Pomology
S. Khodaei; E. Ganji Moghadam; M. Zamanipour
Abstract
IntroductionSince Iran is one of the arid and semi-arid regions of the world and due to the great importance of water in agriculture, it is very important to conduct research to improve drought stress in order to produce more quality products. In this regard, this study was conducted to investigate the ...
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IntroductionSince Iran is one of the arid and semi-arid regions of the world and due to the great importance of water in agriculture, it is very important to conduct research to improve drought stress in order to produce more quality products. In this regard, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of mycorrhiza species on some morphological and physiological characteristics of peach seedlings under drought stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi coexist with the roots of various plants and have a broad effect on their growth. These fungus are effective in the initial establishment of the plant under drought conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases plant resistance to dehydration by increasing growth and uptake of nutrients, especially phosphorus. Matherials and MethodsIn order to investigate the effect of three species of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on some vegetative characteristics and phosphorus absorption of peach seedlings under drought stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental factors included: drought stress at four levels (100, 80, 60 and 40 percent of field capacity) and the second factor application of mycorrhizal fungus at four levels: application of three species of mycorrhiza fungi and three species of fungi, each in three concentration (75, 100, 125 g in a pot) with chemical fertilizer (100 g triple super phosphate for each pot) and fertilizer (without mycorrhiza) and control (without fertilizer and mycorrhiza). The measurements were comprised root traits, stem diameter, vegetative growth of branches, leaf area index, vegetation index, relative leaf water content, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf electrolyte leakage, leaf phosphorus and colonization root percent. Results and DiscussionResult showed that application of mycorrhizal fungi seems to be effective in reducing the effects of dehydration stress. The use of these fungi had a positive effect on reducing leaf electrolyte leakage under severe dehydration. According to the results obtained in this experiment, the highest efficiency in drought stress conditions was observed in G. mosseae and G. intraradices. Under drought stress conditions, the lowest values of root volume, greenness index, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf electrolyte leakage, root colonization and leaf phosphorus content were observed. With increasing of drought stress, all of the mentioned traits reduced and mycorrhiza fungi had a positive significant effect on all studied traits. In this study, it was found that with increasing stress intensity, the traits were negatively affected and led to irreparable damage to the product. Therefore, it is expected that by preventing or minimizing the effects of stress, an effective step was taken to increase performance. The significant decrease in root colonization with increasing stress is probably due to the decrease in the growth of hyphae. The most important step after spore germination is the growth of hyphae resulting from germination, which plays an essential role in root colonization. Apparently, hyphae growth is more affected by osmotic potential than spore growth. The results obtained from this research showed that the roots of peach seedlings have significant symbiosis potential with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Peymaneh & Zarei, 2013). According to Miyashita et al. (2005) Leaf photosynthesis activity can be used as a useful tool for classification of drought tolerant plants. Sajjadinia et al. (2010) regarding the relative water content and photosynthesis of several pistachio cultivars reported high correlation and high diversity in different stages and cultivars and stated that the decrease in relative water content strongly reduces transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, which our results are consistent. With the escalation of tension, the greenness index also decreased; So that in the conditions of severe stress (40% of crop capacity), the amount of greenness index reached the lowest value. In the conditions of severe stress due to interruption of continuous irrigation, the plants entered from the stage of mild stress to the stage of severe dry stress, which seems that under these conditions, the decrease in the concentration of chlorophyll, in addition to the decrease in the amount of synthesis, is caused by the decomposition of chlorophyll due to the increase in the amount chlorophyllase, peroxidase and phenolic compounds. According to Schutz and Fangmier (2001), the decrease in the amount of chlorophyll in stress conditions is related to the increase in the production of oxygen radicals in the cell. These free radicals cause peroxidation and as a result the decomposition of this pigment. The greenness index is considered one of the most important growth parameters, which is reduced by drought stress conditions, and the results indicate that the treatment of mycorrhizal fungi in all three types of inoculated mushrooms has improved the greenness index and the adverse effects It has removed the drought stress to a great extent (Figure 6), which can be attributed to the improvement of water and food absorption by mycorrhizal roots (Larsson et al., 2008). Conclusion In general, this study showed that the best treatment related to the mycorrizha fungi was mosseae, which had the most effect on reducing the negative effects of stress
Pomology
E. Ganji Moghadam; A. Mostafapoor; M. Zamanipour
Abstract
Introduction
Iran is undoubtedly one of the most important and potential areas of fruit production in the world due to having diverse climatic zones and also the existence of different cultivars and rich germplasm for many horticultural products. Meanwhile, cherries are very important because of their ...
