مجله تحقیقات گیاهان دارویی و معطر ایران
سال سی و چهارم شماره 4 (پیاپی 90، مهر و آبان 1397)

Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. is belonging to the Lamiaceae family. In this study, five populations of M. astracanicum (Derak, the west of Dasht Arjan, Bavanat-Simakan (Lakposhti), Ghorogh Abolmahdi (Pasargad) and Sadra areas) from Fars province were collected. After drying the plant samples, the essential oils (EOs) were extracted from the aerial parts by using the Clevenger Apparatus, and analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Methanolic extract was prepared by maceration method and analyzed by HPLC for polyphenolic compounds. EO yields were from 0.21 to 0.34% (w/w) based on dried material. The major constituents of the EOs were n-decane, n-dodecane, germacreneD, n-hexadecanoicacid, (E)-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, phytol, n-tricosane, n-pentacosane, n-heneicosane and caryophyllene oxide. The 12 major compounds were analyzed by Minitab V.14 software. The findings of chemical compounds showed that despite the difference in height and climate, Sadra region was more similar to Derak and Lakposhti Bavanat. The standards of gallic acid, quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid chlorogenic acid were measured in the wavelengths of 280nm and and 320nm. The amount of polyphenols varied in different areas. Our results showed that the height and climate in each area caused the variation of polyphenolic compounds.

In order to investigate the effects of biological fertilizers application and various amounts of urea fertilizers under the water stress conditions on yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and effective ingredients of Calendula officinalis L., an experiment was implemented during the two cultivation years of 2015-2106 and 2016-2017. The study was conducted at the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva Branch. The experiment was performed in three replications as a split-split plot in a completely randomized blocks design. The experimental treatments included two levels of water stress as (the main factor): the absence of water stress (control) and irrigation cut off at the budding stage, as well as, four levels of biological fertilizers (as sub-factor) (no use), the application of Azotobacter (Chroococum), the application of Azospirillum (Brasilense), and combined application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum. Urea fertilizer sources were also classified (sub-factor) in four levels including no use (control), recommended amount of sulfur coated urea fertilizer (175 kg/ha of recommended amount of fertilizer), 75% of recommended amount of sulfur coated urea fertilizer (131 kg/ha), and the recommended amount of urea fertilizer without coating at 175 kg/ha. The results showed that irrigation cut off at budding stage resulted in reduced flower yield, biological yield, the amount of nitrogen, nitrogen use efficiency (crop efficiency), and nitrogen uptake efficiency. However, it resulted in the increased nitrogen use efficiency, α-cadinol, and morolol. In addition, in both years of experiment, the combined use of Azotobacter and Azospirillum, along with the recommended amount of sulfur coated urea fertilizer resulted in the increased content of α-cadinol. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was achieved under non-water stress conditions and the combined use of bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) and the use of 75% of the recommended amount of sulfur coated urea fertilizer. In the second year, the lack of water stress and the combined use of bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) and the recommended amount of sulfur coated urea fertilizer also resulted in a significant reduction in nitrogen use efficiency. In the first and second years, the lack of water stress and the combined use of Azotobacter and Azospirillum and the recommended amount of sulfur coated urea fertilizer resulted in increased flower yield and biological yield.

The use of organic materials and nano-fertilizers to control the release of nutrients could be an effective step towards achieving sustainable agriculture. Drought stress is the most important factor limiting the growth and yield of medicinal plants including marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). This experiment was conducted under field conditions in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications (replication in place) in the Research Farm of the Urmia and Salmas Agricultural Research Center. The first factor was irrigation method at two levels including normal irrigation and irrigation cut in the beginning of flowering, and the second factor was priming treatments in seven levels including the seeds primed with nano fertilizers (iron oxide, zinc oxide and oxide with concentrations of two in thousands) and the seeds primed with organic material (humic acid, 72 mg/L, salicylic acid 2000 micromole and ascorbic acid 200ppm) and control. The results indicated that the priming of seeds with nano materials and priming with organic materials caused an increased plant height, number of capitol, fresh and dry weight of the plant, fresh and dry weight of root, grain yield, harvest index, essential oil percentage, and mineral phosphorus percentage as well as increased quantitative and qualitative yield of marigold, especially in drought stress conditions. Therefore, its application could be recommended for sustainable and organic agriculture.

