Dry Herbage Yield Research Articles

Growth, yield, andrographolide content and total antioxidant activity of Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees] under variable nitrogen rates and organic manures application in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Kalmegh is an important medicinal crop because of the most important biologically active phyto-chemical called andrographolide. Production of higher herbage yields with appropriate quality in terms of andrographolide is largely dependent upon efficient nutrient management. This study aimed to assess the effect of organic manures application and variable nitrogen rates on growth, yield, andrographolide content and total antioxidant activity of Kalmegh. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three levels of organic manures [M1- Control, M2- vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 and M3- poultry manure @ 5 t ha−1] and four fertility levels [F1- 0: 50: 50, F2- 50: 50: 50, F3- 75 (37.5 + 37.5): 50: 50 and F4- 75: 50: 50 kg ha−1 N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively] replicated thrice. The highest dry herbage yields and andrographolide content of kalmegh were recorded with vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 + 75 (37.5 + 37.5): 50: 50 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha−1 followed by poultry manure @ 5 t ha−1 + 75 (37.5 + 37.5): 50: 50 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha−1 during both the years while, lower yields due to control. Dry herbage and andrographolide yield were found to be highest in M2×F3 compared with M1×F1. Our study concluded that the application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 along with 75 kg ha−1 N in two splits and 50 kg ha−1of each P2O5 and K2O resulted higher yield and andrographolide content which, would provide better soil nutrient status in sustainable manner without affecting ecological balances.

Standardization of Crop Geometry and Major Nutrients for Enhancing the Growth, Yield and Quality of Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall) cv. Theni under Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India

The study was conducted on the effect of spacing and fertilizers on growth, quality and yield of Artemisia pallens Wall. cv. Theni in northern Karnataka (Zone III) for two consecutive years in rabi 2021 and 2022. The research was set out in a factorial RCBD and replicated thrice in nine treatment combinations, that is three levels of spacing (S1: 15 x 7.5 cm, S2: 20 x 10 cm and S3: 30 x 10 cm) and three fertilizer levels (F1: 60:30:20 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1, F2: 90:30:30 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1 and F3: 120:40:40 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1). The pooled data of two years was statistically analysed using the Fisher's method of "Analysis of variance". Among the spacing levels, 20 x 10 cm spacing was noticed the maximum inflorescences plant-1 (87.40), hundred flower weight (3.83 g), fresh herbage yield (11.29 t ha-1), dry herbage yield (2.83 t ha-1) & essential oil yield (13.23 kg ha-1). Among various fertilizer doses application of F3 (120:40:40 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) was noticed economically feasible, it has obtained maximal growth and yield parameters. The highest fresh herb yield (12.78 t ha-1), dry herbage yield (3.16 t ha-1) and essential oil yield of (15.46 kg ha-1) were noticed with 120:40:40 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1 (F3) application. Spacing of 20 x 10 cm (S2) and application of 120:40:40 N N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1 (F3) found to be economical with highest benefit cost ratio of 4.08.

Investigating the crucial role of salicylic acid and harvest time on the yield and essential oil composition in sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

This research was carried out to determine the effects of different harvest time (HT) and salicylic acid application (SAA) on agronomic and quality characteristics of sage. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design in split plots with HTs (pre-flowering and 50% flowering periods) in the main plots and SAAs in the subplots (Control, 1, 2, and 4 mM). Plant height, fresh herb yield, dry herb yield, fresh leaf yield, dry leaf yield, leaf ratio, essential oil (EO) content, EO yield, and EO composition were examined. In total or mean results, the HT was statistically significant on plant height, fresh and dry herb yield, leaf ratio in both years. The SAA was statistically significant on fresh and dry herb yield and leaf ratio only in the second year. Among the 24 components identified, alpha thujone was the main component. This component was followed by camphor, 13-epimanool, veridiflorol, 1.8-cineol. According to the principal component analysis (PCA), in 2021, 1 mM SAAs applied at the 50% flowering period in the first cutting and at the pre-flowering period in the second cutting showed different properties regarding EO composition. In 2022, 4 mM SAAs applied at the 50% flowering period in the first and second cuttings showed different properties regarding EO composition. The study found that delaying the HT led to significant increases in plant height, fresh and dry herb yields. Additionally, the SAA increased the herb yield and decreased the leaf ratio, particularly in the second year.

