Agriculture and horticulture
Afshin Tavakoli; Samaneh Asadi-Sanam; Arash Roozbahani
Abstract
Background and objectives: In producing medicinal plants, it is critical to use plants with a high percentage of active ingredients and consume low amounts of water. Thymus daenensis Celak is a tolerant Thymus species for rainfed cultivation. In addition, using complementary irrigation regimes and applying ...
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Background and objectives: In producing medicinal plants, it is critical to use plants with a high percentage of active ingredients and consume low amounts of water. Thymus daenensis Celak is a tolerant Thymus species for rainfed cultivation. In addition, using complementary irrigation regimes and applying anti-stress compounds at critical stages of plant growth are suitable programs for sustainable production and optimal water consumption under dry farming conditions. For this purpose, this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different complementary irrigation regimes along with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a nitric oxide donor, kaolin, and potassium spraying on yield and some biochemical characteristics of T. daenensis under rainfed conditions.Methodology: This experiment was designed and implemented as a split plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the research field of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands-Homand Rangelands Research Station (Damavand) for three years (2017-2019 crop years). The experimental treatments included complementary irrigation as the main factor at three levels: control (no irrigation), one and two complementary irrigation, and spraying of stress-modulating substances as a secondary factor with three compounds of SNP (200 µM), kaolin (5%) and potassium (75 kg/ha from a potassium sulfate source). Cultivation was indirect and through seedlings. To prepare seedlings, the seeds were planted in the cultivation trays in the greenhouse at the end of September. After growing in the greenhouse, the seedlings (8-10 leaves) were transferred to the field in November with rain monitoring. Complementary irrigation and different foliar spraying treatments were done twice in the pre-flowering and 10 % flowering stages. Treatments were applied in the third year of plant growth to increase economic yield. After applying the treatments, the plant's flowering branch was sampled to measure malondialdehyde (MDA). After measuring the morphological characteristics (plant height and canopy diameter) in the full flowering stage, plant shoots were harvested to determine the dry matter yield per square meter and hectare. Percentage and yield of essential oil, total phenol, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity were also determined.Results: The results showed that increasing the number of complementary irrigations increased the crown diameter, plant height, and dry matter yield per plant and hectare. Kaolin treatment under two complementary irrigation regimes had the highest height (31.6 cm), and the control treatment under no irrigation had the lowest height (19.3 cm). Also, using kaolin and two complementary irrigations showed the highest dry matter yield per m2 (77.2 grams) and per hectare (771.4 kg). In addition, MDA content was lower in the double complementary irrigation treatment with kaolin foliar spraying (1.22 μmol/g of fresh weight). Foliar spraying of kaolin, potassium, and SNP under rainfed conditions (without irrigation) increased the amount of essential oil (by 1.83, 1.67, and 1.6 percent, respectively) compared to the control treatment (1.4 percent). In contrast, the maximum essential oil yield per hectare was related to the double complementary irrigation regime with potassium foliar spraying (10.6 kg/ha). Foliar spraying with potassium in the regimes of without irrigation (rainfed) and one-time complementary irrigation had the highest content of total phenols and flavonoids, respectively. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained without irrigation and foliar spraying (control).Conclusion: This experiment showed that complementary irrigation increased dry matter yield per plant and hectare. On the other hand, foliar spraying with anti-stress compounds, especially kaolin, and potassium, along with complementary irrigation, increased essential oil yield per hectare. In general, based on the results of this experiment, it is suggested to use complementary irrigation regimes according to the available water sources. In addition, it is suggested to use kaolin or potassium foliar application under rainfed conditions for T. daenensis.
Biotechnology
A. Shayan; M. Shokrpour; V. Nazeri; M. Babalar; A. Mehrabi
Abstract
Cultivation development of adaptable Thymus daenensis Celak to specific environmental conditions through population improvement requires the creation of a genetic pool rich of superior genotypes and exploitation of this diversity to identify genotypes with high combinability. In this research, to study ...