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Introduction
Iran is undoubtedly one of the most important and potential areas of fruit production in the world due to having diverse climatic zones and also the existence of different cultivars and rich germplasm for many horticultural products. Meanwhile, cherries are very important because of their good taste, high nutritional value and short ripening period. Despite the relatively high production, Iran ranks 46th among cherry exporting countries, which can be attributed to the non-uniformity of cultivars in orchards and mixed cultivation of several cultivars, lack of attention to the incompatibility of cherries and the lack of suitable pollinizer, the drought, the lack of availability of cultivars and rootstocks suitable for climate and soil changes, pest damage, etc. At present, in Khorasan-Razavi province, Takdane cherry trees have not yield well, which experts have sometimes attributed to self-incompatibility or lack of proper pollinizer. The gardener spends a lot of money to build a orchard that is not profitable; Therefore, instead of cutting down the trees, it is suggested to do grafting and in one turn, to replace the cultivars of your orchards with cultivars suitable for the region, which have good yield, quantitative and qualitative characteristics, and are self-fertile. Top-working is a new approach to increasing the productivity of old orchards, rejuvenating and changing their varieties. With this aim, a research was conducted in Razavi Khorasan province over three years.
Matherial and Methods
This project was carried out in three regions of Chenaran, Neishabur and Torghabeh Shandiz and included three independent experiments. After the growth of scion, the degree of adaptation and percentage of grafting success, vegetative growth of scion, beginning of fruiting, yield, and economic evaluation were investigated. In the first experiment, in order to determine the type of grafting and the cultivar on the success and percentage of grafting, a factorial experiment was used in the form of a randomized complete block design in three replications and each replication included 3 transplants. The first factor was grafting type in two levels (bark grafting and cleft grafing) and the second factor was cultivar in three levels (Stella, Sweetheart and Sunburst). In the second experiment, the evaluation of the effect of tree age and type of grafting on success percentage of grafting was carried out. In order to carry out this stage of the factorial experiment, two factors were used. The first factor was tree age at two levels (10 and 20 years) and the second factor was the type of graft (bark grafting and cleft grafing) used. In the third experiment, the effect of nurse branch and cultivar on the percentage of grafting success was investigated. This stage was a two factorial experiment where the first factor was the presence or absence of the nurse branch and the second factor was the cultivar in three levels (Stella, Sunburst, Sweetheart), used.
Result and Discussion
The results of first experiment showed that the Sunburst cultivar with the highest percentage (86.8%) and the Stella cultivar had the lowest percentage (64.3%) of grafting success. This result is consistent with the reports of Soleimani et al. (2008) who found that the success percentage of different cultivars were significantly different from each other. Also, cleft grafting had a higher percentage than bark grafting. Therefore, cleft grafting was more successful at 65% than bark grafting at 13%. These results are consistent with the findings of Mahmouzadeh (2012), who reported that the cleft graft had a higher percentage of success other than bark grafting.
The results of second experiment showed that as the age of the tree increased, the percentage of grafting decreased greatly. The grafting percentage was about 68% in young trees and 8% in trees over 25 years old. Based on this, it is not recommended to perform branch grafting in old trees. The results of third experiment showed that the maintenance of the nurse branch in the cherry tree does not have a significant effect on grafting. The grafting percentage was about 78% in trees without nurse branches and about 63% in trees with nurse branches. Based on this, it is not recommended to keep the nurse branch in the cherry branch.
Analysis of variance of the simple and mutual effects of year and branching location on grafting percentage of cherry trees was significant at 1% level and it was found that the percentage of grafting was higher in the second year than the first year due to the skills of transplanters. Also, the percentage of graftng success in Torghabeh and Shandiz, was higher than Chenaran and Neishabur. These results are in agreement with the findings of Mng'omba et al. (2010) who reported that grafting success largely depends on the skill of the transplanters, is consistent.
Conclusion
In general, Top-working in sweet cherry trees is recommended in order to change the variety of the orchard and also, improve the productivity of the orchard.
Growing vegetables
Mahboobeh Zamanipour
Abstract
Introduction: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a perennial plant, which is rich in antioxidant compounds, lycopene, polyphenols and vitamin C. Iran, with production of 5.24 million tons, is ranked sixth in the world in tomato production. According to the latest FAO reports in 2019, the total area ...
