Journal of Plant Process and Function

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Abstract: Effect of different salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl) on photosynthetic characteristics and yield of two forage millet cultivars (Nutrifeed and Bastan) were investigated at this experiment. A factorial test based on randomized complete block design was conducted during 2010-2011 growing season in three replica-tions. The results showed that with increasing salinity, dry matter yield, leaf relative water content (RWC) and stomatal conductance were decreased.While, traits such as proline and relative membrane permeability (RMP), were increased as salinity level increased,. The highest total dry matter in control treatment of Nutrifeed millet (83.2 g. plant-1) was observed and the lowest was measured in 200 mM in the case of Bastan millet (23.5 g. plant-1). The Leaves relative water content of Bastan cultivar in the 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl declined sharply and caused leaf necrosis. There were no significant differences between control, 50 and 100 mM NaCl in photochemical quenching of Nutrifeed cultivar. In Bastan cultivar, a significant difference between control and 50 mM NaCl was abserved. As salinity level increased, the proline in shoots of two cultivars increased. Stomatal conductance had a effective role in increasing the performance of dry matter of nutrifeed millet in salt stress conditions, and osmotic potential decreasing also improved dry matter conditions in this plant. Generally, photosynthetic characteristics of Nutrifeed millet were better than the Bastan millet.

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Application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and foliar application of Nano-Zinc oxide are proper and cheap method for increasing of Triticale yield. So, in order to study of the effects of nano-zinc oxide and seed inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on contribution of dry matter remobilization and stem reserves in grain yield, chlorophyll content, stomata conductance and some physiological indices of Triticale, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2013. Factors were: foliar application of Nano-Zinc oxide at five levels (0 as control, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 g/lit) and seed inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in four levels (without inoculation as control, seed inoculation with Azotobacter chrocoococum strain 5, Azosprillium lipoferum strain OF and Psedomunas putida strain 9). The highest contribution of dry matter remobilization and stem reserves in grain yield was obtained at no application of Nano-Zinc oxide and no seed inoculation with PGPR. Means comparison showed that maximum of yield and yield components, chlorophyll content, stomata conductance, total dry matter and crop growth rate was obtained at application of 1 g/lit Nano-Zinc oxide×seed inoculation with Azotobacter and Azosprillium and minimum of they were recorded at no application of Nano-Zinc and no seed inoculation with PGPR. So, it can be suggested that in order to increasing of grain yield, chlorophyll content, stomata conductance and some physiological indices such as total dry matter and crop growth rate be applied seed inoculation of Triticale with Azotobacter and Azosprillium ×application of 1 g/lit Nano-Zinc oxide.

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Abstract In order to evaluation of seed (pod) priming and seed size (pod) effects on growth and anti oxidant enzymes activity of sainfoin (onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) seedling in normal and drought condition, this experiment was carried in green house condition in 2010. Treatments (16) included: two masses (Borojen and Ghazvin), two seed sizes (large, >4.5 mm and small, 4.5>…>3.5 mm) and four seed priming ( hydropriming, priming with PEG and CaCl2 and non priming) that were evaluated in a factorial experiment in CRD in drought (use of 80% available water in pot soil) and normal (use of 55% available water in pot soil) conditions. Results showed that dry matter reduced in drought condition for all treatments, but the most weight was obtained from Borojen mass, large size and hydroprimed seedlings in compared with Ghazvin mass, small size and nonpriming in drought condition. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POX, APX and CAT) activity in Borojen, large size and hydroprimed seedling treatments were further than Ghazvin mass, small seeds and nonpriming treatments in normal and drought stress. H2O2 in Ghazvin mass, small seeds and nonpriming seedling were higher than other treatments. In sum, results showed that seedling growth, seedling tolerance indexes to drought stress were improved by use of Borojen mass, large seeds and hydroprimed seeds, in drought condition.

