Plant Productions

The effects of biochar on the growth and some physiological characteristics of Artemisia dracunculus L. under salinity stress

Maehdiyeh Safavi; Maedeh Mohammadzadeh; lamia vojodimehrabani

Volume 47, Issue 2 , August 2024, , Pages 229-244

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2024.47046.2173

Abstract

IntroductionArtemisia dracunculus L. is a perennial fragrant plant which is commonly used as a flavoring vegetable in many countries. The plant is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, ... Read More IntroductionArtemisia dracunculus L. is a perennial fragrant plant which is commonly used as a flavoring vegetable in many countries. The plant is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and health industries. The medicinal value of tarragon is due to the presence of essential oil, phenolics and flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, and alkaloids. In the last decade, due to climatic changes, salinity stress has become one of the most important biological problems, which causes a decrease in plant productivity. Salinity stress, by creating water and ionic imbalance, induces drought stress and increases the concentration of vacuolar sap. Moreover, the ionic toxicity and ionic competition in the cell membranes as a result of salt stress leads to programmed cell death. Therefore, it is important to find solutions to overcome or reduce the effects of salinity stress on plants. Biochar is an organic carbonic compound that can affect the physicochemical structure of the soil. Biochar, by increasing the absorption of nutrients, enhances the cation exchange capacity, and water holding capacity in the soil, improves the soil structure, and increases the plant access to the soil nutrients, and in this way helps to enhance the yield of the plant.Materials and MethodsTo investigate the effects of soil-based biochar (zero, 7, and 14% v) application and, NaCl salinity stress (zero, 75, and 150 mM) on the growth and some physiological traits of Artemisia dracunculus L.; a factorial experiment was conducted based on the completely randomized design with three replications during 2022 in Research Greenhouse of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University. After adding biochar to the soil mixture, tarragon rhizomes were plantd in the pots. One month later, after complete stablishment of plants, salinity levels were imposed. The plants were maintained in the growing medium for 3 month. Later the plant parts were sampled for the traits measurement. Results and DiscussionPlant height, aerial parts dry weight, chlorophyll a, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, proline, sodium, and potassium content were influenced by the interaction effects of experimental treatments. The treatments without salinity and 75 mM NaCl salinity stress + the application of 14% (v) biochar caused an increase in the plant height and aerial part dry weight of the plant. The highest content of chlorophyll a was obtained in the treatment without salinity stress + both levels of biochar and 75 mM NaCl salinity stress + application of 14% (v) of biochar. The salinity stress )150 mM( in the condition of not using biochar increased the content of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and sodium content (35 mg g-1 DW) of the plant. The highest proline content was observed in 150 mM salinity stress with both levels of biochar application and non-application. The highest potassium content was obtained in the treatment without salinity stress with the application of 14% (v) of biochar, which showed a 71% increase compared to the control. The potassium-to-sodium ratio was affected by the main effect of biochar, and the use of 7 and 14% biochar increased the potassium-to-sodium ratio of the plant. The independent effects of salinity stress and biochar affected leaf relative water content, essential oil, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content. Seven and 14% biochar treatments increased the chlorophyll b content compared to the control. The application of 14% biochar raised the relative water content of leaves (17% increase compared to the control), and carotenoids. By increasing the salinity stress to 150 mM, the leaf-relative water content decreased by 22% compared to the control, and the highest leaf-relative water content was observed in the control. Both 75 and 150 mM salinity stress treatments increased carotenoid content. The top essential oil content was observed in 14% (v) of biochar, which showed a 76% increase compared to the control. 75 mM salinity stress increased the essential oil content as well. 18 components were identified in Artemisia dracunculus essential oil.Estragole (84.3-90.8%) was the dominant component of the essential oil, and the highest content of this compound was obtained in 150 mM NaCl salinity stress + 14% biochar application.The second component in terms of abundance was d-limonene (1.05-3.02%), and the highest content of this compound was observed in the 75 mM salinity stress + 7% (v) of biochar application. ConclusionThe overall results showed that 150 mM salinity stress hurts the growth and physiological characteristics of A. dracunculus, but the use of biochar at the rate of 14% improved the growth and physiological characteristics and even enhanced the dominant components content of essential oil under salt stress..

