Agriculture and horticulture
leili safaei; Fatemeh Sefidkon; saeed- davazdahemami-; Davood Aminazarm
Abstract
In order to study different methods of soil fertilization in Satureja .khuzistanica a research carried out in Fozveh station of Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan, during 2016- 2020. The treatments were different levels of chemical fertilizers (N50P25K25), different levels of ...
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In order to study different methods of soil fertilization in Satureja .khuzistanica a research carried out in Fozveh station of Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan, during 2016- 2020. The treatments were different levels of chemical fertilizers (N50P25K25), different levels of organic fertilizers (Cow Manure30, Cow Manure60 and 5 ton/ha Vermi-compost) and combination of chemical and organic fertilizers (N50P25K25+ Cow Manure30, N50P25K25+ Cow Manure60, N50P25K25+ 5 ton/ha Vermi-compost). These treatments were compared with the control. The project had 3 replications, according to a randomized complete block design. The percentage of essential oil was measured by water distillation (Clevenger) at 50% flowering stage. The amount of essential oil compounds was evaluated by gas chromatography (GC) and the qualification of essential oil was measured by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). According to the results, the maximum essential oil percentage and oil yeild in S. khuzistanica was 3.7% (in the third year) and 132.6 kg/ha (in the second year). Based on the results of the experimental years, the highest oil yield was observed in the combined treatment of 50 kg/ha nitrogen, 25 kg/ha of phosphorus and 25 kg/ha of potas plus 5 tons per hectare of vermicompost, in the third year. During the experimental years, 14 compounds were identified in S. khuzistanica essential oil that major compound was carvacrol (86.4-95.3%). According to the results, the qualitative yield of essential oil of this species was less affected by soil fertility treatments, but the quantitative yield of essential oil had a significant increase that indirectly increases the qualitative yield of essential oil. Finally, it was concluded that intermediate method was the superior treatment in order to improving quantitative yield and can lead to sustainable agriculture.
Agriculture and horticulture
niloufar Rezaei; Fatemeh Sefidkon; hassan ali naghdibadi
Abstract
The cultivation of medicinal plants such as the Lamiaceae family increasing throughout the world Significantly. Savory considers as an important species in this family which it’s important is due to carvacrol and thymol in essential oil. In order to investigate the effect of planting density ...
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The cultivation of medicinal plants such as the Lamiaceae family increasing throughout the world Significantly. Savory considers as an important species in this family which it’s important is due to carvacrol and thymol in essential oil. In order to investigate the effect of planting density and soil fertility on the physiological traits and antioxidant enzymes activity of savory under rainfed conditions, an experiment in the form of split plots with two factors, fertilizer as the main factor at three levels (control, 30 tons/ha cow manure and 10 tons/ha straw enriched with ammonium sulfate) and the sub-factor, plant density at three levels (2.67, 4 and 8 plants/m2) in the form of a complete block design A random experiment was conducted at Hamand Absard research station (Damavand) in 2017-18 and 2018-19. The analysis of variance showed a significant effect of planting density and organic fertilizers on the physiological traits of savory. The highest RWC (%87.67) and the lowest ELI (%47.19) were observed in the cow manure treatment with 30 tons/ha at a density of 2.67 plant/m2. As the density increased, total chlorophyll and RWC decreased and ELI and MDA and proline increased. Cow manure and straw increased total chlorophyll, proline and RWC and decreased ELI and MDA. The highest activity of CAT, peroxidase and SOD enzyme was obtained in the control treatment and 8 plant/m2 and the lowest in organic fertilizer treatment, 2.67 plant/m2. Increasing the activity of these enzymes to neutralize the reactive oxygen species produced due to water stress is known as a resistance mechanism in plants. Based on the results of this research, it can be said that savory has the ability to grow in rain-fed conditions and has the necessary potential to increase the antioxidant capacity in rainfed conditions.
Agriculture and horticulture
Farhad Bagheri fard sharabiani; Esmaeil Chamani; Mousa Torabi Giglou; Alireza Ghanbari; Younes Pourbeyrami hir
Abstract
Background and objectives: The beneficial effects of the chamomile plant have been attributed to its essential oil, so any factor that affects the quantity of its essential oil will be of interest to researchers. To investigate the effect of plant growth regulators salicylic ...
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Background and objectives: The beneficial effects of the chamomile plant have been attributed to its essential oil, so any factor that affects the quantity of its essential oil will be of interest to researchers. To investigate the effect of plant growth regulators salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate on the production of secondary metabolites in chamomile plants, this experiment was conducted under the native in vitro conditions of Sharbian City.Methodology: To conduct this research, chamomile seeds were collected from Sharbian (N ʺ52 58 37 and E ʺ06 ʹ11 ˚), East Azerbaijan province. After transfer, the seeds were sterilized for 15 minutes in a detergent. Their surfaces were disinfected with 70% alcohol for 45 seconds and then with sodium hypochlorite for 30 minutes. After surface disinfection, they were washed twice with distilled water. The basic culture medium in this study was the MS culture medium. All cultures were placed in the growth chamber at a temperature of 24±2°C and 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. A factorial experiment was performed in a complete random design with three replications. Test treatments included salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at five levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 μM). Minguez-Mosquera and Perez-Galvez methods were applied to determine photosynthetic pigment amounts. The amount of phenolic compounds in the plant extract was measured with a slight modification based on the Slinkard and Singleton method with the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The data related to this research were analyzed using SAS V.9.g.1 statistical software. The comparison of treatment averages was done with Duncan's test at 5% and 1%. Graphs were drawn using Microsoft Excel software.Results: The analysis of variance showed that the interaction effect of the applied treatments on the traits of stem weight, root weight, stem length, and root length is significant at the 1% probability level. In addition, it is significant on the number of stems at the 5% probability level. The comparison of the averages showed that the highest amount of stem weight was obtained in the interaction effect of (50 µM) SA and (200 µM) MeJA, and the lowest amount of stem weight was obtained in the interaction effect of (400 µM) SA and (400 µM) MeJA treatment. The comparison of the means shows a significant difference in this trait. The highest amount of root weight was obtained in the interaction effect of (100 µM) SA and (100 µM) MeJA, and the lowest amount of root weight was obtained in the interaction of (400 µM) SA and (400 µM) MeJA treatment. Came. A comparison of the averages showed that the highest number of stems was obtained in the interaction of (100 µM) SA and (50 µM) MeJA, and the lowest number of stems was obtained in the interaction of (400 µM) SA and (200 µM) MeJA. The comparison of the means showed the significance of the stem and root length traits. The highest value of these two traits was due to the interaction of (50 µM) SA and (100 µM) MeJA treatments, and the lowest value of stem length was in the combination of (400 µM) SA and (µM) treatments. 400) MeJA and root length were measured from the combination of SA (400 µM) and MeJA (200 µM) treatments. In the biochemical traits, variance analysis of the data showed that the effect of SA levels on the amount of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid, total chlorophyll, phenol, and flavonoid in all three wavelengths was significant at the 1% probability level.Conclusion: In this experiment, it was shown that metabolite production depends not only on enzyme activity but also on stimulant concentration. Increasing the stimulus more than usual not only increases metabolism but also reduces or stops the production of metabolites through the reduction of enzyme activity (probably through the reduction of the corresponding gene expression).
