Plant Productions

Effects of different levels of humic acid and limitation in irrigation on the growth and functional characteristics of the medicinal plant Lallemantia iberica L.

Masoud Fattahi; Akbar Saljoghi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 October 2024

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2024.47380.2190

Abstract

Introduction Humic acid is a principal component of humic substances, which increasing cell membrane permeability, increasing photosynthesis and respiration rates, enhancing mineral ... Read More Introduction Humic acid is a principal component of humic substances, which increasing cell membrane permeability, increasing photosynthesis and respiration rates, enhancing mineral uptake and enhancing protein synthesis. The effects of Humic acid on the physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of plants under drought stress have been, including the growth parameters, osmotic regulation, antioxidase activity (such as the superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) and photosynthesis parameters. Also, drought stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses that adversely influences the growth and production of crops and disturbs plant water relationships, reducing leaf size, root growth and root multiplication. Plants exhibit various physiological and biochemical responses to drought stress at cellular and whole organism levels. The results of some study indicated that the appropriate concentration of humic acid could effectively alleviate the damage of drought stress on plants. Materials and Methods In order to investigate the effect of drought stress on germination characteristics, as well as the effect of different levels of humic acid and water deficit on some characteristics of the medicinal plant of lallemantia, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, the characteristics of germination of lallemantia under the influence of five levels of drought stress including 0 potential, -0.4, -0.8, -1.2 and -1.6 MPa in the form of a completely randomized design with 4 replications in the laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture Shahrekord University was evaluated. In the second experiment, in order to investigate the different levels of humic acid and water deficit stress on some characteristics of the lallemantia, a field experiment was conducted in the form of a split plot in the form of a completely randomized block design in three replications. The treatments included four irrigation levels of 50, 70, 90 and 110 mm evaporation, from the evaporation pan surface as the main factor and four humic acid levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15 liters per hectare as secondary factors. Results and Discussion The results showed that the percentage and speed of germination and fresh weight of lallemantia seedlings decreased due to drought stress levels and the root length increased. Also, in the results of the field experiment, it was observed that the number of flowers, inflorescences, seeds per plant, seed yield, and the amount of biomass were affected by the simple effects of drought stress and humic acid treatments, and drought stress decreased them, while the use of humic acid increased them. As a result of drought stress, the percentage of mucilage increased and the yield of essential oil decreased. Also, the use of humic acid increased the yield of essential oil compared to the control. In general, the use of humic acid, especially at a concentration of 15 liters per hectare, increased the seed yield and the medicinal properties of the lallemantia plant. In general, the use of humic acid, especially at a concentration of 15 liters per hectare, increased the seed yield and the medicinal properties of the lallemantia plant. Conclusion humic acid is an alicyclic ring, and a hydrophilic group, such as a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group, or a carbonyl group is bonded to enhance the water retention of the plant. Humic acid can be used directly on plants at low concentrations to enhance plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake, thus constituting a popular category of plant biostimulants. Our findings further illustrated that humic acid can relieve the damage of drought stress because humic acid also has the effect of stabilizing the plasma membrane system by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and participating in cell osmotic regulation. Our findings may help to elucidate of the effects of humic acid on lallemantia plant under drought stress and provide substantial guidance for the use of humic acid in agricultural production.

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The effect of different types of culture substrate on some morphological and physiological indices of African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl)

Masoud Ghasemi Ghahsareh; Foroozan Milani; Saeed Reezi; Masoud Fattahi

Volume 45, Issue 4 , February 2023, , Pages 475-489

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2022.41507.2054

Abstract

Introduction The function of a growth substrate is to provide an ideal medium for plantlet emergence which allows for the optimal development of plants during the time they stay in ... Read More Introduction The function of a growth substrate is to provide an ideal medium for plantlet emergence which allows for the optimal development of plants during the time they stay in the container. A high-water storage capacity is necessary due to the limited volume available in growth substrate. There is a large variety of materials available for substrate elaboration, and their selection depends on the plant species to be propagated, season, propagation system, price, substrate availability and proper features. Compost seems to be an excellent alternative to peat. Also, the fresh material presents a high carbon: nitrogen ratio (C: N) and it may contain substances that are toxic to the plants, such as phenols, resins and tannins. Choosing the suitable planting bed for ornamental plants is one of the problems for most greenhouse managers. In this regard, in order to investigate the possibility of using liquorice residue compost as a by-product of the medicinal plant industry, in growth medium, the effect of peat moss, coir and liquorice root residue compost on the growth of African violet tested in an experiment. Materials and Methods The experiment was done with 7 treatments and 5 replications in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 60% (volumetric) peat moss, 60% coir, 60% liquorice root residue compost, 30% peat moss + 30% coir, 30% peat moss + 30% liquorice root residue compost, 30% coir + 30% liquorice root residue compost. Each treatment was mixed with 40% perlite. According to the results of a pre-test on the low water retention capacity of liquorice compost, a treatment was also performed using liquorice compost with superabsorbent polymer (Aquasorb made by SNF) at a rate of 5g/kg mixed medium. Results and Discussion Experiment results in African violet showed that in shoot fresh weight, leaf number, root fresh weight, leaf area and relative leaf water content of 30% peat + 30% coir treatment and shoot dry weight, flower number and chlorophyll a were the best in 30% peat moss + 30% liquorice root residue compost treatment. The highest amount of chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were observed in 60% liquorice root residue compost + superabsorbent polymer, the highest carotenoid content in 60% peat treatment, and the highest root dry weight and proline content in 60% liquorice root residue compost treatment. In general, according to the obtained results, by using licorice root residue compost with peat, it is possible to achieve favorable growth results, and it is recommended to use it up to 50% of the required organic matter in the bed of African violets. Based on the results of this study, licorice root resigue compost with peat moss can achieve favorable growth results and it can be used up to 50% of the required organic matter in African violet bed. The effects of licorice compost on morphological and physiological parameters of plants may be due to its effects on increased water content and soil aeration. Because there is a strong relationship between RWC and plant biomass. That also suggests that plants having greater biomass can maintain higher water content in their leaves. Conclusion Presence of nutrient elements increased the overall fertility, and functionality of the tested media, leading to maintain better plant growth. RWC is a measure of plant water status, which reflects metabolic activity in plant tissues and is one of the most important indicators to identify differences in substrate conditions.

