Lepidium Sativum Research Articles

The contamination rate of raw vegetable with pathogenic protozoa in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan-Iraq

This study was carried out to determine the contamination rate of raw vegetables with the intestinal parasite in Sulaimani province, Kurdistan, Iraq. A total of 300 fresh leafy vegetable samples, including (Dill, green onion, leek, lettuce, garden cress, watercress, peppermint, celery, radish and spinach) were collected from three central markets in the Sulaimani province. Each sample was separately washed with distilled water and/or phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The washing fluid was analyzed to detect parasite using standardized direct and indirect (sedimentation) microscopic examination technique. The total contamination rate of vegetable with the intestinal parasites was 36% (108/300). Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent parasite (9.3%) followed by Entamoeba coli (5%), Trichomonas spp. (4.6%), and Entamoeba histolytica (3.6%). The most contaminated vegetable was Peppermint 70% (21/30), followed by celery 46.6% (14/30), radish and garden cress were having the same contamination rates 43.3% (13/30) and green onion 36.6% (11/30). This finding concludes the raw vegetables in Sulaimani markets are a potential sources of intestinal parasite transmission, and the contamination rate of vegetables was very high and at critical level.

Microgreens - biologically complete product of the XXI century

Microgreens are a new functional food crop that can facilitate adaptation to urbanization and global climate change, and improve human health. The research was carried out in 2021 at the Department of Landscape Architecture of the Kuzbass State Agricultural Academy. The aim of the research was to study the technology of cultivation of microgreens of the Brassicaceae family on an aqueous substrate. The objects of research were the seeds of cultivated plants of the Brassicaceae family: Brassica oleracea Broccoli Group broccoli or asparagus, Fortuna, Raphanus sativus radish, Violetta, Lepidium sativum, watercress, Dansky, and Eruca versicaria, arugula, Sicily. It was revealed that microgreens can be obtained from seeds of the Brassicaceae family in 6-12 days. Such a product does not have time to accumulate harmful substances from the atmosphere in a short period of time. When growing microgreens, it is not necessary to use mineral fertilizers, pesticides and, thus, it is possible to obtain environmentally friendly, biologically useful products with low material costs. It was found that, depending on the seeds of the studied crops and their genotype, the cycle of growing microgreens lasts from 6 to 10 days after germination. Depending on the type of culture, the sprouts reached a height of 5-10 cm. The laboratory germination rate was 96-98%.

Imbibition-induced changes in cell membrane on germination and some physiological parameters in aged cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds

The deterioration of cellular membranes is the natural phenomenon in seeds exposed to aging. Physiological changes, such as accumulation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunction, and loss of essential metabolites, suppressed antioxidant defense system, and lipid peroxidation occur during the process of seed aging. In the present study, the physiological changes in aged cress seeds and seeds imbibed under different temperatures after aging were examined. In this regard, an array of analysis concerned with the cell membrane leakages and seed viability was performed. For comparison, accelerated aged seed lots with high, intermediate and low viability were used, in relation to the control (not subjected to short-term imbibitions). Accordingly, while the viability in control varied between 43% and 86%, the viability rates of the aged seeds ranged from 41% to 90%. Furthermore, imbibition increased the antioxidant capacity in aged seeds and reduced the lipid peroxidation level, and consequently, reduced the amount of K2+, P3+, Ca2+, Na+ ions, soluble sugar, total protein and amino acids in the solute leakage. Hence, this method might be considered as simple, fast, cost-efficient, nondestructive and applicable in many seed lots at the same time.

Growth Inhibitory Activity of Pruning Branch Wastes from Kiwifruit Cultivation on Three Weed Species

The regular pruning in the cultivation of kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson) is necessary to maintain fruit productivity and quality, and the pruning generates a significant amount of wastes. In this study, allelopathic activity of pruning branch wastes was investigated to discover beneficial applications of the wastes. An aqueous methanol extract of pruning branch wastes inhibited the growth of cress (Lepidum sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and weed species, Lolium multiflorum Lam., Vulpia myuros (L.) C. C. Gmel., and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. Significant reductions in the growth were observed as the extract concentration was increased. The effectiveness of the extract varied by these plant species. The extract was then separated by several chromatographies with monitoring the inhibitory activity and the most active substance in the extract was isolated. The substance may work as an allelopathic agent because of its growth inhibitory activity. The present research suggests that kiwifruit pruning branches wastes may have allelopathic activity and be potentially useful for weed control in several agricultural field conditions. Further investigation is, however, necessary in the field conditions to develop the practical application of the pruning wastes.

