Amin Reza Jamshidi; Ahmad Ghazanfari Moghaddam; Fatameh Mozafari Ghoraba
Abstract
The development of aeroponic cultivation technology has led to more efficient use of water and plant nutrients for producing high quality agricultural commodities. In this research, cucumbers were grown in columnar aeroponic systems for nine weeks and the effect of spraying rate and spraying duration ...
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The development of aeroponic cultivation technology has led to more efficient use of water and plant nutrients for producing high quality agricultural commodities. In this research, cucumbers were grown in columnar aeroponic systems for nine weeks and the effect of spraying rate and spraying duration on the cucumber average yield and water usage efficiency were investigated. The experiments were performed using factorial experiment based on completely randomized designs. The spraying rate had three levels of 125, 250 and 375 mL/min, and the spraying durations were 10, 15 and 20 min. During the experiment, the spraying pumps were turned off for 15 min between each spraying time. Then, the two factors were simultaneously optimized using response surface methodology to maximize fruit yield and water usage efficiency. The ANOVA results showed that both responses were significantly affected by the main effects of the factors (α = 0.01) and by their interaction effects (α = 0.05). The comparison of first and second-order models to show the average yield and water usage efficiency as functions of sparing rate and sparing time indicated that the second-order models fitted with higher accuracies (R2> 80%) to the experimental data than the first-order model. Simultaneous optimization showed that the most suitable spraying rate was 233.37 mL/min and for the spraying duration, it was 16.06 min. At the optimum conditions, the average yield per plant yield was 2.96 kg and the water usage efficiency was 110.37 kg/m3.
Ali Saebi; Saeid Minaei; Ali-Reza Mahdavian; Mohammad-Taghi Ebadi
Abstract
Precision management of medicinal plant production using mechanical systems, processors, and sensors increases productivity, reduces waste, and manages production processes. This research developed a precision harvesting unit equipped with an automatic height adjustment system for utilization in harvesting ...
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Precision management of medicinal plant production using mechanical systems, processors, and sensors increases productivity, reduces waste, and manages production processes. This research developed a precision harvesting unit equipped with an automatic height adjustment system for utilization in harvesting machines to harvest Hyssop at an optimal height. The unit after development consisted of a power transmission system (converting rotational motion into reciprocating motion), a harvesting platform (cutter-bar, reel, and conveyor), and a system to control the vertical movement of the head. An ultrasonic sensor was employed to detect the highest part of the plant for control purposes. Acentral control board and a driver generated the control signal, with a stepper motor as the actuator. We measured harvesting-related variables, including dry matter, essential oil content and yield, leaf-tostem ratio, and indices related to conservation agriculture to evaluate the developed precision harvesting unit. Results showed that the unit increased the purity of the harvested plant raw material compared to the manual harvesting of Hyssop, a key to extracting more of the target substances, such as essential oil. The steady-state error of the control system measured 2% in adjusting the cutter-bar height for the optimal height of harvesting Hyssop (T15) in elevation and descension modes.
Houshang Yadegari; Isa Khammari; Baratali Fakheri; Abdorahim Nouri; Taghi Ebadi
Abstract
The fertilization method and plant genotype are two important factors affecting the active ingredients of medicinal plants. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) is one of the most widely distributed medicinal plants worldwide that its seeds have been used widely for treatment of toxic liver damage. In ...
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The fertilization method and plant genotype are two important factors affecting the active ingredients of medicinal plants. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) is one of the most widely distributed medicinal plants worldwide that its seeds have been used widely for treatment of toxic liver damage. In this research, effects of genotype and fertilization type on the quality of milk thistle seeds were investigated. Seeds of two genotypes of milk thistle (Hungarian (A1) and Iranian (A2) genotypes) were cultured and eight fertilization treatments (F1= control treatment (no fertilizer), F2= cow manure, F3= NPK fertilizer, F4= mycorrhizal (Glomus mosseae) inoculation, F5= combination of nitroxin, bio-sulfur and bio-superphosphate, F6= combination of NPK fertilizer and cow manure, F7= combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and cow manure, F8= nano-iron chelate) were used. Traits such as seed yield, oil content and the amount of flavonolignans in the seeds were measured. The results showed that the maximum seed yield was obtained in A2*F4 treatment (1376.54 kg h-1) and the lowest was related to A1*F1 (508.99 kg h-1). The average oil content of the samples was about 2.4 mg g-1 and no significant difference was observed. The results of HPLC analysis showed that the mycorrhizal inoculation (F4) in both genotypes led to the achievement of the maximum amount of most important flavonolignans such as silymarin, taxifolin, silydianin, isosilybin B (18.79, 2.80, 5.02 and 4.73 mg g-1, respectively) and an acceptable amount of isosilybin A (2.72 mg g-1), but A1*F4 treatment yielded the best results. In conclusion, use of mycorrhizal inoculation is an effective practice for production of milk thistle seeds with high quality.
Mehdi Garazhian; Ali Gharaghani; Saeid Eshghi; Ahmad Tahmasebi
Abstract
This study was carried out to estimate the genetic diversity and relationships of 74 Iranian blackberry accessions assigned to 5 different species using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) marker analysis and morphological trait characterization. Sixteen traits were analyzed, including phenological, ...
