[Effect of low temperature and rhizobacteria on seed germination and seedling growth of isabgol [plantago ovate forsk]]

One of the most values of medicinal plants is Plantago ovata. That is belonging of Plantaginace family. Low and irregular germination is the most problem of medicinal plants which that occur in stage of germination under the low temperature at the first of spring. This study has evaluated the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on seed germination and seedling growth of Isabgol [Plantago ovate forsk], under low temperature conditions. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment in the form of randomizes complete design with four replications. The treatments consisted of different bacterial strains of pseudomonas [Putida 108, Fluorescens 112 and 11], Azotobacter Chroococum strains [5, 15 and 35], Azospirillum strains [lipoferum, Brasilense and Irakines], Mesorhizobium strains [Ic59, Ic2091 and SWRI7], control [without rhizobacteria infection] and temperatures [5, 10 and 20 c]. Germination parameters were significantly affected by temperature, bacterial strains and the interaction of treatments. In 5c temperature conditions, Psedumonas strains have the most effected on germination index, radicle and hypocotyl length, seedling vigor index, germination duration index. In 10c temperature conditions, the maximum germination percentages, germination rate, hypocotyl to radical ratio were obtained by using azotobacter and Mesorhizobium. We suggest that apply of plant growth promoting batteries content of ACC di-aminaz could be decrease ethylene production of cold stress

Biochemical and antioxidant responses of borage seedlings in saline environments

Although borage [Borago officinalis L.] is a valuable medicinal plant, no information is available on the responses of this plant to salinity. For this reason, it is necessary to determine responses of this plant to salinity. Since germination and early growth stage is one of the most critical phases of plant life under salinity condition; this experiment was conducted to determine some responses of borage to salinity at the seedling stage. This experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications and four salinity treatments, including distilled water [EC=0.0dS m-1] and three saline water conditions with EC of 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 dSm-1. With increasing EC, the content of free proline, soluble carbohydrates and proteins were increased. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT], and polyphenol oxidase [PPO] enzymes were significantly increased. Although seedlings dry weight and emergence percentage were declined with increasing EC, the seedlings had markedly growth/survival under salinity conditions. The survival and little reduction in emergence under salinity conditions [12.5%] indicated that borage was a salt tolerant species at the early growth stage. This tolerant is certainly due to the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and compatible solutes content

[Qualitative and quantitative changes in the aerial parts of borage under foliar application of calcium nitrate]

Borage [Borago officinalis L.] is a valuable medicinal plant of Boraginaceae family, which is used in treatment of different human diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to determine optimum levels of agronomical factors affecting plant growth and production. To determine the effects of foliar application of calcium nitrate on quantitative yield and some quality components of borage. This study was done in Research farm of ACECR, Institute of Medicinal Plants Research in a randomized complete block design with three replications and four treatments along 2008-2009. The treatments were four concentrations of Ca[NO[3]][2] foliar application [0,5,10,and 15mM calcium Nitrate]. The results showed that foliar application of calcium nitrate had significant effects [p<0.01] on plant height, dry matter yield of aerial parts and flowers, chlorophyll content and content of total phenol and tannins. With increasing concentrations of calcium nitrate, these parameters increased and the highest amount of them were observed at 15mM Ca[NO[3]][2]. The application of calcium nitrate had positive effects on growth and yield of borage. Also, the qualitative and quantitative yield of borage aerial parts increased with increasing concentration of calcium nitrate