Agriculture and horticulture
Kosar Taheri Boukani; Abbas Hassani; MirHassan Rasouli-Sadaghiani; Mohsen Barin; Ramin Maleki
Abstract
Background and objectives: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its fresh and dried leaves and essential oils are used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In recent years, the use of symbiosis with plant beneficial rhizospheric ...
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Background and objectives: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its fresh and dried leaves and essential oils are used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In recent years, the use of symbiosis with plant beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms including rhizobacteria and endophytic fungi has been considered as a cost-efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate the adverse effects of environmental stresses such as salinity. Therefore, the present study was conducted in the research greenhouse of Urmia University. It evaluated the effect of inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms on some growth, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of basil plants under salt-stress conditions.Methodology: This research was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental factors were inoculation with microorganisms at three levels (control without inoculation, inoculation with Serendipita indica, and inoculation with a mixture of Pseudomonas areuginosa, P. putida, and P. fluorescens) and salinity stress at four levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM of NaCl). For inoculation, the germinated seeds were separately inoculated with S. indica suspension (5×105 spores per ml) and inoculum containing a mixture of Pseudomonas bacteria (1.61×109 cells per ml) and planted in prepared pots. The pots were irrigated with ordinary tap water until the plants were eight-leafed, and from this stage onwards, salinity stress treatments were applied by dissolving different concentrations of NaCl in the irrigation water and continued until the full flowering stage. In the full flowering stage, plant samples were collected and root colonization percentage by fungus, growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, number and total length of lateral branches, leaf number and area, inflorescence length, fresh and dry weight of leaf and stem), leaf relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, concentration of leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Na and Cl), essential oil content and yield were evaluated. For essential oil extraction, shade-dried samples were hydro-distilled using a Clevenger-type apparatus.Results: The results showed that due to salinity stress, the percentage of root colonization by S. indica, growth parameters, RWC, photosynthetic pigments, essential oil content, yield, N, P, and K content, and K/Na ratio decreased while Na and Cl content increased. In addition, all evaluated parameters in inoculated plants were higher than in non-inoculated plants except Na and Cl content. The highest and lowest rates of growth parameters, RWC (74.47 and 72.39%), essential oil yield (0.23 and 0.17 ml/pot), and N content of leaves (1.36 and 1.14%) were obtained in plants inoculated with S. indica and non-inoculated plants, respectively. The highest and lowest amounts of chlorophyll a (0.87 and 0.74 mg/g fw), chlorophyll b (0.41 and 0.37 mg/g fw), essential oil percentage (1.24 and 1.05%), K content (5.15 and 3.97%), P content (0.29 and 0.24%) and the K/Na ratio (10.05 and 4.07), were observed in plants inoculated with a mixture of Pseudomonas bacteria and non-inoculated plants, respectively. Also, the lowest Na (1.34%) and Cl (2.93%) accumulation was observed in plants inoculated with Pseudomonas bacteria and S. indica fungus, respectively.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (S. indica fungus and a mixture of Pseudomonas bacteria) can alleviate adverse effects of salinity stress on the growth and essential oil production of the basil plant by increasing the absorption of water and nutrients, preserving photosynthetic pigments and reducing the accumulation of toxic ions.
Agriculture and horticulture
Vahideh Samadiyan-Sarbangholi; B. Abaszadeh; Fatemeh Sefidkon; Mehrdad Yarnia
Abstract
Bachground and objective: Deficiency or excess of any growth factor leads to morphological, anatomical, physiological, and growth disorders in plants. Drought stress means a lack of water in the plant. This situation occurs when the amount of transpiration exceeds the amount of water absorption. Low ...
