The effect of drought stress on morphological and

physiological traits and essence percentage of

medicinal plant,

Nigella sativa

Fatemeh Soltan Shahattary

and Cyrus Mansourifar

MSc of Agronomy, Department of Agriculture, Payame-Noor, Karaj, Iran

Associate Professor of Agronomy, Department of Agriculture, Payame-Noor, Karaj, Iran

ABSTRACT

Various environmental stresses are of factors reducing agricultural yields. But applying these stresses on the medicinal

plants effects on their active substances (constituents). In the current study, the effect of different amounts of irriga-

tion on some qualitative and quantitative factors of Nigella Sativa was examined. The experimental design was a ran-

domized complete block with three replications. Treatments included 3 levels of drought stress of 50 (severe stress), 70

(medium stress) and 90 (control) percent of  eld capacity. The required amount of water in each treatment and at any

time was calculated through the measurement of soil moisture content using a hygrometer and as a result of water

required to reach  eld capacity. During physiological investigation grain number per follicle, number of grains per

plant, grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, soluble protein, proline concentration and the essence

percent were measured. The results showed that drought stress on morphological, physiological and the essence per-

cent at 1% probability level, there was a signi cant difference. The results showed that with increasing stress levels, the

essence percent, proline, and soluble protein increased. As well as applying moderate drought stress, the largest num-

ber of grains per plant, biological yield and grain yield was achieved, but with increasing levels of stress, these traits

(characteristics) were decreased. In other traits (characteristics) increasing levels of stress, their amount was decreased.

KEY WORDS: MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, DROUGHT STRESS, THE ESSENCE PERCENT, NIGELLA SATIVA

298

ARTICLE INFORMATION:

*Corresponding Author: cyrusamf@yahoo.com

Received 27

Dec, 2016

Accepted after revision 2

March, 2017

BBRC Print ISSN: 0974-6455

Online ISSN: 2321-4007

Thomson Reuters ISI ESC and Crossref Indexed Journal

NAAS Journal Score 2017: 4.31 Cosmos IF : 4.006

reserved.

Online Contents Available at: http//www.bbrc.in/

Biosci. Biotech. Res. Comm. Special Issue No 1:298-305 (2017)

Shahattary and Mansourifar

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS 299

INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the most important environmental fac-

tors in the production of various products, so that its

de ciency can severely damage the growth and develop-

ment as well as the active ingredient of medicinal plants

(Omidbeygi, 2005). Irregular precipitation (rainfall) pat-

terns in arid areas expose plants to different intensities

of drought stress. Often, high temperatures and poor

nutritional status also makes it more complex effects of

drought. Water is not only ecologically but also physi-

ologically is important for plants, because involved in

most of the internal processes of plants and almost all

metabolic activities of plant cells such as manufacturing

of active ingredients in medicinal plants depends on the

presence of water (Letchamo et al., 1994). Therefore, one

of the most important goals in plant breeding programs

is the study of their tolerance facing drought (Yadav and

Bhathagar, 2001). Long-term water stress effects on all

metabolic processes in plants and thereby reduces plant

production (plant throughput). The survival of plant in

limiting conditions of drought stress requires its abil-

ity to survive in conditions of severe drought (osmotic)

caused by drought. Maintenance of optimum moisture

and maintaining the structure of biopolymers under

stress conditions is crucial for the survival of the plant

(Kuzentsov and Shevykova, 1999). Therefore, the opti-

mization of irrigation management due to lack of water

along with choice of suitable crops plant to cultivate is

particularly important (Ghanbari et al., 2007).

In recent years, herbs have returned again to Iran

medicine and have been cultivated in all parts of the

country. Medicinal herbs (plants) due to natural essence

and similar medicinal compounds together with, better

adapt to the body and are usually free of side effects,

especially in cases of prolonged use and for chronic dis-

eases, therefore, are very convenient. Thus has a con-

siderable advantages compared to chemical drugs. Also,

having good therapeutic effects as well as resistance of

some diseases to some medications and sensitizing in

people towards some industrial medications have been

the factors increased consumption of herbal medici-

nal products in recent decades. According to the WHO

(WHO) 80 per cent of the world people to the early

health care has traditionally been dependent on medici-

nal plants and natural products. Historically, medici-

nal plants have great importance in the development

of communities and extensive research to  nd herbal

medicinal products and natural materials have been

done throughout history. The cultivation of these plants

requires the evaluation of their capability to produce on

a large scale and their resistance to adverse environmen-

tal conditions such as lack of irrigation water (Cronquist,

1981).

