Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions

---

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of type and ratio of vermicompost on tomato growth, with five different types of vermicompost (platanus leaves, maple leaves, pruning apple trees and grape, waste of herbal extracts and azolla residues) and four ratios of vermicompost to peat and perlite (2:1 v/v) as 0, 1:3, 2:3 and 3:3, at greenhouse conditions. Results showed that type of vermicompost had a significant effect (P≤ 0.05) on plant height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, number of internodes and stem diameter. The interaction between type and ratio of vermicompost had significant effect on root and shoot dry weight, stem diameter, nitrogen (N) percent, and potassium (K) percent. The highest effect on shoot dry weight, stem diameter and the N percentage was observed in the ratio of 2:3 vermicompost of azolla residues. The amount of K in the ratio of 2:3 vermicompost of maple leaves increased 66.18% as compared to the control treatment. Also, different ratios of vermicompost increased percentage of phosphorus and concentration of iron and zinc, as compared to peat+ perlite treatment. Generally, different types and ratios of vermicompost compared to peat+ perlite medium had a positive effect on growth indices and mineral concentration in the tomato plant.

---

---

In order to determine the critical period for weed control of greenhouse cucumber, an experiment was conducted in 2012 in a soil greenhouse located 25 km from Mashhad, as a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The experiment consisted of two treatment series of weed interference. The first series consisted of weed-interference periods (including 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 days after emergence and the entire growth period of greenhouse cucumber) and the second series consisted of weed-free periods (including 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 days after emergence and the whole period of greenhouse cucumber growth). Results of this study showed that red root pigweed, common purslane, black nightshade, dwarf mallowand and common lambsquarters were the weeds with the highest density and biomass. Increasing or decreasing the weed-interference and weed-free periods led to changes in density, biomass, relative density and relative biomass of these plants. If 10, 5, and 1% of greenhouse cucumber yield loss are acceptable, then weed control must be carried out from 23 to 77 days (54 days), 18 to 94 days (76 days), and 16 to 107 days (91 days) after the greenhouse cucumber emerges, respectively. In general, the results of this experiment demonstrated that weed control in greenhouse cucumber production is necessary to achieve optimal yield.

---

Salinity is one of the most brutal environmental stresses limiting the productivity of agricultural crops. In order to determine the effect of humic acid on some morphological and physiological characteristics and uptake of elements by strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Sabrina) under salinity stress, a greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted with three factors including two treatment methods of humic acid application (spray and drench), three humic acid levels (0, 300 and 600 mg/L) and three salinity levels (0, 20 and 40 mM NaCl) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Results revealed that in the salinity level of 40 mM, the dry weights of shoot and root were reduced by 36.65 and 26.85 percents compared to control. With increasing the salinity level, the Na⁺ concentration increased and the K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations in leaves and roots decreased. In the presence of 40 mM NaCl in external media, application of 600 mg/L humic acid increased root Ca²⁺ concentration by 65 %. However, application of humic acid mitigated the Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots and improved the Fe²⁺ and Zn²⁺ concentrations. According to the results of this study, application of humic acid (especially at 600 mg/L) ameliorated the deleterious effects of salt stress in strawberry cv. Sabrina 

 

---

Drought stress is one of the most important restricting factors for plant yield in arid and semi-arid regions. Seaweed extract, as a biofertilizer, enhances plant resistance against abiotic stresses via accelerating seed germination, root growth enhancement and uptake of plant nutrients. The present research was carried out to investigate the effects of foliar spraying of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract on physiological and biochemical characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Shahre-ray local cultivar, under drought-stress conditions, as a factorial experiment, based on completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental factors included drought stress (full irrigation (control), irrigation holding at first stage of flowering, irrigation holding at 50% of flowering) and foliar spraying of different concentrations of seaweed extract (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/L). Control plants were sprayed with distilled water. Results indicated that as drought-stress intensity was increased, morphological traits such as number of lateral shoots, fresh and dry weights of plant, number of leaves, leaf area, root dry weight and biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content and relative water content of leaves were reduced, while free proline content of leaves and electrolyte leakage from cell membranes were increased. Foliar spraying of 2 g/L seaweed extract significantly reduced the effects of drought stress on basil plants. In general, the results of this research indicated that exogenous application of seaweed extract enhanced basil plant growth under drought-stress conditions via increasing proline content, osmotic adjustment, inhibition of chlorophyll degradation and decreasing the electrolyte leakage.

