مجله تغذیه گیاهان باغی
سال چهارم شماره 1 (پیاپی 7، بهار و تابستان 1400)

Fusarium wilt disease of tomato is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is reported to cause great losses in tomato production globally, and is a limiting factor to tomato production in Ramian region, Golestan province. This experiment was conducted to evaluation of soil physicochemical properties impacts on tomato Fusarium wilt.

Soil samples of tomato fields were randomly selected in the Ramian region and the physical (pH, EC) and ochemical (organic matter, N, P, K) properties were measured by titration, flame photometry and spectrophotometry methods. Disease assessment (soil inoculum, external and internal scale) also recorded in different fields. For analyzing the association between disease assessments with soil physicochemical properties, a correlation analysis was used.

The results showed a low positive, but significant correlation between pH and soil inoculum. In return, the correlations between EC, N, P, K and organic matter and soil inoculums were not statistically significant. There was a significant correlation between EC, K and soil inoculums with external scale, also a positive and negative correlation observed between internal scale with soil inoculums and with K and P, respectively. The correlation between soil inoculum with yield of first, second and total harvest were not statistically significant, but anegative significant correlation observed between soil inoculum with yield of third harvest. The correlation of internal scale and yield of first harvest was also negative and significant.Conclution: The results showed the role of plat nutrition especially K in tomato fields for wilt disease cotrol.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) of the family Lamiaceae is an aromatic perennial subshrub native to the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia. Lemon balm is one of important medicinal crops in Iran. There are three subspecies of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis, subsp. inodona and subsp. altissima; however, only subsp. officinalis has a commercial value with characteristic lemony odor, which makes it favorite for cultivation in Iran. It has long been used for its soothing medicinal effects and herbal aromatic properties (Sari and Ceylan 2002) in folk therapy. Humic acid can be classified as humin, humic acid, and fulvic acid depending on its solubility at different pH. There are many complex compounds in the fulvic acid fraction; thus, the exact chemical structure is not well known. Zinc has been considered as an essential micronutrient for metabolic activities in plants. It regulates the various enzyme activities and required in biochemical reactions leading to formations of chlorophyll and carbohydrates (Auld et al., 2001). Zinc Nano-particle is used in various agricultural experiments to understand its effect on growth, germination, and various other properties. Nano-particles with smaller particle size and large surface area are expected to be the ideal material for use as Zn fertilizer in plants. Application of micronutrient in the form of Nanoparticles (NPs) is an important route to release required nutrients gradually and in a controlled way, which is essential to mitigate the problems of soil pollution caused by the excess use of chemical fertilizers. Researchers have reported the essentiality and role of zinc for plant growth and yield (Laware, and Raskar et al., 2014) Nano scale titanium dioxide (TiO2) was reported to promote growth and essential oil compounds in Dracocephalum moldavica (Gohari et al., 2020). In the present study the experiments were carried out to understand the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs) and fulvic acid foliar application on Melissa officinalis L. growth and essential oil content.

The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse at Varzeghan, East Azarbayjan province, Iran (longitude 46°43' E, latitude 38°42' N, altitude 1115 m). The study was done as factorial experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) seedling were purchased from Zarrin Giah Company (Urmia, Iran). Tree plants were transplanted into each 5-kg pot containing soil. Then, planted pots irrigated with water every week. The foliar application treatments including fulvic acid (0, 10 and 25 mg/L) and ZnO NPs (0, 20 and 40 mg/L) were applied four weeks after transplanting into the pots. Control plants were irrigated with water until harvest at the same manner and treated water. All measurements (morphological parameters, SPAD, leaf area, P and K concentrations, total phenolic contentment and antioxidant capacity, essential oil content) were performed at the harvest stage. Three technical replications were set for each measurement of the parameters.

