scholarly journals Pilot Cultivation of the Local Endemic Cretan Marjoram Origanum microphyllum (Benth.) Vogel (Lamiaceae): Effect of Fertilizers on Growth and Herbal Quality Features

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Fanourakis ◽  
Konstantinos Paschalidis ◽  
Georgios Tsaniklidis ◽  
Vasileios A. Tzanakakis ◽  
Fotis Bilias ◽  
...  

Wild phytogenetic resources are threatened by overexploitation. This pressure on species and natural ecosystems can be alleviated in part by recruiting and domesticating wild-growing species under pilot cultivation with tailor-made fertilization schemes. This study focused on the pilot cultivation of Origanum microphyllum—a critically endangered local endemic plant of Crete, Greece—investigating the effect of conventional and integrated nutrient management (ΙΝΜ) fertilizers by foliar or root application and biostimulant. Above-ground biomass together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and color (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. Leaf chlorophyll, antioxidant compound (carotenoids, phenols, flavonoids), and nutrient contents were also assessed. The results showed that fertilization did not significantly affect plant growth and leaf nutrient content. Root fertilization was associated with greener leaves compared to foliar. The same trend was generally evident for antioxidant compound content. The small size of leaves may have impeded the efficiency of the foliar application. In conclusion, root application of conventional or INM fertilizers seems more suitable to promote visual quality and herbal antioxidant profile of O. microphyllum, than the foliar one.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 14030
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Paschalidis ◽  
Dimitrios Fanourakis ◽  
Georgios Tsaniklidis ◽  
Vasileios A. Tzanakakis ◽  
Fotis Bilias ◽  
...  

The domestication of wild-growing plants, including cultivation and fertilization protocols, is able to alleviate the ecological risks posed by the uncontrolled harvesting of range-restricted local endemic plants. In this field study focused on Verbascum arcturus, a vulnerable local endemic of Crete (Greece), the effect of two kinds of fertilization applied by two methods (foliar/root) was investigated. The foliar application included conventional or integrated nutrient management (INM) fertilization. Root application included the application of conventional fertilizers, biostimulants, or INM with biostimulants. Several properties of plant growth, physiology and nutrition were determined. The results showed that fertilization treatment affected neither leaf color and shape nor plant growth, morphology, dry mass partitioning or nutrient content. However, both kinds of foliar-applied fertilization enhanced Zn and B in leaves and soil-applied biostimulant increased leaf Ca. Considering both chlorophyll and antioxidant compounds’ content, foliar application of the INM fertilizers, as well as soil application of the conventional fertilizers or biostimulants, could be considered as accepted options. This study reports for the first time an assessment of the total phenolic and flavonoids content evidenced in V. arcturus and encourages the use of fertilization in promoting the herbal antioxidant profile without compromising visual quality or yield. The findings of this study could be considered as a documented contribution toward the sustainable exploitation of V. arcturus.


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. ALI ◽  
V. SOUZA MACHADO

Leaf chlorophyll fluorescence in susceptible B. campestris L. plants was greatly enhanced and the Hill reaction activity of isolated chloroplasts was inhibited by 10−4 M atrazine. The herbicide did not produce similar responses in resistant plants. 14C-atrazine was used to determine if, in addition, there were differences in uptake, translocation, and metabolism of the herbicide by the susceptible and resistant biotypes. The 14C-atrazine in nutrient solution was readily taken up by the roots of both biotypes and was rapidly translocated to the shoot. The 14C-atrazine was quickly metabolized and after a 24-h period 56 and 63% of the extractable radioactivity in susceptible and resistant plants, respectively, was present as metabolites, the major one being 2-hydroxyatrazine. Following a foliar application, less than 1% of the applied radioactivity moved into other parts of the plant. These results clearly show that triazine resistance in wild turnip rape is based in the chloroplast and that uptake, translocation, and metabolism of the herbicide play no decisive role in selectivity between the susceptible and resistant biotypes.Key words: Atrazine selectivity, Brassica campestris, chlorophyll fluorescence, Hill reaction, atrazine metabolism.


