Elham Azizi; Asiyeh Siahmarguee; Ahmad Nezami; Ali Asghar Mohamad Abadi; Reza Soheili
Abstract
In order to investigate the possibility of Fennel autumnal sowing in Mashhad condition, 2 sets of experiments were conducted in Agricultural College, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2003-2005. This experiment was performed in the manner of Split Blocks based on completely randomized Blocks with three ...
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In order to investigate the possibility of Fennel autumnal sowing in Mashhad condition, 2 sets of experiments were conducted in Agricultural College, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2003-2005. This experiment was performed in the manner of Split Blocks based on completely randomized Blocks with three replications. Treatments were two fennel ecotypes (Khorasan and Kerman) and three planting dates (October, December and March). Fennel seeds only were planted in 2003 and in next year, plants were grown of remains parts of stem in surface of soil. Results showed in end of first years, number of remain plant in March planting dates, three times of October planting dates. In second years, number of remain plant in March planting dates 6.5 and 2.7 times October and December planting dates, respectively. Number of remain plant between Khorasan and Kerman ecotypes were not significantly different in two years. However, effects of planting date and ecotype on dry matter and number of primary and secondary branches were not significant but plant of October planting dates superior to the plant of December and March planting dates. Number of umbel without seed in October planting dates was 3.4 and 8.8 times of December and March planting dates. In spite of weight of seed in October planting dates highest than December and March planting dates, effect of planting dates on weight of seed in plant was not significant. In first year highest and lowest yield were obtained in October (68.7 gr/m2) and March (20.5 g/m2) planting dates. But in second year maximum and minimum of yield were obtained in March and October planting dates with 45.3 and 14.2 g/m2, respectively.
Hoda Moradi; Majid Azizi; Vahid Rowshan; Hossein Arouiee
Abstract
Introduction: The genus Nepeta with the common Persian name “Pune-Sa” is one of the most important genera of Lamiaceae family. It has aromatic plants which are endemic of Iran. Its different species are distributed almost in all parts of Iran. Some of these species are valuable in medicine and used ...
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Introduction: The genus Nepeta with the common Persian name “Pune-Sa” is one of the most important genera of Lamiaceae family. It has aromatic plants which are endemic of Iran. Its different species are distributed almost in all parts of Iran. Some of these species are valuable in medicine and used for medicinal purposes. Nepeta glomerulosa Boiss. is one of the most medicinal species of this family. This study was conducted to examine seed germination characteristics and to evaluate cardinal temperature of seed germination of N. glomerulosa.
Materials and Methods: Seeds of N. glomerulosa were collected from Abade region of Fars province in the middle of September 2014. Treatments were including four levels of cold period (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks at5ºC) and four levels of potassium nitrate (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 %). Factorial experiment with a completely randomized design in three replications was done, to evaluate seed germination percentage, germination rate, T50, mean germination time, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight. Also, the effects of 8 constant temperatures including 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ˚C and 3 variable temperatures including 5/15, 10/20 and 20/30 ˚C (12h light/12h dark), was investigated to evaluate germination percentage, germination rate, mean germination time and cardinal temperatures of seed germination.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that cold period and potassium nitrate interaction was significant only on root length. Potassium nitrate had no significant effect on germination rate, but the germination rate was increased by increasing the duration of being at5 ˚C, so that the highest germination rate was observed in 3 and 4 weeks at5 ˚C (1.7 and 1.2 /day respectively). The lowest germination rate (1.0 /day) was observed in 2 weeks at5 ˚C treatment. The maximum shoot length (51.5 mm), shoot fresh weight (30 mg), shoot dry weight (1.3 mg) and root dry weight (0.6 mg) was obtained in 2 weeks at 5 ˚C treatments andpotassium nitrate 0.1% was also the best treatment for abovementioned traits. Among the treatments, 3 weeks cold period and 0.1 % potassium nitrate showed the most positive effect on seed germination characteristics of N. glomerulosa, although, had no significant effect on germination percentage.
Based on the results of the second experiment, temperature had significant effect (P≤0.01) on germination percentage, germination rate and mean germination time. The highest amount of germination percentage (76 and 77.3 %), germination rate (4.4 and 5 /day) and mean germination time (5.1 and 5.4 /day) were recorded in the range of 20 to 25 ˚C. Germination rate and germination percentage were substantially reduced by increasing temperature above 25 ˚C. The day and night variable temperatures had significant effect on seed germination percentage and germination rate of N. glomerulosa seeds. The highest amount of germination percentage (72 and 69.3 %) and germination rate (4.6 and 5.7 /day) were observed at10/20 and 20/30 ˚C. The results of the relationships between temperature and germination rate showed that base, optimum and maximum temperatures for seeds of N. glomerulosa were 15 ˚C, 22 ˚C and 46 ˚C, respectively.
Conclusion: The overall results showed that most chilling occurred under natural conditions during winter and early spring which caused increasing inseed germination of lots of plants. This also found that increasingin chilling period significantly improved the seed germination characteristics of N. glomerulosa. Also, treating with potassium nitrate had significant effects on germination properties of N. glomerulosa. Although applying potassium nitrate and cold period did not show interaction effects on seed germination.
The effects of different day and night temperatures on seed germination rate and percentage have been reported in many medicinal and aromatic plants as may be due to the similarity of these conditions to the natural conditions. Comparing cardinal temperatures of N. glomerulosa with the other species of this genus indicated that they have different cardinal temperatures. Many of researchers reported that germination cardinal temperatures are significantly different amongspecies and different genotypes of species. Determining of cardinal temperatures helps us to estimate temperature range of wild species in natural areas, planting time and also suitable areas for cultivation.
Sahar Malekani; Ahmad Golchin; Saeid Shafiei
Abstract
Introduction: Water stress limits crop production throughout the world and contrary to other limiting factors (acidity, sodicity and salinity). It is highly variable within growing season and from year to year. Plants response to water deficit at morphological, anatomical and cellular levels by modifications ...
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Introduction: Water stress limits crop production throughout the world and contrary to other limiting factors (acidity, sodicity and salinity). It is highly variable within growing season and from year to year. Plants response to water deficit at morphological, anatomical and cellular levels by modifications allowing them to avoid stress or increase tolerance. When supply of water is limited, crop management practices that improve water stress resistance can benefit plant growth and improve water use efficiency. Onion seed production has high requirements in inorganic fertilizers. The applied amount depends on the type and fertility status of the soil. The use of inorganic fertilizers is common in onion production. Onion is responsive to nitrogen fertilizer. The bulb refers to a fleshy structure serving as storage organ, and containing simple and sugars, sulfur, protein and nitrogen compound containing flavor precedents as well as a significant amount of water in the swollen cells producing the bulk of the bulb scales. In order to evaluate the effects of deficit irrigation, nitrogen levels and bulb size on seed yield and reproduction traits of onion (Allium cepa var. Ghooli gheseh), was conducted in Zanjan areas.
Materials and Methods: In order to study the effects of nitrogen levels, bulb size and water tension at various growth stages on onion seed yield (Allium cepa var. Ghooli gheseh), an experiment was conducted in Zanjan University in 2014. The experiment was strip split plot with a randomized complete block design with three replications. Water tension was applied at the beginning of flowering, end of flowering, as well as the milking stage of seed by avoiding irrigation at those stages. The obtained seed yield was compared with that of control or treatment with normal irrigation (no water tension). The irrigation treatments including control were located on horizontal plots and vertical plots allocated to nitrogen levels (0, 75, 150 and 300 kg N ha-1) and bulb sizes (5-7 and 7-9 cm diameter). Traits such as days to inflorescence emergence, days to flowering, number of inflorescence per plant and seed yield were measured. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.3 software. When F test indicated statistical significance at P< 0.01 or P < 0.05, the least significant difference (LSD) was used to calculate the means.
Results and Discussion: The effect of water tension on seed yield and days to seed ripening were significant at 1% probability level. Water tension at milking stage of seed, end of flowering and beginning of flowering reduced seed yield in comparison with the control and yield decreased by 10.5, 12 and 39.5%, respectively. The highest seed yield (659.4 kg ha-1) was obtained in the control. Although the main effect of nitrogen was not significant, application of 150 kg N/ha increased inflorescence diameter, percentage of fertile florets and seed yield about 5.6, 4.9 and 20%, respectively in comparison with the control (N0). Application of nitrogen up to 150 kg ha-1 significantly increased days to seed ripening. Days to inflorescence emergence, days to flowering, number of inflorescence per plant and seed yield were affected significantly by bulb size. In onions, many factors such as bulb weight, cultivars, spacing, date of planting, climate, soil, besides fertilizer application seem to affect seed yield and quality. Moreover, according to Mishra, (1994), applying nitrogen has been revealed to enhance the number of umbels per plant in onion. Based on Islam et al. (1998), the larger sets associated with the closest spacing resulted in the highest bulb yield. Smaller set with zero nitrogen level led to the maximum number of single bulbs. The closest spacing with 120 N/ha resulted in the highest bulb yield, as well. The highest bulb yield from the combination of larger sets and closest spacing was equal to 120 kg N/ha. Smaller sets and the closest spacing zero N level yielded the highest number of single bulbs.
Conclusion: For onion seed production in climatic conditions similar to those in Zanjan areas, application of normal irrigation, bulb diameter of 7-9 cm and 150 kg N ha-1 are recommended.
Atiyeh Oraee; Ali Tehranifar; Ahmad Nezami; Mahmood Shoor
Abstract
Introduction: Climate change is expected to have impacts on ecosystems worldwide. During the last 50 years, the greatest warming trends have been observed in winter months and significant increases in both the occurrence and duration of winter warming have already been reported. In general, predicted ...
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Introduction: Climate change is expected to have impacts on ecosystems worldwide. During the last 50 years, the greatest warming trends have been observed in winter months and significant increases in both the occurrence and duration of winter warming have already been reported. In general, predicted future climate change scenarios will result in less than optimal cold acclimation conditions, leading to decreases in freezing tolerance and predisposition of plants to winter injury. Nonetheless, it is not clear whether water stress induced during cold hardening is of high importance in inducing freezing tolerance in plants or it is an integral part of typical cold hardening process. Since rapid and effective assessment of plant cold tolerance is important for researchers and also field trials have no regular process and have high error, different kinds of artificial freeze tests such as survival percentage test and regrowth after imposing stress have been developed.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of drought stress on plant freezing tolerance of viola, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with three replications in faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Experimental factors include three water treatments (80% FC, 60 % FC and 40% FC) and 10 temperature levels (Control, from zero to -24 with 3 °C intervals). Pansy seeds sown in a nursery in the summer of 2015 and after reaching the five-leaf stage in the fall plants were transferred to the pots. After the potted plants spend cold acclimation in nature conditions, plants were subjected to water stress including control (80% FC), 60% and 40% FC for two weeks. After drought stress, whole plants were sampled for freezing tolerance assessment and they were transferred to the freezer thermos-gradient. After applying the stress, electrolyte leakage, lethal temperature 50 according to the electrolyte leakage percentage (LT50el) were measured. One months later, survival percentage, lethal temperature 50% of plant according to the survival percentage (LT50su), leaf area, number of flower and bud, dry weight (dry weight of vegetative, reproductive, root and total) and reduced dry matter temperature 50 (RDMT50) were evaluated.
