عبدالله قاسمی پیربلوطی

Identifying different habitats and evaluating the effect of environmental factors on the performance of active ingredients in medicinal plants is a basic help to maintain the genetic diversity of these plants. This research was done in three habitats in Isfahan province during 2017–2020. The aerial parts of Tanacetum lingulatum Boiss. Bornm were harvested at the full flowering stage and transferred to the laboratory of the Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured by the Follin-Ciocalteu reagent and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by measuring the reduction of radical capacity with the help of DPPH. The essential oil from T. lingulatum plants was extracted by water distillation using Clevinger and analyzed by GC/MS. According to the results, the amounts of total phenol and flavonoids, the antioxidant activity and the essential oil content were only affected by population treatment. The maximum content of total flavonoids (0.289 mg QE/g dry weight), the antioxidant activity (53.67%), and the essential oil content (0.15% v/w) were related to the Kooh Sefid habitat. Compared to the other two habitats, the Kooh Sefid region has the lowest altitude above sea level, the lowest average annual temperature and soil acidity, and the highest soil organic carbon and annual rainfall. The highest amount of total phenol was obtained from the Lashtar habitat (0.051 mg GAE/g dry weight). The most important compounds identified in the essential oils were cis-sabienene hydrate (12–24%), camphene (3–15%), n-decanal (11–24%), dihydro-linalool (1–9%), cis-β-terpineol (7-9 %), nerol oxide (1–16%), and cis-pinocarveol (8–20%). Variation observed in the examined traits in different habitats can be caused by differences in ecological characteristics. Finally, the Kooh Sefid population can be one of the target habitats for preserving the genetic diversity of the T. lingulatum medicinal plant due to having more essential oil and antioxidant activity.

One of the methods to increase the secondary metabolites production in plants is to use elicitors and chitosan is a biotic elicitor obtained from the deacetylation of chitin in the outer shell of crustaceans such as shrimp. Shrimp shell is part of shrimp solid waste discarded in large amount every year. This research was carried out to investigate the effect of foliar application of chitosan elicitor (0.25 and 0.5 g/l) and shrimp shell powder (2.5 and 5 g/L) on medicinal plant Hyssopus officinalis in potted form at the Experimental Farm of Islamic Azad University, Shahre-kord Branch during spring to fall in 2017. The essential oils were obtained from aerial part of hyssop by Clevenger device. The essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. Totally, 33 compounds و representing more than 89-95% of the oil composition, were identified. The predominant components of the essential oil in all treatments were cis-pinocamphon (43.19-55.09%) and beta-pinene (8.31-15.04%). Foliar application of chitosan, shrimp shell, and shrimp shell × chitosan increased the percentage of essential oil and cis-pinocamphon, but only the effect of chitosan 0.5 was statistically significant. Chitosan treatments decreased plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll of hyssop but shrimp shell and chitosan × shrimp shell solutions increased them, although no one was significant. According to the results of this study, it seems that in addition to chitosan, shrimp shell with higher concentrations can be used to increase effective substances of the medicinal plant Hyssopus officinalis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-phenylalanine foliar application on morpho-physiological and phytochemical properties of red pepper under different irrigation treatments (type and amount) in the filed experimental at Goldaru Herbal Pharmaceutical Company, Isfahan as a split-split plot experimental in the randomized complete block design (RCBD) in 2018. Experimental factors included: moisture conditions (optimum and reduced irrigation), irrigation methods (drip and flood irrigation) and different levels of the foliar application (negative control; positive control or water as solvent; L-phenylalanine at 2000 and 4000 ppm). The results indicated that the highest the plant height was related to the application of 2000 ppm phenylalanine optimum irrigation (69.3 cm), the highest values of the fresh and dry fruit weights were related to 2000 ppm L-phenylalanine × reduced irrigation × drip irrigation (6.60 g/m2) and L-phenylalanine (at 2000 ppm) × optimum and reduced irrigation × drip irrigation (2.18 g/m2), respectively. Results of the biochemical traits showed that the highest degree of intensity was under L-phenylalanine (at 2000 ppm) × reduced irrigation × flood irrigation (449 g/m2). In addition, the maximum values of vitamin C and total phenol were related to the water foliar application × optimum and reduced irrigation conditions (0.82 and 0.72 mg/g dry weight) and the water foliar application × reduced irrigation × drip irrigation (2.15 mg GAE/ g dry weight), respectively. In general, the results of this study showed the negative effect of drought stress or reduced irrigation on the growth traits of red pepper, however, reduced irrigation enhanced the degree of intensity, vitamin C and total phenol. In conclusion, the foliar application of L-phenylalanine (at 2000 ppm) could improve the quality and reduced the negative effects reduced irrigation on the growth and yield of red pepper under arid and semiarid climate.

