University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria as Drought Stress Alleviators for Achillea santolina L. 647 658 97636 10.22059/ijhst.2024.372261.772 EN Samaneh Samavat Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran Mahdiyeh Salehi Vozhdehnazari Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2024 02 06 Drought stress mitigation may involve multiple strategies that engage plants physiologically, one of which is the application of beneficial rhizobacteria that enhance plant tolerance. This study aimed to assess the ability of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to improve the growth and physiology of Achillea santolina (Santalin yarrow) under drought stress. The interaction effects of PSB (Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates FRPF4, FRPF6, and FRPF12) (at 107 CFU mL^-1) and drought stress (30, 50, and 80% field capacity) appeared in a factorial test based on a completely randomized design located in a greenhouse (n=3; P<0.05). Several vegetative and physiological parameters came under study at full flowering. Measurable growth factors were plant shoot height, canopy diameter, root length, and fresh and dry weights. The results revealed a significant decrease in all growth parameters under drought stress. However, PSB isolates, especially FRPF4, significantly mitigated the adverse effects of stress on vegetative factors. Drought stress significantly affected the leaf samples by increasing their total soluble sugars (TSS), free proline, total flavonoids (TF), and DPPH contents. Drought-stressed plants inoculated with the PSB isolates showed a significant decrease in free proline and DPPH concentrations. However, the TSS and TF contents increased in the stressed plants treated with PSB isolates. Carotenoid, chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll contents also decreased in the stressed plants. However, these factors increased in plants treated with PSB isolates in response to water-deficit stress. Thus, PSB isolates may mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress on Santalin yarrow plants through several direct and indirect mechanisms.  https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_97636_d1f3223703b2e98ae0fb2eda17a483e7.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Effects of Chitosan and Salicylic Acid with Mallow and Aloe vera Extracts on Enzyme Activities in Citrus unshiu Tangerines 659 666 97944 10.22059/ijhst.2024.367368.718 EN Amir Mokhtarpour Bazmin Abadi Department of Horticulture, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran Abdol Rasool Zakerin Department of Horticulture, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran Behnam Behroznam Department of Horticulture, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran Abdolhossinein Abotalebi Jahromi Department of Horticulture, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran Abdolhossein Mohammadi Jahromi Department of Horticulture, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran Journal Article 2023 10 29 Products without synthetic chemicals are of global interest due to the presence of active compounds such as phenolic substances and their antioxidant properties. This research applied various concentrations of chitosan, salicylic acid, Aloe vera gel, and mallow mucilage treatments on Citrus unshiu tangerines. The research aim was to find their best concentrations, leading to optimal fruit quality maintenance. The experiments were in a factorial design and laid out as a completely randomized block in a research orchard at Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch. The experimental treatments were chitosan (0.5, 1, and 1.5%), salicylic acid (SA: 1, 1.5, and 2 mM), A. vera gel (15, 30, and 45%), and mallow mucilage (15, 30, and 45%). Treatment applications were applied in immersion form, followed by storage at four storage periods (0, 15, 30, and 45 days) for 45 days. Total protein content and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activities were investigated in the experiment. The results showed that chitosan 1.5%, A. vera gel (30% and 45%), and 2 mM SA prevented total protein degradation and improved POD activities during 45 days of storage. However, they had no significant effect on SOD and CAT activity. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_97944_e1daf306f2efe79f0e908c60c9057cda.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Effects of Different Scions on Macronutrient Resorption of Mango Kensington Pride Rootstock 667 676 97635 10.22059/ijhst.2024.372040.773 EN Dakshina Yadav Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Plant Industry, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia AMIT Yadav Department of Information and Technology (IT), Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Journal Article 2024 02 07 Nutrient resorption is a process of nutrient remobilization from senesced organs to living tissues inside a plant. Since the Northern Territory (NT) has relatively poor soil conditions and a limited supply of plant nutrients, it is crucial to determine suitable scions for efficient macronutrient resorption in the Kensington Pride (KP) mango rootstock. The scions used in this study were NMBP 1201 (T1), NMBP 1243 (T2), NMBP 4069 (T3), B74 (T4), and KP (T5). The experiment occurred in a randomized, complete block design with five treatments and five replicates. The results showed that grafting the B74 scion onto the KP rootstock resulted in trees with reduced canopy area (65.76 ± 4.39b) and volume (48.43 ± 4.92b), indicating its suitability for narrow-planting distance to produce more mangoes in a smaller area. Grafting the B74 scion onto the KP resulted in a larger leaf area (6.52 ± 1.36), ultimately increasing nutrient resorption efficiency, which is beneficial in nutrient-deficient soils like in the NT. NMBP 4069 scions grafted onto the KP rootstock had a larger canopy area (87.47 ± 5.37a) and canopy volume (72.23 ± 6.21a). These trees need more space to grow and have lower nutrient resorption efficiency, owing to their smaller leaf area. The scions NMBP 1201 and NMBP 1243 displayed comparable growth metrics and nutrient resorption efficiency when grafted onto the KP. Scions of the B74 can be highly suitable to withstand diverse environmental conditions, optimize nutrient use, and increase fruit yield on a commercial level.  https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_97635_758a284bae495edd625ae548fc4757c1.