Saeid Eshghi; Loghman Salehi; Mohamad Javad Karami
Abstract
Grapes are significant sources of nutritional antioxidants as well as biologically active dietary components. This study was carried out to determine the amount of total phenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of 35 grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars grown in Fars province (Iran). Ripened ...
Read More
Grapes are significant sources of nutritional antioxidants as well as biologically active dietary components. This study was carried out to determine the amount of total phenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of 35 grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars grown in Fars province (Iran). Ripened bunches were randomly harvested from grapevine collection in Zarghan (Fars province, Iran) Agricultural Research Center, and then were transferred to the laboratory. Berry size (length, diameter, and weight), skin weight, acidity, vitamin C, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, phenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The results showed that total phenols, anthocyanin and antioxidant activity in the berries varied among the investigated cultivars. ‘Gandome Uromia’ (Red, 64) and ‘Rishbaba Uromia’ (Red, 75) cultivars had the highest values of antioxidant activity and total phenols. The lowest amount of phenol was obtained from ‘Divaneh Kashmar’ (White, 135) cultivar. Anthocyanin and antioxidant activity were the lowest in ‘Jeshnion Bavanat’ (White, 105) cultivar. Antioxidant activity had a positive significant correlation with amount of phenols and anthocyanin. In general, it was found that different cultivars in this study had a vast range of antioxidant activity from 14.55 to 66.47%.
Negin Akhlaghi Amiri; Ali Asadi Kangarshahi; Kazem Arzani; Mohsen Barzegar
Abstract
Summer fruit drop (June drop) is one of the main reasons for low yield in some citrus varieties in northern Iran. Recognition of physiological changes in fruit abscission zone (calyx) and application of suitable treatments would reduce or control abscission. Hence, the changes of auxin, cellulose, and ...
Read More
Summer fruit drop (June drop) is one of the main reasons for low yield in some citrus varieties in northern Iran. Recognition of physiological changes in fruit abscission zone (calyx) and application of suitable treatments would reduce or control abscission. Hence, the changes of auxin, cellulose, and polygalacturonase in calyx of Thomson navel fruitlets were measured and their relations with abscission and mineral nutrition of fruitlets as well as the effect of different treatments on them at June drop were evaluated. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was performed with 8 treatments and 4 replicates. Treatments were as follows: 1. control; 2. urea (1%); 3. urea + 2,4-D (15 mg l-1); 4.urea + GA3 (15 mg l-1); 5.urea + sucrose (1%); 6.urea + ZnSO4 (0.5%); 7. urea + ZnSO4 + 2,4-D; and 8. urea + ZnSO4 + GA3. Results showed that abscission had a significant negative correlation with auxin and a significant positive correlation with cellulase and polygalacturonase of the calyx. The control group had the lowest auxin and the highest cellulase in calyx. Maximum effect (Approximately 24% reduction in abscission) was obtained after foliar application of urea + sucrose (treatments 5). The use of urea alone or in combination with 2, 4-D and GA3 had no effect on abscission; however, using it in combination with sucrose was the most efficient treatment in this experiment. Furthermore, the combination of urea and Zn provided an effective treatment. A majority of micronutrients (Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B) had a positive correlation with auxin and a negative correlation with enzymes. Therefore, nutritional management and providing an appropriate condition to maximize photosynthesis can balance physiological metabolism and reduce fruitlets abscission.
Seyedeh Faezeh Taghizadeh; Ahmad Asgharzadeh; Javad Asili; Amirhossein Sahebkar; Abolfazl Shakeri
Abstract
Mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb L.) is an important rootstock for P. avium and P. cerasus cultivars. The present study has compared the phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of the barks, leaves and fruits of ten selected mahaleb genotypes. The total phenolic content (5.11-131.77 ...
Read More
Mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb L.) is an important rootstock for P. avium and P. cerasus cultivars. The present study has compared the phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of the barks, leaves and fruits of ten selected mahaleb genotypes. The total phenolic content (5.11-131.77 mg GA g-1) in barks and the total flavonoid (54.06-180.6 mg QE g-1) and proanthocyanidin (8.89-25.33 mg CA g-1) contents in fruits were greater than the other parts of the plants. The maximum contents of total phenol and total proanthocyanidin were in the stem bark and fruit of the genotype '249' (131.77 mg GA g-1, 25.33 mg CA g-1, respectively), while the maximum contents of flavonoid, and anthocyanin were in the fruits of genotype 271 (180.6 mg QE g-1 and 260.81 mg CY g-1, respectively). Antioxidant activity of the samples was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assay (RPA). The antioxidant activity was the highest with the genotype '249', which showed 80.9% and 89.3% in DPPH and RPA assays, respectively. This study showed that total phenolic, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin, and anthocyanin contents were affected by mahaleb genotypes. This information may be of assistance in the production of mahaleb genotypes with maximum levels of desired phenolic.
