Agriculture and horticulture
Zeinab Sharifi; Hamid Reza Eisvand; Naser Akbari; Omid Ali Akbarpour
Abstract
Background and objectives: Allium jesdianum is a valuable medicinal and edible plant belonging to the Alliaceae family and is native to Iran. However, due to excessive harvesting in its natural habitat, it is currently endangered. This study aimed to promote the cultivation, conservation, and habitat ...
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Background and objectives: Allium jesdianum is a valuable medicinal and edible plant belonging to the Alliaceae family and is native to Iran. However, due to excessive harvesting in its natural habitat, it is currently endangered. This study aimed to promote the cultivation, conservation, and habitat restoration of this endangered species. To ensure its sustainability, wild ecotypes were cultivated in controlled agricultural environments, and the effects of plant nutrition and gibberellic acid on reproductive success and overall yield were evaluated.Methodology: A randomized complete block experiment with three replications was conducted during the 2021–2022 growing season at the research farm of Lorestan University. The experimental treatments included cow manure at two levels (0 and 40 t/ha), NPK biofertilizer (Azotobarvar-1, Potabarvar-2, and Phosphatebarvar-2) at two levels (0 and 100 g/ha), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) at two levels (0 and 250 ppm). Bulbs were collected from their natural highland habitat near the research site and cultivated in the field after being inoculated with NPK biofertilizer and gibberellic acid. Various morphological and yield-related traits were measured, including plant height, fresh and dry leaf weight, weight and diameter of mother and daughter bulbs, daughter bulb production, economic yield, and biological yield. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 software, and treatment means were compared using the LSD test at a 5% significance level.Results: Applying cow manure, NPK biofertilizer, and gibberellic acid individually or in combination significantly influenced most vegetative and yield-related traits. However, the number of leaves per plant showed no significant variation. The highest plant height (26.53 cm), fresh leaf weight (8.24 g per plant), and dry leaf weight (2.84 g per plant) were recorded in the treatment combining cow manure, NPK biofertilizer, and gibberellic acid. Fertilizer and gibberellic acid application led to an approximately 2.5-fold increase in fresh leaf yield and an 18% improvement in biological yield compared to the control. The combination of cow manure and biological fertilizer had the most substantial impact on plant growth parameters. The weight and diameter of the mother bulb were significantly influenced by both the main effects and their interactions, with the highest values (3.58 g per plant and 22.52 mm) observed under the combined application of cow manure, biological fertilizer, and gibberellic acid. Similarly, the weight and diameter of daughter bulbs followed the same pattern. Reproductive success in A. jesdianum was significantly improved with the combined application of cow manure, biological fertilizer, and gibberellic acid. This treatment resulted in the highest bulb yield, averaging 13.33 bulbs per unit area.Conclusion: The results indicate that the integrated application of cow manure, NPK biofertilizer, and gibberellic acid significantly enhances plant yield and daughter bulb production. Therefore, this approach is recommended for farmers seeking to improve A. jesdianum cultivation while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Agriculture and horticulture
S. Alipour
Abstract
To investigate the effects of vermicompost and phosphate biofertilizer Barvar-2 on quantitative and qualitative yield of Silybum marianum L., a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field near Ardebil city in 2018-2019 crop year. Vermicompost ...
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To investigate the effects of vermicompost and phosphate biofertilizer Barvar-2 on quantitative and qualitative yield of Silybum marianum L., a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field near Ardebil city in 2018-2019 crop year. Vermicompost was used at five levels (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 ton.ha-1) and biofertilizer at two levels (inoculation and non-inoculation). The results showed that seed yield, 1000-seed weight, number of seeds per capitule, number of capitules per plant, biological yield, oil yield, silymarin yield, and flower fresh weight were significantly affected by different levels of vermicompost. Also, the application of phosphate biofertilizer Barvar-2 had a significant effect on all traits except inflorescence diameter. The highest amount of traits in the vermicompost treatment was obtained in the application of 40 tons.ha-1. However, there was no statistically significant difference for the traits including number of seeds per capitule, oil, silymarin, and silybin percentage, oil yield, and number of inflorescences in the application of 40 and 30 tons vermicompost per hectare. In biofertilizer treatment, the highest amount of traits was observed in inoculation with this fertilizer. The highest silybin percentage (16.81) and silymarin yield (37.61 kg.ha-1) were obtained in the application of 40 tons vermicompost per hectare and the lowest one (16.12% and 30.56 kg.ha-1, respectively) at the control level of vermicompost.