2008 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuo-Tan Li ◽  
Jacqueline K. Burns ◽  
James P. Syvertsen

The use of abscission compounds to loosen fruit from stems can be accompanied with various levels of phytotoxicity. To determine the effects of a promising abscission compound, 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1H-pyrazole (CMNP), and ethephon on sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] leaf function, water relations, and young fruit growth, we sprayed CMNP at 0, 200, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg·L−1 or ethephon at 400 or 800 mg·L−1 to fruiting branches of potted and field-grown sweet orange during the 2005–06 harvest season. Both compounds induced abscission of mature fruit and leaves 3 days after application but had little effect on leaf chlorophyll content, water content, and midday leaf water potential (Ψleaf) of remaining leaves. CMNP sprayed at 200 mg·L−1 or either concentration of ethephon did not affect leaf photosystem II efficiency, as indicated by leaf chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm). High CMNP concentrations (1000 or 2000 mg·L−1) reduced Fv/Fm 1 day after treatment, but Fv/Fm of leaves remaining on sprayed branches gradually recovered to the level of control leaves by 4 days after treatment. Similarly, high concentrations of CMNP and ethephon temporarily reduced net gas exchange of leaves for about 4 days. Young fruit growth also was temporarily inhibited by CMNP concentrations greater than 200 mg·L−1. We conclude that CMNP sprayed at recommended concentrations (200–500 mg·L−1) caused mature fruit abscission with little long-term phytotoxic effect on leaves or young fruit.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Pedro Gómez-Vera ◽  
Héctor Blanco-Flores ◽  
Ana Marta Francisco ◽  
Jimmy Castillo ◽  
Wilmer Tezara

Summary Studies on the effect of nanofertilizers (NF) in physiological performance of plants is scarce, especially that related to substances encapsulated into silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles in cocoa plants. The effect of foliar application of SiO2-NF on nutrient contents, gas exchange, photochemical activity, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein (TSP), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), and growth in seedlings of two cocoa clones (OC-61 and BR-05) in a greenhouse was assessed. Spraying with SiO2-NF increased net photosynthetic rate (A) by 16 and 60% and electron transport rate (J) by 52 and 162% in clones OC-61 and BR-05, respectively, without changes in photosynthetic pigment concentration in either clone. The SiO2-NF caused a decrease of 37 and 22% in stomatal conductance in OC-61 and BR-05, respectively; a similar trend was observed in transpiration rate, causing an increase of 42 and 100% in water use efficiency in OC-61 and BR-05, respectively. In both clones, diameter of graft increased on average 28% with SiO2-NF. Higher photosynthetic capacity was related to an increase in leaf N, P, and TSP. A significant reduction in PNUE (A/N ratio) was found in OC-61, whereas in BR-05 PNUE increased after spraying with SiO2-NF. Overall, spraying with SiO2-NF had a positive effect on photosynthetic processes in both cocoa clones, associated with an increase in nutrients content, which translated into improved growth. A differential physiological response to spraying with SiO2-NF between clones was also found, with BR-05 being the clone with a better physiological response during the establishment and development stages.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Khaled ◽  
H.A. Fawy

In this study, the effects were investigated of salinity, foliar and soil applications of humic substances on the growth and mineral nutrients uptake of Corn (Hagein, Fardy10), and the comparison was carried out of the soil and foliar applications of humic acid treatments at different NaCl levels. Soil organic contents are one of the most important parts that they directly affect the soil fertility and textures with their complex and heterogenous structures although they occupy a minor percentage of the soil weight. Humic acids are an important soil component that can improve nutrient availability and impact on other important chemical, biological, and physical properties of soils. The effects of foliar and soil applications of humic substances on the plant growth and some nutrient elements uptake of Corn (Hagein, Fardy10) grown at various salt concentrations were examined. Sodium chloride was added to the soil to obtain 20 and 60mM saline conditions. Solid humus was applied to the soil one month before planting and liquid humic acids were sprayed on the leaves twice on 20<sup>th</sup> and 40<sup>th</sup> day after seedling emergence. The application doses of solid humus were 0, 2 and 4 g/kg and those of liquid humic acids were 0, 0.1 and 0.2%. Salinity negatively affected the growth of corn; it also decreased the dry weight and the uptake of nutrient elements except for Na and Mn. Soil application of humus increased the N uptake of corn while foliar application of humic acids increased the uptake of P, K, Mg,Na,Cu and Zn. Although the effect of interaction between salt and soil humus application was found statistically significant, the interaction effect between salt and foliar humic acids treatment was not found significant. Under salt stress, the first doses of both soil and foliar application of humic substances increased the uptake of nutrients.