Hamed Hassanzadeh Khankahdani; Somayeh Rastegar; Behrouz Golein; Morteza Golmohammadi; Abdolhossein Aboutalebi Jahromi
Abstract
Because of sexual propagation of Mexican lime in southern regions of Iran, there are many lime accessions (lime biotypes) in Mexican lime gardens in which appear some variation in fruit and tree shape. However, most of these accessions are susceptible to witches broom disease of lime (WBDL). Persian ...
Read More
Because of sexual propagation of Mexican lime in southern regions of Iran, there are many lime accessions (lime biotypes) in Mexican lime gardens in which appear some variation in fruit and tree shape. However, most of these accessions are susceptible to witches broom disease of lime (WBDL). Persian lime (C. latifolia Tanaka) is a triploid WBDL-tolerant species. Considerable number of un-described lime biotypes have been cultivated by farmers as Persian lime with no documented evidence related to their origin and genetic background. To unveil systematic modality of the lime accessions, we investigated 18 lime accessions collected from Fars, Hormozgan and Mazandaran provinces (Iran) using flow cytometry (FCM) approach, morphological characteristics, ISSR and SSR markers in 2016. The results of FCM revealed that 14 out of 18 lime accessions were triploid. Triploid accessions showed higher leaf dimension values together with lower stomata and secretory sacs density compared with diploid accessions. Application of SSR markers confirmed the obtained results of ploidy level determination using FCM and morphological analysis. Results of morphological and ISSR markers demonstrated that four out of 18 accessions were different from others and it was in correspondence with the results of FCM. SSR results also grouped the accessions in line of FCM. In conclusion, it has been shown that IFJKh, Cucumber-shaped lime and IFJKMes accessions, are diploid and their cultivation is not recommended in the infected regions to WBDL phytoplasma.
Ghader Habibi
Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant ripening and responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, the protective effect of SA on cold stress-caused oxidative damage in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) bunches was investigated during cold storage. Grape bunches treated with ...
Read More
Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant ripening and responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, the protective effect of SA on cold stress-caused oxidative damage in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) bunches was investigated during cold storage. Grape bunches treated with 2 mM SA and stored at 0°C with 85-90% RH for 30 days. Samples were selected from each treatment for physical and chemical analysis before storage, midpoint of storage, end of storage and end of shelf life. The results showed that the cold storage induced lipid peroxidation, decay incidence and loss of fresh weight, while SA pretreatment mitigated these effects in “Bidaneh Sefid” and “Qzl uzum” cultivars. In these cultivars, SA-induced protection against cold damage was accompanied by decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and caused an increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Additionally, SA-induced protection against cold injury was mediated through promoting total phenolics concentration and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. The present findings suggest that although variability in the protective effect of SA against cold damage was observed between grape cultivars, SA could alleviate the cold-induced oxidative stress in grape bunches during cold storage.
Arezou Forouzi; Azim Ghasemnezhad; Reza Ghorbani Nasrabad
Abstract
Soil salinity and water deficit are major problems for development of agricultural production. In this study, effects of growth promoting microorganisms (inoculation with Piriformospora indica and two isolates of Streptomyces sp.) on the leaf yield and absorption rate of some elements in leaves and roots ...
Read More
Soil salinity and water deficit are major problems for development of agricultural production. In this study, effects of growth promoting microorganisms (inoculation with Piriformospora indica and two isolates of Streptomyces sp.) on the leaf yield and absorption rate of some elements in leaves and roots of stevia plant was investigated under salinity conditions for two consecutive years (2016-2017). The fresh and dry weights of the leaves were significantly affected by microorganism and salinity. High salinity level led to sodium accumulation in the root and leaf; while the amount of potassium and K+/Na+ ratio decreased in both root and leaf. The accumulation of phosphorus in both leaf and root was significantly decreased in 3 ds m-1 salinity. Plants exposed to Piriformospora indica and Streptomyces strains, showed lower sodium content in their leaves and roots. In contrast, an increase in the content of potassium and phosphorus was observed in the growth stimulator microbes-treated plants. However, the K+/Na+ ratio in the growth stimulator microbes-treated plants was to some extent lower than its ratio in control plants. In conclusion, P. indica and Streptomyces strains improved the biomass formation of the stevia plant under salinity conditions by controlling the uptake of potassium, phosphorus and sodium.