Results and Discussion: Electrolyte leakage percentage (EL %) and survival (%) were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) affected by irrigation treatments in the freezing conditions. By lowering the temperature from 20 to -24 °C, the EL% significantly increased in three irrigation treatments and it increased in 80% FC compared to 60% (by 16%) at -24°C. plants under 60% FC treatment exhibited higher baseline freezing tolerance (LT50 of −18.4 °C) compared to 80% FC (LT50 of −11.8 °C).Treated plants (except 80% FC) were able to tolerate lowering the temperature to -21°C. Lowering the temperature to -24°C caused the total mortality. According to the LT50su index, 60% FC treatment was less than compared to other treatments. Leaf area significantly increased by 16%, respectively, when plants were under water deficit (60% FC) compared to 80% FC at 0 °C. The maximum number of flower were seen in 60% FC at – 3 °C and the maximum number of bud were observed at 0 °C. The results showed that dry weight was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased by drought stress in the freezing conditions. Plants under 60% FC at 0 °C had the highest increase (55, 62 and 64%, respectively) dry weight of vegetative, reproductive and total growth, respectively compared to control. By lowering the temperature to -18 °C in 80% FC vegetative, reproductive and root growth decreased (36, 38 and 42%, respectively) compared to control plants. RDMT50 significantly affected by drought stress. There were significantly correlation between EL with LT50el and RDMT50 (r =0.25* and r = 0.72**, respectively). In total, plants under 60% FC showed highest freezing tolerance compared to the other treatments.
Conclusions: In the current study, we found that the greatest gain in freezing tolerance was associated with cold and that the effect of drought stress on freezing tolerance varied with temperature. Drought stress resulted in an improvement in freezing tolerance of viola (lower LT50). Among the different parameters evaluated, 60% FC treatment at 0 °C most consistently induced increases in survival percentage, reproductive and vegetative growth which suggested a synergistic effect between drought exposure and low temperature. Higher dry weight of viola plants may contribute to better plant overwintering capacity. In addition, future research should explore the effect of repeated mild drought events on freezing tolerance of acclimated plants, by using strategies such as wilt-based irrigation scheduling, partial root zone drying, and deficit irrigation.
Medicinal Plants
Alireza Moshrefi-Araghi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati; Mahmood Shoor; Majid Azizi; Nasrin Moshtaghi
Abstract
Introduction Mentha is one of the most important genera of aromatic plants which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The genus of Mentha is distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. Mentha longifolia L., also known as wild mint, is a fast-growing aromatic perennial herb. ...
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Introduction Mentha is one of the most important genera of aromatic plants which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The genus of Mentha is distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. Mentha longifolia L., also known as wild mint, is a fast-growing aromatic perennial herb. It is widely used as herbal medicine and is beneficial for the immune system and fighting with secondary infections. The essential oil of this plant is partly responsible for the decongestant, antispasmodic and antibiotic effects. Currently, much emphasis is being laid on conserving plant germplasm as valuable bio-resources. Selection between and within accessions for a high level of herbage yield and other characters requires an effective tool to be applied by mint breeders. Achieving to cultivars that are more capable of optimum producing is a breeding goal. The objectives of this study were to analyze the diversion of the agronomical traits of Mentha longifolia L. genotypes from different regions of Iran under a similar condition in order to find the superior genotypes and introduce for the domestication of this plant. Material and MethodThis research was performed at the research field of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The field is located at 36˚15' North latitude and 59˚38' East longitude, at an altitude of 985 meters. The information related to temperature and precipitation was obtained from climate station. Soil sampling was done in the depth of 0.3 meter and physical experiments on samples were done before starting the experiment. The field was fertilized by 25 kg/ha animal manure. Seeds of 20 genotypes of M. longifolia L. were prepared from Gene Bank of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands and a view of the wild mint genotypes distribution was presented on the map. The experiment was performed in a field with 500m2 areas in 2015-2016 growing seasons. The experiment in form of compound analysis arranged in complete randomized design with three replicates of 20 wildmint's genotypes in every replication. In each furrow, fourteen bush was totally studied, in which the distance between the two plants was 20 cm. The plot was considered 1.2 by 3 m and the distance between rows was 0.50 m. The dimension in the plots for every replication area was 3.6 m2 and the distance between blocks were 1.5 and between experimental units were 0.5 meters. Picking up was done after elimination of 0.5 meters from every side of replication. The essential oil was extracted using Clevenger type apparatus and by hydrodistillation. Results and DiscussionAnalysis of variance showed that the effect of the diversity among the genotypes on morphological, agronomical and essential oil yield parameters of wild mint was significant (P≤0.01). The results of this study showed that Mentha longifolia L. herb has a high diversity under the same culture conditions among genotypes collected from 20 regions of Iran. Correlation result shows that vegetative organs have more effect on the essential oil content than the reproductive organs. This may be due to the distribution of essential oil accumulation and storage sites, which requires further research in this regard. The study of vegetative and reproductive characteristics suggests that the genotypes of the dry and semi-arid climates have different conditions, which may causes the separation of their genotypes compared with the other genotypes. The bi-plot, based on PC1 and PC2, reflects the relationships between the studied genotypes. The results of bi-plot of cluster analysis confirmed that genotypes were divided into two main groups based on agronomical and morphological traits. Conclusion Finally, plants of genotype G13 belongs to Hormozgan province and then G16 genotype belongs to Khuzestan province were selected because of more biomass, more aerial part volume and also the most essential oil performance compared to the other genotypes. Desirable traits for the aerial part such as the time of flowering, leaf length, leaf width, plant height, the highest number of leaves in the stem and internode distance are important traits that should be considered. In addition, the cultivation of these genotype in order to the further production can be the great help in the domestication of this species and, given the fact that the diversity is a precursor of breeding, this research can be an introduction for future breeding operations. However, further research is needed to confirm the phytochemical superior genotypes.
Salahedin Moradi; Leila Jahanban; Leila Gheyratie Aarani; Jamal Sheikhi; Abdolmajid Ronaghi
Abstract
Introduction: Salinity is an environmental problem in the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. High amounts of salts like sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soils and water have destructive effects on yield of plants. The harmful effects of salinity on plant growth are related to the low osmotic ...
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Introduction: Salinity is an environmental problem in the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. High amounts of salts like sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soils and water have destructive effects on yield of plants. The harmful effects of salinity on plant growth are related to the low osmotic potential of the soil solution (water stress), the nutritional imbalance, the specific ion effect (salt stress), or the combination of these factors. The relationship between salinity and plant mineral nutrition is complicated. Under salinity stress, occurs the sodium and chlorine accumulation, resulting in ionic imbalance and the deficiency symptoms of nutrients in plants. The sodium (Na+) competes with the uptake of potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) by plant, and the chlorine (Cl-) with the uptake of nitrates (NO3-), phosphates (PO43-) and sulfates (SO42-).
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the tolerance of spinach cv. “virofly” to salinity levels in application with different nitrogen rates, a greenhouse experiment was conducted as completely randomized design based on factorial arrangement with three replications at Shiraz University Agricultural Faculty. Treatments include four levels of salinity (without salinity, 1, 2 and 3 gr of sodium chloride per kg of soil, equivalents to 0.7, 4.5, 8 and 11.5 dS/m in saturated solution extract of soil, respectively), and five levels of nitrogen (unfertilized, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mg N/kg of soil) as urea source. Nitrogen treatments were applied in two installments in water soluble (half before planting and another half, 20 days after planting). In order to prevent sudden stress, saline treatments were applied gradually after complete plant establishment with irrigation water. The irrigation of the pots was carried out with distilled water and at field capacity. After 56 days of sowing, in every pot the spinach shoots were discarded near the surface of the soil and the required parameters were measured.
Results and Discussion: The application of 4.5 and 8 dS/m salinity had no significant effect (≤0.05) on the relative yield and spinach leaf area, but 11.5 dS/m salinity significantly (≤0.05) decreased relative yield and spinach leaf area compared to without salinity level, 4.5 and 8 dS/m. Nitrogen application (75 and 150 mg/kg of soil) alleviated negative effect of salinity on yield and leaf area. Application of 225 and 300 mg N/kg of soil with 11.5 dS/m salinity significantly decreased the relative yield of spinach. The highest and lowest shoot water content changes in salinity conditions were observed in no-nitrogen application and 150 mg N/kg application, respectively, which shows that the application of nitrogen in the medium level controls the water changes in the spinach plants. In this study, increasing the amount of nitrogen at all levels of salinity, elevated the shoot water content. The tolerant plant species in the face of environmental stresses maintain the water content of their cells in the higher levels. Therefore, it can be said that the maintenance of high leaf water content is an important mechanism for tolerance to salinity, and the cultivars that can hold more water in their leaves under stress conditions, will have more tolerance to salinity stress. Linear regression (R2 = 0.8198) showed that in the salinity levels of 4.5 to 11.5 dS/m, there is a negative relationship between the yield and the chlorine to nitrogen ratio (Cl/N) of spinach shoots, so that with increasing Cl/N, the spinach shoot yield decreased by gradient of -3.077. Application of nitrogen up to 225 mg/kg of soil gradually reduced the ratio of K/Na, Ca/Na and Mg/Na, however, the application of 300 mg N/kg of soil had no significant effect on these ratios. The application of different levels of salinity gradually reduced the K/Na, Ca/Na and Mg/Na ratio.
Conclusion: The threshold of salinity of spinach cv. “virofly” was about 8 dS/m in our study, this was above the threshold mentioned (2 dS/m) for spinach in most sources. The application of nitrogen in medium level as urea can improve the negative effects of salinity in spinach but intensive nitrogen fertilization may increase the negative effects of salinity on plant yields.
Pomology
Mahmud Hasanabadi; Majid Azizi; Gholamhossein Davarinejad; Hojatollah Bodaghi; Hossein Hokmabadi
Abstract
Introduction Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important fruits cultivated in many areas with different climates all over the world. Grape, which is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids, is highly regarded in terms of economic value. Salicylic acid is one ...
