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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.
 

 

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Fennel is a medicinal plant; all of its parts were being used by humans in different ways. This plant is relatively sensitive to salinity. A factorial experiment as a randomized complete block design with three replications at the greenhouse level was executed to investigate the effect of vermicompost on the increase of salinity tolerance in four fennel populations (Mashhad, Urmia, Shiraz, and Bushehr) in the vegetative stage of the plant, emphasizing the evaluation of some osmotic and antioxidant protection indicators. Experimental treatments were designed with four levels of salinity (0, 40, 80, and 120 mM of NaCl) and two levels of vermicompost (0 and 5% v/v). After harvesting, the roots were separated from the stem to analyze the biochemical variables. Salt stress caused a decrease in the total soluble sugar and starch content in the shoot and an increase of those in the root of the studied populations. In addition, under stress conditions, the proline content of shoot and root, total free amino acid, total phenol, and activity of guaiacol peroxidase and catalase were increased in fennel populations, while total soluble protein and anthocyanin content were decreased. Vermicompost treatment increased the content of soluble carbohydrates, soluble protein, free amino acids, proline, total phenol, and anthocyanin, and decreased the activity of guaiacol peroxidase in the shoot, as well as the starch content in the roots of fennel populations under non-stressed and stressed conditions. Despite observing the complexity in the changes of the analyzed indicators which were dependent on the type of population and the dose of stress, our results showed that the application of vermicompost with a concentration of 5% can improve the osmotic and antioxidant protection in the studied populations of fennel under salinity stress.