The Effect of Foliar Application of Zinc Oxide and Nanoparticles Zinc Oxide on Some Growth Characteristics and Elemental Concentration of Rosemary under NaCl Salinity

Mohammad Bagher Hassanpouraghdam; Lamia Vojodi Mehrabani; Tahereh Shamsi Khotab

Volume 44, Issue 3 , December 2021, , Pages 421-432

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2020.31067.1825

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionNowdays, one of the major environmental stresses challenging agricultural produce worldwide, is progressive soil salinity. The majority of the soils in the arid ... Read More AbstractIntroductionNowdays, one of the major environmental stresses challenging agricultural produce worldwide, is progressive soil salinity. The majority of the soils in the arid and semi-arid regions face salinity. This is a huge threat for agricultural sustainablitty. With salinity adding-up, plants growth and development greatly decline due to reduced osmotic potential, unbalanced nutrients available and the variations in the type and content of growth regulators which negatively influence the plant yield and productivity. Under salinity situations, using micronutrients plays a vital role in the tolerance of plant against ROS molecules. These nutrients motivate antioxidant enzymes and hence, improve plant responses to the ROS molecules generation. As a result, they improve the yield, quality and productivity of plants under stressful conditions. Materials and MethodsAn experiment was conducted to study the effects of NaCl salinity stress (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) and Foliar application of common and Nono-form Zinc-oxide (0, 5 and 10 mg L-1) on Rosmarinus officinalis as factorial based on RCBD with three replications at 2017- 2018. Results and DiscussionThe results revealed the interaction effects of salinity levels and Zinc Foliar application on chlorophyll b content, N, P, K, Na and Zn content, leave relative water content as well as essential oil yield. The highest data for chlorophyll b was recorded with no stress × 10 mgL-1 Nono-zinc spray. Relative water content for both Zn forms (0, 5 and 10 mgL-1) was maximum with no salinity treatments. The greatest data for essential oil yield was traced with NaCl0 × 10 mgL-1 Nano-zinc and NaCl0× 10 mgL-1 Zinc Oxide. NaCl0× 5 mgL-1 Nano-Zinc increased K+content in plant. For Zn compositional content, the highest data was recorded with no-salinity × 5 and 10 mgL-1of Nano-Zinc as well as with no-salinity × 10 mg L-1 of common zinc source. Aerial parts dry weight and Fe and Mg content were affected by independent effects of salinity and Foliar application of Zn. Aerial parts dry weight and Mg content increased at no salinity stress and 50 mM salinity. Chlorophyll a and Fe content were influenced by the non salinity levels. Foliar application with 0 and 10 mg L-1nano-Zn increased Mg content in plants. Salinity is one of the predominant stressors influencing the plants throughout all their life cycle. The results revealed that salinity drastically influenced rosemary dry weight, photosynthetic pigments content, as well as Mn, Cu, and Fe content. Zn Foliar application improved aerial parts fresh weight and the content of Mg, Cu, and Fe. In general, rosmary is salinity tolerant up to 50 mM without significant reduction in yield component. Therefore, the Foliar application of Nano-Zinc as Oxide form improved yield and growth characteristics. ConclusionSalinity drastically influenced the growth and physiological responses of the plants. Using Foliar treatments was able to partially ameliorate the salinity adverse effects and, promoted the growth and productivity of rosemary. However, economical administration of Foliar treatments needs more in-depth studies.

Evaluation of Some Phytochemical Characteristics of Berberis integerrima in Response to Nano-Zinc Foliar Application and Post-Harvest Drying Temperature

