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
Nasrin Biyabani; Vahid Abdossi; Marziyeh Ghanbari Jahromi
Abstract
Background and objectives:
Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that reduces the production of agricultural products. Salinity is usually associated with oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of growth stimulating compounds in order to reduce ...
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Background and objectives:
Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that reduces the production of agricultural products. Salinity is usually associated with oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of growth stimulating compounds in order to reduce the effects of environmental stress in plants is of particular importance. The use of silicon sources such as potassium silicate plays an important role in modulating salinity stress in plants. By increasing plants' resistance to salt stress, potassium silicate can help improve the growth and performance of plants in areas with salty soils. These compounds cause ion balance in cells in adverse conditions and by improving water absorption and retention in plants, they reduce ion leakage and the negative effect of salinity stress.
Methodology:
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of potassium silicate on the growth and physiological and biochemical characteristics of goldenrod in a factorial design based on a completely randomized design with the factor of salinity stress at three levels (0, 60, and 120 millimolar) and foliar application of potassium silicate at three levels (0, 50, and 100 milligrams per liter) under greenhouse conditions. Foliar application was carried out three times at 15-day intervals. The first foliar application was performed at the 4-leaf stage. After the second foliar application, salinity stress was induced by applying 200 milliliters of sodium chloride solution to each pot for 40 days. To prevent salt accumulation in the pots, all pots were rinsed with non-saline water after every 4 irrigations with saline water. The investigated morphological variables include wet and dry weight of shoots and roots and plant height and other traits including plant pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total), relative leaf water content, ion leakage rate, proline, sodium and potassium absorption rate of roots and It was the aerial parts that were measured in the middle of the golden grass flowering period.
Results:
The results of the research showed that salinity stress caused yield reduction and potassium silicate moderated the negative effects of salinity stress by improving plant growth conditions. The results of the research showed that 120 mM salinity decreased the fresh weight of shoot (28%), dry weight of shoot (29%), fresh weight of root (38%), dry weight of root (37%), total chlorophyll (40%). percent), the relative content of leaf water (17%), root potassium (14%) and leaf potassium (16%) and increased ion leakage (23%), proline (13%), root sodium (256%), leaf sodium (325 percent) Potassium silicate, especially 100 mg/liter, moderated salinity stress by increasing plant weight, chlorophyll, leaf water content and potassium in leaves and roots, and reducing sodium accumulation in leaves and roots and ion leakage.
Conclusion:
The general results of the research showed that increasing the intensity of salinity stress is very destructive for the growth and functional characteristics of golden grass and potassium silicate 50 to 100 mM will moderate the salinity stress by increasing the quantitative and qualitative performance (biochemical and phytochemical) of golden grass. Therefore, in order to grow the golden grass plant, it should be noted that the water or soil used does not contain salts such as sodium and chlorine, or soil conditioners or growth stimulants should be used for the production and cultivation of this plant.
Economic and social position of medicinal and aromatic plants
Dariush Khademi Shurmasti; Fatemeh Nourkami
Abstract
Background and objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has antimicrobial activity due to organic sulfur compounds such as thiosulfates, especially allicin. Considering the environmental hazards and the concern of the potential risk of synthetic additives, the fabrication and use of active biodegradable ...
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Background and objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has antimicrobial activity due to organic sulfur compounds such as thiosulfates, especially allicin. Considering the environmental hazards and the concern of the potential risk of synthetic additives, the fabrication and use of active biodegradable packaging containing herbal essential oils and extracts in the form of composite films and coatings in the food industry are considered. This study aimed to fabricate and evaluate the mechanical, physical and antimicrobial properties of an active composite film based on polyvinyl-alcohol/chitosan/nanoclay with 2% and 4% concentrations of garlic extract for its prospective applications in food packaging.
Methodology: First, solutions of polyvinyl alcohol (5%), chitosan (2%), nanoclay (4%) through the dissolution of a certain amount of material in solvents, as well as an aqueous extract of garlic, were separately prepared. Then, the films were fabricated using the casting method based on experimental treatments including films based on polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol /chitosan/nanoclay and polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan /nano clay (montmorillonite) containing concentrations of 2% and 4% garlic extract (5 treatments in total). The mechanical properties of the films include tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), and Young's modulus (YM), which were determined using a texture analyzer, physical properties including thickness were measured using a digital micrometer, and solubility (WS), absorption humidity (WAC), water vapor permeability (WVP) were determined using ASTM standard assay, opacity using a spectrophotometer as well as antimicrobial properties of the film against S. aureus and E. coli using the diffusion disc method was evaluated on mullerhinton agar culture medium. The diameter of the inhibitory zone of bacterial growth was measured and considered as an indicator of the antimicrobial activity of the films. In a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 3 replications, the data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software by one-way ANOVA. The means were compared using the test Duncan (p<0.05).
