Iranian Journal of Seed Research

For the purpose of evaluating the effect of chitosan on seed germination and some biochemical characteristics of the milk thistle herb in the conditions of salinity, an experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in the Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology of Shahed University, Tehran in 2015. Experimental factors comprised salinity levels (0, 4, 8 and 12 dS.m^-1) and different levels of Chitosan (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 percent). The results showed that salt stress reduced germination percentage, germination coefficient, germination speed, weight and length vigor index, radical, plumule and seedling length and total biomass and increased mean germination time. Seed priming with chitosan up to 0.5% concentration increased germination coefficient, weighted index vigor and plumule length. The highest amounts of total chlorophyll and total protein were obtained in seed priming with 0.5% chitosan levels in zero salinity level (control). By increasing salinity levels, the activity level of catalase and peroxidase increased, so that the highest level of the activity of these two enzymes was obtained in the salinity level of 12 dS.m^-1 in pre-treatment with 0.5% Chitosan. The results showed that seed priming with chitosan of 0.5% could reduce harmful effects of salt stress on some traits of milk thistle seedlings and could even improve their growth.
 

1. Chitosan nano particle and potassium nitrate increase quinoa germination.
2. Chitosan nano particle and potassium nitrate increase the content of chlorophyll a and b.

1. Salinity had a negative effect whereas methyl jasmonate had a positive effect on germination indices and activity of antioxidant enzymes of Stevia seeds.
2. Application of 5 μM of methyl jasmonate, as a pre-treatment, can be effective in improving the growth of the stevia plant and reducing the negative effects of salinity.

Extended abstract
Introduction: Crop rotations are practiced to eliminate the effect of monoculture, but the succeeding crop may be influenced by the phytotoxins released by the preceding crop. Among plants, Brassica species contain allelochemical compounds as glucosinolate that is, under special conditions, released to environment and affects seed germination and plant growth. Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) as a weed of 30 crops in 52 countries which has a series of allelopathic effects that prevent germination of other plants. Products of glucosinolate- like ionic thiocyanate (SCN-) inhibited the root or shoot growth of many crop species. Also volatile compounds like isoprenoid and benzenoid released from Brassica tissue degradation may suppress many crops growth. It was also found in many studies that allelochemicals, which inhibited the growth of some species at certain concentrations, might stimulate the growth of same or different species at lower concentrations. The present research was conducted to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract concentration of various mustard parts on barley seed germination and seedling growth.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the allelopathic effect of mustard in agro ecosystems, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was carried out in botany laboratory of agriculture faculty, Illam University in 2014. Experimental treatments included five concentrations of mustards foliage and root aqueous extract (0, 10, 30, 50, and 70 percent) that were studied at germination and early growth stage of barley (cv. Abidar) in two separate experiments. In the seed germination section, the effects of aqueous extract of mustard on germination rate and germination percentage of barley seed were measured. In the study of the effect of aqueous extract of mustard on barley seedlings, weight and length of root and shoot, leaf chlorophyll content, proline and soluble sugars content were measured.
Results: Results showed that the highest amount of barley seed germination percentage and germination rate (100 and 19.5, respectively) were observed in control and the lowest amount (40 and 9.5, respectively) belonged to mustard root aqueous treatment with 70 percent concentration. The most decrease in barley seedlings length and weight were observed at the highest concentration of aqueous extract. The amount of chlorophyll a decreased from 2.39 in control to 1.66 mg per fresh weight in 70 percent concentration of aqueous extract treatment. The highest amount of proline (66.8 μM per fresh weight) in barley foliage was observed in 70 percent aqueous extract treatment. The results from this study showed that mustard allelopathic effect may be a possible mechanism controlling the barley germination and early growth stage in agro ecosystems.
Conclusion: Generally, we were able to demonstrate short term auto toxicity and possible short-term allelopathy due to mustard has harmful effects on barley including reduced seed germination and emergence of barley seedling. Depending on the concentrations of Mustard extract, allelopathic activity will vary Mustard. Further investigations are also needed to determine the influence of cultivar variations, and to identify the active compounds involved in mustard auto toxicity and Allelopathy.
  
Highlights:
1-Mustards aqueous extract reduced seed germination percentage and plant growth in barley.
2-Mustards aqueous extract increased proline and soluble sugars in barley, but it reduced amount of chlorophyll in this plant.

Extended abstract
Introduction: Nowadays exploitation of hetrotoxic characteristics  of hetrotoxic plants regarding  harmful effects of synthetic herbicides can most important role in weeds management and their control. In fact chemical compounds which is released by root, stem, leaf, flowers, seeds pollen, fruit and seeds can be used as bio herbicides and bio pesticides. The purpose of this srudy was evaluation of hetrotoxicity potential of Datura stramonium L. shoots on germination traits and photosynthetic pigments of wheat cultivars.
Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted to evaluate hetrotoxicity potential of aqueous extract of different organs of Datura stramonium L. such as stem, leaf, fruit and mixed of them on germination traits and photosynthetic pigments of two cultivars of wheat (Kohdasht and N8720) as factorial experiment based on compeletly randomized design in three replications in Weeds Scince Laboratory of Gonbad-e- Kavous University in 2017. Datura stramonium shoot was collected at fruit formation stage in the Moghan plain and seprated into stem, leaf and fruit firstly. Five ml of studied extracts as well as mixed of them were added on 25 disinfected seeds of studied cultivars separately.
Results: Results showed that wheat cultivars had a different response to organs extract and this difference also were significant for various organs extract as well as interaction effect of cultivars in organs extract. Mean comparison of interaction of cultivars and organs showed that germination percent of Kohdash were decreased under experimental treatments. The highest decrease effect was obtained in the leaf extract about 98.33%. In return, stem, fruit and mixed organs had an increase effect on germination percent of N8720 about 5.72, 5.72 and 1.41% respectively. Result of the germination rate was similar with result of germination percent. Radicle and shoot length of both cultivars under experimental treatments were decreased. Leaf extract had an highest inhibition effect on radicle and shoot length about 96.70 and 89.21% respectively. Content of total chlorophyll of both cultivars of Kohdast and N8720 were increased under aqueous extract of stem (24.64%) and fruit (14.62%). Where as, extract of other organs and mixed of them had a decrease effect on studied trait. The result of carotenoid also was similar with result of total chlorophyll. Persumably, difference in allelochemicals concentration in various organs of Datura stramonium and physiological chracteractics of studied traits in cultivars caused different behavior.
Conclusions: According to the results, use of Datura stramonium biomass esspecially leaf, it is suggested as natural herbicides and strategy of non- chemical management. To accomplish this need to analyze phytochemical compounds of this weed.
 
Highlights:

1. Extract of different parts of Datura stramonium weed had a different effect on germination traits and content of chlorophyll and carotenoids  of both cultivars of Kohdast and N8720.
2. Leaf extract of Datura stramonium significantly decrease germination traits and content of chlorophyll and carotenoids of Kohdasht cultivar seedlings.

3- Use of Datura stramonium can be a good option for appearance of natural herbicides.

1. Hetrotoxic compounds of Portulaca oleracea, especially in high concentrations significantly decrease seed germination and photosynthetic pigments of cress as compared with Sorghum halepense and Centurea depressa.
2. Given the evidence for the hetrotoxic effect of aqueous extract of the weeds studied, they could be introduced as candidates for production of bio-herbicides.