Agriculture and horticulture
S. Heidari; J. Sarhadi; M. Sharif
Abstract
To investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers and their combination on the characteristics of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) in Southern Kerman province, a factorial farm experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications for two years. The factors included ...
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To investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers and their combination on the characteristics of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) in Southern Kerman province, a factorial farm experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications for two years. The factors included rotten cattle manure at two levels (0 (a1) and 15 (a2) ton.ha-1) and NPK fertilizer (urea, triple superphosphate and potassium sulfate) at five levels (0 (b1), 25% (b2), 50% (b3), 75% (b4), and 100% (b5) of the soil test basis). At the end of each year, leaf yield and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lawson concentrations of the leaves were measured in the different treatments. The results of two-year combined analysis showed that the interaction between organic and chemical fertilizer treatments was significant on yield and leaf lawson concentration. The highest leaf dry weight (483.2 g.m-2) was related to the a2b5 treatment which was not significantly different from a2b4 (473.7 g.m-2). The a2b5 and a2b4 treatments had 41.2% and 38.5% better yield than the control, respectively. Also, the a2b5 treatment showed the highest leaf lawson content (30.1 g.plant-1) without significant difference with a2b4 (25.2 g.plant-1). Considering the situation of the study region in terms of non-use of organic fertilizers and also the economic justification of the produced henna, it could be recommended to use 15 ton.ha-1 cattle manure with a 25% reduction of chemical fertilizer NPK for the henna production.
Agriculture and horticulture
B. Yoosefi; F. Sefidkon; M. Mirza; M.H. Lebaschy
Abstract
Satureja mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey. is one of the native savory species of Iran that has received much attention due to its high essential oil content and phenolic compound of thymol. Determination the most suitable and best planting density as well as soil fertility is very important in increasing ...
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Satureja mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey. is one of the native savory species of Iran that has received much attention due to its high essential oil content and phenolic compound of thymol. Determination the most suitable and best planting density as well as soil fertility is very important in increasing the quantitative and qualitative yield of medicinal plants. In this study, to investigate the effects of plant density and feeding with organic fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of essential oils in Satureja mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey. under rainfed conditions, an experiment was conducted as split plots in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the Research and Education Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Kermanshah province in 3 crop years (2018-2020). The main factor included 3 fertilizer treatments and the sub-factor was 3 densities (2.66, 4, and 8 plants per square meter) in rows with a distance of 50 cm and with 3 planting distances (25, 50, and 75 cm). Plant aerial parts were harvested at full flowering stage and their essential oil (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation method. EO yield was calculated according to the plant dry weight and its chemical compounds were identified using GC and GC/MS. The results showed that percentage and EO chemical composition did not show any difference between the years. There was a significant difference between the fertilizer treatments for the percentage and EO yield and thymol, carvacrol, and other EO chemical compounds at the level of 1%. There was a significant difference between the planting densities only for EO yield. Thymol had a positive relationship with the treatments of enriched straw and then rotten cow manure and the highest amount (53.2%) was observed in the enriched straw treatment. Carvacrol with the highest amount of 9.2%, showed a positive relationship with the rotten cow manure treatment.
V. Varnaseri Ghandali; A. Nasiri Dehsorkhi; H. Makarian; P. Haghighat jou
Abstract
To study the effects of different levels of vermicompost and humic acid on the seed macro-elements uptake, seed yield, and essential oil of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), an experiment was conducted in a field located in Mobarakeh city as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three ...
