Effect of Humic Acid on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Borago officinalis and Cichorium intybus

Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2 Former M.Sc. Student of Range Management, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
Abstract
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of humic acid on the germination properties of medicinal plants Borago officinalis and Cichorium intybus in a completely randomized design with five replications. Experimental treatment comprised the following dosages 0, 15, and 30 g l-1. The results revealed that effect of humic acid on the germination properties of C. intybus was significant (p<0.01) except for the germination percentage and mean germination time (p< 0.01). In addition, humic acid was effective on the morphological properties of C. intybus except for radical and pedicel dry weight. Humic acid was also effective on the germination properties of B. officinalis except for the germination percentage (p<1%); it was only effective on morphological properties viz. radical fresh weight, seedlings’ pedical length and allometric coefficient. The most effect was obtained in the 30 g l-1 humic acid.The control treatment had the least effect on the plant's properties. In conclusion, the results showed that application of 30 g l-1 humic acid was effective in germination of the plant species and stimulated the plants germination.
Keywords

Asenjo, A.B., Krohn, N. and Sosa, H. Configuration of the two kinesin motor domains during ATP 681 hydrolysis. J. Commun Soil Sci. Plan., 2000; 10: 836-84.
Ayman, R., Korabik, K. and Morris, S. Is transformational leadership always perceived as effective? Male subordinates’ devaluation of female transformational leaders. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol., 2009; 39: 852-879.
Behbodian, B., Lahouti, M. and Nezami, A. Effects evaluation of salt stress on germination of chickpea varieties. J. Agr., 2005; 28; 127-137. (In Persian)
Carrubba, A., La Torre, R., Di Prima, A., Saiano, F. and Alonzo, G. Statistical analyses on the essential oil of Italian coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits of different ages and origins. J. Essent. Oil Res., 2002; 14: 389-396.
Cavin, C., Delannoy, M., Malnoe, A., Debefve, E., Touche, A., Courtois, D. and Schilter, B. Inhibition of the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 by chicory extract. J. Biochem. Bioph. Res. Commun., 2005; 327: 742-749.
Chen, Y. and Aviad, T. Effects of humic substances on plant growth. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 1990; 161-186.
Cooper, R.J., Liu, C. and Fisher, D.S. Influence of humic substances on rooting and nutrient content of creeping bentgrass. J. Crop Sci., 1988; 38: 1639-1644.
Cordeiro F.C., Catarina, C.S., Silveira, V. and De Souza, S.R. Humic acid effect on catalase activity and the generation of reactive oxygen species in corn (Zea mays). Biosci. Biotech. Bioch., 2011; 75: 70-74.
Darzi, M.T., Hadjseyed Hadi, M.R. and Rejali, F. Effects of vermicompost and phosphate biofertilizer application on yield and yield components in Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). Iran J. Med Aromat Plants., 2011; 26: 452-465. (In Persian)
Ellis, R.H. and Roberts. E.H. The quantification of ageing and survival in orthodox seeds. J. Seed Sci. Technol.,1981; 9: 377-409.
Eyheraguibel, B., Silvestre, J. and Morard, P. Effects of humic substances derived from organic waste enhancement on the growth and mineral nutrition of maize. J. Bioresource Technol., 2008; 99: 10-25.
Farajollahi, A., Tavili, A., Gholinejad, B., Darini, J. and Pouzesh, H, Investigation and compare the allelopathic effects for different tissues of Peganum harmala in different amounts on the Bromus tectorum germination and growth characteristics. ECOPERSIA., 2012; 1: 217-226.
Ghasemi, A., Tavakalo, M.R. and Zabihi, H.R. Effect of nitrogen, potassium and humic acid on vegetative growth, nitrogen and potassium uptake of potato minituber in greenhouse condition. J. Agr. Plants Breeding., 2012; 8: 39-56. (In Persian)
Gulser, F., Sonmez, F. and Boysan, S. Effects of calcium nitrate and humic acid on pepper seedling growth under saline condition. J. Environ. Biol., 2010; 31: 873-876.
Heidari, M. and Minaei, A. Effects of drought stress and humic acid application on flower yield and content of macro-elements in medical plant borage (Borago officinalis L.). J. Plant Prod. Res., 2014; 21: 167-182. (In Persian)
Iswaran, V. and Chonkar, P.K. Action of sodium humate and dry matter accumulation of soybean in saline alkali sail. J. Humus et Planta., 1971; 613-615.
Jones, C.A., Jacobsen, J.S. and Mugaas, A. Effects of humic acid on phosphorus avaliability and spring wheat yield. J. Facts Ferilizer., 2004; 32-41.
Kauser, A. and Azam, F. Effect of humic acid on wheat seeding growth. Environ. Exp. Bot., 1985; 25: 245-252.