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This study was carried out to estimate the genetic diversity and relationships of 74 Iranian blackberry accessions assigned to 5 different species using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) marker analysis and morphological trait characterization. Sixteen traits were analyzed, including phenological, vegetative and reproductive attributes (in 57 out of 74 accessions), and 10 ISSR primers were screened (in 74 accessions). The yield and leaf width had the highest and lowest genetic diversity, (diversity index = 62.57 and 13.74), respectively. Flowering and ripening date were recorded as traits with the strongest correlations (r = 0.98). Ten ISSR primers were selected and produced a total of 161 amplified fragments (200 to 3500 bp), of which 113 were polymorphic. The highest, lowest and average PIC values were 0.53, 0.38 and 0.44, respectively. Principle component analysis (PCA) was based on morphological traits and showed that the first six components explained 84.9% of the variations among the traits. Meanwhile, the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was based on ISSR data and implied the first eight principal coordinates which explained 67.06% of the total variation. Cluster analysis was based on morphological traits and ISSR data ultimately classified all accessions into two and three major groups, respectively, so that the distribution pattern of genotypes was mainly based on species and the geographic origins.
Azhar Mahdi Abdul-Sahib; Mohammad Golbashy; Jamal Abbass
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of date palm wastes + soil (1:1 v/v), perlite + soil (1:1 v/v) and soil with no additive, along with the spraying of MgSO4.7H2O at (0, 50 and, 100 mg. L-1) on the growth and flowering of potted Gerbera. The results showed that adding date palm wastes to the soil significantly ...
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This study evaluated the effects of date palm wastes + soil (1:1 v/v), perlite + soil (1:1 v/v) and soil with no additive, along with the spraying of MgSO4.7H2O at (0, 50 and, 100 mg. L-1) on the growth and flowering of potted Gerbera. The results showed that adding date palm wastes to the soil significantly increased plant height to 30.36 cm, number of leaves (6.91), branches (11.35) and suckers (3.39/ plant). Also nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in leaves recorded: 2.18 %, 0.28 %, and 2.34 %, respectively. Leaf dry matter raised to 20.63 % as well. Moreover, adding date palm wastes+ soil increased chlorophyll, carbohydrates, and protein contents in leaf to 1.76 mg/g. fresh wt., 14.14 % and 13.64 % respectively, as well as flower stalk diameter to 0.346 cm and the vase life to 12.26 days. Magnesium improved plant height to 27.75 cm, number of suckers to 3.05/ plant and leaf area to 136.3 cm2. Likewise, there were increases in N (1.96 %), P (0.25 %), and K (2.03 %), chlorophyll (1.45 mg/g. fresh wt.), carbohydrates (13.27 %) and protein (12.28 %). The flower stalk diameter became thicker when increasing the concentration of Mg and scored 0.393 cm. Also, Mg at 100 mg. L-1 raised vase life to 11.08 days. Some interferences between the media and magnesium treatments were significantly effective as the longest vase life (12.79 days) occurred in plants grown on date-palm wastes+ soil and were treated with 100 mg. L-1 of Mg.
Hesamaddin Afshari-Jafarbigloo; Saeid Eshghi; Ali Gharaghani
Abstract
Some cultivars of grapevine have very compact cluster which adversely affect its quality and marketability. ‘Yaghouti’ is a commercial early table grape cultivar that has very compact clusters. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of mechanical and chemical thinning as well ...
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Some cultivars of grapevine have very compact cluster which adversely affect its quality and marketability. ‘Yaghouti’ is a commercial early table grape cultivar that has very compact clusters. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of mechanical and chemical thinning as well as GA3 application on cluster morphology and berry size of grapevine cv. ‘Yaghouti’. Treatments were chemical thinning agents including: NAA (7.5 and 15 mg/L), Ethephon (75 and 150 mg/L), Sevin (750 and 1500 mg/L) and mechanical thinning by a comb (comb thinning), applied a week after fruit set and unthinned clusters as control with 3 replications, 10 days after thinning, clusters were immersed in GA3 solution at 60 mg/L. Results indicated that berry numbers were reduced in all thinning treatments. Length, width and weight of berries increased significantly when treated with hand or chemical thinning. GA3 alone and Sevin at 750 mg/L in combination with GA3 treatment improved yield and the quality of berries. Total phenolics compounds, TSS and berries colour were improved in all thinning treatments. In general, application of Sevin at 750 mg/L combined with GA3 and hand thinning along with GA3 are proposed to improve quality of grapevine berries.
Jaynne de Oliveira Siqueira Lino; Adriana da Silva Santos; Lucas Henrique Maciel; Maiara Tatiane Lima Silva; Antonio Gustavo de Luna Souto; Jaciele Beserra de Lira; Italo HL Cavalcante
Abstract
Using microorganisms can develop into a promising strategy for increasing photosynthetic activity and greater accumulation of assimilates in crops. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rhodopseudomonas palustris on fruit yield and quality of ‘Keitt’ mangoes grown under semi-arid environmental ...