A comparative study of the chloroplast genomes of five Lepidium species with high medicinal value.

Plantgenomics is a rapidly developing field in medicinal plant research. This study analysed the relevant information of chloroplasts genome sequences of five medicinal plants from the genus Lepidium . We sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of Lepidium apetalum Willd. and Lepidium perfoliatum Linnaeus., and assessed their genetic profiles against the reported profiles of Lepidium sativum Linnaeus., Lepidium meyenii Walp., and Lepidium virginicum Linn. We found that L. apetalum and L. perfoliatum possessed 130 distinct genes that included 85 protein-coding, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA), and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Our repeat analyses revealed that L. apetalum harboured 20 direct repeats, 16 palindrome repeats, 30 tandem repeats, and 87 simple sequence repeats, whereas, L. perfoliatum had 15 direct repeats, 20 palindrome repeats, four reverse repeats, 21 tandem repeats, and 98 simple sequence repeats. Using syntenic analysis, we also revealed a high degree of sequence similarity within the coding regions of Lepidium medicinal plant cp genomes, and a high degree of divergence among the intergenic spacers. Pairwise alignment and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) examinations further revealed certain Lepidium -specific gene fragments. Codon usage analysis showed that codon 14 was the most frequently used codon in the Lepidium coding sequences. Further, correlation investigations suggest that L. apetalum and L. perfoliatum originate from similar genetic backgrounds. Analysis of codon usage bias of Lepidium cp genome was strongly influenced by mutation and natural selection. We showed that L. apetalum and L. perfoliatum will likely enhance breeding, species recognition, phylogenetic evolution, and cp genetic engineering of the Lepidium medicinal plants.

Protective Effect of Lepidium Sativum Seeds and Buttermilk on Osteoporosis in Female Rats

Protective Effect of Lepidium Sativum Seeds and Buttermilk on Osteoporosis in Female Rats

The diversity of bacterial endophytes from Iris pseudacorus L. and their plant beneficial traits

This study reports the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus L.) by using 16S rRNA gene analysis and their plant beneficial traits. The 16S rRNA sequence similarities of endophytic bacteria isolated from the leaves and roots of yellow iris showed that the isolates belonged to the genera Staphylococcus, Streptomyces, Variovorax, Pantoea, Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Janthinobacterium, Enterobacter, Brevibacterium, Agrobacterium, Rhizobium, Xanthomonas translucens, and Pseudomonas. The endophytic bacteria Pseudomonas gessardii HRT18, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans HRT8, Streptomyces atratus HRT13, and Bacillus toyonensis HST13 exhibited antimicrobial activity against five plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Botrytis, Pythium, and Alternaria. They also demonstrated the capability to produce chitinase, protease, glucanase, lipase, HCN, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Thirteen isolates (46%) produced IAA, and the most active IAA producers were Bacillus cereus, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Agrobacterium vitis, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus aryabhattai. The IAA producing bacterial isolates stimulated root and shoot growth of garden cress. Our findings suggest that medicinal plants could be a promising source for isolating plant-beneficial bacteria that can be used to enhance the growth and protect plants against soil-borne pathogens.

Evaluation of In-vitro functional potential of developed synergistic Fe-Vit C rich powder for anemic adolescent girls

Nutritional anemia is a major public health issue in India affecting more than 60% of adolescent girls. The present study was conducted for phytochemical screening, estimation of total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanolic extracts of iron and vitamin C rich powder mix (Fe-Vit C powder mix) developed from cauliflower and turnip leaves, garden cress seeds, rice flakes and Aonla, to combat iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls. The total phenolic content was 180.02 mg GAE/g of powder. At the concentration of 500µg/ml, the extracts showed 91.8 ± 0.370 and 91.4 ± 0.312% scavenging activity by DPPH and Hydrogen peroxide method, respectively. The methanolic extracts of powder were found to have significant antimicrobial activity against all the three test microorganisms i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Candida albicans. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of extracts showed the presence of almost all phytochemicals only, Anthocyanins and sterols were found to be absent. Fe-Vit C powder mix appeared to be successful alternative for nutrition intervention and supplementary feeding programme to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls.

