Tahereh Bahrami; Vahid Rouhi; Abdolrahman Mohammadkhani; Saeid Reezi
Abstract
Introduction: Green roof is one of the newest phenomenons in architecture and urbanism that refers to the sustainable development concepts and it will be usable for increasing landscape design, improving quality of the environment and reduction in energy consumption. Ensure of existing adequate green ...
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Introduction: Green roof is one of the newest phenomenons in architecture and urbanism that refers to the sustainable development concepts and it will be usable for increasing landscape design, improving quality of the environment and reduction in energy consumption. Ensure of existing adequate green landscape in urban areas and improving access to natural areas surrounding the cities can help to offset negative effects of urban life. The use of green roof technology in cities is one of advanced techniques of green landscape. A green or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium on top view of buildings. Green roof layers that considered for roof side consist of protection layer, drainage layer, growing medium and plant layer. Medium layer is the medium culture of green roof that plants are begins to grow in it. This space should enable to save enough minerals and water for conserve of green-roof plants. All kinds of plants can growth on the green roof, but there are some constraints in creative of design because of roots dimension, plant canopy, necessary volume of soil, suitable direction to light, good weather, weight of designed structures, budget of repairing and keeping.
Materials and Methods: To evaluate the effect of some culture medium on water consumption, vegetative and reproductive traits of Gazania (Gazania hybrida) in condition of green roof a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with nine treatments and three replications in 2014. Treatments were three levels of vermicompost (zero, 5%, and 10%) and rice hull (zero, 7, and 14%). Seedlings of plants cultivated in the media mixture of coco peat 15%, perlite 15%, leaf 10%, manure 10%, and filed soil 50%. The container had 60 × 60 ×25 cm dimensions that placed on the roof of greenhouse building with four meters height. The measured traits was number, average, and diameter of flower, stem diameter, plant height and diameter, crown diameter, the number of produced seedlings, root volume and chlorophyll. The weight of different mediums measured for medium of green roof suitable texture. In addition, in the certain period (three months), water consumption calculated with considering of daily evaporate and transpiration for each of medium. Data analyzed using SAS and MSTAT-C statistical program and means compared using a Duncan test (p < 0.05).
Results and Discussion: The results showed that vermicompost treatments had significant effects on the number and diameter of flowers and stem height of the plant, but had no effect on plant's stem diameter. Based on the results, different amounts of vermicompost increased the flower number and average per day and also the plant length. The largest flower number (88.33) and average (6.3) per day and the plant length (14.52) were observed in 10% vermicompost treatment and the lowest observed in control treatment. In addition, rice hull treatments had significant effect on flower number and diameter. However, rich hull had not any significant effect on stem number and diameter. Mean comparisons showed the highest and lowest flower number (82.4 and 82.1), mean flower number per day (5.88 and 5.86) in 14% and 7% rice hull treatments, respectively. Also, the highest flower diameter was related to 14% rice hull treatments. Result of analysis variance table showed significant effect on flower crown weight, length and diameter and root volume. Rice hull treatments also had significant effect on flower crown number and diameter and root volume. In this study, combination of 10% vermicompost with %7 rice hull treatment, have the greatest impact on the latedmost traits and reducing water consumption on green roof. As results showed water consumption in the certain period (three months), the lowest consumption belonged to 14% rice hull without vermicompost that had lowest water consumption in comparison with reference. In addition, the heaviest weight of different mediums was related to control and the lightest medium was belonged to 5%, vermicompost in combination with 14% rice hull.
Conclusion: The vermicompost and rice hull as bio-fertilizers not only increased structure, physical and chemical condition of medium but also increased nutrition and reduced water consumption. Vermicompost and rice hull both improved the most flower traits on green roof and reduced water consumption and weight of different mediums. Therefore, the vermicompost and rice hull (14% and 7%) combined with soil mixture can be used as a culture medium in green roofs.
Vahid Rouhi; Ali Nikbakht; Sadollah Hooshmand
Abstract
Introduction: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belong to Punicaceae family is native to Iran and grown extensively in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. Pomegranate is also important in human medicine and its components have a wide range of clinical applications. Cracking causes a major fruit loss, ...