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Bachground and objective: Deficiency or excess of any growth factor leads to morphological, anatomical, physiological, and growth disorders in plants. Drought stress means a lack of water in the plant. This situation occurs when the amount of transpiration exceeds the amount of water absorption. Low irrigation (watering less than the optimal water requirement of the plant) is a strategy to save water, but it affects the plant at a particular stage of growth or the entire season. Biofertilizers develop the root system, changing host plant water relations and plant metabolism. They also activate the defense system, improving access to minerals and tolerance to drought in the host plant, making it environmentally friendly and natural. To manage the prevailing water crisis, one should look for solutions such as reducing water consumption and stopping irrigation at all stages of growth. This is without harming the plant's final performance. In addition, due to the importance of medicinal plants and increasing their biomass, biological fertilizers and the adjustment of drought stress effects have a special place. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge. against dehydration at different stages of growth. It also investigated the consumption of mycorrhizal fungi and growth-stimulating bacteria to manage plant production with high quality and quantity.Methodology: The experiment was carried out in the form of split plots in the form of a randomized complete block design in three replications in the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch, in 2018. The main and sub-factors were included in 4 water stress (I1: without stress, I2: cut irrigation in stem elongation stage, I3: cut irrigation at the budding stage and I4: cut irrigation at 50% flowering stage) and 5 biofertilizer levels (b1: without inoculation, b2: inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae, b3: inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis, b4: Funneliformis mosseae + Rhizophagus irregularis and b5: Azosprillium+Pseudomonas+Azetobacter), respectively. The harvest was in full flowering stage.Results: The comparison of the average of irrigation interruptions showed that the most number of leaves, stem diameter, canopy extent, root weight, leaf yield, flowering stem yield, and flowering branch yield belonged to the irrigation interruption at the 50% flowering stage. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae mycorrhizal fungus achieved the highest leaf yield (912.06 kg/ha), flowering stem yield (1071.25 kg/ha) and flowering branch yield (1983.32 kg/ha) in inoculation with Azosprillium + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter was observed. The highest percentage of essential oil was found in inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae with an average of 1.76%. The maximum average yield of essential oil at 30.50 kg/ha was observed in the inoculation treatment with Azosprillium + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter. The results of the comparison of the average of the interaction effect showed that the maximum height of the plant and the number of inflorescences with an average of 61.72 cm and 30.46 per plant were found in the interaction effect of the treatment of interruption of irrigation at the stemming stage and inoculation of Rhizophagus irregularis + Funneliformis mosseae, which is about 31 and 39 The percentage increased compared to their lowest value. Stopping irrigation in the budding stage ×Funneliformis mosseae had the highest percentage of essential oil with an average of 2.33%. Stopping irrigation in the stemming stage ×Rhizophagus irregularis had the lowest essential oil percentage. The highest leaf yield (1212.83 kg/ha), flowering stem yield (1494.75 kg/ha), flowering branch yield (2707.58 kg/ha) and essential oil yield (44.39 kg/ha) in the interaction effect of cutting × Azosprillium + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter irrigation was observed at the 50% flowering stage, which increased by 70, 82, 81 and 87% compared to the lowest ones.Conclusion: The correct management of soil fertility, improvement, and maintenance of soil fertility in modern agricultural systems will provide the nutrients needed by the plant and thus enhance the yield. Therefore, in recent years, many studies have been conducted on biological fertilizers. Mycorrhizal fungi are essential factors in the stable plant-soil system, which coexists with more than 85% of plants. Drought stress is one of the most influential environmental factors in plant growth and causes morphological, physiological, and metabolic changes. In addition, biofertilizers increase plant access to nutrients and produce and direct hormones involved in the growth of the root environment. They also increase stress tolerance and enhance yield. Considering the arid and semi-arid conditions of the country and the increase in demand for medicinal plants and Satureja bachtiarica spices, it is recommended to stop irrigation at the 50% flowering stage and use Azotobacter, Azospirillium, and Pseudomonas biofertilizers to obtain the maximum yield of leaves, flowering branches, and essential oil.
Agriculture and horticulture
Mohammad Hadi Shojaei Baghini; Mahdi Naghizadeh
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is one of the oldest aromatic plants in the world, known medicinally as the second domesticated medicinal plant in Iran. Drought stress, as oxidative stress, affects plant biochemical, physiological, and morphological responses. One of the ways to ...
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Background and objectives: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is one of the oldest aromatic plants in the world, known medicinally as the second domesticated medicinal plant in Iran. Drought stress, as oxidative stress, affects plant biochemical, physiological, and morphological responses. One of the ways to increase plants' resistance to environmental stress is to use plant growth regulators such as brassinosteroids and melatonin. These hormones increase plant performance in both stress and non-stress conditions. Plant growth regulators, by affecting plant metabolites, stimulating phytohormone biosynthesis, enhancing nutrient absorption, improving defense mechanisms, stimulating root growth, and improving gas exchange, contribute to plants' quantitative and qualitative performance in stress and non-stress conditions. Although some research shows that the use of plant growth regulators such as brassinosteroid and melatonin, which are of natural origin and compatible with the environment, has a significant effect on reducing adverse effects caused by environmental stresses; however, the combined use of these plant hormones is less reported. Therefore, in this research, the influence of the foliar application of brassinosteroid and melatonin on some physiological traits, including amount of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, activity of antioxidant enzymes, accumulation of carbohydrates and proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide as well as quantitative and qualitative yield of cumin was examined under water deficit conditions.Methodology: This research was conducted in the research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with six replications was carried out in 2022. The experimental treatments included different levels of drought stress (100 % and 50 % field capacity; F.C.), melatonin (0 and 100 μM), and brassinosteroid (0 and 0.75 μM).Results: The results showed that water deficit increased the amount of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)), as well as raised the accumulation of carbohydrates and proline in cumin plants. Indeed, brassinosteroids and melatonin significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities and the concentrations of osmolytes. It also decreased the levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide as well and electrolyte leakage in drought-stressed plants. Drought stress resulted in reduced cumin grain yield. In contrast, under these conditions, the percentage of cumin seed essential oil was increased. Foliar application of brassinosteroid and melatonin in stress and non-stress conditions improved cumin yield.Conclusion: Overall, it was concluded that the use of brassinosteroid and melatonin increased the resistance of cumin plants against drought stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, increasing the accumulation of compatible osmolytes such as proline and carbohydrate, and maintaining the stability of the membrane and ultimately enhancing the yield of cumin seeds. The application of melatonin and brassinosteroid also affected the quality of the product and increased the percentage of cumin essential oil; however, the positive effects of brassinosteroid and melatonin were greater than those of brassinosteroid or melatonin applied separately.
Agriculture and horticulture
Babak Bahreininejad; Fatemeh Sefidkon; M.H. Lebaschy; Zahra Jaberalansar
Abstract
Background and objectives: Awareness of changes in medicinal plant yield quantity and quality over time is one of the most important goals in agricultural management. Satureja mutica is one of the valuable medicinal species growing in Iran. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different ...
