Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D Student ,Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavos University, Golestan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavos University, Golestan, Iran
3 Associated Professor, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavos University, Golestan, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavos University, Golestan, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The application of organic and biological fertilizers is considered one of the fundamental aspects of organic production of medicinal plants in the medicinal plant industry. In recent years, the applications of these compounds, known as eco-friendly fertilizers, has attracted attention as one of the ways to improve the growth and quantitative and qualitative performance of plants, particularly in the production of medicinal plants. The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of the application of seaweed extract and amino acids on photosynthetic indices, biochemical parameters, flower yield and essential oil yield of German chamomile.
Research Method: The research was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized block design with three replications during the 2022-2023 crop season at the research farm of Gonbad Kavous University. In this study, a seaweed extract marketed under the name Algafarm was used at three levels: no application (control), foliar apliication (1 Kg per hectare), and application with irrigation (2 Kg in 1000 liters of water). The application of amino acids was done at three levels: no application (control), foliar aplication with AminoSpark (1 Kg per hectare), and foliar spraying with Azomin (1 liter per hectare).
Findings: The results of the research showed that the interaction between seaweed extract and amino acids had a significant effect on photosynthetic pigments, antioxidan enzymes, proline content, and flower and essential oil yield. The highest content of total chlorophyll and carotenoids was observed under the conditions of seaweed extract application, attributed to the treatment involving foliar application of Azomin combined with soil application of seaweed extract. The application of amino acids enhanced the antioxidant activity in plants, with the most significant increase observed in the activity of the peroxidase enzyme among the antioxidant enzymes. The use of Azomin and Aminospark amino acids, in conjunction with treatments based on seaweed extract, was associated with an increase in floral yield. The highest yield (1747 kg per hectare) was recorded in the treatment involving foliar application of Azomin under conditions of foliar application of seaweed extract, representing a 120% increase compared to the control. Furthermore, the highest essential oil yield (983 grams per hectare) was also attributed to the treatment involving foliar application of Azomin in combination with foliar application of seaweed extract.The application of seaweed extract and amino acids led to an improvement in the evaluated traits.
Conclusion: The use of seaweed extracts and amino acids, by improving physiological characteristics and quantitative/qualitative traits, can serve as a sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural strategy to enhance the productivity of German chamomile
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