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The effect of Thiobacillus spp. and bentonite sulfur application on the seed yield and physiological characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under different irrigation regimes

Hamid Alahdadi; Alireza Yadavi; Mohsen Movahedi Dehnavi; Hamidreza Balouchi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 02 December 2024

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2024.47066.2174

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose plant with medicinal and oil applications, primarily cultivated for edible oil and industrial dyes. Water ... Read More AbstractIntroduction: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose plant with medicinal and oil applications, primarily cultivated for edible oil and industrial dyes. Water resource limitations in Iran and drought stress negatively affect the growth and performance of this plant. Sulfur, as the fourth most consumed nutrient for plants, plays a vital role in photosynthesis and cell membrane structure. Excessive use of chemical sulfur fertilizers can lead to soil salinity. Therefore, bio-fertilizers have been proposed as a suitable alternative. Thiobacillus spp. bacteria help improve plant growth by providing sulfate and enhancing soil properties.Materials and methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chemical and biological sources of sulfur, including bentonite sulfur and Thiobacillus bacteria, on the content of elements (N, P, K, S, Fe and Zn) of aerial organs, some physiological characteristics, and the seed yield of safflower under water stress conditions in the summer of 2023 in the research farm of Yasouj University Faculty of Agriculture located in Dashtrom. The experiment was performed as a split factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation regimes at three levels (complete irrigation and interruption of irrigation from the beginning of flowering and the beginning of seed filling) were the main factor, and the combination of bentonite sulfur fertilizer at three levels (0, 150, and 300 kg/ha) and Thiobacillus bacteria at two levels (use and non-use) were the secondary factors studied.Results and discussion: Statistical analysis showed that bentonite sulfur fertilizer and the use of Thiobacillus bacteria, significantly improved the content of aerial organ elements, physiological traits, and grain yield of safflower under drought stress. Under severe dehydration conditions (cut off irrigation from flowering stage), the highest content of elements of aerial organs, including nitrogen (2.33%), sulfur (0.149%), iron (44 mg/kg), and zinc (25.66 mg/kg), was obtained from the simultaneous application of 300 kg of bentonite sulfur + Thiobacillus bacteria. The triple interaction of irrigation regime × bentonite sulfur × Thiobacillus was also significant for traits such as total chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, total soluble sugars, and activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and peroxidase. The highest of this these traits in each irrigation regims were observed in application of 300 kg/ha of bentonite sulfur + Thiobacillus. The content of malondialdehyde increased by cutoff irrigation from the stages of flowering and seed filling, but it decreased with the use of bentonite sulfur and Thiobacillus bacteria.The grain yield was also affected by the application of 300 kg/ha of bentonite sulfur + Thiobacillus under full irrigation and medium stress levels, with an increase of 25.28% and 45.54%, respectively.Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that the application of water stress, particularly from the flowering stage, was associated with a decrease in physiological traits and seed yield of safflower. The application of 150 kg/ha sulfur-bentonite along with Thiobacillus bacteria, in addition to reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and its negative consequences, led to increased nutrient uptake, improved efficiency of biofertilizer, and enhanced seed yield under water stress conditions.

A study on the effects of chemical and biological fertilizers on the essential oil content of sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Bohloul Abbaszadeh; Masoumeh Layegh haghighi; Razieh Azimi; Negar Valizadeh

