IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Year:2016 | Volume:32 | Issue:5 (79) |Papers Count:17

Zinc is an essential micronutrient element and has a number of vital roles in plants. In the recent years, zinc nano-fertilizers have received considerable attention due to their increased uptake by plants as they are small in size and have high rate of penetration through plant cell membrane. To study the effect of foliar application of different zinc fertilizers on yield and phytochemical characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum L. ), a pot experiment was conducted using a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications during 2014 at the experimental greenhouse of the Horticultural Sciences Department of Urmia University. The treatments were three different zinc sources (zinc sulphate, zinc chelate and nano-zinc chelate) in four concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 3g/l). The results showed that foliar application of zinc had significant effect on evaluated parameters. Fresh and dry herb yield, zinc and phenol content of leaves, essential oil content, and yield increased with zinc application and in this regard, foliar application of nano-zinc chelate was more effective than two other zinc fertilizers. The lowest and the highest evaluated parameters were observed at concentrations of 0 and 3g/l, respectively. The results of essential oil analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that 20 components were identified in the basil essential oil. Linalool and eugenol were the main components of essential oil and they showed little variation under zinc application. Overall, the findings of this study showed that the effect of nano-zinc chelate application (especially at a concentration of 3g/l) was more effective than zinc sulphate and zinc chelate in increasing herb yield and active substances of basil.

The present study was carried out to investigate the possibility of micro-propagation and to determine the optimal medium composition and combination of Cannabis sativa L. growth regulators under in vitro conditions. Seeds were surface-sterilized and then cultured on MS basal medium. One month later, leaf and hypocotyl explants, obtained from the seedlings grown at in vitro condition, were used in MS culture medium containing NAA hormone (0. 5, 1, 2 and 3 mg/l) either alone or in combination with 0. 5mg/l BA; and 2, 4-D (0. 1, 0. 2, 0. 5 and 1 mg/l) alone or in combination with 0. 5mg/l BA. Callus formation was the response of explants in most media. Direct shoot regeneration from explants was not observed but shoot induction from callus was seen only in 0. 1 mg/L 2, 4-D+ 0. 5 mg/L BA. The highest volume of induced callus was formed on MS medium 0. 1 mg/L 2, 4-D+ 0. 5 mg/L BA using leaf as explant. Root induction from some explants was observed in different treatments. The highest fresh weight of calli belonged to the leaf explant cultured on MS medium containing 1 mg/L 2, 4-D+ 0. 5 mg/L BA. Callus induction and rooting occurred easily and the explants did not respond well to regeneration.

This research was aimed to evaluate the impact of nano-ferric oxide and zinc sulfate on leaf pigments and elements of peppermint (Mentha piperita L. ) in field conditions. The study was conducted in a factorial experiment based on RCBD with three replicates at the research farm of University of Tehran (Karaj-Iran) in 2013. Nano-ferric oxide at four levels (including 0, 0. 25, 0. 5, & 0. 75 g. L-1) and zinc sulfate at three levels (+0, 25 & 50 kg. ha-1) were used. The pigment traits such as anthocyanin, flavonoid (at 270 nm wavelength), total leaf chlorophyll, and elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn & P) were examined. The results showed that nano-ferric oxide and zinc sulfate had significant effect on leaf flavonoid and total leaf chlorophyll; however, the study fertilizers had no significant effect on leaf anthocyanin. Similarly, the interaction effects of nano-ferric oxide and zinc sulfate were significant on all peppermint traits (P<0. 05), except leaf anthocyanin content. The highest and lowest rate of leaf iron content were obtained at 0. 25 and 0. 75 g. L-1 nano-ferric oxide, respectively, showing that application of nano-ferric oxide increased the leaf iron and chlorophyll content. Totally, the results indicated that leaf pigment variations of peppermint could be optimized through foliar application of zinc sulfate (25 kg. ha-1) and nano-ferric oxide (0. 75 g. L-1) fertilizers.

Gram-negative multi-drug resistant bacteria cause untreatable infections. Efflux pumps have a key role in generation of multi-drug resistant bacteria. The inhibition of this pump is a strategy against drug resistance. The aim of this research was to study the effect of Sophorea alopecuroides L. extract on inhibition of AcrAB-TolC pump in E. coli mutants. The extract containing total alkaloids, was used to measure minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of extract alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin. Resistant mutants were pretreated with a concentration lower than MIC for different time periods and then MIC was measured for ciprofloxacin. The expression of acrA in mutants treated or untreated with the extract in present and absent of ciprofloxacin was assayed. Results showed that the extract had antibacterial activity by itself and in a concentration lower than MIC in combination with ciprofloxacin had synergistic effect. Meanwhile, a 36-hour pretreatment caused decrease in MIC of ciprofloxacin. Results of real time PCR showed that treatment with extract led to decrease in acrA expression. In conclusion, the extract of Sophorea alopecuroides in E. coli multi drug resistant mutants possibly acts as a pump inhibitor. Therefore, better isolation of plant alkaloids and study their effects could provide a strategy for the synthesis of new drug.