The results demonstrated that foliar application of fulvic acid and ZnO NPs could improve agronomic traits, SPAD, leaf area, P and K concentrations, total phenolic contentment and antioxidant capacity, essential oil content. These positive effects were more considerable at its moderate dose (10 mg/L and 20 mg/L fulvic acid and ZnO NPs, respectively) introducing it as the best treatment to enhancement of lemon balm performance especially its essential oil content. Gohari et al (2020) reported that application of TiO2 enhanced plant performance under salinity stress. Given that fulvic acid and ZnO NPs, individually, have promising effects on different plants processes, the idea of their combination in same time caused to its treated for doubled positive effects. To be brief, the positive response of lemon balm to fulvic acid and ZnO NPs introduces organic and nanoparticle application as a supportive approach in plant production. This positive effect is more considerable by given attention to plant essential oil with importance in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Water deficit is one of the major limiting factors that influences the cultivation and production of agricultural crops in the world. Drought stress severely impairs plants growth and development through alterations in the physiological, morphological, biochemical, and molecular attributes (Cheng et al., 2018). Most of the world's farms are located in arid and semi-arid regions. In addition, drought conditions can be exacerbated by climate change and water scarcity. Therefore, it is important to find a way for increasing the adaptation potential of crops to water shortage (Asghari et al., 2020). Zeolite can act as water moderators and play a key role in plant growth and development under drought condition. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of zeolite application on morphological traits and secondary metabolite biosynthesis of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) under drought stress.

This study was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized block design with three replications in the greenhouse. The experimental factors included irrigation regimes in 3 levels (40 %, 80 % and 100 % of filed capacity (FC), application of zeolite in 2 levels (0.0 and 2.5 g/ kg of soil) and plant ecotype (Naeen and Zavereh). Seeds of dill were obtained from Pakan Bazr Company, Isfahan, Iran. The seeds were cultured in pot containing sandy loam soil. When plants were fully established, drought treatment was started and continued until harvest. Then, we measured some morphological and biochemical attributes of dill plant. The obtained data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) performed with SAS software. Duncan’s multiple range test was used to distinguish the differences in treatments.

The results showed that water deficit and zeolite application significantly affected morphological and biochemical properties of dill plant. Drought stress reduced plant height, leaf area, fresh ant dry weight of plant, number of umbrella per plant and 1000 grain weight but only amplified root length. Application of zeolite alleviated drought-related damages and promoted plant growth and development, which increased leaf area and the amount of grain per plant, and reduced root length and plant height. A similar effect of drought stress and zeolite treatment has reported in Dracocephalum moldavica (Gholizadeh et al., 2010). Our data demonstrated that mention attributes significantly influenced by the plant ecotype, and Naeen was more effective than Zavareh. The results illustrated that the severity of drought stress play a key role in the amount of phytochemical compounds of dill seeds. The highest amount of dill ether and alphaphellandrene was recorded under normal condition. While, the highest level of limonene was obtained in plants subjected to moderate drought stress. In addition, the severe water stress led to the highest accumulation of carvone and transdihydrocarvone in dill seeds. Zehtab Salmasi et al., (2016) reported that water shortage causes an increase in dill ether and limonene of dill plants.

Water deficit adversely affected normal growth and morphological properties of dill plants. The obtained results showed that dill plant could adapt to drought condition by raising its protective compounds and root length. Water stress significantly enhanced essential oil percentage of basil plant, leading to accumulation of dill ether, carvone, transdihydrocarvone and limonene in its seed. The exogenous usage of zeolite can successfully alleviate deleterious impacts of water shortage on dill plant by improving morphological characteristics and stimulating secondary metabolites production.

