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.
Agriculture and horticulture
M. Ahmadvand; A. Javanmard; M. Haghaninia; M.R. Morshedloo
Abstract
Intercropping systems and biofertilizers application play an important role in improving the quantity and quality of plant products. In this regard, to evaluate the effects of Myco-Root biofertilizer on the quantitative and qualitative traits of Thymus vulgaris L. in intercropping with Cicer arietinum ...
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Intercropping systems and biofertilizers application play an important role in improving the quantity and quality of plant products. In this regard, to evaluate the effects of Myco-Root biofertilizer on the quantitative and qualitative traits of Thymus vulgaris L. in intercropping with Cicer arietinum L., an experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2020 growing season. Treatments included thyme sole culture, thyme sole culture inoculated with Myco-Root, chickpea sole culture, chickpea sole culture inoculated with Myco-Root, intercropping of one row chickpea+one row thyme (1:1), planting pattern of 1:1 inoculated with Myco-Root, intercropping of two rows chickpea+one row thyme (2:1), and planting pattern of 2:1 inoculated with Myco-Root. The results demonstrated that the highest seed (751.40 kg.ha-1) and biological (1645.6 kg.ha-1) yields of chickpea were obtained in the chickpea monoculture inoculated with Myco-Root, which was not significantly different from planting pattern of 2:1 inoculated with Myco-Root. Moreover, the highest dry matter yield of thyme (189.47 g.m-2) was achieved in the sole culture with application of mycorrhizal fungus. Also, the highest percentage (1.69) and essential oil yield (3.31 g.m-2) of thyme was obtained in planting pattern of 1:1 with application of mycorrhizal fungus in first harvest. Thymol, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene were recognized as the main essential oil compounds. The highest percentage of thymol and γ-terpinene was obtained in planting pattern of 1:1 inoculated with mycorrhizal fungus. Also, the highest agronomical (land equivalent ratio, area harvest equivalent ratio, area time equivalent ratio, and land use efficiency) and economic (intercropping advantage, monetary advantage index, and system productivity index) indices were achieved in the intercropping ratio of 2:1 and 1:1 with application of Myco-Root biofertilizer, respectively. In general, the results showed that the Myco-Root biofertilizer application in intercropping, especially the planting pattern of 1:1, could improve the quantity and quality of thyme essential oil.
Agriculture and horticulture
M. Yadegari
Abstract
Due to the valuable role of thyme in the pharmaceutical and food industries of Iran, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of NPK complete fertilizers, butamisol, and humic acid on the morphophysiological characteristics and essential oil of three species of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss, T. vulgaris ...
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Due to the valuable role of thyme in the pharmaceutical and food industries of Iran, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of NPK complete fertilizers, butamisol, and humic acid on the morphophysiological characteristics and essential oil of three species of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss, T. vulgaris L., and T. daenensis Celark under drought stress conditions. This research was performed in three separate factorial experiments as a randomized complete block design with four replications in Islamic Azad University, Branch of Shahrekord in the 2021-2022 crop year. Foliar application was done twice with an interval of three weeks after the 10-leaf stage of the plant. Twenty-four experimental treatments included the non-use (A1) and use (A2) of NPK, non-use (B1) and use (B2) of humic acid, non-use (C1) and use (C2) of botamisol under drought stress conditions at three levels of field capacity (D1), 50% (D2), and 75% (D3) loss of gravitational water. The highest amounts of plant height (44.5±1.1 cm), number of main branches (26.4±1.5), plant dry weight (40.5±0.99 g.m-2), total chlorophyll (1.55±0.1 mg.g-1 fresh weight (FW)), and essential oil content (1.88±0.03%) were obtained in the A2B2C2D1 treatment in T. kotschyanus. The A2B2C2D3 treatment resulted in the highest proline content (13.9±0.2 µg.g-1 FW) and lowest essential oil content (0.79±0.1 %) in T. daenensis. Thymol and carvacrol in T. kotschyanus, thymol, ɣ-terpinene, p-cymene, and linalool in T. vulgaris, and thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, β-caryophylene, α-pinene, and myrcene in T. daenensis were identified as the major essential oil compounds. More nutrient utilization and stress in the least possible along with the temperate climate of the study area led to the introduction of T. kotschyanus as an indicator species in this field.
Agriculture and horticulture
M. Jamali Dost; A. Salehi; H.R. Balouchi; P. Rostampour
Abstract
To investigate the response of quantitative and qualitative yield of ajwain (Carum copticum L.) to the irrigation cut-off in different nutritional regimes, an experiment was conducted as split-plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the research farm of Sarvestan Agricultural ...