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Cultivation development of adaptable Thymus daenensis Celak to specific environmental conditions through population improvement requires the creation of a genetic pool rich of superior genotypes and exploitation of this diversity to identify genotypes with high combinability. In this research, to study the genetic diversity and combinability of different T. daenensis ecotypes under salinity, a factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors included salinity stress (0 and 90 mM NaCl) and ecotype (12 half-sib families derived from a polycross between 12 T. daenensis ecotypes). Salinity decreased all the measured traits (except for proline and carotenoids content) significantly compared to the control. The ecotypes differed significantly from each other in terms of length and leaf width, length of lateral branches, aerial parts dry weight, essential oil content, and proline content. Essential oil content and leaf width obtained the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation. General heritability of the studied traits varied from 4.61% (leaf length) to 81.07% (leaf width). The highest general heritability was assigned to leaf width, essential oil content, and aerial parts dry weight. Regarding the higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, and genetic advance of the traits including essential oil content and aerial parts dry weight, these traits could be considered as the most important criteria for the parents selection in the breeding programs of T. daenensis. The results showed that the ecotypes Malayer2, Zagheh, Arak, and Ilam had high combinability in terms of essential oil content. Considering the sufficient genetic diversity observed between the studied ecotypes along with their adequate combinability, it could be recommended to breed T. daenensis through the strategy of improving the population by producing synthetic cultivars for normal (non-stress) and salinity conditions.
A. Abdollahi Arpanahi; M. Feizian; Gh. Mehdipourian
Abstract
To investigate the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and drought stress on essential oil of Thymus daenensis Clack, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in Shahrekord, Iran in 2017. The experiment was arranged as a factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. ...
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To investigate the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and drought stress on essential oil of Thymus daenensis Clack, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in Shahrekord, Iran in 2017. The experiment was arranged as a factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor included four levels of irrigation: well-watered (No stress), irrigation after depletion of 20-25% of field capacity (FC) (Low stress), irrigation after depletion of 35-40% of FC (Mild stress) and irrigation after depletion of 55-60% of FC (Severe stress). The second factor included two levels of PGPR treatments: no inoculation (Control) and inoculation with PGPR. The results showed that the morphological parameters were significantly increased in PGPR treatments, while water stress decreased all parameters. The essential oil amount increased in low stress and decreased in severe stress. PGPR inoculation increased the amount of essential oil, although this increase was not statistically significant. PGPR incubation and drought stress had a significant effect on 13 and 14 components, respectively. The interaction of PGPR and drought stress had a significant effect on the oil components. Thymol and carvacrol, two important components of T. daenensis essential oil, decreased with increasing severity of drought stress, but PGPR inoculation increased them, especially at drought stress treatments.
B. Bahreininejad; M. Mirza
Abstract
Thymus daenensis Celak is one of the Iranian endemic plants. Since this species is one of the most valuable medicinal plants in the central Zagros region, extra-human exploitation has put it at risk of extinction. Ordination technique is one of the methods showing the relationship between plant and environmental ...
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Thymus daenensis Celak is one of the Iranian endemic plants. Since this species is one of the most valuable medicinal plants in the central Zagros region, extra-human exploitation has put it at risk of extinction. Ordination technique is one of the methods showing the relationship between plant and environmental variables. In order to study the effects of ecological variables on essential oil components, eight growing regions of Thymus daenensis in Isfahan province were identified and after collecting the aerial parts of plant materials, the essential oil was extracted and their components were detected. Twenty four bio-climatical, edaphical and topographical factors in each habitate were collected for ordination analysis. Results showed that elevation, mean temperature of the wettest season, isothermality, precipitation of the wettest season, annual precipitation, precipitation of the driest season and annual temperature range, clay, gravel, organic matter, available nitrogen and potassium were the most effective variables on the essential oil components. Thymol content as the main component in the essential oil was affected by annual temperature range, elevation, and slope. Soil sand percentage and the mean temperature of wettest quarter were the most effective variables on carvacrol. The result of this study could have valuable role in Thymus daenensis cultivation management in nature or farm regarding to its chemical components needed in the medicinal and hygienic industries.
M. Pirooz; H. Amiri; B. Dostii
Abstract
Thymus daenensis Celak., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is an endemic species of genus Thymus in Iran. Despite the increasing need for mass propagation of this plant due to the presence of useful secondary metabolites, there is little information about its proliferation. In the present study, the ...
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Thymus daenensis Celak., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is an endemic species of genus Thymus in Iran. Despite the increasing need for mass propagation of this plant due to the presence of useful secondary metabolites, there is little information about its proliferation. In the present study, the interaction of some hormonal treatments in the MS medium containing indole acetic acid (IAA), benzyl amino purine (BAP) and kinetin (Kin) in presence or absence ascorbic acid (AS) were investigated for callus induction and micropropagation of Thymus daenensis. Results showed that the callus index, fresh weight, and dry weight of callus from internode explants were better as compared with apical meristem explants. Significant differences were found for regeneration from callus cultures derived from apical meristem and internode, so that NAA-Kin (4.5 and 1.5 mg/L) and NAA-BAP (9 and 6 mg/L) were the best hormonal combination. As well, significant differences were found between callus production from internode explants and apical meristem explants, so that Kin-NAA (9 and 3 mg/L), and NAA-BAP (6 and 9 mg/L) in presence of ascorbic acid were the best hormonal combination. Overall, the control treatment, NAA and Kin showed favorable effects on callus induction and better regeneration was obtained from internode explants.