Weed Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 424-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
C J Zhang ◽  
S H Lim ◽  
J W Kim ◽  
G Nah ◽  
A Fischer ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 01009
Author(s):  
Sławomir Kocira ◽  
Agnieszka Sujak ◽  
Tomasz Oniszczuk ◽  
Agnieszka Szparaga ◽  
Mariusz Szymanek ◽  
...  

Application of biostimulants instigates many physiological processes that enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, and quality traits of crops, regardless of their nutrient content. One of such preparations is Atonik which contains nitrophenol compounds naturally occurring in plant cells. Several studies have confirmed its beneficial effect on the growth, development, and improved metabolic activity of plants. Therefore, it seems advisable to investigate the effect of Atonik preparation on the photosynthetic activity of Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.). The reported study was carried out in 2014 in Perespa, Poland. Over the growing season, Atonik was foliar-applied at a dose of 0.3 L/ha (0.1%) and 0.6 L/ha (0.2%) by single and double spraying of plants. Chlorophyll content and nitrogen status (N) were estimated by a Chlorophyll Meter SPAD-502 Plus. The foliar application of Atonik was found to improve the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus and chlorophyll content in the leaves of Dracocephalum moldavica plants, but the results were dependent on biostimulant concentration and number of its applications, and on the date of measurement. To conclude, Atonik is an environmental-friendly preparation which has a positive impact on the metabolic processes of plants.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yubaraj Dhakal ◽  
RS Meena ◽  
Nirmal De ◽  
SK Verma ◽  
Ajeet Singh

Significant improvement in LAI, number of trifoliate, SPAD value of green leaf chlorophyll, dry matter accumulation, yield, harvest index (%) and nutrient content of mungbean were recorded due to application of 75% RDF + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost (VC) + Rhizobium (Rh)+ phosphorus solublizing bacteria (PSB), followed by 100% RDF + 2.5 t/ha VC and 100% RDF + Rh + PSB. The highest seed yield of mungbean was obtained with the application of 75% RDF + 2.5 t/ha VC + Rh + PSB (12.34 q /ha) followed by 100% RDF + 2.5 t/ha VC (12.05 q /ha) and 100% RDF + Rh+ PSB (11.95 q /ha).


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-254
Author(s):  
José Pereira Carvalho Neto ◽  
Enilson de Barros Silva ◽  
Reynaldo Campos Santana ◽  
Paulo Henrique Grazziotti

Adequate nutrient levels in plants vary according to the species or clone, age and management practice. Therefore, adjustments of the nutrient solution are often necessary according to the plant material for multiplication. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of NPK fertilization on production and leaf nutrient contents of eucalyptus cuttings in nutrient solution. The study was conducted from November 2008 to January 2009 in a greenhouse. The experimental design was completely randomized fractional factorial (4 x 4 x 4)½, with a total of 32 treatments with three replications. The treatments consisted of four doses of N (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1) as urea, P (7.5, 15, 30 and 60 mg L-1) in the form of phosphoric acid and K (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1) in the form of potassium chloride in the nutrient solution. Only the effect of N alone was significant for the number and dry weight of minicuttings per ministump, with a linear decreasing effect with increasing N levels. The highest number of cuttings was obtained at a dose of 50, 7.5 and 50 mg L-1 of N, P and K, respectively.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document