Plant Productions

Influence of three species of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on growth and nutrients uptake in zinnia plant under drought stress conditions

Vahed Bagheri; Mohammad Hossein Shamshiri; Hossein Alaei; Hassan Salehi

Volume 41, Issue 4 , March 2019, , Pages 83-96

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2018.23285.1513

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Drought is one of the major environmental constraints that limit plant growth and productivity more than any other environmental factor. Drought ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives Drought is one of the major environmental constraints that limit plant growth and productivity more than any other environmental factor. Drought stress reduces normal growth, disturbs water relations and nutrition uptake in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase plant tolerance to drought via direct water uptake and transport through fungal hyphae to the host plants, enhance nutrient uptake, improve osmotic adjustment and antioxidant activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of three AMF species (singly or in combination) on DS alleviation of zinnia seedlings (as a potentially drought-tolerant ﬂower crop) grown under different DS levels. Materials and Methods To study the effects of three identified isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth and elements concentration (P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) of zinnia plants (Zinnia elegans L. var. Magellan Red) under drought stress condition, a greenhouse experiment was conducted with two factors including mycorrhiza at five levels (no mycorrhizae as control, Rhizophagus irregularis, Rhizophagus intraradisces, Funneliformis mosseae, Mix ) and four levels of drought stress (100% FC as control, 80% FC, 60% FC and 40% FC) with six replicates based on a completely randomized design (CRD). Seedlings with four true leaves were transplanted into 1 L pot and immediately inoculated with 210 spores per pot of the each of above symbionts. Control plants received the same amount of autoclaved inocula. The plants were irrigated with distilled water for 50 days to obtain certain amount of infection; then four irrigation regimes were achieved for four weeks. Results According to the results, vegetative growth traits like fresh and dry weight of shoot, root and flower leaf area and flower diameter were reduced significantly with increasing drought stress levels. Drought stress reduced uptake and transport of elements. The utilized AMF improved growth and nutrients uptake under drought stress considerably in 40% FC where R. irregularis, R. intraradisces, F. mosseae and mix increased dry weight of shoot by 20, 22, 20, 11 percent respectively in comparison with control. Discussion In conclusion, it is suggested that AMF inoculation improves drought tolerance of zinnia plants at least in part through the enhanced uptake of slowly diffusing mineral ions such as PO42- and Zn2+. Moreover, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization provides better osmotic adjustment which can be correlated with K+ accumulation in top portions of inoculated plants. The results of this study showed that zinnia plants exhibited a better symbiotic relation with three identified isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi especially with mixed treatment.

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 Calcium Chloride Sprays to the Leaves and Fruits on Postharvest Physiological Characteristics of Papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Eksotika II) Fruits

A. Mirshekari; B. Madani

Volume 40, Issue 3 , December 2017, , Pages 89-100

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2017.17673.1335

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a tropical fruit crop. The ‘Eksotika II’ is high yielding cultivar with pleasant aroma, but fruits soften ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a tropical fruit crop. The ‘Eksotika II’ is high yielding cultivar with pleasant aroma, but fruits soften quickly and lose their quality. Low calcium content causes low fruit quality and storage life. Foliar application of calcium on the fruit is significant to make the cell membrane integrity and cell wall firm and improve fruit quality. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of calcium chloride foliar application on postharvest quality of papaya fruits. Materials and methods In order to evaluate the effect of calcium chloride (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2) on leaves, fruits and leaves + fruits of papaya, a factorial experiment based on RCBD was conducted in 2012. Calcium chloride was sprayed starting 21 days after flower anthesis and continued every two weeks for six times. Fruits were stored at 12±1 ̊C and RH=85-90% after harvest. The calcium and magnesium, respiration rate and ethylene, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids concentration (SSC) and quality were determined 21 days after storage. Results The highest calcium content in fruits was observed with fruits and fruits + leaves sprayed treatments, while the lowest was recorded on leaves sprayed. Magnesium in peel and pulp of fruits that sprayed on fruits or fruits + leaves was lowest, while the highest was observed in leaves sprayed. Decreased in respiration rate and ethylene production were observed in fruits sprayed on fruits and fruits + leaves. The SSC was lowest in fruits + leaves treatment. Inverse results were recorded for TA. Moreover, calcium content in the peel and pulp, TA and overall quality increased when calcium chloride concentration in fruits and fruits + leaves treatments increased, While there was no effect on calcium content when applied to the leaves, but it increased TA. Discussion Results of this study showed that calcium could not transfer from leaf to fruit and vice versa in papaya. Since calcium moves in the transpiration stream, little or no subsequent translocation occurs from leaf to fruit. Unchanged ethylene production and respiration rate when calcium was applied to the leaves might be related to the immobility of calcium. Calcium was considered as a binding agent between cell walls which result in higher fruit firmness. Calcium is hypothesized to delay ripening by reducing disintegration of tissues and maintaining membrane integrity. The positive correlation might be related to magnesium and malate in fruits and malate might not be used in the process of respiration and thus increase in TA. The effect of calcium in decreasing SSC in fruits is possibly due to the decreasing respiration rate and metabolism activity that postpones ripening process.

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Keywords = Nutrition

Influence of three species of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on growth and nutrients uptake in zinnia plant under drought stress conditions

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 Calcium Chloride Sprays to the Leaves and Fruits on Postharvest Physiological Characteristics of Papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Eksotika II) Fruits

Abstract