Plant Productions

Plant Productions

Investigating the effects of organic and biological fertilizers on nutrient uptake, phytochemical and antioxidant activities and flower yeild of European borage (Borago officinalis L.)

Document Type : Research Paper - Medicinal Aromatic Plants

Authors
Kiamars Azadinejad 1
Alireza Yadavi 2
Amin Salehi 3
Hooshang Farajee 3
Pravin Rostampour 4
1 M.Sc. Student, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran
4 Ph.D. Student, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran
10.22055/ppd.2025.48204.2219
Abstract
Introduction
To promote sustainable agriculture and optimize crop yield, the use of organic materials and biofertilizers is increasingly recommended as an alternative to chemical fertilizers, which are associated with adverse environmental impacts and reliance on non-renewable resources. Ecological cultivation of medicinal plants such as Borago officinalis ensures product quality and sustainability. Moreover, organic and biological fertilizers improve soil fertility and crop performance, making them particularly suitable for medicinal plant production systems.
Materials and Methods
To investigate the effects of ecological nutritional inputs on selected traits of Borago officinalis, a factorial experiment was conducted during 2018–2019 in Fahlian, Noorabad, Fars Province, Iran. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of three levels of compost fertilizer (rice straw + sheep manure: 0, 5, and 10 t ha⁻¹) and four levels of biological fertilizers (control, Funneliformis mosseae mycorrhiza, Bacillus subtilis, and a combined application of mycorrhiza and bacteria). Measured traits included nutrient uptake (N, P, K, Fe, and Zn), phytochemical characteristics (total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity), and flower yield.
Results and Discussion
Compost and biological fertilizers showed significant main effects on all measured traits. Although the interaction between compost and biofertilizer treatments was not significant for iron and zinc concentrations, total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity, it was significant for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, anthocyanin content, and flower yield. Increasing compost application from 0 to 10 t ha⁻¹ resulted in substantial increases in iron and zinc concentrations, total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Among biofertilizer treatments, the combined application of mycorrhizal fungi and Bacillus subtilis produced the highest values for these traits. The greatest improvements in nitrogen (1.54%), phosphorus (0.46%), potassium (2.50%), anthocyanin content (0.49 mg g⁻¹ flower dry weight), and flower yield (65.6 g m⁻²) were observed with the combined application of 10 t ha⁻¹ compost and both microbial inoculants. In contrast, the lowest values for nitrogen (1.09%), phosphorus (0.09%), potassium (1.03%), anthocyanin content (0.07 mg g⁻¹ flower dry weight), and flower yield (21.8 g m⁻²) occurred in the control treatment without compost and biofertilizers.
Conclusion
Effective fertilizer management is critical for optimizing both yield and quality in medicinal plants such as European borage. The results demonstrate that integrating compost at 10 t ha⁻¹ with biological fertilizers (mycorrhizal fungi plus Bacillus subtilis) significantly enhances nutrient uptake, phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and flower yield. This integrated strategy promotes gradual and sustained nutrient release while reducing nutrient losses through leaching, thereby supporting optimal plant growth and productivity. The highest flower yield (65.6 g m⁻²) obtained under this treatment highlights its compatibility with sustainable agriculture and medicinal plant cultivation. Given the negative impacts associated with chemical fertilizers and the clear benefits of organic and biological amendments, their application is strongly recommended for the cultivation of Borago officinalis.
Keywords
Compost
Growth-promoting bacteria
Mycorrhiza
Phenol content
Subjects
Abbaszadeh, B., & Zakarian, F. (2016). Elements uptake in Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) under the effect of mycorrhiza and Piriformospora indica and vermicompost. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, 32(1), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2016.106136 [In Persian].