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Evaluation of Metallic Nanoparticles and Plant Growth Regulators Affecting Catharanthus roseus L. Performance under Water-Deficit Stress 677 692 98057 10.22059/ijhst.2024.368022.726 EN Babak Sepehri Department of Agriculture, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran Hamid-Reza Tohidi-Moghadam Department of Agriculture, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran Farshad Ghooshchi Department of Agriculture, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran Meysam Oveysi Department of Agriculture, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran Pourang Kasraie Department of Agriculture, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran Journal Article 2023 11 12 This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nanoparticle fertilizers and plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments on Catharanthus roseus (L.) plants under water-deficit stress. Plant growth and yield were evaluated in two consecutive years (2018-2019 and 2019-2020). This experiment was performed as a split factorial plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main factor was irrigation at three levels (full irrigation, mild, and severe water-deficit stress). The subfactors included priming with PGRs (not priming, auxin, gibberellic acid, and cytokinin) and foliar application of nanoparticles (water, nano Zn particles, nano Mg particles, and nano Zn particles + nano Mg particles). The results showed that water-deficit stress decreased total chlorophyll content, plant height, number of flowers, and shoot dry weight. However, plants primed with PGRs had higher plant height, lateral branches, and shoot dry weights than the control. The highest vinblastine (0.0091%) and agmatine content (0.667%) occurred in response to severe water-deficit stress and ZnO (1 mg L^-1) + MgO (0.5 mg L^-1). Moreover, stem diameter and lateral branches had the highest value without priming with plant growth regulators but with ZnO application (1 mg L^-1) + MgO (0.5 mg L^-1). In contrast, priming with gibberellic acid and foliar application of ZnO (1 mg L^-1) + MgO (0.5 mg L^-1) increased the agmatine content. The current study suggested nanoparticles and PGRs can enhance Catharanthus roseus tolerance to water-deficit conditions. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_98057_703636572f1b7b7b1dac1c6c5b51cbe1.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Enhancing Morpho-phytochemical Properties of Catharanthus roseus L. var. ‘Ocellatus’ via Plant Growth Regulators 693 706 97695 10.22059/ijhst.2024.368380.731 EN Elham Jafarpour Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran Azizollah Kheiry Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran Mohsen Sanikhani Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran Farhang Razavi Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran Journal Article 2023 11 26 Catharanthus roseus L. is a valuable medicinal plant renowned for its potent anticancer compounds, i.e., vincristine and vinblastine. The efficient mass production of this plant can be challenging due to limitations in conventional propagation methods. Tissue culture techniques offer a promising alternative, and optimizing plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments can play a crucial role in achieving successful in vitro propagation. In this study, we investigated the effects of several PGR combinations, i.e., NAA, BAP, and 2,4-D, on the morpho-phytochemical attributes and antioxidant activity of in vitro grown Catharanthus roseus L. var. ‘Ocellata’. The plants were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results demonstrated that applying PGRs, either alone or in combination, significantly improved the morphological characteristics. The NAA treatment caused the highest plant height, number of branches and leaves, and root diameter. Notably, the treatment with 2,4-D resulted in the highest photosynthetic pigment content compared to the control. Moreover, the treatments with NAA + BAP and NAA + BAP + 2,4-D exhibited the highest levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in both roots and leaves. Regarding antioxidant activity, the DPPH radical scavenging assay revealed the highest radical scavenging percentages, i.e., 74.21% (NAA + 2,4-D) in leaf samples and 78.08% (NAA + 2,4-D) in root samples. These findings emphasize the potency of PGRs in optimizing tissue culture protocols for Catharanthus roseus L., thus facilitating the production of superior-quality plants with enriched medicinal properties. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainable and efficient cultivation of bioactive compounds from Catharanthus roseus L. using tissue culture techniques.  https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_97695_59395a3902fc592f164027891f4dc893.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Hybrid VGG16-Xception Model vs. Single Architecture Transfer Learning for Flower Image Classification 707 726 98120 10.22059/ijhst.2024.371533.758 EN Ravikiran H K Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan-573217, Karnataka, India Jayanth J Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, GSSSIETW, Mysuru-570016, Karnataka, India Wilfred John Vaz Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan-573217, Karnataka, India Sathisha M S Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan-573217, Karnataka, India Prashantha S J Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan-573217, Karnataka, India 0000-0003-2123-4490 Madhu K M Department of Civil Engineering, Rajeev Institute of Technology, Hassan-573201, Karnataka, India 0000-0003-2123-4490 Journal Article 2024 01 22 In recent years, the application of deep learning models has significantly advanced the field of computer vision, enabling automated recognition and classification of various objects, including flowers. This research begins with exploring two distinct pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs): VGG16 and Xception. Each model has architecture and performance characteristics that are analyzed and compared to establish a baseline for flower species classification. To enhance classification performance further, we introduce a hybrid model that fuses the extracted features from VGG16 and Xception. These features are concatenated and fed into a dense layer with ReLU activation, followed by a softmax classifier, which leverages the combined knowledge of hybrid models to classify various species of flowers accurately. Experimental results are presented on a benchmark flower dataset from Kaggle, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid model in achieving state-of-the-art classification accuracy. The results highlight the performance of the proposed hybrid model for 25 epochs with 512 dense layers, showcasing a remarkable state-of-the-art classification accuracy of 91.20% on the Kaggle flower dataset. The comprehensive evaluation includes quantitative metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, highlighting how robust the model is and its generalization capabilities. The findings in this research can assist in developing deep learning-based flower species classification systems.  