Allelopathy and Allelopathic Substances of Fossil Tree Species Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et W.C. Cheng is one of the oldest living conifer species, and it has remained unchanged for millions of years compared to its fossils from the Cretaceous period. The species are cultivated in the parks, gardens, and roadsides in many countries. We investigated the allelopathy and allelopathic substances in fallen leaves of M. glyptostroboides. An aqueous methanol extract of the fallen leaves inhibited the growth of cress (Lepidium sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Lolium multiflorum Lam., Phleum pretense L., and Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C.Gmel. The extract was then purified by several chromatographic steps, and two allelopathic substances were isolated and determined by spectral data to be (+)-rhododendrol and 9-epi-blumenol C. The compound inhibited the growth of cress and L. multiflorum. M. glyptostroboides is a deciduous perennial tree, and accumulation of its fallen leaves occur on the soil under the trees. Therefore, those allelopathic substances in the fallen leaves may be liberated into the rhizosphere soil during the decomposition process of fallen leaves and provide a competitive advantage for M. glyptostrob through the growth inhibition of competing plant species nearby. Therefore, M. glyptostroboides is allelopathic, and (+)-rhododendrol and 9-epi-blumenol C may be contribute to the allelopathy.

Extraction of Lepidium sativum Seed Mucilage: Optimization of Extraction Process with Maximum Yield by using Full Factorial Design

Objective: The present investigation helps to isolate the seed mucilage of Lepidium sativum by using an economic extraction process with utmost yield. Diligence effort was given to get the maximum yield of the mucilage with good flow properties without affecting the intrinsic properties of the extracted mucilage. The yield of the seed mucilage of Lepidium sativum was optimized by using a quality by design approach. The full factorial design was used using three variables (pH of extract, water to seed ratio, and drying temperature) at two levels (high and low). Overall, ten formulation trials were generated through statistical software Minitab placing 2 center points, 1 replicate, and 1 block. All trials were executed to evaluate the percentage yield.
 Results: The extraction process was evaluated with different solvents (such as ethanol and acetone) and different techniques to monitor the yield of the process. The maximum yield was achieved by soaking Lepidium sativum seeds in water (1:30 ratio), maintaining an alkaline pH, blending by hand blender, and using acetone as a solvent. A factorial design was used to observe the responses like the yield of the isolated mucilage for different levels of all the independent variables. A polynomial equation was developed and model plots (contour plot and Pareto chart) were generated to study the impact of the critical variables on the response yield. ANOVA analysis of the model suggested that the independent variables had significantly affected (p < 0.05) in predicting the response (% yield) and the coefficient terms with a p-value less than 0.05 had a significant effect on the prediction efficacy of the model. Finally, the optimized parameter was established based on statistical evaluation obtained from the polynomial equation as well as the recommendation obtained from the response optimizer. The study indicates that the obtained linear regression equation has a linear relation with a regression coefficient of 0.9869 % for response % yield.
 Conclusion: A cost-effective extraction and isolation process was established to extract the seed mucilage of Lepidium sativum with maximum yield. The isolated mucilage was evaluated for flow properties and demonstrated that it is having good flow properties and can be used as an excipient or adjuvant in different pharmaceuticals and food industries. The applicability of factorial design was well demonstrated to optimize the yield by optimizing the critical factors.

Assessment of Brassicaceae Seeds Quality by X-ray Analysis

A serious problem of vegetable production is the quality of sown seeds. In this regard, assessment of seed quality before sowing and storage is of great practical interest. The modern level of scientific research requires the use of instrumental automated methods of seed quality evaluation, allowing to obtain more information and in a shorter time. The material for the study was a variety of samples from the collection of Brassica oleracea L., var. capitata, Raphanus sativus L., var. radicula, and Lepidium sativum L. seeds from the Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Breeding and the Timofeev Selection Station. Digital X-ray images of seeds were obtained using a mobile X-ray diagnostic device PRDU-02. Automatic analysis of digital X-ray images was performed in the software “VideoTesT-Morphology 5.2.” The following latent defects of cabbage seeds of economic importance were revealed and identified: irregular darkening, significant “patterning” with deep separation of embryo parts, “angularity of seeds” leading to the loss of their viability. Automatic analysis of digital X-ray images of seeds confirmed the informativeness of brightness indices of digital X-ray images, as well as shape indices. Their connection with sowing qualities of the studied seeds was established.

