Medicinal Plants
Tala Nikbin; Fatemeh Nejadhabibvash
Abstract
Purpose: Nowadays, heavy metal pollution of soils has become a serious environmental concern and a potential threat to human health. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to Lamiaceae family that its essential oil is used in different pharmaceutical industries. This ...
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Purpose: Nowadays, heavy metal pollution of soils has become a serious environmental concern and a potential threat to human health. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to Lamiaceae family that its essential oil is used in different pharmaceutical industries. This study focused on the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) addition on the growth, absorption of macronutrients, migration and bioaccumulation of cadmium in soil- peppermint system. Research Method: A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three factors. The first factor was TiO2 NPs (0, 200, and 300 mg/kg), the second factor included Cd-spiked soil (0 and 50 mg/kg soil) and third Trichoderma harzianum. Findings: Our results showed cadmium caused negative effects on the growth of peppermint except for shoot and root length. The concentration of all the nutrients assessed (nitrogen and phosphorus) decreased in the presence of cadmium. Mycorrhization under cadmium stress conditions significantly increased nitrogen concentration in roots and shoots by 15% and 3%, respectively, respect to Cd treatment group. Following mycorrhizal inoculation under cadmium stress conditions, phosphorus concentration significantly increased in roots and shoots by 33% and 12%, respectively, respect to Cd treatment group. Similarly, application of TiO2 nanoparticles at 200 mg/Kg and 300 mg/Kg concentrations alone and in combination with mycorrhizal soil amendments in stress as well as non-stress conditions effectively enhanced nutrient acquisition. With the addition of TiO2 NPs and mycorrhiza to soil, the phytoavailability and uptake of Cd by peppermint roots increased. Research limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: Our research demonstrates that applying AMF and TiO2 NPs could be a sustainable approach to enhancing growth parameters of peppermint plants under Cd stress by improving nutrient acquisition and immobilizing the heavy metal Cd. The results obtained here can provide scientific data for the use of Mentha piperita L. in the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.
Plant Nutrition
Soumaya Dbara; Messaoud Mars
Abstract
Purpose: Nowadays, the problem of water scarcity increased due to the increase of aridity, which enhances the use of non-conventional waters. The irrigation with treated wastewater was primarly developed. Research method: In the present research, we compared the quality of pomegranate fruits harvested ...
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Purpose: Nowadays, the problem of water scarcity increased due to the increase of aridity, which enhances the use of non-conventional waters. The irrigation with treated wastewater was primarly developed. Research method: In the present research, we compared the quality of pomegranate fruits harvested from two ‘Gabsi’ orchards managed according to two different cultural practices such as: organic (O) and conventional irrigated with treated wastewater (WW). We determine the soil and fruit characteristics. Findings: Results showed that the organic soil was richer in Fe, Mn and Mg; however, irrigated with WW was richer in Cu, Zn, and Cd with the absence of Ag and Ni in both soils. The analysis of fruits demonstrated that organic ones were richer in Cu, Zn and Mn. Mg content was similar in both fruits. Hg, Ni, Cd, and Fe were not present in fruits. The BCF of Cu and Zn were higher in organic fruits, contrary to Mg. Furthermore, the highest values of the SSC/TA ratio were recorded in organic fruits with no pathogenic contamination for both fruits. Limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: This study illustrates the possibility of treating wastewater in the irrigation of pomegranates without adverse effects.
Plant Nutrition
Farshid Esmaeili
Abstract
Purpose: One of the problems in today's world is the pollution of the environment with heavy metals, which extraction of metals from mines, industrial and agricultural activities have caused significant pollution of soils and waters to metals. Research method: Fulvic acid at 15, 30, and 60 L ha-1 ...
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Purpose: One of the problems in today's world is the pollution of the environment with heavy metals, which extraction of metals from mines, industrial and agricultural activities have caused significant pollution of soils and waters to metals. Research method: Fulvic acid at 15, 30, and 60 L ha-1 and zeolites at 1000, 2000, and 4000 kg ha-1 have formed the treatments, and the cadmium content was added to the region. The absorbance of cadmium, zinc, and nitrogen elements, as well as the dry weight of aerial organs and root of Spinacia oleracea var. inermis, was investigated. Findings: The application of fulvic acid and zeolite resulted in higher absorption of the elements and higher biomass weight compared to the control. In this case, fulvic acid at 30 L ha-1 and zeolite at 4000 kg ha-1had the best results own, and the accumulated amounts of cadmium and zinc in the root of the Spinach were higher than that of the aerial organs. Due to its acidic nature, fulvic acid caused higher mobility of elements than zeolite. Also, the application of the treatments caused better vegetative growth of the plant and moderation of the effects of stress. Limitations: There was no restriction on conducting this research. Originality/Value: Based on the results, the use of fulvic acid and zeolite can significantly increase the absorption of cadmium toxic metal from the organs of the Spinach plant and help the further release of this element from the soil.