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To study the effects of different levels of vermicompost and humic acid on the seed macro-elements uptake, seed yield, and essential oil of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), an experiment was conducted in a field located in Mobarakeh city as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during the growing season 2016-2017. Experimental treatments included vermicompost at three levels (0, 5 and 10 ton ha-1) and foliar application of humic acid at four levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 lit ha-1). The results showed that the application of 10 ton ha-1vermicompost increased the essential oil yield and seed phosphorus content by 86.7 and 33% as compared to control, respectively. The foliar application of 4 lit ha-1 humic acid along with 0, 5, and 10 ton ha-1vermicompost application increased the seed potassium content by 27.8, 9.6, and 9.2% as compared to control, respectively. The highest percentage of seed nitrogen was observed in the combined application of humic acid at 4 lit ha-1 and vermicompost at 10 ton ha-1, which was 11.7% more than control. The foliar spray of 4 and 6 lit ha-1 humic acid at 10 ton ha-1 vermicompost increased seed yield by 11.1 and 9.9% as compared to control, respectively. The combined use of humic acid and vermicompost could meet the nutritional needs of cumin and could be considered as an effective step towards achieving sustainable agriculture goals while increasing quantitative and qualitative performance.
N. Ghayoumi- Mohammadi; H.A. Asadi-Gharneh
Abstract
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a valuable medicinal plant widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and industrial products. In order to investigate the effects of vermicompost and seaweed foliar application on quantitative and qualitative traits of roselle, this research was carried out in Islamic ...
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Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a valuable medicinal plant widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and industrial products. In order to investigate the effects of vermicompost and seaweed foliar application on quantitative and qualitative traits of roselle, this research was carried out in Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch in spring, summer and autumn of 2016. The experiment was conducted as factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications. Vermicompost treatments were applied on four levels: zero (control), 5, 10 and 15 ton/ha, and seaweed spraying at three levels: 0 (control), 1 and 1.5g/L at intervals of one month. At the end of experiment, plant height, number of flowers, fresh and dry weights of the plant, fresh and dry weights of calyx, chlorophyll a, b and total, anthocyanin content, vitamin C, flavonoids and titratable acidityof calyx were measured. The results indicated that the use of seaweed and vermicompost improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of roselle. The highest plant height, number of flowers per plant, fresh and dry weights of plant and calyx, chlorophyll a, b and total, anthocyanin content, titratable acid, and vitamin C in calyx, were measured in vermicompost 15 ton/ha. Also the highest amount of chlorophyll a, anthocyanin, flavonoids, titratable acid, and vitamin C of calyx, number of flowers per plant and fresh weight of plant were measured in 1.5 g/l seaweed. The highest amount of vitamin C (68.74 mg/100g), titratable acid (4.97%), anthocyanin (1.400mg/g) in calyx, number of flowers per plant (73.33) and plant fresh weight (828.33 g) were observed in vermicompost 15 ton /ha with the foliar application of seaweed 1.5 g/l.
A. Oftadeh fadafan; M.H. AminiFard
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most important and precious medicinal plants in the world. In order to investigate the effects of different of municipal waste vermicompost on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of leaf and corm of saffron, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most important and precious medicinal plants in the world. In order to investigate the effects of different of municipal waste vermicompost on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of leaf and corm of saffron, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, University of Birjand during the growing season of 2015. The treatments included four levels of municipal waste vermicompost (0, 5, 10 and 15 t.ha-1). Results showed that municipal waste vermicompost in the second year improved the reproductive characteristics so that the highest flower yield was obtained from 10 t.ha-1 municipal waste vermicompost (22.5g.m-2) and the highest dry stigma yield was obtained from 5 t.ha-1 municipal waste vermicompost (0.44g.m-2). The highest average leaf number (8.36), average fresh weight and dry weight of leaf (0.33 and 0.099 g, respectively) were obtained in plants treated with 15 t.ha-1 municipal waste vermicompost and the highest leaf length (249.3 mm) was obtained at 10 t.ha-1. Application of this organic fertilizer could have a significant effect on chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll content and SPAD. The highest photosynthetic pigments were obtained from application of 10 t.ha-1 municipal waste vermicompost. The characteristics of the corm including the number of cormel, fresh and dry weight of cormel and number of cormel buds were affected by municipal waste vermicompost treatment. The highest number of cormel was obtained from plants treated with 10 t.ha-1. Also results showed that treatment of 5 t.ha-1 of municipal waste vermicompost had the greatest effect on fresh and dry weight of cormel. This treatment improved the number of cormel (33/1) as compared with control (5). Thus, results showed that municipal waste vermicompost had strong impact on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of saffron.
