Effect of Application of Organic and Biological Fertilizers on Growth and Biochemical Characteristics of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgar Miller) under Greenhouse Conditions

علوم باغبانی

Article 20, Volume 36, Issue 1 - Serial Number 53, March 2022, Pages 285-306   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jhs.2021.70948.1063

Authors

Seyyed Amir Hamzeh Bahari Meymandi¹; Shahram Sharafzadeh^{* 1}; Omid Alizadeh²; Froud Bazrafshan¹; Bahram Amiri¹

¹Department of Agriculture, Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Iran

²Department of Agriculture, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
 In recent years, the aggressive application of chemical fertilizers for agricultural production has endangered the health of soil, water, air, as well as crops, and has raised many concerns for the global environment and human health. In addition to the positive biological effects and modification of soil physical and chemical properties due to the gradual release of nutrients, organic fertilizers cause less pollution in the environment. Due to the significant role of medicinal and aromatic plants in different industries, it is important to increasing production of yield and secondary metabolite produced without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) is widely grown in arid and semi-arid regions and due to its economic importance and pharmaceutical industrial applications, it is one of the world’s most dimension medicinal plant. This plant has antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, diuretic, carminative and analgesic effects and is effective in gastrointestinal disorder treatment. Moreover with its antioxidant and antiulcer properties, it is used to treat neurological disorders.
Materials and Methods
 This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic and biological fertilizers on the morpho-physiological and phytochemical properties of fennel (Foeniculum vulgar Miller). In this study, the impacts of vermicompost (0, 4, 8% in pot), animal manure (0, 7.5, 15% in pot) and mycorrhizal fungi (0, 1%) on physiological and biochemical properties of fennel in greenhouse conditions was evaluated. In order to extract the samples to measure biochemical factors, methanol 70% was used at a ratio of 5:1 (volume- weight). Determination of free radical scavenging was performed by using the DPPH test. The samples’ absorptions were read at a wavelength of 517 nm with Epoch Microplate Spectrophotometer, BioTek Instruments, Inc., USA. Measuring the total phenols was performed according to the Folin’s reagent method and the use of gallic acid as standard (purchased from the brand MERCK, Germany) by using a spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 765 nm. Total flavonoid content was measured using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 510 nm through a standard curve of quercetin from Sigma-Aldrich. The Essential oils were obtained from seeds by hydrodistillation for 3 h using a clevenger type device. The analyses of essential oil volatile components were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data were analyzed by using Duncan’s multiple range test (P< 0.05) by SAS, version 9.4 for Windows.
Results and Discussion
 The results of current investigation showed that organic and biological fertilizers improved the fennel yield and phytochemical properties such as the plant height, seed weight per plant, fresh and dry weight of roots and plants, content of total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, percentage of essential oil and root colonization. The highest plant height, number of flowers, umbrellas and seeds per plant and fresh and dry weight of roots were obtained after combined application of 8% in pot vermicompost, 15% in pot animal manure and application of mycorrhiza. According to the results, the highest amount of total flavonoids (177.66 mg/100g DW) and root colonization (35.8%) after of 8% in pot vermicompost + 15% in pot animal manure + mycorrhiza application was observed. The results also revealed that the highest fresh and dry weight of the plants (121.33 and 17.41 g, respectively) was obtained after application of mycorrhiza + 15% in pot animal manure. Application of mycorrhiza in combination with 15% in pot animal manure compared to other treatments caused a significant increase in total phenol content in aerial parts with 73.22 mg/100g DW. In addition, the highest amount of antioxidant activity (51%) was obtained after 8% in pot vermicompost + 15% in pot animal manure application. Application of organic and biological fertilizers significantly increased the 1000 seed weight and the percentage of essential oil in fennel. After 15% in pot animal manure treatment, the highest percentage of essential oil by 3.43% was recorded. In general, the highest percentages of essential oil components were related to (E)-Anethole (78.26%), Fenchone (7.15%), Limonene (6.12%) and Methyl chavicol (3.85%), respectively. The amount of (E)-Anethole as the essential oil predominant compound, in the control treatment was 66.92%. The application of mycorrhiza + 4% in pot vermicompost increased the content of (E) -Anethole in essential oil to 80.72%.
Conclusion
 In general, application of vermicompost, animal manure and mycorrhizal fungi improved the growth, biochemical and yield characteristics and essential oil yield of fennel in greenhouse conditions. These fertilizers increased plant yield by providing large amounts of required nutrients and affecting various aspects of root growth and development. Among them, the role of nitrogen may be more prominent due to its participation in protein synthesis and the role of iron in nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis and electron transfer.