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Background and objectives: Awareness of changes in medicinal plant yield quantity and quality over time is one of the most important goals in agricultural management. Satureja mutica is one of the valuable medicinal species growing in Iran. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different planting beds on changes in vegetative characteristics and essential oil components over the years of growth in S. mutica under rainfed conditions.Methodology: The experiment was conducted in the form of split plots in a randomized complete block design for three years (2018-2020) in the rainy conditions of Feridounshahr city, Isfahan province. Planting beds as the main plot included cow manure (30 tons per hectare), wheat straw (10 tons per hectare), and control (without cow manure and wheat straw). After the preparation of the field, the seedlings were planted at the bottom of the wells created at a distance of 50 x 50 cm from each other. During the growing season and at the time of 50% flowering, the studied traits including total plant dry weight, leaf and stem dry weight, plant height, crown diameter per plant, canopy area per plant, and in each square meter of land and the number of stems per plant were measured. For essential oil extraction, the flowering branches of the plants were harvested at the full flowering stage. After drying in the shade, the essential oil was extracted by the water distillation method. After determining the yield of essential oils based on the dry weight of the plant, the essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography, and gas chromatography was connected to a mass spectrometer in the phytochemistry laboratory of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Considering that the plant is several years old and measurements are carried out every year on fixed plots, the design analysis was done on divided plots at the time of implementation. The SAS computer program was used to perform statistical calculations, and the LSD test was applied to compare the means. For essential oil extraction, the flowering branch of the plant was harvested at the full flowering stage. After drying in the shade, the essential oil was extracted by the water distillation method. After determining the yield of essential oils based on the dry weight of the plant, the essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography, and gas chromatography was connected to a mass spectrometer in the phytochemistry laboratory of the Research Institute of Forests and Pastures. The SAS computer program was used to perform statistical calculations, and the LSD test was used to compare the means.Results: The variance analysis of the data showed that the effects of bed, year, and their interaction effects on the measured traits were significant in many cases. Results showed that the highest values of plant height, crown diameter, canopy area, and number of stems per plant in the first year were seen in manure treatment. In the last year, they were in control. The highest rates of total dry weight, leaf dry weight, essential oil yield, and essential oil percentage were observed in control in the last year. These rates were 1427, 891, 42 kg ha-1, and 4.67%, respectively. The main essential oil components are thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and gamma-terpinene. These essential oil components are affected by the planting bed and the growth year. So in the case of p-cymene, the highest amount obtained in the first year was in the straw treatment. The highest amounts of gamma-terpinene were observed in all three planting bed treatments in the last year of growth. S. mutica had significant amounts of thymol, and the trend of changes among planting bed treatments and during growing years was very small. The highest amounts of carvacrol were observed in straw treatment and animal manure in the second year of growth. The results of the correlation coefficients showed that the most vital traits affecting essential oil yield were total dry weight, leaf and stem, and essential oil percentage. Thymol and p-cymene were inversely correlated with carvacrol and gamma-terpinene.Conclusion: On the whole, to produce S. mutica under rainfed conditions similar to this study, manure or straw could affect yield and essential oil over the first and second years; however, in the third year, this effect diminished, and control treatment was superior to straw and manure treatments.
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.
Agriculture and horticulture
J. Hashempour; S. Asadi-Sanam; M. Mirza; M. Ghanbari Jahromi
Abstract
Background and objectives: Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) is one of the most wellknown medicinal plant species with high economic value worldwide. In Iran, this species' roots and shoots are used in herbal medicines. Many types of phytomedicine are commercially produced from Echinacea aerial ...
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Background and objectives: Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) is one of the most wellknown medicinal plant species with high economic value worldwide. In Iran, this species' roots and shoots are used in herbal medicines. Many types of phytomedicine are commercially produced from Echinacea aerial portions for boosting the nonspecific immune system and treating the common cold. Environmental and health costs of chemical fertilizers have led researchers to meet plant nutritional needs using chemical, organic and biological fertilizers. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and biological fertilizers on morphological traits, shoot and root dry matter, and essential oil percentage and yield in the leaves and stems of coneflower plants.Methodology: This experiment was conducted on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Iran, in 2018-2019. Treatments included control, NPK (N50P25K25; N75P35K35 and N100P75K75 Kg.ha-1), manure (30, 60 and 90 ton.ha-1), vermicompost (5, 10, and 15 ton.ha-1), N50P25K25 fertilizer + 30 ton.ha-1 manure, N50P25K25 + 5 ton.ha-1 vermicompost, biological fertilizers including Glomus intraradaices + G. mosseae, Azospirillum + Pseudomonas, Thiobacillus + 5 ton.ha-1 vermicompost and Thiobacillus + 250 Kg.ha-1 of sulfur (S). Before applying fertilizer treatments, a soil analysis was done. After applying fertilizer treatments, the physical and chemical properties of the soil were also determined. The treatments were selected based on the fertilizer requirements of the plant as well as soil test results. Parameters such as plant height, leaf, stem, and flower numbers, root penetration depth, root volume, leaf, stem, root, and flower dry matter, leaf, stem, and flower essential oil, and essential oil yield of leaves, stems, and flowers were evaluated. At the full flowering stage, samples were taken from aerial segments of plants in all treatment groups. After shade-drying, the samples through a Clevenger-type apparatus were hydro-distillated to obtain the essential oil. The oil percentage, as well as yield, was calculated based on the dry weight.Results: The results showed that the highest leaf and stem dry matter was observed in the 15-ton.ha-1 vermicompost treatment. A 5-ton.ha-1 vermicompost treated with NPK fertilizers displayed the highest flower dry matter. On the other hand, the highest root dry matter was obtained in the treatment with 30 tons.ha-1 manure + NPK fertilizers. The highest flower essential oils yield was obtained in ton.ha-1 manure + NPK fertilizers. The highest leaf + stem oil yields were found at the flowering stage in 15 tons.ha-1 vermicompost. Also, NPK treatment + 30 tons.ha-1 of manure resulted in the highest yield of flower essential oil. 15-ton.ha-1 vermicompost treatment yielded the highest stem and leaf essential oil yield. Only the organic fertilizer group (CM vs. V5) and the biofertilizer group (GM and GI vs. T) showed an increase in flower essential oil yield compared to the other nutritional treatments. In the leaf+stem essential oil yield results, all comparisons between treatment groups showed a significant effect, except for the organic fertilizer group (CM vs. V5). Compared to the NPK group, the biofertilizer and organic fertilizer group yielded the highest leaf+stem essential oil yield.Conclusion: It was concluded that biological fertilizers treatment combined with organic fertilizers could be a suitable alternative to chemicals in the sustainable production of this valuable medicinal plant. These findings suggested that biofertilizers and organic fertilizers can benefit Echinacea purpurea cultivation because, when combined, they enhance the essential oil percentage and yield.
Agriculture and horticulture
F. Noormand Moaied; B. Abaszadeh; N. Valizadeh
Abstract
Background and objectives: Savory (Satureja spp.) has a special position among medicinal plants due to its valuable compounds, such as thymol and carvacrol. Savory is one of the genera of the Lamiaceae family, and this genus has 16 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in Iran. Due to the ...