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Introduction Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important fruits cultivated in many areas with different climates all over the world. Grape, which is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids, is highly regarded in terms of economic value. Salicylic acid is one of the compounds which have been used in recent years for improving the physicochemical properties of many fruits. The application of salicylic acid increases the shelf life of crops by inhibiting ethylene production and respiration, as well as by reducing the activity of some enzymes which are responsible for softening the cell wall. Furthermore, salicylic acid results in the enhancement of phenolic compound production by increasing the activity of some enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase.Materials and Methods The present study was conducted in 2014 on 13-year-old Shahroodi grapes that were grown using a head-training system with a spacing of 2m × 2m in "Shahrood" County, Semnan Province. A total of 60 grapevines with uniform age and growth characteristics were selected for the experiment. Salicylic acid was obtained from Merck and solutions were prepared using a small amount of organic solvent and surfactant to reduce the surface tension of the solutions. For the purpose, the Salicylic acid powder was dissolved in a few drops of ethanol and a few drops of Tween 20 for improving solution penetration to the plants, The solution was prepared at concentrations of 0 (control), 1, 2, 3 mM. Then the plants were sprayed two weeks after the fruit set stage (when berries were at the pea-sized stage with a diameter of 4 to 5 mm). The experimental design used in this experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. After harvesting and transporting of fruits to the laboratory, different characteristics were measured:Chlorophyll and carotenoid ContentChlorophyll a, b, and total Chlorophyll and carotenoid content measured according to Arnon (1967) method in grape leaves. The extraction steps were carried out with full precision to minimize contact with heat and light. In order to stabilize the pigments, the samples taken from the central part of the mature leaves were immediately ground in liquid nitrogen. The samples were vortexed two times with an interval of one minute and stored for 1.5 hours at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius in order to dissolve the pigments in cold acetone solvent. After that, they were centrifuged for 15 minutes at a speed of 6000 rpm. The supernatant after centrifugation of the samples was used to measure chlorophyll and total carotenoids. The absorbance of the samples was read at three wavelengths of 470, 645, and 663 nm using a Shimadzu UV (160) spectrophotometer. Using the absorbance of the samples in these three wavelengths and the equations below, the amounts of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids were calculated in terms of milligrams per gram of tissue sample weight.Fruit characteristics Fruit characteristics such as fruit yield, fruit firmness (with magnets-Taylor device), sugar and acid content, and content of phenolic compounds were also measured. The fruit tissue firmness was measured using a firmness tester (model FDKA 32, Wagner) and expressed in Newtons per square centimeter. The characteristics of soluble solids (TSS) were expressed using a handheld refractometer (Ataga, Japan) and expressed in terms of Brix, the pH of the extract was measured using a digital pH meter (Sartorius PP-20, Germany). Titratable acidity or TA was done through the titration of the extract using 0.1 normal sodium until pH 1.8-2.8 and its results were reported using the following formula and under the title of tartaric acid percentage.Total phenol content The amount of total phenol was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method and spectrophotometry. The absorbance of the reaction mixture was measured after 120 minutes of storage in the absence of light at a wavelength of 765 nm using a Shimadzu UV spectrophotometer (160). The amount of total phenol was expressed from the standard curve in terms of mg of gallic acid per 100 grams of extract in three replicates for each sample and standard.Total flavonoid The amount of total flavonoid was measured by aluminum chloride calorimetric method. In this experiment, 50 microliters of methanolic extract from the flesh and fruit skin were combined with 10 microliters of 10% aluminum chloride and 10 microliters of 1 M potassium acetate. Then, 280 microliters of double distilled water were added to the mixture. After the samples were mixed, they were left at room temperature for 40 minutes. The absorbance of the reaction mixture was measured at a wavelength of 415 nm using a Shimadzu UV spectrophotometer (160) in three replicates. A blank containing double distilled water was used for comparison. The amount of total flavonoids was determined based on the standard curve of quercetin and the results were expressed in micrograms of quercetin per gram of fruit skin and flesh weight.Total anthocyanin The amount of total anthocyanin was measured using the difference in pH method. In this method, the absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 520 and 700 nm along with potassium chloride and sodium acetate buffers with different pH values of 1 and 4.5.Results The results of the data analysis of variance showed that the application of salicylic acid resulted in significant differences in the measured characteristics. Therefore, the use of this compound improved the physical and biochemical quality of the treated grape clusters.Comparison of treatments means showed that using 2 mM salicylic acid brought about a significant effect on the amount of chlorophyll (a, b and total) and carotenoids compared to other treatments, especially control. Salicylic acid application caused a reduction in pH and soluble solids, and an increase in firmness, 100-berry weight and yield. The results of the study indicated a significant increase in organic acids and a decrease in reducing sugars in the grape clusters treated with salicylic acid. The highest amount of tartaric acid was found in the treatment with 2 mM salicylic acid, with an average of 0.66, while the control treatment had the lowest amount of tartaric acid, with an average of 0.52. This suggests that the use of salicylic acid led to a reduction in transpiration and consumption of organic acids. In terms of reducing sugars, the highest and lowest amounts were observed in the control treatment (14%/74) and the treatment with 2 mM salicylic acid (13%/60), respectively. Increasing the concentration of salicylic acid up to 2 mM resulted in the enhancement of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds contents, but higher concentrations (more than 2 mM) reduced the amounts of these compounds in treated fruits.Conclusion Pre-harvest use of salicylic acid could have a positive effect on the improvement of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of grape cv. Shahroodi. However, further comprehensive studies are needed to be conducted to recommend this compound to the growers of fruit trees.
Growing vegetables
Seyyed Ali Yaqoobi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati; Majid Azizi; Mahmood Shoor
Abstract
Introduction Storage potential is an important characteristic for onion. Annually, a large quantity of worldwide onion production deteriorated during storage. The storage ability of onion is influenced by various endo- and exogenous factors including cultivar and storage conditions specially, temperature. ...
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Introduction Storage potential is an important characteristic for onion. Annually, a large quantity of worldwide onion production deteriorated during storage. The storage ability of onion is influenced by various endo- and exogenous factors including cultivar and storage conditions specially, temperature. Based on literature, there is considerable genetic variation for onion storability in onion germplasms from different origins. Rivera Martínez et al. (2005) evaluated the storability of 18 local and 4 commercial onion cultivars in Spain. Their results showed that there was significant variation for storability among different onion cultivars, and interstingly the local cultivars had more storability than commercial ones. Onion storage could also affected by environmental conditions such as temperature. Benkeblia et al. (2000) studied the effects of various temperatures on respiratory parameters of onion. Their finding showed onion respiration were raised by increasing temperature. Likewise, the positive effect of higher temperature on enhancing the growth of sprouts and elevating transpiration has been reported (Miedema, 1998; Yoo et al., 1997). Although, Afghanistan is considered to be one of the origins of onion (Brewster, 1994) there are no reports on estimating the storability of Afghan local cultivars under different temperature conditions. So this research has been conducted to study the effects of various temperatures on storability of native onion cultivars of Afghanistan.Materials and Methods In this research, the plant materials consisted of 10 onion cultivars consisting eight local varieties “Hanaaie Harat”, “Zard-e-Harat”, “Ghermrz-e-Harat”, “Mazar-e-Sharif”, “Kabul”, “Sar-e-Pul”, “Ghonduz” and “Balkhaab” originated from Afghanistan, an Iranian cultivar (“Ghermez-e-Azarshahr”), and a commercial cultivar “Sweet Grano”. The cultivars were stored at two different temperature regimes (5 ºC and ambient temperature), during six-time intervals of 20 days. The average temperature of ambient storage was 13 °C ranging from 8-18 °C. The experiment lasted from November 6th, 2011 to March 5th, 2012. This research was performed in a completely randomized design based on split factorial design, with three replications. For each replication, 50 healthy non-sprouted bulbs were packaged in plastic nets. Storage potential related characteristics such as sprouting percentage, weight loss percentage, sprout length, and sprout weight/bulb weight ratio in 20 days intervals were measured. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS statistical software. Mean comparisons were calculated at 5% probability level using LSD when the F-value was significant (Fisher’s protected LSD).Results and Discussion The results showed that there were significant differences among cultivars for storage characteristics (weight loss percentage, sprouting percentage, length of sprouts and sprout weight/bulb weight ratio). “Ghonduz” and “Ghermrz-e-Harat” local cultivars had the most and least storage ability, 50% of bulb sprouting after 105 and 35 days, respectively. Rivera Martínez et al. (2005) and Ramin (1999) also reported Spanish and Iranian local cultivars had more storability compared to commercial cultivars. In 5 °C, weight loss of onion bulbs followed a linear model during storage period. But, in ambient storage, it was higher at the beginning and the end of storage period, showing the adverse effects of high temperatures on bulbs weight loss during storage. The interaction between cultivar and time was also significant. It showed onion weight loss differs in various intervals. It could be attributed to the genetic variation and morphological difference such as number and thickness of dry scales of onion bulbs. In ambient storage condition, onion sprouting percentage showed a sharp increase in early storage intervals and became stable in the late intervals. Under 5 °C treatment, it raised as a linear model with very slow slope. It seems that weight loss and sprouting of onion bulbs in ambient storage is dependent on temperature and relative humidity of environment. This finding is in agreement with previous reports (Baninasab and Rahemi, 2006; Forudi, 2005). The sprout length and the ratio of sprout weight to bulb weight was lower in 5 ºC than ambient temperature. Abdalla and Mann (1963) and Yoo et al. (1997) also reported that smaller sprouts were observed in lower temperatures. Conclusion In this experiment, the effects of temperature on storability of some local cultivars of onion originated from Afghanistan were studied in different intervals. It was found that the storage potential of onion bulbs could be influenced by genetic factors and environment conditions such as temperature. Findings of this research showed that sprouting percentage, weight loss percentage and onion sprout growth were less under 5 °C treatment than ambient temperature. Therefore, it was concluded that storing onion bulbs in low temperature conditions can reduce the onion spoilage and improve their storage life. Additionally, cultivars showed highly significant variations for all characteristics related to storage ability. Our findings showed that some local cultivars are more storable than commercial cultivars. Among the cultivars, “Ghonduz” cultivar has more storage potent as compared to all studied cultivars. Our results confirmed that local cultivars can be a good source of desirable genes related to storability. Subsequently, they can exploited to broaden the genetic base of breeding matreials.
Pomology
S. Keivanfar; D. Hashemabadi; B. Kaviani
Abstract
IntroductionOlive (Olea europea L.) fruit ripening is a slow and long process and has a great impact on fruit quality, including the amount of oil. Also, interrupting the harvest and extraction of olive oil causes unfavorable conditions in this fruit. Therefore, it is important to determine the best ...