Heavy metal stress is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and yield of plants in many parts of the world. The fungus Piriformospora indica, as a mycorrhizal endophytic fungus, stimulates the growth of many plant species and also increases the resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of P. indica on some morphophysiological parameters of tomato plant under Cd stress. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental treatments included control, plant inoculated with P. indica and 3 mgl-1 Cd, plant uninoculated and 3 mgl-1 Cd, plant inoculated with P. indica and 6 mgl-1 Cd and plant uninoculated and 6 mgl-1 Cd. The results showed that with the increase in concentrations of Cd, leaf number, plant height, root length, root fresh and dry weights, total fresh and dry weights and photosynthetic pigments showed a downward trend and indicated the effective role of this fungus in improving the characteristics of tomato plant under Cd stress conditions. According to these results, it seems that the fungus in addition to colonization of tomato also has an effect on its improvement in Cd stress.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of urea fertilizer nano-nitrigen and amino acid spraying solution on the type of polyphenolic compounds and total nitrogen content in the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea, by a factorial experiment based on a complete randomized design in the spring of 1398. Was performed. Experimental treatments included urea fertilizer (0, 100 and 200 kg / ha), nano-nitrogen spray solution (0, 1 and 3 g / l) and amino acid Formalin spray solution (0, 1 and 3 g / l). Harvesting was done during the flowering of the plant and after drying the plant in the shade, the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial part was prepared by extraction method or ultrasonic waves. The detection and measurement of polyphenolic compounds in the extract was performed by high efficiency liquid chromatography device. The application of nitrogen treatments had a positive effect on the polyphenolic compounds of the plant, and each phenolic compound reached a maximum in a specific treatment. So that the composition of gallic acid reached its maximum value by applying 3 g / l of nano-nitrogen and the compounds of cinnamic acid and so on, respectively, by applying 1 and 3 g / l of amino acids. Also, chlorogenic and quercetin compounds with simultaneous application of 1 g / l of nanocodenitrogen and 3 g / l of amino acids, coumaric acid and rosemary acid compounds with simultaneous application of 3 g / l of amino acids and 200 kg / ha urea and caffeic acid and Routine reached its maximum value by applying 200 kg per hectare of urea. However, treatment of 3 g / l of amino acids and 200 kg / ha of urea, which produces the highest amount of coumaric acid and rosemary acid, and less damage to the amount of important compounds of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and rutin, is the optimal treatment for An increase in the content of important polyphenolic compounds in the plant was introduced. Measurement of plant nitrogen content showed that, in general, with the application of nanonitrogen and amino acid spraying and urea fertilization, the total nitrogen content in the plant's aerial parts increased compared to the control.

Carbohydrate export from green leaves is a vital factor for growth and development of non-photosynthetic parts of plants, so both reinforcement of physiological sinks and assistance to carbohydrate translocation, can lead to more growth of physiological sources. Spray of exogenous sucrose has been evaluated in numerous studies and its positive influence was reported in various horticultural crops including tomato (Mashayekhi et al., 2016) and strawberry (Mendoza et al., 2005). In this experiment, it was aimed to manage sink-source relationships via exogenous sucrose spray and contributory elements for carbohydrate translocation comprising potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and boron (B).

The experiment was carried out in factorial format based on completely randomized design in greenhouse conditions with 4 replications and 5 samples. The first factor was sucrose in two levels (control: S0 and 5 percent concentration: S1) and second factor was mineral nutrition in six levels consisting control (C), boric acid (BA), potassium sulfate (PS), potassium nitrate (PN), magnesium sulfate (MS) and magnesium nitrate (MN). An open hydroponic system was used for growing the radishes in cocopeat + perlite (1:1) medium culture. Biomass, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis parameters and carbohydrate allocation were determined to find the best treatment.

The highest fresh weight of aerial part of radish was recorded in S0PS treatment that was significantly more than the others. Treatment of S1MN ranked in second for fresh weight of aerial part. Surprisingly, all of the sucrose treatments caused more fresh and dry weight of aerial parts in comparison with control (S0C). Maximum dry weight of aerial parts was seen in S0PS that was not significantly different with S1MN. Interaction of sucrose and mineral nutrition was statistically significant in fresh weight of tuber but not in dry weight of it. The lowest fresh weight and diameter of radish tuber was observed in S0MS that was not different with S0C and S1BA significantly. The significant lowest transpiration rate recorded in S0C treatment showed stomatal limitation of control plants, so it can be considered an obstacle for normal photosynthesis which removed in treated plants. Chlorophyll a and carotenoids in the radishes treated by sucrose were significantly more than control plants. The treatment of S1MN showed the highest percentage of tuber carbohydrate, although its difference was not statistically significant with S1PS and S1KN.