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Background and objectives: Savory (Satureja spp.) has a special position among medicinal plants due to its valuable compounds, such as thymol and carvacrol. Savory is one of the genera of the Lamiaceae family, and this genus has 16 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in Iran. Due to the high amount of essential oil, Satureja species are highly economically and medically important in the food, cosmetic, health, and pharmaceutical industries. This research aimed to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of Satureja sahendica Bornm. essential oil with appropriate plant nutrition.Methodology: This research was carried out under irrigation conditions in the form of a randomized complete block design with eight fertilizer treatments (no fertilizer, N50, P25, K25(kg.ha-1), Cow Manure(30, 60 ton.ha-1), Cow Manure(30, 60 ton.ha-1)+ N50, P25, K25(kg.ha-1), Vermi-compost(5 ton.ha-1), Vermi-compost(5 ton.ha-1)+ N50, P25, K25(kg.ha-1)) in three replications over four years (2017-2020) in East Azarbaijan province. Cultivation was indirect and through grafting. Seedlings were prepared in greenhouse conditions by growing seeds in seedling trays with a mixture of peat moss, cocopeat, and perlite in a ratio 4:2:1. The treatments were applied only once, simultaneously with the plot preparation and before the planting stage. This was done by hand spraying and mixing with the soil. The plot dimensions were 4 x 3 meters, the distance between the planting lines was 50 cm, and the distance between the plants on the line was set to 30 cm. The irrigation method was drip irrigation twice a week in the early stages of growth and once a week after establishment. Weed weeding was also done during the growing season. Plant height, flowering date, crown area, and green shoot yield were measured during the cropping season. Essential oil was extracted by distillation with distilled water, and essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS).Results: Based on the results, all traits showed a significant difference between different fertilizer treatments. The highest yield of flowering branches was 1974 kg.ha-1 (6% increase compared to the control) and the yield of essential oil was 22.25 kg.ha-1 (9% increase compared to the control), and the highest quality of essential oil (sum of phenolic compounds thymol and carvacrol) is 61.89% (18% increase in comparison to the control) with treatment of Cow Manure(60 ton.ha-1)+ N50, P25, K25(kg.ha-1) were obtained. To be economical, cow manure (60 tons per hectare) can also be used alone. With regards to 50% flowering, the latest product was a control treatment (without fertilizer) with 160.25 days, while the earliest product was Cow Manure (60 tons.ha-1) +N50, P25, K25 (kg.ha-1) with 155.33 days. The main components of the essential oil were Thymol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene, respectively. The results of the average percentage of phenolic compounds thymol and carvacrol as essential oil quality in each fertilizer treatment and each year showed that the average quality of essential oil in the first year was 53.13%, in the second and third years it was 63.98 and 63.54, respectively. The percentage decreased to 47.93% in the fourth year.Conclusion: The use of fertilizer treatments, especially animal manures, along with chemical fertilizers, in addition to increasing yield, also causes early ripening. Early harvesting of the first layer allows the second layer to use the growing season optimistically and avoid autumn cold. As the plant age increases, the yield of essential oil increases, but the product is later, and the quality also decreases. Accordingly, Cow Manure(60 ton.ha-1)+ N50, P25, K25(kg.ha-1) should be applied to S. sahendica until the fourth year to produce adequate yields.
Agriculture and horticulture
M. Salimi Koochi; M. Madandoust
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cumin (Cuminum cymium L.) is an annual plant with delicate stems and a height between 15 and 50 cm. For high yield and increased product quality, consuming the appropriate amount of dinitroaniline herbicides and using mulches to control weeds is important. Therefore, the use ...
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Background and objectives: Cumin (Cuminum cymium L.) is an annual plant with delicate stems and a height between 15 and 50 cm. For high yield and increased product quality, consuming the appropriate amount of dinitroaniline herbicides and using mulches to control weeds is important. Therefore, the use of trifluralin, pendimethalin herbicides, and wheat mulch was investigated in this experiment to investigate the population and growth of weeds, physiological and vegetative characteristics, yield, and percentage of cumin essential oil.Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications. In this study, the experimental treatments included 100% and 50% recommended amounts of trifluralin and pendimethalin herbicides alone and in combination with wheat stubble mulch, which was considered together with wheat stubble mulch alone and no weed control (control). Wheat stubble mulch, 5 cm long and equal to 5 tons per hectare, was applied. The herbicide was spread using a 20-liter book-back sprayer with a rain nozzle. Weed species were identified by Zarghan Agricultural Research Station, Fars Province weed experts. After that, quadrats with dimensions of 50 x 50 cm were used to determine weeds' density and dry weight. Three fully opened and fresh young leaves were selected to measure the relative water content of leaves and the chlorophyll content of each treatment. Sampling was done in the morning and before sunrise. Before the end of the growth period, the height and number of branches were measured. After harvesting, yield and yield components (including the number of umbels per plant, the number of seeds per umbel, and the weight of 1000 seeds) were determined. From the harvested seeds in each plot, 50 grams of samples were randomly taken and analyzed to determine the percentage of essential oil. To extract essential oil from the prepared samples, the steam distillation method was used by a Clevenger machine. The percentage of essential oil in each sample was determined. The mean comparison of the studied traits was compared using Duncan's multiple range test at 0.05.Results: The dominant weed species identified in the field included 6 genera and 6 species. The mean comparison results showed that using trifluralin herbicide with the recommended dose + mulch reduced weeds' density and dry weight by 88% and 87%, respectively, compared to no weed control (control). Mulch treatment alone reduced weed density and dry weight compared to control plants by 29.6% and 37.5%, respectively. 85% mulch + trifluralin herbicide at the recommended dose resulted in the highest relative leaf water content. Also, the highest chlorophyll b and total leaf chlorophyll content were obtained for both trifluralin and pendimethalin herbicides in combination with mulch, which showed a significant increase compared to mulch alone and no weed control. The lowest cumin plant height was observed in the weed-infested treatment (control). Among the management treatments, the number of lateral branches in the treatment of 100% of the recommended herbicide dose was more than in the treatment of 50%. Also, adding mulch to the treatments showed a significant increase in lateral branches. Cumin aerial parts dry weight increased by 4% with the 50% dose and 10% with the full dose. With trifluralin herbicides, cumin seed yield increased by 47% and pendimethalin by 45%. By applying mulch management treatments, cumin seed yield increased by 48%.Conclusion: The application of wheat mulch, by increasing leaf water and chlorophyll's relative content, improves growth indicators. In addition to the application of 100% of the recommended dose of trifluralin and pendimethalin herbicides in combination with wheat mulch, which increased the dry weight of shoot and seed yield in cumin, the treatment of 50% of the recommended dose in combination with wheat mulch at a lower level improved these traits. Therefore, due to reduced herbicide consumption, 50% of the recommended dose of trifluralin herbicides in combination with wheat mulch is recommended to control weeds in cumin.