https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_98120_79e9b7e72650884723f40ad8140cc5af.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Colored Benches Increase Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Gas Exchange in Baby Leaf Kale 727 738 98121 10.22059/ijhst.2024.372574.776 EN Thaise Dantas State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil Edilson Costa State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil Silvana De Paula Quintão Scalon Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil Tassila Aparecida Do Nascimento De Araújo State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil Flávio Ferreira Da Silv A Binotti State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil Eduardo Pradi Vendruscolo State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil Gustavo Haralampidou Da Costa Vieira State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil Murilo Battis-tuzzi Martins State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil 0000-0002-8759-0917 Sandro Marcio Lima State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brazil Luis Humberto Da Cunha Andrade State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brazil Journal Article 2024 02 14 Light quality and intensity determine the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange, reflecting plant growth and yield. This study evaluated growth, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange in baby leaf kale on colored reflective cultivation benches. In a greenhouse, we evaluated five cultivation benches with colored laminated reflective materials (Fórmicas®), representing a control bench without reflective material and benches with bright white, yellow, red, and blue reflective laminates in two production cycles. The white bench was the most effective in increasing photosynthetic active radiation in both cycles. Cultivation benches with white, yellow, red, and blue reflective material increased the number of leaves, fresh matter, dry matter, and total aerial parts concerning the control bench in both production cycles. The reflective bright blue laminate on the cultivation bench increased the chlorophyll a, b, total (a + b), and carotenoid content of baby leaf kale plants in both cycles. Using reflective materials, regardless of color, during periods of lower<br />radiation or on a white bench at times of higher radiation increased growth, leaf productivity, and the production of photosynthetic pigments in baby leaf kale. In both cycles, the blue bench stimulated the production of photosynthetic pigments, especially carotenoids.  https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_98121_7b73f39f8f4c7a1e9ad816539e49c110.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Photosynthesis, Water Use Efficiency, and Growth Responses of Two Lettuce Cultivars to Different Cover Crop Species 739 748 98148 10.22059/ijhst.2024.365052.692 EN Murillo Ribeiro Freitas Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Pamela Stephany Jennings Cunha Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Eduardo Pradi Vendruscolo Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Cássio De Castro Seron Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Murilo Battistuzi Martins Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil 0000-0002-8759-0917 Sebastião Ferreira De Lima Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Chapadão do Sul, Brazil Fracisco Ignacio Mej&iacute;as Gaete Faulted de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile Fernanda Pacheco De Almeida Prado Bortolheiro Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Journal Article 2023 09 08 A high demand for lettuce, combined with a growing appeal for the sustainability of production processes, requires changes in production techniques. In such a context, no-till practices appear as a conservation alternative. The current work evaluated the development and productivity of lettuce crops in a no-tillage system. The experiment had four treatments, i.e., conventional management, millet, sunn hemp, and a combination of covers, comprising millet and sunn hemp. Two lettuce cultivars, Pira Roxa and Valentina, were used in this research. The experimental design was set in randomized blocks, with three replications. Physiological, biometric, and productive characteristics were considered, including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, CO2 concentration, transpiration, water use efficiency, relative chlorophyll content, head diameter, fresh weight, and productivity. In the Valentina cultivar, there was an increase in the photosynthetic rate when using straw, regardless of the cover plant species. In the cultivar Pira Roxa, the photosynthetic rate was higher without the presence of straw, causing an increase in water use efficiency in the presence of straw. Higher transpiration and head diameter were found in treatments that included all cover plant species in the soil. In addition, fresh weight, leaf count, and productivity increased when using millet straw and the combination for the Valentina cultivar. Regardless of the cover crop or the arrangement between cover plants, the presence of straw on the soil increased the gas exchange capacity in plants, resulting in productive gains. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_98148_9db379b7df4b8b63d382378d0a02bf1b.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Photosynthetic Pigments and Growth of Guaraci Cumari do Pará Pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) Seedlings on Growth Benches with Different Color Wavelengths 749 758 97945 10.22059/ijhst.2024.372767.778 EN Fernanda Pacheco De Almeida Prado Bortolheiro Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Kelly Gabriela Pereira Da Silva Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Giovana Pinheiro Viana Da Silva Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Murilo Battistuzi Martins Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil 0000-0002-8759-0917 Edilson Costa Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Eduardo Pradi Vendruscolo Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Fernanda Cristina Silva Ribeiro Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Flávio Ferreira Da Silva Binotti Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Gustavo Haralam Pidou Da Costa Vieira Mato Grosso do Sul State University, Cassilândia, Brazil Journal Article 2024 02 17 Quality seedlings can guarantee the establishment of a productive crop, and, at the same time, light quality makes it possible to increase photosynthetic pigments. This study evaluated plant pigments along with the growth of Guaraci Cumari do Pará ornamental pepper seedlings on different-colored benches that emitted specific wavelengths. The wavelengths appeared from different reflective colored laminates (reflective bright