Assessing ursolic acid contents of some commonly consumed herbs grown in Turkey

Ursolic acid is a triterpenoid compound in the plant kingdom and has important biological functions. In this study, ursolic acid contents of nine herbs including Anethum graveolens (dill), Camellia sinensis L. (green tea), Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress), Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil), Petroselinum crispum L. (parsley), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), Salvia officinalis L. (sage), Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) and Urtica dioica L. (nettle) were determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC-UV). Based on the results from the analysis of herbs, ursolic acid contents varied between 0.20% and 7.11%. The ursolic acid content was highest in rosemary and sage (7.11±0.20% and 6.63±0.27%, respectively), while the lowest content of ursolic acid was in nettle (0.20±0.10). It is expected from the results of this work to contribute to the knowledge on the nutritional value of commonly consumed herbs in Turkey and encourage their consumption as functional foods.

Development of a biocrystallisation assay for examining effects of homeopathic preparations using cress seedlings

Background:
 
 A major challenge of homeopathic basic research is to develop test systems that yield consistent results. Outcome of plant bioassays is usually based on growth parameters (e.g. germination rate, seedling length, leaf area).
 
 
 
 Aims:
 
 We aimed to evaluate the potential of a crystallisation method with additives (“biocrystallisation”) as complementary outcome measure. This method used is based on the crystallographic phenomenon that when crystallising watery solutions of dihydrate CuCl2 in the presence of organic additives (juices/extracts), reproducible dendritic crystal structures are observed. The resulting biocrystallograms can be evaluated visually and/or by computerized image analysis.
 
 
 
 Methods:
 
 Cress seeds (Lepidium sativum L.) germinated and grew in vitro in either Stannum met. 30x or water 30x. Per experiment, six coded (blinded) 30x preparations were applied in randomized order, representing three independent replicates of the two treatments. Seedlings grew for 96 hours in darkness and were subsequently processed into a watery extract. Biocrystallisation was performed on circular glass plates in 6-fold replication per treatment group, yielding 36 biocrystallograms per experiment. A total of 15 independent experiments were performed at two independent laboratories. Biocrystallograms were scanned and analysed by computerized texture image analysis, using 15 second-order parameters as outcome measure. 3-way-ANOVA with the independent parameters treatment (n=2), internal replicate (n=3), and number of experiment (n=15) was used to analyse the data.
 
 
 
 Results:
 
 All 15 texture analysis variables yielded significant or highly significant results for the homeopathic treatment. Two variables yielded differences between the internal replicates, most probably due to a processing order effect. There were only minor differences between the results of the two laboratories.
 
 
 
 Conclusions:
 
 The texture of biocrystallograms of homeopathically treated cress exhibited specific characteristics, differentiating water 30x and Stannum met. 30x. Thus, the biocrystallisation method seems to be a promising complementary outcome measure for plant bioassays investigating effects of homeopathic preparations.

Plant growth regulatory activity in the phytopathogenic fungus Plectosphaerella melonis strain 502