Agriculture and horticulture
A. Rafati; N. Valizadeh; F. Sefidkon; Y. Imani; F. Noormand Moaied
Abstract
Nepeta crassifolia Boiss. & Buhse, from Lamiaceae family, is an aromatic species with medicinal properties which is endemic to Iran. The seeds and aerial parts of this plant were collected from six different regions of East Azerbaijan province. After drying, the plant aerial parts essential oil was ...
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Nepeta crassifolia Boiss. & Buhse, from Lamiaceae family, is an aromatic species with medicinal properties which is endemic to Iran. The seeds and aerial parts of this plant were collected from six different regions of East Azerbaijan province. After drying, the plant aerial parts essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and their compounds were identified by GC and GC/MS. The collected seeds, after producing greenhouse seedlings, were planted in the field in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In the second year after planting, the flowering shoots were harvested, dried, and distilled. The results showed that there was significant differences among essential oil percentage of natural habitat samples which the highest amount belonged to "Marand" region, but the farm essential oil samples did not differ with each other significantly. The compounds nepetalactone I (4aα, 7α, 7aα) and II (4aα, 7α, 7aβ), globulol, germacrene B, caryophyllene oxide, and 1,8-cineole were identified as the main essential oil compounds of this species. The highest amount of nepetalactone I or II under the natural habitat (69% and 21.7%, respectively) and field (27.3% and 51.5%, respectively) conditions belonged to "Misho" region in "Marand". "Sarab" region also had the highest amount of nepetalactone II under the natural habitat and farm conditions compared to the other samples. The highest amount of 1,8-cineole (21.8%) in the oil was also obtained from the natural habitat of "Kharil" region.
Agriculture and horticulture
H. Kiani; Sh. Khalesro; A. Mokhatssi-Bidgoli; Z. Sharifi
Abstract
Nigella sativa L. is a valuable medicinal plant that is widely used in different industries. Accumulation of compatible osmolytes is one of the common responses of plants under drought stress. To investigate the effects of irrigation regimes and biochar (resulting from the heating of cattle manure) on ...
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Nigella sativa L. is a valuable medicinal plant that is widely used in different industries. Accumulation of compatible osmolytes is one of the common responses of plants under drought stress. To investigate the effects of irrigation regimes and biochar (resulting from the heating of cattle manure) on N. sativa, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Kurdistan in 2018. The experimental factors consisted of three drought stress levels (40, 70, and 100% of FC) and two biochar use levels (0 and 15 tons.ha-1). The ANOVA results showed that the interaction effects of drought stress and biochar were significant on hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, proline, soluble carbohydrates (water and ethanol soluble), and osmotic potential. Increasing the intensity of drought stress enhanced the amount of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, proline, and soluble carbohydrates (water and ethanol soluble) and caused the osmotic potential to become more negative. Biochar application decreased the negative effects of drought stress so that hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, proline, and soluble carbohydrates (water and ethanol soluble) amounts were lower than the treatments without biochar. Overall, the present research results proved the useful and effective role of biochar in improving the physiological traits and protective osmolytes of N. sativa under drought stress.
Agriculture and horticulture
P. Karimi; A. Sahraroo; H. Zakizadeh; M.H. Biglouei; B. Faraji
Abstract
Chelidonium majus L. has a special place among medicinal plants with its alkaloid and extensive pharmacological properties. To investigate the effects of irrigation interval and ammonium nitrate on some of this medicinal plant properties, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized ...
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Chelidonium majus L. has a special place among medicinal plants with its alkaloid and extensive pharmacological properties. To investigate the effects of irrigation interval and ammonium nitrate on some of this medicinal plant properties, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, the University of Guilan, in 2017. The experimental factors included irrigation interval at three levels of 4 (I1), 8 (I2), and 12 (I3) days and ammonium nitrate at five levels of 0 (N0), 45 (N1), 60 (N2), 75 (N3), and 95 (N4) kg.ha-1. The ANOVA results showed that the interaction of irrigation interval and nitrogen fertilizer was significant on root fresh weight, fresh and aerial parts dry weight, total dry weight, and root volume at 5% probability level and root dry weight, total fresh weight, and alkaloid content of roots or aerial parts at 1% probability level. The highest root fresh weight (68.92 g.plant-1) was obtained in the I2N0 treatment. Also, the highest aerial parts fresh weight (33.54 g.plant-1) and total plant fresh weight (92.92 g.plant-1) were observed in the I2N4 treatment. The highest root (1.72 mg.g-1 DW) and aerial parts (1.23 mg.g-1 DW) alkaloid content was obtained in the I3N1 and I2N0 treatments, respectively. Overall, the 8-day irrigation interval with increasing the fertilizer amount and 12-day irrigation interval with less fertilizer amount (0-60 kg.ha-1) treatments could be recommended in the production of Ch. majus under greenhouse cultivation, respectively in terms of yield and different parts alkaloid content.
Agriculture and horticulture
J. Maleki; E. Sharifi Ashoorabadi; M. Mirza; H. Heydari Sharif Abad; M.H. Lebaschy
Abstract
To investigate the effects of soil fertility methods on economic yield and essential oil compositions of Nigella sativa L., an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included different levels of NPK chemical fertilizer, manure, ...
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To investigate the effects of soil fertility methods on economic yield and essential oil compositions of Nigella sativa L., an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included different levels of NPK chemical fertilizer, manure, NPK+ manure, and NPK+ manure+ inoculation of Azorizobium biofertilizer. Seed yield, aerial parts yield, and percentage, yield, and essential oil compounds were studied. The results showed that the highest seed yield (1270.43 kg.ha-1) was obtained in the 40 kg.ha-1 N+ 32 kg.ha-1 P+ 40 kg.ha-1 K+ 30 ton.ha-1 manure treatment. The highest percentage (0.25%) and essential oil yield (2.8 kg.ha-1) was obtained in the 40 kg.ha-1 N+ 32 kg.ha-1 P+ 40 kg.ha-1 K+ 30 ton.ha-1 manure+ Azurizobium treatment. The highest thymoquinone percentage (14.9%) was observed in the 30 ton.ha-1 manure treatment. Overall, the integrated and biological treatments had the most positive effects on seed yield and essential oil percentage of N. sativa. The use of suitable fertilizer sources not only increased the yield, essential oil percentage, and thymoquinone content in Nigella sativa, but also reduced the consequences of excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The use of integrated fertilization methods is an effective step to achieve the sustainable agriculture goals.
