The Effect of Animal Manure and Humic Acid on Some Physiological Traits of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Under Irrigation Water Salinity Conditions

Introduction Salinity stress is an important abiotic stress threatening the production of cotton in arid and semi-arid regions of the country and the world, which can be reduced by the proper use of organic materials. Cotton is the most important fiber product, which is widely cultivated for agricultural and industrial purposes in temperate and hot regions of more than 15 countries of the world. Although cotton is known as a salinity-tolerant plant, not only is the resistance to salinity limited in this plant, but different stages of development also show different reactions to salinity. One of the effects of stress is disturbing the nutritional balance in the plant. Proper nutrition during times of stress can partially help the plant deal with various environmental stresses. In this regard, by using fertilizers containing micronutrient elements, firstly, plant yield increases, secondly, increasing the concentration of these elements in agricultural products plays an important role in improving the quality of food consumption. Using organic fertilizers, especially organic and animal manure such as humic acid, can improve the performance and performance components of different products under stress conditions.  Materials and Methods To study the effect of manure and humic acid on some of the physiological qualities of cotton under salt water salinity stress, an experiment was conducted as factorial split plots (factorial split plot) in which different levels of irrigation water salinity at three levels (2.5, 5.5 and 8.5 ds.m-1) as the main factor and two treatments of manure at two levels (0 and 20 t/h) and humic acid at two levels (0 and 200 gr/100 kg of seeds) as sub-factor in 4 replications in a farm located in Boshrouyeh city in 1398 years. The software SAS (V9.1) and Excel were used to analyze the data and draw the figures. Means were compared using the FLSD test at a 5% probability level. Results and Discussion Analysis of variance results showed that the simple effects of three experimental factors (salinity stress, manure, and humic acid) were significant on all studied traits (on the relative water content, Electrical conductivity and membrane stability, chlorophyll a and b contents, and proline content). With increasing salinity level, increased proline content (286.5%), membrane Electrical conductivity (4.2%) and carotenoids (88.79%) and decreased chlorophyll a (20.7 1 %) and b content (39.38%), relative water content (23.16%) and membrane stability (13.54%). The application of animal manure and humic acid increased the relative water content, membrane stability and chlorophyll content under stress conditions, which indicates the modifying effect of these fertilizers in reducing the adverse effects of salinity stress. The interaction effects were significant, too. Conclusion The results of this research showed that the use of water with high salinity, such as salinity of 8 ds.m-1, caused significant changes in the physiological traits of the plant, including relative leaf water content, membrane stability, membrane electrolyte leakage, chlorophylls, and proline. With increasing salinity levels, the amount of proline, membrane electrolyte leakage, and carotenoid increased, and the content of chlorophyll a and b, relative water content, and membrane stability decreased. The application of animal manure and humic acid increased the relative water content, membrane stability, and chlorophyll content under stress conditions, which indicates the moderating effect of these fertilizers in reducing the adverse effects of salinity stress. Considering the positive effects of using organic fertilizers in this experiment, it is recommended to test and investigate the use of humic acid during the growing season in addition to the use of animal manure before planting and the use of humic acid in bulk Thus, it is suggested to use humic acid and animal manure in cotton cultivation to adjust the salinity levels

Evaluation of forage maize yield and soil organic matter content under green manure cultivation

To investigate the effect of different green manures from Gramineae and Brassicaceae families on yield, some agronomic traits of forage maize, overgrowth with weeds and soil organic matter, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications for three consecutive years (2017-2020) at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre of Southern Khorasan. Experimental treatments included control (without application of green manure) and application of green manures from the cultivation of barley, triticale, canola, arugula with their optimum and twice optimum densities. The results showed that barley and triticale at twice optimum density with 865.7 and 802.9 g m-2, respectively, had a higher green manure dry mass at the time of returning to the soil. Just before maize cultivation, soil organic matter with an average of 0.73 % was higher in barley green manure at twice optimum density compared to other treatments. Based on the results, the highest maize forage yield with 45.7 and 44.9 t ha-1 were achieved after treatment with barley green manure in twice optimum and optimum density (22.8 and 20.7 percent more than control treatment) and after that triticale in both densities, and canola and arugula at twice optimum density had the highest yield

Hepatoprotective effect of Crocus sativus (saffron) petals extract against acetaminophen toxicity in male Wistar rats

Objectives: Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is known to be common and potentially fatal. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract, remaining from Crocus sativus petals (CSP) against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by measuring the blood parameters and studying the histopathology of liver in male rats. Materials and Methods: Wister rats (24) were randomly assigned into four groups including: I) healthy, receiving normal saline; II) Intoxicated, receiving only APAP (600 mg/kg); III) pre-treated with low dose of CSP (10 mg /kg) and receiving APAP (600 mg/kg); IV) pre-treated with high dose of CSP (20 mg/kg) and receiving APAP (600 mg/kg). Results: The APAP treatment resulted in higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin, along with lower total protein and albumin concentration than the control group. The administration of CSP with a dose of 20 mg/kg was found to result in lower levels of AST, ALT and bilirubin, with a significant higher concentration of total protein and albumin. The histopathological results regarding liver pathology, revealed sever conditions including cell swelling, severe inflammation and necrosis in APAP-exposed rats, which was quiet contrasting compared to the control group. The pre-treated rats with low doses of ‍CSP showed hydropic degeneration with mild necrosis in centrilobular areas of the liver, while the same subjects with high doses of ‍CSP appeared to have only mild hepatocyte degeneration. Conclusions: Doses of 20 mg/kg of CSP ameliorates APAP–induced acute liver injury in rats. It was concluded that the antioxidant property of CSP resulted in reducing the oxidative stress complications of toxic levels of APAP in intoxicated rats