Nigella sativa (L.) (black cumin) is an annual plant

belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, with a height

of 60 to 70 cm, the leaves are gray-green color with

notched  ber, white to blue  owers and capsule fruit

(follicles) that there are large number of fragrant black

grains within. In the Nigella sativa (black cumin) grains,

there is 40 percent constant oil and about 1.4 percent

essence (Islam et al., 2004). Grains from these plants in

medicine are used as a carminative, menstruation facili-

tator, laxatives, lactate stimulant, anti-constipation and

sexual power ampli er in men (Riaz and Chaudhary,

1996). In addition to its automotive growth in various

regions of Europe, West Asia and Iran (Esfahan and Arak)

, this plant is cultivated for crops (Akbarinia et al., 2005)

which meanwhile, the limiting environmental factors

can reduce growth and performance of it. The conducted

studies showed that appropriate moisture increased the

plant height and more foliage and thus increased the

number of capsules per Nigella Sativa plant and resulted

in increased grain yield (Akbarinia et al., 2005).

Also, the study conducted by Mozzafari et al., (2000)

on black cumin (Nigella Sativa) showed the increased

drought stress increases grain oil percent but oil yield

due to reduced yield in high stresses irrigation decreases.

Srivastavs and Misra (2000) has reported effects of suf-

 cient irrigation on growth and essence content of

peppermint. Several reports also show an increase in

extracted oil per unit area by reducing irrigation water

(Mozzafari et al., 2000).

The determination of the most appropriate amount of

irrigation water in order to produce the best quality and

quantity of the product in the herb lack cumin (Nigella

sativa) is essential. Therefore, in this study the effects

of water shortage in various stages of development on

the morphological factors, the amount and main compo-

nents of essence and physiological traits were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To evaluate the effect of irrigation intervals on mor-

phological, physiological and amount of essence of

herb Nigella Sativa in the Deh-Shir-Khan village  eld

of Arak city, an experiment was conducted in the 2016

crop year. The mean of average annual temperature and

precipitation have been reported 13.9 ° C and 341 mm,

respectively. Texture of the  eld soil is silt clay.

The experimental design was a randomized complete

block with three replications. Treatments included 3

levels of drought stress 50 (severe stress), 70 (medium

stress) and 90 (control) percent of  eld capacity. Grain

rate was about 1.5 grams per square meter. The width

of each replication was 3 meters and the distance

between main plots and subplots was considered about

Shahattary and Mansourifar

300 THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

40 cm. Also, the distance between each repetition 2 m

for irrigation water move and walk were considered.

In order to study changes in the water content of the

soil pro le in the various treatments of irrigation,

soil moisture content was measured at depths of 15

and 30 cm using hygrometer. To determine soil water

holding capacity accidentally six undisturbed samples

from the farm were taken from two depths 15 and 30

cm. Sampling was conducted using auger and special

capped rings. Samples were taken saturated state after

the weighing. The amount of gravity water the moisture

contained in the soil at  eld capacity and permanent

wilting point using pressure plates and then drying in

oven calculation of the percentage of residual moisture

in the soil were determined.

Soil water holding capacity of test run at  eld capac-

ity points and permanent wilting were calculated. The

amount of required water in each treatment and at any

time through the measurement of soil moisture content

using a hygrometer and as a result of the measurement

of required water to reach  eld capacity was calculated.

Irrigation regimes following established plants and thin-

ning were applied. Fighting against the weeds mechani-

cally and hand weeding was done for four times.

Finally, the number of grains per follicle, number of

grains per plant, grain weight, biological yield, grain

yield, harvest index, soluble protein, proline concentra-

tion and essence percent were measured. To measure

the percentage of essence water distillation (Clevenger,

1928) was performed using Clevenger apparatus.

For the extraction of soluble proteins in leaves, one

gram of frozen leaf samples at -80 ° C using liquid nitro-

gen in a porcelain mortar was powdered and then adding

4 ml of extraction buffer with the composition: Tris-HCl

one molar (pH = 7.5) Na2EDTA + 5% one molar 0.2% +

two- Mercaptoethanol 0.4% in distilled water to sample

and its homogenization, the mixture was transferred to

the capped tubes followed by 13,000 rpm for 20 min

was centrifuged and transparent extract was separated

from solution and was kept at -20 ° C. The quantitative

amount measurement of soluble proteins based on Brad-

ford method (Bradford, 1976) using Bio-Rad reagent

a spectrophotometer with wavelength at 595 nm was

read and then by depicting curves derived from read-

ings protein standards taken from bovine serum albumin

(BSA) in speci ed concentrations on graph paper were

determined.