Agriculture and horticulture
B. Yousefi; M.H. Lebaschy; F. Sefidkon; H. Safari
Abstract
To investigate the effects of planting density and organic fertilizers on the yield traits of Satureja spicigera (K.Koch) Boiss. under the Kermanshah rainfed conditions, an experiment was conducted as a split-plot based on complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications in Kermanshah ...
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To investigate the effects of planting density and organic fertilizers on the yield traits of Satureja spicigera (K.Koch) Boiss. under the Kermanshah rainfed conditions, an experiment was conducted as a split-plot based on complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications in Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in 2016-2020 crop years. The main factor and sub-factor were fertilizer (rotten cow manure, enriched straw, and field soil (control)) and plant density (2.66, 4, and 8 plants.m-2), respectively. To have the desired densities, plants were grown with a distance of 50 cm between the rows and 25, 50, and 75 cm on the rows. The results showed that the traits including diameter, height, canopy area, fresh and dry weight of plant, fresh and dry yield per hectare, and essential oil yield per hectare were significantly different between the years, plant densities, and fertilizer treatments. The highest fresh yield (3639.3 kg.ha-1) was obtained in the rotten cow manure+ high plant density treatment and the highest dry yield (2105 kg.ha-1) and essential oil yield (72.59 kg.ha-1) in the enriched straw+ high plant density one. The results showed that the best fertilizer and plant density treatment for S. spicigera was straw enriched with ammonium sulfate and 8 plants.m-2.
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
A.A. Hatamnia
Abstract
Thymbra spicata L. (from Lamiaceae family) is distributed in large areas of Iran. In this study, the amount of total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and percentage and essential oil composition in different ecotypes of this species from three different regions in Ilam province was evaluated. ...
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Thymbra spicata L. (from Lamiaceae family) is distributed in large areas of Iran. In this study, the amount of total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and percentage and essential oil composition in different ecotypes of this species from three different regions in Ilam province was evaluated. The results showed that total phenols and flavonoids content was correlated with antioxidant activity positively and significantly, so that plant essential oil from Manesht Mountain with high phenols (8.6 mg gallic acid per g dry weight) and flavonoids (0.30 mg quercetin per g dry weight) content had the highest antioxidant activity, too. The main essential oil compound of the plant from regions with different ecological conditions was thymol (22.6-40.7%). Carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene were the other main essential oil compounds of T. spicata from different regions. The results showed that the plant sample from Kaveran region and Manesht Mountain had the highest (2.4%) and lowest (1.4%) essential oil content, respectively. Overall, based on the results of the present study, it could be suggested that the essential oil percentage and composition of T. spicata depended not only to the genetic factors, but also to the ecological factors such as altitude, average annual temperature, and annual rainfall.
Agriculture and horticulture
Gh.R. Pourshaban Kateshali; Gh.A. Akbari; I. Alahdadi; E. Soltani
Abstract
To evaluate the plant adaptation and effects of irrigation cycles and NPK elements on growth and yield parameters of Zingiber officinale R., a split-plot experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications in two regions including Pakdasht (Tehran ...
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To evaluate the plant adaptation and effects of irrigation cycles and NPK elements on growth and yield parameters of Zingiber officinale R., a split-plot experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications in two regions including Pakdasht (Tehran province) and Lahijan (Gilan province) in 2021. The experimental factors included irrigation cycle at three levels (4 (V1), 6 (V2), and 8 (V3) days) as the main factor and NPK elements at three levels (N300P100K200 (F1), N350P150K250 (F2), and N250P50K150 (F3) (kg.ha-1)) as the sub-factor. The results showed that the irrigation×NPK effects was significant on plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, fresh and rhizome dry weight, and rhizome yield at the 1% probability level and on stem diameter at the 5% probability level in Pakdasht region. The V1F2 treatment was the best one in this region. In Lahijan region, the irrigation×NPK effects was significant on number of leaves per plant and rhizome yield at the 1% probability level and on plant height and stem diameter at the 5% probability level. The best result in Lahijan was obtained in the V1F2 treatment. Also, in terms of leaf area, number of branches per plant, and leaf area index, V1 and F2 was the best treatments in Lahijan. Fresh and rhizome dry weight had the best results in the V2 and F2 treatments. Overall, the studied traits in Lahijan climate were superior to Pakdasht climate and every 4 days irrigation for Pakdasht and every 6 days for Lahijan had the best results.
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
S.S. Zare Pak Ziaberi; M. Majidian
Abstract
To investigate the effects of zinc, boron, and sulfur on the quantitative characteristics, elements uptake, and allicin content in Ziabar local garlic (Allium sativum L.), an experiment was conducted as a completely randomized block design with three replications in 2019-20. The treatments included 1- ...
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To investigate the effects of zinc, boron, and sulfur on the quantitative characteristics, elements uptake, and allicin content in Ziabar local garlic (Allium sativum L.), an experiment was conducted as a completely randomized block design with three replications in 2019-20. The treatments included 1- control (without fertilizer use), 2- Zn, 3- B, 4- S, 5- Zn+S, 6- Zn+B, 7- B+S, and 8- S+B+Zn. Sulfur, zinc, and boron fertilizers were added to the soil as sulfur flower (100 kg ha-1), ZnSO4·7H2O (20 kg ha−1), and H3BO3 (5 kg ha−1) at two vegetative growth and bulb filling stages. The results showed that the S+B+Zn treatment was significantly superior to other treatments in all studied traits. Among the single fertilizer treatments, the highest economic yield and boron uptake rate was observed with the B application. The S application resulted in the highest S uptake. The highest Zn uptake and allicin content was observed in the Zn application treatment. Among the dual treatments, the B+S treatment caused the highest economic yield and S and B uptake rate. The Zn+B treatment showed the highest Zn uptake. The highest allicin content (29%) was observed in the S+B+Zn treatment. The highest garlic economic yield (3000 kg ha-1) and the best quality in terms of allicin content (29%), S uptake (0.73 kg ha-1), Zn uptake (39.6 kg ha-1), and B uptake (12.96 kg ha-1) were obtained in the S+B+Zn treatment. According to the present results, the use of zinc, boron, and sulfur fertilizers along with basal fertilizers could be recommended to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of garlic.