One of the most important methods of conservation and survival of plants in nature is the cultivation and domestication of plant species to select the best population. According to the necessity of cultivating and domesticating medicinal plants, in this research, 22 accessions of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch were planted and evaluated in the Alborz Research Station, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. This research was performed in a randomized complete block design during 2013-2015. In order to study and compare the morphological characteristics of different accessions of this plant, the plant height, canopy cover, number of main stems, number of capitol per plant, number of florets in capitol, plant fresh and dry weight, and essential oil content were measured at 50% flowering. The extraction was carried out by water distillation method with Clevenger. Analysis of variance and mean comparison showed that the difference among the accessions was significant at 1% level. The results showed that Saqez 1 had the highest plant height, plant dry weight, number of capitol and florets and essential oil content. The correlation between the study characteristics was significant at 1% level; however, no significant correlation was found between essential oil content and other characteristics except for the number of capitol. Using the principal component analysis, the first five components explained 99% of the total variance of the variables. Canopy cover, plant height, number of stems, number of capitol, and plant fresh and dry weight, with a positive coefficient, had the most important role in explaining the first component and explained 75% of the variance of the variables. In the cluster analysis, the accessions were divided into three groups, and the Saqez1 accession was placed in a separate cluster as an indicator.

Due to the limitation of using poisons in controlling storage pests and the risk of creating intoxication by chemical poisons for endotherms, the need to use poisons with lower risk such as plant compounds is felt more than before. Plant extracts and essential oils are consistent with nature and they could be used in foodstuff for pest control. In this study, the respiratory toxicity of essential oils of Cuminum cyminum L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. and oral toxicity of C. cyminum extract were examined on Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller). Extraction from C. cyminum was done by the alcoholic method and essential oils of C. cyminum and R. officinalis were extracted using Clevenger apparatus. The C. cyminum extract was provided for pests through food plates, but essential oils were used by fumigation method. The experiments were performed in controlled laboratory conditions at a temperature of 27±1ºC and a relative humidity of 50±5% and a photoperiod of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness. The impact of each material on the mortality percentage of larva and pupas and the length of larval period were studied and compared with each other. According to the results, the essential oil of C. cyminum showed the highest mortality percentage on the pests as compared with the essential oil of C. cyminum extract and R. officinalis. Therefore, regarding the positive impact of these combinations on pest losses, the use of this extract and essential oils could be a good alternative to control pests in food stores, silos etc.

Lichens are small environments containing two fungus and algae symbiosis. They are one of the richest sources of natural ingredients with anti-tumor, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties, some of which are used as drugs and for the treatment of certain diseases. This research was aimed to identify and determine the amount of betolin and betulinic acid as well as evaluation of the antioxidant activity of lichen Betula pendula Roth. Roth.and its symbiotic fungus. It was found that the lichen isolated from the bark of birch contained bioactive compounds entitled Raminalina sinensis. The symbiotic fungus (Arthrinium arundinis) was detected by the molecular method. This fungus belongs to the ascomycetes, registered for the first time in the NCBI website with MG198621 code. In the extract of lichen and its symbiotic fungus, the amount of betulinic acid and betulinic acid was determined using HPLC. Betulinic acid and betulin, belonging to the terpenes, are known as a strong anticancer agent. The mentioned ingredientswere significantly found in the lichen tissue(2.17 and 0.075 percent, respectively) and in its symbiotic fungus A. arundinis (1.6 and 0.025 percent, respectively). In this way, the lichen and its symbiotic fungus are introduced for the first time as new sources containing these two active ingredients. Measurement of antioxidant properties of lichen extract and its symbiotic fungus was examined by methanol and ethanol solvents. It was found that the lichen extract and the symbiotic fungus, besides having alternative metabolites, have antioxidant properties, which are able to remove toxic free radicals. These results could have valuable effects in medicine and industry.