Results: The mechanical, physical and antimicrobial properties of the fabricated films were affected by the structural components of the films as well as the concentration of garlic extract. Tensile strength and Young's modulus (about 30 MPa and 0.14 MPa, respectively) were higher in active triple composite films containing garlic extract, at the same time, these films had the lowest value of elongation at break. The addition of chitosan and nano montmorillonite to polyvinyl alcohol-based film and fabricating composite film increased the thickness of the films, such that the triple composite films were thicker (0.17 mm) and more opacity. The lowest value of water absorption and solubility as well as water vapor permeability was seen in active triple composite films. Unlike most of the mechanical and physical properties of films, the antimicrobial effect of active composite films was directly affected by the concentration of garlic extract used. In general, the antimicrobial effect of garlic extract against gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) was greater than gram-negative bacteria (E. coli). In concentrations of 2% and 4% of garlic extract, the diameter of the inhibitory zone of bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus was 21.6 and 26.55 mm, respectively, and Escherichia coli was 16.5 and 19.1 mm, respectively.
Conclusion: Active triple composite film (polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/montmorillonite) containing 4% garlic extract with lower WVP value, and higher value of TS, TM, and thickness can prevent moisture exchange of food, maintaining the integrity of the packaged product, delaying the spoilage process, thereby, extend the shelf life of the products. Therefore, the enrichment of polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/nanoclay triple composite biodegradable film with garlic extract can make it a potentially recommendable option for new food packaging with longer storage.
Agriculture and horticulture
Fatemeh Borna; Mostafa Rahmati-Joneidabad; Sadegh Abdrahmani
Abstract
Background and objectives: The use of chemical fertilizers to produce high-yield crops in the shortest possible time has raised public concern about the sustainability, safety, and security of food. Therefore, alternatives such as biofertilizers are needed to ensure food safety and security. Biofertilizers ...
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Background and objectives: The use of chemical fertilizers to produce high-yield crops in the shortest possible time has raised public concern about the sustainability, safety, and security of food. Therefore, alternatives such as biofertilizers are needed to ensure food safety and security. Biofertilizers are important tools in sustainable agriculture and can help plants cope with environmental stresses. The application of these fertilizers in the cultivation of medicinal plants, which are inherently aimed at ensuring public health, is on the rise. The medicinal plant dragonhead, scientifically known as Dracocephalum moldavica L., belongs to the mint family and contains essential oils throughout the plant. In traditional medicine, it is used to treat mental weakness, migraines, cardiovascular problems, congestion, headaches, stomach pain, liver disorders, and as a sedative. This study aims to investigate the effect of biofertilizers on the medicinal plant dragonhead under the climatic conditions of Khuzestan.
Methodology: The effect of biofertilizers on the growth, yield, and quantity and quality of the essential oil of dragonhead was examined using a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three replications at the Department of Horticultural Science, Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 2022. After soil analysis and land preparation, the seedlings were transplanted to the main field in March. All planting and maintenance operations, including irrigation and weed control, were uniformly applied to all treatments. The experimental treatments included: control (without fertilizer - C), inoculation with bio-potassium (K), inoculation with bio-nitrogen (N), inoculation with bio-phosphate (P), inoculation with bio-nitrogen + bio-phosphate (NP), inoculation with bio-nitrogen + bio-potassium (NK), and inoculation with bio-nitrogen + bio-phosphate + bio-potassium (NPK). The aerial parts of dragonhead were harvested at the flowering stage. The evaluated traits included plant height, number of inflorescences, length of the main inflorescence, fresh weight, dry weight, essential oil content, dry weight yield, and essential oil yield. Essential oil extraction was performed by water distillation using a Clevenger apparatus, and the essential oil components were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The data were analyzed using SAS statistical software (version 9.1) and means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test at a 5% probability level. Charts were drawn using EXCEL software.