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To investigate the response of quantitative and qualitative yield of ajwain (Carum copticum L.) to the irrigation cut-off in different nutritional regimes, an experiment was conducted as split-plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the research farm of Sarvestan Agricultural Jihad Organization, Fars province in 2019. The factors consisted of irrigation as the main factor at two levels (optimal irrigation and irrigation cut-off at flowering stage) and nutritional regime as the sub-factor at six levels (control, mycorrhiza, 15 ton.ha-1 manure, 15 ton.ha-1 manure + mycorrhiza, 30 ton.ha-1 manure, and 30 ton.ha-1 manure + mycorrhiza). The irrigation cut-off treatment reduced the plant height, number of umbrellas per plant, number of seeds per umbrella, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, essential oil percentage, and essential oil yield by 30.65, 37.25, 46.12, 43.40, 24.40, 41.78, 19.68, and 52.86%, respectively compared to the optimal irrigation. The use of manure and mycorrhiza significantly increased all the mentioned traits. Moreover, the interaction of irrigation and nutritional sources treatments significantly affected only the percentage and essential oil yield. The highest percentage (2.80%) and essential oil yield (15.02 kg.ha-1) was observed in the 30 ton.ha-1 manure + mycorrhiza and optimum irrigation treatment. The lowest essential oil percentage (1.60%) was obtained in the control and optimum irrigation treatment and the lowest essential oil yield (4.62 kg.ha-1) resulted from the control and irrigation cut-off treatment.
Agriculture and horticulture
M. Layeghhaghighi; B. Abaszadeh
Abstract
Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a valuable medicinal tree in addition to being used as a food. Olive leaf, as an organ containing active ingredients, is of great value in various industries. Use of olive leaves extract as a natural antioxidant is one of the most common applications of this plant. Oleuropein ...
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Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a valuable medicinal tree in addition to being used as a food. Olive leaf, as an organ containing active ingredients, is of great value in various industries. Use of olive leaves extract as a natural antioxidant is one of the most common applications of this plant. Oleuropein is the most important phenolic compound in olive species that plays an important role in health. Oleuropein and quercetin are used as effective compounds in anti-cancer, anti-virus, and anti-inflammatory drugs. To investigate the effects of vermicompost (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 tons per hectare) application on morphological traits, leaf yield, and oleuropein, quercetin, macro and micro elements of the olive leaf extract under field conditions, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications (nine shrubs in each replicate) at the Alborz Research Station, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands in two years. Three-year-old shrubs were planted at a distance of 5 m on the row and 5 m between the rows at a depth of 50 cm. Vermicompost affected fresh and dry leaf yield per hectare and quercetin and oleuropein amounts of the leaves significantly (at the level of 1% probability) in both years. The highest dry leaf yield per hectare was obtained in the 4 tons of vermicompost treatment (55.573 kg in the first year and 63.047 kg in the second one). The amount of quercetin increased from 18.48 and 18.7 µg.mg-1 dry matter in the control treatment (in the first and second years, respectively) to 34.67 and 37.7 µg.mg-1 dry matter in the 4 tons vermicompost per hectare treatment (in the first and second years, respectively). Also, the use of 2 tons of vermicompost per hectare increased the leaf oleuropein in both years. Different vermicompost treatments increased the uptake of most macro and micro elements including phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper in both years. The results showed that the appropriate amounts of vermicompostcould be used to produce a plant with high quercetin and oleuropein.
Agriculture and horticulture
M. Yadegari
Abstract
Due to the valuable role of savory (Satureja spp.) in pharmaceutical and food industries, three separate factorial experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications in Islamic Azad University, Branch of Shahrekord in the 2021-2022 crop year to study the effects of NPK, ...
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Due to the valuable role of savory (Satureja spp.) in pharmaceutical and food industries, three separate factorial experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications in Islamic Azad University, Branch of Shahrekord in the 2021-2022 crop year to study the effects of NPK, butamisol, and humic acid fertilizers on the morphophysiological characteristics and essential oil of three savory species (S. bachtiarica Bunge, S. mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey., and S. khuzistanica Jamzad) under drought stress conditions. Experimental treatments included non-use (A1) and use (A2) of NPK, non-use (B1) and use (B2) of humic acid, non-use (C1) and use (C2) of botamisol, and drought stress at three levels of field capacity (D1), and 50% (D2) and 75% (D3) moisture loss. The A2B2C2D1 treatment resulted in the highest plant height (57.5±1.1 cm), number of main branches (23.4±1.7), total chlorophyll (1.55±0.02 mg.g-1 FW), and essential oil content (1.94±0.03%) in S. bachtiarica. The highest proline (13.99±1.2 µg.g-1 FW) and lowest essential oil (0.79±0.02%) amounts was obtained in S. mutica in the A1B1C1D3 treatment. From the 11 essential oil compounds, monoterpenoids such as ρ-cymene and carvacrol in S. bachtiarica, carvacrol and ɣ-terpinene in S. khuzistanica, and ρ-cymene and thymol in S. mutica were identified as major essential oil constituents. Better nutrition and minimum stress with temperate climate of the region under study led to the introduction of S. bachtiarica as the best species.