Effects of mulching and nutritional strategies on the growth and yield of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The effect of mulching and nutrition on the growth and yield of sweet basil was examined by experimenting with four mulch treatments, viz., without mulch, black plastic, silver plastic, and organic mulch combined with four different nutrient compositions, viz., a 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), a combination of 75% RDF with humic acid, 75% RDF with microbial consortia and 75% RDF, and humic acid and microbial consortia, which served as sixteen treatment combinations with 100% RDF without mulch as a control. Among the different treatments, mulch had a significant effect on growth and yield parameters, with black plastic mulch having the maximum plant height (88.20 cm), number of branches (14.95), plant spread (5415 cm2), stem diameter (12.64 mm), fresh herbage yield (24.55 t/ha) and dry herbage yield (8.72 t/ha). Thus, the study revealed that among the various mulch treatments, black plastic mulch significantly enhanced the growth and yield parameters of sweet basil, demonstrating its efficacy in promoting optimal plant development and productivity.

Effect of Time of Transplanting and Spacing on Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

An experiment investigating the impact of transplanting time and spacing on Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) was conducted over three Kharif seasons from 2018-19 to 2020-21 at AICRP on Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Betelvine. Twenty treatment combinations were arranged in a FRBD design. Transplanting times varied from June to August, with spacing options ranging from 60x45 cm to 75 x 60 cm. Recorded observations included plant height, primary branches per plant, fresh herbage yield, and dry herbage yield. Results indicated significant differences across all parameters based on transplanting time and spacing. Transplanting during the first fortnight of July (D3) resulted in the highest values for plant height (98.20 cm), branches per plant (16.63), fresh herbage yield (99.98 q/ha), and dry herbage yield (18.91 q/ha). The treatment of transplanting during the second fortnight of June (D2) showed comparable results. Among spacing options, 60 x 45 cm (S1) demonstrated the most favorable outcomes. Notably, the combined treatment of transplanting during the first fortnight of July with 60 x 45 cm spacing (D3S1) yielded the highest plant height (99.21 cm), fresh herbage yield (122.54 q/ha), and dry herbage yield (23.02 q/ha). Economically, this treatment also proved superior, with a net monetary return of ₹91453/- and a B:C ratio of 1.99. Overall, findings suggest that transplanting Tulsi seedlings between the second fortnight of June and the first fortnight of July, coupled with 60 x 45 cm spacing, maximizes productivity and economic returns.

Effect of Organic Manures and Foliar Application on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.)

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of organic manures and foliar application of organics on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Kalmegh at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University to find out the suitable organic inputs and foliar organics for better growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Kalmegh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with twelve treatments and three replications comprising of a different combination (i) basal organics viz., Farm Yard Manure, Vermicompost and Pressmud (ii) foliar spray of organics viz., Panchagavya and Fish Amino Acid and untreated control. Among the twelve treatments, the plants which received Vermicompost at 5 t ha-1 + fish amino acid at 3% expressed higher values for the growth parameters viz., plant height (69.80 cm), number of branches plant-1 (25.13), number of leaves plant-1 (140.87). Physiological parameters viz., leaf area plant-1 (6.78), total dry matter production plant-1 (15.86 g plant-1). Yield parameters viz., fresh herbage yield plant-1 (42.74 g plant-1) and dry herbage yield plant-1 (14.24 g plant-1). Nutrient uptake viz., Nitrogen (38.97 Kg ha-1), Phosphorous (6.87 Kg ha-1) and Potassium (84.23 kg ha-1).