lamia vojodimehrabani; Rana Valizadeh Kamran; mohammad bagher hassanpouraghdam

Volume 42, Issue 3 , December 2019, , Pages 345-358

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2019.22929.1503

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Mineral nutrition and post-harvest handling are the major factors affecting secondary metabolites content and composition of plants. Berberis integerrima ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives Mineral nutrition and post-harvest handling are the major factors affecting secondary metabolites content and composition of plants. Berberis integerrima is one of the most important medicinal plants listed in all pharmacopeias. The bark, fruits and roots of this plant are commonly being used by traditional and modern medicine disciplines. They are well documented for their anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activities with berberine as the main active constituent. Also, the shrub has ornamental uses in the landscape and the fruit is used as a food additive. In addition, anthocyanin of the fruit is useful as a natural coloring agent in food industries. There are few studies on the agronomic demands and post-harvest handling of this plant. The experiment was conducted to assay the effects of nano-zinc foliar application and postharvest plant drying temperature on some phytochemical traits of this highly valuable plant. Materials and Methods The treatments were applied to assay the phytochemicals content variations in roots, fruits and aerial parts of the plant (2 years old) by two separate experiments as factorial based on RBCD. In the first experiment, the effects of nano-zinc foliar spray on the yield, anthocyanin content, Zinc content and TSS at the different mentioned organs were studied. In the second experiment, the effects of diverse post drying temperatures (25, 50 and 750C) on total phenolics content, flanonoids content, hydrolysable tannin and berberin content in Berberis integerrima were assayed. Results Zn content, TSS content and anthocyanins were affected by the independent effects of foliar spray and plant part. Plant dry weight was impacted by the organ type. Phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids contents were affected by the interactional effects of the foliar spray , the organ type, and the drying temperature. The highest figure for the contents of alkaloids (30 mg g-1DWt) and flavonoids (26.9 mg g-1DWt) were from the root × foliar spray by 6 mgL-1 Nano-Zinc at 250C drying regime. The maximum amount of total phenolics was attained by the aerial parts × foliar spray by 6 mgL-1 Nano-Zinc at 250C and fruits × 3 and 6 mgL-1 foliar spray at 250C. For hydrolysable tannins (1.9%), the root and the aerial parts × 250C showed the largest figure. Discussion The overall results revealed the positive effects of nano-zinc foliar application on the studied gross secondary metabolites content in Berberis integerrima. The post-harvest drying temperature influenced the metabolites content as well, and the optimized temperature in the experiments was 250C.

The Effects of Urea and Organic Fertilizers on Nitrate Accumulation and Some Physiological Traits of Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae)

L. Vojodi Mehrabani; R. Valizadeh Kamran; Z. Soltanighralar; Z. Emanizeraatcar; Z. Masoumpoor

Volume 41, Issue 3 , December 2018, , Pages 83-94

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2018.21546.1462

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Management of organic fertilizers utilization is of the main components of organic crops production which can greatly affect the yield and quality ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives Management of organic fertilizers utilization is of the main components of organic crops production which can greatly affect the yield and quality of plants. Due to the short time course of leafy vegetables production, farmers commonly use nitrogenous chemical fertilizers for the nourishment of plants. The results are huge nitrate accumulation on the edible parts of the vegetables and hence the deteriorating health side effects. So, owing to the necessity of vegetables in the daily diet, resorting to the production methods to reduce the nitrate accumulation and even preserve and add up the nutritious quality of vegetables is of great interest. Materials and Methods This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of deferent levels of cow, vermicompost and poultry organic fertilizers (0, 10, 20 and 30% in volume) and urea (102, 204 and 306 g Kg/ha) on nitrate accumulation (morning and evening sampling time) and Fe2+, Zn2+ and potassium concentration and total phenolic content as well as on some growth characteristics of spinach as RBCD design with three replications in Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University during 2016. Results The results revealed that the highest morning nitrate accumulation (2435 mg Kg-1 Fwt) and that of evening (2052 mg Kg-1 Fwt) belonged to 306 kg/ha urea treatment. Leaf length was effected by 20% (3.6 cm) and 30% (8.8 cm) of poultry manure. The highest data for TSS and root fresh and dry weight were attained by 10 and 20% of cow manure. The treatments, 20 and 30% of vermicompost, cow manure and 30% poultry manure increased the leaves fresh and dry weight. All levels of poultry and vermicompost manure had positive effects on potassium content. The highest amounts of Fe2+, Zn2+ and total phenolic content were recorded in 10, 20 and 30% cow manure and vermicompost manure Discussion Nitrate accumulation in vegetables is dependent upon several intrinsic and extrinsic factors of which, mineral nutrition is of crucial importance. Considering the positive response of spinach to the application of organic fertilizers, it seems that using these organic fertilizers would greatly decline the chemical fertilizers input as well as reduces the environmental side effects of chemicals and virtually goes to the production of safe organic products under sustainable production systems.

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Author = lamia vojodimehrabani

The effects of biochar on the growth and some physiological characteristics of Artemisia dracunculus L. under salinity stress

Abstract

The Effect of Foliar Application of Zinc Oxide and Nanoparticles Zinc Oxide on Some Growth Characteristics and Elemental Concentration of Rosemary under NaCl Salinity

Abstract

Evaluation of Some Phytochemical Characteristics of Berberis integerrima in Response to Nano-Zinc Foliar Application and Post-Harvest Drying Temperature

Abstract

The Effects of Urea and Organic Fertilizers on Nitrate Accumulation and Some Physiological Traits of Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae)

Abstract