This study was conducted to compare three herbal extracts (thyme, yarrow and garlic), antibiotic, and organic acids to reduce Campylobacter jejuni colonization in digestive tract of broiler chickens. A total of 336 one-day old male broilers (Cobb 500) were randomly allocated to 7 treatments, 4 replicates with 12 birds in each replicate with a completely randomized design. The experimental groups included negative control (basal diet without challenge), the positive control (basal diet with challenge), organic acids (1 mL per liter in drinking water for first 14 days of age, then 8 hours each day until end of the experiment), antibiotic (oxytetracycline 100 ppm in feed), yarrow extract (1 mL per liter in drinking water), thyme extract (1 mL per liter in drinking water), and garlic extract (1 mL per liter in drinking water) throughout the experiment. Except for the negative control group, all chickens were orally challenged with (109cfu/mL) C. jejuni suspension on day 21. The negative control group was inoculated with 1 mL of saline solution. Feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were measured weekly. At end of the experiment (day 42), the blood samples were taken from the wing vein to determine serum biochemical parameters. The effect of treatments on the morphology of the small intestine, lymphatic organs weight, and colonization of C. jejuni were measured. The results of statistical analysis showed that treatments had significant effect (P>0. 05) on Campylobacter jejuni colonization, so that, the highest and lowest levels of the bacterial colony were observed in positive control and antibiotic treatment. The negative control and yarrow treatments had a significant difference (P<0. 05) with positive control. The experimental groups showed a significant effect on intestinal morphology and blood parameters (P>0. 05). According to the results of this experiment, the use of above mentioned treatments had positive effects on decreasing serum cholesterol and triglyceride, as well as reducing the colonization of Campylobacter jejuni in digestive tract of broiler chickens.

Biological fertilizers can be used as alternative for or supplementary to mineral fertilizers in sustainable agriculture. To assess the effects of organic and biological fertilizers on growth and morphological characteristics of Melissa officinalis L., a factorial experiment with 15 treatments was performed in Shahriar, Karaj, Iran, during 2012-2013 in a randomized complete block design and three replications. The factors examined were different levels of cow manure (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ton/ha) and inoculation with nitroxin (without inoculation, plant inoculation and soil and plant inoculation). The results showed that application of cow manure significantly increased plant height, number of leaves and lateral branches per plant, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, leaf surface area, leaf chlorophyll index and essential oil yield and concentration. The highest values of traits measured, except root fresh and dry weights, were obtained from the application of 20 ton/ha of cow manure and the lowest were observed in control. Our results clearly showed that inoculation with nitroxin could significantly increase the value of traits measured for Lemon balm compared to control, and inoculation of plant + soil was the superior treatment.

Nigella Sativa L. is an annual plant from Ranunculacea family. Its seeds contain protein, alkaloids, kinons, saponin, and volatile essential oil used as antibacterial agent and treatment of some diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the polyploidy induction in Nigella sativa via seed treatment at colchicine concentrations of 0, 0. 025%, 0. 05%, 0. 1%, and 0. 2% for 8, 24 and 48 hours. The study was conducted in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. The percentage of tetraploid plants was determined through the morphological and chromosomal studies. Results of analysis of variance showed that effects of colchicine level, treatment duration, and the interaction between them were significant on the survival of plants and percentage of tetraploidy induction. The seed germination and viability of plants significantly decreased with increasing of colchicine concentration and treatment duration. The lowest number of survived plants was observed at a concentration of 2. 0% colchicine and a treatment time of 24 and 48 hours. The highest percentage of induced tetraploid plants (9. 9%) was obtained at a concentration of 0. 05% colchicine with a treatment time of 48 hours, showing no significant difference with concentrations of 1 and 2 % at the same treatment time. The plants treated with colchicine showed higher plant height, internodes length, capsule width and length compared to that of control plants. Furthermore, they had larger stomata with lower number as compared with diploid plants.