Results: Analysis of variance results showed that biofertilizers had a significant effect on all evaluated traits of dragonhead. Subsequent mean comparison results indicated that the highest plant height (90.08 cm) was observed in the P treatment, the highest number of inflorescences (11.91), length of the main inflorescence (31.10 cm), fresh weight (50.31 g), dry weight (11.31 g), essential oil percentage (2%), dry weight yield (3393.5 Kg/ha), and essential oil yield (69.19 Kg/ha) were observed in the treatment inoculated with bio-nitrogen + bio-phosphate + bio-potassium (NPK). The lowest plant height (71.50 cm), number of inflorescences (4.12), length of the main inflorescence (17.75 cm), aerial fresh weight (15.68 g), dry weight (3.98 g), dry weight yield (1194.75 Kg/ha), and essential oil yield (4.98 Kg/ha) were observed in the bio-potassium (K) treatment, and the lowest essential oil percentage (0.44%) was observed in the bio-nitrogen (N) treatment. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil revealed differences in the essential oil components among the treatments. The highest amounts of neral (17.53%) were found in the P treatment, geraniol (7.91%) in the NPK treatment, geranial (32.12%) in the K treatment, neryl acetate (2.49%) in the NPK treatment, and geranyl acetate (73.18%) in the NK treatment.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the combined use of biofertilizers, especially NPK, is recommended for maximum yield and essential oil production of dragonhead under similar ecological conditions. It is predicted that under these conditions and without the use of chemical fertilizers, the cultivation of this medicinal plant in a sustainable agricultural system will lead to healthy, sustainable, and high-quality essential oil production.
Biological effects of essential oils and extracts
Amir Hossein Alizadeh Ghamsari; - -
Abstract
Background and objectives: Considering the limitations of using growth-promoting antibiotics due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, in recent decades, the usage of plant growth promoters in the livestock and poultry industry has received special attention because of the beneficial effects on ...
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Background and objectives: Considering the limitations of using growth-promoting antibiotics due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, in recent decades, the usage of plant growth promoters in the livestock and poultry industry has received special attention because of the beneficial effects on growth, immunity and physiological status of animal. It seems that with the aid of new technologies (such as nanoencapsulation) the consumption of plant essential oils in commercial products can be made economical and while improving performance, feed cost can also be reduced. So this experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effects of three commercial plant growth promoters on performance, feed cost per kilogram of live body weight, carcass characteristics and immune responses of broiler chickens.
Methodology: Six hundred day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens (a mixture of two sexes with equal proportion) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates of 30 birds. Experimental treatments included: 1) control diet (no additive), 2) diet containing Virginiamycin (100 g per ton of feed) as a positive control and 3 to 5) diets containing Novi-Herb®, Novi-Grow® and Novi-Herb+® (each was at the rate of 100 grams per ton of feed). Novi-Herb® contained essential oils of thyme (Thymus Vulgaris), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and nanocapsulated form of chitosan, and Novi-Grow® contained organic acids (lactic acid, formic acid), prebiotics (lactose + yeast cell wall) and some plant compounds included: garlic powder (Allium sativum), turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) and cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum verum). Novi- Herb+® contained essential oils of lemon (Citrus limon) and yeast cell wall as well as other ingredients found in Novi-Herb®. The vaccination program was carried out according to the recommendation of the local veterinarian. Feed intake, body weight, liveability, feed conversion ratio, production index and the cost of feed per kilogram of live body weight were calculated in the period of 1 to 42 days. At the age of 42 days, blood sampling was performed from three birds per replicate in order to differentially count white blood cells and also to evaluate the antibody titer against Newcastle and Influenza vaccine injection. At this age, four birds from each replicate (close to the average weight of the replicate) were killed and after weighing and stuffing, the carcass percentage and the relative weight of the body components (including: breast, thigh, neck and back) and organs (including: liver, heart, gizzard, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, gall bladder, proventriculus) and abdominal fat were calculated.
Results: Dietary addition of evaluated plant growth promoters resulted in a significant improvement in body weight and feed conversion ratio at the age of 42 days compared to the control group (P<0.05). Liveability percentage, European production index and feed cost per kilogram of live weight were not affected by the experimental treatments (P>0.05); however, dietary supplementation of Novi-Herb®, Novi-Grow® and Novi-Herb+®, reduced the cost of feed by 4.8, 4.1 and 2.7 percentage, respectively, in comparison with the control group and by 3.5, 2.8 and 1.4 percentage in comparison with the Virginiamycin group. Among traits such as the relative weight of the carcass, body components and organs, only the relative weight of abdominal fat showed a significant decrease following the dietary inclusion of the evaluated plant growth promoters (P<0.05). Meanwhile, dietary treatments had no significant effect on the percentage of heterophil, lymphocyte, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and antibody titer in response to the injection of Newcastle and Influenza vaccines (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Based on these results, the evaluated plant growth promoters could be suitable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoter by improving the performance of broiler chickens while numerical reduction of feed cost per kilogram of live body weight.