Keywords

Essential oil; Fennel; Seed yield; Flavonoid; Mycorrhiza

References

1. Amiri R., Nikbakht A., and Etemadi N. 2015. Alleviation of drought stress on rose geranium [Pelargonium graveolens (L.) Herit.] in terms of antioxidant activity and secondary metabolites by mycorrhizal inoculation. Scientia Horticulturae 197: 373-380.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.09.062.
2. Anwar M., Patra D.D., Chand S., Alpesh K., Naqvi A.A., and Khanuja S.P.S. 2005. Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer on growth, herb and oil yield, nutrient accumulation, and oil quality of French basil. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 36(13-14): 1737-1746.‏ https://doi.org/10.1081/CSS-200062434.
3. Arancon N.Q., Edwards C.A., Atiyeh R., and Metzger J.D. 2004. Effects of vermicomposts produced from food waste on the growth and yields of greenhouse peppers. Bioresource Technology 93(2): 139-144.‏ 1016/j.biortech.2003.10.015.
4. Arancon N.Q., Galvis P.A., and Edwards C.A. 2005. Suppression of insect pest populations and damage to plants by vermicomposts. Bioresource Technology 96(10): 1137-1142.‏ 1016/j.biortech.2004.10.004.
5. Atiyeh R.M., Subler S., Edwards C.A., Bachman G., Metzger J.D., and Shuster W. 2000. Effects of vermicomposts and composts on plant growth in horticultural container media and soil. Pedobiologia 44(5): 579-590.‏ https://doi.org/10.1078/S0031-4056(04)70073-6
6. Azzaz N.A., Hassan E.A., and Hamad E.H. 2009. The chemical constituent and vegetative and yielding characteristics of fennel plants treated with organic and bio-fertilizer instead of mineral fertilizer. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 3(2): 579-587.‏
7. Bagal U.R., Leebens-Mack J.H., Lorenz W.W., and Dean J.F. 2012. The phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene family shows a gymnosperm-specific lineage. In BMC Genomics 13(3): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-13-S3-S1.
8. Behrooz A., Vahdati K., Rejali F., Lotfi M., Sarikhani S., and Leslie C. 2019. Arbuscular mycorrhiza and plant growth-promoting bacteria alleviate drought stress in walnut. HortScience 54(6): 1087-1092.‏ https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13961-19.
9. Bouwman H., and Reinecke A.J. 1991. A defined medium for the study of growth and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta). Biology and Fertility of Soils 10(4): 285-289.‏
10. Chatterjee S.K. 2001. Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in India-A commercial approach. In International Conference on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Possibilities and Limitations of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant 576: 191-202. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.576.28.
11. Chen W., Meng P., Feng H., and Wang C. 2020. Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and physiological performance of Catalpa bungei CA Mey. under drought stress. Forests 11(10): 1117.‏ 3390/f11101117
12. Ćustić M., Poljak M., Čoga L., Ćosić T., Toth N., and Pecina M. 2003. The influence of organic and mineral fertilization on nutrient status, nitrate accumulation, and yield of head chicory. Plant, Soil and Environment 49(5): 218-222.‏ https://doi.org/10.17221/4116-PSE.
13. Daneshian J., Yousefi M., Zandi P., Jonoubi P., and Khatibani L.B. 2011. Effect of planting density and cattle manure on some qualitative and quantitative traits in two basil varieties under Guilan condition, Iran. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 11(1): 95-103.‏
14. Darzi M.T., Ghalavand A., and Rejali F. 2007. Effect of mycorrhiza, vermicompost and phosphate biofertilizer application on flowering, biological yield and root colonization in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Iranian Journal of Crop Sciences 10(1): 88-109. (In Persian with English abstract)
15. Edwards C.A., and Burrows I. 1988. Potential of earthworm composts as plant growth media. Earthworms in waste and environmental management/edited by Clive A. Edwards and Edward F. Neuhauser.‏
