nitrogen fertilizer on flower yield, essential oil and nitrogen use efficiency in German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), a factorial experiment based on the randomized complete block design with three replications was performed in 2008 at the agricultural research farm of the University of Tabriz. Experimental factors were: inoculation with bacteria (B0: no-inoculation, B1: inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum, B2: inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum and B3: inoculation with a mixture of two bacteria) and nitrogen fertilizer (N0: 0, N1: 50, N2: 100 and N3: 150 kg N/ha). The results showed that application of different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased flower yield and essential oil when compared with control. However, there were no significant differences among application of 50, 100 and 150 kgN/ha. Although flower yield and essential oil of the plants inoculated with bacteria were higher than that of control treatment (B0), these differences were not significant. Combination of inoculation with bacteria and nitrogen fertilizer was significant. Following the inoculation with Azotobacter, mean essential oil percentage significantly decreased with increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer while in other levels of inoculation, different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer had no significant effects on mean essential oil percentage. In all inoculation levels, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) declined with increasing amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen use efficiency increased in response to inoculation with bacteria (except inoculation with Azotobacter and application of 50 kg N/ha) compared to the control treatment. According to the results, application of 50 kg N/ha and inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, leads to optimal performance and the highest NUE in German chamomile.
F. Heidari; S. Zehtab Salmasi; A. Javanshir; H. Aliari; M.R. Dadpoor
Volume 24, Issue 1 , May 2008, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) from Lamiaceae family is one of the most important medicinal plants, used in food, sanitary and cosmetic industries. A field experiment was carried out in Tabriz University in 2005. In this study, the effects of four plant densities (8, 12, 16 and 20 plants/m2) and microelements ...
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Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) from Lamiaceae family is one of the most important medicinal plants, used in food, sanitary and cosmetic industries. A field experiment was carried out in Tabriz University in 2005. In this study, the effects of four plant densities (8, 12, 16 and 20 plants/m2) and microelements of two level (nonspraying, spraying) on yield and essential oil production of peppermint were evaluated at two cuttings. The data obtained from each harvests by factorial experiment on the basis of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and two cutting analysis of compound variance (split plot on time). The results of the first cutting showed that microelements of spraying dry yield, bush and leaf essential oil percentage and essential oil yield increased. In the first cutting dry yield, the oil yield increased by increasing the plant density. In second cutting, microelement spraying cause dry yield and leaf essential oil percentage and essential oil yield of significant affected. Also dry yield increased by increasing the plant density .The results of two cutting indicated that peppermint plants grown better in the first cutting than the second cutting. Plants harvested in first cutting had higher dry yield and essential oil yield, but had lower bush and leaf essential oil. The maximum leaf essential oil percentage (2.96%) obtained with spraying in the second cutting. The maximum essential oil yield was obtained (20.02 li.ha-1) in the first cutting.