Mereddy, R., Hallgren, S., Wu, Y. and Conway, K.E. Solid matrix priming improves seedling vigor Okra seeds. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sci., 2000; 80: 33-37.
Michael, K. Oxidized lignites and extracts from oxidizwd lignites in agriculture. J. Soil. Sci., 2001;1-23.
Mirzaei, A. and Jaberi Hafshajani, H. Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium polium on biochemical and hematological parameters of Hepatotoxic rats. Iranian Journal of Armaghan e Danesh. 2010; 15; 67-75. (In Persian)
Mohajeri, D., Mousavi, Gh., Mesgari, M., Doustar, Y. and Khayat Nouri, M.H. Subacute toxicity of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) stigma ethanolic extract in rats. Am. J. Pharm. Toxicol., 2007; 2: 189-93. (In Persian)
Mosa Pour, H., Dahmarde Komak, F., Malek Hassani Pour, J. and Sirosmehr, A. Effect of priming humic acid on germination index and growth of seedling of Calendula officinalis in salt stress. 13th Conference on Agriculture and Plant Breeding., 2014; 4 P. (In Persian)
Nardi, S., Pizzeghello, D., Muscolo, A. and Vianello, A. Physiological effects of humic substances on higher plants. J. Soil Biol. Biochem., 2002; 34: 1527-1536.
Osborne, B.A. and Miele, L. Notch and the immune system. Immunity., 1999; 11:653-663.
Piccolo, A., Celanoand, G. and Pietramellara, G. Effects of fractions of coal-derived humic substances on seed germination and growth of seedlings (Lactuca sativa and Lycopersicon esculentum). J. Biol. Fert Soils. 1993; 16: 11-15.
Rassam, G.A., Dadkhah, A.R. and Mashayekhan, A. Prioritizing effective factors on development of medicinal plants cultivation using analytic hierarchy process (case study: North Khorasan province, Iran). ECOPRESIA. 2014; 2: 557-569.
Rubio, V., Bustos, R., Irigoyen, M.L., Cardona-Lopez, X., Rojas-Triana, M. and Paz-Ares, J. Plant hormones and nutrient signaling. J. Plant Mol. Biol., 2009; 69: 361-73.
Sabzevari, S., Khazaie, H.R. and Kafi, M. Effect of humic acid on root and shoot growth of two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.). J. Water Soil, 2009; 23: 87-94. (In Persian)
Samsam Shariat, S. H. Collection of medicinal herbs. Mani press, Iran, 2005; 992 P. (In Persian)
Saravanakumar, D., Charles Vijayakumar, N., Kumar, N. and Samiyappan, R. PGPR-induced defense responses in the tea plant against blister blight disease. Crop Prot., 2007; 26: 556-565.
Sareedenchai, V. and Zidorn, C. Flavonoids as chemosystematic markers in the tribe Cichorieae of the Asteraceae. Biochem. Syst. Ecol., 2010; 38: 935-57.
Shahsavan Markadeh, M. and Chamani, E. Effects of variations concentrations and time of humic acid application on quantitative characteristics of cut stock flower (Matthiola incana Hanza). J. Sci. Technol. Greenhouse Culture, 2014; 19: 157-170. (In Persian)
Sheriff, M. Effect of lignitic coal derived HA on growth and yield of wheat and maize in alkaline soil. Ph.D Thesis, NWFP Agricalture University of Peshawar, Pakistan. 2002; 177 P.
Tejada, M. and Gonzalez. J.L. Influence of foliar fertilization with amino acids and humic acids on productivity and quality of asparagus. Biol. Agric. Hort., 2003; 21: 277-291.
Ulukan, H. Effect of soil applied humic acid at different sowing times on some yield colponents in wheat hybrids. J. Bot., 2008; 4: 164-175.
Verlinden, G., Coussens, T., De Vliegher, A. and Baert, G. Effect of humic substances on nutrient uptake by herbage and on production and nutritive value of herbage from sown grass pastures. Grass Forage Sci., 2010; 65: 133-144.
Vildova, A., Stolcova, M., Kloucek. and Orsak, P.M. Quality characterization of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in organic and traditional agricultures. International Symposium on Chamomile Research, Development and Production. Presov, Slovakia., 2006; 81-82.
Wiese, A. and Larry Binning, K. Calculating the threshold temperature of development for weeds. Weed Sci., 1987; 35: 177-179.
Xuenyuan, G., Xiaorong, W., Zhimany, G., Lemei, D. and Yijun, C. Effect of hemic acid speciation and bioavailability to wheat of rare earth elements in soil. Chem. Spec. Bioavailab.,2001; 13: 83-88.
Zargari, A. Medical plants. Fifth edition. University of Tehran press, 2004; 71 P.