Thymbra spicata L. belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is a rich source of aromatic compounds and essential oils. This research was conducted to study the effect of salicylic acid and chitosan elicitors on the growth indicators and DXR gene expression in T. spicata L. under different levels of irrigation towards enhancing the performance of this medicinal plant in experimental pots in a greenhouse in Ilam province during 2017-18. A factorial design was used with 15 treatments and three replications in a completely randomized study. Irrigation regimes at three levels of normal (A₁), 70% of field capacity (A₂), 40% of field capacity (A₃), and foliar spraying at five levels, including control (B₁), chitosan at concentrations of 0.5 g.l-1 (B₂) and 1 g.l-1 (B₃), salicylic acid foliar spraying at concentrations of 2.5 mM (B₄) and 5.0 mM (B₅) were used at the 10-12 leaf stage. To prepare chitosan and salicylic acid elicitors, the powders were dissolved in 5% acetic acid and then adjusted to desired concentrations with ddH2O. Irrigation regimes were applied three months after cultivation (15-20 cm seedlings). To apply the elicitors simultaneously with the water stress treatment, foliar spraying was done three times at ten-day intervals. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to investigate the expression changes of the DXR gene, which is one of the key genes in the carvacrol biosynthesis pathway. In this regard, total RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized after assessment of its quantity and quality. With the aid of specific primers, the target sequence was amplified. Furthermore, using the GAPDH reference gene reported in Hyssop thyme, the gene expression level was investigated through the relative quantification method. The method of difference in cycle threshold (2-∆∆CT) and Relative Expression Software Tool (REST) were used to analyze the data. The analysis of the variance table showed the effect of different levels of irrigation on all quantitative growth indices, including plant height, root length, number of main branches, root fresh and dry weight, leaf fresh weight, stem fresh and dry weight, except leaf dry weight, were significant (p<0.01). The interactive effect of low irrigation and foliar spray of salicylic acid and chitosan on root fresh weight, leaf fresh weight, and stem fresh weight was significant at 1%. Accordingly, the interaction effect of irrigation and foliar spraying on the dry weight of the stem was significant at the 5% probability level. The results showed that the interactive effect of irrigation and foliar spray on leaf dry weight, number of main branches, and root length was insignificant. In this study, DXR gene expression did not show many changes after applying two different levels of chitosan (0.5 and 1.0 g.l-1). In contrast, salicylic acid treatment with 2.5 mM was significant at 1% probability and caused an increase in gene expression. The transcript level of this gene increased 29.72 times after applying 5.0 mM of this solution, which was significant at the 1% level. The amount of low irrigation decreased this gene's expression. Based on the obtained data, the normal irrigation method is the most suitable for hyssop thyme plants regarding their growth indicators. Foliar spraying of chitosan at different levels did not significantly affect growth indices and DXR gene expression. At the same time, salicylic acid increased them in this species. As a result, salicylic acid elicitor can increase carvacrol yield and biosynthesis.

Iranian shallot, scientifically known as Allium hirtifolium, is an important medicinal, edible, and industrial plant that grows in different regions of Iran, especially in the Central Zagros. Since this plant is harvested from its natural environment for consumption, it is necessary to cultivate and study various factors that affect its quantitative and qualitative yield, such as the use of sustainable agriculture. Additionally, genetic and environmental factors, as well as the use of fertilizers and nutrients, affect the growth, development, and yield of medicinal and edible plants, including Iranian shallots. Therefore, creating the best substrate for cultivation, protection, and harvesting is necessary due to the use of these plants in human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chemical and organic fertilizer in inoculation with biofertilizer in two years on the yield and biochemical traits of Iranian shallot.

In this study (in the research farm of Islamic Azad University of Shahrekord in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province) investigated the effect of chemical fertilizer application (including: nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus 90, 70 and 60 kg/ha, respectively), chemical fertilizer inoculation with fertilizer Vermicompost (10 tons per hectare), Vermicompost inoculation with bio-fertilizer, manure (including sheep manure 10 tons per hectare), manure inoculation with bio-fertilizer (Including Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi including: Glomus fasiculatum, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae and growth-promoting bacteria including: Azospirillum spp, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis) on Iranian shallot biochemical and yields traits such as: size and weight of Bulb, Amount of phenol, Flavonoid Antioxidants, Starch, Glucose, Total protein, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium of this plant, as an randomized complete blocks design with three replications in two consecutive years (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) was conducted and The simple(year and fertilizer) and combined analysis(year* fertilizer) of variance were done. Data analysis was performed using SAS9.1 software, and LSD test at 5% probability level was used to compare the mean of treatments.