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Introduction: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a perennial plant, which is rich in antioxidant compounds, lycopene, polyphenols and vitamin C. Iran, with production of 5.24 million tons, is ranked sixth in the world in tomato production. According to the latest FAO reports in 2019, the total area under tomato cultivation was 121203 hectares, with an average yield of 43.30 tons per hectare, and annual production of 5248904 tons. Vitamins are made from natural ingredients and are suitable for the growth, function and improvement of plant nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of pyridoxine (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1), thiamine (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1) and folic acid (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1) and the combination of these vitamins on the plant growth, yield and chemical properties of tomatoes.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications in the greenhouse of Iranshahr University during the years 2019 to 2020. The tomato cultivar was Delphus, the seedling of which was purchased from Pakan Bazr Isfahan Company. In August, with the beginning of the tomato planting period in the greenhouse, seedlings were planted and the harvest lasted until December. Seedlings were planted in rows of 75 cm wide and 40 cm apart. Irrigation was performed in the greenhouse with a drip system. The first irrigation was carried out immediately after planting and the second and third irrigations were carried out one day later for one hour and the subsequent irrigations were carried out in proportion to the growth of seedlings, every other day, every four days. At the 7-8 leaf stage, the plants were guided vertically on the thread. The greenhouse temperature was 25 to 32 °C during the experiment and 18 to 24 °C at night and the relative humidity was about 50%.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that all used concentrations of pyridoxine, thiamine and folic acid increased the growth parameters compared to the control, so that the highest plant height (271 cm), stem diameter (7 cm), number of leaves (31) fresh weight (502 g) and dry weight (341.66 g) were produced at a concentration of 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine + 100 mgL-1 thiamine + 100 mgL-1 folic acid. Interaction of B vitamin levels at low, medium and high levels had a significant effect on the reproductive parameters of tomato plants, so that the highest number of flowers (41.33), number of fruits (29.55), number of clusters (9.77), fruit diameter (22.44 mm), fruit fresh weight (158 g) and fruit dry weight (10.81 g) and yield (5688.9667 g/plant) at a concentration of 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine, 100 mgL-1 thiamine and 100 mgL-1 was observed per liter of folic acid. Increasing of yield can be due to increased nutrient uptake and assimilation, and increased growth due to the presence of vitamins. Similar results by El-Gharmany et al. (2005) stated that foliar application of vitamins (B1, B6 and B12) in appropriate concentrations in cowpea significantly increased the number of pods per plant and total yield compared to the control. Shabaly and El-Ramady (2014) and Shabana et al. (2015) found that some natural ingredients have increased yield of garlic and tomatoes. Also, all concentrations of pyridoxine, thiamine and folic acid used increased biochemical parameters compared to the control. Maximum pH (4.78), acidity (0.28%), soluble solids (3.93%), lycopene (2.64 mg/100 g fresh weight), total phenol content (66.66 mg/100 g fresh weight, vitamin C (13.36 mg/100 g fresh weight), chlorophyll a (1.98 mg/g fresh weight), chlorophyll b (0.98 mg /g fresh weight) and carotenoids (3.33 mg/g fresh weight) were obtained by using a combination of 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine, 100 mgL-1 thiamine and 100 mgL-1 folic acid. Foliar application of vitamin treatments may play an important role in physiological and metabolic processes that affect the process of photosynthetic metabolism and lead to an increase in soluble solids and minerals. The interaction of vitamins improves the action of biochemicals on amino acid metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis. However, Abdel-Halim (1995) reported that foliar application of some vitamins improved leaf growth, increased chlorophyll, chemicals, and internal hormones in tomatoes during the winter. El-Ghamriny (2005) reported that foliar application of B vitamins (B1, B6 and B12) increased leaf chlorophyll in cowpea compared to the control, and Burguieres et al. (2007) found that folic acid at a concentration of 50 mgL-1 increased minerals in peas. Hendawy and Ezz El-Dinn (2010) reported that vitamin B complex as a coenzyme in enzymatic reactions such as carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins involved in photosynthesis and respiration. In addition, Abd El-Hakim (2006) reported that some antioxidants improve biochemical properties in some beans.
Conclusion: The results showed that the use of pyridoxine, thiamine and folic acid vitamins alone or in combination with each other improved the growth, reproductive and biochemical characteristics of Delphi greenhouse tomatoes. The highest growth rate, yield and biochemical properties were obtained at 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine + 100 mgL-1 thiamine + 100 mgL-1 folic acid.