Ebrahim Alami; Mahnaz Karimi; Vida Chalavi
Abstract
Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is one of the ten most invasive weed species in the world that is spread over most of the tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the environmental and economic concerns associated with spreading of the water hyacinth, control its distribution is important issue. ...
Read More
Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is one of the ten most invasive weed species in the world that is spread over most of the tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the environmental and economic concerns associated with spreading of the water hyacinth, control its distribution is important issue. Water hyacinth can be used for composting and vermicomposting. In the present study, compost or vermicompost of water hyacinth was used as growing media for growing of lily plants (Longiflorum×Asiatic cv. ‘Nashville’). To do so, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with nine treatments and four replications. Treatments included peat moss + perlite (2:1 v/v) as control and 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of water hyacinth compost or vermicompost substitute for peat moss in control treatment. According to the obtained results, the tallest plants were observed in the control (55.50 cm) and 25% compost (55.25 cm) treatments. No significant difference was observed among 50, 75 and 100% compost and 25% vermicompost treatments. The highest number of open buds (3.50) was seen in 25% vermicompost. Results also showed that using 75% compost and 50% vermicompost increased nitrogen content of the leaf. Highest total phenol with 6.9 mg quer/g FW was recorded in 75% and 100% vermicompost. The maximum vase life (six days) was obtained in flowers grown in 25% vermicompost. In conclusion, water hyacinth compost or lower vermicompost percentages could be a substitute for peat as the growing media for lily plants.
Mohsen Hatami; Siamak Kalantari; Forouzande Soltani
Abstract
Six Iranian accessions of Cucumis melo, including Inodorus, Cantalupensis, and Dudaim groups, were planted and then harvested at two harvesting stages including 21 and 28 days after anthesis for Dudaim group and 28 and 38 days after anthesis for Inodorus and Cantalupensis groups. At the time of harvest, ...
Read More
Six Iranian accessions of Cucumis melo, including Inodorus, Cantalupensis, and Dudaim groups, were planted and then harvested at two harvesting stages including 21 and 28 days after anthesis for Dudaim group and 28 and 38 days after anthesis for Inodorus and Cantalupensis groups. At the time of harvest, we measured some quality parameters and appearance indices of fruits, such as the number of strips on surface, tendril condition, peduncle condition, presence or absence of the abscission zone formed around the peduncle, netting, presence of trichomes, and force needed to detach the fruit from the plant. Results showed that the best ripening indices for Inodorus, Cantalupensis, and Dudaim groups were not the same. Contrary to Samsouri and lately harvested Khatouni accessions, there were not any abscission zone in Dudaim fruits. In most of the treatments, tendril was yellow or dry in lately harvested fruits opposite to green in tendrils in early harvested fruits. Peduncles were green in all treatments and the force needed to detach the fruit from the plant in most treatments was the highest degree (score 3). Lately harvested fruits had more advanced levels of color, TSS, and firmness than early harvested ones. Generally, the best ripening indices for melon fruits corresponding to each accession were different.
Hamideh Mohammadi; Zahra Pakkish; Vahidreza Saffari
Abstract
Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch.) is produced in most areas of Iran, where flowering is hindered by temperature. Using plant growth regulators to delay bloom is a suggestive measure to avoid frost damage. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic ...
Read More
Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch.) is produced in most areas of Iran, where flowering is hindered by temperature. Using plant growth regulators to delay bloom is a suggestive measure to avoid frost damage. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid (SA) on peach bloom delay and yield. This study evaluated the applications of MJ 0 (control, water only), 100 and 200 mg L-1 and SA at 150 and 300 mg L-1 at swollen bud and green tip stages. In ‘Elberta’ peach, MJ at 200 mg L-1, its combinations with SA at 150 mg L-1 and MJ 200 mg L-1 and SA300 mg L-1 together at the two stages (green tip, swollen bud stages) delayed blooming for 6 and 8 days, respectively. The maturity and ripening of treated peach fruits were delayed for 8-12 days in green tip and swollen bud stage. Flowering percentage amount (57.83-61.80%), fruit set amount (22.59-23.53%) and yield (1.69-1.72 kg cm-2 branch) were increased by MJ 200 mg L-1 and SA300 mg L-1 treatments compared to the control treatment (flowering percentage amount (39.31%), fruit set amount (6.25%) and yield (0.82 kg cm-2 branch). The interactions of MJ and SA had more impacts on flowering (89.53%), fruit set (33.22%), fruit weight average (124.93 g), and yield (2.09 kg cm-2 branch)compared to their individual application. The present study was the first evidence for the SA and MJ effect on bloom delay, flowering and fruiting of peach.