According to the results, spray of potassium sulfate can be recommended to achieve more edible yield of radish. Foliar application of sucrose at the concentration of 5% caused photosynthetic limitations and increased non-photochemical quenching. Because of this reason, lower concentration should be tested in future researches to find the best concentration.

In order to achieve desirable yield based on optimized nutritional management and cost reduction, Nano fertilizer utilization has become abundantly popular. Nano fertilizers accommodate the essential nutrients for the plants incorporated with special carriers at Nano scales. Whereas they exhibit many intense physical and chemical alterations, controlled release in Nano fertilizers is due to a sustained combination of carrier and the nutrients (Sempeho et al., 2014). Foliar application of MnO Nano particles on plants resulted in increased vegetative growth, improved fruit quality, maximum yield and photosynthetic pigments content. By using FeO Nano fertilizers, organic material, protein and lipid content in fruits were also enhanced (Shebl et al., 2019). ZnO nanoparticles increased legume yield in peanut and showed a higher rate of absorption compared to ZnSo4 (Prasad et al., 2012). Strengthening antioxidant activity and increased total phenol after using Nano fertilizer supplements in rice was reported by Singh et al., 2013.

A pot factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with two factors and five replications was conducted. First factor included five levels of fertilizer concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 g L-1) as foliar application and the second factor was comprised of two levels of foliar spraying (7 and 14 days’ interval). The main growth and yield traits and some of the biochemical characteristics of Marigold flower extract were evaluated at this experiment.

Seven days’ interval of 1 g L-1 Nano fertilizer foliar application resulted in maximum plant height. The maximum plant height (48.10 cm), flower diameter (40.22 mm) and flower number (38.74) were noticed after 1 g L-1 Nano fertilizer at seven days’ interval of foliar application. After seven days interval, by increasing Nano fertilizer concentration, decrease in plant height, flower diameter and flower number was also obvious, whereas fourteen days interval of 3 g L-1 Nano fertilizer increased both traits. Nano fertilizer utilization at fourteen days’ interval resulted an increasing effect on flavone and flavonol content (9.08 mg Quercetin g DW-1). Seven days’ frequencies of 3 g L-1 Nano fertilizer foliar application, apparently increased total flavonoids (38.20 mg Quercetin g DW-1). Increasing the Nano fertilizer concentration up to 3 g L-1, increased total phenolic compounds and fourteen days’ foliar application of Nano fertilizer significantly raised the contents of these compounds compared to seven days’ intervals. By increasing Nano fertilizer concentration, antioxidant activity was reduced but fourteen days’ intervals showed a significant increase in comparison with seven days. 3 g L-1 Nano fertilizer application with seven days’ intervals improved most of the photosynthetic pigments.

Generally, these findings confirm the effectiveness of Nano fertilizer application in two intervals on yield factors and active substances contents in Marigold.

Today, the use of medicinal plants has grown considerably due to the reorientation of human towards nature and natural products, the side effects of synthetic materials and the discovery of new drugs from the nature. Water scarcity is one of the important environmental factors for reducing the growth and yield of many crops, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. After nitrogen; phosphorus is the most important essential nutrient required by the plants and different seed position in the soil can affect plant growth. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of the planting method and phosphorus fertilizers in response to drought stress on the yield, yield components and photosynthetic pigments of isabgol (Plantago ovata L.).

This experiment was performed as a split-factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Zabol University located in Chah Nimeh. The experimental treatments were including three drought stress, irrigation after 60, 120 and 180 mm evaporation from a class A evaporator as the main-factor, and the combination of seed planting method (flat or ridge planting) and the types of phosphorus fertilizer (100% chemical phosporous fertilizer, Phosphate Barvar2, and 50% chemical phosporous fertilizer + Phosphate Barvar2) as the sub-factor.