blue laminate, reflective bright red laminate, reflective bright white laminate, reflective bright yellow laminate, and a control treatment without reflective material) on growth benches considered as treatments. The treatments were in a completely randomized design with six replications. The white laminate increased the photosynthetic-active radiation inside the experimental environment by 16.6%. The blue laminate promoted quality in pepper seedlings similar to the control bench regarding growth parameters, such as seedling height, stem diameter, and dry matter. However, the seedlings in the control bench had a higher quality index. The wavelengths promoted by the blue, red, and yellow laminates increased the production of chlorophyll a (41, 49, and 44%), chlorophyll b (36, 34, and 31%), and total chlorophyll (39, 45, and 40%) in the Guaraci Cumari do Pará pepper seedlings compared to the control. The color of laminates on the cultivation benches reflected different levels of photosynthetic-active radiation, influencing the traits of photosynthetic pigments in the Guaraci Cumari do Pará pepper seedlings. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_97945_1eff6e159d213de5dd98c378f8ef9407.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Morpho-physiological Alterations in Capsicum annuum L. by the False Root-knot Nematode Nacobbus aberrans 759 770 98153 10.22059/ijhst.2024.371619.760 EN Valeria F. Bernardo Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina Sebastian A. Garita Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina Matias A. Gonzalez Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina Maria C. Arango Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina Mario C.N. Saparrat Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina Marcela F. Ruscitti Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales - UNNOBA, Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina 0000-0002-1173-1760 Journal Article 2024 01 24 <em>Nacobbus aberrans</em> is a phytoparasitic nematode responsible for significant losses in numerous horticultural crops. For this reason, it is considered a major economic pest in several countries. This work focuses on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes in pepper plants due to N. aberrans parasitism. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions. A significant reduction in growth was observed in the inoculated plants, showing less accumulation of dry matter in aerial parts and roots. The leaves of the inoculated plants showed lower chlorophyll and soluble protein contents than the non-inoculated plants. Net photosynthesis and transpiration decreased, thus reducing water use efficiency in the inoculated plants. Stomatal conductance in the inoculated plants was also lower. The penetration of mobile forms of N. aberrans in the roots damaged cell membranes, as evidenced by a more profuse release of electrolytes that, in turn, increased relative conductivity. Malondialdehyde content was higher in the roots and leaves of inoculated plants than in plants without nematodes. An increase in the catalase activity and peroxidase enzymes was observed in plants infected by N. aberrans. The loss of functionality in inoculated roots caused drought stress and culminated in reduced plant growth. This was also confirmed by a greater accumulation of proline and sugars, metabolites used as osmoregulators in water-deficit situations. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_98153_cfcef6ac8de38df94a1390510545cb76.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Morphological and Biochemical Evaluation of Resistance in Some Vine Rootstocks to Cicadatra Ochreata Melichar 771 780 100797 10.22059/ijhst.2024.374734.819 EN Amin Ardjmand Department of Horticulture Science and Agronomy, science and research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Valiollah Rasoli Horticultural Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Fahmideh St. Karaj, Iran Babak Gharali Plant Pathology Department, Qazvin Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Qazvin, Iran. Vahid Abdossi Department of Horticulture science and agronomy, science and research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Raheleh Ebrahimi Department of Horticulture science and agronomy, science and research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2024 04 05 Cicadas (Cicadatra ochreata Melichar) are active in Iran, Afghanistan, southern Russia, Turkey, and Iraq. This pest stunts grapevine growth and dries out temperate fruit trees. This research was carried out to evaluate four grapevine rootstocks' morphological and biochemical resistance to the Cicadas. The evaluated rootstocks were Spoota, Nazemiyeh, Kober5BB, and CH1. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications and three vine rootstocks per experimental unit. Next to each grapevine stem were five Cicada egg-laying branches to settle in the root zone after hatching. Each grapevine's root zone was checked for 2-3-year-old Cicada nymphs in autumn. Additionally, the rootstock roots were sampled for measurement of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid concentration, proline, and soluble sugar. The Spoota rootstock had the highest nymph establishment rate (3.3%), and the CH1 rootstock was the lowest. Kober5BB showed no nymph establishment. None of the rootstocks exhibited delay in germination and growth impairments. Total carbohydrates (4.03 mg g−1) were highest in Kober 5BB and lowest in Nazemiyeh. The CH1 rootstock has the highest total phenol amount (4.86 mg g−1), and the Nazemiyeh rootstock has the lowest (3.1 mg g−1). The highest amount of total flavonoids was observed in the CH1 rootstock (1.67 mg g−1), while the lowest (0.54 mg g−1) was in the Nazemiyeh rootstock. There were no significant differences in proline root content in grapevine rootstocks. This test indicated the Kober 5BB rootstock is resistant, the CH1 rootstock is highly tolerant, and the Nazemiyeh and Spoota were relatively tolerant to Cicadas. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100797_bf9462ee78f0ff819c3858010d95505f.