Effect of Atonik preparation on the growth, yield and silymarin content in the seeds of the milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.]

Abstract:

The study was undertaken to determine the appropriate concentration of Atonik formulation (plant growth regulator containing sodium-5-nitroguaiacolate, sodium-O-nitrophenolate and sodium-P-nitrophenolate) to obtain good growth, high seed productivity and high silymarin content in the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.). The experiment consisted of four treatments with different Atonik concentrations (0.25 mL L^-1, 0.5 mL L^-1, 0.75 mL L^-1 and a control treatment with only water spray), arranged in a completely randomized block design and conducted in Xuan Ang commune, Ha Hoa district, Phu Tho province, Vietnam in 2023-2024. Monitoring the growth parameters, yield, and silymarin content in the seeds. The research results show that Atonik has increased the yield and silymarin content in milk thistle seeds. The milk thistle plants treated with Atonik at a concentration of 0.5 mL L^-1, produced 82.9 seeds/flower head, with 63.4 firm seeds/flower head and a firm seed weight of 1.55 g per flower head. On the main flower head, the number of firm seeds reached 87.5 seeds/flower head with a firm seed weight of 2.21 g/flower head. At this treatment concentration, seed yield increased to 532.2 kg/ha, with the majority of the yield (82%) concentrated in the first harvest. At the same time, the silymarin content in the seeds was also significantly improved, with the silymarin content in the seeds at the main flower heads being 2.54% and the silymarin content in the seeds at the lateral flower heads being 2.26%. Therefore, treating with Atonik at a concentration of 0.5 mL L^-1 twice, 40 days and 60 days after planting, is suitable to enhance the yield and silymarin content of milk thistle seeds in Vietnam.

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