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IntroductionOlive (Olea europea L.) fruit ripening is a slow and long process and has a great impact on fruit quality, including the amount of oil. Also, interrupting the harvest and extraction of olive oil causes unfavorable conditions in this fruit. Therefore, it is important to determine the best time to harvest the fruit. Olive oil has unsaturated fatty acids and has an antioxidant activity. The analysis of maturation stages is a prerequisite for fruit harvest time in each cultivar and quality of olive products. The time of harvest and maintenance after harvest is two important factors in the quality and quality of olive fruit oil. The exact determination of olive harvest time depends on the geographical area, cultivar and climate, agronomic and fruiting conditions. Study on different olive cultivars in different regions of Iran and the world revealed that fruit harvest time plays an effective role on the morphological, physiological and metabolic parameters of fruit. The approximate time of olive fruit harvest is in different geographical points, November and October. The purpose of this study was to investigate the right time of olive fruit harvesting 'Arbequina' and 'Yellow' cultivars for obtaining maximum quality of fruit and oil. Materials and MethodsA factorial experiment containing two factors; cultivar in two levels ('Yellow' and 'Arbequina') and harvest time in six levels (24th and 31th October, and 7th, 14th, 21th and 28th November) based on a completely randomized block design with two factors in 12 treatments, 3 replicates and 36 experimental units was done to determine the appropriate harvest time and its effect on oil quality. Physiologic parameters; percentage of oil, amount of phenolic compounds, degree of peroxidation, amount of oleic acid, force of separation of fruit from tail and acidity were evaluated. This research was conducted at the olive research station in Rudbar city in southern Guilan province using the removed olives from the Manjil ETKA station. The 6 trees from two cultivars; 'Arbakkin' and 'Yellow' (from each 3 tree) which were similar in terms of height, age, crown diameter, mean conditions and irrigation were evaluated. Trees were planted at 6 × 8 m intervals. After selecting trees, from each tree, 2 to 3 kg of olive was randomly harvested. In fruits with tail, the force needed to separate the tail of the fruit was measured by the force assessment device. Standard method numbers 4178 and 4179 standard institutes and industrial research of Iran were used to measure acidity and olive oil peroxide, respectively. Polyphenols were measured with spectrophotometer. To determine the percentage of oil, saccule was used. For measurement of oleic acid, gas chromatography (GC) was used. Data were analyzed using SAS software and their average comparison was done by Duncan. Results and Discussion Mean comparison of the interaction effect between cultivar and harvest time showed that the highest acidity of the fruit was obtained in 'Arbequina' cultivar, respectively harvested at two times 31th and 24th October. The highest fruit peroxide value and the highest percentage of oleic acid were calculated in 'Yellow' cultivar in 24th October. The highest value of polyphenol was obtained in 'Yellow' cultivar on 7th November. The highest percentage of fruit oil was obtained in 'Arbequina' cultivar on 31th October. The lowest force to separate the tail from the fruit was applied in 'Arbequina' cultivar on 31th October. The results showed that the best time to harvest 'Yellow' cultivar is 7th November and for 'Arbequina' cultivar is 14th November. The study on several olive cultivars in China showed that the most suitable fruit harvest time was in late October until mid-November. There was an adverse significant correlation between changes in total sugar content in fruit and leaf and oil accumulation in the fruit. The quality of fruit depends mainly to the type of cultivar, genetic characteristics, maturity and environmental conditions. Study on some olive cultivars showed that the ratio between sugars is different in various stages of fruit maturity and between different cultivars of olive fruit. Some studies have shown that the most suitable time of olive fruit harvest for canned preparation is early September and for extraction of oil, late September. Fruits should be harvested when they have the highest oil accumulation. The study on 'Koroneiki' and 'Mission' cultivars in Gorgan region showed that the amount of oil in the dry matter and the percentage of free fatty acids increased with increasing degree of maturity, while peroxide value was reduced. One of the causes of peroxide value reduction during maturity is reduction in lipoxygenase enzyme activity. This enzyme increases the peroxide value by effect on linolenic acid and linoleic acid. Based on these results, the best time to harvest for the above cultivars is early in December. ConclusionsHarvest time and proper storage after harvest are two important factors of olive oil quantity and quality. In both cultivars, a longer delay in harvesting compared to the mentioned-above dates increases the percentage of oil, but it has a negative effect on the reproductive stages of the next year, and perhaps one of the causes of olive aging is excessive delay in harvesting. It is important to pay attention to the above two items.
Masoud Azimi; Majid Azizi; Mohammad Farsi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, mushroom and fungi are one of the most promising organisms which are used in biotechnology research (industry, medicine and agriculture). In the meantime, medicinal mushroom (mostly consumed as edible and medicinal products) have become a valuable biological resourcesin the pharmaceutical ...
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Introduction: Nowadays, mushroom and fungi are one of the most promising organisms which are used in biotechnology research (industry, medicine and agriculture). In the meantime, medicinal mushroom (mostly consumed as edible and medicinal products) have become a valuable biological resourcesin the pharmaceutical industry. Ganoderma the most legendary species of fungi in China with a long history dating back more than two thousand years.Ganodermalucidum (Fr.) Karst isa species belonging to the order of Aphyllophorales and family Basidiomycetes. The mushroom only growth on two or three types of trees among 10,000 known trees in the world and therefore is very rare. Ganoderma fruiting bodies and spores contain about 400 different bioactive compounds, which mainly includeTriterpenes, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins andpeptides. The mushroom polysaccharides, in addition to cancer treatment have showed antiviral properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and prevent blood clotting. Tavana et al (1) in the evaluation of the use of some agricultural and forest wastes material for production of the mushroom stated that the residue are suitable as a helpful supplements for the activity. Gonzalez-Matute et al (11) used sunflower seed shell after oil extraction as a substrate. They concluded that the sunflower seed shell can be used as the main energy source in the substrate to grow the mushroom. There are different agricultural wastematerials which are good sources for growing mushroom in our country. The use of agricultural residues has attracted much attention in recent years. To the best of our knowledge there are a few published studieson the production of Ganoderma in the field condition. This study was performed on Reishi mushroom (Ganodermalucidum) to investigate the effects of different agricultural wastes on some morphological characteristics (growth rate, fresh weight and dry weight of mycelia, biological yield andcrude polysaccharide content) and polysaccharide contents of fruits.
Material and Methods:The main portion of the medium for production of Ganodermalucidum was wood chips as 5-10 mm long that supplemented with different agricultural wastes included black seed waste, tea waste, hazelnut waste, coconut waste, almond wasteand sesame waste, with two types of bran (wheat and rice). The statistical design was afactorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design with threereplications. The treatment were included
Wood chips (80 percent) + black seed waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + tea waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + sesame waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + hazelnut waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + coconut waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + black seed waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + almond waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + sesame waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + hazelnut waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + coconut waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
At first Wood chips soaked in water for 2 days until the their moisture reached60-65 then the other agricultural waste materials added on the basis of the treatments and the autoclavable propylene bags filledwith the mixture and autoclaved for 2 hours at 121ºC. After cooling, all bags inoculated with wheat spawn of the Ganodermalucidium and the bags putunderdark condition in growth chamber with 85-95% humidity at 30ºC. After full colonization of the bags, they transfer to the light condition (200-500 Lux) at 25ºC until primordial formation. Then the light increased to 500-700 Lux until fruiting body formation.
Results and Discussion: The results of analysis of variance showed that the use of these agricultural wastes had a significant effect (P≤0.01) on growth rate, fresh weight, dry weight of myceliumand biological yield. The highest growth rate of mycelia (on the basis of days after inoculation to medium colonized completely) was detected in media enriched with tea waste, hazelnut waste, coconut waste and almond waste (15.33, 16.67, 15.33 and 14.33 days, respectively). The lowest growth rate of mycelium was detected in media enriched with black seed waste (30.33 days). The substrate supplemented with almond waste produced the highest amount of fresh fruit weight (31 g) and the lowest fresh fruit weight (15.74 g) was detected under coconut waste treatment. The highest amount of fruit dry weight (6.51 g) observed under the almond waste treatment and the lowest one observed under the coconut waste treatment (3.75 g). The media supplemented with almond wastes produced the highest biological yield (7.75%), but tea waste, hazelnut waste and coconut waste treatments had the lowest biological yield (4.75, 5.32, 5.27 and 3.93 percent, respectively) without significant differences (P≤0.01).
Saeid Mirzaei; Mehdi Rahimi; Ali Tajabadipour; Masoud Bahar; Bahram SharifNabi
Abstract
Introduction: The pistachio (Pistacia vera), a member of the cashew family, is a small tree originating from Central Asia and the Middle East. The tree produces seeds that are widely consumed as food. Pistacia vera often is confused with other species in the genus Pistacia that are also known as pistachio. ...
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Introduction: The pistachio (Pistacia vera), a member of the cashew family, is a small tree originating from Central Asia and the Middle East. The tree produces seeds that are widely consumed as food. Pistacia vera often is confused with other species in the genus Pistacia that are also known as pistachio. These other species can be distinguished by their geographic distributions and their seeds which are much smaller and have a soft shell. Continual advances in crop improvement through plant breeding are driven by the available genetic diversity. Therefore, the recognition and measurement of such diversity is crucial to breeding programs. In the past 20 years, the major effort in plant breeding has changed from quantitative to molecular genetics with emphasis on quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification and marker assisted selection (MAS). The germplasm-regression-combined association studies not only allow mapping of genes/QTLs with higher level of confidence, but also allow detection of genes/QTLs, which will otherwise escape detection in linkage-based QTL studies based on the planned populations. The development of the marker-based technology offers a fast, reliable, and easy way to perform multiple regression analysis and comprise an alternative approach to breeding in diverse species of plants. The availability of many makers and morphological traits can help to regression analysis between these markers and morphological traits.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 genotypes of Pistachio were studied and yield related traits were measured. Young well-expanded leaves were collected for DNA extraction and total genomic DNA was extracted. Genotyping was performed using 15 RAPD primers and PCR amplification products were visualized by gel electrophoresis. The reproducible RAPD fragments were scored on the basis of present (1) or absent (0) bands and a binary matrix constructed using each molecular marker. Association analysis between molecular date (as independent variable) and morphological data (as dependent variable) was performed using multiple regression analysis to identify informative markers associated with the yield related traits. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using stepwise method of linear regression analysis option of SPSS. Student t-test was performed to assess significance difference between mean trait estimates of genotypes where specific markers were present and absent. Markers shown significant regression values were considered to be associated with the trait under consideration.
Results and Discussion: Finally 11 primers were polymorphic and a total of 56 pieces (loci) were amplified that among these, 36 segments (64.29%) showed polymorphism with an average of 5.09% per primers and the rate of this polymorphism ranged from at least 25% for AJ05 primer up to 87.5% for OPAD02 primer. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.095 (AJ05 and OPAD14) to 0.39 (OPC05), with an average of 0.23. Stepwise regression analysis between molecular data and traits was performed to identify informative markers associated with yield component traits. Nineteen RAPD fragments were found associated with six yield related traits. Some of RAPD markers were associated with more than one trait in multiple regression analysis that may be due to pleiotropic effect of the linked quantitative trait locus on different traits. However, to better understand these relationships, preparation of segregating population and linkage mapping is necessary. Also, these results could be useful in marker-assisted breeding programs when no other genetic information is available.
Conclusion: This investigation on molecular markers associated with yield traits in Pistachio has provided clues for identification of the genotypes with higher yield value. In breeding programs selection of quality material is often a time-consuming process, and thus marker-assisted selection could be of great useful in identification of promising genotypes with high value of yield traits. Some of RAPD markers can be used for elite selection of Pistachio, particularly when no other genetic information like linkage maps and quantitative trait loci are available for the species. The applications of the RAPD approach enable us to predict positive correlation between data generated by molecular markers and studied traits. Also, the marker–trait association identification will play an important role in plant MAS/QTL breeding programs, especially in plants where genetic information such as linkage map and QTL is not available.
Abdolreza Raisi Sarbijan; Naser Broomand; Tahereh Zaherara
Abstract
Introduction: Nitrogen is an essential element forplants and in combination withelements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and sulfur results ineven more valuable materials such as amino acids, nucleic acids, alkaloids. Hibiscus tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa ) from Malvaceaefamily is known by different names ...
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Introduction: Nitrogen is an essential element forplants and in combination withelements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and sulfur results ineven more valuable materials such as amino acids, nucleic acids, alkaloids. Hibiscus tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa ) from Malvaceaefamily is known by different names in different parts of the world. In Iran it is calledthe Maki tea, tea Meccaorred tea.As an important plant,it is decided to investigate its growth and development in Jiroft.