Ebrahim Ganji Moghadam; Hamid Rahnemoun; Mahboobeh Zamanipour
Abstract
Introduction: Iran is the fourth largest apricot producer in the world. It is important to know the level of genetic diversity in breeding programs. Local genotypes are important because they are environmentally friendly and have beneficial genes in breeding programs. Therefore, this study was conducted ...
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Introduction: Iran is the fourth largest apricot producer in the world. It is important to know the level of genetic diversity in breeding programs. Local genotypes are important because they are environmentally friendly and have beneficial genes in breeding programs. Therefore, this study was conducted with the main purpose to investigate the characteristics of phenology, morphology and pomology of six promising apricot genotypes in order to determine the best genotypes in Khorasan Razavi Province condition. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate characteristics of six selected genotypes (‘190’, ‘269’, ‘414’, ‘464’, ‘390’ and ‘177’) compared to ‘Ordubad-90’ (as a control) with the aim of assessing their compatibility in Khorasan Razavi climatic conditions in a randomized complete block design with three replications, at Golmakan Research Station during the 2017-2019. These genotypes were selected randomly from the Azerbaijan apricot populations around 15 years ago and were undergoing preliminary studies in the main habitat and collecting and experimental orchards. During the research period, all genotypes were completely uniform in terms of environmental conditions and garden management. Quantitative analysis of variance was performed using SPSS software and comparison of means using Duncan's multiple range test at a probability level of 1%. Results and Discussion: Results showed that significant differences between genotypes in terms of flowering dates and fruit ripening. So that, Genotypes of ‘269’ were the earliest (19 March) and ‘190’ were the most late flowering (27 March) and, in the terms of fruit ripening time, genotype of ‘177’ were the earliest (third decade of May) and genotype of ‘190’ were the most late (second decade of July). Also, genotype of ‘414’ had the highest height (302.57 cm), crown width (278.03 cm), trunk cross section (42.75 cm2), annual vegetative growth (58.98 cm) and size index (8.76 m). These results are consistent with the findings of Nejatian and Arzani (2002) and Mesbahi et al. (2014) on a relatively significant diversity in the morphological characteristics of the studied genotypes. There was direct correlation between fruit size and stone size, so that, the highest fruit weight (65 g), stone weight (3.49 g) and kernel weight (1.93 g) was in genotype of ‘414’. This result is agreement with Asma and Ozturk (2005) who reported that there are direct correlation among fruit weight, stone weight and kernel weight in the studied apricot genotypes in Turkey. The highest acidity content (0.67%) belonged to genotype of ‘177’, the highest pH (4.97) was in genotype of ‘390’ and the highest yield (20.66 kg) was in genotype of ‘190’. The obtained results are consistent with the results of Rahnemoon et al. (2005) on the existence of a significant difference between the mean percentage of sugar and the content of total organic acids. Accordingly, with the increase of soluble solids during fruit ripening, the amount of total acid decreased, which is consistent with the results of Asma and Ozturk (2005). Also, there was a significant negative correlation between flowering time and yield at the level of 1% (-0.704). These results are consistent with the findings of Piir et al. (2017). The results of principal component analysis showed that PC1 factor with 47.06% of the total changes indicates fruit weight, stone weight and core weight, which can be called the factor of pomological traits. PC2 factor with 19.63% of the total changes indicates height, crown width and trunk cross section, which can be called the factor of morphological traits. PC3 factor with 15.14% of the total changes indicates the chemical properties of the fruit. The PC4 factor with 7.62% of the total changes indicates the time of beginning of flowering, the number of days from the full blooming stage to fruit ripening and yield, which can be called the factor of phenological traits. These four combinations accounted for about 89.45% of the total variation, and the other variations included a slight variation. These results are comparable to the results of Janatizadeh et al. (2011) regarding cultivars in Shahroud city. Conclusion: Genotype of ‘177’ is recommended because of its early ripening. Also, genotype of ‘144’ due to large fruit size, genotype of ‘190’ due to late ripening and high yield compared to ‘Ordubad-90’ (control) are recommended.
Mahboobeh Zamanipour
Abstract
Introduction: African marigold is one of the most popular annual flowers in almost of countries. In the most ornamental plants, the flowering and yield depends on the flowering branches that can be increased with pinching. Nitrogen spraying is beneficial on the growth, production and quality improvement ...
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Introduction: African marigold is one of the most popular annual flowers in almost of countries. In the most ornamental plants, the flowering and yield depends on the flowering branches that can be increased with pinching. Nitrogen spraying is beneficial on the growth, production and quality improvement of marigold flowers. Among plant growth regulators, auxin and gibberellin play a crucial role in regulating the development processes of African marigold.
