Journal of Plant Process and Function

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One of the important effects of salinity in plants can be noted in growth trend and the process of changes in the activity of the enzyme system and their antioxidant properties. In this research, the effects of salinity stress on the enzyme system and their antioxidant properties of almond (Shahrood 12) on some of the prunus rootstocks (Bitter Almond, Tetra, GF677, GN15) and under salt stress in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with two factors including 8 scion-rootstock compositions and five levels of irrigation water salinity were investigated in three replications. The results showed that different levels of salinity significantly reduced the number of leaves in the main branch, as well as the total number of leaf in rootstocks, the diameter and height of the scion, and the fresh weight of the aria parts. The highest total antioxidant activity was observed in Shahrood 12 on GF677, at a salinity level of 8dS m-1, with a rate of 30.97%, which had a significant difference with other graft compounds and without graft rootstocks. The lowest total antioxidant activity was observed in the combination of Shahrood 12 on the Tetra rootstock at 10.1%. The antioxidant capacity, activity of catalase enzymes, ascorbate peroxidase in all studied graft compounds and without graft rootstocks increased with increasing salt concentration, and then, with increasing salinity levels, their amounts were decreased. On the basis of the results, it can be concluded that among the graft compounds and without graft rootstocks, Shahrood 12, which is grafted on the GF677 rootstock, is the most tolerant combination of salinity stresses with aerial fresh weight (163.5 g) and the same cultivar grafted on the almond seedling, was the most sensitive compound with the fresh air weights (14.77 g).

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In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid, glycine betaine and gamma amino butyric acid on the physiological characteristics of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) under water deficit stress, a split plot experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications at Zanjan University in 2017. The treatments consisted of three levels of irrigation (50, 75 and 100% field capacity) as the main factor and two levels of salicylic acid (2 and 4 mM), glycine betaine (50 and 100 mM) and gamma amino butyric acid (10 and 20 mM) with control, as sub factor. The results showed that increased water deficit decreased total chlorophyll content and vitamin C content. While increasing in water deficit increased the amount of anthocyanin, carotenoids, total phenol, flavonoids and soluble solids. The highest total chlorophyll )1.62 mg/g) content was obtained in irrigation level of 100% field capacity with 50 mM glycine betain. Application of 50 mM glycine betaine in 50% of field capacity irrigation produced the highest levels of carotenoids (0.79 mg/g) and anthocyanins (5.51 µM/g). The maximum amount of phenol (20.11 mg/g) and flavonoid (4.41 mg/g) was obtained in 50% field capacity and 100% glycine betaine, respectively. Application of 4 mM salicylic acid at irrigation level of 100% of field capacity increased significantly in vitamin C (65.45 mg/g) content. The highest amount of soluble solids (7.18%) was obtained in100 mM glycine betaine in 50% field capacity water deficit. According to the results, application of different levels of glycine betaine in stress conditions is recommended to redress water deficit stress and improve the physiological properties of bitter melon.

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In order to study the effect of nitroxin bio-fertilizers (0, 3 and 6 liters per hectare) and ammonium sulfate fertilizer (0, 75 and 150 kg.ha^-1) on yield, phytochemical, phenotypic and trace elements of Marrubium vulgare L., a factorial experiment based on completely randomized block design with three replications was conducted at Zanjan University in 2017. Nitroxin bio-fertilizer and ammonium sulfate had a significant effect on yield and mineral yield index. The highest weight of air part organs (157 g), inflorescence (349), inflorescence flowers (11.53 cm), total chlorophyll (12 mg.g^-1), Phenol (112 mg.g^-1), antioxidant (99.26) and tannin (35.66 mg.g^-1) in combined treatments of 3 liters per hectare of nitroxin with 150 kg/ha of ammonium sulfate and 6 liters of nitroxin treatment with 75 kg/ha of ammonium Sulfate and the highest amount of flavonoid (12.96 mg.g^-1) with 6 liters per hectare of nitroxin, with 150 kg ha-1, ammonium sulfate and anthocyanin (11.12 mg.g^-1), was obtained in 6 liters/ha nitroxin. In conclusion, the results showed that biofertilizer consumption of nitroxin and ammonium sulfate, as compared to control, could be effective in increasing economic performance and qualitative characteristics of plant growth.

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In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of different levels of ethanol and methanol on the biochemical characteristics of Digitalis purpurea L., an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Zanjan research greenhouse. The treatments consisted of two levels of ethanol (5 and 10%) and methanol (5 and 10%), along with a control treatment (distilled water). The results showed that the maximum amount of total chlorophyll (1.78 mg/g), total carotenoid (0.10 mg/g), total phenol (15.35 mg/g), total flavonoid (58. 2 mg/g) and antioxidant activity (43.76%) were obtained under a 10% methanol treatment. The highest amounts of proline (4.47 mg), soluble sugar (76.20 mg/g), relative water content (76.02%) and leaf nitrogen (1.61%) were observed under a 10% ethanol treatment. The ion leakage index (15.21%) with foliar application of 10% ethanol and catalase enzyme (1.66 mg/g protein) and peroxidase enzyme (0.34 mg/g protein) activity showed a decrease with foliar application of 10% methanol. According to the results, the application of different levels of hydroalcohols improved the biochemical properties of Digitalis purpurea L.

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In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of different levels of benzyl-adenine and glutamic acid on the concentration of elements and some physiological characteristics of Digitalis purpurea L. in one-year and two-year-old plants, a factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the University of Zanjan research greenhouse. The treatments consisted of the effect of plant age (one-year plants and two-year old plants) as the main factor and two levels of benzyl-adenine (0.5 and 1 mM) and two levels of glutamic acid (1 and 2 mM) with the control as a subfactor. The results showed that the highest amount of total nitrogen (1.70%), phosphorus (0.08%), and proline (3.86 mg/g) in the one-year-old plants and the highest amount of leaf magnesium (0.64 µg/Kg) and Soluble sugar (63.26 mg/g) were obtained in the two-year-old plants under foliar application of 1 mM benzyl-adenine. The maximum amount of elements potassium (1.90%), calcium (2.92%), and iron (152.21 µg/Kg) was obtained in two-year-old plants treated with 0.5 mM benzyl adenine. The lowest amount of ion leakage index of leaves (16.31%) and the highest amount of relative water content (89.61%) were recorded with foliar application of 2 mM glutamic acid in one-year-old plants, and the highest amount of catalase enzyme activity (154.4 mg/g protein) and peroxidase (1.61 mg/g protein) were obtained by foliar application of 1 mM glutamic acid in the two-year-old plants. The highest leaf fresh weight (123.51 g) and leaf dry weight (47.93 g) were obtained in the one-year-old plants with foliar application of 1 mM glutamic acid. According to the results, the application of different levels of benzyl-adenine and glutamic acid is recommended to improve the absorption of elements and also to improve the morpho-physiological characteristics of the Digitalis purpurea L.