K. Mojtabavi; M.T Darzi
Abstract
In order to study the effects of organic and bio-fertilizers application on flower yield, yield components and essential oil quality of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), an experiment was conducted as randomized complete blocks design with six treatments and three replications at Sohanak in Tehran ...
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In order to study the effects of organic and bio-fertilizers application on flower yield, yield components and essential oil quality of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), an experiment was conducted as randomized complete blocks design with six treatments and three replications at Sohanak in Tehran of Iran in 2014. The treatments were 6 t/ha vermicompost, 12 t/ha vermicompost, 18 t/ha vermicompost, 6 t/ha vermicompost + nitroxin, 12 t/ha vermicompost + nitroxin and 18 t/ha vermicompost + nitroxin. The results showed that treatments had significant effects on studied traits (except essential oil content), as the highest flower no./plant, dry weight of flower, dried yield of flower, essential oil yield and α-cadinol percent in essential oil in treatment of application of 6 t/ha vermicompost and the highest gamma cadinene percent and muurolene in essential oil in treatment of integrated application of 6 t/ha vermicompost and nitroxin were obtained. Also, the highest dry weight of plant and viridiflorene percent in essential oil in treatment of application of 12 t/ha vermicompost and the highest cadinene percent in essential oil in treatment of application of 18 t/ha vermicompost were obtained. Generally, the highest flower and essential oil yields and α-cadinol percent in essential oil with application of 6 t/ha vermicompost were obtained.
S.M. Hossaini; M. Aghaalikhani; F. Sefidkon; A. Ghalavand
Abstract
The Sahandi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) is a native medicinal species of Iran, which is exposed to extinction. Organic farming of this species in low input systems has an important role to protect this valuable genetic reserve. To evaluate the essential oil content and components of the savory ...
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The Sahandi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) is a native medicinal species of Iran, which is exposed to extinction. Organic farming of this species in low input systems has an important role to protect this valuable genetic reserve. To evaluate the essential oil content and components of the savory in natural habitat and field conditions, an experiment was conducted to investigate the plant growth responses to different fertilizer and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) density (0, 6, 12 and 18 plants/m2) in two planting patterns (rectangles, zigzag). The experiment was carried out in factorial based on RCBD with three replications at the Qazvin Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center during 2010 to 2012. The nutrient treatments included NPK plus foliar application of micronutrients, four tons/ha vermicompost, two tons/ha vermicompost plus 40 liters/ha vermi-tea (liquid formulation of vermicompost). At the flowering stage, the essential oil content and compounds were measured in both samples of field and natural habitats. The effect of planting pattern was not significant. The highest content of essential oils in first harvest (28.38%) and in second harvest (46.04%) were obtained from organic fertilizer treatments, two tons vermicompost + 40 liters vermin-tea and four tons vermicompost, respectively. These treatments were superior to the savory harvested from natural habitats. The essential oil content of savory under competition of redroot pigweed at all densities were higher than the natural habitats and the highest content in first and second harvest (30.41% and 51.80%) was obtained at 18 plants/m2 pigweed density. In all fertilizer treatments, the content of thymol in comparison to natural habitats (38.49%) was superior and the highest content (42.95%) was obtained with application of four tons vermicompost. In the absence of weed, the Sahandi savory produced the greatest content of thymol (45.18%) compared to the savory grown in natural habitats.
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.
S.M. Hossaini; M. Aghaalikhani; F. Sefidkon; A. Ghalavand
Abstract
Regarding to the important role of weed management, soil fertility and organic farming of the medicinal plants, in this research, the effect of different levels of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexux L.) density on growth and yield of sahendi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) was studied in several ...