---

---

---

Abstract
Accumulation of heavy metals in medicinal plants can have dangerous consequences for human health. This study investigates the concentration of heavy metals including zinc, lead, copper, and cadmium in the soil, aerial parts (shoot), and roots of the medicinal plants Phlomis olivieri Benth. and Stachys inflata Benth. around the Zeh-Abad lead and zinc mine in Qazvin province. The soil and plant samples were collected and prepared, and the total concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were measured by an atomic absorption spectroscopy in three replicates. The results showed that, unlike copper and cadmium, the concentrations of lead and zinc in the soil, shoot, and roots of the studied plants were several times greater than the standards (i.e., EPA and WHO). The average concentrations of zinc and lead in the contaminated soil were 1791 and 2855 mg/kg, respectively. The average concentrations of zinc and lead in the roots of Ph. olivieri were 394 and 56 mg/kg, respectively, and in the shoot of this plant were 442 and 76 mg/kg, in the roots of S. inflata, were 452 and 38 mg/kg, and in the shoot of this plant were 501 and 68 mg/kg, respectively. The highest concentration of zinc was measured in the root of S. inflata (i.e. 694 mg/kg) and the highest concentration of lead was determined in the shoot of Ph. olivieri (i.e. 140 mg/kg). The transfer factor values for the lead and zinc in both plants were higher than one; in the case of the copper and cadmium, its values were lower than one. Considering the harvesting of these two medicinal plants by the native people in the region, the results of this study can be a warning for the health of these people.

Background and Objective: These days, releasing heavy metals in the biosphere is one of the most critical environmental concerns. The accumulation of heavy metals in plants, animals, and the environment, directly and indirectly, affects human health. Plants absorb these heavy metals from soil and polluted environments and accumulate them in their edible parts (1). If medicinal plants are collected and consumed from areas contaminated with heavy metals, they can be one of the essential sources of transfer of the heavy metals to humans. With the increase of mining activities in different parts of the country, plants are at risk of heavy metals accumulation (2). Two plants, Ph. olivieri and S. inflata, grow naturally in the area of the lead and zinc mine of Zeh-Abad in Qazvin province. Considering the medicinal value of these plants, this study aims to determine the accumulation of heavy metals in their different organs.

Methods: Soil samples were collected from four plant-growing areas around the Zeh-abad lead and zinc mine in 3 replicates. Soil samples were collected and prepared and, the total concentrations of heavy metals including zinc, lead, copper, and cadmium were measured by an atomic absorption spectroscopy. Two medicinal plants, Ph. olivieri and S. inflata, were sampled from four regions around the lead and zinc mine with three replicates. The total concentrations of lead, zinc, copper, and cadmium in the root and shoot of the studied plants were measured by the atomic absorption spectroscopy. The transfer factor (TF) was calculated by dividing the element concentration in the shoot by its concentration in the root. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS 16.0 software and one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple range test at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The results showed that the concentrations of lead and zinc in the soil of the mining area were significantly higher than control. According to EPA standard, the concentrations of copper and cadmium were within the allowable range. However, the concentrations of zinc and lead in the root and shoot of the contaminated plants were much higher than the control. The highest concentrations of zinc were found in the root and shoot of S. inflata and the lowest values were recorded in the root and shoot of Ph. oliveri. Unlike zinc, the concentration of lead in the root of S. inflata was greater than that of Ph. oliveri. The concentrations of copper and cadmium in the root and shoot of both plants in the contaminated areas were not significantly different from the control plant. The TF values calculated for the studied heavy metals showed that Ph. oliveri and S. inflata tend to accumulate lead and zinc in the shoot than in the root, so that the TF values for these two elements were higher than one. However, the TF values for copper and cadmium in both investigated plants were less than one in all habitats.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the release of heavy metals due to years of mining activity has led to soil and plant pollution in the area. One of the critical issues that need more attention is the harvesting of broad medicinal plants by people without knowing the possibility of their contamination with heavy metals. Such harvests, while reducing plant biodiversity, lead to pollution transmission to humans. Such studies can be a warning for the use of medicinal plants from their natural habitats.