The vairiance analysis showed that the interaction of drought stress and phosphorus fertilizers were significant on on number of spikes per plant, number of seeds per spike, 1000-seed weight, grain yield, carotenoids, and total leaf chlorophyll, mucilage percentage and seed swelling index. The greatest spikes per plant, number of seeds per spike, 1000-seed weight, grain yield and total leaf chlorophyll were obtained in conventional irrigation treatment along with the combined application of chemical phosphorous fertilizer and Phosphate Barvar2, while, the highest data for carotenoids (0.78 mg. g-1 FW) and mucilage percentage (15.04 %) were obtained in severe drought stress along with combined application of chemical phosphorous fertilizer and Phosphate Barvar2. Based on the results; the amount of proline and carbohydrates were affected by drought stress and phosphorus fertilizers. The use of phosphorus fertilizers and the severe drought stress increased their quantity.

The results suggest that conventional irrigation, application of phosphorus fertilizer and flat planting can increase biological yield compared to limited irrigation, non-application of phosphorus fertilizer and ridge planting.

The side effects of chemical drugs have resulted in more attention from humans to use medicinal plants and their extract ingredients to treat many diseases. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family that is used in the food and cosmetic industries. Due to the serious problems in the past decades resulting in the excessive application of chemical inputs and plant growth regulators to enhance agricultural production, nowadays, the need for new technologies to produce safe food and protect the environment has been of great interest to the international community. In this regard, the application of alcohols, especially ethanol and methanol solutions, to improve the performance of plants in the agricultural systems is important. The use of foliar application of methanol and ethanol on the aerial parts of different plants propound as one of the newest strategies to increase growth and their yield. Short-term exposure to elevated CO2 for plants generally leads to an increase in the rates of leaf-level photosynthesis due to enhance the activity of ribulose-1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). The response to elevated CO2 results in an increase in leaf area, biomass accumulation, or individual plant size.

To study the morphophysiological response of basil cv. keshkeni luvelou under CO2 and ethanol nutrition, a pot experiment was conducted at the research greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad as factorial based on a completely randomized design with three levels of CO2 (380, 700, and 1050 mg/L) and four levels of ethanol foliar application (0, 10, 20 and 30 %v/v) in three replications in 2019. The studied traits were included growth characteristics (plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, internode distance, and fresh and dry weight of the aerial part) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, and total chlorophyll), antioxidant activity, total phenol, and essential oil content. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab 17 software. The mean comparison was done by the Bonferroni test at the 5% probability level. The figures drew by Microsoft excel software.

The results of the mean comparisons showed that, with increasing ethanol concentration, the growth characteristics of the plant increased, and also the application of 700 mg/L carbon dioxide was able to increase the growth characteristics of the plant. Application of 700 mg/L CO2 and foliar application of ethanol (20%v/v) increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 72.18, 74.01, and 71.33%, respectively compared to 380 mg/L CO2 and no ethanol application. The results also showed that the highest antioxidant activity (87.38%) and total phenol (264 mg g fresh leaf weight) higher than control at 700 mg/L CO2 and 20 %v/v ethanol foliar application. The highest essential oil content was observed at 1050 mg/L CO2 and 30%v/v ethanol. The results of this experiment showed that the use of CO2 and ethanol by affecting plant metabolites and improving photosynthesis can affect the morphophysiological characteristics of the basil.

Based on the results of this experiment, the growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, total phenol, and essential oil content of O. basilicum cv. Keshkeni luvelu was influenced by CO2 and ethanol. At 700 mg/L CO2 and 20%v/v ethanol application due to the effect on these compounds in improving photosynthesis, the highest growth characteristics were observed. While the highest essential oil content was observed in the highest levels of carbon dioxide and ethanol foliar application. Therefore, according to the results of this study to achieve the highest yield of basil, 700 mg/L CO2 and 20%v/v ethanol application is recommended.