The results of the variance analysis showed that the effect of year on all traits was significant, including size and weight of bulb, phenol, flavonoids, antioxidants, starch, glucose, total protein, nitrogen, and phosphorus, at the level of 1%. The effect of fertilizer on all traits (except starch and glucose) and their interactions (year x fertilizer) on all measured traits except antioxidant activity percent, nitrogen, starch, and glucose were also significant.In the second year, antioxidant activity percent, nitrogen, starch, and glucose had the highest amounts at 42.71%, 2.30%, 0.40, and 0.38, respectively, while in the first year, they had the lowest amounts at 29.05, 1.44, 0.23, and 0.23 mg/g fw, respectively.According to the results, the highest bulb size (8.04 cm), potassium (1.88% and 1.89%), bulb weight (0.095 and 0.096 kg), and total protein (15.05 and 15.72 mg/g fw) were obtained in the vermicompost treatment in inoculation with bio-fertilizer in the second year and chemical fertilizer in inoculation with bio-fertilizer in the second year. Additionally, the highest amount of phenol (1.15 and 1.19 mg/g fw), respectively, in the treatment of vermicompost in inoculation with bio-fertilizer in the second year and chemical fertilizer in inoculation with biofertilizer in the second year, flavonoids (107.1 mg/g fw), and phosphorus (1.623%) in vermicompost in inoculation with bio-fertilizer in the second year were obtained.Moreover, the results of comparing the means showed that the highest percentages of antioxidant activity percent (36.24) and nitrogen content (2.29%) were in vermicompost in inoculation with bio-fertilizer and chemical fertilizer in inoculation with bio-fertilizer in the second year, respectively. The lowest bulb size (3.16 cm), bulb weight (0.037 kg), phenol content (0.168 mg/g fw), flavonoids (48.99 mg/g fw), total protein (6.81 mg/g fw), phosphorus (0.753%), and potassium (0.811%) were observed in control.

According to the results of this study, organic fertilizers can be used in inoculation with bio-fertilizer to increase the production of Iranian shallot as organic fertilizer and not impose a negative effect on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of this plant instead of, excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

In the drought conditions of the last few decades, the use of novel scientific methods to increase the growth and production of effective substances of the medicinal and aromatic plants has been essential. This study was done to investigate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and proline on the growth traits and essential oil content of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. (Lamiaceae family) under water deficit conditions at the Research Farm of the Research Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran during the two crop years of 2017-2019. The experiment was performed as a factorial in a CRBD with three replications. Experimental factors included irrigation treatment at two levels of normal irrigation (non-stress, irrigation after draining 30% of F.C.) and deficit irrigation regime (irrigation after draining 50% of F.C.), and three levels of foliar application (control, salicylic acid 1 mM, and proline 1 mM). The essential oil from the aerial parts of the herb at early flowering stage was extracted by water distillation. According to the results, the highest content of chlorophyll a, b, and total (0.96, 0.45, and 1.39 mg/g, respectively) were observed in water deficit irrigation treatment. Also, application of water deficit stress increased the proline content by 70% compared to the control while it did not show a significant effect on the morphological traits of plant height, stem diameter, and plant dry weight. Salicylic acid as a defense factor reduced the negative effects of deficit irrigation conditions on the essential oil, proline, and chlorophylls a, b, and total contents. The highest and lowest contents of essential oils were obtained in foliar-application of proline (1.12 mL/100 g dry matter) and control (0.84 mL/100 g dry matter), respectively. In conclusion, the foliar-spraying of salicylic acid in conditions of deficit irrigation is recommended to reduce the negative effects of stress and increase the content of D. kotschyi essential oil.

In this study, ISSR marker was employed to measure the genetic diversity within and among 29 accessions of Ziziphora specie from different regions of Iran including Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z. capitata from 19, 5 and 5 geographical region, respectively. A total of 154 bands were amplified, and 86.67%, 81.13% and 84% were polymorphic in Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z. capitata, correspondingly. Average number of amplified bands for each primer in 29 accessions was 10.26, while average number of amplified bands for each primer in Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z.capitata was 3.8, 7.6 and 6.8, respectively. The most Polymorphic information content among tenuior, persica and capitata species belonged to UBC-805 (0.46), UBC-811 (0.35) and UBC-824 (0.37) primers respectively. The results of cluster analysis indicated that the ISSR marker could easily separate the tenuior species from the other two species, persica and capitata, although it was unable to separate the latter two species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that there is a significant differences within the samples. Indeed, 38% of the observed genetic diversity is related to genetic diversity between populations and 62% is related to genetic diversity within populations. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) demonstrated that the first two vectors explained an 80.3% of the total variance, which shows the high correlation of the selected primers. Therefore, with a smaller number of primers and, as a result, the cost, it is possible to separate the tenuior species from the other two species. Considering that the primers UBC-805, UBC-811 and UBC-812 in the tenuior species contained the most polymorphic information and marker index and also showed 100% polymorphism, they can be used as efficient primers to investigate genetic diversity in this species. Overall, high genetic diversity in the Ziziphora sp. plants were identified in this study, which can be useful in the management and maintenance of the germplasm of this plant.