F. Bahadori; E. Sharifi Ashorabadi; M. Mirza; M. Matinizade; V. Abdosi
Abstract
In order to study the effects of interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on some elements content, dry matter yield and root colonisation in organic cultivation of Thymus daenensis Celak, an experiment was conducted at semnan natural resource ...
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In order to study the effects of interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on some elements content, dry matter yield and root colonisation in organic cultivation of Thymus daenensis Celak, an experiment was conducted at semnan natural resource research field at shahmirzad, in 2011-2012. Treatments included: A: the fungus of Glomus moseae (1-inoculated (AM) and 2- no inoculated) and B: PGPR inoculums (1- Bacillus subtilis 2- Pseudomonas fluorescens 3- control). A factorial experiment design was applied in a randomized complete blocks design with six treatments and three replications. Results showed that foliar K contents and root colonisation increased significantly with the G. moseae inoculation and the foliar P contents increased significantly with the B. subtilis inoculation alone. There was negative interactions between G. moseae and P. fluorescens on dry matter yield and nutrient uptake. The most effective treatment was observed in the co- inoculation with G. moseae and B. subtilis, which synergistically increased dry matter yield and nutrient uptake campared with singly inoculated or non- inoculated plants.
Sh. Sharafaldin Shirazi; F. Fazeli
Abstract
Thyme, a perennial species from Lamiaceae family, is a valuable medicinal plant in the world. Thymus daenensis Celak. is distributed in many parts of Iran. In order to investigate the effect of micro-chelate iron and iron sulfate on stem length, crown cover, biomass yield, dry matter yield, and absorption ...
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Thyme, a perennial species from Lamiaceae family, is a valuable medicinal plant in the world. Thymus daenensis Celak. is distributed in many parts of Iran. In order to investigate the effect of micro-chelate iron and iron sulfate on stem length, crown cover, biomass yield, dry matter yield, and absorption rate of N, P, K, and Fe in leaves, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was conducted. The study was performed in Homand Rangeland Research station in 2012. Three levels of micro-chelate iron (0, 3, and 6 kgha-1) and iron sulfate (3 and 6 kg in 1000 liters of water per square meter) at three stages. Results of analysis variance showed that the effect of different amounts of fertilizers on stem length (p≤0.05), biomass yield and dry matter yield (p≤0.01) were significant (28.63 cm, 5110 and 2613kg.h-1). The interaction of two above fertilizers on crown cover (47.81 cm2), absorption rate of N, P, K, Fe in leaves were significant (p≤0.01). The highest absorption rate of N was P, K and Fe were 1.1%, 1.14, 15.9, and 1.70 g.kg-1, respectively. Therefore, nano iron chelate at 6kg.ha-1 could be recommended.
S. Zandi Esfahan; F. Saghaei; A. Ghasemi Pirbalooti; E. Zandi Esfahan
Abstract
The use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications is indispensable in clinical medicine. On the other hand, the increasing use of chemical drugs has several side effects that can sometimes be more dangerous than the disease itself. Therefore, research on the medicinal properties of plants to explore ...
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The use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications is indispensable in clinical medicine. On the other hand, the increasing use of chemical drugs has several side effects that can sometimes be more dangerous than the disease itself. Therefore, research on the medicinal properties of plants to explore the effects of drugs with similar or even better than chemical drugs with fewer side effects is of great importance. In this research, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Thymus daenensis Celak were investigated. For this purpose, 75 male mice weighing approximately 20-30 g were divided into 15 groups of 5 mice each. Writhing and formalin tests were applied to study analgesic effects and Xylene test was used to examine the anti-inflammatory effects. Extract at doses of 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg was tested. Saline solution and morphine (10 mg/Kg) were used in analgesic experiment and dexamethasone (10 mg/ kg) was used for anti-inflammatory experiment as positive group. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and mean comparisons were performed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests. According to the results, ethanolic extract of Thymus daenensis showed analgesic effects in Writhing test. Analgesic effects were not significant in the first phase of formalin test but it was significant in the second phase. Ethanolic extract of Thymus daenensis showed antiinflammatory effects at dose of 800 mg/kg-1. The conclusion is that analgesic effects of ethanolic extract of Thymus daenensis probably are caused by para cymene, -β-caryophyllene, carvacrol and especially thymol. Increasing doses and study on anti-inflammatory effects through other tests are needed for final confirmation of anti-inflammatory effects of Thymus daenensis.