16. Garg P., Gupta A., and Satya S. 2006. Vermicomposting of different types of waste using Eisenia foetida: A comparative study. Bioresource Technology 97(3): 391-395.‏ 1016/j.biortech.2005.03.009.
17. Gharib F.A., Moussa L.A., and Massoud O.N. 2008. Effect of compost and bio-fertilizers on growth, yield and essential oil of sweet marjoram (Majorana hortensis) plant. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 10(4): 381-387.‏
18. Gholami H., Raouf Fard F., Saharkhiz M.J., and Ghani A. 2018. Yield and physicochemical properties of inulin obtained from Iranian chicory roots under vermicompost and humic acid treatments. Industrial Crops and Products 123: 610-616.‏ 1016/j.indcrop.2018.07.031.
19. Giovannetti M., and Mosse B. 1980. An evaluation of techniques for measuring vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal infection in roots. New Phytologist 489-500.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1980.tb04556.x.
20. Haj Seyed Hadi M.R., Darzi M.T., Ghandehari Z., and Riazi G. 2011. Effects of vermicompost and amino acids on the flower yield and essential oil production from Matricaria chamomile Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 5(23): 5611-5617.10.18869/acadpub.ejgcst.7.4.1.
21. Hajeb S., Boroumand N., and Sanjari S. 2017. Effect of application of phosphorus fertilizer in calcareous soils containing different amounts of native phosphorus on yield and micronutrients uptake of cucumber. Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions 7(4): 1-11. (In Persian)
22. Hameeda B., Rupela O.P., Reddy G., and Satyavani K. 2006. Application of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with composts and macrofauna for growth promotion of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). Biology and Fertility of Soils 43 (2): 221-227.‏ 10.1007/s00374-006-0098-1.
23. Javanmardi J., and Hasanshahian O. 2014. Humic acid and manure tea affected reproductive stage and fruit quality factors of pepino in organic production system. Building Organic Bridges 3: 683-686.‏ 3220/REP_20_1_2014.
24. Jeffries P., Gianinazzi S., Perotto S., Turnau K., and Barea J.M. 2003. The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sustainable maintenance of plant health and soil fertility. Biology and Fertility of Soils 37(1): 1-16.‏ 1007/s00374-002-0546-5.
25. Kapoor R., Giri B., and Mukerji K.G. 2002. Mycorrhization of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L) to enhance the concentration and quality of essential oil. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 82(4): 339-342.‏ https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.1039.
26. Kapoor R., Giri B., and Mukerji K.G. 2004. Improved growth and essential oil yield and quality in Foeniculum vulgare mill on mycorrhizal inoculation supplemented with P-fertilizer. Bioresource Technology 93(3): 307-311.‏ 1016/j.biortech.2003.10.028.
27. Kheiry A., Arghavani M., and Khastoo M. 2016. Effects of organic fertilizers application on morphophysiological characteristics of calendula (Calendula officinalis). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 31(6): 1047-1057. (In Persian with English abstract)
28. Kumawat P.D., Jat N.L., and Yadav S.S. 2006. Effect of organic manure and nitrogen fertilization on growth, yield and economics of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Indian Journal of Agricultural Science 76(4): 226-229.‏
29. Lee J. 2010. Effect of application methods of organic fertilizer on growth, soil chemical properties and microbial densities in organic bulb onion production. Scientia Horticulturae 124(3): 299-305.‏ 1016/j.scienta.2010.01.004.
30. Mahfouz S.A., and Sharaf-Eldin M.A. 2007. Effect of mineral vs. biofertilizer on growth, yield, and essential oil content of fennel [Foeniculum vulgare]. International Agrophysics 21(4): 361-366.‏
31. Menichini F., Tundis R., Bonesi M., Loizzo M.R., Conforti F., Statti G., and Menichini F. 2009. The influence of fruit ripening on the phytochemical content and biological activity of Capsicum chinense cv Habanero. Food Chemistry 114(2): 553-560.‏ 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.09.086.