Aim. To investigate the ability of our phytopathogenic fungal strain 502, earlier preliminarily identified as the phytopathogen Plectosphaerella melonis (syn. Acremonium cucurbitacearum), to have phytotoxic and/or plant growth regulatory activity. Methods. The phytotoxicity of strain 502, was studied by bioassays using the test cultures of corn (Zea mays L.), garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and onion (Allium cepa L.). The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the fungus were estimated using the Allium cepa-test. The mitotic index of the, the duration of mitosis phases, and the frequency of aberrant ana-telophases of Allium cepa L. roots meristem was also investigated. For this purpose, strain 502, was grown in the following culture media: synthetic Raulin-Thom medium for 10 days at 26 ± 2 °С. Cell-free filtrate (culture fluid) was used for the study. Ethylene production was quantified in culture filtrate using gas-chromatography meth- od. Ethylene measurement was performed every 7 days during 8 weeks. The determination was carried out using a gas chromatograph «Agilent Technologies 6850» (USA) fitted with a flame ionization detector, using commercial ethylene as a standard for identification and quantification Every experiment had three repeats. The reliability of experimental data was assessed by statistical methods using Statistica 12 (Stat-Soft Inc., USA). Results. Undiluted culture fluid (obtained by growing the fungus on liquid wort) of our strain 502 inhibited the growth of Z. mays seedlings by 14 %, L. sativum seedlings by 18 % (1 : 100 dilution) and stimulated the growth of L. sativum roots by 54 and 41 % (1 : 10 and 1 : 100 dilutions, respectively). The culture fluid, obtained by growing the fungus on Raulin-Thom’s synthetic agar, demonstrated a slight inhibitory effect on the seedlings and roots of L. sativum, and at the dilution of 1 : 1000 stimulated growth by 30 %. Insignificant changes in the mitotic index of the meristem of A. cepa roots were revealed at the effect of the culture fluid of P. melonis, strain 502, diluted at the ratio of 1 : 100 and 1 : 1000. At the same time, the number of cells at the prophase stage decreased 1.7 times (1 : 100 dilution). There is a significant increase in the number of cells at the metaphase stage – 1.3 and 1.4 times (dilution 1 : 100 and 1 : 1000, respectively), the anaphase stage – 2.1 and 1.8 times (dilution 1 : 100 and 1 : 1000, respectively) and the telophase stage – 1.8 times (1 : 100 dilution), as compared with the positive control (culture medium). The frequencies of aberrant ana-telophases in the apical meristems of the initial roots were 5.0 and 2.2 % (at the culture fluid dilution of 1 : 100 and 1 : 1000, respectively). We researched the abil- ity of P. melonis 502 to synthesize ethylene and the highest level of it was registered after 5 weeks of cultivation (111.78 nmol/h g). Conclusions: It was demonstrated by us that the culture fluid of strain 502 showed no phytotoxic effect on roots and seedlings of the investigated cultures, demonstrating the exclusion of phytotoxins from the possible range of effectors. No cytotoxic or genotoxic activity of the culture fluid was observed either. However, the culture fluid altered the dynamics of the cell cycle, in particular, shortened the prophase and stimulated the metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. The culture fluid of the fungus stimulated the growth of L. sativum roots depending on the nutrient medium, where the fungus was grown and cultivated. In particular, when growing the fungus on the liquid wort, the growth was higher by 54 and 41 % (dilution 1 : 10 and 1 : 100, respectively), when growing on synthetic Raulin-Thom’s medium – by 30 %. This demonstrates the ability of strain 502 to possibly synthesize growth promoting substances. Also, we have shown the ability of this strain to synthetize ethylene in vitro (111.78 ± 13.27 nmol/h per g), which can act as virulence factor. We consider the obtained results to be the first stage of the study on the mechanism of the interaction between pathogenic strain 502 and plants.

Influences of mycorrhizal inoculum on Cd and Pb uptake by wheat plant

Influences of mycorrhizal inoculum on Cd and Pb uptake by wheat plant

Application of Phytotests to Study of Environmental Safety of Biologicaly Synthetised Au and Au/ZnO Nanoparticles Using Tanacetum parthenium Extract

Due to their small sizes and high reactivity, nanoparticles have a completely different toxicity profile than larger particles, and it is difficult to predict their potential ecological impact. There is a need for broad ecotoxicological studies of nanomaterials in order to specify their environmental impact and ensure safe application of nanotechnology products. In this work, we have assessed the toxicity of Au and Au/ZnO metal nanoparticles obtained with the use of Tanacetum parthenium (herba) extract. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (UV–VIS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In order to assess the toxicity of biologically synthesized nanoparticles, we used seeds of various plants: Lepidium sativum, Linum flavum, Zea mays, Salvia hispanica-chia, Lupinus angustifolius, Petroselinum crispum subsp. Crispum, Beta vulgaris, Phaseolus vulgaris. The in vitro phytotests showed that gold nanoparticles at a specific range of concentrations for all plants stimulated their growth. The highest growth activity was exhibited by the solution at the concentration of 0.300 mg/ml towards corn (Aw ≈ − 135 ± 16) and flax (Aw ≈ − 44 ± 10). Only for parsley the IC50 was determined at 0.57 mg/ml, but solutions at the concentration of 0.030 to 0.150 mg/ml also stimulated plant growth. Au/ZnO had a toxic effect at all concentrations applied in the study.