M. Zarooshan; F. Bernard; Z. Heydarian
Abstract
Thymus daenensis Celak. is an endemic plant species in Iran used for medicinal purposes. It seems that In vitro culture is a useful technique for its propagation. In vitro culture conditions cause water stress or hyperhydricity in tissues due to the cut in the plant tissue and changes in levels of plant ...
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Thymus daenensis Celak. is an endemic plant species in Iran used for medicinal purposes. It seems that In vitro culture is a useful technique for its propagation. In vitro culture conditions cause water stress or hyperhydricity in tissues due to the cut in the plant tissue and changes in levels of plant hormones compared to natural conditions and may vary depending on the type of medium, type of agar and available water. Hyperhydricity syndrome is one of the major problems that occur in in vitro growth and through a deformity prevents the propagation of plants. In shoot culture of Thymus daenensis Celak., hyperhydricity happens commonly. In this investigation, the effect of benzyladenine and salicylic acid were studied on shoot hyperhydricity syndrome. For this purpose, disinfected seeds were cultured into glass jars containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with benzyladenine (0.1mgl-1). Non benzyladenine-treated plantlets were transferred to the same medium and benzyladenine-treated plantlets were cultured in four experimental media including without benzyladenine, with 1mgl-1 benzyladenine in presence or without 5µM salicylic acid. Afterward, effects of the mentioned treatments on hyperhydricity, morphological and physiological characteristics of the plant were measured. Results showed that benzyladenine singly caused hyperhydricity in shoot explants of Thymus daenensis. After transferring the explants to the medium free of benzyladenine, hyperhydricity reversed toward normal state and the presence of salicylic acid improved this reversion. Salicylic acid reduced water content in shoot explants and enhanced the amount of photosynthetic pigments. In benzyladenine treated sample, the hyperhydricity was not reversed by salicylic acid.
S. Aflakian; H. Zeinali; H. Maddah Arefy; Sh. Enteshary; Sh. Kaveh
Abstract
Thymus daenensis Celak. is an aromatic and medicinal species which due to hybridization within species and between species has high morphological diversity. This study was carried out in order to evaluate yield and yield components in 11 ecotypes of Thymus daenensis collected from Isfahan, Markazi and ...
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Thymus daenensis Celak. is an aromatic and medicinal species which due to hybridization within species and between species has high morphological diversity. This study was carried out in order to evaluate yield and yield components in 11 ecotypes of Thymus daenensis collected from Isfahan, Markazi and Lorestan. This experiment was performed in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications at Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources of Isfahan. Spike weight, spike length, number of flowers per spike, shoot height, leaf area, leaf length, leaf width, the largest and smallest diameter of canopy, 1000-grain weight, fresh and dry yield were measured. Analysis of variance showed that there was considerable variation for all studied characters. Results of mean comparisons showed that the highest dry and fresh yield per plant were 114/6 and 386/6 gr for ecotype of Khorramabad 1, respectively. The lowest yield was recorded for ecotype of Khorramabad 2. Maximum spike weight, spike length, number of flowers per spike, the largest diameter of canopy and leaf length was also recorded for ecotype of Khorramabad1. A positive significant correlation was observed between dry yield per plant and the largest diameter of canopy, leaf length, and fresh yield. Correlation between dry yield per plant and leaf width was strongly negative. Factor analysis introduced three factors that justified 79.71% of total variation among characters. Yield was identified as the first factor including dry yield with positive loading factor and leaf width with negative loading factor. Generally, ecotype of Khorramabad 1 was superior to other ecotypes in terms of yield. Canopy diameter, leaf length and leaf width were also determined as the most effective factors on yield per plant.
L. Safaei; E. Sharifi ashoorabadi; H. Zeinali; M. Mirza
Abstract
In order to study the effect of different harvesting stages on aerial yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil components in Thymus daenensis Celak., an experiment was conducted in Esfahan as a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications during 2007- 2009 and the best harvest time ...