Bayzid Yousefi; Kamkar Jaimand
Abstract
In present study, essential oil content and compositions of 49 Iranian landraces of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) was investigated. Essential oils were isolated with distillation method and component composition was determined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty main ...
Read More
In present study, essential oil content and compositions of 49 Iranian landraces of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) was investigated. Essential oils were isolated with distillation method and component composition was determined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty main compounds were identified in the essential oil representing about 90% of the total oil. The major components were found to be n-nonadecane (with seasonal range of 32.4-36.1%), n-heneicosane (20.3-22.1%), citronellol (6.6-10.3%), n-hexadecanol (6.4-6.7%) and n-tricosane (5.9-7.0%). The percentages of citronellol and geraniol as the two important compounds of the rose oil quality in 2008 were more than their percentages in 2007. Therefore, it can be inferred that dry conditions increased the aliphatic compounds percentages and reduced alcoholic compounds in the rose oil. Despite the differences in origin sites, climates and ecological conditions among landraces, the results of cluster analysis (CA) revealed that all of the landraces of Damask rose with exception of KB1 and AK1 showed more than 90% similarity in their major oil composition. The result of principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the landraces with the highest percentage of citronellol and geraniol components usually show extreme values (positive or negative) of PC1 and PC2.
ٍٍEbrahim Alami; Mahnaz Karimi
Abstract
One of the important objectives during the production cycle of ornamental plants is to regulate and control their growth. Hence, application of some plant growth regulators such as uniconazole (UN) and cycocel (CCC) is considered as an efficient method for reaching to this objective. To investigation ...
Read More
One of the important objectives during the production cycle of ornamental plants is to regulate and control their growth. Hence, application of some plant growth regulators such as uniconazole (UN) and cycocel (CCC) is considered as an efficient method for reaching to this objective. To investigation the effect of uniconazole and cycocel on some morphological and biochemical characteristics of zinnia, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replications. Application of UN (0, 5 and 10 mg L-1) and CCC (0, 1000 and 1500 mg L-1) as growth retardants, was considered as the first and their application method (leaf spraying and soil application) was considered as the second factor. The effect of growth retardants on plant height, Time of flowering, peroxidase activity, endogenous gibberellins and leaf area were significant. The lowest plant height was observed in soil application of 10 mg L-1 UN. The tallest plant was observed in the control treatment. Growth retardants had significant effects on endogenous gibberellins and leaf chlorophyll contents. Highest activity of peroxidase enzyme was detected in plants treated by 10 mg L-1 UN. The highest and lowest numbers of leaves (21.6 and 16.4 leaves, respectively) were counted in control and 5 mg L-1 UN, respectively. According to the obtained results, the use of growth retardants is recommended to reduce the height and improve the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of zinnia flower.
Mohammadmahdi Jowkar; Nader Hassanzadeh; Mohsen Kafi; Ahmad Khalighi
Abstract
Disturbance in water relations is the major causes of vase life reduction and senescence in cut flowers This problem is mainly due to microorganism proliferation in the vase solution which leads to vascular occlusion and reduction in solution uptake by cut flowers. Therefore a comprehensive study was ...
Read More
Disturbance in water relations is the major causes of vase life reduction and senescence in cut flowers This problem is mainly due to microorganism proliferation in the vase solution which leads to vascular occlusion and reduction in solution uptake by cut flowers. Therefore a comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the biocidal effect of nano silver particles (NSP) and compare it with some previously applied biocides. Roses (cv. Cherry Brandy) were treated in a completely randomized design with: colloid of NSP, citric acid, aluminum sulfate, hydroxyquinoline citrate (HQC), calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), tap water, or sterilized distilled water as vase water or solution. Longest vase life was observed in flowers treated with nano silver particles, aluminum sulphate and citric acid, respectively. Nano silver particles, HQC and calcium hypochlorite were the most effective treatments in controlling microbial population followed by aluminum sulfate as the second effective treatment. Nano silver particles, HQC and calcium hypochlorite completely inhibited the microbial growth during the first six days of experiment. Moreover, aluminum sulfate retarded microbial growth, proliferation and growth rate more efficiently than others. Each treatment allowed proliferation of a specific microbe. In general, two yeasts, six fungi, and 26 bacterial colonies were isolated from different vase solutions. Among the isolated fungi, one isolate was Trichoderma harzianum and the five other were different strains of Fusarium solani. Identified bacterial isolates were Bacillus sp., Coccus spp., Streptomyces sp., Pectobacterium sp., Burkholderia sp., and Pseudomonas sp. Bacillus was the most wide spread microorganism in most treatments. Identified Bacillus sp. isolates were B. polymexa, B. subtilis, B. megaterium and B. circulans. Since nano silver significantly improved vase life and effectively controlled microbial proliferation in vase solution, our results suggest that nano silver application could be considered as a biocidal preservative solution for rose cut flowers.
