Improvement of milk thistle ( Silybum marianum L.) seed yield and quality with foliar fertilization and growth effector MD 148/II.

摘要

The effects of foliar or soil fertilization and MD 48/II (3-methylphenylamide 5-tert-butylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid) on the vegetative and reproductive growth, some physiological parameters, seed yield and silymarin content of field grown milk thistle ( Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) plants were studied. Foliar fertilizer Agroleaf R was applied at different plant developmental stages, with different proportions of N, P, K. Combined application of the foliar fertilizer with MD 148/II at a concentration of 1.10 -3 M affected most positively growth, number of plant lateral shoots and flower heads per plant. These changes were associated with altered flowering rate, enhanced seed ripening and increased yield. The accumulation of flavonoids and silymarin compounds in the seeds was also positively influenced. CT Proceedings of the International Conference on the 'Responses of Plants to Environmental Stresses', Elena, Bulgaria, 12-18 May 2008.