32. Moradi R., Nasiri mahallati M., Rezvani moghadam P., Lakzian A., and Nejadali A. 2011. The effect of biological and organic fertilizers on the quantity and quality of fennel essential oil (Foeniculum vulgare Mill). Journal of Horticultural Science 25(1): 25-33. (In Persian)
33. Naguib A.E.M.M., El-Baz F.K., Salama Z.A., Hanaa H.A.E.B., Ali H.F., and Gaafar A.A. 2012. Enhancement of phenolics, flavonoids and glucosinolates of Broccoli (Brassica olaracea, var. Italica) as antioxidants in response to organic and bio-organic fertilizers. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 11(2): 135-142.‏ 1016/j.jssas.2012.03.001.
34. Oke F., Aslim B., Ozturk S., and Altundag S. 2009. Essential oil composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Satureja cuneifolia Food Chemistry 112(4): 874-879.‏ 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.06.061.
35. Omidbeygi R. 2013. Production and processing of medicinal plants. Publication of Astan Quds Razavi 6 (2): 423p. (In Persian)
36. Prabha M.L., Jayraaj I.A., Jayaraj R., and Rao D.S. 2007. Effect of vermicompost and compost on growth parameters of selected vegetable and medicinal plants. Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences 9(2): 321-326.
37. Roy S., Arunachalam K., Dutta B.K., and Arunachalam A. 2010. Effect of organic amendments of soil on growth and productivity of three common crops viz. Zea mays, Phaseolus vulgaris and Abelmoschus esculentus. Applied Soil Ecology 45(2): 78-84.‏
38. Saeed Nejhad A.H., and Rezvani Moghadam P. 2010. Evaluation of consumption of compost, vermicompost and manure fertilizers on yield, yield components of Cumin and essence percentage. Horticulture Sciences Journal 24(2): 142-148.‏ (In Persian with English abstract)
39. Safaei L., Sharifiashoorabadi E., Afiuni D., Emami S.D., and Shoaii A.A. 2014. The effect of different nutrition systems on aerial parts and essential oil yield of Thymus daenensis Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 30(5): 702-713. (In Persian with English abstract)
40. Saharkhiz M.J., Smaeili S., and Merikhi M. 2010. Essential oil analysis and phytotoxic activity of two ecotypes of Zataria multiflora growing in Iran. Natural Product Research 24(17): 1598-1609.‏ https://doi.org/10.1080/14786411003754280.
41. Shabahang J., Khorramdel S., and Gheshm R. 2013. Evaluation of symbiosis with mycorhizzal on yield, yield components and essential oil of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and ajowan (Carum copticum L.) under different nitrogen levels. Agroecology 5: 289-298. (In Persian with English abstract)
42. Shahat A.A., Ibrahim A.Y., Hendawy S.F., Omer E.A., Hammouda F.M., Abdel-Rahman F.H., and Saleh M.A. 2011. Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils from organically cultivated fennel cultivars. Molecules 16(2): 1366-1377.‏ 3390/molecules16021366.
43. Singh D., Chand S., and Anvar M. 2003. Effect of organic and inorganic amendment on growth and nutrient accumulation by isabgol (Plantago ovata) in sodic soil under greenhouse conditions.‏ Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences 5(10): 4.
44. Theunissen J., Ndakidemi P.A., and Laubscher C.P. 2010. Potential of vermicompost produced from plant waste on the growth and nutrient status in vegetable production. International Journal of the Physical Sciences 5(13): 1964-1973.‏ https://doi.org/10.5897/IJPS.9000448.
45. Weber J., Karczewska A., Drozd J., Licznar M., Licznar S., Jamroz E., and Kocowicz A. 2007. Agricultural and ecological aspects of a sandy soil as affected by the application of municipal solid waste composts. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 39(6): 1294-1302.‏ 1016/j.soilbio.2006.12.005.
46. Wojdyło A., Oszmiański J., and Czemerys R. 2007. Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in 32 selected herbs. Food Chemistry 105 (3): 940-949.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.04.038.