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Regarding to the important role of weed management, soil fertility and organic farming of the medicinal plants, in this research, the effect of different levels of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexux L.) density on growth and yield of sahendi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) was studied in several fertility regimes including vermicompost with complete and decreased amount of conventional fertilizers. Experiment was carried out using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of treatments with three replicates in Esmaeil Abad Station of Agriculture and Natural Resoursec Research Organization of the Qazvin province during 2010-2012. Fertility factors included NPK plus micro nutrients spraying in first and second year (CF), vermicompost (4 t/ha) in first year (V4), vermicompost (2 t/ha)in first year plus liquid vermitea(40 L/ha) in second year (V2T). Redroot pigweed density levels included 0, 6, 12, and 18 plants per square meter (W0, W6, W12 and W18). Results showed that in first year main effect of fertilizer on shoot weight, and main effect of weed interference on essential oil (p<0.05) and shoot weight (p<0.01) were significant. Weed dry weight significantly (p<0.01) was influenced by weed density in both years of the experiment. The highest percentage of savory essential oil was obtained at 2 t/ha vermicompost+vermitea in no weed treatment. Sixteen compounds were identified in the essential oil of savory of which thymol, р-cymene and γ-trepinene were the most important ones. According to the results of the essential oil analysis, treatment of 4 t/ha vermicompost in weed free condition increased thymol production. However, thymol decreased and р-cymene increased in response to the existence of weeds.
S.M. Razavi Nia; M. Aghaalikhani; H.A. Naghdi Badi
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of different application rates of vermicompost and chemical fertilizer on qualitative and quantitative performance of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.). A field experiment was conducted at Research Field of Tarbiat Modares University ...
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The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of different application rates of vermicompost and chemical fertilizer on qualitative and quantitative performance of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.). A field experiment was conducted at Research Field of Tarbiat Modares University during the growing season of 2009-2010. The experiment was arranged as a factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. There were 12 treatments consisting of three chemical fertilizer levels (no fertilizer application, 75 kg nitrogen/ha as urea form + 3000ppm micronutrient fertilizer/ha, and 150kg nitrogen/ha as urea form + 6000ppm micronutrient fertilizer/ha) and four vermicompost levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 ton ha-1). Results showed that vermicompost had significant effects on dry weights of stem, flower, root, total biological yield, number of flowers per plant and SPAD value. In addition, the interaction between chemical fertilizer and vermicompost was significant for root dry weight, 100 flowers dry weight and plant height. The application of 4 ton vermicompost ha-1 without chemical fertilizer resulted in the highest values of stem dry weight, flower dry weight, number of flowers per plant and plant height. The highest root dry weight and total biological yield was obtained by applying 2.94 and 3.59 ton vermicompost ha-1, respectively. There were not significant chemical fertilizer differences on all measured traits. None of the experimental factors showed significant influences on total phenolic compounds in different plant organs. According to results of this experiment, organic fertilizer (vermicompost) could be introduced as a suitable alternative to the use of chemical fertilizer in purple coneflower cultivation.
M. Zarei; M. Merikhi; M.J. Saharkhiz
Abstract
Simultaneous application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic matter affects the growth and yield of plants. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of Funneliformis mosseae fungus, Licorice pulp and their simultaneous application on the morphological and physiological characteristics ...
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Simultaneous application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic matter affects the growth and yield of plants. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of Funneliformis mosseae fungus, Licorice pulp and their simultaneous application on the morphological and physiological characteristics of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement in three replications was used. Factors were included 1) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, (Funneliformis mosseae and control), 2) four levels of Licorice (0, 5, 10 and 20% (v/v)). Inoculation of pot marigold roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus significantly increased plant height, leaf area, shoot dry weight, chlorophyll and flavonoid content, root colonization, and N, P and K uptake of plant. Application of 5 and 10% v/v of Licorice pulp increased plant height, leaf area, shoot dry weight, flavonoid content, and N, P and K uptake of plant. Flavonoid content increased up to 10% v/v of Licorice pulp application. All measured traits except chlorophyll content, root colonization and flavonoid content significantly decreased at the maximum level of Licorice pulp application (20% v/v). Effect of fungus on all measured traits except flavonoid content was higher than Licorice pulp application. A synergistic effect was observed in co-application treatments of Licorice pulp and Funneliformis mosseae. The positive effects of fungus were higher in 10 and 20% v/v levels of Licorice pulp application for measured parameters.