Antioxidants from Callus Technology

Antioxidants are very important compounds that are very vital in human health and they have been proven to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer in human health. Many researchers have used callus to produce antioxidant and most of them used different techniques to get reasonable amounts of antioxidants. The technique used determines the number of antioxidants that will be produced from any explants. Callus Technology involves the techniques of producing callus and metabolites in the presence of explants using different plant hormonal combination in media, different environmental culture condition (light, relative humidity and tempreture), use of elicitors and under a sterile conditions. Callus technology is very promising due to its ability to produce a larger quantity of metabolites (antioxidants) compare to the raw extract of its explants. The use of callus to produce antioxidants is very important and very useful in discovering new plants as a source of antioxidants. The use of callus technology was reviewed for production of antioxidant from the callus of the following plants: Sericostoma pauciflorum, Helicteres angustifolia L, Lepidium sativum L, Randia echinocarpa, Andrographis paniculata Nees, Citrullus colocynthis, Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel, Decalepis hamiltonii, Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) and Isodon rugosus (Wall. Ex Benth). Callus technology can be utilized to produce antioxidants and other metabolites in industrial quantity. Most of the metabolites from plants have been found to have medicinal values or useful to mankind and antioxidant is one of them.

Unravelling the Photoprotection Properties of Garden Cress Sprout Extract.

Plants, as with humans, require photoprotection against the potentially damaging effects of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Previously, sinapoyl malate (SM) was identified as the photoprotective agent in thale cress. Here, we seek to identify the photoprotective agent in a similar plant, garden cress, which is currently used in the skincare product Detoxophane nc. To achieve this, we explore the photodynamics of both the garden cress sprout extract and Detoxophane nc with femtosecond transient electronic absorption spectroscopy. With the assistance of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we determine that the main UV-absorbing compound in garden cress sprout extract is SM. Importantly, our studies reveal that the photoprotection properties of the SM in the garden cress sprout extract present in Detoxophane nc are not compromised by the formulation environment. The result suggests that Detoxophane nc containing the garden cress sprout extract may offer additional photoprotection to the end user in the form of a UV filter booster.

Assessing the effects of bio-organic and chemical fertilizers application on absorption of macronutrients and heavy metals in vegetables (Case study: Lepidium sativum)

Assessing the effects of bio-organic and chemical fertilizers application on absorption of macronutrients and heavy metals in vegetables (Case study: Lepidium sativum)

Benifits of biochar application for sandy loam Albic Luvisol

The effect of a slow pyrolisys biochar on the watercress ( Lepidium sativum L) root growth, on the sandy loam Albic Luvisol water retention, leachate acidity and mineral nitrogen leaching were studied in a six-week laboratory experiment. The experiment included four treatments: control soil; soil + biochar (20 t ha -1 ); soil + fertiliser (120 kg N ha -1 ); soil + biochar (20 t ha -1 ) + fertiliser (120 N kg ha -1 ). Spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L) was sown to all the experimental pots. The soil in the pots was regularly watered to keep the water content at the field capacity level. When the wheat plants were strong with well-developed root systems, mineral fertiliser was added to the soil in liquid form according to the experiment setup. On the days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 41 after the fertilizer application high rates of water (400 cm 3 ) were applied to the soil. The leachate was collected and was tested for acidity (pH), available nitrogen in ammonium (N-NH 4 + ) and nitrate (N-NO 3 − ) forms. The water retention capacity of the soil samples was measured at water potentials between -5, and -300 kPa. The results have shown that the extract from the biochar had a stimulating effect on the watercress root growth. Water-holding capacity of the sandy loam Albic Luvisol was increasing after biochar application only at water potentials of –5 kPa and –10 kPa that corresponded to the soil capillary water. The studied biochar did not help in preventing N-NO 3 − or N-NH 4 + leaching from sandy loam Albic Luvisol.