The effect of plant density on the seed yield and mucilage of Plantago ovata Forsk. was studied using a randomized complete block design under dry farming conditions at two stations: a) Maraveh-Tapeh, 240 km northeast of Gorgan, with a long-term average rainfall of 330 mm (low rainfall) and b) Chalaky station, 8 Km west of Gorgan with a long-term average rainfall of 550 mm (rainfed). The experimental plots were planted at densities of 100, 200 and 400 plants m-² with a distance of 20 cm between rows. Data were analyzed using a combined analysis. No significant differences were found for the effects of density on traits including seed number per spike, spike length, harvest index, 1000-seed weight and mucilage percentage, while there were significant differences for the spike number m-1, seed yield, and mucilage yield at 1% probability level. According to the results, the location effect was significant on spike number m-1, seed and mucilage yield (1% probability level), and harvest index (5% probability level). The interactions between plant density and location on spike number per square meter and seed and mucilage yield per hectare were significant at 1% probability level, while no significant differences were found for the other traits. The seed and mucilage yield increased with increasing plant density, so that the seed and mucilage yield at a density of 400 plants m-1 in the Chalaki station were 2. 3 and 2. 9 times and in the Maraveh-Tapeh station were 1. 94 and 1. 86 times more compared to 100 plants m-1, respectively. Seed and mucilage yield in Chalaky station were 1. 71 and 1. 69 times more compared to Maraveh-Tapeh station, respectively. Our results clearly showed superiority for all traits measured at a density of 400 plants m-1 in the Chalaky station as compared with other densities in both locations.

This research was aimed to evaluate the flower and stigma yield as well as growth traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L. ) under effect of planting dates and corm size. The experiment was factorial in a complete randomized design with three replicates, conducted at the research farm of College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran during 2013-2014. The treatments consisted of four planting dates (June 10th, September 7th and 27th, and October 12th) and two corm weights (5-9 g and 10-14 g). Our results showed that the flower and stigma yield of large corms, planted on June 10th, was 50% higher as compared with other planting dates, and on September 27th, the yield was 25% higher. However, this difference was not significant in comparison with September 7th. The lowest flower and stigma yield was recorded for the planting date of October 12th in comparison with other planting dates, and these traits were higher in large corms as compared with small ones in all planting dates. The flower length and number of buds on June 10th were higher than that of others. In addition, the highest leaf dry weight and length in primary and secondary buds were recorded for the planting dates of June 10th and September 6th, which could be effective in production of daughter corms in the next year. The results showed that all growth characteristics in large corms were higher than that of small ones. Overall, these results indicate that the planting of 10-14-gram large corms on June 10th can improve the yield and growth characteristics of saffron in Varamin plain.

This research was aimed to study the effects of different levels of fertilizer and vermicompost on performance indicators and the amount of hypoglycemic active ingredient (trigonelline) in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L. ) for domestic and pharmaceutical uses. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with two treatments and five replicates in comparison with the control group. The treatments consisted of three levels of NPK fertilizer (5, 10 and 15 grams) and vermicompost (10, 20 and 30% by volume), and the control pots containing garden soil with no treatments. The plant height, leaf number, leaf length, dry weight, fresh weight, and the amount of trigonelline were measured and evaluated. Our results showed that high levels of vermicompost and fertilizer increased the growth characteristics and the amount of trigonelline. According to the results, the highest concentration of trigonelline, shoot dry weight, shoot fresh weight, and leaf length were recorded for the treatments of 30% vermicompost; 15 g fertilizer; 15g fertilizer and 30% vermicompost; and 15 g fertilizer and 30% vermicompost, respectively. In general, 15g chemical fertilizer and 30 % by volume of vermicompost were the best treatments to increase the concentration of trigonelline and growth factors. Thus, to avoid the hazards of chemical fertilizers, the use of vermicompost is recommended for the cultivation of Fenugreek.

Among the different types of mycorrhizas, arbuscular mycorrhiza is the most common peaceful type of symbiosis between the land microorganisms and plants with a great economic and ecological importance. On the other hand, UV irradiation is known to cause oxidative damage to plants by triggering an increased level of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The objective of the present investigation was to study the effects of mycorrhiza on physiological traits of flax (Linum usitatissimum L. ) under UV stress. The flax plants were grown in two mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizsal (NM) groups with a diurnal regime of 16 hour light and 8 hour dark at 18-29° C. Mycorrhizal plants were colonized by inoculum obtained from Glomus versiforme and Glomus etunicatum culture. They were divided after 21 days of growth. One set of pots served as the control, and the other set was treated with UV radiation (312nm) for 1 hour each day for 14 days. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design including three mycorrhizal treatments (with G. etunicatum, G. versiforme and without mycorrhiza), and two UV treatments (with UV and non-UV) in three replications. Results showed that chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content was significantly reduced in treated plants in comparison with the control. This decrease was less obvious in mycorrhizal plants as compared with non-mycorrhizsal samples; however, antioxidant enzymes activity increased when plants were irradiated with UV light. This increase was more dramatic in mycorrhizal plants samples than non-mycorrhizsal ones. In addition, results showed that malondialdehyde content was increased when plants were irradiated with UV light. This increase was more dramatic in non-mycorrhizsal samples than mycorrhizsal ones. According to the obtained results, it is concluded that UV-B stress has serious effects on Shahin-dezh cultivar and mycorrhizal symbiosis with the two fungi species can somewhat reduce this stress. Furthermore, colonization with Glomus versiforme resulted in better ameliorative effects on plants in comparison with Glomus etunicatum.

