The Effect of Hydropriming on Germination Performance and Seedlings Growth in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seeds

Efficient seed germination and rapid and uniform seedling emergence are important in commercial agriculture. Therefore, the use of strategies to improve germination and seedling establishment is necessary for increasing productivity. Hydropriming has been suggested as a simple pre-germination strategy to improve seed performance. In this study, the effects of different durations of hydropriming (10, 24, 48 and 72 hours) at different temperatures (10 and 25 ˚C) compared to unprimed seeds on the vigor and germination performance of five milk thistle accessions (Ahvaz, Sari, Esfahan, Dezfol and Gachsaran) were evaluated. An experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Germination performance was evaluated by final germination percentage, mean daily germination, mean germination time, the coefficient of germination, Timson's index, time to reach 50% the final germination percentage, germination value, coefficient of uniformity of germination, length and dry weight of seedlings and vigor index. The results show that germination capacity, germination rate and seedling vigor indexes increase significantly in hydro primed seeds at a temperature of 10˚C, whereas a decrease in hydro primed seeds at a temperature of 25˚C. Our results also show that the efficacy of hydropriming on seedling emergence and vigor traits depends on the priming duration and temperature. Hydropriming at 10˚C indicated the most effective on germination indicators and seedling vigor when compared to unprimed seeds. In addition, the comparison of germination and growth indicators in different durations of hydropriming in five milk thistle accessions indicated that the best duration of hydropriming for Ahvaz and Gajsaran is 72h, for Sari and Dezfol is 48 and 72h and for Esfahan is 10 and 24h. Therefore, the effect of hydropriming on germination performance and seedling vigor depends on plant association and hydropriming time and therefore, the selection of the best condition for hydropriming will improve the seed germinability and vigor

The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia L. leaf on blood pressure and its interaction with adrenergic system of male rats

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common diseases in recent century with several complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia L. leaves (Walnut tree) on blood pressure and its interaction with the adrenergic system in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study that established in the physiology lab, School of scinse in Shiraz University from September to October 2013, in order to determine some of hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia L. leaves effect on blood pressure, the present study was performed by following procedure: 10 adult male wistar rats weighing between 180-250g were used. They were divided into two groups (Each group contained 5 rats) randomly: Juglans regia L. leaf extract group and Juglans regia L. leaf extract and adrenaline group. Then each rat was anesthetized by IP injection of 1.2 g/kg urethane. After tracheostomy the femoral vine and artery were cannulated for drug injection and blood pressure recording respectively. Arterial cannula for recording arterial blood pressure connected to a pressure transducer (PowerLab, ADInstruments, Sydney, Australia). Blood pressure parameters were recorded before and after IV administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia L. leaf, solvent, adrenalin and extract with adrenaline. Results: The result showed a significant decrease of mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic pressure in response to extract with compare to control and sham group (P<0.05). Also a significant decrease of blood pressure showed in presence of walnut leaf extract and adrenaline with compare to sham group (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans regia L. leaf suggested as a hypotensive agent. It seems that this effect is probably due to inhibitory effect on adrenergic system