Zahra Reaisi; Mehrab Yadegari; Hamze Ali Shirmardia
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate effects of elevation and phenological stage on essential oil components of Teucrium polium L. and Teucrium orientale L. belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The aerial parts of the grown plants in two ranges of elevation including 2000-2500 and 2500-3000 m above sea level were ...
Read More
This study aimed to evaluate effects of elevation and phenological stage on essential oil components of Teucrium polium L. and Teucrium orientale L. belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The aerial parts of the grown plants in two ranges of elevation including 2000-2500 and 2500-3000 m above sea level were harvested at three time-points, including end of vegetative, flowering, and seed filling stages. The main components in the T. polium oil were α-pinene (40.52 to 54.05%), β-pinene (17.36 to 23.3%), and limonene (10.10 to 15.19%) and the major constituents in the essential oil of T. orientale were α-pinene (0.00 to 25.10%), and β-caryophyllene (18.18 to 56.01%). Analysis of results confirmed the significant effects of phenological stage and elevation on the percentages of essential oil components. High elevation above sea level caused increase in aromatic compounds such as α-pinene and limonene from monoterpene hydrocarbons but decrease in sesquiterpene compounds such as β-caryophyllene contents. There was significant correlation between essential oil constituents under different elevations and phenological stages. In addition, harvesting time at different phenological stages affected the chemical compositions in the essential oils, in a way that the highest concentrations of α-pinene and β-pinene as volatile components (monoterpene hydrocarbons) and β-caryophyllene (sesquiterpene hydrocarbons) as important constitutes in pharmaceutical industry were obtained from flowering stage.
Kobra Tavakoli; Majid Rahemi
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous polyamines, isopropyl ester, 2, 4-D and naphthalene acetamide application on yield and quality of date palm of ‘Kabkab’ cultivar. The inflorescences sprayed with 2, 4-D isopropylester (0, 10, and 20 mg L-1), naphthalene acetamide ...
Read More
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous polyamines, isopropyl ester, 2, 4-D and naphthalene acetamide application on yield and quality of date palm of ‘Kabkab’ cultivar. The inflorescences sprayed with 2, 4-D isopropylester (0, 10, and 20 mg L-1), naphthalene acetamide (0, 80, and 120 mg L-1), putrescence and spermidine (0, 0.1, and 1.0 mM), three or six weeks after pollination. The highest rate of initial fruit drop (42.2%) was obtained when fruits were treated with naphthalene acetamide at a concentration of 120 mg L-1, which was significantly higher than the control (32.0%). Fruit treated with polyamines had a higher yield than the control. The lowest total soluble solids (TSS) (21.5%) were found in spermidine 0.1 mM and the highest TSS (46%) was found in the control. Polyamines decreased fruit total soluble solids content (TSS) compared with untreated fruits, and also delayed fruit maturity for at least 17 days. In conclusion, polyamine application significantly affected yield, physical and chemical characteristics of date cultivar under the study and it may be recommended to be applied in cultural practices to enhance production and improve the fruit quality of date trees orchards.
Taher Barzegar; Pouria Moradi; Jaefar Nikbakht; Zahra Ghahremani
Abstract
To investigate effects of putrescine (Put) and humic acid (HA) on fruit yield and physiological attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. 'Kano') under water deficit stress, a field experiment was conducted in split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plants ...
Read More
To investigate effects of putrescine (Put) and humic acid (HA) on fruit yield and physiological attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. 'Kano') under water deficit stress, a field experiment was conducted in split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plants were exposed to three different irrigation regimes (33%, 66% and 100% ETc) and were treated with foliar application of Put (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM) and HA (0, 150 and 300 mg l-1). The results showed that deficit irrigation significantly decreased fruit yield, relative water content (RWC), vitamin C and water use efficiency (WUE), whereas proline content and catalase and peroxidase activities were increased. Foliar application of HA and Put significantly increased fruit yield, RWC, vitamin C and proline contents, catalase and peroxidase activities and WUE. The results suggested that HA at 300 mg l-1 and Put at 1.5 mM can improve growth, yield and quality of okra fruits.
Zahra Afifipour; Morteza Khosh-Khui
Abstract
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is one of the most important cut flowers in Iran. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of spraying a mixture of amino acids on the physiological and morphological characteristics of tuberose. The experiment was carried out in two successive years (2009 ...