In this experiment the effect of the foliar applications of proline, yeast extract, and urea on thegrowth, yield, and quality characteristics of active substance of hyssop was investigated. This study was done in a split plot experimentalin randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Shahrekord University in 2017. The main plot was sole cropping of fenugreek, sole cropping of hyssop, and three intercropping ratios i.e. %50 fenugreek + %50 hyssop, %25 fenugreek + %75 hyssop, and %75fenugreek + %25 hyssop. The sub-plot was four levels foliar sprayings i.e. non-spraying or control and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea.The results showed that the intercropping and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea were significantly affected on some characteristics of hyssop such as plant height, number of lateral branches and the contents of chlorophyll a and b. The amount of land equivalent ratio (LER) in the intercropping was more than hyssop monoculture. In addition, LER under the foliar spraying of proline, yeast, and ureawas higher in comparison with non-foliar application.The pattern planting and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea had significant impacts on the proline content in the hyssop plants. Also, effect of monoculture of hyssop on essential oil content and yield of hyssop wassignificant; however, the foliar application of proline, yeast, and ureahad not influences on two these characteristics. In conclusion, the intercropping hyssop with legume (fenugreek) and the foliar sprayingsof proline, yeast, and urea can improve somegrowth parameters and active substance or the quantity and quality essential oilof hyssop.

Cultivation of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge. in dry conditions requires the use of novel methods to obtain the highest yield of the effective medicinal substances. This investigation was done to investigate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) at 1 mM on the morpho-physiological and phytochemical traits of S. bachtiarica under water deficit conditions during two experimental years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) in Shahrekord, Iran. The experiment was performed as a factorial in a CRBD with three replications, which irrigation treatment in two levels [normal irrigation (irrigation after draining 30% F.C.) and deficit irrigation (irrigation after draining 50% F.C.)], and the foliar application at two levels (control and SA) were considered. The essential oil from the aerial parts of the herb was extracted by water distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The content of chlorophyll a, b and total at 663 and 645 nm, carotenoids at 470 nm and the content of proline at 520 nm were determined using a spectrophotometer. According to the results, water deficit stress caused the physiological and phytochemical changes in S. bachtiarica. As the amount of proline (139%), chlorophyll a (57%), b (46%) and total (55%), the essential oil content (7%) and carvacrol as the major compound (7%) increased under water deficit stress. The highest values of the essential oil content (1.67% v/w), the concentrations of carvacrol (45.7%) and p-cymene (18.6%) were obtained under deficit irrigation under SA. The maximum levels of thymol and β-caryophyllene were achieved from the herbs under deficit irrigation as well as SA foliar application. Totally, SA as a defense factor reduced the negative effects of deficit irrigation conditions on most of the evaluated traits. In conclusion, the foliar-spraying of salicylic acid is recommended for stabilize of the quantity and quality of the active substance yield of S. bachtiarica under water deficit stress.

Drought stress is a major environmental concern worldwide that limits crop growth on a large scale, and the use of biofertilizers and amino acid spraying is important to overcome this issue to improve crop production. For this purpose, a two-year study was conducted on Salvia officinalis L. in the form of split-split plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a farm located in Kangavar city of Kermanshah province.   The treatments of this experiment were Irrigation at two levels [50 and 100% of field capacity (F.C.)] which was placed in the main plots. The sub-factor included biofertilizer with three levels (control, mycorrhiza and cow manure) in the subplots and the sub-factor included foliar application of L-phenylalanine at four levels [no foliar application (negative control), solution spraying with distilled water (positive control), spraying with concentrations of 25% and 50% L-phenylalanine]. The highest amount and yield of essential oil were related to the interaction effects of irrigation treatments of 100% field capacity + cattle manure + 50% of L-phenylalanine with amounts of 3.5% and 24.41 kg/ha, respectively. In addition, the interaction effects of irrigation treatments were 100% field capacity + mycorrhiza + 50% L-phenylalanine with values 3.6% and 23.65 kg/ha, respectively.