Assessment of Saffron Farmers Knowledge on the Issues Associated with Irrigation (Case Study: Southern Khorasan)

In spite of lots of work performed by saffron farmers in the Southern Khorasan province, a desirable yield has not been obtained which is partly attributed to the lack of scientific knowledge. This investigation is aimed to assess the indigenous knowledge of saffron farmers on the issues related to irrigation, and also to examine their strengths and weaknesses for taking effective steps to increase crop productivity. A questionnaire (researcher made) including 11 questions about the issues related to irrigation and 14 questions on general information and extensional items were randomly distributed to 235 subjects in the population of farmers of the Southern Khorasan province. The dependent variable was the score of the subjects for the correct answers. Statistical comparison between the levels of each of the independent variables (with significant effect) was undertaken by Tukey-Kramer test using the SAS software. The findings revealed that the groups of subjects participating in the extension courses who were either natives in the South Khorasan province, or had insuring their products answered a greater number of questions correctly with a significant level of 1%. However, the subjects living in the villages had more correct answers at a significance level of 5%. Overall, the results suggest that short-term and long-term programming are needed for the region's farmers to gain appropriate scientific knowledge about saffron planting

Ovrednotenje pridelka in učinkovitosti izrabe vode kvinoje pri različnih načinih namakanja in dodatku gama aminomaslene kisline in komposta deževnikov

The current study was aim to evaluate the interaction effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and vermicompost on yield and yield components of quinoa under different levels of drought stress. For this, two experiments were similarly designed as the factorial-split with four replicates for evaluating this hypothesis. Irrigation regimes (50, 75, and 100 % of plant water requirement (PWR)) as the main plot and vermicompost V (0, 5 t ha-1) × gamma aminobutyric acid GABA levels (0, 5, 10 mg l-1) as the subplot were designed. Severe drought stress had a significant effect on plant height. Plant height reduced 31.8 % after using 50 % of PWR compared to the control conditions. Although drought stress negatively affected the 1000 seed mass and seed yield, GABA foliar application alleviated these effects. After using 50 % of PWR, 10 mg l-1 of GABA increased the seed yield and harvest index up to 21.22 and 15.5 %, respectively, compared to the non-foliar application. The reduction in PWR from 100 to 50 % led to increasing in P and K concentrations, as well as sugar and proline contents. In the same conditions, the use of GABA or V had a significant effect on improving these traits. A similar trend was also recorded in relation to water use efficiency. Therefore, using 10 mg l-1 of GABA and 5 t ha-1 of V can be effective in alleviating water stress.Namen raziskave je bil ovrednotiti vzajemne učinke gama amino maslene kisline (GABA) in komposta deževnikov (vermikomposta) na pridelek in njegove komponente kvinoje pri različnih ravneh sušnega stresa. V ta namen sta bila izvedena dva podobna poskusa kot poskusa z deljenkami s štirimi ponovitvami. Načini namakanja (50, 75 in 100 % potrebe rastlin po vodi (PWR)) so bili na glavni ploskvi in dodatki vermikomposta (V; 0, 5 t ha-1) ter gama aminomaslene kisline (GABA; (0, 5, 10 mg l-1) na podploskvah. Velik sušni stres je imel značilen učinek na višino rastlin. Višina rastlin se je zmanjšala za 31,8 % pri 50 % oskrbi rastlin z vodo v primerjavi s kontrolo. Čeprav je sušni stres negativno vplival na maso1000 semen in pridelek semena, je foliaren nanos GABA ublažil te učinke. Pri 50 % oskrbi z vodo je dodatek 10 mg l-1 of GABA povečal pridelek semena in žeteveni indeks za 21,22 in 15,5 % v primerjavi z obravnavanjem brez foliarnega dodatka GABA. Zmanjšanje PWR iz 100 na 50 % je vodilo k povečanju koncentracij P in K, kot tudi k povečanju vsebnosti sladkorja in prolina. Pod enakimi pogoji je imela uporaba GABA ali V značilen učinek na izboljšanje teh lastnosti. Podoben trend je bil zabeležen glede povezave z učinkovitostjo izrabe vode. Zaradi vsega naštetega je uporba 10 mg l-1 GABA in 5 t ha-1 V lahko učinkovita pri blažitvi sušnega stresa

Response of Some Physiological Parameters of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties to Manure, Chemical Fertilizer and Their Combined Uses

To evaluate the effects of manure, chemical fertilizers and their combined uses on yield and some physiological parameters of tomato varieties, an experiment was conducted as split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Birjand in 2014. In this experiment fertilizer with 3 levels (manure, chemical fertilizer and their combined uses) asseigned to main plots and three tomato varieties (Orbana, Super chief and Super majar) to sub plots. Physiological parameters under study were LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR which measured every 10 days after the seedling establishment. The results showed significant effects of fertilizer and varieties on these parameters. The highest leaf area index (3.56) was obtained by the used of chemical fertilizers and the lowest (3) by the application of manure. Orbana possessed the highest LAI (4) and Super chief the lowest LAI (2.78). In this experiment, the highest crop growth rate (CGR) belonged to Orbana by the use of combined application of fertilizers and the lowest to Super Chief by the use of manure. Plants treated with chemical fertilizer had the highest relative growth rate (RGR) and those treated with their combined application and manure stood in the lower categories. The highest total tomato yield was related to the use of chemical fertilizer and the lowest to the use of combined fertilizers. The results of this experiment can be used to emphasize the role of organic fertilizers to produce highest tomato yield, both in quantity and quality, in this region and other similar regions in the country