References:
1. Abrham, F., Gholap, A., 2021. Analysis of heavy metal concentration in some vegetables using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Pollution 7(1): 205–216.
2. Haiyan, W., Stuanes, A., 2003. Heavy metal pollution in air-water-soil-plant system of Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, China. Water Air and Soil Pollution 147: 79–107.
 

---

Abstract
The increase in the world’s population induces new challenges including environmental pollution and sufficient food supply for human. The use of sustainable agricultural solutions can reduce environmental degradation and restore natural ecosystems by overcoming these problems. Soilless cultivation systems have become very popular as one of the sustainable agricultural tools in the cultivation of high-use agricultural products. This research was conducted as a mixed analysis of variance in places based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The aim of this study was to compare the yield and yield components and the nutrients contents of the commonly used accessions of basil (green and purple) grown in ten growth media (perlite, cocopeat, sand, pumice in pure form and also in combination with each other with a volume ratio of 50:50) under aquaponic and hydroponic systems. The findings of showed that the studied basil accessions had greater growth in the aquaponic system than in the hydroponic system. In fact, the optimal harmony between the components of the aquaponic system, i.e. carp, bacteria and basil, led to sufficient and effective nutrition of plants and increased growth. Besides, vegetative traits, yield components and minerals of basil had the highest values ​​in the perlite + cocopeat growth medium, while the lowest growth was observed in the sand and pumice growth media. Therefore, the aquaponic system, with the selection of appropriate cultivation substrates, has high performance for basil and can be used as alternative soil cultivation system, especially in regions with water scarcity and arid lands.

Background and Objective: Basil is a fast-growing leafy vegetable with high nutritional value which is suitable crop for growing in aquaponics cultivation system. The aquaponics is made of three main components including plants, fishes and bacteria. In other words, an aquaponic cultivation system integrates from hydroponic and aquaculture (Ferrarezi, 2019). Current agriculture is associated with huge amount of chemical inputs, water and soil degradation. Hence, the use of eco-friendly methods can reduce the harmful effects of current agriculture. Nowadays, hydroponic (soilless culture) systems are increasingly used for growing high value medicinal herbs and vegetables (Zantana et al., 2022). Both hydroponic and aquaponic systems are appropriate and precious methods for growing basil in soilless cultivation, although, the aquaponics due to improving sustainable food production might be more preferred (Modarelli et al., 2023). Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the yield and yield components and the mineral content of two commonly used accessions of basil (green and purple) grown in ten growth media under aquaponic and hydroponic systems.

Methods: This research was conducted as a mixed analysis of variance in places based on a completely randomized design with three replications in a research greenhouse in Zanjan city (36° 40' 0" N., 48° 28' 60 " E., 1640 m a.s.l), Iran. The experimental treatments consisted of two cultivation systems (aquaponic and hydroponic) as the locations, two basil accessions (green and purple), and 10 growth media including cocopeat, perlite, sand, pumice, cocopeat + perlite (50:50), cocopeat + pumice (50:50), cocopeat + sand (50:50), pumice + sand (50:50), pumice + perlite (50:50) and sand + perlite (50:50). After flowering, plant growth and morphological traits (shoot fresh and dry weights, leaf area, leaf number and plant height), and nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus contents were measured and analyzed.

Results: The results indicated that, the growth and morphological traits including shoot fresh and dry weights, leaf area, leaf number and plant height increased in the aquaponic system compared to the hydroponic cultivation system. Furthermore, mineral contents of basil leaf were improved in the aquaponically grown plants. In terms of growth medium, the combined cocopeat + perlite showed maximum positive influence on the growth traits and mineral contents of basil. In addition, the purple basil accession indicated best performances in the aquaponic system when compared with the hydroponic system.

Conclusions: Overall, it can be concluded that the aquaponic system is a reliable alternative method for soil cultures to obtain optimum yield and yield components of basil accessions in suitable substrates and also the maximum water and nutrient use efficiency in a sustainable way. Therefore, the aquaponic system as a suitable growth media might be recommended for basil cultivation particularly in the arid areas.

References:
1. Ferrarezi, R.S., Bailey, D.S., 2019. Basil performance evaluation in aquaponics. Horttechnology 29, 85–93.
2. Modarelli, G.C., Vanacore, L., Rouphael, Y., Langellotti, A.L., Masi, P., De Pascale, S., Cirillo, C., 2023. Hydroponic and aquaponic floating raft systems elicit differential growth and quality responses to consecutive cuts of basil crop. Plants 12, 1355. https:// doi.org/10.3390/Plants12061355.
3. Zantanta, N., Kambizi, L., Etsassala, N.G.E.R., Nchu, F., 2022. Comparing crop yield, secondary metabolite contents, and antifungal activity of extracts of Helichrysum odoratissimum cultivated in aquaponic, hydroponic, and field systems. Plants 11, 2696. https://doi.org/10.3390/ plants11202696.
 

---

Abstract
Myrtus communis is one the most important Mediterranean species in Zagros forest. Although, M. communis widely spreads in Zagros forest, little information is available about its distribution in south western parts of Iran. Due to the lack of information on its distribution in southern Zagros, in the present study soil physical and chemical properties of M. communis stands in Fars, Khuzestan, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces were determined to generate basic information about soil properties in its stands in south western provinces of Iran. In each site, five 25 × 25 meter plots were selected and soil samples were taken from the 0‒20 cm layer. Soil analysis included total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium, organic carbon, pH, texture and bulk density. Our results indicated that the highest values for soil nitrogen and organic carbon contents belonged to the M. communis stand in Nourabad Mamasani and were significantly higher compared to the other sites. While the lowest values of soil nitrogen and organic carbon recorded for Andika, were significantly lower compared to the other sites. M. communis stands in Nourabad Mamasani had the highest soil fertility, compared to the other sites. Besides, M. communis spreads in neutral or slightly alkaline soils. Soil textures in the studied sites were loam, sandy loam and silt loam classes. Independent sample t-test showed that M. communis stands had higher soil nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, and potassium compared to the vicinity stands. Overall, M. communis prefers coarse and loamy soils with neutral pH or slightly alkaline and high nutrients.

Background and Objective: Knowledge about forest tree species and their site demands is a fundamental topic in silviculture and forest soil productivity (Kammesheidt, 2000; Zolfaghari et al., 2017; Ebrahimi Askari et al., 2019), which can have positive effects on plantation and successful management (Moradi et al., 2017). Myrtus communis is one the most important Mediterranean species in Zagros forest. Although, M. communis widely distributes in Zagros forest, little information is available about its distribution in south western of Iran. Therefore, in the present study soil physical and chemical properties of M. communis stands in Fars, Khuzestan, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces were determined to generate basic information about soil properties in its stands in south western provinces of Iran.

Methods: To study soil physical and chemical properties, M. communis stands in Nourabad Mamasani (Fars province), Lendeh (Kohkiloye and Boyer Ahmad province), Dezful and Andika (Khuzesran province) were selected. In each site, five 25 × 25 meter plots were selected and soil samples were taken from the 0‒20 cm layer. Soil samples were taken from the four corners and center of each plot and pooled together, finally one pooled soil sample for each plot was transferred to the lab (Moradi et al., 2022). To compare M. communis stands with the vicinity stands, soil samples were collected from the vicinity stands by the same procedure. Soil analysis included total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium, calcium carbonate equivalent, organic carbon, pH, texture and bulk density. To evaluate the differences between M. communis sites, one-way ANOVA was used. Besides, independent sample t-test was performed between soil variables in M. communis stands and soil variables of the vicinity sites. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the most important soil factors in M. communis distribution.

Results: Our results indicated that the highest values for soil nitrogen and organic carbon belonged to the M. communis stand in Nourabad Mamasani. While the lowest values of soil nitrogen and organic carbon recorded for Andika, were significantly lower compared to the other sites. M. communis stands in Nourabad Mamasani had the highest soil fertility, compared to the other sites, perhaps due to the higher tree density of M. communis in the Nourabad Mamasani site. Dezful site had the highest soil bulk density and the lowest soil porosity compared to the other sites. Besides, M. communis spreads in neutral or slightly alkaline soils. Studied soil textures were loam, sandy loam, and silt loam. First axis represents the soil physical properties in M. communis distribution. Soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and tree density significantly correlated with the second axis. The results of independent sample t-test for M. communis stands and their vicinity sites showed that M. communis stands had significant higher soil nutrients, but soil EC, pH and calcium carbonate equivalent were not significantly different between M. communis stands and their vicinity sites.

Conclusions: Based on the results, M. communis prefers sandy and loam soils with neutral or slightly alkaline pH. Therefore, the most important factors in M. communis distribution are coarse-textured soils and high soil nutrients. This means in locations with such a condition, the plantation of the M. communis is recommendable. Moreover, M. communis stands provide more fertile soil compared to the Brant's oak stands, agricultural lands, and wasteland.

References:
1. Kammesheidt, L., 2000. Some autecological characteristics of early to late successional tree species in Venezuela. Acta Oecol. 21(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1146-609X(00)00108-9.
2. Ebrahimi Askari, A., Moradi, M., Basiri, R., Mirzaei, J., Ghasemi, A., 2019. Evaluation of soil physiochemical properties and regeneration of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce stands in southern Iran. Iran. J. For. 11(2), 255–267. (In Persian with English abstract)
3. Zolfaghari, Z., Moradi, M., Basiri, R., Ghasemi, A., 2017. Evaluation of soil physicochemical properties of Tecomella undulata in Busher province. For. Wood Pro. 70(2), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.22059/JFWP.2017.62484. (In Persian with English abstract)
4. Moradi, M., Jorfi, M.R., Basiri, R., Yusef Naanaei, S., Heydari, M., 2022. Beneficial effects of livestock exclusion on tree regeneration, understory plant diversity, and soil properties in semiarid forests in Iran. Land Degrad. Develop. 33(2), 324–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4154.
5. Moradi, M., Imani, F., Naji, H.R., Moradi Behbahani, S., Ahmadi, M.T., 2017. Variation in soil carbon stock and nutrient content in sand dunes after afforestation by Prosopis juliflora in the Khuzestan province (Iran). iForest 10, 585–589. https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor2137-010
 

---

In order to investigate the effect of wood chip compost and potassium sulfate on some morpho-physiological characteristics of geranium, Rocky Mountain Rock Red cultivar, a factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with four replications. The first factor was different percentages of wood chip compost (0, 5, 10, 15% replacing peat moss in the base growth medium) and the second factor was potassium sulfate (0, 1 and 2 mg/L). The composition of the base growth substrate (control) including peat moss: perlite: garden soil (1:1:1 V/V) was selected. First, geranium seedlings were planted in pots containing different percentages of wood chip compost. After the adaptation of the plants to the growth media, fertilization with potassium sulfate was applied every 10 days. According to the obtained results, the interaction of wood chip compost and potassium sulfate on height, number of flowers, number of buds and number of leaves was significant at the probability level of 1%. The highest plant height was recorded in the treatment of 5% compost along with 2 mg/L of potassium sulfate. The highest number of inflorescences was observed in 10% compost in combination with 1 mg/L of potassium sulfate and 15% compost with 2 mg/L of potassium sulfate. The highest root fresh weight was recorded in 10% compost in combination with 2 mg/L of potassium sulfate. The amount of chlorophyll was maximum in 15% compost and 1 mg/L of potassium sulfate. The plants grown in 10% compost in combination with 2 mg/L of potassium sulfate had the highest amount of carotenoids. According to the results of the present study, the effect of different percentages of compost used in combination with potassium sulfate was significant in most of the examined traits compared to the control treatment. 15% compost in combination with 2 mg/L of potassium sulfate performed better on stem height, number of inflorescences and buds.
Keywords: Fertilization, Ornamental plant, Pigments, Medium
Background and Objective:
One of the important factors in the production of ornamental plants is the use of suitable medium. In addition to having suitable physical and chemical properties, the media for plants should be cheap and available. Compost is an organic substance that has a positive effect on the physical and chemical properties of the media. Fertilizers play an important role in improving the growth and development of plants. Potassium is effective in accelerating the growth and development of plants. This element plays an important role in the production of hydrocarbon materials, protein production, photosynthesis, and the opening and closing of stomata (Tabatabaei, 2018; Nofa et al., 2024). The use of cheap and available organic materials, in addition to improving the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of the plant, can be important in reducing the cost of producing agricultural products. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of wood chip compost and potassium sulfate fertilizer on the morph-physiological characteristics of geranium plant.
Methods: A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with two factors and three replications was conducted in greenhouse conditions at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. The first factor of wood chip compost (0, 5%, 10%, 15%) and the second factor was potassium sulfate (0, 1 and 2 mg/L). Healthy and uniform geranium seedlings were purchased from a greenhouse in Pakdasht, Varamin. The plants were placed in the greenhouse temperature for two weeks to adapt to the environmental conditions. After two weeks, the seedlings were transferred to the media containing compost and placed inside the greenhouse with an average temperature of 22°C and a relative humidity of 60-70%. After the adaptation of the plants to the media, fertilization with the desired concentrations of potassium sulfate was applied every 10 days. Six months after the start of the treatment, traits such as height, number of leaves, number of buds, number of inflorescences, root length, root volume, shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, anthocyanin and potassium element was measured.
Results: According to the obtained results, the highest plant height was created in 5% compost with 2 mg/L of potassium. The highest number of inflorescences was observed in 10% compost combined with 1 mg/L of potassium, which was not significantly different from 15% compost treatment with 2 mg/L of potassium. The highest root wet weight was measured in 10% compost in combination with 2 mg/L of potassium. The highest root dry weight was observed in 10% compost + 2 mg/L potassium. The plants grown in 10% compost in combination with 2 mg/L of potassium had the highest amount of carotenoids. The amount of anthocyanin was the highest in 2 mg/L potassium. Also, this pigment was maximum in 15% compost. The highest amount of total chlorophyll was observed under the treatment of 15% wood chip compost and 1 mg/L of potassium.
Conclusions: The findings of the present study showed that most of the substrates containing compost and potassium sulfate fertilizer had a significant effect on improving the vegetative and flowering traits of geranium compared to the control treatment. An increase in the number of inflorescences was observed in 10 and 15% compost in combination with potassium fertilizer. Anthocyanin pigment showed an increase in 15% compost and 2 mg/L potassium compared to the control. The number of leaves was the highest in plants grown in 15% compost and 1 and 2 grams per liter of potassium fertilizer. According to the results of the present study, the use of wood chip compost along with potassium sulfate fertilizer is recommended to improve the morphological and physiological characteristics of geranium.
References:
1- Nofal, E., Menesy, F., M. Abd El-Hady, W., G. Shehab, E., El-Ramady, H. and Prokisch, J. 2024. Effect of Nano-NPK and Nano-Chitosan fertilizers on the growth and chemical constituents of Philodendron sellum Plants. Egypt. J. Soil Sci. 64(3), 1193-1205. doi: 10.21608/ejss.2024.289119.1769.
2- Tabatabaei, S.J. 2018. Principles of plant mineral nutrition. First edition, autho's publications. Tabriz, Iran.