Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-products
Volume:9 Issue: 1, Winter and Spring 2020

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni importance and value have been proved in the world because of its alternative potential as natural sugar and in vitro production benefits. Tissue culture of this plant was considered in order to get the best regeneration condition. In this study, proliferation of branches and rooting were measured as a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. There were two types of shoot induction hormone treatments including BAP and Kin in 0 (control sample), 0.25 and 0.5 mg/lit concentrations and two root induction hormone treatments of IBA and NAA in vitro condition. Traits were measured after 45 days on branch, leaf and root. Results showed the most branch length and root volume with 0.25 mg/lit of Kin hormone and the most root length with 0.25 mg/lit concentration of IBA. The highest rooting was related to IBA hormone in 0.5 mg/lit concentration. According tocorrelation analysis between traits, positive and significant correlation was reported. Cluster analysis grouped shoot treatment with BAP in two 0.25 and 0.5 mg/lit concentrations in one group and Kin with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/lit concentrations in another group. Also, these treatments showed the most similarity. Also, IBA root treatment with 0.25 mg/lit concentration had the most difference in comparison with other hormone treatments. According to the HPLC results, increasing of rooting hormones concentrations (NAA and IBA) leaded to leaf Stevioside increasing. Totally, hormone treatments resulted significant differences between control and treated plants. That had positive effects on plant regeneration.

Nowadays, the use of bio-organic compounds has been increased due to adverse effects of chemical fertilizers in production of medicinal plants. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil amendments (bio-organic and inorganic fertilizers) on plant growth, physiological and biochemical properties of medic savory [Satureja macrantha (Makino) Kudô]. The experiment included nine treatments to be NPK (50:25:25 kg ha−1), vermicompost (VC) (5 t ha-1), NPK +VC, Thiobacillus (T), T + VC, T + sulfur (S) (250 kg ha−1), T+S 500 kg ha−1, Glomus mosseae, and control (untreated plants). Plant height, the number of branches and crown area gradually increased with the application of soil amendments. Accordingly, the simultaneous application of VC and NPK fertilizer significantly increased the amount of these traits compared to other experimental treatments. According to the effect of combined amounts of inorganic, organic, and bio-fertilizers, it was noted that the combination of VC and NPK fertilizer gave the highest chlorophyll content. In both years, soil amendments used in our study gradually increased the total soluble sugar (TSS) and relative water content (RWC) compared to control. Higher essential oil (EO) content and yield were observed under the combination of VC and NPK in comparison toother soil amendments. Our results suggest the simultaneous application of VC and NPK to meet the optimum growth and EO yield of medic savory.

This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of foliar application of magnesium oxide (MgO) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles on the amount of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) as a medicinal plant by a factorial design in a randomized complete block design with four replications within the year of 2017 in Hashtgerd and Dehak areas. The first factor of the experiment consisted of different concentrations of MgO nanoparticles (zero (control), 0.01 and 0.03%), and the second factor included different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles (zero (control), 0.01 and 0.03%). The results of combined variance analysis of the two tested location indicated that the simple effect of each location treatment, different concentrations of MgO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles and the interactions of different concentrations of MgO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the values of hydrogen peroxide, flavonoids, anthocyanin and activity levels of the enzymes of catalase and peroxidase were significant. The final results of this study showed that MgO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles had an additive and significant effect on flavonoids, anthocyanin and the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes in comparison with the control treatment, and had a decreasing effect on hydrogen peroxide of this plant. Also, the results showed that the interactions of 0.03% MgO nanop for governing and/or coordinating plant growth under stress conditions articles and 0.03% Fe2O3 nanoparticles had an effect on the control treatment. It was also found that the Roselle bushes planted in Dehak region had the higher content of anthocyanin and flavonoids, and activity levels of catalase and peroxidase enzymes, and had the lower levels of hydrogen peroxide, compared with those planted in Hashtgerd area.

Peel and pulp of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berries contain a wide range of bioactive compounds that may be responsible for their biological activities. Phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes of wild grape accessions from the West Azerbaijan province were investigated in different fractions of berries, i.e., peel and pulp fractions. The total phenol (TP) content ranged from 139.29-843.10 and 151.67-416.91 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per 100 g in the peel and pulp, respectively. The highest level of antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes activities (Catalase (CAT)and Superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in all the native accessions was observed in peel fraction. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that genotypic effect is more pronounced toward peel antioxidant activity based on 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhy (DPPH) assay and pulp total anthocyanin (TA) of grape berries. The present study displays the potential of native grape accessions studied for improvement of nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programs.

It is important to investigate and develop the strategies and methodologies to maintain the sustainability of plant production. A two-year field study was performed to evaluate calendula response to individual form and also mixtures of selected bio organic fertilizers. The effects of co-inoculation of two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), humic acid (HA), vermicompost (VC), and combinations of these bio organics were investigated in two calendula cultivars, Isfahan multi petalled (MP) and single petalled (SP). The experimental design was a factorial randomized complete block with three replicates. Based on the combined analysis of two years, mean flower yield was highest for the MP cultivar treated by VC + PGPR. Flower essential oil was higher in the MP cultivar than the SP cultivar and did not vary with fertilizers. The highest harvest index of flowers obtained from the MP cultivar treated by HA + PGPR. Furthermore, nutrient contents of leaves increased by fertilizers and combined application of bio organics gave the highest values of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in calendula leaves. The present results indicate that the selected bio organic fertilizers can be used to obtain higher levels of quality and yield in sustainable agricultural practices.