Measurement of proline, according to Bates Method

(Bates et al., 1973) was performed. To measure proline of

the leaf,  rstly, 0.2 g of leaf blade was cut then it was in a

porcelain mortar with good liquid nitrogen was crushed.

Then 10cc of Sulfosalicylic acid 3% was poured into a

mortar and leaf sample was crushed good and then was

passed through  lter paper and cc2 of resulting solution

was removed and with cc2 ready-made solution Nine

dimenhydrinate (how to prepare it will be mentioned)

and cc2 acetic acid was poured into the test capped

tube and was placed for 1 hour in a warm bath. Then,

the samples were removed from the bath and placed in

the ice and to its temperature reach the temperature of

room, so that if you touched it does not feel the heat. At

this stage under the hood, cc4 amount of toluene was

added to each sample and shaken well until completely

blended. After a few moments, two phases were resulted

that the low (bottom) phase was more transparent and

higher (top) phase was red colored (depending on the

amount of leaf proline). The toluene as a witness (con-

trol) in a spectrophotometer was used to measure the

wavelength of light. Then cc4 of top phase was removed

and placed into the spectrophotometer under the wave-

length of 520 nm and read number rather than vari-

able X was placed in the equation (6). The obtained Y is

placed in Equation 7 to obtain the leaf proline in terms

of micromoles per mg.

(1)

(2)

The data were analyzed using SAS 9.1 software. Also

means comparison using test LSD (at 5%) was performed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

THE NUMBER OF GRAINS PER FOLLICLE

Analysis of variance showed that between levels of

drought stress in terms of the number of grains per

follicle, there was a signi cant difference in 1% level

(Table 1). Also, the results of mean comparison showed

that the control treatment (90% FC) had the highest

amount of grain in the follicles (Table 2). The severe

drought treatment (50% FC) has the lowest number

of grains in follicles (Table 2). Effect of drought stress

caused the number of grains per follicle at 70 and 50

percent of  eld capacity, respectively, to the 22.08 and

29.40 percent decrease compared to the control treat-

ment. The results were in line with many studies. For

example, in a study by Rezapour and colleagues (2012)

Nigella sativa grain yield in irrigation treatment after

150 mm compared to treatment of 50 mm evaporation

from pan surface treatment decreased 22.8 percent, so

that the drought stress had a signi cant impact on all

components of grain yield including biomass, number of

capsules per plant and grains per capsules and reduced

them. Koochaki and colleagues (2007) reported that

Shahattary and Mansourifar

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS 301

water stress (drought) by failing to provide photosyn-

thetic inputs reduced yield components of the fennel. It

seems that these factors have been effective in reducing

some yield components of Nigella sativa (black cumin).

THE NUMBER OF GRAINS PER PLANT

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought

stress on grain number per plant, there was a signi cant

difference at 1% level (Table 1). The results of comparison

of mean showed that mild stress had the highest number

of grains per plant and severe stress (50% FC) had the

lowest number of grains per plant (Table 2). In general,

the number of grains per plant in mild drought stress

(70% FC) increased 10.04 percent, while applying severe

stress the number of grains per plant decreased at 23.16.

Increased number of grains in the less drought stress

could be relevant to the more numbers of follicles, big-

ger and better plant growth. Considering the fact that the

number of grains per follicle in fact determines the stor-

age capacity, therefore, the greater the number of grains,

plants with larger and more storage has been produced

to receive photosynthetic material and increased this

trait will improve the yield. In many crop plants, water

stress, especially during  owering reduces the number

of fertilized  owers, abortion and subsequent reduction

of grain and therefore is greatly reduced performance

(yield) (Rezaei, 2012). Shabanzadeh and Golvi (2012)

showed that the effects of irrigation interval on height,

number of branches, number of capsules per plant, grains

per  owers and plant, grain (grain) weight, biological

yield and harvest index were signi cant and increasing

irrigation intervals, the studied features decreased. The

result of this study was consistent with Rezvani and col-

leagues’ one (2012).