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.
Agriculture and horticulture
R. Rostami; B. Esmaielpour; S.A. Hosseini; G. Salimi; A. Etminan
Abstract
To investigate the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on growth characteristics, physiology, and essential oil yield of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) under lead (Pb) stress, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the research greenhouse of University ...
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To investigate the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on growth characteristics, physiology, and essential oil yield of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) under lead (Pb) stress, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the research greenhouse of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili (UMA) in 2018. Experimental treatments included different levels of Pb heavy metal (0, 200, and 400 ppm) and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi (without inoculation, inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae, and Claroideoglomus etunicatum). The results showed that in comparison with the control, with increasing Pb concentration in the soil, plant height (40.56%), number of leaves (36.09%), stem dry weight (43.50%), essential oil percentage (40%), and cell membrane stability (16.14%) were significantly decreased, while proline content (51.72%) and catalase activity (45%) of the leaves increased. Inoculation of thyme with the mycorrhizal fungi was effective in increasing the vegetative indices in presence of Pb heavy metal so that both G. mosseae and G. etunicatum increased the number of leaves by 66.20 and 9.55% compared to the control, respectively. Also, inoculation with G. mosseae under severe Pb stress conditions (400 ppm) increased leaf proline content (11.49%), peroxidase enzyme activity (8.8%), chlorophyll b (21%), total chlorophyll (70.43%), carotenoids (19.6%), and essential oil percentage (55%) compared to the control. Overall, both mycorrhizal fungi were effective on alleviation of Pb toxicity effects and F. mosseae had better performance, especially in terms of morphological traits and essential oil yield. Due to the negative effects of heavy elements on human health, the recommendations to use mycorrhizal fungi to reduce the absorption of heavy metals in plants should be done with more consideration of all aspects including the plant and fungus species type and rate and pollution type.
Agriculture and horticulture
Y. Esmaeilian; A. Jalali
Abstract
This experiment was conducted as split-plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of University of Gonabad in the 2017-18 crop year. The main plot included control, chemical fertilizer (100, 120, and 150 kg.ha-1 urea, triple superphosphate, and potassium sulphate, ...
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This experiment was conducted as split-plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of University of Gonabad in the 2017-18 crop year. The main plot included control, chemical fertilizer (100, 120, and 150 kg.ha-1 urea, triple superphosphate, and potassium sulphate, respectively), and vermicompost (10 t.ha-1) and sub-plot consisted of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L.) intercropping in 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:100 proportions and sole cropping of two crops. The results showed that the highest number and bulblet length was obtained in the chemical fertilizer treatment, however there was no significant difference between this treatment and vermicompost. While, the vermicompost treatment resulted in the highest bulblet diameter. The highest bulblet number was obtained in the 50:50 intercropping treatment and the highest length and bulblet diameter was obtained in the 25:75 one. The highest biological yield and bulb yield (3867 and 2293 kg.ha-1) was obtained in the sole cropping of garlic and chemical fertilizer treatment. The highest garlic essential oil was obtained in the vermicompost (2.33%) and 50:50 intercropping (2.36%) treatments. The plant height and number of pods per plant in fenugreek had the highest increase (30 and 21%, respectively) in the chemical nutrition treatment. Also, the highest number of pods per plant was obtained in the 25:75 intercropping treatment. The highest forage and seed yield of fenugreek (2057 and 682 kg.ha-1, respectively) was observed in the sole cropping and chemical fertilizer treatment. The biological yield was higher in the chemical (2800 kg.ha-1) and organic (2733 kg.ha-1) fertilizer treatments under sole cropping. The highest essential oil of fenugreek seeds was observed in the chemical fertilizer (1.16%) and 75:25 intercropping (1.12%) treatments. The intercropping patterns recorded the land equivalent ratios above 1 and the best situation was obtained from 100:100 intercropping. Garlic was superior to fenugreek in the intercropping treatments except for 100:100 pattern. The intercropping advantage was greater than 1 except for the 100:100 treatment and the highest economic advantage was obtained in the 25:75 pattern and organic fertilizer treatment.