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Introduction: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belong to Punicaceae family is native to Iran and grown extensively in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. Pomegranate is also important in human medicine and its components have a wide range of clinical applications. Cracking causes a major fruit loss, which is a serious commercial loss to farmers. Fruit cracking, seems to be a problem that lessens the marketability to a great extent. Fruit cracking is one of the physiological disorders wherever pomegranate trees are grown. It may be due to moisture imbalances as this fruit is very sensitive to variation in soil moisture prolonged drought causes hardening of skin and if this is followed by heavy irrigation the pulp grows then skin grows and cracks. Many factors i.e., climate, soil and irrigation, varieties, pruning, insects and nutrition statues influence the growth and production of fruit trees. Deficiencies of various nutrients are related to soil types, plants and even to various cultivars. Most nutrients are readily fixed in soil having different PH. Plant roots are unable to absorb these nutrients adequately from the dry topsoil. Foliar fertilization is particularly useful under conditions where the absorption of nutrients through the soil and this difficult situation to be present in the nutrients such as calcium. Since the calcium element is needed, so spraying them at the right time is correct way to save the plant requirements. Therefore, a research conducted on effect of sodium chloride concentrations and its foliar application time on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum L.) CV. “Malas Saveh”.
Materials and Methods: An experiment conducted at Jarghoyeh, Esfahan, Iran in 2012. The factors were Sodium chloride (0, 5 and 10 g/L) and times of spray (15, 45 and 75 days before harvest). The study was factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The measured traits were cracking and sun scald percentage, seed dry and fresh weight, total fruit weight, vitamin C and titratable acidity (TA) using titration method, total soluble solids (TSS) using hand refractometer, skin fruit firmness using hand penetrometre, pH using pH meter and dry material. Data analyzed using SAS and MSTAT-C statistical program and means compared using an LSD test (p < 0.05).
Results and Discussion: Analysis of variance showed that calcium chloride had significant effect on creaking percentage. Mean comparison was conducted using LSD range test (at 5% level). Sodium chloride decreased cracking percentage compared to control. Different stages of sodium chloride application show significant effect on cracking percentage. Sodium chloride decreased the cracking rate by increasing of its concentrations. Effect of calcium chloride was significant on sun scald. The lowest sun scald occurred inthe second time and the highest in the third time of calcium chloride spraying. The effects of sodium chloride at different stages and concentrations were significant on the total fruit weight and seed fresh weight. The highest total fruit weight and seed fresh weight obtained in the first time and the lowest in the third time of calcium chloride spraying. The effects of sodium chloride at different stages and concentrations were significant on the skin firmness. The highest skin firmness obtained in the third time of calcium chloride spraying and 10 sodium chloride concentrations and the lowest in the first time of calcium chloride spraying and control. The time of calcium chloride spraying had significant effect on total acidity, pH and vitamin C. The highest and lowest fruit total acidity and pH obtained in first and third time of calcium chloride spraying, respectively. However, the highest and lowest fruit vitamin C observed in third and first time of calcium chloride spraying, respectively. Fruits treated with Sodium chloride showed a reduction in vitamin C and fruit firmness, but increased total soluble solids (TSS). In fruit traits increased by higher sodium concentration and earlier spraying time. In addition, later spraying time increased fruit skin firmness conclusion sodium chloride decreased cracking and sun scald percentage Quantitative.
Conclusion: In conclusion, higher sodium chloride concentration reduced fruit creaking and sun scald. In addition, earlier time and higher sodium chloride concentration caused improve quantitative fruit traits. Finally, skin firmness increased with higher sodium chloride concentration and later spraying time.
Vahid Rouhi; Zahra Rafiei
Abstract
Almonds belong to Prunus genus, which is related to Rosaceae family. It has close relatives with different species of stoned fruits. One of the main reasons for the long period of seed germination in Prunus is compound dormancy, such as the external seed cover as physical dormancy and embryo dormancy ...
