Survey of Alcoholic Foliar Application on Reproductive Yield of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

This study was conducted at the Institute of Medicinal Plants, in Karaj to determine the effects of foliar applications of hydro alcoholic solutions on purple coneflower. Echinacea purpurea L. is an herbaceous perennial plant that is native to eastern North America and is beneficial to the immune system. This experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with eleven treatments and three replications. The treatments of this study include: control (without distilled water), ethanol and methanol aqueous solutions with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% (v/v). The result was indicated that the effect of treatments on traits had significant difference (p < 0.01). The maximum of seed yield (6.11 g) and thousand seed weight (5.03 g) were obtained in 50% methanol and 50% ethanol solutions respectively. The maximum of capitulum diameter (66.85 mm) were observed in 50% methanol and 40% methanol solutions respectively. Also the maximum number of capitulum (51.50) was obtained in 40% ethanol solutions. In addition, hydro alcoholic foliar application such as methanol and ethanol as a carbon source and biological stimulator can increase the quantity and quality of seed and flowers on purple coneflower.

Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the Institute of medicinal plants (ACECR) for their assistance. References: [1] Sandra CM (2004) Echinacea. The genus Echinacea: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Industrial Profiles. 39: 271.