Suboptimal levels of phosphorus (P) strongly inhibited leaf expansion in young cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants during the daytime, but had little effect at night. The effect of P was primarily on cell expansion. Compared to plants grown on high P, plants grown on low P had lower leaf water potentials and transpiration rates, and greater diurnal fluctuations in leaf water potential. Hydrau...

The development and cultivation of tomato cultivars that are resistant to the tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are very limited in Iran and other parts of the world because of the lack of information about resistant tomato cultivars to minimize the use of insecticides. Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify alternative methods to chem...

In ecological setting, sodium (Na(+)) can be beneficial or toxic, depending on plant species and the Na(+) level in the soil. While its effects are more frequently studied at high saline levels, Na(+) has also been shown to be of potential benefit to some species at lower levels of supply, especially in C4 species. Here, clonal plants of the major tropical C3 crop Theobroma cacao (cacao) were g...

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) plants were nodulated (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) and either inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe or left uncolonized. All plants were grown unstressed for 21 days initially. After this period, some VAM and non-VAM plants were exposed to four 8-day drought cycles while others were kept ...

Plant stoichiometry in relation to the structure and function of biological systems has been investigated at multiple scales. However, few studies have focused on the roles of stoichiometry for a given species. In this study, we determined leaf N and P stoichiometry, leaf shape and plant size in three Quercus acutissima common gardens with different climatic and site conditions. In the three co...

Thyme is a valuable plant used in medicine, perfumery and food industry. Mineral deficiencies often limit the growth of plants. Nitrogen deficiency in agricultural soils is a problem throughout the world. The present study evaluated effects of applying Fe and Zn in absorption of some important nutrients of Thymus vulgaris...