Plant Productions

The Effect of Two Mycorrhiza Fungi Species on Biochemical Characteristic and Aerial Dry Biomass of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Under Cadmium Stress

Fariba Mohammadifard; Mohammad Moghaddam

Volume 45, Issue 1 , May 2022, , Pages 81-94

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2020.30809.1817

Abstract

IntroductionNowadays, soil pollution to various heavy metals is one of the most important environmental issues in human societies, which has adverse effects on soil and soil flora and ... Read More IntroductionNowadays, soil pollution to various heavy metals is one of the most important environmental issues in human societies, which has adverse effects on soil and soil flora and groundwater contamination. Among the heavy metals, cadmium with a half-life of about 20 years, its high mobility in the soil and absorption by the plant, has a significant toxicity that its presence in the food chain seriously threatens human health. A wide range of studies have shown that inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi increases the resistance of many plants against heavy metals. Materials and MethodsIn order to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on biochemical properties of coriander under heavy metal stress, a pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouses at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 2 factors and 3 replications was conducted. The first factor was heavy metal in 4 levels of 0, 20, 40, 80 mg/kg nitrate cadmium soil and the second factor was mycorrhiza fungi in 3 levels without fungi and Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradicese application. The soil mixture included soil, leafy soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. All traits were measured at flowering stage. The studied traits include aerial parts dry biomass, chlorophyll, b, a, electrolyte leakage, soluble carbohydrate, antioxidant activity, total phenol, total flavonoids and proline. Data analysis using Minitab 17 software was done. Results and DiscussionThe results were showed that by increasing the concentration of cadmium, the amount of electrolyte leakage, soluble carbohydrate, antioxidant activity, total phenol, total flavonoids and proline increased. However, with increasing cadmium concentration, the amount of dry biomass of aerial parts, chlorophyll, a, b and carotenoids decreased. So, with increasing cadmium concentration, the amount of aerial parts dry biomass of coriander decreased by 40% compared with the control. Based on this study, using of mycorrhizal fungi under cadmium pollution reduced the stress influence, so that the highest amount of aerial parts dry biomass was found in plants treated with mycorrhizal and without cadmium application. The lowest amount dry biomass of aerial parts was found in without mycorrhizal with highest nitrate cadmium concentration (80 mg/kg soil). The highest amount of proline, soluble carbohydrate, phenol, antioxidant activity, and total flavonoids was observed in plants which treated with the highest nitrate cadmium concentration (80 mg/kg soil) and Glomus intraradicese application. ConclusionSo that inoculated plants with mycorrhizal fungi had drier biomass of aerial parts than plants without mycorrhiza. According to the results of this study, in the conditions of environmental stresses such as cadmium stress, the use of mycorrhizal fungi reduces its destructive effects, which can be used as a management solution in heavy metal contaminated areas. In general, the results of this study showed that application of Glomus mosseae fungus in cadmium stress has a better effect on the traits and its application is recommended in this condition.

Morphological, Biochemical and Antioxidant Activity Diversity in Different Hypericum Perforatum L. Populations in Iran