Aminifard, M.H., Aroiee, H., Aziz, M., Nemati, H., & Jaafar Hawa, Z.E. (2013). Effect of compost on antioxidant components and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Journal of Central European Agriculture, 14(2), 47-56. https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/14.2.1232
Anwar, M., D. D., patra, S., chand, K., Aplesh, K., Naqvi, A.A., & Khanuja, S.P., (2005). Effect on organic manuers and inorganic fertilizer on growth, herb and oil yield, nutrient accumulation and oil quality of ferench Basil. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 36, 1737-1746. https://doi.org/10.1081/CSS-200062434
Araim, G., Saleem, A., Arnason, J.T., & Charest, C. (2009). Root colonization by an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus increases growth and secondary metabolism of purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57, 2255-2258. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf803173x
Arora, A., Sairam, R.K., & Srivastava, G.C. (2002). Oxidative stress and antioxidative system in plants. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 82(10), 1227-1235. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24107045
Arriagada, C.A., Herrera, M.A., & Ocampo, J.A. (2007). Beneficial effect of saprobe and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth of Eucalyptus globules co-cultured with Glycine max in soil contaminated with heavy metals. Journal of Environment Management, 84, 93-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.05.005
Ashori, D., Hosseini, A.N., & Safarzadeh, M.N. (2014). Effect of plant density and planting arrangement on yield and yield components of (Echium amoenum Fisch and Mey) in Guilan province. Journal of Horticultural Science, 28(2), 135-143. https://doi.org/10.22067/jhorts4.v0i0.39339 [In Persian].
Bagheri, S., Ebrahimi, M.A., Davazdah Emami, S., & Minooyi Moghadam., J. (2014). Terpenoids and phenolic compounds production of mint genotypes in response to mycorrhizal bio-elicitors. Technical Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 4, 339-348.
Bairva, M., Meena, S.S., & Mehta, R.S. (2012). Effect of bio-fertilizers and plant growth regulators on growth and yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). International Journal of Seed Spices, 2(1), 28-33. https://doi.org/10.56093/
Bastami, A., & Majidian, M., (2016). Comparison between mycorrhizal fungi, phosphate biofertilizer and manure application on growth parameters and dry weight of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). Journal of Medicinal Plant, 7, 23-33. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.ejgcst.7.2.23 [In Persian].
Behzad Amiri, M., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., & Jahan, J. (2017). Effects of organic acids, mycorrhiza and rhizobacteria on yield and some phytochemical characteristics in low-input cropping system. Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production, 27(2), 45-61. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.24764310.1396.27.1.4.4 [In Persian].
Casson, S.A., & Lindsey, K. (2003). Genes and signalling in root development. New Phytologist, 158, 11-38. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00705.x
Ceccarelli, N., Curadi, M., Martelloni, L., Sbrana, C., Picciarelli, P., & Giovannetti, M. (2010). Mycorrhizal colonization impacts on phenolic content and antioxidant properties of artichoke leaves and flower heads two years after field transplant. Journal of Plant and Soil, 335, 311-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11104-010-0417-Z
Chang, Y.L. (2002). Vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC) of phenolic phytochemicals. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, 50, 3713-3717. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf020071c
Clive, L., Sze-Chung, S., & Nicholson, R. (1998). Reduction of light induced anthocyanin accumulation in inoculated sorghum mesocotyls implication for a compensatory role in the defense response. Journal of Plant Physiology, 116, 979-989. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4278174
Csizinszky, A.A. (2002). Reduced input production of herbs under sub-tropical conditions in Florida. International Horticultural Congress. 11-17 August, Toronto, Ontario, 196 pp. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.629.49
Doaei, f., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Ghorbani, R., & Balandary, A. (2017). The effect of organic and biological fertilizers application on biomass yield and poly-phenols contents of dwarf chicory leaves (Cichorium pumilum Jacq.). Journal of Agroecology, 9(4), 910-921. https://doi.org/10.22067/jag.v9i4.22651 [In Persian].
Emami, A. (1996). Methods of plant decomposition. Journal of Research Organization, Agricultural Extension Training, No. 982. Publications of Soil and Water Research Institute, first volume, p. 126. [In Persian].
Gangali, A., Rajabi, N. & Bayat, F. (2024). The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth characteristics, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of (Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad). Applied Biology, 37(3), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.22051/jab.2024.43026.1557 [In Persian].