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Using microorganisms can develop into a promising strategy for increasing photosynthetic activity and greater accumulation of assimilates in crops. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rhodopseudomonas palustris on fruit yield and quality of ‘Keitt’ mangoes grown under semi-arid environmental conditions. The experiment was carried out simultaneously in two mango orchards in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. The study comprised a randomized block design with treatments distributed in 7 treatments, 4 replications, and 3 plants per plot. The treatments consisted of different strategies for applying R. palustris. These treatments were T1) control treatment; T2) 1.43 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation; T3) 2.85 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation; T4) 4.27 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation; T5) 5.70 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation; T6) 1.43 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation + 1.43 × 107 CFU/plant via leaf spray; T7) 2.85 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation + 1.43 × 107 CFU/plant via leaf spray. The treatments were a pplied monthly, totaling seven applications. We evaluated fruit yield (Mg ha-1), longitudinal diameter, ventral diameter and transverse diameter, fruit mass, pulp firmness, pulp percentage, soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, and dry pulp mass. R. palustris improved mango yield and fruit quality characteristics regarding longitudinal and transversal diameters and the SS/TA ratio. Mango plants treated with R. palustris at 1.43 × 107 CFU/plant via fertigation (T2) produced 10 Mg ha-1 more than the control group, without loss of fruit quality while considering the European market demand.
Ali Akbarpour; Bijan Kavoosi; Mehdi Hosseinifarahi; Sirous Tahmasebi; Sedigheh Gholipour
Abstract
Due to the development of garlic cultivation, quantitative and qualitative evaluations of garlic ecotypes in different regions are important for breeding purposes. In this study, some vegetative and phytochemical traits of eight Iranian garlic ecotypes were assayed in a RCBD with three replications at ...
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Due to the development of garlic cultivation, quantitative and qualitative evaluations of garlic ecotypes in different regions are important for breeding purposes. In this study, some vegetative and phytochemical traits of eight Iranian garlic ecotypes were assayed in a RCBD with three replications at Darab Agricultural Research Station, Iran during 2017-2018 growing season. The results showed that there is a significant difference among garlic ecotypes in terms of studied traits (P <0.01). In general, Tarom and Tafresh ecotypes showed the highest plant height, number of leaves, length of garlic leaves, leaf width, fresh weight, dry weight and the highest bulb diameter. Highest dry weight of garlic bulb (g) per plant was obtained in Darab (79.0 g), Tarom (75.5 g), and Talesh (75.0 g) ecotypes, with no significant difference among them (P ≥ 0.01). Hamedan and Kerman ecotypes contained higher allicin content, alliin content, TPC, TFC, and TAC than the other ecotypes. Cluster analysis divided ecotypes into three distinct groups. Talesh and Hamedan ecotypes had the lowest similarity (0.34) and Darab and Tafresh ecotypes had the highest similarity (0.97). It can be concluded that Tarom, Tafresh, Hamedan, and Kerman can be recommended for cultivation depending on the quantitative (Tarom and Tafresh) and qualitative (Hamedan and Kerman) goals of cultivation
Ghasem Eghlima; Azizollah Kheiry; Mohsen Sanikhani; Javad Hadian; Mitra Aelaei; Samad Nejad Ebrahimi
Abstract
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as a strategic and highly valuable medicinal plant in Iran with numerous beneficial pharmaceutical properties contributes substantially to Iranian herbs exports. In the present study, a variation on the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of 25 populations of valuable ...
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Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as a strategic and highly valuable medicinal plant in Iran with numerous beneficial pharmaceutical properties contributes substantially to Iranian herbs exports. In the present study, a variation on the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of 25 populations of valuable and profitable medicinal plant of G. glabra was investigated. The climate variables and soil properties were evaluated in various habitates of G. glabra. Total phenol (Folin–Ciocalteu method), total flavonoid (Aluminum Chloride method), anthocyanin (pH difference method) and antioxidant activity (DPPH method) were studied. Glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin, liquiritigenin and liquiritin content of root were evaluated by liquid chromatography. The content of major components in G. glabra varied in different regions. Outstanding quantitative variability of glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin, liquiritin and liquiritigenin content were observed in roots of licorice from different regions of Iran. Glycyrrhizic acid content was varied from 93.89 (mg/g dry weight) for the Sepidan population to 20.68 (mg/g dry weight) for the Ahar population. The maximum and minimum amounts of glabridin were recorded in Kashmar and Bajgah populations, respectively. The highest levels of liquritin and liquiritigenin were in the population of Kazerun and Yasuj, respectively, and the lowest was observed in Kashmar. Also, the highest antioxidant activity (the lowest IC50) for licorice root was associated with Semirom population. In conclusion, The populations with high amount of each active ingredient in licorice root and those with considerable antioxidant activity can be exploited depending on the purpose of breeding and cultivation.
Mohamed Habib Sellami; Farhat Sahbani
Abstract
Farmers and experts are continuously searching for optimal conditions to improve the productivity of tomatoes in greenhouses. To provide an answer to their concerns, we have developed a modeling approach to automate the functioning of a greenhouse cultivated with tomato plants. For the aeration, heating, ...