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Vegetative Growth, Tuber Yield, and Yield Components of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as Influenced by Earthing up and Inflorescence Removal 781 796 100798 10.22059/ijhst.2024.375172.824 EN Dres Mosneh Wudu Mekdela Amba University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Horticulture, Tulu Awliya, Ethiopia Melkamu Workineh Kassa Debre Markos University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Horticulture, Ethiopia, Belete Negash Tessema Debre Markos University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Horticulture, Ethiopia Journal Article 2024 04 16 Inappropriate agronomic practices, such as earthing up and inflorescence removal, are responsible for the great discrepancy between the potential and achievable yields of potato in Ethiopia. To assess the effects of the combination on vegetative growth, tuber yield, and yield components of potato, a factorial combination of four earthing up rounds (without, one, two, and three rounds) and three inflorescence removal levels (without removal, bud removal, and flower removal) was used in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The total number of marketable and unmarketable tubers hill-1; the marketable and unmarketable tuber weights hill-1; and the number of small, medium, and large-sized tubers; marketable, unmarketable, and total tuber yields significantly differed in terms of the combined effects of factors. The maximum marketable tuber number hill-1 (10.07), the highest marketable tuber weight (708.67 g hill-1), the highest number of medium-sized tubers (6.95), the large-sized number of tubers (4.48), the marketable tuber yield (31.49 t ha-1), and the total tuber yield (33.08 t ha-1) were all associated with bud removal combined with three rounds of earthing up. Thus, this combination of treatments can be advised for potato production. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100798_e2c9a2ac9f0eb801939648949169a7db.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Investigating the possibility of using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) method in Coffee Beans Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid (CGA) Determination by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) 797 810 100569 10.22059/ijhst.2024.376011.841 EN Kusumiyati Kusumiyati Master Program of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia Agus Arip Munawar Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia 0000-0003-3951-4386 Andasuryani Andasuryani Department of Agricultural Engineering and Biosystem, Andalas University, Limau Manis, Padang, 25163, Indonesia Journal Article 2024 05 02 The improvement of research on the prediction of coffee beans quality by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers the benefit of high efficiency and precision. The objective of this study was to utilize NIRS to estimate caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) levels in coffee beans sourced from two distinct geographical areas. While models were typically customized for specific products, broadening their applicability had the potential to increase productivity. This multivariate analysis used a total of 50 samples, including both Arabica and Robusta varieties. The results showed a caffeine model with coefficient of correlation in calibration set (Rcal), root mean square error in calibration set (RMSEC), coefficient of correlation in cross-validation set (Rcv), root mean square error in cross-validation set (RMSECV), and ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) values of 0.85, 0.30, 0.82, 0.31, and 2.21, respectively. Simultaneously, the CGA model produced values of 0.88, 0.61, 0.88, 0.65, and 2.18. The wavelengths at 1122, 1452, 1682, and 1950 nm showed a close association with caffeine and water, while 1415, 1718, and 1909 nm correlated with CGA. The investigation showed that the accuracy of the model was satisfactory. The application of NIRS for predicting caffeine and CGA in coffee beans held significant potential as an alternative to conventional laboratory analysis methods. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100569_80bbb8648203f357b8f76f9066e55a55.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Prediction of the Parental Phenotype of Commercial Tomato Hybrid (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Queen) using Progeny Phenotypic Ratio 811 820 100570 10.22059/ijhst.2024.376092.843 EN Atena Heydarian University of guilan Jamal-Ali Olfati University of Guilan, Faculty of Agriculture, Horticultural Department 0000-0002-5485-8884 Hedayat Zakizadeh استادیار، دانشگاه گیلان، دانشکده کشاورزی، گروه باغبانی، گیاهان زینتی، بیوتکنولوژی انتقال ژن Fatemeh Rahimi-Ajdadi University of Guilan Journal Article 2024 05 04 The aim of the present research is to predict the phenotypic description of Queen's commercial hybrid parents. In this research, the Queen variety (salad tomato) was cultivated as a desirable cultivar in Iran during 2022. In the following year (2023), after selfing, the seeds obtained from the ripe fruits of this variety were collected and planted again with hybrid seeds, and their desired traits were recorded. Based on the similarity with the parents, genotypes 10, 22, 23, 32, and 48 were selected for component 1, and genotypes 1, 2, 11, 14, 15, 21, 28, 38, 42, 43, 45, 47, 53, 54, 58 and 74 were selected for component 2. The Queen hybrid was expected to be obtained from crossing individual plants similar to these groups. Among the candidate individuals, and according to the simulation of qualitative traits and the genetic distance between individuals (considered the maximum distance for hybrid production), we expect genotype 22 to be the most similar plant to one parent and genotype 1 and 2 to another parent. These genotype progenies were considered for future developement to reach recombinant inbred lines and finally hybrids similar to Queen. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100570_1996a86b4129fbe3a7fd302708a272f1.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Plant disease forecasting: A comprehensive review 821 834 100800 10.22059/ijhst.2024.377298.858 EN Sangeetha B Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore Adlin Pricilla Vasanthi E Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore Sumaiya Parveen Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences Journal Article 2024 05 31 Plant diseases are becoming a serious constraint on crop production and are increasing worldwide every year. Therefore, managing all crop diseases has become more difficult. The use of fungicides has also been increasing in recent years. Forecasting serves as a preventive tool against several epidemic diseases. With the help of forecasting techniques, fungicides can be applied precisely and on schedule at specific times, thereby limiting the spread of the disease. Climate change is one of the causes of these epidemics; fluctuations in temperature can intensify the spread of pests and diseases. This has led to serious economic losses, including famine, and has weakened the economies of various nations. The majority of forecasting development has focused on airborne diseases. Crop diseases are a major threat to food security, as they can cause significant yield losses, reduce the quality of produce, and, in severe cases, lead to total crop failure. This directly affects the availability and affordability of food, posing challenges to both producers and consumers. To mitigate these impacts, plant disease forecasting plays a critical role in disease management. The main goal of plant disease forecasting is to provide timely and accurate predictions about disease outbreaks, helping farmers to manage and reduce the impact on crops. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100800_37043d3030d0358fe11af72149023402.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 The influence of inbreeding on Petunia hybrida 835 846 100802 10.22059/ijhst.2024.377657.863 EN Leyla Cheheltanan PhD Student, Department of Horticultural Science and landscape, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Ali Tehranifar Professor, Department of Horticultural Science and landscape, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Mahmood Shoor Department of Horticultural science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Hossein Nemati Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Science and landscape, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Saeed Khosravi PhD Student, Department of Horticultural Science and landscape, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran Journal Article 2024 06 06 Inbreeding affects ornamental traits by increasing homozygosity, and in many cases, inbreeding depression due to selfing. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of inbreeding on the expression of traits in five different genotypes of Petunia. Seeds of Petunia hybrida grandiflora Burgundy, Petunia hybrida grandiflora Blue, Petunia hybrida supercascade White, Petunia hybrida supercascade Red, and Petunia hybrida milliflora Rose morn, along with seeds from three successive selfing generations (S1, S2, and S3), were cultivated. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad from 2021 to 2023. Comparisons among different generations were performed for the five genotypes. The results indicated a significant impact of inbreeding on the reduction of flower diameter, flower count, germination percent, and total flavonoid and anthocyanin contents. This reduction became more pronounced with an increase in inbreeding generations to the extent that the most significant decrease occurred in S3. In contrast, inbreeding resulted in increased corolla tube length, stem height to the first flower, and mean germination time. Petunia hybrida supercascade white was significantly affected by selfing, with reductions of 26.17 %, 71.32 %, and 77.77% in flower diameter, flower count, and germination percent, respectively, due to inbreeding. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100802_86a3f6399ea3b1e47fe0367eca9ab3cd.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Qualitative Characteristics of Indigenous Musa Varieties: A Step for Conserving Biodiversity and Promoting Sustainable Use 847 862 102289 10.22059/ijhst.2024.378619.872 EN RITAMBHARA BHUTANI 29/12, Shastri nagar ganaur Susmita Shukla AIB, Amity University, Amity Rd, Taramla Raman Scientific Consultant Dpt. Of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Eroisemba, nCAU, Imphal, India Shiv Kant Shukla F-905, Aditya Urban Casa sector 78 Journal Article 2024 06 27 In vitro cultivation as a complex process depends on various parameters, such as plant genetics, culture media composition, stage of development and age of the tissue, mode of introduction, sample size, and hormonal influences. Ranked as the fourth most essential global food crop and the fourth most important crop in India, after wheat, rice, and maize, bananas provide considerable benefits through in vitro propagation. This technique improves the number of plantlets, maintains physiological consistency, and guarantees continuous plant production while being free from diseases throughout the year. Southeast Asia is a cultivation hub of various banana types, including pisang in Malaysia and Indonesia and kluai in Thailand. India has three prominent banana-producing regions, i.e., southern, western, and eastern India, while the demand for banana production remains substantial. Only some native cultivars, such as red banana and poovan, are commercially reproduced, while jatikhol, honda, and bhimkol remain unexplored. These indigenous Musa varieties possess considerable nutritional and therapeutic worth, containing a wide range of macro and micronutrients, making them vital energy sources. However, limited techniques exist for cultivating disease-free plants of these indigenous kinds by in vitro regeneration, commercialization, and transgenic procedures. This article emphasizes the significance of in vitro regeneration, preservation, and development of true-to-type banana plants while focusing on the conservation and sustainability of banana production via tissue culture. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_102289_6a84aa22a28e5dba8434fc8ddfcf39d8.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Impact of Drought Stress and Foliar Application of Growth Regulators on Yield and Steviol Glycosides in Two Stevia Species 863 880 100153 10.22059/ijhst.2025.384893.957 EN Ali Ghaderi Department of Horticultural, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran 0000-0002-8438-4640 Mohammad Moghadam Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Iran Shahram Rezvan Agriculture, Production and Technology of Herbal Medicines Research Center, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran Journal Article 2024 11 05 The combined application of selenium (Se) and diverse plant growth regulators, particularly under drought stress, represents a crucial strategy for augmenting secondary metabolite synthesis in medicinal plants. This study conducted using a split-split-plot factorial design was used within a randomized complete block design containing three replications in diverse climatic regions such as Varamin, Firuzabad, and Gorgan. This study aims to assess irrigation treatments (90 ± 5% and 25 ± 5% field capacity) as main plots and foliar applications involving Se and plant growth regulators (Strigolactone: SLs and Forchlorfenuron: CPPU) as well as various Stevia genotypes (Indian and Chinese) were incorporated as subplots. Severe drought stress reduced the yield of multiple plants at all sites, while increasing the proline content in the Chinese genotype. Foliar spray treatments, especially the combined application of Se, CPPU, and SLs, improved relative water content and mitigated drought-induced declines in chlorophyll content. The combined application of Se + SLs + CPPU under drought stress conditions enhanced Stevia leaf yield in the Indian genotype significantly. In addition, such treatments positively impacted steviol glycosides (SvGls) content and yield, especially under drought stress conditions. Comparing Stevia genotypes indicated the superior performance of the Indian genotype in terms of relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, as well as SvGls content and yield. However, the Chinese genotype exhibited superior enzyme activity levels. Based on the results, Se application under drought stress conditions enhances the activity of catalase and peroxidase, resulting in improving plant yield while mitigating the adverse effects of drought stress. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100153_21841983c6eb60fcc9e485f16f2fd8de.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Comparative Morphological Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Callus Induced from in vitro-grown Leaf Explants of Solanecio biafrae 881 890 100796 10.22059/ijhst.2024.374632.817 EN Oluwakemi Adetutu Bello Plant Science Research Cluster, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Canaan Land, Ota. Ogun State. Nigeria Olatunde Fajimi National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Edward Babatunde Esan Retired Professor G.P.O 2742 Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria Olawole Odun Obembe UNESCO Chair-holder Plant Science Research Cluster, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Canaan Land, Ota. Ogun State. Nigeria 0000-0002-0396-0483 Journal Article 2024 04 02 Callus culture is a technique of plant tissue culture system employed for obtaining secondary metabolites utilized in agrochemicals, biopesticides, colourants, flavours, food additives, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals. Callus varies in form and texture. Its induction is influenced by explant types, growth medium composition, and growth regulator concentration/combination. In this study, leaf explants excised from in vitro-grown plantlets of Solanecio biafrae were placed on Murashige & Skoog media containing different concentrations of plant growth regulators to stimulate callus induction. At low concentrations of 2,4-D (1.0-5.0 mg L-1), friable callus majorly resulted. They vary in colour (cream and brown) with 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1 2,4-D having embryogenic calli. Green calli were obtained in the media containing 4.0 mg L-1 2,4-D + 1.0 mg L-1 BAP (compact), 1.0 mg L-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg L-1 kinetin, and 2.0 mg L-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg L-1 kinetin (friable). At varied concentrations of BAP (0.2–1.0 mg L-1), leaf explants enlarged and produced mostly cream and friable callus. Meanwhile when combined, 0.8 mg L-1 BAP+0.05 mg L-1 2,4-D and 1.0 mg L-1 BAP+0.05 mg L-1 2,4-D induced the highest frequency of callus. However, 0.4 mg L-1 BAP+0.10 mg L-1 NAA, 0.2 mg L-1 BAP+0.05 mg L-1 NAA, and 0.4 mg L-1 BAP+0.05 mg L-1 NAA induced no callus but formed roots. Also, 0.2 mg L-1 BAP+0.05 mg L-1 IBA (the lowest concentration) induced no callus response but was observed to root. The different callus types formed can be used for different applications. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100796_207b82270b4e825343908867ab93dcf5.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Effect of High Solar Radiation Stress on Endogenous Polyamine Content in Six Apple Cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh) 891 908 102287 10.22059/ijhst.2024.377280.857 EN Laura Inés Vita CITAAC (CONICET-UNCo), Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Cinco Saltos. Argentina. Nazarena Spera CITAAC (CONICET-UNCo), Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Cinco Saltos. Argentina Santiago Maiale INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Unidad de Biotecnología, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús. Chascomús. Argentina. Graciela María Colavita CITAAC (CONICET-UNCo), Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Cinco Saltos. Argentina Journal Article 2024 05 30 Polyamines are chemical polycations that play a critical role in the response to stress conditions. This study aimed to quantify the levels of free polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) and to examine their relationship with oxidative metabolism in the skin of apple (Malus domestica Borkh) fruit exhibiting symptoms of high solar radiation stress. The study focused on fruit from the cultivars 'Gala,' 'Red Delicious,' 'Fuji,' 'Cripp's Pink,' 'Golden Delicious,' and 'Granny Smith,' comparing fruit with mildly sunburned skin (Sb-1) to those with healthy skin (Sb-0), all collected at commercial harvest time. The results indicated that high solar radiation stress leads to an increase in polyamine content in Sb-1 fruit skin, with cultivar-specific variations. Notably, only the Sb-1 fruit of the 'Red Delicious' cultivar showed an increase in putrescine. Spermidine levels increased in Sb-1 across all cultivars except 'Golden Delicious,' while spermine levels significantly increased in the 'Fuji,' 'Cripp's Pink,' and 'Granny Smith' cultivars. Despite the observed increases in polyamine content, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity in Sb-1, these changes did not prevent increased lipid peroxidation, alterations in maturity indices, or the manifestation of sunburn symptoms in the affected tissue. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of polyamines in the response to high solar radiation stress, particularly in apple tissues. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_102287_3af29cd89e6a200b4859217065cc40d8.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Innovative Gelatin-Based Edible Coatings for Preserving Postharvest Quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Fruit 909 922 100575 10.22059/ijhst.2024.377804.864 EN Raziyeh Shahsavari Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Somayeh Rastegar Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Hormozgan, Bandarabbas, Iran. Journal Article 2024 06 09 Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a climacteric fruit with a short shelf life due to rapid ripening and postharvest decay. This study explores the efficacy of gelatin-based coatings (0.1% and 0.2%), enriched with pomegranate seed oil (0.05%), in extending the shelf life of guava fruits stored at 5 ± 1℃ (plus 5 days shelf life). The fruit quality parameters were evaluated after 7-, 14- and 21-days storage period. The results demonstrated that treatments with gelatin and pomegranate seed oil significantly reduced weight loss (4.5%) although the minimum weight loss was observed in the oil treatment (2.5%). All treatments effectively maintained the firmness of the samples and preserved high levels of total phenolic content and titratable acidity compared to the control group. Additionally, these treatments effectively lowered the respiration rate (0.4 ml/kg.h), thereby enhancing the overall quality and extending the shelf life of guava fruits. This study underscores the potential of gelatin-pomegranate seed oil coatings as a novel postharvest treatment for guava fruits. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100575_7e9a64e18a15ad86bc1bc903af54b056.