Hasanvand, H., Siadat, S.A., Bakhshandeh, A.M., Moradi Telavat, M.R., & Poshtdar, A. (2018). Evaluation of yield and some physiological characterictics of borage (Borago officinalis L.) under plant density and sowing dates in Ahwaz region. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 34(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2018.114962.2096 [In Persian].
Jovanka, M.D., Nemanja, S., Svetlana, R., Zivko, J., Aleksandar, M., & Vesna, M. (2013). Differential response of three contrasting Pea (Pisum arvense, P. sativum and P. fulvum) species to salt stress: assessment of variation in antioxidative defence and miRNA expression. Journal of Crop Science, 7(13), 2145-2153. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.4688.3846
Khoram-Del, S., Koochaki, A., Nassiri Mahalati, M., & Ghorbani, R. (2007). Application effects of biofertilizers on the growth indices of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Iranian Journal of Field Crop Research, 2(6), 285-294. https://doi.org/10.22067/gsc.v6i2.2435 [In Persian].
Kiarostami, K.H, Mohseni, R., & Saboora, A. (2010). Biochemical changes of Rosmarinus officinalis under salt stress. Journal of Stress Physiology & Biochemistry, 6(3), 114-122. http://www.jspb.ru/issues/2010/N3/JSPB_2010_3_114-122.pdf
Lee, J., & Scagel, C.F. (2009). Chicoric acid found in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 115, 650-656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.12.075
Liu, J., W.U, L., Wei, S., Xiang, X., CU, C., Jiang, P., Song, Z., Wang, T., & Yu, Z. (2007). Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth, nutrient uptake and glycyrrhizin production of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch). Journal of Plant Growth Regulator, 52, 29-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-007-9174-2
Mahmoudzadeh, M., Rassouli Sedghiani, M.H., & Asgari Lagayer, H. (2015). Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth characteristics and concentration of macronutrients in peppermint (Mentha pipperita L.) under greenhouse conditions. Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions Isfahan University of Technology, 24(6) ,155-167. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.20089082.1394.6.4.13.8 [In Persian].
Mathur, N., & Vyas, A. (1995). Changes in isozyme patterns of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase by VAM fungi in roots of (Ziziphus species). Plant Physiology, 145(4), 498 - 500. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0176-1617(11)81777-3
Mazaraie, A., Sirousmehr, A.R., & Babaei, Z. (2017). Effect of mycorrhizal fungi on some morphological & physiological charactristics of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) under drought stress. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, 33(4), 620-635. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2017.107860.1877 [In Persian].
Melese, W. (2016). Effect of farm yard manure application rate on yield and yield components of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) at Jimma Southwestern Ethiopia. International Journal of Research – Granthaalaya, 4(8), 75-83. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v4.i8.2016.2565 
Misko, A. L., & Germida, J. J. (2002). Taxonomi and functional diversity of Pseudomonas isolated from the roots of field grown canola. FEMs Microbiology Ecology, 42, 399-407. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-6496(02)00355-0 
Mittler, R., Vanderauwera, S., Gollery, M., & Vanbreusegem, F. (2004). Reactive oxygen network of plants. Trends Plant Science, 9, 490-498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2004.08.009
 Moradi, M., & Taleshi, K. (2019). Effect of manure and biological fertilizer on yield and yield components of mung bean cv. Gohar in Khorramabad region. Agroecology Journal, 14(4), 45-55. [In Persian].
Muanda, F.N, Soulimani, R., Diop, B., & Dicko, A. (2011). Study on chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil and extracts from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 44, 1865-1872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2010.12.002
Naghdibadi, H., Omidi, H., Rezazadeh, S.H., & Zeinali Mobarakeh, Z. (2012). Morphological, agronomical and phytochemical changes in borage (Borago officinalis L.) under biological and chemical fertilizers. Journal of Medicinal Plants, 11(42), 145-156. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.2717204.2012.11.42.34.2 [In Persian].