Nowadays, the use of medicinal plants has increased and rangelands are the main sources of these plants. Excessive harvesting has resulted in degradation and reduction of diversity. Cultivation or seeding in nature could reduce the process of destruction, but the seed germination capacity of these species is limited. Methods of seed enhancement such as seed priming can improve these problems. In this research, the possibility of germination improvement of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. was investigated by using potassium nitrate treatment. Different concentrations of 0, 1, 2 and 3 percent of the solution of KNO3 were applied for 24 and 48 hours at 25 °C. An experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement with a completely randomized design with three replications. The germination components (germination percentage, germination rate, seedling, root length, shoot length, seedling length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight) were measured in laboratory conditions (petri dish) and cultivation trays. Also, the leaf area index determined. Results showed significant differences in time interaction and different concentrations of KNO3 in germination rate, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, seedling dry weight and leaf area index. In the experiments designed in the petri dish, the interaction between time and various concentrations of KNO3 affected all measured factors except shoot and seedling dry weight (P<0.01). The optimum treatment was 1% concentration and 24 hours, which is caused a significant increase compared to control in the studied traits.

The Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss.is a wild-growing flowering plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and has been used as a medicinal herb for rheumatoid diseases, headaches, congestion, stomach disorders, liver treatment. In order to study the effects of dryland farming system on some agronomical and physiological traits of D. kotschyi, two separate experiments were conducted in three locations of, Mashad (Golmakan station), Quchan (5km in the northeast of city) and Bojnord (Sisab station) under normal irrigation and dryland farming systems in 2018. The collected data were combined analysis over three locations and mean comparisons were made using Tukey method. The results showed significant effects of locations for all of the traits except carbohydrate contents. Effect of farming system was also significant for all traits. Farming system by location interaction effects were significant for aerial fresh and dry weigh, 1000 seeds weight, proline, DPPH, flavonoid, protein, chlorophyll a, carotenoid, nitrogen and potassium. Result showed the location of Quchan had significantly higher mean values for many of traits followed by Mashad. In comparisons between two method of cultivations, the lower and higher values of plant height (20.6 vs. 25.3 cm), main branch (13.1 vs. 14.9 per plant), leaf area (38.9 vs. 48.3 mm2), flower number (14.6 vs. 23.1 per plant), fresh weight (295 vs. 888 g/plant), dry weight (80 vs. 244 g/plant), 1000 seeds weight (0.27 vs. 0.35 g), Protein (9.74 vs. 11.06%), chlorophyll a (7.47 vs. 8.19 mg g-1FW), carotenoid (0.08 vs. 0.11 mg g-1FW), nitrogen (1.43 vs. 1.77%) and phosphorus (13.89 vs. 20.79 ppm) were obtained in dryland and irrigation farming, respectively. In contrast, the higher and lower values of internode length (4.11 vs. 3.71 cm), proline (1.44 vs. 0.77 mg g-1FW), DPPH (0.39 vs. 0.19 mg g-1FW), phenol (0.83 vs. 0.67 mg g-1FW), flavonoid (0.60 vs. 0.47 mg g-1FW), carbohydrate (8.2 vs. 6.2 mg g-1FW), and potassium (4.2 vs. 3.7%) were obtained in dryland farming system.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is popular as an alternative to standard medicine for a variety of problems and its essential oil is widely used in pharmacology. The isolation of good quality DNA is the pre-requisite for molecular research. Due to high amounts of polysaccharides, polyphenols and various secondary metabolites, DNA extraction from lemon balm is problematic. In this study, three different CTAB based methods by some modification were compared for the isolation of high‑quality genomic DNA from lemon balm. The DNA from the leaves of five lemon balm ecotypes was extracted using CTAB methods A (with PVP and phenol), B (PVP, Proteinase K and Na acetate) and C (PVP, Tri sodium citrate and NaCl). The quality of DNA samples was determined by physical appearance, agarose gel electrophoresis, spectrophometer, PCR amplification and restriction. Based on the results of various DNA quality analysis, the CTAB method C was found to be the most efficient one. Method C was found to be the most efficient DNA extraction method for lemon balm providing high DNA yields with better quality, in short time with less cost. It could affordable for DNA extraction from medicinal plants with similar secondary metabolites content.