Exopolysaccharides, compounds derived from the metabolites of probiotic bacteria, play an important role in regulating the immune system. Considering the role of culture medium in the production efficiency of exopolysaccharides, the aim of this investigation was to optimize the culture medium for the production of exopolysaccharides by Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. In addition, the effect of dextrose and sucrose on the production of exopolysaccharide was investigated using paper disks impregnated with probiotic culture medium. Then, the production efficiency and inhibitory power of exopolysaccharide free radicals were investigated in the culture medium after whey alone and with yeast extract and peptone. Sucrose as a carbon source of optimal culture medium for the production of exopolysaccharide is more suitable than dextrose. In addition, the production efficiency and inhibition of free radicals by exopolysaccharides of native probiotic strains in all culture media was significantly higher than commercial strains, which could be due to different enzyme mechanisms. In the cell wall of L. fermentum and L. plantarum is involved in the breakdown of sugars, which plays an important role in the formation of the final structure of the exopolysaccharide. Therefore, it is suggested that for L plantarum and L fermentum, YS culture medium with high production efficiency should be used and there is no significant difference for ATCC bacteria. For medicinal use, we recommend YD culture medium for NIMBB003 bacteria, SS culture medium for NIMBB014 bacteria, and SD culture medium for ATCC bacteria, which has better antioxidant properties and efficiency.

Essential oil is one of the most important natural products of damask rose petals (Rosa damascena Mill.). The presence of higher concentrations of aromatic compounds (β-citronellol and geraniol) in the damask rose essential oil indicates an important quality and standard indicator that foliar spraying may be effective in promoting this effective substance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcoholic and ketone foliar application on the chemical composition of R. damascena essential oil during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in a completely randomized design in a rose garden located in the south of Shahrekord, southwestern Iran. The essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation was analyzed using GC/MS. In this regard, 29 compounds were identified in the essential oil, the most important of which were β-citronellol and geraniol (alcoholic monoterpenes) and henicosan and nonadcan (alkane hydrocarbons). The results indicated that the best foliar treatment was 20% ethanol solution during two experimental years; the highest levels of β-citronellol (33%) and geraniol (18%) were obtained from the ethanol spraying (at 20%) compared to other treatments and controls. In addition, this treatment was at the lowest level in terms of the concentration of alkane hydrocarbons in essential oil as a negative indicator of aromatic compounds of the rose essential oil. The acetone foliar spraying had the highest amount of alkane hydrocarbons and the lowest percentage of aromatic compounds compared to control and other treatments. In correlation's Pearson coefficients analysis, the highest significant positive correlation was obtained between aromatic compounds (alcoholic monoterpenes) with each other and between alkane hydrocarbons, meanwhile negative and significant relationships were observed between these two groups of important compounds in the rose essential oil. Finally, it is suggested that to obtain the highest quality of the R. damascena essential oil under similar climatic conditions (cold and semi-arid), the ethanol foliar application with a concentration of 20% can be useful.

In order to improve the quantity and quality of medicinal plants, the use of natural substances such as amino acids have increased in recent years, which provide little information on their individual effects, as well as interaction with other fertilizer sources.

To investigate effect of different fertilizers and the foliar application of L-phenylalanine on nutritional elements of hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.)], an experiment was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications during two consecutive years of 2016 and 2017 in a field experiment at the experimental field, Shahrekord. The investigated factors were fertilizer treatments including chemical fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizers (animal and vermicompost) and a bio-fertilizer, mycorrhizal fungus (including Glomus genus) in the main plots and L-phenylalanine (at three levels: 0, 500, and 1000 mg/L) in sub plots.

Results indicated that the application of different fertilizers along L-phenylalanine at two studied concentrations (500 and 1000 mg/L) led to significant increase in the concentration of most nutrient elements including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micro elemts [Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu)] in the leaf were compared to the control. Among them, the application of fungal and vermicompost fertilizers, L-phenylalanine × fungal fertilization, and phenylalanine × vermicompost had highest effects on the increase of these traits. In conclusion, the results indicated that the application of organic fertilizers along with L-phenylalanine spraying at 1000 mg/L level has a beneficial role in the improvement of nutritional elements and dry matter yield of H. officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.).

The field experiment was carried out as spilt plot experiment with four replications based on a randomized complete block design at the University of Shahrekord's research farm in 2017-2018 to investigate the competitive indices and yield of two medicinal plant species, namely hyssop and fenugreek. The main plot has two soil moisture levels, with irrigation after drainage at 25 and 50% of field capacity. The sub-plot had five levels of planting pattern, including 100% hyssop, 100% fenugreek, hyssop 50%: fenugreek 50%, hyssop 75%: fenugreek 25%, and hyssop 25%: fenugreek 75% based on replacement series. The results showed that under drought stress, the land equivalent ratio (LER) of hyssop intercropped with fenugreek was higher than mono-cropping, with a significant difference (p£0.01). In this study, intercropping hyssop (50%) with fenugreek (50%) under mild stress increased the LER by 25.6% when compared to mono-cropping. When compared to mono-cropping, the average total relative density (K) increased in all intercropping ratios, and the total actual yield loss (ALYt) was positive in all intercropping ratios, indicating the usefulness of intercropping the two plants. Overall, the highest value of the system productivity index (SPI) was obtained in the intercropping hyssop (75%) with fenugreek (25%). Finally, intercropping hyssop with fenugreek can increase the productivity of a hyssop cultivation system.

