The effect of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers on morphophysiological properties of Althaea officinalis
Subject Areas : Plant Physiology
Narges Meyghan
1
,
Pezhman Moradi
2
1 - Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh, Iran
2 - Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh, Iran
Keywords: NH2CONH, P2O5, Althaea officinalis, antioxidant activity, Chlorophyll content,
Abstract :
Althaea officinalis hasasignificant role in preventing and treating different diseases. The present study was aimed to assess the effect of N and P fertilizers on leaf, seed, and flower properties in a semi-arid area of Iran. N was applied as NH2CONH at three stages (before cultivating stage, at 4-leaf stage, and before reproductive stage) as 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha. P was used as P2O5 before cultivating in three concentrations as 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha. Results showed that N fertilizer significantly increased plant height, leaf area, and leaf chlorophyll content, whereas P fertilizer only influenced the plant height. For seed properties, mucilage was not influenced by P fertilizer. Nor was 1000 seed weight affected by N fertilizer. P fertilizer significantly increased oil content. In contrast, a 0.5 % decrease in seed oil was observed in 150 kg/ha with respect to control. All flower properties (phenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity) of A. officinalis significantly increased by enhancing N and P concentrations. In most traits, 150 kg/ha N and 90 kg/ha P fertilizers were selected as most effective treatments.