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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.

Evaluating the Effects of Municipal Waste Compost and Corm Weight on Qualitative Characteristic and Secondary Metabolites of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Z. Gholizade; M.H. Aminifard; M.H. Sayyari

Volume 40, Issue 3 , December 2017, , Pages 53-64

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2017.18117.1351

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Organic fertilizers are carbon-based compounds that increase the productivity and growth quality of plants. Municipal waste compost is an organic ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives Organic fertilizers are carbon-based compounds that increase the productivity and growth quality of plants. Municipal waste compost is an organic manure that improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and adds organic matter and exerts a positive effect on elements absorption, quality and yield of saffron. In addition, in saffron cultivation, it is possible to produce considerable amounts of stigma by using of standard mother corms with a minimum weight of 8 g. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the interaction effects of municipal waste compost and mother corm size on chemical properties of saffron. Materials and methods This experiment was conducted with a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, University of Birjand during the growing season of 2014-2015. Treatments were four levels of municipal waste compost (0, 5, 10 and 20 t.ha-1) and three mother corm weights (0.1-4, 4.1-8 and 8.1-12 g). Flower of saffron was measured during autumn of 2015. Total phenol was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Free radical scavenging activity of the samples was determined using DPPH method. Secondary metabolites of saffron (crocin, picrocrocin and safranal) were measured according to Iran’s national standard. Results The results showed that the highest total phenol and antioxidant activity (10.0789 mg.100 gr-1 and 65.66%, respectively) was obtained in treatment 20 t. ha-1 compost and the lowest (10.0785 mg.100 gr-1 and 62.58%) was recorded in control. Results showed that addition of the compost rate significantly increased secondary metabolites (crocin, picrocrocin and safranal). So, corm weight had a significant effect on antioxidant activity and the main secondary metabolites and the highest characteristics were obtained for corm with 8.1-12 g. As, the effect of interaction of municipal waste compost and corm weight significantly affected the main secondary metabolites. Discussion The results showed that fertilizer treatment and corm weight influenced chemical properties and the main second metabolites of saffron positively. It has been reported that plants cannot simultaneously allocate resources to growth and defence and that there is competition between proteins and phenolics in plants for the common precursors involved in their biosynthesis .These results led us to presume that saffron plants may utilise benefits from compost fertilizer for their protein synthesis and growth development. On the other hand, organic matter (e.g. compost) acts as precursors or activators of phytohormones and growth substances and secondary compounds in plants. The type of soil and the content of organic compounds in soil can have a decisive effect on increasing the content of organic compounds in soil and strengthening antioxidant activity.

Effects of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers on Some of Growth and Quality Indices of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Z. Reisi; Mahmoud Reza Tadayon; S. Fallah

Volume 40, Issue 1 , June 2017, , Pages 15-28

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2016.12451

Abstract

Background and Objectives The yield and quality of tobaco plants depends upon several factors, such as nutritions and good cultivation practice which plays a significant role in leave ... Read More Background and Objectives The yield and quality of tobaco plants depends upon several factors, such as nutritions and good cultivation practice which plays a significant role in leave pruduction and the qualitative characteristics such as nicotin content. The main purpose of fertilization is to consider quantity and quality in tobacco production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical and organic fertilizers on some of growth and quality indices of tobacco in field conditions. Material and Methods In order to study the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on physiological, growth indices and quality of tobacco (Burley Cv.) an experiment was counducted at Shahrekord University in 2013 as a randomized complete block design with three replications.Treatments included compost based on the tobacco demand, vermicompost based on the tobacco demands, chemical fertilizer based on the tobacco demands, 50 percent compost + 50 percent chemical fertilizer, 50 percent vermicompost + 50 percent chemical fertilizer and control. Sowing in nursery was done in March 2013 and transplanted to field in May 2013. After plowing and disking and leveling by rotary, tobacco seedling was transplanted in the main field. In the current study the space between rows was 80 cm and between plants on rows was 50 cm. The area of every plot was 5×4 m2. Traits of leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR), cutters dry weight, nicotine content and ash leaves were evaluated. The data were analyzed by using version 9.1 SAS. Least Significant Difference test was used to compare the means at 1% of significance. Also, the figures were drawn by Excel 2010 software. Results The results indicated that the organic and chemical fertilizers increased leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR) and cutters dry weight. Among the treatments, chemical fertilizer had higher values of LAI, CGR and NAR. Maximum cutters dry weight (2833 kg ha-1) were obtained from chemical fertilizer (three fold increased compared to control treatment). After chemical fertilizer treatment, maximum values of LAI, CGR, NAR and cutters dry weight were obtained from the compost treatment. Vermicompost treatment had the highest nicotine content and the lowest ash leaves. The results of this study indicated chemical fertilizer and then compost treatments had the greatest effect on growth parameters and cutters dry weight, however, the qualitative characteristics of plants treated with vermicompost were better than other treatments. Discussions The difference in the growth indices and cutters dry weight between organic and chemical fertilizer treatments could be due to differences in the amount of mineral nitrogen available for plant. This increase in the chemical fertilizer treatments can be due to the positive effect of nitrogen on the dry matter changes and increasing the plant's leaf area. Thus, for better quality, vermicompost and for more dry matter production, chemical fertilizer or compost are recommended.

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Keywords = Compost

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

Abstract

Evaluating the Effects of Municipal Waste Compost and Corm Weight on Qualitative Characteristic and Secondary Metabolites of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Abstract

Effects of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers on Some of Growth and Quality Indices of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Abstract