Materials and Methods The experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in farm research of Islamic Azad University of Jiroft during 2010. The first factor was nitrogen foliar application in four levels (0, 1, 2 and 3 percent) and second factor was foliar application of zinc at twolevels (0 and 1 percent). The measured quantitative characteristics were stem diameter, plant height, calycle fresh weight,calycle dry weight, plant fresh weight,plant dry weight, leaf fresh weight,leaf dry weight, mucilage percentage and mucilage yield.
Results and Discussion:The results of ANOVA showed that nitrogen foliar application on leaf dry weight, calycle fresh and dry weight was effective. Plant fresh weight, dry weight, stem diameter, plant height, mucilage percentageandmucilage yield showedsignificanteffects. Zinc foliar application significantly affected leaf fresh weight,leafdry weight, calycle fresh weight, plant fresh weight,plant dry weight, mucilage percentage andmucilage yield.The interaction effect of nitrogen and zinc on leaf dry weight, plant freshweight and plant dry weight was also significant.
The mean comparison of studied characteristics revealed that byincreasing the amount of nitrogen up to N2 level, the stem diameter, plant height, leaf dry weight, calycle dry weight, mucilage percentage and yield increased but there was no significant difference between N2 and N3 levels. Plant fresh weight and plantdry weight increased with increasing amountof nitrogen up to N3 level. Theapplication of zinc fertilizer significantly increased the plant fresh weigh, plant dry weight, mucilage percentage and yield. The interactions of nitrogen and zinc improved the calycle, leaf dry weight, plant dry weight, and the highest calycle dry weight were achieved from N2Zn1 and N3Zn1 treatments.
The results showed that any givenlevel of nitrogen fertilizer and zinc fertilizer increased growth, yieldand quantitative traits of Hibiscus tea, but the level of interaction between nitrogen and zinc fertilizer hada significant effect on growth traits of Hibiscus tea, and even reduced the growth and yield of quantitative traits. The nitrogen and the fertilizer mixture of nitrogen and zinc had a significant influence on Hibiscus tea quantitative traits. Nitrogen fertilizer with a higher level of performance and yield had the greatest effect on Hibiscus tea.The greatest impact of nitrogen fertilizer, zinc fertilizer and the fertilizer mixture of nitrogen and zinc on sepal fresh weight were215.481 gr, 209.935 gr and 216.893 gr respectively.The effect of nitrogen fertilizer, zinc fertilizer and fertilizer mixture of nitrogen and zinc on leaf fresh weight,leaf dry weight andsepals dry weight were 61.787 gr 13.378 gr and 19.482 gr respectively.
Conclusion The results of this study showed thatin order to increase crop yield and quality,nitrogen fertilizer and spraying of manure on Hibiscus tea is recommended. Because of having useful properties in the treatment of diabetes, as well as the climate and soil conditions of Jiroft area, this plant is grown as a medicinal plant at a large scale. Since Jiroft region is a suitable place for growth of Hibiscus tea and due to the importance of medicinal plants, it recommend that this experiment should be repeated to evaluateplant characteristics.
Moazzam Hassanpour Asil; Mehdi Dehestani Ardakani; Mohammad Rabiee
Abstract
To study the effect of seed density and plant distance on yield and growth parameters of radish, an experiment was conducted in Research of Station Rice at office Rasht in 2008-2009. This study was set in secondary culture after rice by factorial experiment with randomized complete block design with ...
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To study the effect of seed density and plant distance on yield and growth parameters of radish, an experiment was conducted in Research of Station Rice at office Rasht in 2008-2009. This study was set in secondary culture after rice by factorial experiment with randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Treatments consisted of factorial arrangement of three seed density levels (5, 10 and 15 Kg/ha) and plant spacing (20 and 30 cm). Measurements comprising of total production in hectare, weight of one shrub, weight of tuber, weight of foliage, shrub height, leaf number, length of leaf, length and diameter of tuber. Results showed that seed density of 5 Kg in hectare in plant distance of 20 cm with yield of 45.38 ton in hectare was most performance and recommendable for this region.
Mohammad Javad Ahmadi Lahijani; Mohammad Farsi
Abstract
Introduction: Among edible mushrooms, white button mushroom is the most cultivated one around the world. Mono-spores diversity in terms of growth rate, colony type, yield and etc. is used for intra strain genetic improvement. High yielding isolates with filamentous mycelium type are screened and used ...
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Introduction: Among edible mushrooms, white button mushroom is the most cultivated one around the world. Mono-spores diversity in terms of growth rate, colony type, yield and etc. is used for intra strain genetic improvement. High yielding isolates with filamentous mycelium type are screened and used for spawn production (Farsi and Gordan, 2002). Success in mushroom production largely depends on the quality of spawn produced in sterile conditions (Sanchez, 2010). Farsi and Gordan, (2004) reported that colony shape and mycelium growth type are very important factors in screening isolates in terms of mycelium growth rate and yield. To screen isolates based on their mycelium growth, solid media are among the most suitable ones (Griffin, 1994). In a study conducted to evaluate mycelium growth rate of six Morchella species on different media, PDA and MEA were known as the best ones (Kalmis and Kalyoncu, 2008). The present study was conducted in order to evaluate mycelium growth rate and yield of white button mushroom isolates in solid medium, spawn and compost media.
Materials and methods: Eighteen isolates of white button mushroom were compared on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar), CYM (Complete Yeast Medium), spawn and compost media based on mycelium growth rate, type and class growth and yield at the mushroom research center of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2014. A piece of mycelium of each isolate was placed in the center of each petri dish and was kept in 23±1°C, and the radial growth rate of mycelium was measured as two perpendicular diameters in three consecutive weeks. Mycelium growth rate on spawn and compost media was measured based on the percentage of surface coverage during the 15 consecutive days. Yield of each isolate was measured by daily harvesting of mushrooms during 35 days of experiment. Analysis of variance and means comparison of the variables were carried out using SAS software. Means analysis was performed using LSD test at 5% significance level.
Results and discussion: There were significant differences among isolates based on mycelium growth rate and yield. In PDA medium, 2200 isolate showed the fastest mycelium growth rate with 1.9 mm.day-1 and final colony diameter of 8.1 cm. were This isolate also showed the fastest mycelium growth rate on CYM medium and covering the spawn and compost media surfaces, and produced the highest yield along with A15a isolate (A15a and 2200 with 22.1 and 19.4 kg.m-2, respectively). Magnum d with mycelium growth rate of 0.7 mm.day-1 and final colony diameter of 3.1 cm showed the slowest mycelium growth rate. On average, 75% of isolates were grouped in slow mycelium growth rate class and 25% were placed in fast mycelium growth rate class. Isolates A15a, 2200, A15, M7219 and F64d showed fast mycelium growth rate. All of the isolates showed filamentous mycelium growth type and no abnormal mycelium growth type was observed. Isolate A15a with 50% coverage of compost surface during the first 5 days and 90% during the 15 days showed the fastest mycelium growth rate on this medium, followed by isolates F64d, 2200 and A15a. Normal mycelium growth rate on compost medium varied from 6-8 to sometimes 10-12 mm.day-1 (Farsi and Pooyanfar, 2011). There was a high positive correlation between mycelium growth rate and the yield component, so that isolates with faster mycelium growth rate produced higher yield. Farsi and Gordan, (2001) also reported significant positive correlation between filamentous mycelium type and yield, so that isolates with filamentous mycelium growth type and high mycelium growth rate produced higher yield. Faster mycelium growth rate is considered as a desire characteristic in mushroom cultivation due to the reduction of contamination risk of other micro-organisms (Oie, 2003).
Conclusion: There was a high significant difference among white button mushroom isolates in terms of mycelium growth rate and yield. Isolates with faster mycelium growth rate on solid medium produced higher yield. A high positive correlation was observed between mycelium growth rate on CYM and compost media, so it could be used as an appropriate medium for comparison of mycelium growth rate in vitro. As comparison of strain yield is time consuming and difficult, screening based on their growth rate on CYM is recommended.
Safdar Pourmombeini; Norollah Moallemi
Abstract
Introduction: Dodonaeaviscosa is an evergreen and perennial shrub which distributed widely in warm regions throughout the world. Untreated seeds germinatewell, but to shorten germination, seeds werefloated in hot water for 30 seconds, then cooled down rapidly. In addition, scarification as pre-treatment ...
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Introduction: Dodonaeaviscosa is an evergreen and perennial shrub which distributed widely in warm regions throughout the world. Untreated seeds germinatewell, but to shorten germination, seeds werefloated in hot water for 30 seconds, then cooled down rapidly. In addition, scarification as pre-treatment and dipping the seed in boiling water improve seed germination. Under salinity,the level of abscisic acid increases more than gibberellic acid which prevents seeds germination. Accumulation of Na+ and Cl- ions can lead to changes in water status in plant tissues and creating a series of second stress, such as oxidative stress. In priming, seeds are authorized to absorb some water, sothat, the early stages of germination are donewithout root emerging. The country of Iran and especiallyKhozestan province is located in arid and semi-arid region of the world, sounder such conditionand dueto high temperature and low rainfall, and salinity of water sources and media, D.viscosasexual reproduction is suffered by serious challenges. Consequently,the objective of this study was to investigate the effectsof hydro and osmo-priming in combining withgibberellic acid and potassium nitrate on seed germination of D.viscosaunder salinity stress.
Materials and Methods: Two experiments in 2010 wereconducted separately and consecutively in completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications in the plant propagation laboratory of faculty of Agriculture, ShahidChamran University of Ahvaz (latitude 31.33° N, longitude 48.69° E, altitude 23 m). In the first experiment, 500 seeds were selected from seed lot, and were disinfectedwith sodium hypochlorite 2.5%, afterwards, divided into five categories (each category consisted of 100 seeds in four replicates) and were treated as : 1) Osmo-priming with gibberellic acid 50 and 100 mg.l-1 and potassium nitrate 0.5 and 1 % for 12 h. 2) hydro-primed with distilled water (as control) for 12 h. A week later second experiment wascarried out (with 500 seeds from some initial seedlot) base of the best result obtained in the first experiment to study theeffects of salinityonseed germination. Seeds weretreated withgibberellic acid(50 mg.l-1)for 12 h. During germination, seeds were irrigated with different levels of salinity, including 0.0 (distilled water as control), 3, 6, 9 and 12 ds.m-1using NaCl salt (as halopriming). Analysis of data (ANOVA) wasperformed by procedure within thestatistical software MSTAT-C and means were separated by multiple-rangetest of Duncan’s at (p
Hamed Doulati Baneh; Hekmat Jafari; Rasul Jalili Marandi; Rahim Abdolahi
Abstract
Introduction: The basic characteristic of modern table grape production is its adaptation to the requirements of the market aiming to improve grape quality, such as equal cluster size, equal size and shape of the berry, and equal coloration of all the berries in the cluster. Furthermore, an important ...
