The Effect of Green Compost Processed Organic Fertilizer and Chlorella Microalgae Solution on Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Carotenoid and Proline Content of Tropaeolum majus under Drought Stress
Sasan Mohsenzadeh
Department of Biology, Shiraz University, Iran.
Maryam Karmidarenjani
Department of Biology, Shiraz University, Iran.
Elham Alsadat Mirahmadinejad
Department of Agriculture and Soil Sciences, Shiraz University, Iran.
Reza Robati *
Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Environmental stresses, particularly drought, are the most critical contributors in reducing the growth of plants. The effect of processed organic fertilizer of green compost and chlorella microalgae solution on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid and proline content of Tropaeolum majus plant under control and drought conditions were investigated. The experiments were carried out in pot with a completely randomized design with three replicates. Green manure treatment included 0%, 5% and 10% by volume of pots. Chlorella microalgae treatment had two levels in terms of zero cells and 368 million cells in each pot. Drought stress was administered based on a lack of ten-day and seventeen-day irrigation. After two months, the samples were collected and the relative content of amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids, and amino acid proline were performed. The findings revealed that green compost of 10% alone and together with chlorella microalgae significantly reduced the effects of drought stress at 5% level. Compost with 10% volumetric along with chlorella caused a significant increase in chlorophyll at control and 5% level. Tropaeolum majus plants treated with chlorella algae and 10% green compost showed the greatest levels of proline amino acid under stress.
Keywords: Chlorella microalgae, drought stress, green compost, Tropaeolum majus plant