In order to evaluate the effects of drought stress on quantity and quality of yield, physiological characteristics, and essential oil of Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum americanum L., a factorial experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in greenhouse condition. Drought stress treatments consisted of control (without drought stress), 80, 60, and 40% of field capacity on two species of Ocimum. The traits measured were fresh and dry weights, essential oil, essential oil performance, carbohydrates, proline, nitrogen, protein, phosphorus and potassium contents. The results indicated that with increasing levels of drought stress from control to 40 percent of field capacity, the content of essential oil, carbohydrates, and proline were increased (28, 46, and 50%) in both species. However, the content of fresh and dry weight, essential performance, nitrogen, protein, phosphorus and potassium were reduced (57, 57. 8, 44, 19, 16, 39 and 23%). In O. americanum, the content of fresh and dry weight, carbohydrate, proline, nitrogen, phosphorus, and protein were significantly increased under drought stress; while in O. basilicum, only essential oil content showed higher values significantly. It was observed that the majority of growth factors had the highest performance under low stress (80% of field capacity). Essential oil content, on the other hand, increased significantly under high stress condition, so that in O. basilicum, the highest essential oil content was obtained at 60 percent of field capacity. Our findings indicated that the plant performance and essential oil content were increased under average and moderately severe stress conditions, respectively.

Black seeds (Nigella Sativa L. ) is a medicinal plant that has long been used in the treatment of many diseases as sexual dysfunction. The present study was conducted to investigate effects of this plant on ovarian tissue structure. In this research, 35 adult female Wister rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into five equal groups as follow: control group (without treatment), a sham solution of water and alcohol, and 3 treatment groups. The hydroalcoholic extract of black seeds was prepared in low, middle and high doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/b. wt), respectively, and they were injected intraperitoneally in three treatment groups daily for three weeks. At the end of treatment period, the ovaries were dissected, and tissue sections (5μ m) were prepared after dehydration, clearing and paraffin embedding. Follicular types were counted and histological changes were studied by light microscope. Data were analyzed by SPSS (17), and the study groups were compared by t-test (P<0. 05). The results showed significant decrease in the number of primordial and primary follicles in all treatment groups as compared with control group (P<0. 05). Also, the number of secondary follicle and ovarian weight in treatment with the maximum dose (4oo mg/kg/b. wt) decreased significantly as compared with control group. According to the results, hydroalcoholic extract of black seeds showed somewhat destructive dose-dependent effects on ovarian tissue and its use should be avoided during pregnancy.

To achieve the appropriate growth rate and yield in water stress condition, an optimal plant density is of great importance. In order to evaluate the effect of irrigation regimes and plant density on growth characteristics, yield, and oil content of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. ), an experiment was conducted at the research farm of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Campus, Kermanshah, Iran, during 2012-2013. The study was performed in a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plots were irrigation regimes (1-no irrigation (rainfed), 2-one time irrigation at stem elongation stage, 3-two times irrigation at stem elongation + flowering stages and 4-three times irrigation at stem elongation + flowering + seed formation stages), and the sub-plots were plant density (10, 30, 50 and 70 plants. m-2). The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of irrigation regimes and plant density were significant for biomass, grain yield, number of grains per umbel, and 1000-grain weight. The highest biomass yield was obtained for two times irrigation at stem elongation + flowering stages with 50 plants. m-2. Three times irrigation at stem elongation + flowering + seed formation stages with 30 plants. m-2 led to the highest grain yield. The irrigation regimes had the highest effect on the number of seeds per umbel (45% increase compared to rainfed conditions); however, plant density had the highest effect on the number of umbels per plant (44. 7% decreases at a density of 10 compared to 70 plants. m-2). In this experiment, the oil content was not affected by treatments. Generally, this study showed that coriander had appropriate performance at rainfed condition, and the grain yield increased to 16% with increasing of irrigation interval.