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Introduction: The basic characteristic of modern table grape production is its adaptation to the requirements of the market aiming to improve grape quality, such as equal cluster size, equal size and shape of the berry, and equal coloration of all the berries in the cluster. Furthermore, an important attribute of the grape berry quality is seedlessness. Seedless cultivars are characterized with small berries, which can be increased by using some management techniques. Plant hormones may play an important role in the growth and development of grape berries. Gibberellic acid (GA3) is known to stimulate development of parthenocarpic fruit in grapes and other fruits. The exogenous pre-bloom application of GA3 to grapevine is commonly used to induce seedlessness, accelerate early ripening, and enhance berry size in seedless cultivars. Although there are a large number of studies on seedless grape varieties, no previous research has been performed on the effect of GA3 on the seeded grape cultivars. Differences in the types of berry set affect the growth of berries and their size. It is well known that there is an important relationship between seed development and berry growth, which has been attributed to hormones such as auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins.
Materials and Methods: To study the effects of 100 mg/L pre-bloom (7 and 14 days before blooming) GA3 application on the induction of seedlessness and some berry and cluster characteristics of three seeded Iranian cultivars, Qzl ouzum, Rish babab Qermez and Khalili Qermez, this research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. The vines of each cultivar were selected in the vineyard of Horticultural Research Center in West Azarbaijan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, Urmia, Iran. The vines were 13 years old and bi-lateral cordon system had been used as their training system. Pollen germination test was performed at the time of flowering, and several qualitative and quantitative traits including fruit set percentage, cluster length, rachis fresh weight, number of shot berries, number of seedless berries in clusters, the average weight of seedless berries, length of pedicle, berry weight, total soluble solids (TSS) and pH were measured.
Results and Discussion: The results of the study showed that GA3 at 100 mg/L showed significant difference from control regarding pollen germination rate, fruit set percentage, length of cluster and rachis, number of shot berries, weight and number of seedless berries, length of pedicle, weight of berry and TSS. Pollen germination was reduced in those cultivars treated with GA3 but the responses of cultivars were different. Gibberellin caused an increase in cluster length, but the rate of increase in Rish baba and Qzl ouzum was greater than Khalili. In terms of inducing seedlessness in berries, GA3 caused greater effect in Qzl ouzum than Rish baba and Khalili Qermez. The greatest seedless berries weight obtained with the treatment of GA3 spray 7 days before blooming in Qzl ouzum, although the number of seedless berries in this cultivar was fewer than other cultivars. The difference in berry number per cluster between clusters receiving GA3 pre- vs. post-anthesis appeared to consist largely of seedless berries. Perhaps, GA3 stimulated non-fertilized or otherwise nonviable fruits to be retained. The longest pedicle observed in Qzl ouzum treated with 100 mg/lit GA3 14 days before blooming, while Khalili Qermez had the shortest pedicle. In all the cultivars, treatment with GA3 caused an increase in the average length of pedicle. The content of total soluble solids (TSS) in fruits treated with GA3 was higher than control. Gibberellic acid promotes cell division, stimulates earlier flowering, increases the size and yield of fruits, and induces seedlessness in seedless cultivars. The effect of GA3 depends on variety, concentration and time of application.
Conclusion: In conclusion, application of GA3 at 100 mg/lit increased fruit set and seedless berries. The increased number of seedless berries was also noticed when GA3 applied at 100 mg/L. In general, GA3 application before flowering in Qzl ouzum, Rish babab Qermez and Khalili Qermez cultivars produced shot berries and seeded berries, and repeated GA3 application after fruit set can resulted in seedless berries with an acceptable size. More research is needed to establish guidelines for the proper use of GA3 for production of seedless berries from the studied seeded cultivars.
Simin Irankhah; Ali Ganjeali; Mehrdad Lahouti; Mansour Mashreghi
Abstract
Introduction: Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. Diverse groups of microorganisms are symbiotic with Fenugreek roots system. This integration leads to significant increases in the development and production by increasing nitrogen ...
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Introduction: Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. Diverse groups of microorganisms are symbiotic with Fenugreek roots system. This integration leads to significant increases in the development and production by increasing nitrogen fixation, phytohormones production, siderophores and phosphate solubilization. Plant growth-promoting bacteria increase plant growth byimproving nutrientuptake and phytohormones production. In addition, the beneficial effect of these bacteria could be due totheirinteractionwithArbuscularMycorrhizal fungi(VAM). Drought is one of the major limiting factors for crop production in many parts of the world including Iran. Symbiotic microorganisms can enhance plant tolerance to drought. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of Vesicular ArbuscularMycorrhiza (VAM) and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on morphological and biochemical characteristics of Fenugreek in drought stress conditions.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in completely random design with 3 replications.There were four treatments including inoculation with Pseudomonas putida, inoculation with Glomusintraradices, combined association of Pseudomonas putida and Glomusintraradices and untreated as a check under drought stress (40% of field capacity) and non-stress conditions (80% of field capacity). In this experiment fiveseeds were sowninplastic pots. Before sowing, seeds were inoculated with microorganisms. In order to inoculation ofseed with Mycorrhizal fungi, for each kilogram of soil, 100 grams of powder containing 10 to 15 thousand spores of fungal soil (produced by the biotech company Toos) was added to three centimeters of soil in the pot. For seed inoculation with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, the growth curve of the bacteria was drawn at first and then the best time for the growth of bacteria was determined. The bacteria at the best time and at a dilution of 0.5 McFarland was added to the seed.Pots were placed in a growth chamber (with a temperature of 25 ° C and 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness photoperiod).After ten days of planting, the water treatment was applied and continued until the end of the experiment.
Results and Discussion:The results showed that the use of co -inoculation treatment ofP.putidaandG.intraradicesand application of G.intraradices aloneat non-stress conditions did not make a significant difference on the amount of plant biomass. In drought conditions, application of G.intraradice alone had significant difference (P≤0.05) compare with control (no inoculation microorganisms) for biomass.In stress conditions, P.putida inoculation and also in combination with G.intraradicesincreased biomass in compare with control (no inoculation of micro-organisms), but this increasing was not statistically significant.VAMare important ecological symbiotic with roots are important component of the ecosystem and affect the absorption of minerals through the roots. The results of the present study showed that the amount of phosphorus in all of treatments was increased and the greatest increase was related to G.intraradicetreatment.The results also showed that drought stress increased the leaf soluble proteins in compared with non-stress condition. Increasing the concentration of soluble proteins under drought stress can be related to increased protein synthesis that maybe related to adaptation and reprogramming under new situation and itprotect the cells against stress. The results showed that the use of co -inoculation treatment ofP.putidaand G.intraradices, as well as each individual treatment, increased the amount of soluble proteins in leaves.In the case of the Diosgenin percentage, drought stress reduced the amount of Diosgenin percentage. Underdrought stress conditions, use of co -inoculation treatment ofP.putidaand G.intraradicesand application of G.intraradicewithout presence of bacteria made a significant increase in plant Diosgenin concentration.
Conclusion: Theresults revealed that seed treatment with Pseudomonas putida and Glomusintraradices increased the biomass, protein content, phosphorus uptake and diosgenin percent in Fenugreek under drought stress condition. Since Diosgenin is very important medicinal compound, inoculation of fenugreek with these microorganisms can be a way to increase the Diosgenin production.
Fatemeh Bidarnamani; Hossein Zarei; Kambiz Mashayekhi; Mehdi Shabanipoor
Abstract
To compare the effect of the substrate on the cultivation of ornamental plants, Ficus benjamina cv. star light was chosen as a model plant. Nine treatments from 8 types of substrates with 6 replications were investigated in this study. Data analysis with SPSS software in (P≤0.05) showed the effect ...
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To compare the effect of the substrate on the cultivation of ornamental plants, Ficus benjamina cv. star light was chosen as a model plant. Nine treatments from 8 types of substrates with 6 replications were investigated in this study. Data analysis with SPSS software in (P≤0.05) showed the effect of different month were significant on stem diameter, height, leaf number and total length of new leaves. Also application of different substrates showed the effect of substrate wasn’t significant on stem diameter and plant height, while it was significant on number of new leaf, number of new lateral shoot and total length of new leaf. The interaction between the substrates and measuring time was significant on plant height, number of new leaf and total length of new leaf, but it wasn’t significant on increasing rate of stem diameter. According to the result of this study, substrate n containing [1/3 (3 perlite+1 sand) + 1/3 (1 leaf-mold+ 1 rice hull+ 1 cocopeat) + 1/3 (2 mushroom compost+ 1 forest trees compost+ 1 rotted manure)] was the best substrate as for the most number of new leaf, number of new lateral shoots and total length of new leaf, also it was in suitable situation in height characteristic. Also in different measured month, the value of plant growth was increased with enhancement in air temperature in spring and summer seasons; insofar as the most increasing in plant height and number of new leaf were observed on July. So it is better that the plants growing should be delayed to warm seasons.
Roozbeh Farhoudi
Abstract
Introduction: Iran’s climate is mostly arid and semi-arid, where water availability is a major problem. Water stress substantially alters plant metabolism, decreasing plant growth and photosynthesis and profoundly affecting ecosystems and agriculture, as well as human societies. Unfortunately, water ...
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Introduction: Iran’s climate is mostly arid and semi-arid, where water availability is a major problem. Water stress substantially alters plant metabolism, decreasing plant growth and photosynthesis and profoundly affecting ecosystems and agriculture, as well as human societies. Unfortunately, water deficiency is increasingly becoming a serious problem in agriculture in Iran whereas the national average annual precipitation is less than 249 mm. Recently, medicinal and aromatic plants have received much attention in several fields such as agroalimentary, perfumes, pharmaceutical industries and natural cosmetic products. Although, secondary metabolites in the medicinal and aromatic plants impressed conventionally by their genetic makeup; moreover their biosynthesis is strongly influenced by environmental factors. It means biotic and abiotic environmental factors affect growth parameter, essential oil yield and constituents. Abiotic environmental stresses like drought have the most effect on medicinal plants. In arid and semi-arid regions like south of Iran where water availability is a major limitation, using plants with low water consumption is one way to manage available water efficiently. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus) are annual plants belonging to Asteraceae family naturally widespread in west, northwest and south of Iran and their consumption has a long history in Iranian folklore medicine. Over 120 components have been identified in these plants essential oil, while, chamazulene, camphor, bisabolol oxides A and B, farnesene and ά- bisabolonoxide are the most important ones.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Research Farm of Islamic Azad University, Shoshtar Branch, Iran during 2010-2011 in order to evaluate the effects of water stress levels on growth, photosynthesis and essential oil yield of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus). Two water stress levels viz. medium at 75% field capacity (FC) (I 75) and sever at 55% FC (I 55) were included in the study, while 90% FC (I 90) was taken as control. The experiment was laid out based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Net plot size was 2 m × 2 m having plants density of 120 chamomile m-2 and 100 chicory m-2. Sowing was done manually on well prepared seedbed in November 2010 and plants were harvested in June 2011. Irrigation treatments were started three weeks after seed sown when seedling started their growth and development. Chamomile and chicory essential oil percentage, essential oil yield, dry weight, photosynthesis and chlorophyll content were assayed in this research.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that drought stress had significant effect on photosynthesis, chlorophyll a concentration, plant height and dry matter yield of chamomile and chicory. The Lowest flowers dry yield of chamomile and leaf dry weight of chicory obtained from severe drought stress level (47 and 195 gr m-2). The highest essential oil yield of chamomile (56.6 g m-2) and chicory (226.9 gr m-2) showed in mild drought stress treatment. Results indicated that medium drought stress increased seconds’ metabolites concentration and essential oil yield of chamomile and chicory. Important second compound in chamomile and chicory essential oil were camphor, α-pinene, β-pinene, ά-bisabolol and chamazulene. Drought stress decreased photosynthesis rate and minimum photosynthesis rate in chamomile and chicory were 9.0 mgl CO2 m-2 s-3 and 12.0 mgl CO2 m-2 s-3 under severe drought stress treatment. In chamomile the lowest chlorophyll a content showed in mild and severe drought stress treatments (1.1 and 1.2 mg g-1). Minimum chlorophyll a and b content of chicory obtained from severe drought stress treatment (0.7 and 1.02 mg g-1 respectively).Results of the study clearly elaborate that severe drought stress hampered the growth, photosynthetic rate and lowered the oil yield of chamomile, whereas medium drought stress (irrigation at 75% of FC level) improved the growth and oil productivity even more than well watered conditions. Although, severe water stress observed sizeable rise in essential oil contents but due to drastic reduction in flower or leaf dry weight, severe drought stress exhibited lowest oil yield in chamomile and chicory.