THE 1000 GRAIN WEIGHT

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought

on the w1000 grain weight, there was a signi cant dif-

ference in the 1% level (Table 1). The results of mean

comparison showed that the control treatment (90% FC)

had the highest amount of 1000 grain weight (Table 2).

Also severe stress treatment (50% FC) had the lowest

1000 grain weight (Table 2). In general, drought stress

decreased one thousand grains weight at 8.62 and 15.68

percent in the mild and severe drought stress. The results

are consistent research conducted by Shabanzadeh and

Golvi (2012). The 1000 grain weight indicates the sta-

tus and reproductive period of any plant and since by

beginning of  owering and determination of the num-

ber of grains per plant, grains begin to receive and store

values of their photosynthesis, there should be a differ-

ence between the 1000-grain weight and normal modes

when the plant placed under moisture stress. But the

1000 grain weight is among the factors that most is

in uenced by genetic control and has a high heritability

and less affected by environmental factors.

BIOLOGICAL YIELD (FUNCTION)

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought

on the on biological yield trait, there was a signi cant

Table 1. Analysis of variance Nigella sativa morphological traits under drought stress

Mean of squares

Degrees of

Freedom

Sources of

changes

The number of

grains per follicle

number of

grains per plant

1000-grain

weight

biological

yield

grain yield

harvest

index

30.76** 127.45** 0.007** 94.34** 67.46** 69.33** 2 Block

144.43** 2593.78** 0.120** 4033.00* 3238.78** 212.34** 2 Drought stress

0.44 4.11 0.005 324.32 13.76 3.16 4 Pilot error

1.77 1.23 3.06 10.33 3.63 5.74 Coef cient of variation

Table 2. The comparison of mean of morphological traits of Nigella sativa under drought stress

Mean of squares

Drought stress

(Field Capacity)

The number of

grains per follicle

number of

grains per plant

1000-grain

weight

biological

yield

grain

yield

harvest

index

45.33a 172.66b 2.55a 188.65a 116.33b 32.33b 90 percent

35.32b 190.00a 2.23b 201.61a 125.66a 38.66a 70 percent

32.00c 132.66c 2.15c 132.60b 64.66 c 22.00 c 50 percent

302 THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Shahattary and Mansourifar

difference in the 5% level (Table 1). The results of mean

comparison showed that the mild stress level had the

highest amount of biological yield and sever stress (50

percent FC) had the lowest biological yield (Table 2). It

should be noted that moderate stress level and control

had no signi cant difference. In general biological yield

in mild drought stress (70% FC) increased 6.90 percent,

while applying severe stress the number of grains per

plant was decreased as 29.71 percent.

Plant growth is in uenced by a series of biochemical

and physiological processes such as photosynthesis, res-

piration, material transfer, ion absorption and metabo-

lism of food which are also involved in plant dry weight

of plant (Ka et al, 2010). These processes have a direct

relationship with the amount of available water and its

continuity. With increasing irrigation intervals, these

processes are disrupted, and the plant can’t produce

their maximum potential dry matter (Imam and Zavareh,

2008). On the other hand, the drought stress reduces the

uptake of water and nutrients, crop growth rate, growth

period, the plant photosynthesis, plant height, growth

rate and root development and all of these factors ulti-

mately lead to a reduction in dry matter production (Pes-

sarkli, 1999). According to the Ahmadian and colleagues

(2010) increased intensity of water de ciency leads to a

reduction in biomass of chamomile in a way that at the

90% treatment of  eld capacity the most and at 50%

treatment of  eld capacity the least plant biomass was

produced, respectively. Rezapour and colleagues (2012)

in a study on the Nigella sativa reported that decreased

production yield by increase in the drought is related

to reduction in plant height, leaf area reduction and

enhanced allocation of photoassimilates to the root

rather than shoot (aerial part) of plant.

THE GRAIN YIELD (PERFORMANCE)

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought

stress on the on grain yield trait, there was a signi cant

difference in the 1% level (Table 1). The results of mean

comparison showed that the mild stress level had the

highest amount of grain yield and sever stress (50 per-

cent FC) had the lowest grain yield (Table 2). In general

grain yield in mild drought stress (70% FC) increased

8.02 percent, while applying severe stress the number of

grains per plant was decreased as 44.41 percent. Goldani

and Rezvani Moghadam (2006) argue that the availa-

ble accessible soil moisture increases the plant canopy

development, thereby absorb more radiation energy

plant leading increase yield and its components in the

plant. On the other hand, the reduction of photosynthetic

area of leaves and shortening the duration of grain  ll-

ing and prematurity of treatments under drought can be

effective in reducing grain yield. Aghayee and Ehsan-

zadeh (2012) found that drought stress by reducing leaf

area, chlorophyll content, openings conductance and

ultimately reduce the rate of photosynthesis decreased

the function of paper grains pumpkin.