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Almonds belong to Prunus genus, which is related to Rosaceae family. It has close relatives with different species of stoned fruits. One of the main reasons for the long period of seed germination in Prunus is compound dormancy, such as the external seed cover as physical dormancy and embryo dormancy causes physiological dormancy. Seed stratification and treatments with various hormones are used to eliminate the physiological dormancy in Prunus genus seeds. Ancillary methods such as removing the shell and scarification are used in order to eliminate physical dormancy. This research was carried out in order to study the effect of scarification (scarification or lack of scarification) and gibberellic acid (0, 150, 300 and 450 mg/lit) on percent and rate of germination in four species of almond (Three wild species; Prunus elaeagnifolia, P. scoparia and P. lycioides and one domestic species; P. dulcis) in factorial design based on completely randomized design with three replications. Removing the shell caused a significant increase in the percentage and rate of germination in all species. In general, treatment of seeds with 300 mg/lit gibberellic acid increased percentage and rate of germination than control significantly, but according to depth of seed dormancy, the response of the species to the concentrations of gibberellic acid was different. According to the results, the seed germination amount is different in different genotype.
Vahid Rouhi; Behrooz Shiran; Abdolrahman Mohamadkhani
Abstract
The Zinnia (Zinnia elegans J.) flower has many applications in landscape design, whereas lack of adequate conditions and nutritions in some cases can reduce the quality and number of flowers. Therefore, control of growth conditions is very important related to nutrition and application of growth regulators ...
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The Zinnia (Zinnia elegans J.) flower has many applications in landscape design, whereas lack of adequate conditions and nutritions in some cases can reduce the quality and number of flowers. Therefore, control of growth conditions is very important related to nutrition and application of growth regulators to improve the quality and quantity of flowers. Flower's morphology and longevity are two main factors that are used to evaluate the quality of flowers. Application methods that could increase the vase life, is important. A research conducted to investigate the effects of calcium chloride, gibberellin and Benzyladenin on zinnia quantitative and qualitative characteristics in 2010. Experiment carried out in a factorial in randomized complete block design with four replications at the Sharekord University's research farm. Treatments consisted calcium chloride (0, 0.5 and 1 gram per liter), Gibberellin (0, 75 and 150 mg per liter) and benzyladenine (0, 75 and 150 mg per liter) to be sprayed on plant two times in 10 days interval. The result showed that calcium chloride increased stem diameter, number of lateral shoots and flowers and storage vase life. Gibberellin reduced flower and stem diameter, number of axillary shoots and flower. Gibberellins also reduced the beginning of flowering time from transplanting and increased the vase life of the flower on plant and storage. Furthermore, benzyladenine significantly increased the quality and quantity of plant except the flowering period.
Vahid Rouhi; Aniseh Esmaeilzadeh
Abstract
Abstract
Fruit cracking of pomegranate is a phenomenon that is shown at most growing zones of the world. Pomegranate cracking is the main obstacle for production and export, and have a lot of annual economic damage, the present study has been done about pomegranate trees. The purpose of this research ...
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Abstract
Fruit cracking of pomegranate is a phenomenon that is shown at most growing zones of the world. Pomegranate cracking is the main obstacle for production and export, and have a lot of annual economic damage, the present study has been done about pomegranate trees. The purpose of this research is surveying the decreasing of pomegranate cracking and increasing the fruit quantities and qualifies characteristic by using of diverse concentrations of gibberellic acid that is sprayed at the different times. This experiment has been done at pomegranate orchard of Isfahan Center for Research of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design in three replicates. Experimental treatments including gibberellin sprayed with four concentrations of 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg/L, which was applied in three times, including full bloom, a month and two months after full bloom. Gibberellin decreased cracking percentage compared to control. Different stages of gibberellin application did not show any significant difference on cracking percentage. However, by increasing of concentrations and application close to 3rd stage, the cracking rate was decreased. In the first stage, all of used gibberellin concentrations were caused parthenocarpy, and the fruits didn't grow. The effect of gibberellin at different stages and concentrations was significant on the total weight and skin fresh weight. Length, diameter, total acidity, size and volume of fruit were increased by increasing of gibberellin concentrations. The concentration of 450 mg/L showed the maximum effects on fruit quantities and qualities characteristics.