Chitosan is a chitin-derived glosamine polysaccharide used as a bioelicitor to improve the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. To investigate the effect of chitosan elicitor on the quantity and quality of essential oil of Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius Bieb. under different irrigation regimes, a factorial experiment was conducted in the Research Center for Medicinal Plants, I.A.U., Shahrekord in the crop year 2017-2018 in a RCBD with four replications. Experimental factors included different concentrations of chitosan at three levels of 0, 0.25 and 0.50 g/L and irrigation regimes including 4, 6, and 10-day intervals. The essential oil of the flowering branches of the plant was extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevinger apparatus and phytochemically analyzed by GC/MS. The main compounds of the hyssop essential oil were trans-pinocampone, cis-pinocampone, β-pinene, myrtenol, α-thujene, α-pinene, sabinene, delta-3-carcene and camphor. The results showed that the effect of different concentrations of chitosan and irrigation regimes on the yield of essential oil was significant (P <0.01). Different concentrations of chitosan had a significant effect (P <0.01) on the amount of some compounds essential such as trans-pinocampone, cis-pinocampone and myrtenol. In addition, different irrigation regimes had a significant effect on the amount of some compounds such as trans-pinocampone and cis-pinocampone (P <0.01) and sabinene, α-pinene and β-pinene (P <0.05). The results indicated that the maximum essential oil yield and pinocampone, as the most important consituent of hyssop  is obtained from chitosan  at 0.5 g/L and irrigation once every 10 days. It seems that chitosan foliar application and increasing the intervals of irrigation period can be effective in increasing the yield and quantitative and qualitative properties of hyssop essential oil.

Jashir (Prangos spp.) is a medicinal plant and native plant to some parts of Iran that is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of many diseases. This study aimed to investigate the total phenol content and antioxidant activity of aerial parts of 80 populations belonging to seven species P. hausslmechtii, P. lophoptera, P. corymbosa, P. uloptera, P. acaulis, P. platychlaena, and P. ferulacea at the flowering stage in spring and summer 2018 in six provinces of Lorestan, Isfahan, Fars, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari as a randomized complete block design. Methanol extracts of plants were obtained by the maceration method. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and DPPH (1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) methods, respectively. ANOVA and Duncan's tests were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that there is a difference between populations and different species of Jashir genus in terms of total phenol content and antioxidant activity. The total phenol content of these extracts belonging to 80 populations was different and ranged from 17.59 to 1.76 mg gallic acid/g extract and their antioxidant activity ranged from 61.77 to 96.2%. The highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity were observed in populations 5 (P. acaulis) and 48 (P. platychloena), and the lowest amount obtained from populations 80 (P. platychloena) and 36 (P. platychloena). Among seven species of Prangos spp., the highest amount of total phenol content and antioxidant activity was found in P. uloptera and P. acaulis. Due to the high antioxidant properties of Prangos spp. and because of the possible carcinogenicity of synthetic antioxidants, different species of this genus especially P. uloptera and P. acaulis are suggested as suitable substitutes for preservatives. So they can be used as rich and accessible resources in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The most important safety and quality concern of pistachio export is its contamination with aflatoxin and oxidation and hydrolysis of fats. Therfore, this study is aimed at investigating the effects of red pepper, black pepper, and bell pepper extracts on the amount of aflatoxin production and oxidation process in pistachio and its sensory properties. For this purpose, the antifungal activity of pepper extracts was first evaluated, and then, after coating pistachio samples with each type of pepper extracts by 0.1, 0.5, and 1 % (v/w) including nine treatments and one control, Aspergillus flavus was inoculated to pistachio samples. Then, aflatoxin amount, peroxide value, and sensory properties were measured and evaluated during the days of first, 30th and 60th of storage. The results showed the highest radial growth of fungal mycelium in control and the lowest radial growth of colonies was observed in red pepper extract at concentration of 105 µL/L, which had a significant difference with other concentration of this extract and with similar concentrations of black and bell pepper extracts (P<0.05). The lowest amount of aflatoxin was obtianed from treatments containing 1% of red pepper and black pepper extracts and highest in the control sample. Also, the results indicated that with increasing the extracts concentration, the peroxide value and sensory desirability decreased significantly. Treatment containing 0.5% of red pepper extract had the highest sensory desirability, and the extracts of 0.5% bell pepper and 0.5% black pepper were afterwards. The studied pepper extracts had a significant effect on reducing the amount of aflatoxin and improving the sensory properties of pistachio compared to the control during storage, and in general, pistachio sample coated with 0.5% red pepper extract is introduced as the best treatment.