Read More
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is one of the most important cut flowers in Iran. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of spraying a mixture of amino acids on the physiological and morphological characteristics of tuberose. The experiment was carried out in two successive years (2009 and 2010) using two tuberose cultivars ‘Dezfuli’ and ‘Mahallati’. The experiment was arranged as a factorial on a completely randomized design with 4 replications. Treatments were 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mg L-1 of amino acids. The results showed that applying amino acids improved all growth and flowering characteristics of tuberose cultivars. Concentration of 0.75 mg L-1 amino acids enhanced the floral stem, inflorescence, and stem diameters. The fresh weight of floral stem increased about 22% as a result of spraying with 0.25 mg L-1 amino acid mixture. Total protein and nitrogen contents of the ‘Dezfuli’ cultivar showed about 60% enhancement when using a 0.5 mg L-1 mixture of amino acid. In general, the effects of amino acids on ‘Dezfuli’ were greater than the ‘Mahallati’ cultivar.
Mohammad Gerdakaneh; Fariba Hoseini; Nasrin Eftekharinasab
Abstract
In order to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on sex determination and yield, an experiment was conducted by spraying different hormonal combinations on medicinal pumpkin. Experimental treatments were included different concentrations of NAA (25, 75, 100, 125 mg/l), paclobutrazol (50, 100, ...
Read More
In order to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on sex determination and yield, an experiment was conducted by spraying different hormonal combinations on medicinal pumpkin. Experimental treatments were included different concentrations of NAA (25, 75, 100, 125 mg/l), paclobutrazol (50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/l) and combination of growth regulators (NAA 25 mg/l + PBZ 50 mg/l), (NAA 75 mg/l + PBZ 100 mg/l), (NAA 100 mg/l + PBZ 200 mg/l), (NAA 125 mg/l + PBZ 300 mg/l), and control (no application of growth regulators). Growth regulators were applied on the plants by spraying at the –two-leaf and four-leaf stages. Results showed that spraying paclobutrazol and NAA caused increase in number of female flowers, fruits per plant, seeds per fruits, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per hectare, but the number of male flowers and ratio of male to female flowers were decreased compared to their values in control plants. The highest fresh and dried seed yield of pumpkin seed was obtained with 50 mg/l paclobutrazol.
Sadegh Barzamini; Reza Fotouhi Ghazvini
Abstract
Most Japanese plum-type cultivars are self-incompatible and therefore cross pollination is necessary to ensure fruit set. Moreover, pollen can directly affect fruit development process and quality. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of 6 pollen sources (‘Goje Sabz’, ...
Read More
Most Japanese plum-type cultivars are self-incompatible and therefore cross pollination is necessary to ensure fruit set. Moreover, pollen can directly affect fruit development process and quality. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of 6 pollen sources (‘Goje Sabz’, ‘Simka’, ‘Shablon’, ‘Methley’, ‘Myrobalan’ and ‘Black Star’) on fruit quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Prunus salicina cultivar ‘Black Star’, and identify the most effective pollinizer in the north region of Iran. The results showed that the pollen sources significantly affected different fruit characteristics such as fruit set, length, diameter, fresh weight, dry matter content and firmness. In contrast, total soluble solid, pH, total acid, vitamin C and total phenol did not significantly affect by pollen sources. Furthermore, it was found that the highest fruit set, physical dimensions, fresh weight and dry matter content were achieved when ‘Simka’ was used as pollen source. Finally, these results suggest that the pollen sources had xenia effects in Japanese plum and ‘Simka’ is the most suitable pollen source for Japanese plum ‘Black Star’ cultivar.
Amin Reza Jamshidi; Ahmad Ghazanfari Moghaddam; Ahmad Reza Ommani
Abstract
Aeroponic planting is proved to be the one of the most efficient growing environments for many vegetable crops. In this technique, plants are cultivated in absence of soil and the required nutrients are directly supplied to the roots through a fogging system. In modern sprayers, water is atomized by ...
Read More
Aeroponic planting is proved to be the one of the most efficient growing environments for many vegetable crops. In this technique, plants are cultivated in absence of soil and the required nutrients are directly supplied to the roots through a fogging system. In modern sprayers, water is atomized by means of ultrasound waves. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound waves on the nutrient solution and on yield and some yield components of tomato grown in a vertical aeroponic planting system. The investigation was conducted using a 3×3 factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design. The considered factors were ultrasonic frequency at three levels of 50 kHz, 107 kHz and 2.1 MHz and the fogging duration at three levels of 10, 15 and 20 min. The results indicated that, at frequency of 50 MHz, the nutrient solution had the lowest EC equivalent while the pH of the nutrient solution reached its highest value at 2.1 MHz. Generally, both EC and pH value of the nutrient solution were elevated by increase in the wave frequency, but they did not show a definite trend by changes in fogging duration. The ANOVA indicated that the interaction effect of the ultrasound frequency and fogging period had significant effect on the plant height, root weight and length, fruit weight, fruit length, plant yield and system performance. In general, the measured yield components decreased as frequency of the waves increased and the best results were obtained at 50 kHz frequency and 15 min fogging period.