The genus Achillea L. (Compositae) widely use as medicinal plant possessing several pharmacological effects due to presence of active compounds. In order to study of seed priming effects on seedling growth of yarrow, a factorial experiment, based on randomized complete design with three replications was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Research Institute of Forests and Rangeland (RIFR) for one year. Experimental factors were a) three Achillea millefolium L. accessions originated from Kordestan (14303), Semnan (21602) and Gilan (27028), provinces, b) five conservation methods including: medium-term storage (Active Collection at 4 °C,10 or 15 years), long-term storage (Base Collection at -18 °C,10 or 15 years), regenerated seeds in open storage 22 °C for2 years (Control) and aged seed under accelerated ageing (40 °C,98% of relative humidity for 48 and 72h) and c) priming treatments including: non- priming (control), osmo-priming (PEG-0.3Mpa), hormonal priming (gibberellic acid at250 and 500ppm).Data collected for seed emergence percent, root and shoot length, seedling length, vigor index, seedling weight and three peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activities. Result of analysis of variance showed significant effects of all factors and their interactions for all of seedling traits and enzymatic activities except for SOD (P<0.01).Results also suggested significant differentiation among three accessions of A. millefolium for all germination traits and enzymes activities. Results showed that responses of accessions to aging and priming treatments were different. The data demonstrated that catalase is a key enzyme for seed repair against ageing ROS-induced damage during priming treatment.

In other to study the effect of the production system (aeroponic and soil production system), an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with five replication. In this study plants were obtained from seed culture (Cichorium, Withania and Echinacea) in pot for 1 month in greenhouse and then, uniform plants (20 cm height, approximately) were transferred to aeroponic system and soil. The plants were harvested after six months and their vegetative traits and root characteristic were measured. The results indicated that the effects of production system were significant in terms of plant height, root length, number of leaves, shoot and root fresh and dry weights and photosynthetic pigments. The result showed that aeroponic system in comparison with soil system has produced the highest of leaf number, root length, plant height, root and shoot dry weight, root and shoot fresh weight and photosynthetic pigments. It can be concluded that aeoponic systems could be used for production of Cichorium, Echinacea and Withania under greenhouse.

In order to reduce dependence of Iranian economy on crude oil exports and shift to a multipurpose export economy, export policy orientations should be changed to the benefit of exporting non-oil goods, including agricultural exports. Share of the agricultural sector in non-oil exports to Iran shows that this trend is declining. Therefore, attention should be paid to the expansion of this sector's exports. Statistics and time series of the past years shows that despite Iran's good rank in the production and cultivation level of medicinal plants, the export status of these products is not in a good position. Among the agricultural products, medicinal plants are one of the most important agricultural export items in Iran which play a great role in creating added value for the agricultural sector. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of marketing strategies on export of Iranian medicinal plants. Necessary data were collected from 30 herbal exporting companies for 2011 – 2017, using simple random sampling. Due to the combined nature of the data collected and the export impact of its amount in previous years, the dynamic panel model was chosen as the superior model. On the other hand, this study attempts to identify the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for export of medicinal plants. The results showed that differentiation strategies, market development and product development have positive and significant impact on export performance of exporting companies. Market penetration strategy, although not statistically significant, also varies with the export value of medicinal plants.

The aim of this study was to determine organic acids and individual sugars in fruit of Younesi tangerine (Citrus reticulata) on different rootstocks.  On other hand, the purpose of this study was to identify the rootstock that could produce the highest amount of sugars. The content of individual sugars and organic acids in fruits were determined by HPLC. Total acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS) and pH value of juice was also evaluated. The results showed that, the highest of total sugars (126.94mg/ mL), pH (3.40), TSS (11.30%), TSS/TA (10.00) and juice (55.62%) were in fruit of Younesi tangerine (Citrus reticulata) grafting on the Orlando tangelo rootstock. According to results, the amount of citric acid (15.20mg/mL) of Younesi tangerine grafted on Flying Dragon was higher than those of other rootstocks. Among the sugars, sucrose was determined in the highest concentration in all investigated fruits. The results of correlation showed that there were a high positive correlation between the amount of TSS and sucrose. Results showed that Orlando tangelo rootstock had an important role in increasing of sugars, pH, TSS, as well as TSS/TA. Finally based on the obtained results it can be concluded that although the concentration of sugars and organic acids is strongly related to the genotype of fruit, it seems that rootstocks affect the amount of sugars and organic acids.

Essential oils (EOs) because of being natural compounds and having antibacterial properties are important for health. The chemical composition of EOs might be affected by environmental conditions and plant growth and development stages. In this study, the essential oils and chemical compositions of aerial parts of Nepeta kotschyi Boiss. (Lamiaceae) were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) at different plant phenological (in mid vegetative, 50% of flowering and fruiting) stages. The results showed that the EOs of Nepeta was affected by plant growth and development stages. So, both of content and their constituents were different in the plant phenological stages. The average percentage of EOs was ranged from 2.48 (in vegetative), 0.8 (in 50% of flowering), and 0.82 (in fruiting) stages. According to the results, 21 compounds with the range of 0.84-13.04 % in vegetative, 3 compounds with the range of 10.93-53.25% in 50% of flowering and 6 compounds with the range of 8.51-45.22% in fruiting stages were identified. The compounds 1,6,10-Nerolidol in vegetative (13.04%), Spathulenol in 50% of flowering (53.25%) and Caryophyllene oxide in fruiting stages (45.22%) had the highest value. Based on the results, the highest percentage of essential oils and compounds were related to the vegetative stage. The present study is the first report of the essential oil content of Nepeta during different plant phenological stages. The results of this study can be useful to understand the proper harvest time in Nepeta.