مجله تحقیقات گیاهان دارویی و معطر ایران
سال بیست و هفتم شماره 4 (پیاپی 54، زمستان 1390)

In order to achieve the best irrigation and nitrogen fertilizing management in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), a split factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design was conducted on Isfahan local variety under semi-arid conditions, in Tabriz during 2008. Three factors included irrigation time (90, 120, 150 mm evaporation from pan) as main plot and combination of urea dose (100, 150, 200 kgha-1) and split application of urea (100% at planting time, 50%: 50% at planting and stem elongation times, respectively, 25%: 50%: 25% at planting, stem elongation and flowering times, respectively) were applied as sub plot. The results indicated that with delaying in irrigation time from 90 to 120 mm evaporation from pan, the number of umbels per plant of fennel decreased up to 22.5%. The highest seed yield and essence percentage (880 kgha-1 and 3.66%, respectively) obtained from treatment with 150 kgha-1 urea application and irrigation of 150 mm evaporation from pan. Equally split application of urea at planting and stem elongation times could improve seed yield of fennel up to 17%, as compared with two other urea splitting levels. Seed essence percentage was not affected by split application of urea. Effect of three studied factors on essence yield was significant. When fennel plants were fertilized with 150 kgha-1 urea and irrigated after 120 mm evaporation from pan, seed essence yield was the highest (32 Lha-1), and this increase was 43% compared with the lowest essence yield treatment. According to the results, irrigation time of 120 mm evaporation from pan and applying 150 kgha-1 urea in two splits at planting and stem elongation times are recommended for fennel production.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) is one of the aromatic and medicinal plants. Anethol is the most important component of its essential oil used in medicinal and food industries. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of vermicompost levels (0, 5 and 10 t.ha-1), mixture of Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Pseudomonas (inoculation and not-inoculation) and zeolite (0 and 4.5 t.ha-1) on essential oil content, composition and macro element contents of Pimpinella anisum. Experimental design was randomized complete blocks with factorial arrangement. Field experiment was conducted at Sanandaj Agriculture Research Station, in 2009. The results showed that vermicompost application improved essential oil content and yield, anethol and methyl chavicol percentage, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content. Inoculating seeds with PGPR led to significant increment in all of the mentioned characters except for methyl cavicol percentage and potassium concentration. Zeolite application had significant effect on essential oil content, oil yield and anethol percentage but no significant effect on the other characters. The most favorable interaction treatment for essential oil production and phosphorus percentage was the PGPR inoculation combined with the highest level of vermicompost.

In this research, effects of different traits on flower yield of 12 Rosa damascena Mill. accessions from different regions of Iran were analyzed under irrigation (control) and non-irrigation with and without mulch conditions. Randomized complete block designs were applied with three replications at Research Station of Homand Absard, Damavand, Iran. Flower weight, flower number, flower dry matter percentage, oil percentage, oil yield (per ha), petal weight, plant height and canopy cover were recorded. According to the correlation analysis, flower yield positively correlated with petal weight under non-irrigation with mulch, irrigated (control) and non-irrigation without mulch conditions. The statistical multivariate methods were also applied included multivariate linear regression and path analyses. Using three separate stepwise-regression analysis made it possible to determine the traits with most important impacts on the flower yield, under irrigation (control) and non-irrigation with and without mulch conditions. Flower number, petal weight, oil yield, and oil percentage under non-irrigation without mulch totally explained 91.7% of the variation among genotypes in the regression model. Petal weight, plant cover, and diameter of the species under irrigation (control) totally explained 98.6% of the variation among genotypes in the regression model. Oil percentage, oil yield, petal weight, plant height and flower number per ha under non-irrigation with mulch totally explained 90.6% of the variation among genotypes in the regression model. The results indicated that petal weight has the most direct impact on flower yield based on the path analysis and oil yield showed a negative direct effect on the flower yield under non-irrigation (without mulch) condition. Oil percentage, oil yield, petal weight, plant height and flower number per plant under non-irrigation with mulch, irrigated (control) and non-irrigation without mulch totally explained 95/5% of the variation among genotypes in the regression model. Petal weight had the highest direct impact on flower yield based on the path analysis under irrigation and non-irrigation conditions. Therefore, it is possible to consider petal weight as a magnificent character to improve flower yield of Rosa damascene.

