---

Water stress is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and yield of plants in many parts of the world. In order to evaluate the effects of water stress on some morphological, physiological and antioxidant enzyme activity traits of lentil, four lentil cultivars (i.e. Gachsaran, Kimia, Ziba and Robat) in four water deficit treatments including 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the field capacity (control) were studied in a factorial experiment, based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Water stress at 25 and 50% field capacity significantly decreased morpho-physiological traits and significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity, proline and protein contents of all genotypes in comparison with the control group. Gachsaran and Robat cultivars were superior in most traits in comparison with the Kimia and Ziba cultivars. Under severe stress, the amounts of  proline and protein contents, CAT and SOD enzyme activity were significantly higher in Robat and Gachsaran cultivars than those of the Kimiya and Ziba cultivars. Results showed that Robat and Gachsaran cultivars were probably affected less by water stress due to more stress tolerance using various mechanisms such as more antioxidant enzyme activity, increased proline, proteins and photosynthetic pigments contents. Studied traits were introduced as suitable markers for identification of drought tolerant genotypes. Accordingly, Robat and Gachsaran cultivars were introduced as tolerant cultivars for cultivation under rainfed conditions.

---

In this study, the effects of seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) on seed germination stimulation and growth indices in chickpea were studied. A factorial experiment was performed on the basis of a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Treatments consisted of seaweed extract at four levels (0, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5%) and drought stress at four levels (0, -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MP). Drought stress was induced by PEG 6000. Results showed that drought stress at -0.6 and -0.9 MP reduced the germination traits significantly compared with the controls. Seaweed extract at 2.5 and 3.5% resulted in a significant increase in the germination percentage (+18%, +24%), germination rate (+15%, +20%), seedling length (+13.3%, +15.7%), radicle area (+10.4%, +12.8%), radicle diameter (+14.2%, +25%), plumule length (+14%, +16.6%) and plumule dry weight (+10.3%, +12.6%). Under non-stress and -0.3 MP, seaweed extract levels at 2.5 and 3.5% could significantly increase the germination vigor, seed vigor index, consumed endosperm, radicle length and radicle dry weight. The application of seaweed extract at 3.5% improved the germination vigor, seed vigor index and radicle dry weight under -0.6 MP conditions. It also improved the consumed endosperm, length and radicle dry weight in samples affected by -0.9 MP conditions. According to the results, the use of seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) in the seed germination of beans is recommended for the reduction of the negative effects of drought stress.
 

 

---

Seaweed extract can improve the physicochemical properties of the soil and has a favorable effect on the plant growth and development due to having high nutrient content, high water holding capacity, plant growth regulators and beneficial microorganisms. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum extract, a brown alga, on the morphophysiological characteristics of bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris) under water stress. The experiment was performed in a Completely Randomized Factorial Design with three replications. Experimental treatments included 4 concentrations of foliar application of seaweed extract (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) and 3 levels of water stress including no stress, mild stress and severe stress (irrigation at 75, 50 and 25% of field capacity, respectively). The results showed that the interaction effects of stress and algal extract on the evaluated traits were not significant. However, the seaweed extract significantly increased the leaf area, number of the leaves, leaf length, surface and length of the roots, root dry weight, the content of chlorophyll a and b and the total chlorophyll content. Application of algal extract at levels of 0.2 and 0.4% caused a significant increase in the evaluated parameters as compared with the control plants. The evaluation of water scarcity stress effects showed a significant reduction in the all studied characteristics in accordance with increasing water stress level from 75% to 25% of field capacity. The results of this study showed that foliar application of seaweed extract significantly increased some morphological and photosynthetic properties, while water stress significantly reduced the investigated parameters.

 

---

Successful germination is the main factor in proper establishment and seedling yield. Information on seed germination, in the face of temperature changes at the time of planting, is a way to identify more suitable cultivars for cultivation at the planting site. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was performed based on completely randomized design with 3 replications. This experiment was conducted to investigate the temperature changes on the germination and growth indicators of lentil cultivars at Khatam Al-Anbia University of Behbahan. The studied treatments included five lentil cultivars of Gachsaran, Kimia, Robat, Ziba and Bilehsevar, and the temperature levels were 20, 25 and 30 °C, similar to the autumn conditions of Khuzestan Province. The results showed that all the seedlings of investigated cultivars cultivated at temperatures of 20 and 30 °C had a significant decrease in all the investigated traits, i.e., germination percent, germination rate, germination vigor, seed vigor index, endosperm consumption, plumule length, radicle length, seedling length, plumule dry weight and radicle dry weight, in comparison with those seedlings cultivated in 25 °C. The study of the interaction of cultivar-temperature effects showed that Bilehsevar cultivar had the highest germination and growth indices at 25°C compared to other investigated cultivars. This increase in traits such as germination rate, germination vigor, seed vigor index, plumule dry weight and radicle length was more significant in Bilehsevar cultivar compared to other cultivars. The second rank of the highest germination and growth indices was assigned to Gachsaran cultivar under 25°C conditions, which had a significant increase compared to other cultivars (Kimia, Robat and Ziba). Considering the autumn cultivation of lentils and the changes of temperature in that season (temperature range of 20 to 30 °C) in the studied area, the use of Bilehsevar and Gachsaran cultivars under the temperature of 25 °C, due to their higher germination indicators compared to the other cultivars, i.e., Ziba, Kimia and Robat, could be recommended.


 

---

Calyx of eggplant is recognized as agricultural byproducts containing significant levels of phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin compounds that facilitate the reduction of silver ions, enabling the eco-friendly production of silver oxide nanoparticles through a green synthesis approach. The utilization of silver oxide nanoparticles has garnered considerable interest in various industries due to their versatile applications and environmentally sustainable nature. Various analytical techniques such as ultraviolet- visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering were employed to confirm the formation of silver oxide nanoparticles and characterize their properties. The antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of the silver oxide nanoparticles and the aqueous extract of calyx of eggplant were evaluated through assays including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical inhibition, disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. The absorption peak at 422 nm confirmed the presence of silver oxide nanoparticles, with a particle size of approximately 140 nm determined by DLS analysis and a spherical shape observed through SEM imaging. The biological activities of the silver oxide nanoparticles, including their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial effects were found to be superior to those of the aqueous calyx of eggplant extract.