Ali Imani; Ghader Amani; Mansoore Shamili; Amir Mousavi; Rezai Hamed; Mousa Rasouli; Pedro José Martínez- García
Abstract
Phenotypic and genetic diversity are mandatory aspects to allow future breeding in fruit trees. This work was aimed to study the genetic diversity and heritability of important phenological traits in several almond genotypes. The seedlings were planted in randomized complete block design with 3 replications ...
Read More
Phenotypic and genetic diversity are mandatory aspects to allow future breeding in fruit trees. This work was aimed to study the genetic diversity and heritability of important phenological traits in several almond genotypes. The seedlings were planted in randomized complete block design with 3 replications (two trees in each replication). Phenological traits including flower size, petal length, petal width, sepal length, sepal width, pistil length, pistil thickness were evaluated. Furthermore, number of stamens, first flowering, 10% flowering, 50% flowering, 90% flowering, date of flowering among 33 selected almond cultivars and genotypes were also evaluated using almond descriptors during 27 February to 29 March 2017. The results showed the existence of genetic variation among the studied cultivars and genotypes. A great phenotypic variation was observed for pistil length, petal width and flowering time. The exact and extended characterizations of all the new materials of almond could provide breeders new opportunities to develop future crosses and to obtain more resistant seedlings that can be better adapted to extreme and changing weather conditions in this area and in other regions of the world.
Neda Aghajani; Mehrdad Jafarpour
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different silicon supplements and postharvest treatments on growth and yield of gerbera in a greenhouse experiment. Silicon supplements were including potassium silicate at three concentrations (0, 140 and 200 mg L−1), sodium silicate at three ...
Read More
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different silicon supplements and postharvest treatments on growth and yield of gerbera in a greenhouse experiment. Silicon supplements were including potassium silicate at three concentrations (0, 140 and 200 mg L−1), sodium silicate at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L−1) and rice hull ash (RHA) at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L−1). Also, postharvest treatments were including sucrose, salicylic acid (200 and 400 mg L−1), methyl jasmonate (15 and 25 mg L−1) and distilled water (as control). The application of potassium silicate, RHA and sodium silicate led to decrease in dry weight of flower. Shoot length and diameter were substantially higher in 140 mg L−1 potassium silicate than those in control treatment. The maximum inflorescence diameter was observed in rice husk ash (50 mg L−1). Capitulum diameter was far greater in sodium silicate at 50 mg L−1 compared to other treatments. Vase life of gerbera flower was greater in 400 mg L−1 salicylic acid and 15 mg L−1 methyl jasmonate than in control treatment. The maximum inflorescence diameter was observed in 400 mg L−1 salicylic acid. This study confirmed that the studied sources of Si, salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate increased marketable quality of cut gerbera flowers.
Mohammad Javad Nazarideljou; Masoud Azizi
Abstract
Scape bending disorder is the most important factor affecting postharvest loss of gerbera cut flowers. One of the ultimate reasons for gerbera stem bending is lignin, with deformation structural functions and defensive mechanisms. This postharvest experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of phenylalanine ...
Read More
Scape bending disorder is the most important factor affecting postharvest loss of gerbera cut flowers. One of the ultimate reasons for gerbera stem bending is lignin, with deformation structural functions and defensive mechanisms. This postharvest experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes activity in stem bending of two gerbera cultivars; (‘Beaudine’ (sensitive)) and (‘Aqua’(resistant)). This experiment was based on a completely randomized design with three replications over eight days. Results showed the significant effects of cultivar on stem bending percentage, total phenol content, PAL and POD enzyme activities and lignin content (P<0.05). The ‘Aqua’ cultivar had the highest phenol and lignin content and the lowest stem bending percentage. The maximum and the minimum PAL and POD enzyme activities were observed in resistant and sensitive cultivars, respectively. Based on the results, induction of PAL and POD enzymes activity, and consequently lignin formation could have direct effects on stem strength and as a result reduce gerbera stem bending disorder.