With regard to the importance of Melissa officinalis L. as a medicinal plant and abundance of saline soil and water in the country, the current research was conducted to study the effect of osmopriming on seed germination of Melissa officinalis under salinity stress in two separate experiments. The aim of the first experiment was to determine the best osmopriming conditions for seeds of Melissa officinalis carried out in a completely randomized design. The treatments were combination of osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with four levels (-4, -8, -12 and -16 bar), duration of priming with three levels (3, 5 and 7 day) and temperature of priming with two levels (25 and 30/20oC). The results showed significant differences among osmopriming treatments with regard to the germination percentage, germination velocity and radicle length. Mean comparisons showed that osmotic potential treatment of -16 bars in 5 days and 25oC significantly increased the germination percentage and germination velocity compared with other treatments. The aim of the second experiment was to study the effect of osmopriming on seed germination of Melissa officinalis under salinity stress based upon a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were water salinity (control, 4, 8 and 12 dS/m) and type of seeds (control and primed seeds). The results indicated that primed seeds in all salinity levels had higher germination percentage, germination velocity and radicle length compared to non-primed seeds. According to the results, the interaction effect of salinity and seed treatments was significant with regard to the germination percentage, germination velocity and radicle length.

In this study, two important physical and chemical properties including percentage of total seed oil and fatty acid levels in two ecotypes of Iranian ox tongue flower (Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey.) collected from Kermanshah and Neka (Mazandaran province) were investigated. Oil extraction and identification of fatty acids were conducted by soxhelt system and Gas Chromatography (GC). All data were compared by statistical methods. Results showed that total oil percentage of (19.16 ± 0.31%) & (17.16 ± 0.26) were calculated for Kermanshah and Neka ecotypes, respectively. Also 8 types of fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, soxenic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic and stearidonic acids were detected by GC. Soxenic acid and alpha-linolenic were respectively identified as the least (0.2±0.4%) and highest amount (46±48%) in each ecotype. The obtained data indicate that with regard to the nutritional values of essential fatty acids in seed oil, Iranian ox tongue flower has a good potential for producing nutritional supplements of essential fatty acids i-e., omega3 and omega6. According to the results of the study, obtained data from the current study could be applied as a reference in selection of suitable breeding methods to improve oil quality and quantity of Iranian ox tongue flower.

Dracocephalum moldavica L. is an annual species of the Lamiaceae family with local and global importance. The aerial parts of the plant containing essential oil used in medicinal, cosmetic and food industries. In order to study the effects of biofertilizers on quantity and quality of essential oil in Dragonhead including the content of the essential oil and the content of the geraniol, geranial and geranyl acetate in the essential oil, an experiment was conducted at Tarbiat Modarres University in 2009. The factors were vermicompost (0, 15, 30% V/pot), Azotobacter (inoculated and non-inoculated) and phosphatic biofertilizer (inoculated and non-inoculated). A factorial experimental design was applied in a randomized complete blocks with twelve treatments and three replications. Mean comparison was carried out using Tukey multiple range test at 5% level. Results showed that the highest essential oil content (0.74%) and geranyl acetate content in the essential oil (61.1%) were obtained at the third level of the Vermicompost treatment (30%). The highest geraniol and geranial content in the essential oil (24.2% and 18.2%) respectively were obtained with V15× B0 and V15×A0.

Control of mosquitoes and protection of people from their bites are of the most important ways to prevent diseases transmitted by them. Insects biting cause local symptoms (Itching, redness and burning) and can transmit the dangerous disease, especially in tropical regions. Repellents and especially herbal repellents are considered as appropriate methods to protect the people against mosquitoes biting. In the current study, repellent effect of extracts and essential oils of Melissa officinalis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. were evaluated against Anopheles stephensi in the laboratory and the effects were compared with those of synthetic repellent, N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide as a standard drug. Results of the statistical analysis revealed significant differences between oils and extracts (p < 0.01) against the tested species as oils were identified more effective than the extracts. Also the results showed that repellency effect of these materials in animals is higher compared to the human being.

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) is a perennial plant and belongs to Cannabinaceae family, cultivated in many parts of the world for medicinal and industrial uses. It’s native to Golestan Province. This survey was carried out during 2000-2003 to achieve the best method for cultivation of H. lupulus in Gorgan. In this research, four methods of cultivation (seeding, cutting, underbrush, and layering) were performed in a randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Results showed significant differences with regard to the plant's establishment between the methods of underbrush, layering and seeding with cutting (p < 0/01). Significant differences were also observed with regard to the yield of Humulus lupulus under different cultivation methods as underbrush and layering methods respectively with a yield of 1610 and 1338 kgha-1 showed higher yield than that of seeding and cutting methods with 687 and 28.5 kgha-1 respectively (p < 0/01). Totally, underbrush method is recommended for Gorgan region due to the suitable establishment and high yield in comparison with three other methods.

