Purpose Silicon (Si) plays bene cial role in alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses but comparative investigations with Si nanoparticles (Si-NPs) under water restriction on medicinal plants is not recognized. The aim of this study was to observe the Si and Si-NPs effects on growth, physio-chemical attributes, and essential oil (EO) pro le in aerial parts of coriander (coriandrum sativum L.) under water stress.Methods A split-plot experiment was conducted with irrigation regimes (irrigation after 60, 90, and 120 mm evaporation from Class A pan) in the main plots and foliar application of Si (in the form of Na 2 SiO 3 ) and Si-NPs in the subplots during 2019 and 2020. ResultsThe results represented drought particularly severe stress decreased biological yield and relative water content (RWC) but increased total soluble sugar (TSS). Both Si and Si-NPs improved plant growth and yield through improved RWC, TSS, total phenolic content (TPC) and total avonoid content (TFC). Moderate drought stress with Si-NPs was highly effective on TPC, TFC,

No abstract

No abstract

In order to investigate the effect of sowing dates on yield and yield components of mungbean varieties a two years field experiment was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in Iran. The experimental design was split plot on the basis of randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plots consisted of three sowing dates (May 30, June 14, 29) and sub plots were also allocated to six varieties (Partow, vc1973, vc1178, vc4152, NM92 and Pusa1973). Results of combined analysis showed that seed yield was significantly affected by sowing dates. The maximum seed yield (102.9 g m(-2)) was obtained in June 29 sowing date because the number of pods per plant and 1000-seeds weight were also increased. Varieties also responded significantly towards yield and yield components. The maximum seed yield (114.9 g m(-2)) was produced by vc4152 variety. Interaction effects of sowing dates and varieties were found significant, vc4152 variety sowing on June 29 gave the highest seed yield (134.7 g m(-2)).

C ADMIUM (Cd) as a non-essential metal is a soil pollutant that inhibits plant growth and development. Proline (Pro) and Glycine betaine (GB) are two important compatible solutes that accumulate in response to abiotic stresses in different plant species. Here, a pot experiment was carried out to assess the role of exogenously applied Pro and GB in improving Cd toxicity tolerance in cowpea plants. Seeds were soaked in 0, 25 and 50mM Pro or GB, and then were sown in plastic pots that were irrigated with 0 or 100µM cadmium chloride. Results showed that Cd stress markedly decreased shoot length, shoot biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll value, stomatal conductance and relative water content (RWC) but increased root and shoot Cd levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Nevertheless, seed treatment with Pro or GB reduced Cd toxicity and improved growth attributes via reducing Cd uptake and translocation, increasing the chlorophyll value, stomatal conductance, and RWC as well as more enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and lowering the MDA level. Although both Pro and GB were effective, pre-treatment of seeds with Pro improved Cd stress tolerance better than GB. Thus, seed treatment with Pro (especially 50mM) could be used as an effective method for protecting cowpea plants against Cd toxicity.