Arezoo Shaghaghy; Mohammad Omidi; Mohammadmahdi Jowkar

Volume 44, Issue 3 , December 2021, , Pages 407-420

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2020.31182.1829

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionHypericum perforatum L. is one of the most important species of the genus Hypericum. This plant is a perennial herbaceous plant with great adaptation ability. Therefore, ... Read More AbstractIntroductionHypericum perforatum L. is one of the most important species of the genus Hypericum. This plant is a perennial herbaceous plant with great adaptation ability. Therefore, St John's Wort can be found widespread throughout the country from sea side levels to 2000m altitude. It is also one of the most important medicinal plants in the world due to its various positive and well-known medicinal properties, especially in the treatment of depression. Hypericin and Hyperforin are known as the main bioactive compounds of this medicinal plant. Due to the high dispersion of Hypericum plants in Iran, this experiment was conducted to evaluate 15 populations of Hypericum plants at flowering stage using morphological and biochemical properties in order to indicate the best metabolite producing population. Materials and MethodsPlant materials were selected randomly at full flowering stage from 15 different populations at full bloom in different provinces during summer 2017. Morphological features such as height of plant, number of flower stalk, length of flower stalk, number of non-flower bearing stems, number of flowers, height of the lowest and the highest leaf were evaluated. Plant materials were then dried at room temperature and kept in dark for analysis. Leaf and petals were ground and extraction was conducted by methanol. Hypericin and Hyperforin content of leaves and flowers were evaluated by HPLC equipped with DAD detector. Antioxidant activity of leaves and flowers of Hypericum samples were evaluated by DPPH scavenging assay. Phenol content was evaluated by Folin–Ciocalteu (F‐C) reaction. Total flavonoid content determination was also conducted by a spectrophotometric assay based on aluminium complex formation. Results and DiscussionThe results showed that there was a significant difference between different populations in terms of morphological traits. The highest aerial part height was seen in ‘Khoramabad’ population with a value of 92.44 cm. ‘Nahavand’ population had the shortest height with a value of 49.55 cm. The largest number of flower stalk was seen in ‘Sarpol Zahab’ population with 16.48 flower stalks. This was while ‘Firoozkouh’ population had the least number of flower stalks. ‘Sijan’ population had the most non-flower bearing stems, while ‘Shazand’ had the least number of non-flower bearing stems. There was a significant difference between antioxidant activity in leaf and flowers of the studied populations. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in ‘Borojerd’ population. Total Phenol content and flavonoids also differed not only among populations, but also between leaf and flower. ‘Sarpol Zahab’ had the highest total Phenol content in between the studied populations. This was while ‘Nahavand’ population had the highest flavonoid content. The results also revealed that the flowers had the highest levels of Hypericin and Hyperforin compared to leaves. The levels of Hyperforin in both organs were significantly higher than Hypericin in all studied populations. ConclusionIn general, it can be concluded that there is a high variation among different populations and this variation can be used to identify populations with high yields and high levels of effective substances in breeding programs.

Investigating the Effect of Plant Density on Biochemical Characteristics and Essential Oil in Wild Thyme (Thymbra spicata L.)

Fatemeh MalekMaleki; Nosrat Abbasi; Ebrahim Sharifi Ashourabadi; Mohammad Javad Zare; Mehrshad Barary

Volume 44, Issue 4 , December 2021, , Pages 573-586

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2020.30250.1789

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionAmong all major genera and species in the mint family, different types of organic compounds or metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, ... Read More AbstractIntroductionAmong all major genera and species in the mint family, different types of organic compounds or metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, ascorbates, and carotenoids with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects are produced by means of metabolic processes. Research studies in this field have established that planting distance can have a significant effect on essential oil yield as well as the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. The main purpose of spacing between plants is also to provide a suitable mix of environmental factors (i.e. water, climate, light, and soil) to achieve optimum quality performance. Materials and MethodsThe present study was conducted using a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at Ilam University Research Farm, Iran, during 2016-2017. Planting density treatments at three levels (i.e., 20, 14, and 10 plants per m2) were determined based on changes in plant spacing on rows (i.e., three distances of 20, 30, and 45 cm). Two ecotypes were accordingly included: Malekshahi and Sumar. The characteristics measured were photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a/b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid), total phenol and flavonoid content, anthocyanin, as well as essential oil content and yield. Results and DiscussionThe results of this experiment revealed that the amount of antioxidant compound, photosynthetic pigments (i.e., chlorophyll a/b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid), anthocyanin, and essential oil yield had been significantly affected by ecotype and plant density. Therefore, the highest amounts of total phenol (91.64 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (5.20 mg QUE/ g DW) were observed at 20 and 30 cm row spacing. Total phenol and flavonoid also decreased by 7.2% and 12% as plant density was reduced. Moreover, row spacing of 30 cm increased the amount of chlorophyll a/b by 14 to 16% and carotenoid by 10%. The highest amount of anthocyanin (2.5 μg/g FW) was noticed at 20 cm row spacing. In the same vein, the highest yield of the essential oil was spotted at 20 cm row spacing (91.38 kg/ha) and for Malekshahi ecotype (87.5 kg/ha). Compared with the Sumar ecotype, the Malikshahi had higher content of photosynthetic pigments, total phenol and flavonoid, carotenoid, anthocyanin, as well as essential oil yield content and yield. Growth, quantity, and quality of medicinal plants are controlled by genetic processes as well as environmental and agronomic factors such as plant density. As plant density is enhanced to an optimum level, competition increases for absorption of water, nutrients, and quantity and quality of light received by leaves due to branching density and moderated penetration into canopy. As a result, the rate of cell division and leaf area development reduces and the content of photosynthetic pigments is diminished following the destruction of chloroplast structure and inhibition of biosynthesis of new chlorophylls. On the other hand, secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanin develope in the plant in response to environmental conditions in order to protect it against environmental stresses through suppressing oxygen free radicals. In line with the results of the related literature, it was observed that the content of photosynthetic pigments had diminished after increasing the density to 20 plants per m2, but the content of carotenoid, anthocyanin, total phenol and flavonoid, as well as the essential oil yield had improved in the wild thyme (Thymbra spicata L.). ConclusionThe results revealed that the leaves of the plant have good amounts of essential oils, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Since the highest percentage and yield of essential oil, phenol, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were observed in the treatment of density of 20 plants per square meter and Malikshahi ecotype, this level of density and Malikshahi ecotype is introduced for production and review in breeding programs.