Iranian sweet basil (Ocimum ciliatum L.) and great sweet basil (O. basilicum L.) belonging to the family Lamiaceae are the most important aromatic, culinary and medicinal herbs, which widely cultivated in many countries. The areal parts especially, stem and leaves of sweet basil before flowering are widely used to enhance the flavor of foods such as salads, pasta, tomato products, vegetables, pizza, meat, soups, marine foods, confectioneries and other products.

Experimental:

 Phytochemical response of two basil species to different fertilizers including C (control), CM (cow manure 20 ton ha−1), CM + CF (cow manure 20 ton ha−1 + chemical fertilizers N.P.K), CM + CF (cow manure 10 ton ha−1+ chemical fertilizers N.P.K), CF (chemical fertilizers, N.P.K), and VC (vermicompost) was evaluated in a factorial experimental based RCBD at the field, Southwestern Iran. The hydro-distillated essential oils were analyzed using GC-FID and GC/MS.

Results indicated that interaction effects of fertilizers and basil species had significant influences on some main components such as methyl chavicol (estragole), neral, and geranial. The maximum percentage of methyl chavicol was achieved from the applied CM in green basil. The highest value for essential oil yield was observed from the applied CM + CF.

Recommended applications/industries: 

The application of organic fertilizer can be a promising strategy in achieving sustainable production of medicinal and aromatic plants such as Iranian basil.

Verbascum songaricum Schrenk. as a perennial herb belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family has good therapeutic properties. The application of bio-elicitors increases secondary metabolites in sustainable agricultural systems and the improvement of the quality of active ingredients of medicinal plants. In order to evaluate the foliar-applied salicylic acid on phytochemical properties of the leaf and flower of mulch, the present study was done in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at the field of research center for medicinal plants of Shahrekord during 2016 and 2017. Foliar application of salicylic acid at three levels (control, 0.5 and 1 mM /L) was applied on the flower in three replications in three growth stages of plant. Total phenol content (TPC) in the leaves and flowers was determined by spectrophotometric method and the phenolic acid amount was determined based on gallic acid and flavonoids (flavonol quercetin) in the extracts by HPLC. According to the results, the effect of salicylic acid on the TPC, phenolic acid and flavonoids in the flower (as the main part of plant) extract of the plant was significant. In conclusion, the foliar application of salicylic acid promotes of polyphenolic compounds by 26% in the amount of flavonoids (flavonol quercetin) in flowers and 20% in the amount of phenolic acids (gallic acid) in flowers of Verbascum songaricum.

This study was investigated, the effect of foliar application of different levels of putrescine on physiological, biochemical traits, and essential oil content of Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) under drought stress.

The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. The first factor was drought stress at three levels (75, 50, and 25% of field capacity) and the second factor was putrescine foliar application at four levels (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mM). Four seedlings were planted in each pot. Stress was applied when the plants reached a height of about 25 cm. Putrescine was sprayed one week before flowering and every 7 days until the 80% flowering stage.

The results showed that 2 mM foliar application of putrescine was more effective than other concentrations and was able to greatly reduce the harmful effects of drought stress on this plant. With the increasing drought, antioxidant activity, total phenol, proline, and electrolyte leakage also increased, and in contrast, the relative content of leaf water, photosynthetic pigments, and soluble protein decreased. Drought also increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the amount of malondialdehyde in this plant. With increasing drought stress up to 50% of field capacity and foliar application of 1 mM putrescine, the essential oil content of Mexican marigold increased, while under severe stress (25% of field capacity) is decreased. Putrescine decreased by inducing drought resistance. The activity of antioxidant enzymes and the amount of malondialdehyde.

The use of putrescine induced resistance to drought stress in Mexican marigold, and the use of a concentration of 2 mM can be effective and recommended.

Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), belongs to the family Lamiaceae is a known herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders and give fragrance to different food and beverage products. In this study, the effects of the foliar spray of L-phenylalanine on essential oil content and chemical composition of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), at field condition in Horeh, Saman city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, southwestern Iran, were investigated.

This study was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments were including three levels of the foliar application of L-phenylalanine including 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/L. Distilled water was used as a control.

The essential oil contents of the treatments ranged between 0.11 to 0.19% (v/w). Statistical analysis indicated that there were significant differences among treatments for essential oil contents of M. officinalis. Neral, Z-Citral, E-Citral, Geranial, Citronellal and β-Caryophyllene were the six major compounds of M. officinalis essential oil. The results indicated that the foliar application of L-phenylalanine have significant impacts on main constitutes of the essential oil and generally the application of L-phenylalanine spraying have beneficial and effective role in improving the essential oil content and some of chemical composition of lemon balm.

The plant biostimulants as environmentally friendly products can be effective for increasing the quantity and quality of lemon balm essential oil. Application of L-phenylalanine can be a promising strategy in achieving organic production of medicinal plants such as lemon balm.

