International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 73

Abstract: Natural supplementations are used in agriculture nowadays not only for improving plant performance but also for reducing the contamination of plant edible parts. Two field trials were conducted to study the potential effects of licorice root extract (LRE; 0.5%) on performance, physio-biochemical components, antioxidant defense system, and contaminants concentrations of Capsicum annuum L. plants grown on a saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. LRE was applied in single (i.e., as rhizosphere application with drip irrigation water; -RA or as foliar spray; -FA) or in integration (i.e., LRE-RA + LRE-FA) treatment. The results showed that both single or integrative treatments significantly increased plant growth and yield, leaf concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, free proline, total soluble sugars, N, P, and K⁺, ratio of K⁺/Na⁺, and activities of CAT, POX, APX, SOD and GR, while significantly reduced contaminants; Na⁺, Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni concentrations in plant leaves and fruits on heavy metals-contaminated saline soil compared to the control (without LRE). Additionally, the integrative LRE-RA + LRE-FA treatment significantly exceeded both single treatments in this concern, which had been recommended for maximizing pepper plant performances with minimizing heavy metals in fruits on contaminated saline soils.

Abstract: In this paper, the influence of trace metals(Cd, Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn) on plants of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was investigated in polluted sod podzolic sandy loam on layered glacial sands and calcareous deep chernozem on loamy loess soils. We propose to estimate the phytotoxicity with help of phytotoxicological classification. The phytotoxicological classification of trace metals gives the possibility to assess their hazard for plants. On the base of indicators such as: plant up-taking index (UI), phytoletal dose (PhLD₅₀), Dipole moment (µ), Phyto Maximum Allowable Concentration (PMAC) a phytotoxicological classification of hazardous trace metals was suggested. The four classes of danger in phytotoxicological classification of hazardous trace metals were offered. According to phytotoxicological classification, Cd, Co, Ni belong to the first class of hazard, Cu – to second class of hazard, Zn – to third class of hazard, Pb – to fourth class of hazard. Phytotoxicological classification of hazardous trace metals gives the possibility to comprehensively estimate the danger of trace metals for plants as a biological object that plays a very important role in the life of ecosystem. This approach may be applied for another trace metals risk assessment for other plants.

Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity, grain traits and quality contents in Afghanistan’s selected rice varieties. The antioxidant capacity was measured using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and Reducing Power methods. Grain length, grain width and grain thickness were in the range of 5.4-7.6, 1.7-3.2, and 1.5-2.2 mm respectively. Selah Zoodras, Taram Irani and Attai-1 had the longest grain length whereas Luke was associated with high width and thickness among the varieties. Protein, amylose and lipid content varied from 6.5-9.9, 20.3-23.5, and 10-18% respectively. Barah Kunduz showed the highest protein and lipid content while Selah zoodras was associated highest amylose content. The selected rice varieties possessed moderate antioxidant activity and their physiochemical properties were not correlated with antioxidant capacity. Results of this study provided useful information on the selection and production of rice varieties with high nutritional and pharmaceutical values in Afghanistan.

Abstract: One of the most popular and useable of Aromatic plants are kinds of Basilica (Ocimum sp., Lamiaceae). This genius has different characteristics in behavior germination. Biodynamic agriculture is a new science in the research and especially, the position of stars and planet relative to each other, position of moon around the earth and seasonal change and Solar and lunar eclipses. We must to demonstrative of this theory. In this experiment, we want to record the effect of based on two calendars (biodynamic and Astronomic) on 3 ecotype of Basilica seed germination. The based on this experiment randomized block design with 3 replications. We use 50 seeds in Falcon tube (value=15ml) and record the weight and value of seed in tube. Then added 5ml of water in tube and shacked after moisturized and control and record of Mucilage value and another behavior of seed germination in lab condition. Results showed that different position of some planets such as moon and Mars and Jupiter had the highest effect, positive and significant effect on mucilage percent (p>95%), germination speed and length of root. Therefore, we could be express the lunar position had the highest effect on root length of local type and the lowest effect on purple basil. Mucilage percentage of seed coat in green basil had the highest content relative to another ecotype and this content was significant (p>95%). Then, the best suggest for produce of mucilage from the basil seeds, the best time is the first quadrature of moon.