Improvement and breeding
S. Jafari; S Mousavi-Fard; A. Rezaei Nejad; H. Mumivand; K. Sorkheh
Abstract
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L. Gaertn.)) is a plant with various medicinal uses which is adapted to different climates. To investigate the effects of different concentrations of chitosan (CS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on increasing yield and biochemical indices of milk thistle ecotypes, a farm ...
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Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L. Gaertn.)) is a plant with various medicinal uses which is adapted to different climates. To investigate the effects of different concentrations of chitosan (CS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on increasing yield and biochemical indices of milk thistle ecotypes, a farm factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during two crop years. Experimental treatments included milk thistle ecotype at five levels (Budakalazi, Sari, Khomein, Khorramabad, and Ahvaz) and type and elicitor concentration at nine levels (foliar application of distilled water (control), bulk CS (50 and 100 mg L-1), nano CS (50 and 100 mg L-1), bulk TiO2 (50 and 100 mg L-1), and nano TiO2 (50 and 100 mg L-1)). The results showed that foliar application of CS and TiO2 (bulk and nano) effectively increased yield and defense enzymes. In all these traits, foliar application of CS and TiO2 in nano form was more effective compared to the bulk form and control. Based on the mean comparisons results, the plant yield increased with foliar application of nano CS at the concentration of 50 mg L-1. Also, foliar application of nano CS at the concentration of 100 mg L-1 increased the activity of defense enzymes. In general, foliar application of nano CS increased the yield as well as improved the biochemical traits of milk thistle ecotypes, especially the Budakalazi one, which could be considered as a suitable way to increase the yield of this plant. Considering the higher yield of Budakalazi ecotype, it could be also recommended to be used in breeding programs.
A. Khakpoor; M. Zolfaghari; K. Sorkheh
Abstract
Medicinal plant licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) has been used by the pharmaceutical industries for its important secondary metabolites. This study was carried out to determine the best harvest time for obtaining the highest content of extract, glycyrrhizin, total phenols, total flavonoids, and phenolic ...
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Medicinal plant licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) has been used by the pharmaceutical industries for its important secondary metabolites. This study was carried out to determine the best harvest time for obtaining the highest content of extract, glycyrrhizin, total phenols, total flavonoids, and phenolic compounds of licorice rhizome of the Behbahan area in Khuzestan province in two seasons of autumn and spring. The results of this study showed that the extract content of rhizomes and also glycyrrhizin, total phenols, and flavonoids content in autumn were higher than those in spring. The results of the independent T-test for glycyrrhizin, as an important and valuable secondary metabolite of licorice, showed a significant difference between autumn and spring seasons. Among the phenolic compounds studied, the highest amount was given to ferulic and coumaric acids in autumn, and the lowest one to caffeic acid in spring. Considering the importance of these secondary metabolites in the pharmaceutical, health and food industries, as well as the widespread use of phenolics, glycyrrhizin, and flavonoids of licorice in herbal drugs, it is necessary to determine the best time for the highest production and accumulation of these metabolites in the licorice rhizomes to take an effective step to enrich the industries mentioned.