Volume 47, Issue 3 , November 2024, , Pages 455-474

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2024.47372.2188

Abstract

Introduction The use of medicinal plants and their products has been expanded significantly in various countries. Sage, scientifically known as Salvia officinalis, is a valuable medicinal ... Read More Introduction The use of medicinal plants and their products has been expanded significantly in various countries. Sage, scientifically known as Salvia officinalis, is a valuable medicinal plant belonging to the mint family. Sage leaves contain various types of flavonoids and phenolic compounds and possess important medicinal properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, sage leaves and flowering tops are used in food processing and perfumery. Some compounds present in sage essential oil, such as 1,8-cineole, borneol, camphor, and thujone, exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, memory-enhancing, anti-Alzheimer's, and anticancer properties. The application of biofertilizers not only plays a crucial role in increasing the yield of medicinal plants but also affects the quality of active compounds. One of the strategies in sustainable agricultural systems to enhance soil fertility is the minimal use of on-farm inputs, including biofertilizers, and their combined application with organic and chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, nutrient management is a vital factor in successful cultivation. Materials and methods A factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in the 2021-2022 growing season at the Research Farm of the Forest and Rangelands Research Institute of Iran to evaluate the effects of chemical and biological fertilizers on the percentage and composition of sage essential oil. Treatments included a control (no fertilizer), chemical fertilizers (150 kg/ha phosphorus from triple superphosphate and 300 kg/ha nitrogen from urea), and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi (Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 187). Results and Discussion Results showed that the application of chemical fertilizers significantly affected the yield and percentage of essential oil compounds including alpha-pinene, camphene, 1,8-cineole, alpha-thujone, and beta-thujone, as well as the total of hydrocarbon monoterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The yield of compounds such as alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole, alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, and camphor was also significantly affected. The highest percentage of alpha-thujene (% 0.25) were obtained in the treatment with both urea and phosphate fertilizers. The highest percentage of linalool and camphor yield was obtained in the treatment with biofertilizers. The highest essential oil yield with averages of 97.57, 97.07, and 89.27 kg/ha belonged to the treatments N300P0 * Funneliformis mosseae + Rhizophagus irregularis+ Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 187, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 187 * N0P150, and Funneliformis mosseae + Rhizophagus irregularis + Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 187* N0P150, respectively." Conclusion The results of this study indicated that sage, due to its abundant aerial biomass production, requires adequate fertilization to achieve high yields. However, the essential oil percentage of this plant was not affected by environmental factors such as fertilization and seemed to be more controlled by genetic factors. This finding can significantly contribute to the selection and introduction of cultivars with high essential oil percentages in the future. Furthermore, by combining chemical and biological fertilizers, it is possible to effectively influence the percentage and quantity of major essential oil compounds in sage and achieve the production of higher quality plants with a higher percentage of specific compounds.

The Effects of Biological and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers and Iron Micronutrient on Forge Quality and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Hoda Mohammadi; Gholamreza Heidari; Yousef Sohrabi

Volume 43, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 185-198

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2019.27736.1678

Abstract

Abstract Background and ObjectivesImproving forage yield and quality is a major concern for the producer. Sustainable crop production requires careful management of all nutrient ... Read More Abstract Background and ObjectivesImproving forage yield and quality is a major concern for the producer. Sustainable crop production requires careful management of all nutrient sources in agroecosystems. Biological fertilizers, including Azospirilum, Azotobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas bacteria, can increase plant growth and yield through biological nitrogen fixation and increased solubility of macro elements such as phosphorus. Iron is the most important micro element for crops. Iron is required to perform many plant metabolism and growth activities. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biological fertilizers combined with chemical fertilizers and iron micro element on yield and quality of maize (MV 500 cultivar) forage. Materials and MethodsThe experiment was conducted as a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots consisted of different levels of urea fertilizer: Nitrokara biofertilizer, 150 kgha-1 urea + Nitrokara biofertilizer (Azorhizobium caulinodans), Super Nitro Plus biofertilizer (Azospirillum, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens), Super Nitro Plus biofertilizer + 150 kgha-1 urea without nitrogen fertilizer 450 kgha-1 urea, Nitrokara biofertilizer +300 kgha-1 urea, and Super Nitro Plus biofertilizer + 300 kgha-1 urea. The subplots consisted of two iron levels, including 10 kgha-1 iron chelate (Fe EDTA) and without iron application. The measured traits were crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash, leaf to shoot ratio, ear to plant ratio and forage yield. Data were analyzed using MSTATC software. ResultsAnalysis of variance showed that the interaction effects of nitrogen fertilizer sources and iron levels were significant on crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash, ear/plant ratio and forage yield. The highest crude protein and ash of maize forage were obtained from supernitroplus + 300 kgha-1 urea and iron application. Control treatment (without nitrogen and iron fertilizers) produced the most ADF and NDF values. The highest dry forage yield belonged to Super Nitro Plus + 300 kgha-1 urea with iron fertilizer and the lowest value obtained from control treatment without N and iron fertilizers. DiscussionThe results of this study showed that the combined application of supernitroplus biofertilizer and urea fertilizer along with iron micro element increased maize forage quality and yield compared to the sole application of urea chemical fertilizer. Microorganisms constituting biofertilizers are very benefitial to the plant. They have the ability to enhance plant growth through increasing nutrient availability and uptake with minimal contribution to the environmental pollution, unlike the use of pure mineral fertilizers. The integration of biofertilizers and moderate mineral N fertilizer application accompanied with iron micro element is highly recommended in the production of maize forage.

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Keywords = Biofertilizer

The effect of Thiobacillus spp. and bentonite sulfur application on the seed yield and physiological characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under different irrigation regimes

Abstract

A study on the effects of chemical and biological fertilizers on the essential oil content of sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Abstract

The Effects of Biological and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers and Iron Micronutrient on Forge Quality and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract