The First Report of Drought Tolerance Assessment of Iranian Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis is the most economically important species of asparagus worldwide. Commercial cultivars of asparagus are susceptible to some biotic and abiotic stresses. Drought stress is one of the most common stresses in agricultural crops cultivation. The main purpose of the current study was to compare Iranian asparagus accessions drought tolerance rate with that of ‘Mary Washington’ commercial cultivar and introducing superior accessions in terms of dry resistance rate. A factorial experiment was laid out based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors were a) asparagus accession in 10 levels including nine wild accessions of Iranian asparagus and ‘Mary Washington’ commercial cultivar (as control) and b) drought stress in four levels including 0 (as control), 5, 10 and 15% (w/v polyethylene glycol). Results showed that highest values of percentage and speed of seed germination and lengths of radicle and plumule were recorded in Gazanak accession. The lowest values of radicle length were recorded in Chalaki and Shiraz accessions (6.19 and 8.01?mm, respectively). Calli of ‘Mary Washington’ cultivar under highest applied level of drought stress showed the lowest value of relative growth rate (11.53?mg/day). Cluster analysis based on assessed characteristics under different applied levels of drought stress, divided Iranian asparagus accessions into four groups at Euclidean distance of 2.0. In conclusion, obtained results showed that Iranian asparagus accessions especially Gazanak accession could be a good candidate to apply in asparagus breeding programs with aim of producing asparagus dry tolerant cultivars.

     

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) Applications in Natural Product Studies Based on Medicinal Plant and Secondary Metabolite Analysis

Characterization and extraction of plant secondary metabolites are important in agriculture, pharmaceutical, and food industry. In this regard, the applied analytical methods are mostly costly and time-consuming; therefore, choosing a suitable approach is essential for optimum results and economic suitability. One of the recently considered methods used to characterize new types of materials is MIPs. Among the various applications of MIPs is the identification and separation of various plant-derived compounds, such as secondary metabolites, chemical residues, and pesticides. The present review describes the application of MIPs as a tool in medicinal plant material analysis, focusing on plant secondary metabolism. Key Words: Molecularly imprinted polymers, Plants medicinal, Secondary metabolism     

Effects of Sangrovit‐supplemented diet on growth performance,blood biochemical parameters,survival and stress resistance to salinity in the Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus) fry

This study was carried out to show the effects of Sangrovit on growth, blood biochemical parameters, survival and resistance to salinity stress in the Caspian roach. Fish (1.24 ± 0.13 g) were divided into four groups fed diets containing Sangrovit at different levels: 0 (control), 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15% for 45 days. The results showed that there was a significant increase in final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate in those fish fed 0.15% Sangrovit diets compared with the control (P < 0.05). Food conversion rate of fish fed 0.05% Sangrovit diet was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the control group. Condition factor was not significantly affected by Sangrovit dosage (P > 0.05). The blood glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in treated groups compared with the control (P < 0.05). The highest total protein was obtained in the 0.15% group and it was significantly higher than in all other groups (P < 0.05). Challenges were carried out after 45 days of feeding, to determine the effect of Sangrovit on resistance to salinity stress. Blood samples were obtained four times after challenge (day 1, 3, 5 and 7) for evaluate haematocrit levels. On the first day, haematocrit increased significantly in all groups compared to day 5 and 7 (P < 0.05). The haematocrit levels decreased gradually in all groups from the third day. Before and after stress, no differences were observed for survival rate among the experimental diets (P > 0.05). These results indicate that the inclusion of 0.15% Sangrovit in the diet of the Caspian roach enhances feed efficiency, fish growth and blood biochemical parameters.     

The use of fenugreek seed meal in fish diets: growth performance,haematological and biochemical parameters,survival and stress resistance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of fenugreek seed meal (FKSM) on growth performance, blood haematological and biochemical factors, survival and stress resistance of the common carp (2.46 ± 0.06 g) fingerlings. Four practical diets containing 0 (control), 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% FKSM were used to feed fish. Fish were fed on the tested diets at a rate of 3% of body weight for 8 weeks. Results indicated that fish fed the control diet had a significantly lower weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio decreased significantly in fish fed diets containing FKSM. There were no significant differences in glucose levels, red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin between treatment groups and the control group (P > 0.05). Significantly lower white blood cells count was observed in fish treatment with FKSM when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The cholesterol level in group fed supplemented diet by 1% fenugreek significantly lower than other groups (P < 0.05). Total protein levels were significantly higher in all treatments compared to the control (P < 0.05). No mortality was recorded during the feeding trial. In salinity stress experiment, highest survival rate belong to fish fed supplemented diet by 1% fenugreek. These results indicate that FKSM can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improving the growth performance and blood indices of common carp fingerling.