THE HARVEST INDEX (HI)

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought

on the on harvest index trait, there was a signi cant

difference in the 5% level (Table 1). The results of mean

comparison showed that the mild stress level had the

highest amount of harvest index and sever stress (50

percent FC) had the lowest harvest index (Table 2). It

should be noted that moderate drought stress level and

control had no signi cant difference. In general, harvest

index in mild drought stress (70% FC) increased 19.57

percent, while applying severe stress, harvest index was

decreased as 31.95 percent. The effect of irrigation inter-

val on plant height, number of branches, the number of

capsules per plant, number of grains per plant, 1000-

grain weight, biological yield and harvest index was

signi cant and with increasing irrigation interval, the

studied features were decreased. Most grain yield grain

was obtained in irrigation interval of seven days (aver-

age irrigation) (Shabanzadeh and Golvi, 2012).

THE PERCENTAGE OF ESSENCE

Analysis of variance showed that between levels of

drought stress in terms of the percentage of the essence,

there was a signi cant difference at 1% level (Table 3).

Also, the results of mean comparison showed that the

control treatment (90% FC) had the lowest percentage

of essence (Table 4). The severe drought treatment (50%

FC) had the most percentage of essence (Table 4). Effect

of drought stress resulted in levels of 70 percent of  eld

capacity, respectively, to the 8.33 and 11.11 percent

increased compared to the control.

The plants depending on the plant species and gen-

otypes are different in reactions to drought stress. So

water setting and management in medicinal and aro-

matic plants are important in terms of essence produc-

tion. Rabiee and colleagues (50) in the study of the effect

of drought stress (no stress, moderate stress and severe

stress) on cumin showed that the plants under moderate

stress compared to the two treatments of no stress (con-

trol) and severe stress had higher essence. Rezai Chaîne

(2012) in the study of effect of different irrigation treat-

ments on the accumulation of essence, its composi-

tion and some eco-physiological traits in fennel found

that drought stress increases the fennel essence, but it

reduces the essence yield and increased fennel essence

due to drought stress has been reported as a result of the

higher concentration of essence glands due to reduced

Shahattary and Mansourifar

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS 303

leaf area caused by stress and more accumulation of

essence. It seems that drought stress increases secondary

metabolites (essence) that have protective effect against

stress such as drought stress in plants. The results of

other studies on the effect of irrigation intervals on the

production of secondary metabolites and the essence

percentage of savory and rosemary attest (con rm) the

results of this trial, so that with increasing irrigation

intervals and reduced  eld capacity, the essence per-

centage of these plant has also been added (Baher et al.,

2002). Rezainejad and colleagues (2002) reported that

irrigation interval had a signi cant effect on the essence

percentage of Cumin. Javanshir and colleagues (2002)

also examining the effects of irrigation on the amount of

essence of anise observed that irrigation treatment had

signi cant effect on the essence percentage.

SOLUBLE PROTEIN

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought

stress on soluble protein trait, there was a signi cant

difference at the level of 5 percent (Table 3). The results

of mean comparison showed that the control treatment

had the lowest levels of soluble protein and severe stress

(50% FC) had the highest amount of soluble protein

(Table 4).

Also, Ghorbani Javid and colleagues (2007) reported

that concentrations of soluble proteins at different lev-

els of drought stress in the tolerant genotypes of alfalfa

is almost constant that seemingly has been favorable

maintaining the structure of the plant and plant activi-

ties, while in sensitive genotype with increasing stress,

the concentration of soluble proteins decreased that

can be caused by decreased the frequency of precursors

producing protein (Substrates) and a decrease in gene

expression or manifestation of their origin.

THE PROLINE (AN AMINO ACID)

Analysis of variance showed that between levels of stress

in terms of proline, trait there was a signi cant differ-

ence at 1% level (Table 3). Also, the results mean com-

parison showed that the control treatment (90% FC) had

the lowest proline, (Table 4). The severe drought treat-

ment (50% FC) had the most proline (Table 4). The effect

of drought stress caused proline at 70 and 50 percent of

 eld capacity, respectively, to the 11.34 and 22.88 per-

cent increase compared to the control.

