University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Evaluating the Performance of Eleven Olive Cultivars in Fars Province of Iran185815310.22059/ijhst.2016.58153ENMohamad RezaTaslimpourCrop and Horticulture Science Research Department, Fars Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Shiraz, IranAli AsgharZeinanlooAssociate Professor of Research, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Karaj, IranElhamAslmoshtaghiStudent, Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IranJournal Article20141126Olive (<em>Olea europaea</em> L.) consumption and production are socially and economically important in Iran. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the vegetative characteristics, floral biology, fruit characteristics, oil percentage, and yield of eleven olive cvs. (‘Arbequina’, ‘Amygdalolia’, ‘Bledy’, ‘Roghani’, ‘Zard’, ‘Sevillana’, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Conservalia’, ‘Gordal Sevillana’, ‘Manzanilla’, and ‘Mission’) in Kazeroun olive research station, Fars province, Iran. This experiment, conducted in completely randomized blocks design with three replications, was active for five years, 2004 until 2008. The results exhibited morphological trait differences across the cultivars. ‘Amygdalolia’ and ‘Conservalia’ were suitable in subtropical areas for canning and oil, ‘Sevillana’, ‘Manzanilla’, and ‘Gordal Sevillana’ as canning ‘Arbequina’ and ‘Koroneiki’ can be grown as oil cultivars in subtropical climate. <br /><strong> </strong>University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Quality Improvement and Shelf Life Extension of Fresh Apricot Fruit (Prunus armeniaca cv. Shahroudi) Using Postharvest Chemical Treatments and Packaging During Cold Storage9185815610.22059/ijhst.2016.58156ENFaridMoradinezhadDepartment of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, IranMehdiJahaniDepartment of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, IranJournal Article20140904The main objective of this work was to assess the effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA), calcium chloride (CaCl<sub>2</sub>) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO<sub>3</sub>), and packaging on some qualitative properties of apricot fruit during cold storage. The experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design as factorial, with three replicates. Fruits were dipped in SA (0.1 or 0.5 mM), CaCl<sub>2 </sub>(1 or 2%) or NaHCO<sub>3</sub> (0.2 or 0.5%) solutions for 3 min at 22°C. Then, fruits were placed into polyethylene trays and wrapped with cellophane films to create a passive modified atmosphere packaging, whilst the second group remained unwrapped. Fruits were stored in a cool room at 0.5 ± 0.5°C. Regardless of chemical treatments, total soluble solids (TSS), organoleptic characteristics, and shelf life were higher in packed fruit compare to unpacked fruit. The TSS, weight loss and firmness were lower in fruits covered with cellophane compared to unwrapped fruit. Fruits that treated with SA (0.5 mM) and covered with cellophane film had the lowest TSS while treated fruit with CaCl<sub>2 </sub>(1%) with no cover indicated the highest TSS. Generally, there was a significant decrease in fruit firmness under the cellophane layer compare to unpacked fruits while in treated fruit with CaCl<sub>2</sub> (1%) firmness in packed fruit was obviously higher than unpacked fruits. The best visual quality and taste were obtained in treated fruit with CaCl<sub>2</sub> (2%), followed by SA (0.5 mM) when they were packed with cellophane film. The highest shelf life obtained in treated fruit with SA (0.1 mM), followed by NaHCO<sub>3</sub> (0.5%). Overall, a combination of chemical treatments and packaging with cellophane film improved fruit quality and extend shelf life significantly compared to the control. University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Morphophysiological and Biochemical Responses of Zinnia elegans to Different Irrigation Regimes in Symbiosis with Glomus mosseae19325815810.22059/ijhst.2016.58158ENZahraHeidariYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, IranMohammad JavadNazarideljouDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran0000-0002-2241-0858YounesRezaie DaneshDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, West Azarbaijan, IranNabiKhezrinejadDepartment of Plant Protection, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, IranJournal Article20141109Water deficit conditions, in addition to reduced water uptake, result in a reduction in nutrient uptake, and consequently, a substantial reduction in growth parameters, yield and quality. Substrate inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as an environmentally friendly biofertilizer is an important strategy to improve the growth parameters and quality of products in such conditions. Therefore, an experiment was conducted on zinnia, under different irrigation regimes (40, 70 and 100% of field capacity; FC) and different substrate inoculation levels with <em>Glomus mosseae</em> (0, 2.5 and 5%), in order to examine their possible symbiosis and root colonization on morphophysiological and biochemical parameters in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed the positive and significant effects of AMF on morphophysiological traits under all irrigation regimes compared to the control treatment (without AMF) such as flower longevity and antiradical properties. With increased drought stress, root:shoot ratio, flower diameter, flower longevity, water use efficiency (WUE), the chlorophyll content and nutrient uptake were significantly decreased, while the decreasing trends of these parameters were much lower in pots treated with AMF. The lowest cell membrane stability and highest free radicals were observed in 40% FC without AMF. The maximum antiradical and antioxidant properties occurred at the lowest irrigation level with the highest AMF inoculation level. The results indicated a significant increase in flower diameter and longevity, in 70% FC with 5% AMF inoculation treatment compared to the control. Compared with the control, WUE was significantly increased at a 5% AMF inoculation level.University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Application of Various Concentrations of Essential Oils of Savory, Ajowan and Thyme to Maintain Quality and Shelf Life of Gladiolus Cut Flower33415815910.22059/ijhst.2016.58159ENSeyed HosseinMirdehghanDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, IranZahraAghamolaeiDepartment of Horticulture, Islamic Azad University, Jiroft, Kerman, IranJournal Article20141109Two experiments were designed to evaluate the addition of essential oils to preservative solution and subsequent effects on postharvest quality and vase life of <em>Gladiolus</em> ‘Sorati’ cut flowers. In first experiment, the solutions of savory (<em>Satureja hortensis.