Efficacy of some calcium salts foliar spray on growth and biochemical parameters of jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)

M. Ghesmati; F. Moradinezhad; M. Khayat

Volume 41, Issue 3 , December 2018, , Pages 25-36

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2017.21173.1447

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives South Khorasan province is the most important area of jujube fruit production in Iran. Fresh jujube fruit destroys in a short time at ambient temperature. ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives South Khorasan province is the most important area of jujube fruit production in Iran. Fresh jujube fruit destroys in a short time at ambient temperature. Normally about one week after harvesting, a considerable loss occurs in picked fruits. Plant nutrition, during growth and developmental stages influence the quality of many fruits. Calcium is one of the most important elements that can affect quantity, quality, storability and market of many horticultural crops. Although South Khorasan province is located in arid areas, it has lime soils with enough calcium for plant growth and development. However, due to low mobility of calcium from soil to plant, calcium deficiency is common in horticultural plants. Thus, pre-harvest spray with minerals like calcium salts can be useful for reducing postharvest losses during handling and storage. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different calcium salts spray on physicochemical properties and quality of fresh jujube fruit. Materials and Methods Twenty jujube trees, eight years old, were sprayed with calcium salts twice, mid of June and early in July 2016 in a commercial orchard in Birjand, South Khorasan province. Experimental treatments were distilled water (control), calcium chloride (0.5 and 1%) and calcium nitrate (0.5 and 1%). Sprays were done at two stages of fruit growth and development, cell division (3 mm fruit diameter), and 20 days later in full cell enlargement stage. Fresh fruit was harvested at a crisp mature (white-red) stage early in August. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised block design with four replications, and each replicate included 500 g of fresh fruit. Data were analysed using SAS program (ver. 8) and comparison of means was made with LSD test at 1 and 5% probability. Results Physiochemical properties of harvested fruit including fresh fruit weight, dry matter, fruit length and diameter, firmness, total soluble solids, pH, carotenoids, total phenol, and calcium content were evaluated. The results showed that calcium nitrate application at 0.5% significantly increased fruit fresh weight, dry matter and fruit length and diameter compared to control. Also, fruits that were sprayed with calcium chloride at 0.5% concentration had higher firmness, carotenoids and total phenol. The highest total soluble solids and calcium content values were obtained in treated fruit with calcium chloride (1%). Although different calcium salts spray had no significant effect on juice pH. Discussion In general, it can be concluded that physical fruit parameters were affected by calcium nitrate, while calcium chloride spray had a greater impact on chemical and nutritional quality aspects of fruit. Although calcium chloride at 0.5% was more effective on chemical factors, however, it was not significantly different with calcium chloride 1% treatment. Among different treatments, calcium nitrate at 0.5% had the highest effect on physical properties of jujube fruit. Therefore, it can be concluded that spraying of jujube fruit trees during fruit growth and developmental stages with both calcium salts at 0.5% concentration have beneficial effects as they improve the most important physical and chemical parameters of fresh jujube fruit.

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Keywords = Total phenol

The Effect of Two Mycorrhiza Fungi Species on Biochemical Characteristic and Aerial Dry Biomass of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Under Cadmium Stress

Abstract

Morphological, Biochemical and Antioxidant Activity Diversity in Different Hypericum Perforatum L. Populations in Iran

Abstract

Investigating the Effect of Plant Density on Biochemical Characteristics and Essential Oil in Wild Thyme (Thymbra spicata L.)

Abstract

Efficacy of some calcium salts foliar spray on growth and biochemical parameters of jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)

Abstract