Naguib, A.M., El-Baz, F.K., Salama, Z.A., Hanaa, A.B., Hanaa, F.A., & Gaafar, A.A. (2012). Enhancement of phenolics, flavonoids and glucosinolates of Broccli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) as antioxidants in response to organic and bio-organic fertilizers. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 11(2), 135-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2012.03.001
Nahiyan, A.S.M., & Matsubara, Y. (2012). Tolerance to fusarium root rot and changes in antioxidative ability in mycorrhizal asparagus plants. Journal of Horticultural Science, 47(3), 356–360. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.47.3.356
Novozamsky, I., Van Eck, R., Van Schouwenburg, C.H., & Walinga, I. (1974). Total nitrogen determination in plant material by means of the indophenol blue method. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science, 22, 3-5. . https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v22i1.17230
Olsen, D. J. R., Endelman, J. B., Jacobson, A. R., & Reeve, J. R. (2015). Compost carryover: nitrogen, phosphorus and FT-IR analysis of soil organic matter. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 101, 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-015-9680-y
Ordone, A.A.L. (2006). Antioxidant activities of sechium edule swartz extracts. Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry, 97, 452-458 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.05.024
Peterson, J.R, Flanagan, J., & Shmact, K.T. (2002). PAM application method and electrolyte source effects on plot-scale runoff and erosion. Transactions of the ASAE, 45(6), 1859-1867. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.11437
Qanati, F., Bakhtiari, S., & Abdul Maliki, C. (2010). Effects of methyl jasmonate on secondary metabolites of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Biotechnol Tarbiat Modares, 1(1), 20-30. [In Persian].
Rahimzadeh, S., Sohrabi, Y., Heydari, G., & Pirzad, A. (2011). Effect of biofertilizer application on some morphological characteristics and yield of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L). Journal of Horticultural Sciences (Agricultural Sciences and Technology), 25(3), 335-343. https://doi.org/10.22067/jhorts4.v1390i0.11378 [In Persian].
Salehi, A., Ghalavand, A., Sefidkon, F., & Asgharzade, A. (2011). The effect of zeolite, PGPR and vermicompost application on N, P, K concentration, essential oil content and yield in organic cultivation of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 27(2), 188-201. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2011.6394 [In Persian].
Sarlak, B. (2013). Vermicompost production technology (1st ed.). Noor Kamare publications, 156 p. [In Persian].
Sengar, S.S., Wade, L.J., Baghel, S.S., Singh, R.K., & Singh, G. (2000). Effect of nutrient management on rice in rain fed low land of southeast Madhya Pradesh. Indian Journal of Agronomy, 45(2), 315-322.
Sharma, A.K.  (2002). Biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture. Agrobios, India, P. 407.
Shimada, K., Fujikawa, K., Yahara, K., & Nakamura, T. (1992). Antioxidative properties of xanthin on autoxidation of soybean oil in cyclodetrin emulsion. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 40, 945-948. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00018a005
Taghdisi Heydarian, S. Z., Khorassani, R., & Emami, H. (2018). The Effect of zeolite, manure and vermicompost on growth and micronutrients uptake by corn. Journal of Water and Soil, 32(4), 763-778. https://doi.org/10.22067/jsw.v32i4.68534 [In Persian].
Tarraf, W., Ruta, C., Tagarelli, A., De Cillis, F., & Mastro, G.De. (2017). Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizae on plant growth, essential oil production and phosphorus uptake of Salvia officinalis L. Industrial Crops and Products,102, 144-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.03.010
Tilak, K.V., Ranganayaki, K.K., Pal, R., De, A.K., Saxena, C., Shekhar, N., Shilpi Mittal, A.K., & Tripathi, B.N. (2005). Diversity of plant growth and soil health supporting bacteria. Current Science, 89, 136-150.
Vurukonda, S.S., Vardharajula, S., Shrivastava, M., & Skz, A. (2016). Enhancement of drought stress tolerance in crops by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Microbiological Research, 184, 13–24.
Zheng, Y., Dixon, M., & Saxena, P.K. (2006). Growing environment and nutrient availability affect the content of some phenolic compounds in Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia. Planta Medica, 72, 1407-1414.
Plant Productions
Volume 48, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 667-684