Agronomic, biochemical and bioactive properties of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) affected by foliar selenium spraying

The sage is a perennial medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Macro-micro elements have an important place in the development of this plant. One of these elements is selenium. This study aims to examine the effect of foliar selenium (Se) application on the agronomic, biochemical, and bioactive properties of sage. The plant height (PH), fresh herb yield (FHY), dry herb yield (DHY), and dry leaf yield (DLY) as agronomic properties, and Se content in the plant (SCP), ascorbic acid content (AAC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and mineral composition (MC) as biochemical and bioactive properties were investigated in this context. The experiment was carried out in four replications over three years in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In the study, 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 g ha−1 Se were applied to sage leaves. At the end of the study, it was determined that Se application was effective on the agronomic characteristics of the sage, except for the first year. The application of 100 g ha−1 Se in FHY, DHY, DLY, AA, and TPC properties emerged as the recommended dose since it reached the highest values. In addition, it was evaluated that the Se application did not have a statistically significant effect on the SCP. For years with statistical significance, 400 g ha−1 Se application was recommended in terms of AAC and 100 g ha−1 Se application in terms of AA and TPC.

Enriched soil amendments influenced soil fertility, herbage yield and bioactive principle of medicinal plant (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) grown in two different soils

High cost of chemical fertilizers and poor nutrient content in conventional organic sources (manure, compost, charcoal etc.) can be addressed through development of enriched organic amendments. However, there is a need to evaluate enriched organic amendments as a potential alternative of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, an effort was made to prepare enriched organic amendments through blending distillation waste of aromatic plant biomass (DWB) with naturally available low-grade rock phosphate (RP) and waste mica (WM). Enrich compost (ENC) was produced from DWB in a natural composting process, blended with mineral powder, whereas biochar fortified mineral (BFM) was prepared by blending biochar, derived from DWB through hydrothermal reaction, with mineral powder. The main aims of the present study were to investigate the impacts of ENC and BFM applications on soil properties, and herbage yield and quality of a medicinal herb Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). The performances of ENC and BFM at two different rates (2.5 and 5 t ha−1) were compared with the application of conventional farmyard manure (FYM, 5 t ha−1) and chemical fertilizers (CF, NPK 60-40-20 kg ha−1) in two different soils in a pot experiment. Both, ENC and EBC improved soil quality and fertility by increasing soil organic carbon, available nutrients, microbial biomass and enzyme activity. The ENC and BFM increased total herbage yields by 21 and 16.3 % compared to FYM. In both soils, the CF treatment produced the maximum dry herbage yields (32.7–37.4 g pot−1), which however were comparable to ENC (31.9–33.7 g pot−1) and BFM (30.7–35.1 g pot−1) treatments. Bioactive compound (sennoside) production in senna was significantly improved by ENC and BFM compared to CF. The present study indicates that ENC and BFM could not only help to overcome the limitation of conventional FYM, but also have the potentials to substitute costly chemical fertilizers, particularly in medicinal plant cultivation.

The impact of nitrogen fertilization on the alkaloid content and growth traits of Datura (Datura stramonium L.)

D. stramonium is a wild plant species belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae and grows on the edges of cotton fields, empty lands and roadsides. The plant is one of the most important economic weed plants that contain both toxic and medicinal properties. Studies have shown that the plant contains toxic tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. It is known that cultivation techniques have a great influence on the quality and quantity of secondary metabolites. For this reason, it is important to determine the optimal values of the agronomic factors that influence plant growth and production. This study was conducted in the experimental area of the Agricultural Faculty of Dicle University in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons so as to evaluate the impact of nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg ha-1) on some agronomical characteristics such as fresh and dry herb yield and total alkaloid content of Datura (Datura stramonium L.). The results revealed that significant (P?0.05) differences were observed between nitrogen doses in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons in terms of seed yield, fresh and dry herb yield and total alkaloid yield of seeds. However, seed yield changed between 545 kg ha-1 and 625 kg ha-1, fresh herb yield between 8000 and 24483 kg ha-1, dry herb yield between 2190 kg ha-1 and 5083 kg ha-1 and alkaloid content between 0.259% and 0.366%, respectively. The results showed that fresh and dry herb yields increased with increasing nitrogen doses.