Investigation of Phosphorus Use Efficiency and Drought and Salinity Stress Resistance Index in Pistachio Rootstocks Coexisted with Mycorrhiza Arbuscular

Masoud Fattahi; abdolrahman Mohammadkhani; Behroz Shiran; Bahram Baninasab; Rudabeh Ravash

Volume 44, Issue 4 , December 2021, , Pages 587-600

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2020.33219.1894

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionEnvironmental stresses are serious threats to agricultural production. Abiotic stress too is a serious threat to agricultural products. Pistachio is one of ... Read More AbstractIntroductionEnvironmental stresses are serious threats to agricultural production. Abiotic stress too is a serious threat to agricultural products. Pistachio is one of the most important agricultural products in Iran and United States and is grown in other countries as well. Pistachio has good yields in rain fed condition and increases the flush and quality of yield by irrigation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are among the most useful microorganisms in soil, and most plants can become symbiotic with mycorrhiza, that help improve nutritional conditions and other functions such as photosynthesis and osmotic regulation under stress conditions. Materials and MethodsAMF, (Funneliformis mosseae) were grown using corn (Zea mays). Four pistachio rootstocks in symbiosis with mycorrhiza were subjected to drought and salinity stress in two separate experiments. Plants were divided randomly into three treatments (three replications and 6 plants per treatment), Treatments included drought, salinity, mycorrhiza and rootstock (In Shahrekord University 32 °21 N 50° 49 E, 2017-18). At the end of the experiment, the plants were harvested. Then all parts of the plant, including roots, shoots and leaves, were separated and weighted. The amount of phosphorus was measured using a spectrophotometer (UV-Vis Spectrometer) at a wavelength of 470 nm (Olsen et al., 1954). Data were evaluated by Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS 25.0.0. Results and DiscussionThe rootstock biomass in this experiment were influenced by different treatments (mycorrhiza, rootstock type and stress). P content of both leaves and root tissues of pistachio rootstocks was affected by both drought and salinity stress (Not shown in the data). Mycorrhiza increased root, stem and leaf fresh weight under drought and salinity stress and leaf area ratio and specific leaf area under salinity stress. Mycorrhiza-inoculated plants had lower phosphorus use efficiency and more tolerance to drought and salinity stresses. Growth indices and phosphorus use efficiency of root, leaf and total, decreased under both drought and salinity stresses. The Sarakhs rootstock was more salinity-sensitive than other rootstocks. In this research, pistachio rootstocks showed differences in biomass and biomass reduced under salinity and drought stress. Biomass reductions under abiotic stress (drought and salinity stress) conditions in previous studies on almond, peaches, olives, apple and pistachio fruit trees are also reported here. Biomass was higher in +M rootstocks, which could have been due to effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis on P absorption. The difference between rootstocks is related to rootstock absorption capacitywhich has to do with root condition. Therefore, rootstocks with better roots growth may develope root survival under stress condition. They can also be better in mineral uptake and more tolerant to stress statue, because the ability of plants to withstand stresses depends to a large extent on roots. ConclusionThe use of beneficial soil microorganisms is one of the best strategies contributing to sustainable agriculture and the environment. Among the most beneficial soil microorganisms with which plants may establish a symbiotic relationship are arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF can improve soil physicochemical properties that generate plant growth and elevate the status of plants in terms of water and mineral nutrition, leading to improved plant growth maintenance. Based on these findings, AMF in symbiosis with pistachio rootstocks helped increase drought and salinity stress tolerance.

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Author = Masoud Fattahi

Effects of different levels of humic acid and limitation in irrigation on the growth and functional characteristics of the medicinal plant Lallemantia iberica L.

Abstract

The effect of different types of culture substrate on some morphological and physiological indices of African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl)

Abstract

Investigation of Phosphorus Use Efficiency and Drought and Salinity Stress Resistance Index in Pistachio Rootstocks Coexisted with Mycorrhiza Arbuscular

Abstract