الفهرس 
Material and methodsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Extracts from Echinacea species are widely used as
immunostimulants in the treatment of infections and chronic diseases.
Hundreds of herbal and pharmaceutical formulations are now in the
markets all around the world. Only in Germany a variety of about 200
echinacea containing drug preparations are on the market, demonstrating
not only the therapeutic value, but also the economic importance of this
plant.
The plant has been introduced to Egypt, and successfully
acclimatized, and it is now used in some herbal drugs released in the local
market.
Although there are .aplenty of scientific research on the chemistry
of this plant, however, very little efforts have been directed towards the
agronomical and physiological investigations on this plant.
The present study aimed to throw the light on the role of growth
substances, micro-elements and amino acids in the physiological and
biochemical characteristics of Echinacea purpurea plant. It is aimed to
get use of the positive effects of these substances to improve the growth,
yield and active ingredients of this plant.
\ Field work of the present study’ was carried out during two
successive years of 1997-1998 and 1998-1999, in the Experimental Farm
belonging to the Faculty of Agriculture, Moshtohor, Zagazig University,
Qualyubia Governorate, (50 Km to the North East of Cairo). While all the
laboratory investigations were carried out in the Department for
Cultivation and Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, National
Research Center, Cairo.
Seeds of echinacea were sown in the nursery in middle of January,
and transplanted to the open field in middle of April. The seedlings were
spaced at 30cm distance on rows of 50cm inbetween, in plots of 2m2
each, containing 13 plants. Each treatment was replicated in three. plots in
a complete randomized design.
The study could be divided into three main experiments covering
the following topics:
I-Effects of the growth substances:
Four growth substances were used, i.e. Gibberellic acid (GA3),
Kinetin, Indole acetic acid (lAA), and Ethyrel. Each of these substances
was applied in four concentrations; 0, 100.200 and 300ppm.
2. Effects of the micro-elements:
Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn) and Boron (B) were
used, each as 0, 50, 100 and 150ppm.
3- Effects of the amino acids:
Aspartic acid, tryptophan, glutamic acid and phenylalanine were
applied each as 0,50, 100 and 150ppm.
In all cases, the treatment was applied as two successive sprays, the
first at the vegetative growth stage (45 days after transplanting), and the
second spray two months later. Spraying was carried out early in the
morning till run off. One liter solution was used for spraying the plants in
each plot in the first spray, while two liters were used in the second one.
At the maturity stage, when 70% of the plants bloomed and seeds
started to be mature (in September), the following agronomic characters
were measured; plant height ( overground), root depth, aerial parts dry
weight, roots dry weight, number of flowering heads per plant, dry weight
of the flowering heads per plant, number of branches per plant and
number of suckers per plant.
The measures were taken for 10 plants from each plot, and the
mean value was recorded for that replicate.
As well, samples were collected for assessment of their chemical
composition; total lipids content, total carbohydrates, soluble sugars, nonsoluble
sugars, total proteins, phosphorus, potassium, total caffeic acid
derivatives, and total and individual alkamides content. A collective
sample from each organ of. the assessed 10 plants was taken for the
chemical investigation in duplicate.
The experiments were repeated exactly in the same way in
both 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 seasons, and the collected data were
statistically analyzed according to the methods COSTAT. PIF computer
program).
Results of the present study could be summarized in the following
topics.
1-Effects of the growth substances on the growth and yield
parameters of Echinacea plant.
• Gibberellin was the most effective growth substance on the plant
height, followed by lAA. Both induced remarkable increase in the
length of the aerial parts, while slightly increased the root length.
• Regarding the plant weight; lAA was the most effective substance
in this regard followed by kinetin. In case of lAA that was rather due
to increase in the plant height; but in case of kinetin it was rather due
to increase in the dry matter content.
• lAA, GA3 and Kn treatments showed the same positive effects on
number and weight of the flowering heads• lAA; GA3 and Kinetin all significantly increased the branching of
echinacea plant; with no significant differences among them.
However; ethyrel failed to gave such effect.
• Kinetin was the best growth substance in increasing the number of
suckers produced by echinacea plant.
2- Effects of the micro-elements on the growth and yield
parameters of Echinacea plants:
• Zn was the most effective element in increasing the plant height;
followed by Mg. They rather effected the height of the aerial parts
than the roots.
• These two elements; also gave the best effect on the whole plant dry
weight. Zn expressed its effect on the aerial parts; however; Mg was
rather effective on the root weight.
• Also; the two elements were the most effective elements on
branching and suckers formation of echinacea plant.
• Zn, Mg and B positively effected the flowering of echinacea plant
in terms of number and weight of the flowering heads.
3-Effects of the amino- acids on tbe growth and yield
parameters of Echinacea plant:
• Although all the used amino acids enhanced the growth and yield of
echinacea plant, however, glutamic acid proved to be the most
effective one in increasing the whole plant weight, through its
significant effect on the aerial parts weight and more branching of the
plant.