Investigation on Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Cultivation in Aquaponic Aquaculture (Carp, Cyprinus carpio L.)

Aquaponic production system, which creates a sustainable production ecosystem by bringing water, fish, and plants together in a closed system, is a reflection of sustainable economic activities in aquaculture. In this context, the aim of the study was to investigate the cultivation possibilities of carp, lavender, and basil in two different grow beds (water and mollusc shell) created in the aquaponic production system. Basil and lavender as plant material and carp as fish material were used in the study. The experimental design was formed from 12 pots of 90 L volume, and the experiment was continued for 60 days with 3 replications. In the study, reasonably high values for specific growth rate (1.96±0.01 g), condition factor (1.5), and survival rate (97.05%) were obtained in carp. While basil (23.5 cm, 23.5 cm, and 16.5 cm) and lavender (16.57 cm, 15.14 cm end 9.73 cm) grown in water media performed better in terms of plant height, root length, and dry herb yield, the green herb yields of basil (49 cm) and Levander (19 cm) were found to be high for both plants in the mollusc shell media. The maximum NH4, NO3+NO2, and PO4 values were determined as 1.30 mg L-1 (in 3. quarter and fish tank), 40.07 mg/L (in 3. quarter and Levander shell group), and 0.37 mg L-1 (in 1. quarter and basil shell group) respectively.

Biostimulant Application Alleviates the Negative Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Improves Growth Performance, Essential Oil Yield and Water-Use Efficiency of Mint Crop

The scarcity of water is limiting crop production and is one of the most important stressors that severely affects crop yield, and it may also decrease the quality of the final products. Most of the medicinal and aromatic plants are considered resilient to water stress and constitute a sustainable choice for crop production in arid and semiarid conditions. In the present study, we examined the effect of scheduled deficit irrigation (e.g., I1: 40% of field capacity); I2: 70% of field capacity; and I3: 100% of field capacity) combined with biostimulant application (four different products that consisted of nitrogenous compounds and carboxylic acids (M1); nitrogenous compounds and seaweed extracts (M2); humic and fulvic acids and seaweed extracts (M3); and CaO, SiO2, calcium mobilization and translocation factor and microminerals (M4)) on crop performance and essential oil production of mint plants (Mentha arvensis L.). Our aim was to define an irrigation regime that increases water-use efficiency and the biostimulant products that alleviate water stress effects. Our results indicate that moderate deficit irrigation (I2 treatment) and biostimulants that contained seaweed extracts and nitrogenous compounds and humic and fulvic acids (M2 and M3 treatments, respectively) significantly improved yield parameters in terms of fresh and dry herb yield and essential oil production. Moreover, the same biostimulant treatments significantly increased water-use efficiency of mint crops based on the various yield parameters tested in this study. In conclusion, our results indicate that selection of proper biostimulatory products may allow to apply deficit irrigation regimes in mint cultivation without compromising the crop performance in terms of both biomass production and essential oil yield. Therefore, the combination of these agronomic tools could facilitate water saving strategies in arid and semiarid regions and contribute to the sustainable management of water resources.

Assessing the suitability of traditional food crops and resource use efficiency in kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall ex. Nees] based intercropping systems

Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall ex. Nees] has industrial potential due to the presence of bioactive substances, which always upsurges its demands in the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of the present study was to identify the suitable companion crops (cereal crops: maize, pearl millet, and sorghum; vegetable crops: okra, cluster bean, tomato, and brinjal; oilseed crops: sunflower and sesame; and pulses crop: pigeon pea) in kalmegh based intercropping system. To accomplish this goal, a field experiment was conducted at the experimental research farm of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) Lucknow, India, for three successive years. The results of the experiment revealed that among all the treatments of intercrops, T10 (Kalmegh + Pigeon pea), T4 (Kalmegh + Okra) in vegetables, T2 (Kalmegh + Pearl millet) in cereals had significantly higher kalmegh dry herbage yield (increased by 30.55%, 29.32%, and 16.53%, respectively), and andrographolide yield (increased by 87%, 49.09%, and 53.17%, respectively) in comparison to kalmegh sole-crop, this is likely related to the sciophytic behavior of kalmegh. Although, kalmegh shows strong competitiveness with all the treatments except T6 (Kalmegh + Tomato), T7 (Kalmegh + Brinjal), and T9 (Kalmegh + Sesame). In a similar manner, the land equivalent ratio ranged from 1.37 to 2.19 and the area time equivalent ratio ranged from 1.25 to 2.0, demonstrating that the kalmegh based intercropping system is a beneficial approach to maximize resource use efficiency. Consequently, in a world facing limited land resources, our research outcomes could help smallholder’s in improving their agricultural systems to achieve greater production efficiency.

Determination of Forage Yield and Other Characteristics of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Cultivars Sown at Different Times

In this study, which was carried out in Erzurum conditions to utilize cowpea cultivars and a cowpea landrace sown at different times as feed crops and determine some of their characteristics, 5 genotypes including 4 different cowpea cultivars (Akkız-86, Karagöz-86, Karnıkara, and Ülkem) and 1 landrace (red cowpea) were used, and treatment groups with 3 different sowing times (25 April, 10 May, and 25 May) were formed. The study was conducted with the Randomized Complete Block Design and 4 replicates. According to the results, after the sowing of the cowpea cultivars and landrace at different times, the ranges of the values were 21.50-90.50 cm for plant height, 11.50-25.25 cm for first pod height, 8.25-18.75 cm for pod length, 1.75-19.00 for number of pods, 1.50-13.75 for number of seeds per pod, 935-3537.55 kg/daa for green herbage yield, 157.40-760.38 kg/daa for dry herbage yield, 8.93-12.27% for crude protein ratio, 16.48-26.71% for ADF ratio, and 21.89-36.99% for NDF ratio. Among the sowing times, the dates 25 April and 10 May were prominent. Consequently, the treatment at the sowing time of 25 April was found optimal in terms of the green herbage yield, crude protein ratio, ADF, and NDF values in terms of the identification of sowing times of the plant as a feed crop in Erzurum conditions. Among the cultivars, the Ülkem cultivar and the red cowpea landrace provided the best results as feeds.

Evaluation of Genetic Variability of Some Local Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Genotypes Using Different Statistical Analysis

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the variation among local grass pea varieties in Türkiye by using some statistical analysis. Methods: The investigation was carried out according to the randomized block design with three replications during the growing season of 2018 and 2019 with 9 different genotypes and 2 registered varieties of grass pea at the Batý Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute. Days to flowering, green herbage yield, dry herbage yield, seed yield, thousand seed weight, plant main stem length, the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were determined. Furthermore, the results of investigated features were subjected to correlation, regression, path and cluster analysis. Result: The results showed sufficient variability in seed yield based on characteristics among the tested genotypes. Regression analysis showed that days to flowering, harvest index, number of pods per plant, straw yield and biological yield should be given more importance during selection. This study resulted in three clusters with the maximum intergenetic distance between genotypes Ls17 and Ls23. According to the results of the research, it was determined that genotypes Ls15 and Ls32 were equivalent to commercial cultivars in terms of the investigated characteristics.

Essential oil yield and compositions of Dracocephalum moldavica L. in intercropping with fenugreek, inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria

