Changes in essential oil composition and leaf traits of basil [Ocimum basilicum L.] affected by bio-stimulators / fertilizers application

Basil [Ocimum basilicum L.], a member of the Lamiaceae family, has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, and kidney malfunctions. To investigate the foliar application effects of bio-stimulators and bio-fertilizers on morphological and phytochemical traits of basil [Ocimum basilicum L.]. Bio-stimulators in three commercial formulations of aminolforte, kadostim and fosnutren [with concentration of 1.5 L.ha[-1]] through foliar application, and bio-fertilizers in three commercial formulations of nitroxin, super-nitro plus and barvar 2 [with concentration of 0.5 L.ha[-1]] through seed inoculation were considered as two studied factors. The results showed that the interaction effect of bio-stimulators and bio - fertilizers was significant [p<0.01] on all of studied parameters except of chlorophyll content [SPAD value]. The highest leaf fresh weight [25.47 g/plant] and leaf dry weight [6.48 g/plant] were obtained under fosnutren and nitroxin treatment, also maximum leaf number [206.33] was recorded in aminolforte and nitroxin treatment. The highest leaf area [1302.2 mm[2]/plant] was observed in kadostim and nitroxin treatment. Also results showed that the highest content of essential oil [0.43%] was obtained in aminolforte and nitroxin, methyl chavicol [37.13%] in fosnutren and super-nitro plus, geranial [29.05%] and caryophylene [6.66%] in kadostim and nitroxin, and carvacrol [31.60%] in fosnutren and nitroxin treated plants. In general, the best treatment to improve growth and phytochemical traits of Ocimum basilicum were kaclostim x nitroxin and fosnutren x nitroxin

[Determination of seed and oil yield and yield components in two variety of milk thistle [silybum marianum gaetrn.] based on path analysis and regression]

Silybum marianum Gatrn. [Family: Asteraceae] is an annual or biennial plant, native to the Mediterranean area, which has spread in North and South of Iran. The seeds contain high amount of oil [20 - 35%] which exhibits wound-healing, anti-burn, and hepatoprotective properties. Determine the most seed yield components and oil yield in milk thistle. This research was conducted using two genotypes of milk thistle [Ahvaz wild type and Germany] in a randomized complete block design with four replications, to evaluate the most seed yield components and oil yield. Initially, oil and seed yield [dependent variable] separately determined for any variety using stepwise regression analysis. In Ahvas type, seed yield and oil percent for oil yield, and capitulum diameter for seed yield whereas, in Germany type, number of capitulum for seed yield and seed yield for oil yield justified variation related to dependent variable significantly. Regression analysis represented seed yield is affected by capitulum diameter and number, and secondary metabolites of seed [R[2]=98.16] and oil yield is justified by oil percent and seed active constituents and yield [R[2]=99.91]. The path analysis revealed that direct and positive effect number of capitulum [0.49], diameter of main capitulum [0.41] and oil percent [0.1] and direct and negative effect of active ingredient silymarin, are important components of oil yield. In general, this result showed that for increasing of seed and oil yield can be used from capitulum diameter and number and oil percent in medicinal plant breeding of milk thistle