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Sodium Alginate Coating with Pomegranate Seed Oil: A Novel Approach to Preserve Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Fruit 923 938 103230 10.22059/ijhst.2024.378966.877 EN Somayeh Rastegar Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Hormozgan, Bandarabbas, Iran. Mahbobeh Mohammadi Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Soheila Aghaei Dargiri Department of Horticulture Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran Journal Article 2024 07 05 Postharvest weight loss and color alteration are common quality deterioration issues in lime fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sodium alginate (SA) coatings (0.5% and 1%), both in separation and in conjunction with pomegranate seed oil (PSO), in maintaining the quality and freshness of Mexican lime fruits over a 24-day storage period, at 20 ± 2 ℃ and 50-60% relative humidity. Results showed that the control group had dehydrated and browned peels at the end of storage, while the SA (0.5%) + PSO treatment significantly maintained visual quality and prevented weight loss (12%) compared to control (19.8%). PSO alone prevented weight loss (12.5%) but increased fruit browning and decreased visual quality. Treated fruits effectively inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, with the SA (0.5%) + PSO treatment showing the lowest PPO activity, reducing it by around 41% compared to the control. The activity of the POD enzyme in SA (0.5%) + PSO and SA (1%) was approximately four times higher than the control group. All the treated fruits, excluding those treated with PSO, demonstrated a significant discrepancy in the a* level compared to the control group. Excluding the PSO treatment, the remaining treatments exhibited higher total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in comparison to the control at the end of storage. The results indicate that the utilization of the SA (0.5%) + PSO treatment can preserve the quality and freshness of Mexican lime fruit when stored at ambient temperature. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_103230_d3b90e1229ac4b28e9897dc9d340364a.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Unlocking the Drought-Relief Partnership: Exploring the Role of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Salep Gum in Alleviating Drought Stress in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) 939 952 100803 10.22059/ijhst.2024.380585.902 EN Maryam Seifikalhor Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII) Anahita Ahangir Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Mojgan Latifi Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Zahra Akbar-Tajari Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Seyedeh Batool Hassani Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Neda Nasiri Almanghadim Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2024 08 08 Drought stress is a critical factor limiting plant growth and productivity. In the present study, effects of three drought stress levels (40%, 60% and 80%) and application of salep gum (SG) and sulfate reductase bacteria (SRB) on various physiological parameters of lettuce plants were investigated. Drought stress significantly reduced germination percentage, whereas SG and SRB positively influenced germination, particularly under severe drought conditions. Root growth increased under 60% drought stress, while SG and SRB treatments exhibited positive effects under 80% drought stress. Leaf area decreased under 80% drought stress but increased with SG and SRB treatments under milder drought levels. Relative water content (RWC) decreased under mild and moderate drought stress, but increased under severe drought stress with all treatments, particularly SG. H2O2 levels increased under 80% drought stress with SG and SRB treatments, accompanied by a decrease in catalase (CAT) activity under 80% stress conditions. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased under 80% drought stress with SG treatment. Fv/Fm decreased under 80% stress but recovered with SG and SRB treatments. PiABS decreased with drought stress, while SG treatment increased Pi levels. ABS/RC and TRO/RC decreased with drought stress but increased with treatments under severe drought conditions. Overall, SG and SRB treatments positively affected germination, root growth, leaf area, RWC, H2O2 levels, Antioxidant enzyme activity and photosynthetic functionality under different drought stress conditions. These findings contribute to understanding plant responses to drought stress and suggest the potential of SG and SRB treatments for mitigating its negative effects. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100803_68389fed90d7c469a533ba6450c1e3af.pdf

University of Tehran International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology 2322-1461 12 3 2025 07 01 Changes in ALDH Family and Patterns of ACS Gene Expression in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) in Response to Acetic Acid Application under Saline Conditions 953 962 100576 10.22059/ijhst.2024.369445.746 EN Babak Jamali Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Center, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran Saeid Eshghi Department of Horticulture Faculty of Agriculture Shiraz University Shiraz, Iran Zahra Mirfattahi Department of Horticultural Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Mohammad Etemadi Department of Horticultural Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Journal Article 2023 12 20 Exogenous application of acetic acid has been reported to increase plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. To investigate the role of acetic acid in plants for improved tolerance to NaCl and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, acetic acid (1 and 2 mM) was foliar-applied on Paros strawberry plants exposed to NaCl (0 and 40 mM). The expression patterns of some ALDH (aldehyde dehydrogenase) and ACS (acetyl CoA synthase) candidates were analyzed. The results showed that ALDH3I1 and ALDH7B4 were strongly induced by salt stress or by the application of acetic acid under salt stress. The ALDH3I1 and ALDH7B4 isoforms showed higher expression levels in plants under salt stress after acetic acid treatment than the untreated control plants. Under non-stress conditions, ACS expression in plants increased in response to 2 mM acetic acid but decreased in response to 1 mM. In conclusion, ALDH genes, especially ALDH3I1, were significantly induced in strawberry plants treated with acetic acid and exposed to salinity stress. ALDH7B4 also showed increased expression under these conditions, though to a lesser extent than ALDH3I1. The activation of these ALDH genes can be assocaied with a defense mechanism that reduces damage caused by stress. https://ijhst.ut.ac.ir/article_100576_bd621ea8ecc58773c332ae2b33b978de.pdf