Material and Methods: This study was carried out in the research greenhouse of Velayat University of Iranshahr in two separate experiments in December 2017. The beds were prepared after mixing the soil with FYM (Farm Yard Manure) and the seeds of African marigold var. "African Double Orange" were sown on the bed at a distance of 10 cm between the row and 2 to 3 cm within the row. Transplanting of plantlets were performed in the 3 to 4 leaves stages in distances of 45 cm×35 cm. Treatments of the first experiment were contains of two stages of pinching (no pinching and pinching in 20 days after planting) and nitrogen spraying in four stages (0%, 2%, 4% and 6%). A factorial experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design with three replications where each replication was comprised of six plantlets. Treatments of the second experiment consisted of three levels of indole acetic acid (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1) and three levels of gibberellic acid (100, 200 and 300 mgL-1) and distilled water as control. The first stage of auxin and gibberellin spraying, 20 days after planting and the second stage of spraying, was performed 50 days after planting.
On the harvest time (when the last flower harvested), measurement factors were contains of vegetative parameters (plant height and diameter, branch number, leaf number and branch length) and reproductive parameters (flower number, flower diameter, flower fresh weight and flower dry weight). Days taken to flowering were counted from transplanting till the date of flower bud opening.
Result and Discussion: Analysis of variance showed that pinching and nitrogen spraying had significant effects on plant height and diameter, branch number, leaf number and branch length per plant (P< 0.01). The highest plant height (47.5 cm), plant diameter (2.5 cm) and branch length per plant (21.5 cm) obtained in no pinching with 6% N treatment. This result showed that spraying of nitrogen could increase apical dominance and growth of longitudinal growth of plant. The maximum leaf number (91) and branch number (10) obtained in pinching 20 days after harvesting with 6% N treatment. When the apical dominance is removed, the lowering of IAA (Indol acetic acid) concentration increased the new branches. Increasing in new branches and positive effect of nitrogen spraying created new leaves. Analysis of variance showed that pinching and nitrogen spraying were not effective on flower diameter but had significant effects on flower number, flower fresh weight and flower dry weight. The highest flower number (7) were created in pinching supplemented with 6% N treatment. The highest flower fresh weight (3.60 g) and flower dry weight (0.8 g) were obtained in no pinching and 6% N treatment. Sing et al. (2017) reported that no pinching increased availability of more food material and better allocation of energy pertaining to less number of flowers. Therefore, this action increased the fresh and dry weight of flower. Analysis of variance showed that pinching and nitrogen spraying had significant effects on the number of days to bud flower initiation. The highest number of days to flowering (75 day) were obtained in pinching supplemented with 6% N treatment. Pinching of apical bud prevents from cell division in the lateral meristem. Nitrogen spraying also increased vegetative growth of plant and therefore, resulted in delaying the initiation of flower bud. The quality of seedlings significantly increased with gibberellic acid spraying compared to indole acetic acid. As the concentration increased, seedling quality increased, so that the highest plant height (34.25 cm), the length of each branch (23 cm), Leaf number (42), the number of branches (14), flower diameter (3 cm), dry weight of flower (0.65 g), fresh weight of flower (3.13 g), flower number (6) and the minimum number of days to flowering (31 days) were sprayed with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 300 mgL-1. Increasing the number of flowers by application of gibberellic acid treatments resulted from an increasing in plant height and the number of leaves per plant. Increasing the number of leaves increased the production and accumulation of photosynthetic assimilates, and these assimilates were directed to the flowers and resulted in the production of more flowers.
Conclusion: Pinching and Spraying of nitrogen had significant effects on the vegetative and reproductive traits of African marigold. Pinching reduced the apical dominance and induced more lateral branches that ultimately increased the flower number of marigold., Nitrogen spraying was also effective on the growth and quality improvement of marigold flowers and the highest number of flower and fresh and dry weight of flowers induced with application of 6% N. In addition, the application of spraying of gibberellic acid had a direct correlation with height, the number of branches and the diameter of flowers and inversed relationship with the number of days to flowering. The concentration of 300 mgL-1 gibberellic acid had the greatest effect on the growth and reproductive characteristics of African marigold. Since, the African marigold is widely used in the garden and park landscapes, the application of 6% nitrogen or 300 mgL-1 of gibberellic acid is recommended to improve the reproductive characteristics of the flower.