Conclusion: The results of the study clearly elaborated that medium drought stress (irrigation at 75% of FC) enhanced the essential oil productivity, while severe water stress (55% FC) decreased chamomile and chicory growth, photosynthesis rate and essential oil yield. Moreover, under drought stress quantity of chamomile and chicory oil was improved. Therefore, chamomile and chicory should be irrigated at 75% FC level to attain higher essential oil yield.
Fatemeh Moradipour; Jamal-Ali Olfati; Yousef Hamidoghli; Atefeh Saburi; Bahman Zahedi
Abstract
Introduction: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most widely cultivated vegetables. Plant length is a quantitative trait is controlled by many genes. These traits are difficult to study due to the complex nature of their inheritance. The combining ability estimation is useful in determining ...
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Introduction: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most widely cultivated vegetables. Plant length is a quantitative trait is controlled by many genes. These traits are difficult to study due to the complex nature of their inheritance. The combining ability estimation is useful in determining the breeding value of cucumber lines by suggesting the appropriate use in a breeding program. In studying combining ability, the most commonly utilized experimental approach is the diallel design. General combining ability is a measure of additive genetic action; and specific combining ability (SCA) is deviation from additivity. General combining ability is a main effect and SCA is an interaction. The aim is to determine the breeding value of the cross. Heterosis has been utilized to exploit dominance variance through production of hybrids. There are reports on positive and negative heterosis in cucumber however, there are differences between reports. This research was conducted to estimate general and specific combining ability and heterosis in cucumber inbred lines and hybrids to produce hybrids with high yield and quality.
Material and Methods: In the spring of 2014, the seven parental lines and their 21 F1 hybrid were planted at the University of Guilan, in loamy sand field. Three replications were arranged in a randomized complete block design. The sandy loam soil was prepared by plowing and disking and formed into raised beds by plowed and harrow prior to plant establishment. Rows were on 1 m centers and plants were about 25 cm apart in the row. Prior to planting 150 kg·ha-1 of nitrogen from urea and 100 kg·ha-1 of phosphorous from triple superphosphate and 80 kg·ha-1 of potassium sulfate was applied. Side dressing with the same amount of nitrogen and phosphorus occurred at 50% flowering stage. Irrigation with 250 m3·ha-1, three times weekly, was begun at plant first flowering. In each replication, 12 individuals of each line or hybrid were spaced 25 cm within a row (plot) on 1 m centers. Data were collected from 12 plants per plot of each accession. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) of data were performed and where appropriate, ANOVA was followed by LSD mean comparison of trait values. For the combining ability analysis (GCA), measurements of plants within each plot were averaged, and means were used as experimental units for analysis by the computer program Diallel.
Results and Discussion: Genotypes has significant effect on all measured characteristics. The highest plant length was related to B6 line and the lowest plant length was related to A0×B6 and B12×B6 hybrids. The highest number of lateral branch was related to B10×A11, B12×A0 and Guilan while the lowest number was related to A0, B12×B6, A15×A11. The highest plant length to first fruit was related to A4×A11 hybrids and the lowest plant length to first fruit was related to B10, B12, B10×A15 and B12×A4. The mean square of general combining ability (GCA) were significant only for plant height up to the first fruit but the mean square of specific combining ability revealed significant differences for all traits that indicated the important effects of dominance genes in inheritance of traits. Plant height up to first fruit has further general combining which reflects the non-additive genes action. The highest parent and standard negative heterosis for plant length was related to B12×B6 hybrid. This hybrid also showed the highest negative heterosis for number of lateral branch. The highest high parent negative heterosis for plant length to first fruit was related to A11×A4 hybrid while the highest standard negative heterosis was related to A0×A4 hybrid and the highest positive heterosis for this trait was obtained from B10×B12 and B12×A4 hybrids.
Conclusion: Although heterosis is affected a plant length is the primary target for increasing yield in high density cultivation, the biological complexity of this trait makes it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions in order to track individual causal elements involved in heterosis. Cucumber breeders might develop determinate or indeterminate cultivars based on high GCA for certain traits. Cucumber breeders might develop cucumber cultivars with optimal vegetative growth based on high general combining ability for their traits. The results revealed B10 and A4 lines are proposed for hybrid production with optimum vegetative growth. The hybrid obtained by crossing of B12 and B6 are proposed for cultivation with high plant density.
Hassan Farhadi; Majid Azizi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati
Abstract
Introduction: Drought is an event that happens due to lack of rainfall in a period of time. The occurrence of drought, reduces available soil water, but water losses through evaporation and transpiration is constantly increasing. The first stage of the plant, which may be faced with drought, is ...
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Introduction: Drought is an event that happens due to lack of rainfall in a period of time. The occurrence of drought, reduces available soil water, but water losses through evaporation and transpiration is constantly increasing. The first stage of the plant, which may be faced with drought, is germinating. Since Germination begins with water uptake, lack of water at this stage in terms of duration and intensity of the stress causes or reduce germination percentage and germination rate. Because of the heterogeneity of soils in the field and lack of control of the environmental factors such as drought, laboratory research on the stress is considered. Some of these methods can be used to study the reaction of the landraces to the solutions from materials polyethylene glycol. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the native population of fenugreek germinating rate under drought stress conditions and identify landrace was incurred.
Materials and Methods: To investigate the effect of drought stress on germination and seedling growth characteristics of native landrace fenugreek, an experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications in Seed Laboratory of University of Mashhad in 2014. The experiment treatments consisted of eight landraces of fenugreek of Esfahan, Tabriz, Hamedan, Sari, Challous, Amol, Mashhad and Yassooj on polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) at four levels: (0, 3, 6 and 9 times) were replicated three times. The stress test for the simulation of polyethylene glycol 6000 was used and the amount of material needed to create each of the stress levels using the formula Michel and Kaufmann respectively. To (control) and distilled water was used. Landraces seed of fenugreek the city of Esfahan, Tabriz, Hamedan, Sari, Challous, Amol, Mashhad and Yassooj purchased before the start of the experiment with a three percent solution of hypochlorite for two minutes to disinfect and then were washed three times with distilled water on the twelfth day, seeds and traits such as root length and root out the Petri measure.
Results and Discussion: In the study the interactions between landrace and drought, the rate of decline in most of the traits was related to native populations of fenugreek, Tabriz, Hamadan, Sari, Challous, Amol, Yasuj and Mashhad, respectively (-9 times) compared to control (0 times). As can be seen, the Isfahan landrace was more stable in most of the traits due to changes in drought levels. On the other hand, as the drought stress increased, the percentage and rate of germination of fenugreek seeds decreased. Fenugreek seed germination rate and percentage with increased drought stress the germination rate under drought stress sensitivity was higher than the percentage of germinating. The plants grow in different stages react differently to drought show seed germination and seedling production and a dry condition indicates that the plant is a potential for drought tolerance but that does not mean that the seedlings start to grow in dry conditions, can continue to grow in the same conditions.
Sanaz Khezerloo; Babak Abdollahi Mandoulakani
Abstract
Introduction: Commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), one of the most widely grown vegetable crops worldwide, belongs to the Solanaceae family. The marketability of the commercial tomato mostly depends on the fruit quality. Tomato fruit quality is determined mainly by color, texture, shape and flavor. ...
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Introduction: Commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), one of the most widely grown vegetable crops worldwide, belongs to the Solanaceae family. The marketability of the commercial tomato mostly depends on the fruit quality. Tomato fruit quality is determined mainly by color, texture, shape and flavor. Fruit shape, one of the important traits affecting the quality of tomato fruit, is controlled by multiple minor genes and quantitatively inherited. Two important genes, involved in fruit shape, are SUN and OVATE genes. The SUN gene, which is a member of the IQD (IQ-domain) gene family and the Calmodulin binding protein, controls fruit length. The more expression of both SUN and OVATE genes leads to increased fruit length. Moreover, the increased expression of OVATE gene reduces the size of flower and leaf components. Due to the important role of these genes in tomato fruit shape, identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as a new generation of robust, frequent and reliable bi-allelic markers, in the coding regions of these genes might be necessary for generating functional markers associated with fruit shape. Materials and Methods: Seeds of 96 tomato genotypes from 12 populations were grown in the research greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Urmia University. The genotypes had been collected from different regions of West Azerbaijan of Iran and Turkey (Iğdır). The young and green plant leaves were used for genomic DNA extraction. The quality and quantity of the extracted DNA was assessed using spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. To identify SNPs in SUN and OVATE genes, specific primers were designed by using FastPCR and Gene Runner software for amplifying fragments from coding regions of these genes in 96 tomato genotypes. Then, the amplified fragments of both genes were digested by using restriction enzymes TruI and PstI. Due to the lack of polymorphism in the digested patterns obtained by the used enzymes, four individuals from populations with close geographical distance were selected and amplified. The amplified bands were then purified by a purification kit (Kiagen, USA) and sequenced (Bioneer, South Korea). Sequencing was performed from both ends of the PCR fragments using both the forward and reverse primers used in the PCR reactions. The exon and intron regions of the sequenced fragments were identified by Softberry software. Following the retrieval of the sequenced fragments of each gene using FastPCR and Softberry software, multiple sequence alignment using Clustal Omega was used to identify SNPs in the exon and intron of the genes. Results and Discussion: Digestion of the amplified fragments of the genes using TruI and PstI restriction enzymes produced no polymorphism in the studied genotypes. Thus, four individuals were selected from geographically different populations and gene fragments were amplified, purified and sequenced in these genotypes. Sequencing of the amplified fragment of SUN gene revealed an intron region with a size of 369 bp. Out of the 10 SNPs detected in the SUN gene, four was found in the exon region, while the number of SNPs in intron was six. Of the total SNPs found in the SUN gene, the percentage of transition and transversion substitutions was 80 (50% T/C and 30% A/G) and 20 (T/G), respectively. In the OVATE gene, five SNPs were identified. The percentage of transition (40% G/A and 40% C/T) and transversion (20% G/T) substitutions in this genes were the same as SUN. The ratio of transition to transversion substitutions was 1:4 for both genes. The average number of SNPs in a 100 bp fragment in exonic and itronic region of SUN was 0.9 and 1.62, respectively, while it was 0.5 for exonic region of OVATE gene. Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed low polymorphisms and point mutations in the exon regions of SUN and OVATE genes, suggesting that the coding regions of these genes were conserved during the tomato evolution. Also, the number of SNPs in intron was more than those of exon. Considering the important role of fruit quality, especially fruit shape, in tomato market, the SNPs found in the current study may be used in genetic diversity studies, genetic map preparation, and saturation and identification of the functional markers associated with tomato fruit shape. These markers could accelerate tomato breeding programs aimed fruit shape improvement.