Regression and suppression of atherosclerotic lesion may be a realistic goal in some patients. Antioxidants and hypolipidemic agents suppress the development of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and induce regression of atherosclerosis. In this study, the serum lipid and atherosclerotic lesions following the intake of Hypericum perforatum L. on regression in hypercholesterolemic rabbits were investigated. Rabbits were assigned to four groups as follows: Group I control diet (75 days); Group II 1% cholesterol diet (75 days); Group III 1% cholesterol diet (45 days) followed by regular diet(30 days); Group IV 1% cholesterol diet (45 days) followed by regular diet and HPL (30 days). Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 45 days and 75 days for measurement of serum lipids. At the end of the protocol, the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Our results showed that plasma total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C concentrations and AI, decreased, and the plasma HDL cholesterol concentration increased in Groups III– ΙV. The decrease of serum Lipids and atherosclerotic lesions in Group IV was more compared to that of Group III in regression period. The reduction in atherosclerotic lesions was associated with a reduction in oxidative stress. These results suggest that regular diet following a high cholesterol diet accelerates atherosclerosis in spite of a decrease in serum lipids; According to the results, HPL treatment prevents the progression of atherosclerosis following a high cholesterol diet probably associated with a reduction of risk factors and antioxidant mechanism.

Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori is an important neglected plant species, with medicinal, industrial and nutritional values, growing in South-East part of Iran. In spite of its high importance in various points of views, the species is not paid enough attention regarding various biologic aspects such as karyotypic characteristics. Four plant populations as well as two tissue cultured samples of the species were used for karyotypic studies. Chromosome dimensions were recorded on which several statistics were estimated for karyotypic asymmetric comparisons on the mentioned plant populations and samples. The recorded karyotypic data were analyzed by nested and factorial statistic models. Chromosomes counting reviled the constant diploid karyotype with 2n=2x=28 chromosomes for all of the studied samples. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (α=1%) between the plant populations and samples based on the recorded karyotypic characteristics. Several anioploid cells were also recorded. It was concluded that the species contains small chromosomes, so that general chromosome means of the studied samples varied between 1.19 to 2.1 μ. The longest genome (51.2μ) belonged to Kenshki sample which was tissue culture based sample. The shortest genome (33.3μ) belonged to Garhoon plant population. In other words tissue culture based samples grouped in distinct classes compared to other studied plant populations. Chanf plant population showed the most symmetric karyotype (45%) based on TF%, whereas, Kenshki plant population revealed the most asymmetric karyotype (41%). DRL statistic and karyotype formula also clarified the mentioned symmetry conditions.

Water deficit is one of the most important factors affecting the growth of plants. In this research, Linum usitatissimum L. seeds were sown in plastic pots containing sand, clay and peat (2: 1: 1). When the third leave was appeared, water stress was done at three levels of control, 1/3 field capacity and 2/3 field capacity for 10 days in three duplication on the basis completely randomized design. The amount of carotenoid, anthocyanin, flavonoid, phenolic compound and proline was measured to study the effect of drought stress on non-enzymatic defense mechanisms. Data were subjected to analysis of variance by SPSS statistical software and means were compared by Duncan's test at p ≤ 0.05 significance level. It is noteworthy to state that proline accumulation in aerial parts of the Linum was more than that of the root. The results showed that the amount of praline, phenolic compound and anthocyanin significantly increased but the amount of flavonoid in 2/3 FC increased and then slightly decreased however it increased as compared with the control. In the current study, the amount of carotenoid in the leaves of Linum significantly decreased.

Salvia leriifolia Benth. (Noruozak) is a perennial plant which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This herb has a great importance in the sense of pharmaceutical applications. In the nature, seeds of Salvia leriifolia hardly germinate endangering its survival. In this work, in addition of studying the causes of low germination rate, different physic-chemical treatments such as scratching on seed coat, scratch seeds under running water, intact seeds under running water, coatless seeds, treating intact seed with 98% sulphuric acid for 10 and 15 minutes were investigated. Seeds were collected from Abkhandari station in Sabzevar city in 2009. For sterilization, the solution of HgCl2 0.1% w/v was applied for seeds in all of treatments. Also four temperature treatments of 4, 20, 25C° and keeping at 4C° for a week then transferring to 25C° on germination of seeds were considered. There was no seed germination happened in control, mechanical scratching, running water and sulphuric acid treatments. The coatless seeds treatment and incubation at 4C° for a week and then transferring to 25C° has the most effect on seeds germination, with 100% seed germination. According to the results, removing the hard and impermeable seed coat of Salvia leriifolia as a physical prevention and low temperature as a physiological factor were identified as effective method in germination of the mentioned species.