This research was aimed to investigate the effects of sowing date and irrigation regimes on phytochemical attributes of guar genotypes. The study was conducted in a split-split plot randomized block design including two sowing dates (15th and 30th July), four irrigation regimes, and three genotypes with three replication for two seasons (2015 and 2016). The seeds were harvested and ethanolic extraction was prepared to analyze physicochemical traits such as antioxidant activity, phenol, tannin, protein, viscosity, galactomannan content, etc. The results showed that there were significant differences (P≤0.01%) between sowing date and irrigation regimes in case of phytochemical traits, seed protein, galactomannan content, and minerals. The range of galactomannan content was 28-33%, where the maximum galactomannan level (33.8%) was recorded for the interaction of late sowing date × four- stage irrigation schedule. Among the genotypes studied, the third genotype (RGC-1066) had the highest antioxidant activity and gum protein percentage. There is no significant difference among the genotypes for other characteristics. Late sowing date, G3 (RGC-1066) and four-stage irrigation schedule during growth cycle were the best treatments. The results of this study showed that guar planting in the study area is positively evaluated in terms of mineral materials, protein content, and gum viscosity; therefore, its development can be recommended in the agronomic program.

In order to evaluate the effects of silicone nano oxide coated with humic acid and salicylic acid on some morphological parameters and ionic composition of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) under salinity stress, two set of experiments were conducted (in lab. and greenhouse) during 2016-2017. First, silicone nano oxide was coated by different concentrations of humic acid (40-1600 mg l-1) in the presence of salicylic acid (pH=4) and at different times (0.5 to 120 hours) to maximize the coverage and energy absorption. Then, the effects of coated silicone nano oxide were evaluated in salinity stress in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks with four replications. The salinity treatment was applied in three levels including 2 ds m-1 as control, 3.5 and 5 ds m-1 with irrigation. The coated silicone nano oxide treatments included 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 g l-1, applied via irrigation at two growth stages of black cumin (vegetative and reproductive). The results of laboratory experiment showed that by increasing humic acid concentration and exposure time (in presence of salicylic acid), the carbon adsorption rate increased from 6.6 to 11.9 mg g-1. However, the size of silicone nano oxide was not significantly different (20 to 30 nanometers). Results of analysis of variance showed that changes in dry weight of shoot, root, plant height, shoot/root ratio, number of branches, relative water content, and potassium in the salinity treatments and coated nanoparticles were independently significant. It is concluded that the silicone nano oxide coated with humic acid and salicylic acid can result in increased salinity tolerance of the black cumin through reducing the amount and frequency of these materials.

Organic manure can be used as an alternative for chemical fertilizers in sustainable agriculture. Hence, compared with sole cropping systems, intercropping is a promising approach for crop production due to the lesser reliance on chemical fertilizer. In order to evaluate the effects of intercropping on yield and essential oil of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) under organic manure and chemical fertilizers, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahrekord University research farm in 2016. Sole cropping of soybean (S) and dill (D) accompanied by three intercropping ratios of them (S:D 2:1, S:D 1:1, and S:D 1:2) were evaluated as the first factor, and two sources of fertilizer (chemical fertilizer, and broiler litter) as the second factor. The results showed that the highest dry matter yield of dill (1001.48 kg ha-1) and essential oil yield of dill (18.47 kg ha-1) was observed in the one-row dill + two-row soybean. The maximum essential oil percentage of dill (2.64%) was achieved in sole crop under organic manure. The highest pod/ plant (47.50) and seed yield of soybean (2192 kg ha-1) were dedicated to the two-row dill+one-row soybean under organic manure. The maximum land equivalent ratio (1.19) was achieved in treatment of one-row dill + two-row soybean under organic manure. According to the results, treatment of one-row dill + two-row soybean under organic manure had the highest land equivalent ratio, and produced a large amount of dill essential oil; therefore, it was considered as the superior treatment.

Development and implementation of effective and useful programs for the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal species is possible only by identifying plant and ecological characteristics. Astragalus fasciculifolius Bioss. belonging to the Fabaceae family, is a valuable medicinal species. This species plays an effective role in treatment of heart disease, inhibition of cancer cell growth, and eliminating the chemotherapy effects due to the presence of compounds such as saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. In this study, the distribution map of this species was prepared using available resources, and then climatic characteristics, physical and chemical analysis of soil, different phenological stages, and associated plants in the region were recorded. The results of this study showed that this plant is distributed in the cities of Khash, Saravan, Soran and Mehrestan. According to the Demartonne method, the climate of this region is arid. The average annual precipitation, relative humidity, and an average temperature of these habitats are 52 mm, 20%, and 25°C, respectively. This species is distributed between approximately 1300 and 1500 m above sea level, on the slopes and mainly in the waterways, in the bed of seasonal rivers, and in all directions, especially the northern direction and the slope between 0 to 75%. The soil texture of habits is mainly sandy loam with the pH range of 6.73 to 8.28, EC range of 0.56 to 1.06 ds/m, and 30.64-50.62% lime. A. fasciculifolius is a drought tolerant species which is capable of growing under dry climatic conditions with an average annual rainfall of less than 30mm.

Squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich.) is a wild species that is native to temperate regions of Asia, North Africa, and Europe. This plant is one of the most important medicinal plants in the world. In the present study, morphological and biochemical traits of squirting cucumber ecotypes were investigated from three natural habitats in Ardabil province including Germi, Bilesuar-Anjirlooin and Parsabad regions (10 genotypes per region). The results showed that Parsabad ecotypes had large fruits and higher chlorophyll and carotenoids content. Since the genetic diversity of this plant is not been thoroughly investigated, the genetic diversity of three squirting cucumber ecotypes were examined by using ISSR markers. To assess the genetic similarity between samples a cluster analysis was performed using Jacquard. Among primers, the primer ISSR-13 showed the most polymorphism (46%). The lowest genetic similarity was found between the two genotypes of Bilesuar and Germi population. Cluster analysis of molecular data was categorized into five groups. This preliminary study demonstrated that ISSR markers were an effective method to evaluate genetic variability among squirting cucumber plant genotypes.

In order to investigate the effects of Plant Growth Promothing Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, yield, flowering and biochemical content of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), an experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and four replications during the 2015-2016 in the Faculty of Agriculture of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The treatments included Entrobacter closea R13, Entrobacter closea R33, Pseudomonas sp., chemical fertilizers (NPK), and control (no fertilizer). The results of the experiment showed that the highest flower number per square meter, leaf number, stem branches, receptacle diameter, and capitol diameter were observed in E. closea R13, while the highest capitol fresh and dry weight was found in E. closea R33. Moreover, the most leaf phosphorus and nitrogen content, and leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids content were observed in the plots incubated with E. closea R13. The highest and lowest total phenolic content was found in the Entrobacter treatment and control, respectively. Mean comparison of treatment effects showed that the effects of E.closea R33 were similar to E. closea R13 in most parameters and there was no significant difference between them. According to the positive and additive effects of PGPR on calendula plants, the PGPR could be recommended as an alternative to chemical fertilizers to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers and guaranty the production of medicinal plants, free of chemicals.

Higher plants are self-supporting organisms that can build their organic molecular compounds from mineral nutrients absorbed from the environment. Therefore, sufficient access to the optimum level of nutrients in the environment is very important. The main objective of this study was to determine the nutritional requirements of different ecotypes of henna (Lowsonia inermis L.) as a medicinal- industrial plant (Bam, Shahdad and Roodbar) based on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N: K: P, 0: 0: 0, 100: 50: 50 , 200: 100: 100, 300: 200: 150 Kg ha-1) in Kerman climatological condition. The results showed that the interaction of ecotype × fertilizer was significant only for leaf and total dry yield at the probability level of 5%. Mean comparison of this interaction showed that all three examined ecotypes had the highest leaf dry yield in the fertilizer ratio of 300: 200: 150 and did not have a significant difference with each other. The effect of ecotype was significant only on net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance and the highest mean of these traits belonged to the Shahdad ecotype. In this study, the simple effect of fertilizer treatment was significant for all traits studied except for specific leaf area and specific leaf weight. The highest mean of leaf area index, net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance was recorded for the 300: 200: 150 fertilizer ratio, while in the case of transpiration rate and crop growth rate there was no significant difference between 300: 200: 150 and 200: 100: 100 combination treatments. In general, in order to achieve maximum crop growth rate and suitable leaf area index to produce the highest leaf dry yield of henna in Shahdad and Roodbar ecotypes, the fertilizer ratio of 300: 200: 150, and in the Bam ecotype, the fertilizer ratio of 200: 100: 100 under similar conditions of this study seems to be appropriate.