• Aspartic acid came in the second rank regarding its positive effect
on the whole plant weight. That effect was parallel to significant
increase in the root length and weight, as well as, the dry weight of the
flowering heads.
• Tryptophan came in the third rank regarding its effects on plant
height and weight, as well as, flowering and branching, only the
higher doses gave such effects.
• In all cases, the effects were concentrations dependent.
• Phenylalanine was the leasteffective one on the growth parameters
studied. In most cases, the highest level of 150ppm gave negative
results.
4-Effects of the growth substances on the chemical
constituents of Echinacea purpurea plant
• Both IAA and ethyrel were effective in increasing the lipids content
in the aerial parts and flowering heads rather than the roots. On the
contrary, both GA3 and Kinetin rather increased the lipids content of
the roots.
• It appeared to be differences in behavior between the plant organs
in their response to the applied growth substances.
• The increase in the lipids content due to IAA and GA3 treatments
was accompanied with increase in the alkamides accumulation. In case
of IAA, the lipids rather accumulated in the roots, while in case of
GA3, they rather accumulated in the overground organs.
• The applied treatments did not influence the proportional content of
the individual alkamides, so the alkamides spectrum remain the same
characteristic spectrum for echinacea plant. However, the minor
fluctuations in the relative percentage in the major alkamides explain
the synthetic relationship among these alkamides from the same
precursor.
• GA3 and kinetin were the most effective substances used in
increasing the carbohydrates, phosphorus and potassium in the plant
organs. That was accompanied with increased contents of caffeic acid
derivatives in these organs.
• IAA enhanced the accumulation of protein and lipids together with
the alkamides content in all the plant organs. While, kinetin enhanced
the accumulation of protein and carbohydrates together with the
caffeic acid derivatives.
5-Effects of the micro-elements on the chemical
constituents of Echinacea purpurea plant:’
,
• All the used micro-elements gave positive effects on the chemical
constituents under investigation in the plant organs with variable
degrees.
• Zn and Mg were the best in increasing the lipids content, that was
accompanied with similar increase in the alkamides content of all the
plant organs.
roSUMMARYc;:g,• Both Mg and B were the most effective ones in increasing the
protein and phosphorus contents, and that was accompanied with
similar increase in the content of caffeic acid derivatives. In case of
Mg, that took place in all the plant organs, however, in case of B, that
rather took place in the overground organs.
• Both Zn and Mn were the most effective ones in increasing the total
carbohydrates especially the soluble fraction. In case of Zn that was
accompanied with increase in the alkamides content of all plant
organs.
6-Effects of the amino acids on the chemical constituents
of Echinacea purpurea plant:
•
• Aspartic acid was the most effective amino acid in increasing the
lipids in the overground plant organs, as well as, the alkamides content
in all the plant organs including the roots.
• Both aspartic and glutamic acids were the most effective ones in
increasing the alkamides content in the plant organs.
• Both aspartic acid and phenylalanine were the most effective amino
acids applied regarding their effect on the caffeic acid content in all
the plant organs. In case of aspartic acid, that was accompanied with
remarkable increase in the total carbohydrates, non-soluble sugars, P
•
and K. While, in case of phenylalanine, the effect was rather on the P
and K contents, in the flowering heads and roots, respectively ..
• The obtained data showed that both aspartic acid and phenylalanine
were rather incorporated in the synthesis of caffeic acid derivatives.
On the contrary, glutamic and tryptophan were rather directed towards
the protein synthesis, they were the most effective ones in this regard.
• Both aspartic acid and tryptophan were rather effective in
increasing the total carbohydrates, non-soluble sugars and P content in
all plant organs. In case of aspartic acid these major constituents,
together with high lipids content were converted to alkamides and
caffeic acid derivatives. However, in case of tryptophan, the plant
rather continued to accumulate carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. In
both cases, a high phosphorus content was parallel to the high
carbohydrates content.
Recommendations:
• Finally it should be concluded that, it is the balance or interaction
among the individuals of each of these groups; i.e. growth substances,
micro- elements or amino acids, rather than a summation of their
individual actions that must provide the key to the plant development
and composition.
• IAA and GA3 both at 200 ppm proved to be effective substances in
increasing the growth, yield and active ingredients of Echinacea
purpurea plant.
• Mg at 150 ppm and Zn at lower levels (50 or 100 ppm) enhanced
the growth and yield of Echinacea plant, as well as, the accumulation
,
of the active ingredients in the plant organs.
I
• Aspartic acid at 50 ppm has a universe positive effect on both the
growth and yield, as well as, the content of active ingredients of
echinacea. Other amino acids used, were effective on either the growth
or the chemical constituents.
• Due to the debate about the use of the growth regulator and their
side effects, therefore it is advisable from the practical point of view to
rely rather on the micro-elements or amino acids as tools to improve
the yield and composition of Echinacea purpurea plant.