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Farmers and experts are continuously searching for optimal conditions to improve the productivity of tomatoes in greenhouses. To provide an answer to their concerns, we have developed a modeling approach to automate the functioning of a greenhouse cultivated with tomato plants. For the aeration, heating, and irrigation systems, we compared the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller response to the Fuzzy logic (FL) controller response. For the aeration system, the response of both controllers was stable, with a pick of about 1.09 for the PID controller and zero for the fuzzy controller. Likewise, there was no overtaking for the fuzzy controller but about 8.28% for the PID controller. The rise time for the fuzzy controller was less than that of the PID controller (627 s). We signaled a stable response for the PID controller and the fuzzy logic controller for the irrigation system. The pick and the overtake were equal to zero for the fuzzy logic controller but were 1.28 and 28.2 s for the PID controller, respectively. In the case of both controllers, the rise time was the same, equaling 18.3 s. The regulation time was less than 35 s for the fuzzy logic controller and 31.1 s for the PID controller.
Keivan Bahmani; Azam Akbari; Ali Izadi-Darbandi; Tahereh Ghamari
Abstract
Bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare) is a commercial subspecies of fennel that is widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and perfume industries. Despite the economic importance of this crop and a growing demand for its products, most farmers cultivate local bitter fennel populations that are ...
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Bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare) is a commercial subspecies of fennel that is widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and perfume industries. Despite the economic importance of this crop and a growing demand for its products, most farmers cultivate local bitter fennel populations that are not necessarily high-yielding. Genetic variation in bitter fennel and relevant heritability studies have suggested that selection can be an efficient breeding method to increase bitter fennel yield. This experiment was conducted in the College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Iran, from 2010 to 2014. Fifty fennel populations from different parts of Iran were collected and assessed for their maturity habit, life span, seed yield, essential oil content, and essential oil yield in a five-year field experiment. Resultsshowed that these fennel populations, based on their maturity habits, comprised three distinctive groups of early, intermediate, and latematuring, requiring 120, 175, and 230 days from seedling emergence to seed harvest, respectively. The life span of the fennel populations ranged from three to four years. In general, fennel populations in arid regions with extreme temperatures in summer and winter were earlymaturing and had shorter life spans. Populations in humid or semihumid regions with a rather temperate climate were late- or intermediate-maturing and had longer life spans. These observations showed how the causes of growth limitation such as extreme seasonal temperature changes, water accessibility, and competition for sunlight have shaped the phenological features of these fennel populations. During the first three years of the study, considering the minimum life span of all populations, essential oil yield among the early maturing fennels ranged from 2.5 to 104.6 L ha-1 year-1 (average 26.1±0.1). The essential oil yield ranged from 10.1 to 152.2 L ha-1 year-1 (average 67.7± 1) in intermediate-maturing fennels and from 7.5 to 160.9 L ha-1 year-1 (average 46.4±0.2) in late-maturing fennels. Populations with four and five-year life spans had a dramatic decrease in yield after the third year, although they produced considerable amounts of green biomass. Regarding average values in three years, the highest essential oil yield a mong early-maturing fennels occurred in the Fasa population (51.4 L ha-1), among intermediate-maturing fennels in the Meshkin Shahr and Moqhan populations (140.5 and 124.9 L ha-1, respectively), and among late-maturing fennels in the Sari population (52.1 L ha-1). Identifying high-yielding early- and intermediate maturing populations provides a platform for further evaluations on high-yielding fennel populations with stable performance in future studies.
Mohammad Amin Ghezel; Azim Ghasemnezhad; Khodayar Hemmati; Omid Sohrabi
Abstract
The indeterminate behavior of evening primrose is a frequent limitation in its cultivation. Controlling the final growth of plants at a certain stage is important. In the present experiment, different plant extracts were compared functionally with cycocel at different times of application. ...
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The indeterminate behavior of evening primrose is a frequent limitation in its cultivation. Controlling the final growth of plants at a certain stage is important. In the present experiment, different plant extracts were compared functionally with cycocel at different times of application. The experiment was performed as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included normal water (control), cycocel (zero and 100 ppm), walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaf extract (zero and 25%), oak fruit extract (Quercus castaneifolia L.) (zero and 25%), and cotton capsule extract (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (zero and 25%). Evaluations were made on the seeds, oil yield and yield-components. The foliar application significantly reduced stem length (43-80%) and plant height (13-33%), but increased the percentage of oils (18.75%) and free fatty acids (67.5%). The highest oil content (35%) occurred in response to a combination of walnut, oak, cotton extracts, and cycocel. The highest amount of free fatty acids (23%) indicated more immature seeds and was obtained under the treatment of cotton extract. Natural extracts increased the oil percentage, but reduced the free fatty acid percentage and the stem length. It seems that further studies in this regard can help control non-terminal growth of evening primrose without having a need for breeding programs.
Seyyed Fazel Fazeli Kakhki; Morteza Goldani; Jafar Nabati; Nasser Beikzadeh
Abstract
The geometric shape of a plant and its components depend on the allocation of absorbed nutrients and substances to a growing organ. In turn, the overall outcome is influenced by genetics and local environmental conditions. The relationship between different components of an organ can be shown with the ...