The study was carried out on eggplant it was shown

that applying water shortage stress leads to increased

concentration of leaf proline were by re-watering the

proline decreased (Taghavi Razavizadeh, 2004). Zeifne-

jad and colleagues (1997) in their study on sorghum and

Grif n and colleagues (2004) in their study on Judas tree

and Mehrabi (2009) on sesame reported praline increased

under drought stress. Akhondi and colleagues (2007) and

Kydamby and colleagues 1990) in their experiments on

the alfalfa reported the effect of drought stress on pro-

line. Pagter and colleagues (2005) in their study on the

straw plant reported that just under severe stress water,

proline increase slightly and thus until the critical level,

has little signi cance. Safarnejad (2004) examining the

effects of drought stress on alfalfa genotypes reported

that with increasing drought stress, proline concentra-

tion increases on leaves. Thus, it can be concluded that

genotypes which have produced more proline in the

Table 3. Analysis of variance of essence percentage, soluble protein and proline traits of

Nigella sativa under drought stress conditions

Mean of squares

Degrees of

Freedom

Sources of changes

Essence percentage soluble protein proline

0.00001** 144.10** 2.95** 2 Block

.00001** 6330.08** 9.99* 2 Drought stress

.0000002** 129.64 0.76 4 Pilot error

1.35 15.14 4.93 Coef cient of variation

Table 4. The mean comparison of percentage of essence, soluble protein and

proline of Nigella sativa under drought stress

Traits

Drought Stress (Field Capacity)

Essence percentage soluble protein proline

0.036b 0.37b 15.95b 90 percent

0.039a 3.40b 17.76ab 70 percent

0.040a 81.40a 19.60a 50 percent

Shahattary and Mansourifar

304 THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

effect of drought stress, this increased proline prevents

further decline and loss and show less reduction of yield

(performance).

TOTAL CONCLUSION

Totally, the results of this study showed that drought

stress reduced number of grain per follicle, 1000-grain

weight and grain yield. On the other hand, increased

drought stress increased the soluble protein and pro-

line content. For other traits moderate stresses drought

increased the traits compared to control.

REFERENCES

Aghayee. A. H and P. Ehsanzadeh. 2012. Effect of irrigation

and nitrogen on yield and some physiological parameters of

pumpkin paper. Journal of Horticultural Science

Ahmadian, A., A. Ghanbari, A & M. Golvi. 2010. Interaction of

drought and manure on yield components, essence and chemi-

cal composition of cumin. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Sci-

ence

Akhoondi, M., P. Safarnejad & M. Lahooti, 2007. Effect of

drought stress on Proline Accumulation and changes in

Yazdaian alfalfa elements, Nikshahri and Ranger (Medicago

sativa L.), Science and Technology of Agriculture and Natural

Resources, 10: 156-174.

Bates, L. S., R. P. Waldren and I. D. Teare. 1973. Rapid determi-

nation of free proline for water- STR Journal 54-23 221

Bradford, M. M. 1976. A rapid and sensitive method for the

quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the

principle of protein- dye binding. Ann. Biochem., 72:248- 254.

Ghanbari, F., Nadja , S., Shabahang, S., and Ghanbari, A.

2007. Effects of irrigation regimes and row arrangement on

yield, yield components and seed quality of pumpkin (Cucur-

bita pepo L.). Asian Journal of Plant Science 6:1072-1079.

Goldani, M. And P. Rezvani Moghaddam. 2006. Effect of plant-

ing date and drought levels on yield and yield components of

rain fed and irrigated pea in Mashhad. Journal of agricultural

research.

Grif n, J. J., T. G. Ranney and D. M. Pharr. 2004. Heat and

drought in uence photosynthesis, water relations, and soluble

carbohydrates of two ecotypes of redbud (Cercis canadensis).

J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 129: 497-502.

Imam, Y. And M. Zavaerh.2006. Drought tolerance in higher

plants. Publishing Publishing Center of Tehran University,

Page 186

Jafarnya, S., S. Khosroshahi, and Ghasemi M. 2012. A compre-

hensive and illustrated guide of properties and use of medici-

nal plants, Sohkan Gostar Publications. page 179

Javanshir, A., Zehtab Salmas, S Omid-beigy, R, Alyari, H. and

Qasmygolzany, k. 2002; The effects of irrigation and sowing

date on the essence percentage and anethole in the herbs anise.