Gum tragacanth is of the most important herbal gums extracted from Astragalus gossypinus Fischer. Iran is the most important producer of tragacanth and nowadays it is being used in various industries like food, health care services and pharmaceutics. Since economic evaluation of tragacanth is performed based on its quality, studying chemical combinations of gum tragacanth and detection of its habitats are very important. In this study, gum tragacanth from six habitats were collected in west of Isfahan province and most important combination of carbohydrate, Amino acid and inorganic elements were detected and compared. Results showed that Arabinose had the highest amount of sugar in gum tragacanth. Overall, 9 types of Amine acids were identified and among them hydroxy prolin and mationin were recorded as the highest and the lowest amount respectively. Also among the measured elements, calcium and phosphor had the highest percentage and nitrogen had the lowest percentage.

In order to study the effect of planting date and plant density on yield and seed yield components of isabgol (Plantago ovata L.), an experiment was conducted at Agricultural research center of Islamic Azad University Birjand Branch, in 2008. The experimental design was split-plot based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. Main plots consisted of three planting date (18 April, 9 and 30 May), and sub-plots included three density levels (16.6, 22.2 and 33.3 plants. m-2). The results showed that delay in planting date from 18 April to 30 May significantly decreased number of spikes per plant (35.2%), number of seed per spike (39.8%), seed yield (60.2%), biological yield (49.3%) and harvest index (19.7%). Plant density had significant effect on number of spikes per plant and per m2 biological yield, seed yield, harvest index and seed yield per plant. According to the results, it could be concluded that planting date and plant density are effective parameters in crop performance. In this research, planting date of 18 April and plant density of 33.3 plants m-2 had the highest seed yield (558.99 kg ha-1).

To evaluate the effect of spraying with methyl jasmonate on membrance properties, ion uptake and osmotic adjustment and flower dry weight of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under salt stress an experiment was conducted at greenhouse with three replications. The experimental design was factorial based on randomized complete blocks design. The studied factors were as follows: spraying with methyl jasmonate at five levels including, 0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 μM in three growth stages: 1) 3 to 4 leaves, 2) stem elongation and 3) flowering (anthesis) and salt stress applied at four levels of 2.1, 6, 10 and 14 dS/m NaCl. The results showed that spraying with methyl jasmonate and salinity stress had significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on all measured traits. The highest cell membrane stability, proline, K+, Ca+content, ratio of K+/Na+ and flower dry weight, with the lowest content of Na+ were obtained in spraying 75 µM MeJA and 6dS/m salinity stress. High amount of the mentioned parameters at the concentration of 6 dS/m salinity could be related to the assisting role of MeJA through preventing salt entrance and preferential absorption of K+ in mild salinities compared with the control treatment. In addition, application of MeJA induced significant increase in proline content. It seems that increase in proline content leads to cell membrane stability and salt resistance.

Hypercholesterolemia, cholesterol-enriched diet and oxidative stress may cause an increase in serum total cholesterol (TC) levels resulting in development of atherosclerosis. Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals. Amaranthus caudatus L. is a lipid-lowering and antioxidant agent. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of Amaranthus caudatus L. in reduction of some risk factor for atherosclerosis associated with reduction of oxidative stress. rabbits were assigned to four groups: Group I, regular diet (control); Group II, 1% cholesterol diet for 75 days; Group III, 1% cholesterol diet (45 days) followed by regular diet(30 days); Group IV, 1% cholesterol diet (45 days) followed by regular diet and Amaranthus caudatus (30 days) (150 mg•kg body wt). Blood samples were collected from rabbits before (0 time) and after 45 days and 75 days of experimental diets for measurement of apolipoproteinB (apoB), malondialdehyde (MDA), apolipoproteinA (apoA) and OX-LDL. The results showed that application of Amaranthus caudatus for 30 days caused a significant decrease in apolipoproteinB (apoB), malondialdehyde (MDA) and OX-LDL. However apolipoproteinA (apoA) increased significantly. Whereas, no significant decrease of risk factors was observed in animals received only normal diet. Consequently, these effects of Amaranthus are associated with reductions in oxidative stress probably due to the antiatherogenic effects and it could be considered as an important diet in regression of atherosclerosis.