Lead as a heavy metal and permanent chemical contaminant threat the health of environment and alive creatures through different artificial and natural sources. In order to investigate the effect of methyl jasmonate and lead stress on growth characteristics, the adsorption and accumulation of lead and hazardous index in basil, a pot factorial experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design in research greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The treatments consisted of three levels of lead nitrate (0, 200 and 400 mg/kg soil), and methyl jasmonate spraying in three concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1 mM). The mean comparison of data represented the reduction in all the studied morphological traits and increasing the amount of lead in the leave and root of the plant and hazardous index with increasing lead stress levels and spraying with methyl jasmonate could partly improve some of these traits. So that spraying with 1 mM methyl jasmonate cause to increase 6.01% inflorescence length and cause to decrease lead amount of the eave 96.56, 79.31 and 99.20%, respectively and hazardous index, however, at o.5 mM methyl jasmonate cause to increase the number of branches and aerial fresh weight, 27.66 and 9.84%, respectively. Therefore, it seems that application of methyl jasmnate on stress conditions could improve partly the traits and so in some cases 1 mM methyl jasmonate concentration cause to decrease some morphological traits. Therefore, application of o.5 mM methyl jasmonate on lead stress is recommendable.

In order to evaluate the effect of foliar application iron and zinc fertilizers in two forms of sulphate and nano particles on the essential oil content and composition of peppermint under salinity stress, an pot experiment as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. Treatments of the experiment were salinity stress in four levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 mM NaCl) and fertilizer spraying in five levels (control, 1500 mg/L of iron sulphate, 300 mg/L of nano iron, 1500 mg/L of zinc sulphate, and 300 mg/L of nano zinc). Plant samples were harvested at flowering stage and dried under shadow conditions. Application of zinc and iron fertilizers, especially as nano form, improved the biomass of the plant, and the best biomass of peppermint was observed in the treatment of iron nano-fertilizers application. The results showed that nano iron treatment under salinity conditions of 40 and 80 mM NaCl causes 13.96 and 25.13% increase in oil content compared to control plants. The highest amount of menthol (42.22%) was related to the 80 mM salinity and spraying of nano iron. The lowest amount of menthol (31.57%) was observed in the 120 mM salt stress and application of nano iron. According to results of this research, the salinity stress of 40 and 80 mM could have a positive effect on the menthol amount of peppermint oil. Generally, nano iron causes the improvement in the content and main compositions of essential oil and the biomass of peppermint under salinity stress.

Jashir (Prangos spp.) is forage, medicinal and indigenous herb from some parts of Iran that is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of many diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of altitude on morphological traits and essential oil compounds of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. at the flowering stage in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iran. For this purpose, 10 plants were selected from each of three altitudes (2000-1600, 2400-2000 and 2800-2400 m above sea level). Measurements were made for 30 morphological traits and essential oil content and compositions of the plants in each altitude. Result of one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference among altitudes classes (p < /em><0.01) for most of traits. The results showed that with increasing altitude, the number of branches, the number of leaves per plant and the number of primary leaflets decreased and the number of umbrellas per plant, leaf length, internode length, fresh and dry weight of plant increased. Significant correlations were observed between some important morphological traits such as (leaf number and umbrellas number, leaf length, internode length, fresh and dry weights) with the essential oil content. Path coefficients analysis of morphological traits showed that altitude had the greatest effect on the canopy diameter (P = 0.733) and leaf width (P= 0.857). In total, 22 compounds of essential oil were identified in three different altitude classes. The major compounds were Δ-3-carene, α-pinene, (Z)-β-ocimene, myrcene, β-phellandrene, and α-terpinolene. Altitude had a negative effect on the essential oil yield. Overall, the results of this study showed that the many of the studied traits in P. ferulacea were strongly affected by altitude and there were significant differences among the three altitude classes. Finally, the observed diversity can be related to the role of altitude and the genetic structure of the populations, which can also be considered as a kind of adaptation and physiological response of Jashir to environmental conditions.

In edible oil refining, the bleaching treatment is a essential step. The adsorbents used for bleaching can remove pigments and other impurities, such as soap, trace metals, phospholipids, and oxidation products. The removal of these impurities improves the sensory quality and the oxidative stability of the deodorized oil.Considering the importance of bleaching in edible oil purification, in this research sunflower oil was selected and the effect of bleaching on chemical properties in order to optimization the process was investigated. For this matter, the effect of time (15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 min), temperature (80, 90, 100, 110, and 120˚C), and concentration of bleaching clay (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, and 1.2%) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in 5 levels by CCD method have been studied with the aim of reduction in bleaching clay consumption. Chemical tests were carotenoid, sterol, tocopherol, heavy metals. Results indicated that the best situation in corn oil was time 39.18min, temperature 103.85˚C, and concentration of bleaching clay 94% that meet 57% of our desirable demands. Practical results showed no significant difference between software suggestions and practical data.