National Conference of Iranian Medicinal Plants / Research

Institute of Forests and Rangelands) 24-26 Bahman 1380 (in

Persian date), pp. 117-118

Ka M. A. Borzooei., Salehi, A. Kamandi, A. Massomi & cJ.

Nabati. 2010; The physiology of environmental stress in plants,

published by University of Mashhad, Mashhad, page 502

Ka M. A. Borzooei., Salehi, A. Kamandi, A. Massomi & cJ.

Nabati. 2010; The physiology of environmental stress in plants,

published by University of Mashhad, Mashhad, page 502

Khoshbin, S. 2010. One hundred miracle plants. New World

Press publication, Volume I, page 424

Kidambi, S. P.,A. G.Matchesand T. P.Bolger. 1990. Mineral

concentrations in alfalfa and sainfoin as in uenced by soil

moisture level. Agron. J. 82: 229-236.

Koochaki, A., M. Nasiri Mahallati, and k. Azizi. 2007. Effect of

irrigation intervals and plant density on yield and yield compo-

nents of two fennel landraces. Journal of agricultural research,

Kuzentsov V.I., and Shevykova N.I. 1999. Proline under stress:

Biological role, metabolism, and regulation. Russian Journal of

Plant Physiology, 46: 274-287.

Letchamo W., Marquard R., Holz J., and Gosselin A. 1994.

Effects of water supply and light intensity on growth and

essential oil of two Thymus vulgaris selections. Angewandte

Botanik, 68: 83-88.

Majnoon Hosseini, n., S. Davazdah Emami. 2008. Agriculture

and the production of some medicinal plants and spices. Teh-

ran University Press. Page 300.

Mehrabizadeh, Z., 2009. Survey of chlorophyll  uorescence,

proline and agronomic traits in sesame genotypes under differ-

ent soil moisture regimes, M. Sc Agriculture, Faculty of Agri-

culture, University of Technology.

Mozzafari, F., S. Ghorbanli., M.Babai, and A.Farzami. 2000;

the effect of water stress on the seed oil of Nigella sativa L. J.

Essential Oil Res. 12:36-38.

Omid-beigy, R 1997. The approaches to production and pro-

cessing of medicinal plants.Vol 0.1 Publication of Tarrahan

Nashr (Publication Designers)

Omidbeygi, R. 2005. Production and Processing of Medici-

nal Plants. Vol.I. Behnashr Press. Mashhad, Iran. ISBN

9789640208274. (In Persian).

Pagter, M., B. Claudia and H. Brix. 2005. Tolerance and physi-

ological responses of Phragmites australis to water de cit.

Aquat. Bot. 81: 285-299.

Pessarkli, M. 1999. Handbook of plant and crop stress. Marcel

Dekker. New York Inc. pp. 697.

Rezai Chaîne.2013. The effect of various irrigation treatments

on the accumulation of essence, its composition and some

physiological traits in fennel. Doctoral thesis of Agriculture,

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz.

Rezapour A, Heidari K, Golvi K and Ramroudi K (2012) Effects

of drought stress and different amounts of sulfur fertilizer on

yield and yield components of black cumin grains and adjust-

ment of osmotic regulators. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of

Iran research. 27 (3): 396-384.

Shahattary and Mansourifar

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS 305

Rezvanydokht Sh, Dashtian, A, Vanjan Anvardokhgt S (2012)

the effects of rain fed irrigation on yield of medicinal plants in

Shray-Damghan. The  rst international conference on drought

stress 28-29.

Safarnejad, A. 2004. Characterization of somaclones of Med-

icago sativa L. for drought tolerance. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 6:

121-127.

Shaaban, Sh, Golvi. M. (2012). The effect of foliar application

of micronutrients and irrigation on agronomic traits of Nigella

sativa. Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences. 4 (1): 9-1.

Taghavi Razavizadeh S. I., 2004. The effects of different

amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer use

on ef ciency, growth and yield of corn, a Master’s thesis of

Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Technology.

Yadav O.P. and Bhathagar S.K. 2001. Evaluation of indices for

identi cation of pearl millet cultivars adapted to stress and

non stress condition. Field Crop Science, 70: 201-208.

Zaifnejad, M., R. B. Clark and C. Y. Sullivan. 1997. Aluminum

and water stress effects on growth and proline of sorghum. J.

Plant Physiol. 150: 338-344.