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In order to study the effect of different harvesting stages on aerial yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil components in Thymus daenensis Celak., an experiment was conducted in Esfahan as a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications during 2007- 2009 and the best harvest time for maximum aerial yield, essential oil yield and amount of thymol were investigated. Aerial parts of the plants were harvested at four stages including: beginning of flowering, 50% flowering, full flowering and fruit set and were dried in the shade. The results showed that different harvesting stages had significant effects on all evaluated traits. According to the results of mean comparisons, the highest aerial dry weight and essential oil yield occurred at full flowering stage and the highest essential oil percentage was recorded at 50% flowering. Interaction effect of year and different harvesting stages showed that the highest aerial dry weight and essential oil yield (3083 and 68.61 kg/ha respectively) were recorded at full flowering stage in the second year. In both years, the highest amount of essential oil percentage was observed at 50% flowering and the year had no significant effect on this trait. The essential oil was mainly consisted of six components, among them thymol was dominant at four harvesting stages. The highest amount of thymol was obtained from beginning of flowering stage (85.9%) which had significant difference compared to other stages. The second dominant component was carvacrol at fruit set which showed significant difference compared to other stages. The maximum amount of P-cymene, 1,8-cineole and δ-terpinene were recorded at 50% flowering stage (3.4, 1.4 and 1.8% respectively). Borneole was also dominant (2.53%) at fruit set. In conclusion, full flowering stage was identified as the best time for harvesting of T. daenensis to achieve the maximum aerial yield, essential oil and thymol yield.
Sh. Ne'mati; F. Sefidkon; M.R. Poorherave
Abstract
Thymus species are well known as medicinal plants because of having biological and pharmacological properties. Thymus daenensis is an endemic aromatic medicinal plant to Iran. Essential oil of Thymus daenensis is a rich source of thymol which gives high antimicrobial and antioxidant activity to this ...
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Thymus species are well known as medicinal plants because of having biological and pharmacological properties. Thymus daenensis is an endemic aromatic medicinal plant to Iran. Essential oil of Thymus daenensis is a rich source of thymol which gives high antimicrobial and antioxidant activity to this plant. In this research, the aerial parts of Thymus daenensis were collected at full flowering stage from Alborz Research Station in Karaj. For finding the effect of drying methods on essential oil yield and composition, the plant material were dried in four different conditions (oven 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and shade). After drying the samples, their essential oils were obtained by water distillation in three replications and were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Oil yield and percentage of main components were statistically compared by Duncan's test in SAS software. Oil yields (w/w) of the oven-dried 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and shade-dried samples were 1.42%, 1.12%, 1.24% and 1.29%, respectively. Thymol (75.3%, 75.7%, 72.0% and 67.2%), allo-aromadendrene (5.7%, 5.2%, 5.4% and 3.9%), γ-terpinene (2.9%, 2.8%, 5.9% and 10.2%), p-cymene (4.2%, 4.1%, 5.1% and 5.5%) and carvacrol (2.2%, 4.1%, 1.6% and 2.4%) were identified as the main components in oven-dried 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and shade-dried samples, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between oil yields of oven-dried 30°C sample with other samples. The highest percentage of thymol was obtained from oven-dried 30°C and 40°C that showed a significant difference with other drying methods.
A. Akbarinia; E. Sharifi Ashoorabadi; M. Mirza
Abstract
Thymus daenensis Celak. is distributed in some areas of Iran such as Qazvin province. In order to evaluate essential oil yield and composition of T. daenensis an experiment was conducted in research farm of Qazvin Research Station based on randomized complete block design with three replications during ...
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Thymus daenensis Celak. is distributed in some areas of Iran such as Qazvin province. In order to evaluate essential oil yield and composition of T. daenensis an experiment was conducted in research farm of Qazvin Research Station based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2006-2008. Aerial parts of the plants were dried in shadow and hydro distilled for obtaining their essential oils. Capillary GC and GC/MS analysis were used to determine the volatile profile of the essential oil samples. Fresh and dry herbage yields of T. daenensis were 9124-1568, 10250-2176 and 11337-2750 kg/ha in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. Aerial parts yield were higher in the first cutting and showed decreased trend in latter cutting each year. The yields of fresh and dry biomass were 3498-800 kg/ha for the first cutting, 3015-720 kg/ha for the second cutting, 1947-508 kg/ha for the third cutting and 1976-504 kg/ha for the forth cutting. There was no difference in volatile oil percentage in different years, but there were significant difference between different cuttings. The oil yield was 2.83% at third cutting and 3.07% at first cutting. Thymol, γ-terpinene, ρ-cemene, metyl-eyther carvacrol and carvacrol were the main components of essential oil in all cuttings and years. Thymol percentage was varied from 69% (first cutting) to 76% (second cutting) in the essential oils of T. daenensis.
