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Introduction Studies have shown that the use of some compounds whose importance is often neglected by researchers and farmers can have a significant effect on the growth and yield of plants and increase the amount of essential oil production in medicinal plants. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of Selenium and Silicon foliar application and zeolite soil application on the yield and components of seed yield and the percentage and yield essential oil of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller.). Materials and methods This experiment was carried out in the form of a split split plot (twice chopped) based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Khosrowshahr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in the 2019 crop year. The first factor included foliar spraying of calcium (zero and 4 gr/L) and the second factor included foliar spraying of selenium (zero and 4 gr/L) in the main and secondary plots, respectively, and the third factor was the application of zeolite (zero, 5 and 10 tons/ha) were placed in sub-sub-plots. In the full ripening stage, plants were harvested from one square meter of each plot and the dry matter of the whole plant, number of seeds per umbels, number of seeds per plant, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, percentage and essential oil yield were measured. Results and Discussion The results showed that the seed yield increased with the application of these treatments, which resulted in an increase in the yield of fennel essential oil per unit area. Based on the results of the average data comparison, the use of all three compounds of zeolite, selenium and silicon caused a significant increase in the yield of fennel essential oil and increased this attribute by 24, 23.1, and 22.5 percent, respectively. Silicon and selenium increased the yield of essential oil by increasing the seed yield. In addition, zeolite had a positive effect on seed yield through the number of seeds, while silicon and selenium increased both characteristics of yield components, including 1000-seed weight and number of seeds. Conclusion Finally, the yield of fennel essential oil was affected by the use of zeolite, selenium and silicon. In most cases, all three compounds were effective on the evaluated traits, and therefore, it can be concluded that these three compounds were effective in increasing the yield and yield components of fennel with different mechanisms. Therefore, it can be concluded that these three compounds work through different mechanisms to enhance the yield and quality of fennel essential oil, positioning them as effective tools in sustainable agriculture and the optimization of medicinal plant production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Paclobutrazol is a growth regulator used to control growth and reduce the frequency of mowing in all types of turfgrass plants. This material also affects the height and quality of different types of turfgrass. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to compare the growth behavior of two types of turfgrass subjected to paclobutrazol treatment and also to evaluate the possibility of using paclobutrazol to reduce the growth of turfgrass in areas with the same climate of Tabriz. Materials and Methods To determine the effect of paclobutrazol on height, and visual properties of turfgrass such as density, clippings fresh weight, leaf chlorophyll index, length and width of leaf blade, two grass plants Poa pratensis and Festuca arundinacea were treated with paclobutrazol in different concentrations. Grass plants were tested with concentrations of zero (control), 15, 30 and 45 mg/L-1 paclotrazol as foliar spray in 4 replicates of each treatment. This research was carried out in as a split plot experiment in the form of a randomized complete block design, so that the type of grass as the main factor in 2 levels and paclobutrazol as a secondary factor were considered in all the evaluated traits in both plant species. Results and Discussion The results of this research showed that paclobutrazol significantly affects the height of P. pratensis and F. aranudinaceae turfgrass plants. This effect was in the form of a significant reduction in the height of plants and controlling their growth. By increasing the concentration of paclobutrazol from zero to 45 mg/L, the height of the plants decreased. In both mentioned types of turfgrass, the most effective concentration was 45 mg/L. By increasing the concentration of paclobutrazol, the density of P. pratensis and F. aranudinaceae turfgrass plants has increased. The increase in density after paclobutrazol treatment was more evident in F. aranudinaceae. In general, the fescue turfgrass plant has stronger foliage, deep and strong roots, and lower density. The only exception was the increase in the chlorophyll index of fescue leaves (10 days after treatment) and P. pratensis (20 days after treatment) and in both of them under the concentration of 30 mg/L of paclobutrazol. Following paclobutrazol treatment and increasing its concentration, the length and width of the leaf blade as well as the clippings fresh weight of turfgrass plants were decreased. The reduction in the length and width of the leaf blade was similar in both plants, and the most effective concentration of paclobutrazol was 30 mg/L. However, the optimal effect of paclobutrazol was observed up to 30 days after the treatment. In the fourth measurement (40 days after the treatment), the effect of paclobutrazol decreased and there was no significant difference in the length and width of the leaves of the treated plants and the control plants. Conclusion In general, with the treatment of different concentrations of paclobutrazol, the number of aerial branches produced in F. aranudinaceae was more than that of P. pratensis. Since paclobutrazol is a growth inhibitor and by preventing the synthesis of gibberellin hormone, it prevents plants from elongation, this substance can be used to control the growth of turfgrass plants. This growth control reduces the number of mowing times, reduces fertilizer consumption, increases the efficiency of water use, and ultimately saves the cost of maintaining turfgrass plants. Since paclobutrazol accumulates in the roots and eventually causes the formation of new branches, it can be concluded that the effect of paclobutrazol on the density of F. aranudinaceae is greater than that of P. pratensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]