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The geometric shape of a plant and its components depend on the allocation of absorbed nutrients and substances to a growing organ. In turn, the overall outcome is influenced by genetics and local environmental conditions. The relationship between different components of an organ can be shown with the help of allometry. To determine the effects of organic fertilizers on morphological traits and yield of basil, this research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a Completely Randomized Design (RCD) with three replication-s under controlled conditions. Experimental factors were basil ecotypes (green and purple) and organic fertilizers (cow manure, vermicompost, sulfur granular compost, and control). Results indicated that the highest values of plant height, fresh and dry weight of lateral branches, leaf count, leaf area, leaf fresh and dry weight, and plant biomass were found in green basil when vermicompost was applied. In contrast, the lowest mean values of these parameters were observed in the control. The application of vermicompost, cow manure, and sulfur granular compost caused increases of 30, 29, and 28% in the plant biomass of purple basil. Meanwhile, they caused increases of 61, 49, and 28% in the plant biomass of green basil, respectively. Also, the fitted experimental allometric relationship indicated a significant correlation between average leaf count and average leaf area (r2=0.95). Allometric relationships between root and shoot dry weight also indicated a more symmetric growth of these two parameters in green basil, compared to purple basil. Therefore, the analysis of growth relationships between plant components and production could be evaluated based on morphological components (i.e. leaf count, leaf area, and root dry weight as well as shoot dry weight), and allometric equations.
Hassan Sarikhani; Mohammad-Sadegh Safariyan-Nejad
Abstract
One of the most important problems of strawberry cultivation in temperate regions is winter cold injuries. Current study investigated impacts of foliar application of glycine betaine (GB) at 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mM concentrations on the cold hardiness of strawberry. The plants were divided into two groups: ...
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One of the most important problems of strawberry cultivation in temperate regions is winter cold injuries. Current study investigated impacts of foliar application of glycine betaine (GB) at 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mM concentrations on the cold hardiness of strawberry. The plants were divided into two groups: one group for evaluation of cold hardiness at temperatures of -6, -9, -12, -15 and -18 °C; and the other for study of some biochemical characteristics. Results showed that GB treatment increased soluble carbohydrate and proline concentrations in both leaf and crown tissues, total protein concentration in leaf, and relative water content in leaf as compared to those in control. Based on LT50 calculated from electrolyte leakage and tetrazolium staining test, the GB application increased cold hardiness in strawberry plant based on its concentration. The highest cold hardiness was found in the 2 mM GB concentration based on electrolyte leakage and tetrazolium staining tests at -13.3 and -15.3 °C. Meanwhile, the lowest values of cold hardiness were observed in the control treatments based on electrolyte leakage and tetrazolium staining tests at -10.2 and -11.0 °C. Significant correlations were found between soluble carbohydrate and proline concentrations in leaf and crown, and total protein concentration with LT50 calculated from electrolyte leakage and tetrazolium staining test. We conclude that application of 2 mM GBhas the capacity to increase the freezing tolerance of strawberry and could be used as a prophylactic tool to reduce winter cold injury.
Nayyereh Ghorbani; Hossein Moradi; Mehran Kanani; Mahboubeh Ashnavar
Abstract
Bellis perennis is an ornamental, medicinal plant with a beautiful appearance. The current study aimed to assess the potential of daisy flowers cv. ‘Habanera’ to synthesize secondary metabolites after being affected by nano-phosphorus. The experiment was performed using a completely randomized ...
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Bellis perennis is an ornamental, medicinal plant with a beautiful appearance. The current study aimed to assess the potential of daisy flowers cv. ‘Habanera’ to synthesize secondary metabolites after being affected by nano-phosphorus. The experiment was performed using a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. To achieve the research objectives, a range of parameters were observed, including total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and free radical scavenging activity in different organs (i.e. flower, leaf, and root), as well as photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanin, and quercetin contents. The results indicated that nano-phosphorus had significant effects on the said parameters (p< 0.05 and 0.01). Chlorophyll A, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids reached maximum content in response to the 1.5 g L-1 treatment. Nonetheless, the total phenol content in petals, free radical scavenging capacity, anthocyanin content and quercetin content were adversely affected by the nano-phosphorus treatment and, in fact, the said parameters showed higher contents in the control treatment. The application of nano-phosphorus fertilizer (3 g L-1) caused the highest flavonoid content in the leaves. At a concentration of 0.5 g L-1, it increased total flavonoid content and total phenols significantly in the roots. Phosphorus is necessary for producing primary and secondary metabolites, phospholipids, and nucleic acids in plants. Thus, its functions can vary greatly in plant organs.
Narges Asadi; Hossein Zarei; Hamid Reza Hashemi Petrodi; Seid Javad Mousavizade
Abstract
Galanthus transcaucasicus is a less frequently known species with a high distribution in southern regions of the Caspian Sea in Iran. So far, no precise study has been done on Galanthus transcaucasicus in the literature. This study aimed to collect and introduce the morphological and anat omical features ...