</em>), ajowan (<em>Trachyspermum ammi</em>) and thyme (<em>Thymus vulgaris</em>) were applied at the concentrations of 2, 4, and 6 (mg L<sup>−1</sup>), distilled water + 2% sucrose were considered as control treatment. In second experiment, the cut flowers pulsed with CaCl<sub>2</sub> and AgNO<sub>3</sub> for 1 h and then transferred to preservative solution contain 2 mg L<sup>-1</sup> of savory, ajowan, thyme and distilled water (control). All cut flowers were kept at 25±2<sup>o</sup>C for 20 days and qualitative properties were evaluated during postharvest periods. Savory 2 mg L<sup>−1</sup> exhibited as the most effective treatment for minimizing dehydration of the gladiolus cut flowers by enhancing the water absorption and flower weight rate than other treatments. The interaction of pulsing with CaCl<sub>2</sub> and essential oils could maintain the quality of cut flowers.University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Value of Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) Fruit at Different Maturity and Ripening Stages43505816010.22059/ijhst.2016.58160ENFaridMoradinezhadDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, IranFatemehSetayeshDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, IranSohrabMahmoodiDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, IranMehdiKhayyatDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, IranJournal Article20160229Jujube (<em>Ziziphus jujuba </em>Mill.) fruit is an important medicinal plant in Iran. The harvesting time is a crucial for jujube fruit quality. Several characteristics of jujube fruit when harvested at four development stages; white mature (light green), crisp mature (white-red), fully mature (red) and fully ripe (dehydrated brown) were evaluated. Fruit weight, diameter, volume, pulp to stone ratio, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, total phenolics content, protein, ash and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. The results showed that fruit dry weight, TSS, TSS/TA were increased significantly, while firmness, protein content and ash weight were decreased as jujube fruit harvested at progressed development stages. Ascorbic acid in fruit was decreased from white to crisp mature stage and thereafter increased significantly to fully mature stage. However, the content of total phenol increased significantly from white to crisp mature stage and thereafter decreased at more maturity and ripening stages. Moreover, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were influenced by harvesting time. The F<sub>0</sub> and F<sub>m</sub> showed a positive significant correlation with total phenolic, ascorbic acid and protein content and a negative significant correlation with DW. Therefore, chlorophyll fluorescence maybe a helpful, nondestructive technique to evaluate the nutritional quality changes in jujube fruit. Overall, jujube fruit harvested at crisp (white-red) and fully mature (red) stages, seem best in respect of postharvest handling and nutritional criteria.University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601A Simple and Efficient Direct Shoot Organogenesis Method Using Leafy Petiole Explants in Gerbera jamesonii ‘Royal Soft Pink’51585816110.22059/ijhst.2016.58161ENFarzadNazariDepartment of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, IranMortezaKhosh-KhuiDepartment of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IranPejmanAzadiAgriculture Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, Karaj, IranOrnamental Plants Research Institute of Iran, Mahallat, Iran0000-0001-7818-1620Journal Article20150910The gerbera market would benefit from an efficient and simple protocol for high rate regeneration for propagation and genetic engineering. With these objectives, this investigation was done on shoot regeneration via direct organogenesis from leafy petiole explants of <em>Gerbera jamesonii</em> ‘Royal Soft Pink’. Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium was supplemented with 0.1 mg L<sup>-1</sup> indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and additions of various concentrations and combinations of thidiazuron (TDZ: 0, 0.5 and 1 mg L<sup>-1</sup>) and N<sub>6</sub>-benzyladenine (BA: 0, 2, 4 and 6 mg L<sup>-1</sup>). Higher values were recorded for a number of shoots on leafy petiole on the MS medium containing BA in combination with TDZ than on media containing BA or TDZ solely. The highest evaluations for percentage of shoot regeneration (85.43 %) and number of shoots per explant (12.88) was recorded in the medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L<sup>-1 </sup>IAA and 1.0 mg L<sup>-1 </sup>TDZ plus 4.0 mg L<sup>-1 </sup>BA. For rooting of the shoots, MS medium supplemented with three concentrations of a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA: 0.5 and 1 mg L<sup>-1</sup>) together with control (MS only) were tried. The optimal results for rooting of shoots were obtained on MS medium containing 1 mg L<sup>-1 </sup>NAA. The <em>in vitro</em> raised plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to greenhouse successfully. <br /><strong> </strong>University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Assessing Potential of Iranian Chicory Genotypes for Industrial Application59685816210.22059/ijhst.2016.58162ENHadiShooridehDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Division of Biometrical Genetics, College of Agricultural & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Tehran, IranSeyed AliPeighambariDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Division of Biometrical Genetics, College of Agricultural & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Tehran, IranMansourOmidiDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Division of Biometrical Genetics, College of Agricultural & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Tehran, IranMohammad RezaNaghaviDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Division of Biometrical Genetics, College of Agricultural & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-2427-3332AssadMaroufiDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Division of Molecular Plant Genetics, College of Agricultural & Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, IranJournal Article20150707Chicory (<em>Cichoriumintybus</em> L.) is an important industrial crop which is used for inulin production. Inulin is widely applied as food ingredient due to its health promoting properties. For the first time, attempts were made to investigate thirteen endemic chicory genotypes including three pumilum populations, along with five root chicory cultivars, four witloof chicory varieties and a crispum endive to find their phylogenic relationships based on some diagnostic morphological traits as well as comparing their fresh root yield, total carbohydrate content as indicator of inulin percentage, and inulin yield in RCBD with three replications, 2013-14. In general, with the exception of Firizi landrace which was classified in <em>C. intybus</em> class, the other endemic genotypes exhibited the maximum similarity with <em>C. endivia</em>, as all formed a monophyletic clade. The highest inulin yield was obtained for ‘Orchies’, after that for ‘Schepens’, ‘Tilda’ and ‘Hera’, respectively, due to firstly their higher root yield and secondly their high inulin percentage. On the whole, fault of flowering at the first year of life cycle of endemic genotypes made intensive selection and breeding of Iranian genotypes for bolting resistance priority work before applying them to build root chicory varietiesUniversity of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Different Ripening Indices and Quality Attributes of Different Groups of Cucumis melo69765816310.22059/ijhst.2016.58163ENMohsenHatamiDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, IranSiamakKalantariDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, IranForouzandeSoltaniDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, IranJournal Article20150724Six Iranian accessions of <em>Cucumis melo</em>, 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.University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Effects of Pre- and Postharvest Treatments of Silicon and Rice Hull Ash on Vase Life of Gerbera77875816410.22059/ijhst.2016.58164ENNedaAghajaniDepartment of Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranMehrdadJafarpourDepartment of Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20160102This 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<sup>−1</sup>), sodium silicate at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L<sup>−1</sup>) and rice hull ash (RHA) at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L<sup>−1</sup>). Also, postharvest treatments were including sucrose, salicylic acid (200 and 400 mg L<sup>−1</sup>), methyl jasmonate (15 and 25 mg L<sup>−1</sup>) 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<sup>−1</sup> potassium silicate than those in control treatment. The maximum inflorescence diameter was observed in rice husk ash (50 mg L<sup>−1</sup>). Capitulum diameter was far greater in sodium silicate at 50 mg L<sup>−1 </sup>compared to other treatments. Vase life of gerbera flower was greater in 400 mg L<sup>−1 </sup>salicylic acid and 15 mg L<sup>−1 </sup>methyl jasmonate than in control treatment. The maximum inflorescence diameter was observed in 400 mg L<sup>−1 </sup>salicylic acid. This study confirmed that the studied sources of Si, salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate increased marketable quality of cut gerbera flowers.University of Tehran, College of AburaihanInternational Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology2322-14613120160601Genetic Variation within Iranian Iris Species Using Morphological Traits89985816510.22059/ijhst.2016.58165ENMohammad HosseinAzimiAssistant Professor, National Institute of Ornamental Plants (NIOP), Horticulture Sciences Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Mahallat, Iran0000-0003-1533-1876ZahraTahernezhadSeed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute, Karaj, IranMohammad JavadZamaniSeed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute, Karaj, Iran.Journal Article20140904<em>Iris</em> belongs toIridaceae family and it is monocotyledon. <em>Iris</em> is one of the important ornamental and medicinal plants. 34 iris genotypes (14 species) collected from different provinces of Iran were planted at National Institute of Ornamental Plants (NIOP) Iran. All of the species evaluated for 15 quantitative traits and 30 qualitative traits. Results showed that the highest positive correlation was between inner tepal length and width and the lowest of this correlation was between crest length and width. Cluster analysis using Ward similarity coefficient divided <em>Iris</em> species into three clusters. Also the highest Nei’s genetic distance based on qualitative traits was between <em>I. iberica</em> and <em>I. fosterana</em> and the lowest was between <em>I.</em> <em>germanica</em> and <em>I.</em> <em>paradoxa</em>. The maximum genetic diversity was in Khorasan Razavi populations, and the minimum was in Khorasan (North). According to Shannon index, <em>I.</em> <em>spuria</em> and <em>I.</em> <em>germanica</em> species had the maximum level of genetic diversity. Cluster analysis according to qualitative traits by Jaccard similarity coefficient and UPGMA classified the 34 genotypes into four groups. Classification of populations based on quantitative traits was not similar to classification based on qualitative traits and they were not similar to geographical distribution.<br /><strong> </strong>