Phosphorus is the second limiting element of plant yield after nitrogen. Rock phosphate is a non-renewable resource. Global data shows that by 2050 the requirement for P fertilizers will increase by 50-100% and universal phosphate rock resources will be evacuated within the next 50-100 years (Cordell et al. 2009). Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms such as bacteria are one of the most important tools for researchers in reducing of phosphorus fertilizers consumption in agriculture. Despite many studies on the effect of bacteria on physiological reactions and plant performance in soil culture, there are few reports on the effect of bacteria on these reactions in hydroponic culture. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Bacillus subtilis on yield, photosynthetic properties and reducing of phosphorus fertilizers consumption in hydroponic culture. The experiment was factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replicates. A greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis UTB96 and different concentrations of nutrient phosphorus (12.5, 25, 37.5, 50 and 62.5 mg L-1) on the yield, pigments and photosynthetic index, root-to-shoot phosphorus ratio and bacterial population. ‘Lollo Rosso’ lettuce seedlings were prepared under greenhouse conditions. Probio 96® biological fertilizer was used to inoculate the ‘Lollo Rosso’ lettuce seedlings at time of transplant by utilization a root dip method (with submergence for 5 min); then a repeated inoculation was conducted at 20 days after transplanting by watering 25 mL of the inoculums plant-1. Lettuce plants were grown in soilless culture with the Resh nutrient solution (Resh, 2012). P was added as KH2PO4 at the following concentrations of 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, and 62.5 mg L-1. Photosynthetic indices were measured during growth and traits such as yield and physiological characteristics were measured at harvest time (50 days after transplanting). All data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SAS 9.1 software (SAS Inc., Cary NC). Duncan’s multiple-range test was performed at p = 0.05 on each of the significant variables measured.The mean comparisons showed that plants inoculated with bacteria had higher yields than uninoculated plants at all levels of phosphorus (Figure 3). Interaction data of bacteria and different concentrations of phosphorus in the nutrient solution showed that, like the 50 mg L-1 treatment, a 25% reduction in phosphorus consumption (37.5 mg/L) caused the highest photosynthesis rates in BS1P3 (Bacterial inoculated and 37.5 mg/L of phosphorus) and BS1P4 (bacterial inoculation and 50 mg/L phosphorus). The findings of this study clearly showed that as in the treatment of 50 mg/L, a reduction of 50% (25 mg L-1) and 25% of phosphorus consumption (concentration of 37.5 mg/L) in treatments with bacterial inoculation caused the highest values of phosphorus concentration in plant tissues and bacterial accumulation in the substrate, respectively (Table3).Today, the positive effects of these bacteria on plant yield to their effect on improving root growth (Rahi, 2016), increasing the absorption of nutrients such as phosphorus (Turom et al., 2007), the production of growth hormones such as auxin and gibberellin (Ruzzi and Aroca, 2015), attributed to the increase of photosynthetic pigments (Rahi, 2016) and the maintenance of photosynthetic efficiency (Wang et al., 2012). Therefore, according to the results of this study, the positive effects of this bacterium on photosynthetic indices may be due to their ability to increase phosphorus uptake in ‘Lollo Rosso’ lettuce, which indirectly affects root growth and photosynthetic efficiency and finally improved the above characteristics. The results of this study showed that the use of Bacillus subtilis UTB96 biofertilizer improves nutrient uptake, increases the growth of greenhouse plants in hydroponic condition and reduces the phosphorus fertilizers consumption.Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, soilless culture, phosphorus concentration, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and bacterial population.

Fenugreek has a good medicinal value due to the presence of effective substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium salts. To achieve maximum grain yield and, as a result, maximum active ingredient in fenugreek, suitable nutrients and nutrients play a major role.

To evaluate different levels of nitrogen and silicon on some morphological traits such as plant height (cm), root height (cm), leaf length (cm), number of branches per plant, percentage of dry matter of roots and shoots, photosynthetic pigments (mg g-1 FW), shoot nitrate accumulation, leaf nitrogen content and shoot shoots and the roots of this plant were experimented with split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg / ha of irrigation fertilizer) as the main plot and silicon at five levels (0, 1 mM irrigation fertilizer, 2 mM irrigation fertilizer, 1 mM foliar application, 2 mM foliar application) as Sub-plots were considered.