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Galanthus transcaucasicus is a less frequently known species with a high distribution in southern regions of the Caspian Sea in Iran. So far, no precise study has been done on Galanthus transcaucasicus in the literature. This study aimed to collect and introduce the morphological and anat omical features of endemic Galanthus transcaucasicus in detail. Herewit h, 50 Galanthus transcaucasicus accessions of five populations (10 randomly selected plants from each population) were collected from four provinces, including Mazandaran, Guilan, Golestan, and Ardabil, Iran. Twelve morphological traits and ten anatomical parameters were measured. The largest flowers were observed in Shirgah population (22.66 and 11.97mm for outer perianth-segments length and width). The tallest stems were recorded in the Shirgah population (243.89 mm). The largest bulb size belonged to the Neka population (19.92 and 14.08 mm of bulb length and diameter, respectively). Anatomical analysis showed that the cells on the lower (abaxial) epidermis were spherical and short. On the upper (adaxial) epidermis, however, they were oblong and strongly elongated. G. transcaucasicus had amphistomatous leaves. The number of stomata on the upper surface was less (0.16 to 0.6 per mm2) than that on the lower surface (3.77 to 9.51 per mm2). Anatomically, there was a significant difference between populations from different regions. The results of this study revealed low variability among G. transcaucasicus accessions, representative of one species’ clone-population structure. Therefore, it seems that the range of environmental conditions in which the species are distributed can play a role in the morphological and anatomical features of Iranian Galanthus transcaucasicus.
Zahra Sadat Amiri; Zahra Pakkish; Fatemeh Nasibi
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the effects of selenium nanoparticles on chilling injury and improving the shelf life of Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit. Treatments included 0.5 and 1 mg L-1 selenium nanoparticles, with three replicates per treatment and six replicates in total. Statistical analyses ...
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In this study, we evaluated the effects of selenium nanoparticles on chilling injury and improving the shelf life of Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit. Treatments included 0.5 and 1 mg L-1 selenium nanoparticles, with three replicates per treatment and six replicates in total. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, with data analyzed by one-way ANOVA and mean separations by Duncan’s new multiplerange test. Results showed that samples treated with selenium at 0.5 and 1 mg L-1 significantly decreased lipid peroxidation (55 and 62%, respectively) compared to control samples. Selenium treatments also in creased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including CAT (twice and four times), peroxidase (2.5 and 4 times), APX (about 0.5 and 2.5 times), and SOD (by 4 and 6 times), with consistent results in DPPH radical scavenging (by 2.5 and 3.5 times) in the orange fruits. Selenium at both concentrations effectively reduced the incidence of chilling injury in Valencia orange fruits during six months of storage at 3 °C. Chilling injury was best reduced at 1 mg L-1. This study proved that selenium can enhance orange fruit quality and increase its tolerance to cold storage conditions, potentially leading to selenium-enriched fruits with health benefits for consumption.
Parvaneh Mohammadi-Benaruiyeh; Gholam Reza Sharifi-Sirchi
Abstract
Concerning highly restricted application of chemicals in postharvest technology of horticultural crops, it is necessary to introduce the safe methods for preserving food or methods of food preservation. This study aimed to improve quality and prolong storage life of strawberry fruit by application of ...
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Concerning highly restricted application of chemicals in postharvest technology of horticultural crops, it is necessary to introduce the safe methods for preserving food or methods of food preservation. This study aimed to improve quality and prolong storage life of strawberry fruit by application of grape seed and fruit skin extracts and to compare them with calcium chloride as a chemical. In this study, strawberry fruit was individually immersed in the 1% and 2% CaCl2 solutions, seed and skin extracts (1 and 2 mg L-1) and then placed in polyethylene packaging for 24 d at 5±1 °C. Measurements of firmness, titrable acid, pH, weight loss, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic, anthocyanin, vitamin C, enzymes' activity including catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase and decay were carried out at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 d of storage. All applied treatments caused a significant effect on measured parameters including weight loss, titratable acidity, decay percentage and firmness, maintenance of anthocyanin and vitamin C contents, total phenolic, and antioxidant capacity. However, grape skin extract and grape seed extract showed the best results. Therefore, it can be concluded that Shiraz dark grape seed and skin extracts have the potential to control the decay incidence, prolong the storage life and preserve of postharvest valuable attributes of strawberry.
Mehdi Hosseinifarahi; Habib Alah Moazen; Azam Amiri; Mohammad Mahdi Jowkar; Javad Mottaghipisheh
Abstract
Seed priming is an established approach to the aim of accelerating germination and increasing germination percentage, which can be followed by high-quality seedlings and optimal plant growth. Culture media can influence the growth and nutritional status of seedlings at the nursery stage. In order to ...
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Seed priming is an established approach to the aim of accelerating germination and increasing germination percentage, which can be followed by high-quality seedlings and optimal plant growth. Culture media can influence the growth and nutritional status of seedlings at the nursery stage. In order to study the impact of seed priming and culture medium on germination performance and seedling growth, two separate laboratory and greenhouse experiments were planned in which the seeds and seedlings of sweet pepper and eggplant were subjected to various chemicals (i.e. growth regulators and nutrients) in the culture media. The results showed that the chemicals had a significant effect on seed priming by improving seed germination and root length in both plants. While putrescine improved seed germination, the highest germination percentage and root growth of both plants were observed in the salicylic acid treatment. Seed priming by humic acid was more effective than ZnSO4 and KNO3 in encouraging seed germination. The application of peat moss (solely or in combination with other culture media such as cocopeat and perlite) improved the growth parameters and nutritional status of commercially ready seedlings. The highest shoot weight (fresh and dry) in both plants were observed in seedlings grown on peat moss. Apart from improvements in vegetative features, peat moss enhanced the uptake and accumulation of nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, compared to cocopeat and perlite. In general, the results indicated that salicylic acid was the best priming treatment and peat moss was the best culture medium for the commercial production of eggplant and sweet pepper seedlings.AbbreviationsC: Cocopeat, Pe: Perlite, PM: Peat moss, P: Phosphorus, N: Nitrogen, Mg: Magnesium, K: Potassium, Ca: Calcium, SA: Salicylic acid, HA: Humic acid, GP: Germination percentage, Put: Putrescine, KNO3: Potassium nitrate, ZnSO₄: Zinc sulfate, DW: Distilled water, PAs:
Nayyereh Ghorbani; Esmaeil Chamani; Ali Akbar Shokoohian; Seyyedeh Sanaz Ramezanpour
Abstract
Biochemical diversity is a manifestation of geographical area and environmental change. In the present study, 16 ecotypes of yellow flag species were identified and collected through field studies. The ecotypes were identified and then grouped into three populations based on their geographical locations. ...
