M. Mirzahoseini; S.A. Sadat Noori; Y. Amanzadeh; M. Ghorbani Javid
Abstract
Study of phenological characteristics and determination of temperature requirement of medicinal plants leads to a better understanding of the extent and manner of growth and development. An accurate planning for optimal utilization of the plant and amount of active substances could be done based on this ...
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Study of phenological characteristics and determination of temperature requirement of medicinal plants leads to a better understanding of the extent and manner of growth and development. An accurate planning for optimal utilization of the plant and amount of active substances could be done based on this feature. This research was aimed to evaluate the phenological characteristics and classify early, late and medium maturity ecotypes of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) as well as assessment of the essential oils extracted from each ecotype. In this study, 23 native ecotypes of Iranian ajowan were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014-2015. Growing degree-day (GDD) and the days after planting (DAP) were used to determine the exact date of phenological stages. Ecotypes were evaluated every three days and when 50% of the plants of each ecotype reached the phenological stage, the date was recorded. After ripening and harvest, essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation method and clevenger apparatus. According to the results of this study, significant differences were found among ecotypes in terms of phenological traits. Flowering and granulation showed the most and least significant differences. The essential oil of samples varied between 2.7% (Sarbishe) and 6.1% (Arak). In addition, according to the results of mean comparison, four superior ecotypes in terms of early, medium and late maturity in each phenological stage were identified and classified. Physiological maturity and grain filling period were considered as a criterion to determine the early and late maturity. Accordingly, Arak (Markazi province) and Qaen (South Khorasan province) with an essence content of 6.1% and 4.7%, respectively were identified as the earliest and most late ecotypes.
S. Khalesro; H. Malekian
Abstract
Nowadays, using organic inputs instead of chemical fertilizers is the most important point for achieving soil productivity and suitable plant nutrition in organic farming. The application of these inputs not only protects the environmental health, but also improves the qualitative characteristics of ...
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Nowadays, using organic inputs instead of chemical fertilizers is the most important point for achieving soil productivity and suitable plant nutrition in organic farming. The application of these inputs not only protects the environmental health, but also improves the qualitative characteristics of medicinal plants. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of vermicompost and humic acidon morphological traits, yield, essential, oil content and component of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.). Thus, a field experiment was conducted in the Agriculture Research Station of Kurdistan University in 2013. The treatments consisted of three level of vermicompost (0, 5 and 10 t.ha-1) and three levels of humic acid (0, 0.5 and 1 percent). The study was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with factorial arrangement and three replications. The results showed that the highest plant height and number of umbels/plant were obtained at the third level of vermicompost. The third level of humic acid caused the highest values of plant height and number of umbels/plant, as well. The highest number of umbel /plant, seed and biological yield and essential oil percentage were obtained with applying the third level of vermicompost and humic acid. Hence, it seems that organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and humic acid could be applied as a proper alternative to improve the qualitative and quantitative yield of Ajowan.