The results showed that only two treatments of nitrogen 50 and 150 with 1 mM silicon spraying showed plant superiority over control. The only treatment in which the root length was significantly longer than the control was nitrogen-free 1 mM foliar application. The highest shoot dry matter, which was significantly higher than the control, was obtained in the treatment of 150+ nitrogen without silicon. Also, 2 mM silicon-free foliar application of nitrogen showed the highest percentage of root dry matter, which was significantly superior to the control. The lowest amount of total chlorophyll and carotenoids was related to the treatment of 2 mM silicon without nitrogen fertilizer, which was significantly lower than all other treatments. The lowest nitrate accumulation of 1247 mg / kg was related to 2 mM silicon-free nitrogen spraying treatment, which was not significantly different from 50 + nitrogen-free silicon and 1 mM silicon-free nitrogen fertilizers. The only nitrogen treatment + 100 was 2 mM silicon foliar application, which had a higher leaf silicon concentration than the control, while other treatments used were not significantly different from the control or even less than the control.

Although fenugreek contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria, low levels of nitrogen help increase the growth of this plant. Regarding root growth, lack of nitrogen nutrition and consumption of silicon in the form of irrigation fertilizer both increase root growth. From the point of view of product quality, spraying high concentrations of silicon (2 mM) in the absence of nitrogen fertilization can prevent nitrate accumulation in fenugreek, which is very important for human health, but this effect of silicon is not achieved in the presence of high soil nitrogen due to nitrogen fertilization. However, nitrogen fertilization in none of the values used in this experiment did not cause more nitrate accumulation than the control, which proves the permissible use of optimal nitrogen in this plant. Also, moderate nitrogen fertilization (100 kg / ha) increases silicon leaf infiltration, which can have anti-stress benefits of this useful element.

Medicinal crops production is well interested in Iran due to market demand in recent years. Silybum marianum L. is an annual or biennial plant, native to the Mediterranean region, which now could be found in other warm and dry regions. Silybium marianum is used traditionally as a hepatoprotective agent and supportive treatment of liver disorders (Abdolahzareh et al., 2012). Management of planting date and integrated nutrition systems in medicinal plantsIntroduction other in found be could now which, region Mediterranean the to native, plant biennial or annual an is. L marianum treatment supportive and agent hepatoprotective a as traditionally used is marianum Silybium. regions dry and warm constitute main the is silybin which, silymarin, compounds flavonolignan contain fruits Its. disorders liver of have plants medicinal in systems nutrition integrated and date planting of Management). 2012., al et Abdolahzareh( In. period growth the in parameters weather changing through yields crop the affects date Sowing. considered be to and continuous Today. production crop on influence an has, type and rate fertilizers, date planting to addition causing environment and health soil on impacts negative have may fertilizers chemical of application excessive sustainable as considered are fertilizers-Bio). 2017., al et Vashvaei Mohammadpour (problems environmental to was study present the of objective The. fertilizers synthesized the to compared nutrients of sources alternative morphological the on) integrated and biological, chemical (system fertilizing and date sowing of effects the examine .conditions Iran, Birjand under thistle milk the of yield and traits Azad Islamic, branch Birjand of farm research the at out carried was.

research This: complete randomized a on based plot split a as conducted was experiment The. 2018 in, Iran, Birjand, University systems fertilizing 6 and) 5 May and 4 April, 6 March (dates sowing Three. replications three with design blocks (Akadin% 50 + NPK% 50, vermicompost% 50 + NPK% 50, Akadin, vermicompost, NPK, control as fertilizer-non( of yield and traits morphological some of responses the study the In. respectively plots sub and plots main as were cm/mmos 3.2 and 4.7 were EC and pH Soil. loam was study of site the in texture Soil. evaluated were Thistle Milk ,cm 30-0 of depth the at kg/mg 2.75 and 6.11, 8.3 were soil the of content K and, P, Nitrogen. respectively .level% 5 at Test LSD by compared were means and software statistical SAS by analyzed were data All. respectively plant (traits morphological average highest the had) 6 March (date planting first The: discussion and Results m2 per number capitol (components yield seed and) branches of number and diameter capitol, height seed of number, vermicompost% 50 and NPK% 50 treatments the hands other the On). yield seed, weight seed-1000, capitol per 4.318 (lowest the and) ha/kg 7.3327 (highest The. traits studied the of most for superiority statistical had fertilizers of date planting the for declining yield seed that seems It. respectively, date planting third the at application fertilizernon of treatment and date planting first the at vermicompost+ NPK treatments the to related were yield seed) ha/kg This. heating summer with pollination of coincidence the and season growth of shortening the to related was, 5 May m2 per capitol of number the in decrease severe a caused organic using, Normally. capitol per seed of number the and the in activity microorganisms increases; soil the of aspects physical improves fertilizers chemical with fertilizers et Vashvaei Mohammadpour (yield seed eventually and components yield, photosynthesis, availability nutrients, soil positively quantity traits Morphological). 2019. (al et Zarghani by reported been have also results Similar). 2017., al first the for observed were traits these for value highest the Thus. yield seed and components yield to correlated this in marianum Silybum of yield seed of superiority the, result a As. vermicompost+ NPK using under date planting traits that showed analysis regression of results The. expected be to was, treatments other to compared treatment m2 per capitol of number, diameter capitol the into entered were weight seed-1000 and capitol per seed of number, .changes yield seed total of% 57.84 explained which, model regression planting this and dates planting two other the to superior was 6 March of date planting the, general In.