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Biochemical diversity is a manifestation of geographical area and environmental change. In the present study, 16 ecotypes of yellow flag species were identified and collected through field studies. The ecotypes were identified and then grouped into three populations based on their geographical locations. Using spectrophotometric methods, eight biochemical properties were measured. These were chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, antioxidant capacity, carotenoids, total phenol, flavonoids, and anthocyanin content. The biochemical traits were analyzed in a completely randomized design in three replications using SAS software and principal component analysis via SPSS software. The analysis of variance showed significant differences between the ecotypes in terms of biochemical traits (p<0.05; p<0.01). Photosyntheti-c pigments occurred maximally in ecotype Q, phenol and flavonoids in ecotype K, antioxidant capacity in ecotype O, and anthocyanin content in ecotype L. The populations were divided into three main groups by cluster analysis. Correlation analysis showed significant, positive correlations between chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll (r = 90%), total chlorophyll and carotenoids (r = 67%), as well as phenol content and flavonoid content (r = 56 %). The results indicated significant bioch-emical diversity in the ecotypes.
Azadeh Pagard; Mohammad Rreza Zare-Bavani; Seyed Abdollah Eftekhari
Abstract
Boron deficiency is a prevalent challenge for plant nutrition supply in many alkaline/calcareous soils. The current research aimed to examine the effects of boron supply to bell pepper plants through fertigation and foliar application. The experiment had seven treatments, comprising a control group, ...
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Boron deficiency is a prevalent challenge for plant nutrition supply in many alkaline/calcareous soils. The current research aimed to examine the effects of boron supply to bell pepper plants through fertigation and foliar application. The experiment had seven treatments, comprising a control group, boric acid as fertigation (0.5, 1, and 2 g L-1), and foliar application (0.5, 1, and 2 g L-1) with three replications in controlled greenhouse conditions. The treatments were applied on Lorca bell peppers in a completely randomized design. The results showed that fertigation and foliar application increased all measured characteristics compared to the control group. Increasing the boric acid concentration in foliar application caused a decrease in fruit count per plant, fruit fresh weight, fruit yield per plant, and fruit width. Both fertigation and foliar boric acid applications at a low level (0.5 g L-1) and as separate treatments caused the highest fruit weight, length, width, and fruit count per plant. Higher boric acid concentrations increased chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, leaf carotenoid content, soluble sugars, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenols, and fruit ascorbic acid content. The highest chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, leaf carotenoid content, and fruit ascorbic acid were observed in response to the high concentration of boric acid foliar application (2 g L-1). Overall, the boron supplement as a foliar application (0.5 to 1 g L-1) or fertigation (0.5 to 1 g L-1) improved quantitative and qualitative performance in bell peppers.
Mina Zahedi; Mehdi Sarcheshmehpour; Homayoun Farahmand
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a mutualistic relationship with a great number of plants. This can offer promising approaches to managing arid ecosystems. In the present study, the effects of native AMF inoculums were evaluated on morphological and physiological traits of Cercis siliquastrum ...
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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a mutualistic relationship with a great number of plants. This can offer promising approaches to managing arid ecosystems. In the present study, the effects of native AMF inoculums were evaluated on morphological and physiological traits of Cercis siliquastrum and Prosopis cineraria seedlings under drought stress conditions. The study was carried out in two independent experiments as a full factorial design with two factors: AM fungal (non- AMF and AMF) and three levels of drought stress (80%, 50%, and 30% of field capacity). The results showed that shoot dry weight and root growth were reduced in response to an increase in drought stress levels on Prosopis cineraria. In C. siliquastrum, however, the shoot dry weight, root volume and root dry weight increased moderately as a result of AMF but decreased in response to severe drought stress. Native AMF inocula increased proline content by about two-fold, while also increasing root and shoot dry weight and root volume of the inoculated plants of both species. Drought stress increased proline content in both AMF plants and in uninoculated C. siliquastrum seedlings. The native AMF colonized the roots of C. siliquastrum and P. cineraria, by at least 80% and 70%, respectively, which was significantly higher than AMF from soils. Drought stress reduced catalase activity (CAT) in P. cineraria, but this was lower in inoculated plants than in uninoculated plants. In response to moderate and severe drought stress, ascorbic peroxidase (APX) activity increased by over 29 and 44%, respectively, compared to well-watered and inoculated P. cineraria seedlings. P. cineraria seedlings tolerated drought stress by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic ways, while C. siliquastrum accumulated osmotic solutes such as proline under drought stress. In conclusion, both species were recommended for xeriscaping purposes, although mesquite proved to be more reliable in adverse conditions.