Mohammad Moghaddam; Seyed Naser Khaleghi Miran; Leila Mehdizadeh
Abstract
Fumaria vaillantii (Fumariaceae) is an annual plant which is growing in a wide diversity area of Iran which has been used traditionally in the folk medicine. Antioxidants have great importance to reduce oxidative stress and prevention of damage to biological molecules. The present study was designed ...
Read More
Fumaria vaillantii (Fumariaceae) is an annual plant which is growing in a wide diversity area of Iran which has been used traditionally in the folk medicine. Antioxidants have great importance to reduce oxidative stress and prevention of damage to biological molecules. The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Fumaria vaillantii L. by using three different methods including 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Phosphomolybdenum complex at three different growth stages. In addition, total phenolic contents of the extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method. According to the obtained results, the total phenol contents of aerial parts harvested at vegetative, budding and flowering stages were 68.38, 71.11 and 56.42 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were decreased from vegetative to flowering stages in DPPH and FRAP methods. In conclusion, ethanolic extract from vegetative stage of Iranian F. vaillantii can be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants for food and pharmaceutical industries.
Bita Sharifi; Davood Naderi
Abstract
Tuberose is one of the most important aromatic cut flower among ornamental plants that its growth and quality is influenced by the type and percentage of mineral compounds in the substrate. This study was carried out on the basis of a randomized complete design to explore the impact of feldspar, talc, ...
Read More
Tuberose is one of the most important aromatic cut flower among ornamental plants that its growth and quality is influenced by the type and percentage of mineral compounds in the substrate. This study was carried out on the basis of a randomized complete design to explore the impact of feldspar, talc, dolomite and tuff minerals at the rate of 10, 20 and 40% incorporated with garden soil and manure on some quantitative and qualitative traits of Tuberose plants. The results showed that the highest stem diameter, floret number, root fresh and dry weight were obtained from plants grown in garden soil + dolomite + manure at the ratios of 40:40:20% and 60:20:20%. The highest stem length, floret fresh weight, content of chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were detected in the plants treated with garden soil + talc and manure (40:40:20%). Highest daughter bulb perimeter, total bulb weight, and floret dry weight were obtained from plants treated with garden soil + feldspar + manure (40:40:20%). Highest floret length and width were seen in plants grown in garden soil + tuff + manure (70:10:20%) and garden soil + talc + manure (60:20:20%). Plants that were grown in garden soil + feldspar + manure at the ratios of 70:10:20% and 60:20:20% had the highest chlorophyll a content and the lowest daughter bulb perimeter, stem length and width, floret dry weight, width and number of floret, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content respectively. Highest root dry weight was measured in control (garden soil + manure 80:20%) and the lowest root fresh and dry weights and volume were recorded for plants grown in garden soil + tuff mineral soil + manure (40:40:20%). Overall, the use of talc, dolomite, and feldspar at the ratio of 40% as Mg and K supplying minerals can improve growth and biochemical parameters of the Tuberose plant.
Somayeh Esmaeili; Hassan Salehi; Morteza Khosh-Khui
Abstract
Landscape groundcover plants are a diverse group of trailing or spreading species that naturally form continuous soil coverage.Ground cover plants that were used in this study consisted of vegetative propagules of: Vinca minor L. ٬Variegatum’, Vinca minor L. ٬Green’, Oxalis brasiliensis ...
Read More
Landscape groundcover plants are a diverse group of trailing or spreading species that naturally form continuous soil coverage.Ground cover plants that were used in this study consisted of vegetative propagules of: Vinca minor L. ٬Variegatum’, Vinca minor L. ٬Green’, Oxalis brasiliensis G. Lodd, Trifolium repens L., Phyla nodiflora L. and Frankenia thymifolia Desf. The aim of this study was to compare some physiological and biochemical responses of each species used under seasonal changes in Shiraz climatic conditions. Several factors including chlorophyll and relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage (EL), proline content, soluble sugars and starch levels and antioxidant enzyme activities of these ground covers were investigated. Results showed that chlorophyll and RWC content were decreased in all ground cover plants during summer time. Furthermore, considerable seasonal variations in antioxidant enzyme activities were detected in all of the studied plants. The highest activity of CAT was obtained in summer, while SOD, POD and APX had their highest activities in autumn and winter seasons. Proline concentration in F. thymifolia was higher than the other species, especially in mid-winter. According to the results of this research, it appears that plants show different mechanisms against natural adverse environmental conditions. It can be concluded that F. thymifolia and P. nodiflora are well-matched with warm season and T. repens and V. minor are well-matched with cool season environmental conditions. Therefore, these plants can be recommended for cultivation in Shiraz green space and the same conditions elsewhere.