using under region Birjand in. L marianum Silybum of cultivation the for date suitable a as suggested be could date .vermicompost% 50+ NPK% 5 have to be considered. Sowing date affects the crop yields through changing weather parameters in the growth period. In addition to planting date, fertilizers rate and type, has an influence on crop production. Today continuous and excessive application of chemical fertilizers may have negative impacts on soil health and environment causing environmental problems (Mohammadpour Vashvaei et al., 2017). Bio-fertilizers are considered as sustainable alternative sources of nutrients compared to the synthesized fertilizers. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of sowing date and fertilizing system (chemical, biological and integrated) on the morphological traits and yield of the milk thistle under Birjand, Iran conditions. Materials and Methods This research was carried out at the research farm of Birjand branch, Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran, in 2018. The experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Three sowing dates (March 6, April 4 and May 5) and 6 fertilizing systems (non-fertilizer as control, NPK, vermicompost, Akadin, 50% NPK + 50% vermicompost, 50% NPK + 50% Akadin) were as main plots and sub plots respectively. In the study the responses of some morphological traits and yield of Milk Thistle were evaluated. Soil texture in the site of study was loam. Soil pH and EC were 7.4 and 2.3 mmos/cm respectively. Nitrogen, P, and K content of the soil were 3.8, 11.6 and 75.2 mg/kg at the depth of 0-30 cm, respectively. All data were analyzed by SAS statistical software and means were compared by LSD Test at 5% level.

The first planting date (March 6) had the highest average morphological traits (plant height, capitol diameter and number of branches) and seed yield components (capitol number per m2, number of seed per capitol, 1000-seed weight, seed yield). On the other hands the treatments 50% NPK and 50% vermicompost fertilizers had statistical superiority for most of the studied traits. The highest (3327.7 kg/ha) and the lowest (318.4 kg/ha) seed yield were related to the treatments NPK+ vermicompost at the first planting date and treatment of non-fertilizer application at the third planting date, respectively. It seems that seed yield declining for the planting date of May 5, was related to the shortening of growth season and the coincidence of pollination with summer heating. This caused a severe decrease in the number of capitol per m2 and the number of seed per capitol. Normally, using organic fertilizers with chemical fertilizers improves physical aspects of the soil; increases microorganisms activity in the soil, nutrients availability, photosynthesis, yield components and eventually seed yield (Mohammadpour Vashvaei et al., 2017). Similar results also have been reported by Zarghani et al. (2019). Morphological traits quantity positively correlated to yield components and seed yield. Thus the highest value for these traits were observed for the first planting date under using NPK+ vermicompost. As a result, the superiority of seed yield of Silybum marianum in this treatment compared to other treatments, was to be expected. The results of regression analysis showed that traits capitol diameter, number of capitol per m2, number of seed per capitol and 1000-seed weight were entered into the regression model, which explained 84.57% of total seed yield changes. Conclusions In general, the planting date of March 6 was superior to the other two planting dates and this planting date could