Agriculture and horticulture
S. Aghighi; Gh. Mohammadi-Nejad; Sh. Khandani
Abstract
Fusarium wilt disease is the most important disease of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and causes great damage to it every year. The present study was conducted to evaluate the response of 13 cumin genotypes to Fusarium wilt disease as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (genotype as ...
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Fusarium wilt disease is the most important disease of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and causes great damage to it every year. The present study was conducted to evaluate the response of 13 cumin genotypes to Fusarium wilt disease as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (genotype as the first factor and absence and presence of the pathogen as the second one) with three replications in the greenhouse of Research and Technology Institute of Plant Production, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman during growing season of 2020-2021. The results showed that the interaction of genotype and treatment was statistically significant on most of the traits. The highest traits correlation was observed between plant dry weight and number of umbrellas per plant (0.92) under the absence of pathogen conditions and between plant height and number of seeds per plant (0.76) under the presence of pathogen conditions. Cluster analysis (Ward method) regarding the studied traits divided the genotypes into three groups under the absence of pathogen conditions and two groups under the presence of pathogen. Principal component analysis showed that the first two components could explain 80.13% (absence of pathogen) and 84.55% (presence of pathogen) of the variations. Also, biplot analysis showed high diversity of the genotypes as well as confirming the clustering results. The genotype E7r1b1 had the highest plant mortality ratio (100%) under the presence of pathogen. Under the absence of pathogen, the genotype g8r2b2 had the highest yield (0.20 g) and number (75.66) of seeds per plant. Yield and number of seeds per plant decreased significantly under the presence of pathogen. The highest seed yield (0.14 g) under the presence of pathogen was observed in the genotype 2-14-3. Based on the studied traits, the genotypes g5r2B1 and F12r1b1 had the lowest potential compared to the others under the both conditions. In general, the genotypes reacted differently under the absence and presence of pathogen conditions. The genotypes that revealed tolerance to the disease conditions could be introduced as sources of tolerance in further breeding programs.
Agriculture and horticulture
A. Javanmard; M. Rahimi; M. Amani Machiani; M. Janmohammadi; R. Habibi Machiani
Abstract
To evaluate the effects of different irrigation levels and foliar application of nutrients, on dry matter yield and essential oil content and composition of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), a field experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design, with 12 treatments ...
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To evaluate the effects of different irrigation levels and foliar application of nutrients, on dry matter yield and essential oil content and composition of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), a field experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design, with 12 treatments and three replications, at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran in 2021. The factors included irrigation as the main factor at three levels (irrigation after 20 (control), 40 (moderate stress), and 60% (severe stress) of the maximum allowable moisture depletion) and fertilizer source as the sub-factor at four levels (non-application of fertilizer (control), and foliar application of Macromix gold, Ecoquel micromix, and Vitalem forte). The results demonstrated that the highest (280.5 g.m-2) and lowest (113.7 g.m-2) total dry weight were obtained under normal irrigation conditions (control) with the application of Macromix gold and severe stress without fertilizer application, respectively. Total dry weight decreased by 22.7 and 40.3% under moderate and severe drought stress conditions, respectively compared to normal irrigation. Macromix gold, Vitalem forte, and Ecoquel micromix application enhanced the amount of total dry weight by 37.7, 23.8, and 17.1% compared to no fertilizer application, respectively. The highest content (2.1%) and essential oil yield (4.5 g.m-2) and also the highest amount of menthol (40.9%), menthone (28.1%), and cineole (6.2%) in the essential oil were observerd under moderate water stress conditions fertilized with Macromix gold. Based on the obtained results, the foliar application of Macromix gold could be recommended as an effective solution to enhance the quantity and quality of the peppermint essential oil under drought stress conditions.
Agriculture and horticulture
S. Azizi Balabiglou; A. Rahimi; S. Heydarzadeh; R. Holgoumi; I. Ataei
Abstract
To investigate the response of some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) to organic fertilizers under low water stress, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Faculty of ...
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To investigate the response of some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) to organic fertilizers under low water stress, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Urmia University in 2017-2018 crop year. Experimental treatments included organic fertilizer at five levels (control, cattle manure (20 ton ha-1), poultry manure (7 ton ha-1), vermicompost (10 ton ha-1), and compost (15 ton ha-1)) and soil moisture at three levels (50 (severe stress), 70 (moderate stress), and 90% (control: without stress) of field capacity). Low water stress decreased the content of leaf phosphorus or potassium, leaf phenols or flavonoids, and leaf relative water content and increased the leaf essential oil yield at full flowering stage. The highest amount of essential oil (1.58%) was observed under moderate stress conditions. Poultry manure and vermicompost significantly increased the amount of nitrogen, protein, and percentage of DPPH radical scavenging of leaves under low water stress compared to without stress conditions. The highest yield of essential oil (32.34 kg ha-1), stem dry weight (852.53 kg ha-1), leaf dry weight (1010.40 kg ha-1), and aerial parts dry weight (1863.93 kg ha-1) was obtained in the poultry manure treatment under optimal irrigation. Overall, organic fertilizers application under low water stress could be recommended to increase the plant yield and achieve sustainable agriculture.
Agriculture and horticulture
M.H. Rad; R. YazdaniBiouki; V. Soltany gerdeframarzi; N. Besharat
Abstract
To investigate the effects of irrigation water salinity (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 dS.m-1) on morphophysiological characteristics of seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) aerial parts, an experiment was conducted using drained big pots in a completely randomized design with three replications at the central ...
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To investigate the effects of irrigation water salinity (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 dS.m-1) on morphophysiological characteristics of seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) aerial parts, an experiment was conducted using drained big pots in a completely randomized design with three replications at the central station of National Salinity Research Center, Yazd during 2018-2021 years. The salinity levels affected the height, diameter, area, and volume of plants canopy, number of new branches, number of new basal shoots, number of leaves per plant, total leaves area, leaf area index, leaf dry weight, leaves damage percentage at high temperature, amount of total chlorophyll, chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, proline, total sugar, leaf anthocyanins, leaf phenols, and antioxidant activity significantly (P<0.01). Based on the results, B. vulgaris tolerated the salinity stress well. Despite the growth reduction at salinity levels above 9 dS.m-1, plant physiological resistance was observed through the production of secondary osmolytes and survival under saline conditions up to 12 dS.m-1. Accordingly, in suitable barberry production habitats, it is possible to take advantage of water resources and saline soil to grow seedless barberry, especially to increase phenolics, by ture management of the root environment and control of the saturated soil extract salinity up to 12 dS.m-1.