Sloane Wairimu Mungai; Cornelius Mbathi Wainaina; Agnes Mumo Kavoo; Mwashasha Rashid Mwajita
Abstract
Potato is an important tuber crop that has a unique role in the food security of sub-Saharan Africa. Potato production faces several challenges, including limited sources of clean seed and the occurrence of nutrient deficiencies in plants. The availability of clean and viable seeds is the most prevalent ...
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Potato is an important tuber crop that has a unique role in the food security of sub-Saharan Africa. Potato production faces several challenges, including limited sources of clean seed and the occurrence of nutrient deficiencies in plants. The availability of clean and viable seeds is the most prevalent challenge which necessitates the development of new strategies for enhancing production. Understanding the link between in vitro nutrient enhancement and seedling vigor in field conditions can assist in mitigating the adverse effects of these challenges after micro plant transplanting. In vitro experiments were set up to investigate the effects of calcium (Ca) fortification on several potato varieties, i.e. ‘Shangi’, ‘Unica’, and ‘Dutch Robjyn’ regeneration and microtuberization. Cuttings were subcultured onto modified MS media containing five levels of CaCl2 8.8 g L-1, 10.4 g L-1, 12 g L-1, 13.6 L-1, and 15.2 g L-1. Microtubers were initiated on media with 60 g L-1 brown sugar and 6 mg L-1 6-Benzylaminopurine. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with three replications. The regeneration capacity of the tested varieties differed significantly, as evidenced by shoot (p=0.0002) and root count (p=<.0001). The response of plants to fortification was variably dependent. The application of 10.4-13.6 g L-1 led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in root count in all three varieties. Furthermore, 13.6 g L-1 CaCl2 led to an increase in root-zone and mid-stem Ca content by 45%, 202%, and 165% in ‘Shangi’, ‘Unica’, and ‘Dutch Robjyn’, respectively, compared to the control. The ‘Dutch Robjyn’ and ‘Shangi’ performed optimally in terms of regeneration and microtuberization, compared to ‘Unica’, under theeffect of 10.4-13.6 g L-1 CaCl2. The results confirmed the optimization of MS regeneration by Ca enhancement as a potential technology for scaling up the production of clean quality seeds.
Naser Askari
Abstract
Sucrose has a significant role in promoting microtuberization in potato. It acts as a crucial modifier, influencing the growth and development of microtuber in potato. Understanding the role of sucrose in microtuberization is vital for improving potato cultivation practices and enhancing crop productivity. ...
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Sucrose has a significant role in promoting microtuberization in potato. It acts as a crucial modifier, influencing the growth and development of microtuber in potato. Understanding the role of sucrose in microtuberization is vital for improving potato cultivation practices and enhancing crop productivity. In this experiment, different concentrations of sucrose (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15%) were investigated to determine their effects on the microtuberization of a potato cultivar ‘Sante’. The findings revealed that high concentrations of sucrose (12 and 15%) inhibited microtuberization percentage, microtuber count, and shoot growth. Tuberization percentage reached its maximum value (100%) when exposed to a sucrose concentration of 9%. The microtuber count was 2 per explant and 4.6 per vessel. However, using a 12% sucrose concentration resulted in the highest microtuber diameter (5 mm), microtuber fresh weight (120 mg) and dry weight (26 mg), and microtuber yield (FW: 752 mg; DW: 170 mg). The highest explant fresh weight (44 mg) and dry weight (9.5 mg) occurred in response to 15% sucrose concentration. Biomass allocation was influenced by sucrose concentration, with higher concentrations leading to a greater biomass allocation to the microtuber and explant, rather than the shoot. Accordingly, it can be concluded that a sucrose concentration of 12% was an optimal treatment for ‘Sante’ potato microtuber production.
Peiman Mohit Rabary; Zahra Movahedi; Mehdi Ghabooli; Majid Rostami
Abstract
As a micronutrient, zinc (Zn) plays an essential role in various physiological processes of plants. Here, acclimatized samples of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), withania (Withania. coagulans) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) were evaluated under aeroponic ...
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As a micronutrient, zinc (Zn) plays an essential role in various physiological processes of plants. Here, acclimatized samples of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), withania (Withania. coagulans) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) were evaluated under aeroponic system conditions in order to explore the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The plants were foliar sprayed with ZnO NP biofertilizer (0, 1, 2 and 3 g L-1) for 20, 40 and 60 days after transplanting. The experiments were performed based on a completely randomized design with five replications. The valerian showed that 3 g L-1 ZnO NPs caused the highest plant height, root length, leaf number per plant, root volume per plant, as well as fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots. The mean values in chicory showed that the plants that were treated with ZnO NPs (3 g L-1) had the highest amount of biomass and photosynthetic pigments. Based on the results of mean values in purple coneflower, ZnO NPs (3 g L-1) caused the largest increase in morphological values. Furthermore, comparing the mean values in the withania showed that the highest plant height, root length, leaf number per plant, root volume per plant, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots were observed in plants treated with 3 g L-1 ZnO NPs. Therefore, Zn is considered as an essential micronutrient in the growth of these plants and could be prepared in nanosized form.