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To find out the effect of planting date and planting density on antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, yield dry matter and characteristics of medicinal plant purple coneflower root, a randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement with three replications was conducted in Research Farm of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 2012-2013. Experimental treatments included three planting dates (April 9, May 9 and June 8 2013) and three planting density (7, 10 and 16 plant/m2). Measurements were performed in full bloom stage. Results of experiment showed a significant increment of penetration depth of root in 9 may with a density of 16 plant/m2. The highest root volume and dry matter were related to 8 June and 7 plant/m2. However, the highest total dry matter (130.5 g/plant) was related to the purple conflowers that planted on 9 April with 10 plant/m2. Plants grown on 8 June with a density of 7 plant/m2 resulted to the highest ratio of dry matter root to total and root to shoot. The highest cichoric acid (19.5 mg/ g dry matter) and total phenol (30.8 mg of GAE/ g dry matter) content of root were observed in plants grown in 9 May with a density of 16 plant/m2. The highest amount of total flavoneid and antioxidant capacity of root were measured in coneflower plants that planed in 8 June with a density of 16 plant/m2. In conclusion, it seems that late planting date 8 June in this experiment conditions is suitable for more root dry matter, total flavoneid and antioxidant capacity, while planting date 9 May is suitable for more cichoric acid and phenollic content in the root of the coneflower plants. In addition to, low density of 7 plant/m2 resulted in increase in root dry matter and decrease in cichoric acid and total phenol content as well as antioxidant capacity in coneflower roots.

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Growth analysis is a valuable and practical method on quantitative growth, development and crop production evaluation. In order to study the effects of granular humic acid and foliar application of compost tea and vermiwash on growth indices of safflower (carthamus tinctorius), an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in agricultural research farm at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2014. Treatments included of soil application of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 kg.ha^-1) and foliar spraying of vermiwash 1:10, vermiwash 1:20, compost tea and distilled water as control. The highest LAI (1.96), CGR (26.85 gr.m^-2.day^-1), TDW (1232 gr.m^-2), NAR (12.94 gr.m^-2.day^-1) and RGR (0.13 gr.gr^-1.day^-1) obtained by using 1500 kg.ha^-1 humic acid and the lowest of them (1.29, 15.81 gr.m^-2.day^-1, 671 gr.m^-2, 8.98 gr.m^-2.day^-1 and 0.108 gr.gr^-1.day^-1) observed in control. It is also resulted that compost tea foliar application increased LAI, CGR, TDW, NAR and RGR. Totally, humic acid application (1500 kg.ha^-1) in soil along with compost tea foliar application was the best treatment for getting higher growth indices and seed yield of safflower in order to achieved sustainable agriculture.

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The Fig (Ficus carica.L) is a woody perennial crop, cultivated worldwide in subtropical regions. Since, salinity is the main concern of fig industry, therefore, studying the pattern of ion absorption and accumulation contribute during the stress in different plant organs can lead understanding the mechanism of tolerance/sensitivity. So, during 2016-2017, seven fig cultivars (‘Sabzʼ, ‘Siyahʼ, ‘Shah Anjirʼ, ‘Atabakiʼ, ‘Kashkiʼ, ‘Matiʼ and ‘Barʼ) were subjected to saline water (0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dSm-1). Then, ions accumulation of different organs, leaf abscission, dry matter, relative water content, and photosynthetic indices were compared to introduce the most salt-tolerant cultivar. The results indicated salinity caused a decrease in leaf relative water content, photosynthesis rate, K content and an increase in leaf abscission, Cl and Na content. Principal component analysis of the data led to a reduction in the variables with major contributions from the content of K, Na and Na/K of leaf and root, shoot Na, leaf Cl, and RWC. The ‘Siyahʼ and ‘Sabzʼ, as the most salt-tolerant cultivars, had the maximum leaf abscission, the least Na content and the maximum shoot dry matter under salt condition. The ‘Shah Anjirʼ, as the most salt-sensitive cultivar, could not restrict root Cl ex-flux into shoot and leaf.