Intercropping is one of the most important components of sustainable agriculture. The effects of chemical fertilizer (CF), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus sp.) and AMF + nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) including Azospirillum and Azotobacter (AMF + NFB) was studied on essential oil yield and compositions of Moldavian balm (Mb) (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) in sole cropping and intercropping with fenugreek (F) (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). The experiment was conducted during 2020 and 2021 growing seasons in East Azarbayhan, Iran. The highest dry herbage yield (6132 kg ha−1) was obtained in Mb:F(4:2) and CF treatment. After sole Moldavian balm, the highest essential oil yield (15.28 kg ha−1) was obtained in Mb:F (4:2) and AMF + NFB treatment. Geranial, geranyl acetate, geraniol, neral, and nerol were the main chemical constituents of essential oil. In AMF + NFB treatments the geranial contents in intercropping patterns of Mb:F (1:1), (2:2) and (100:50), increased by 25.1, 15.5 and 34.6% compared with sole Moldavian balm. The highest LERT values were observed in Mb:F (100:50) cropping pattern in 2021 (1.70 and 1.63 for CF and AMF + NFB treatments). Generally, it can be concluded that Mb:F (100:50) intercropping and use of AMF + NFB bio-fertilizer could be recommended to medicinal plant growers in sustainable production systems.

The Effect of Irrigation and Humic Acid on the Plant Yield and Quality of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) with Mulching Application under Semi-Arid Ecological Conditions.

The adoption of suitable irrigation levels (IRL), humic acid doses (HAD) and soil mulching (SM) are important tools for improving the morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of medicinal and aromatic plants. Ocimum basilicum L. cultivated under four IRL: IRL 100 = 100% FC-IRL 75 = 75% FC-IRL 50 = 50% FC-IRL 25 = 25% FC and four HAD: HA 0 = 0.0 Lha-1-HA 10 = 10.0 Lha-1-HA 20 = 20.0 L ha-1-HA 40 = 40.0 L ha-1 were applied in order to evaluate morpho-physiological and biochemical traits under the ecological conditions of Eskişehir in 2016 and 2017. A second trial was conducted with black plastic soil mulch (SM) and compared with the control plots (CP) in 2016. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with split plots and three replications. The plant height (PH), fresh herb yield (FHY), dry herb yield (DHY), dry leaf yield (DLY), protein ratio (PR), and main essential oil compounds (MEOC) of Ocimum basilicum L. increased and the essential oil ratio (EOR) and essential oil yield (EOY) decreased with increasing IRL (IRL 100 and IRL 75). FHY (7268.3 and 7472.7 kg ha-1) and DLY (635.3 and 637.5 kg ha-1) increased with increasing HAD (HA 20 and HA 40) compared to the values of FHY and DLY at HA 0 (6852.6 and 587.0 respectively). The SM application at IRL 50 increased the PH between 8.8 and 13.5%, FHY 11.7 and 16.7%, DLY 22.5 and 29.2%, and at IRL 75 the EOY between 20.0 and 23.9% compared to CP. In addition, PH, FHY, DLY, and EOY were highest at HA 40 and HA 20. The MEOC (linalool, 1,8-cineole, and (E) - β-bergamotene) under SM were more pronounced at IRL 25 and IRL 50 compared to CP. HA particularly improved FHY, DLY, and the main essential oil compounds that can be considered plant biostimulants, which were defined by several studies and regulations.

Effect of genotypes and foliar spray of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on andrographolide yield in Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. under semi-arid climate

BackgroundAndrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. is an important medicinal plant grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions where semi-arid condition restricts economically viable cultivation. Foliar exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and salicylic acid (SA) was tested for their effectiveness in preventing yield loss in five different morphotypes of A. paniculata subjected to deficit soil moisture stress imposed during 90–140 days after transplanting.ResultsSoil moisture content below 6% reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid content and upregulated antioxidant enzymes activity. The dry herbage yield was adversely affected by deficit soil moisture stress causing a 14% decline. The andrographolide concentration ranged between 1.40% and 1.54%. Though andrographolide concentration increased by 6%, andrographolide yield declined by 8.21% due to soil moisture stress. Moderately high doses of MeJ and SA reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid content and upregulated antioxidant enzymes activity, however, failed to prevent the loss in dry herbage yield or total andrographolide yield in any morphotype.ConclusionsFoliar application of MeJ and SA do not warrant any protection against stress induced yield loss in field grown A. paniculata. However, morphotype AP 13 (round canopy, open-type branch, long narrow leaf) and AP 35 (columnar canopy, closed-type branch, long broad leaf) for having comparatively high herbage yield remained at a better position for total andrographolide yield under deficit soil moisture stress in the semi-arid climate.

Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles as Effective Phosphorus Nano-fertilizer on Italian Parsley Plants

Nanomaterials have been developed for various applications due to their unique features, and anew interest is now growing in their use in the agricultural sector as nano-fertilizers. Among the developed nanomaterials, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Nano-HAP) possess a relevant potential to be used as a source of nano-phosphorus fertilizer. Here, we evaluated the effect of these nanoparticles on growth traits, herb and essential oil yields, and histological changes of Italian parsley. The following fertilizer treatments were applied: control, NPK normal solution, Nano-HAP (0.25, 0.50, 1.0 g/L). The results showed that the foliar application of Nano-HAP tended to be comparable (and even superior) to that of conventional NPK fertilizer. Italian parsley responded positively to Nano-HAP treatments at 0.5 g/L with higher fresh (~1.5 to 3-fold increase) and dry herb yields and higher essential oil yields (10.64−20.97 L/ha) compared with the control and NPK treatments. Conversely, Nano-HAP at a high concentration of 1.0 g/L adversely influenced the growth and yield characteristics of the Italian parsley. In terms of anatomical traits, the Nano-HAP foliar application showed an improvement in the lamina and petiole measurements. Nano-HAP at 0.5 g/L produced the greatest values for the thickness of lamina, phloem tissue, xylem tissue, main vein of leaf lamina and oil gland diameter, as well as for the thickness of phloem and xylem tissues, and pith diameter of leaf petiole. Overall, our findings indicate that Nano-HAP at 0.5 g/L seems to be the most appropriate treatment for Italian parsley production.

Satureja montana L. Cultivated under Polypropylene Woven Fabric on Clay-Textured Soil in Dry Farming Conditions

During a five-year field trial established with Satureja montana L. under polypropylene woven fabric (PPWF) on clay-textured soil in dry farming conditions in South Banat, Serbia, the influence of a single basal application of compost and mineral fertilizers at different planting densities (3.6 and 5 plants m−2) on the yield was investigated. Single-dose fertilization positively influenced the yields of S. montana in both applied fertilization models. In the third production year, the dry herb yield achieved by applying organic fertilizers in dense cultivation (1016 g m−1) was comparable with that obtained in the mineral plot (961 g m−1). Furthermore, the plants were optimally supplied with N, P, and K macronutrients, with equal amounts removed by yield, in both tested fertilization plots. The use of PPWF proved beneficial to cultivated plants in terms of water-use efficiency and weed suppression. However, severe yield loss was observed in the fourth and fifth production years as a result of the extreme rainfall conditions; the excess moisture retained by PPWF applied to heavy clay soil favored the development of soil-borne pathogens. Other mulch materials should be further investigated for the production of S. montana on heavy clay soil.

Comparison of different helichrysum species in terms of agro-morphological characteristics and essential oil content

Helichrysum species belonging to the Asteraceae family are popularly known as goldengrass, mantuvar, guddeme flower and immortelle in our country. Helichrysum species, which are commonly found in nature in Anatolia, are consumed as herbal tea. Helichrysum essential oils are used in folk medicine to protect against colds, kidney stones, stomach ailments, coronary heart disease, stroke and some cancer derivatives, thanks to their antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and phenolic compounds. This research was carried out to compare agro-morphological characteristics and essential oil ratio between cultured Helichrysum italicum (HI) and naturally distributed Helichrysum stoechas (HS) species. The experiment was established in Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School’s land in April 2022 with HS and HI species according to the Random Blocks Trial Design with 3 replications. In the study, plant height, green herb yield, dry herb yield, fresh flower yield, dry flower yield and essential oil ratio parameters were investigated. The results of the analysis of variance with the data of the investigated characteristics, it was determined that the culture form HI may be a more suitable medicinal plant for the ecological conditions of İzmir-Ödemiş compared to HS, which spreads in the flora.