Esmaeil Chamani; Zahra Eftekhari; Alireza Ghanbari; Hamid Reza Heydari; Mousa Arshad
Abstract
Introduction: Fritillaria imperialis L. is an ornamental and medicinal plant native to mountainous regions of Iran. This plant genetic resource is in danger of extinction, Because of grazing livestock and pest outbreaks. Therefore, micro propagation of Fritillaria through in vitro regeneration is essential ...
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Introduction: Fritillaria imperialis L. is an ornamental and medicinal plant native to mountainous regions of Iran. This plant genetic resource is in danger of extinction, Because of grazing livestock and pest outbreaks. Therefore, micro propagation of Fritillaria through in vitro regeneration is essential for conservation and commercial production. Thymol and Carvacrol are one of the main essential oil compounds in family Lamiaceae.
Material and Methods: Fritillariaimperialis L. bulbs in dormancy stage obtained from mountainous regions of Lorestan in Iran and were placed in cold room at +4 °C for 4-6 weeks. Then, Bulbs were surface-sterilized with 70% ethanol for 45 s followed by immersion in 5% (v/v) NaOCl solution for 20 min with gentle agitation, and then rinsed three times in sterile double distilled water. Present study was conducted in two separate experiments. In first experiment, effect of different concentration of Thymol and Carvacrol and in second experiment, different concentration of NAA and BA on in vitro characteristics of Fritillaria was evaluated. Explants (1× 1 cm) prepared from the lower third of scales with basal plate and were placed in MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of Thymol (50, 100, 150 and 300 ppm), Carvacrol (10, 100, 500 and 100 ppm), BA (1, 2 and 4 mg/l) and NAA (1, 2 and 4 mg/l).All cultures were incubated in a growth chamber at 24±2°C, and a photosynthetic photon flux of 40-60 μmol m–2 s–1 was provided by cool white fluorescent lamps with a 16-h photoperiod. This experiment wascarried out in completely randomized designs with fivereplications.
Results and Discussion: Analysis of variance showed that Thymol and Carvacrol were not effective on number of new bulblets but had significant effects on bulb diameter, number and length or roots, number and length leaves and callus induction and diameter of callus obtained from scales (P< 0.05). The highest rate (3 bulblets) of bulblets formation was obtained fromMS medium supplemented with 50 ppm Thymol that showed significantly difference from other treatments. Medium containing 10 ppm Carvacrol gave the highest Bulblet formation (2.5 bulblets) between Carvacrol treatments. Investigation of rooting was done by assessment of the number and length of roots. Mean comparison of the effect of cultivar type on root number showed that the largest number of roots per explant was obtained fromMS medium containing 50 ppm Thymol. Lowest number of roots observed in mediums supplemented with 300 ppm Thymol and 100 ppm Carvacrol. The best medium for increasing the root length per explant (10.90 cm) was MS medium supplemented with 100 ppm Carvacrol, while the least increasing in root length per explant observed from culture mediums contained 300 ppm Thymol and 100 ppm Carvacrol. Also, the largest number of leave formation obtained from culture medium supplemented with 50 ppm Thymol that significantly higher than other treatments. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the data showed that high frequency callus induction and formation occurred in MS mediums contained 50, 100 and 150 ppm Thymol and 10 ppm Carvacrol and culture mediums supplemented with 300 ppm Thymol and 1000 ppm Carvacrol showed least callus induction. In contrast, largest callus diameter observed in culture mediums supplemented with 300 ppm Thymol and 500, 100 ppm Carvacrol.
Statistical analysis of results showed that different concentrations of BA and NAA had significant effects on bulblets number and bulblets diameter (P
Mina Ghazaeian; Gholamhossein Davarynejad; Kamal Ghasemi Bezdi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati
Abstract
Introduction: The walnut family (Juglandaceae) consists of approximately 60 species of deciduous trees is native of the American continents, Europe, and Asia. Pecan (Carya illinoensis) is belonged to the Juglandaceae family and is one of the most valuable nut products all over the world. Embryo culture ...
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Introduction: The walnut family (Juglandaceae) consists of approximately 60 species of deciduous trees is native of the American continents, Europe, and Asia. Pecan (Carya illinoensis) is belonged to the Juglandaceae family and is one of the most valuable nut products all over the world. Embryo culture techniques for plant breeding as well as basic studies in physiology and biochemistry are widely used. The low percentage of germination and the long propagation cycle and the need for stratification treatments from three to six months are the most important barriers to the development of high yielding cultivars through hybridization. Plant regeneration methods from embryo culture in vitro allows overcoming the barriers of hybridization, as well as obtaining higher and faster multiplication rate of plants of an elite genotype.
Materials and Methods: In this experiment, an adapted native genotype of pecan in Gorgan city, Golestan province, Iran was selected. The mature fruits were harvested after five months of pollination. They were immediately transferred to the laboratory. For cold pretreatment, nuts packed in a paper bag and stored in 4-5ºC for 15 days. The effect of two types of culture medium, growth regulators and seed pretreatment (15 days at 4-5 °C) on germination of mature embryos of pecan has been determined. Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) and IBA (0 and 1 mgl-1), BAP (0, 1 and 2 mgl-1) and GA3 (0 and 1 mgl-1) media were used to embryo rescue evaluation. The data obtained were statistically analyzed in completely randomized block design (RCBD). Each treatment was replicated at least third, and each replicate consisted of two zygotic embryos. Means of germination period, percent of seed germination, root and shoot length and leaf number in different media and various PGRs combination were compared based on LSD at p ≤0.05.
Results and Discussion: The results showed, although cold pretreatment for 15 days had no effect on germination period, root length and number of leave but also, effect on germination percentage and shoot length. There are some different hypothesis about the effect of cold pretreatment on embryo germination between researchers. Some researchers believed that, there is low efficiency in embryo germination in lack of cold pretreatment and GA3. Cold pretreatment or GA3 reduce the ABA level and promote embryos germination. The others reported poor germination for somatic embryos when they treated with GA3 and cold pretreatments. Pearce et al. (1987) reported that GA3 and substrate of GA3 can be increased during the chilling process as ABA levels decrease. Furthermore, application of exogenous GA3 induces germination. Tang et al. (2000) reported that somatic embryos germination poorly happened in cold condition and addition of GA3 did not change the poor germination. Kaur et al. (2006) and Peyghamzadeh and Kazemitabar (2010), reported that the embryo germination in Juglans regia L. was higher when GA3 and cold pretreatments were simultaneously applied as compared to those when applied separately. In this experiment, media has no effect on embryo germination period but, could effect on other parameters. As the results showed, MS media showed the maximum percentage of germination, root and shoot length and number of leave in both condition (with and without cold pretreatment). In this experiment root length of germinated pecan embryo was higher in MS medium. Mapelli et al. (2001) reported that seed germination resulted in marked changes in the metabolism of free amino acids in walnut cotyledons. About 52% of the total free amino acids in one-month-old seedlings was present in the cotyledons and about 26% was in the taproot. The concentration of free amino acids in the taproot was similar to that in the embryonic axis, and greater than that in the cotyledons. T11 (1mg/l-1 IBA, 1mg/l-1BAP and 1mg/l-1 GA3) and T12 (1mg/l-1 IBA, 2mg/l-1BAP and 1mg/l-1 GA3) treatments were the highest in germination percentages in both treatment (with and without cold pretreatment). There was no significant differences between 1 mgl-1 and 2 mgl-1 of BAP.
Conclusion: Pecan as like walnut, is considered to be one of the most recalcitrant species in vitro. It is necessary to determine the optimal culture conditions to establish it for shortening time in seed propagation. This seedling could be applied as primary material for breeding programs, grafting and physiology study. The best growth of micro plant achieved in MS medium with 1 mgl-1IBA, 1 mgl-1GA3 and 2 mgl-1BAP.
Maryam Kamali; Mahmood Shoor; Hassan Feizi
Abstract
Introduction: Titanium is the ninth most abundant element and the second most transition metal found in the earth’s crust (about 6.320 ppm). There has been a rising demand for nanotechnology-based products in recent years, particularly in areas directly related to humans. Nanotechnology has many applications ...
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Introduction: Titanium is the ninth most abundant element and the second most transition metal found in the earth’s crust (about 6.320 ppm). There has been a rising demand for nanotechnology-based products in recent years, particularly in areas directly related to humans. Nanotechnology has many applications in agricultural research, such as in reproductive science and technology, the transfer of agricultural and food waste to energy and other helpful by-products through enzymatic nanobioprocessing.
An important effect of titanium compounds on plants used for improvement of yield (about 10–20%) in various crops. Other effects of titanium on plants are increasing contents of some essential elements in plant tissue; an increase in enzyme activity such as peroxidase, catalase, and nitrate reductase activities in plant tissue, and research has shown increased chlorophyll content in paprika (Capsicum anuum L.) and green alga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa). Nanotechnologyapplication is now widely distributed throughout life, and especially in agricultural systems. Nano particles, because of their physicochemical characteristics, have been considered the potential candidates for modulating the redox status and changing in seed germination, growth, performance, and quality of plants.nano-TiO2 has shown to be potential for agricultural application because of its photocatalytic disinfection and photobiological effects. Also,stalinizationof soils or waters is one of the world’s most serious environmental problemsin agriculture. During initial exposure to salinity, plants experience water stress, which in return reduces leaf expansion. during long-term exposure to salinity, plants experience to ionic stress, which can lead to premature senescence of adult leaves, which led to a reduction in the photosynthetic area available to support plants growth.However,a few studies have been done on the effects of nanoparticles on ornamental plants. Nanosized TiO2 is a frequently used nanoparticle, consequently there has been an exponential increase in data collection on the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on different species. There is much less information on the effects of nanoparticles on plants compared to animals. Studies of the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on plants provide information about the positive and stimulating effects as well as any negative impact. In this study, weaimedto findout the phytotoxicity or positive effects of different concentrations of Bulk TiO2 and nanosized TiO2 on plant growth of Petunia hybridain salinity stress.
Material and Method: experiments were done to assess the effect of different concentrationsof bulk and nanosized TiO2 on petunia growthin salinity stress in a factorial test based on completely randomized design with 3 replications in agriculture faculty of Ferdowsi University, Mashhad. There were 3 factors, including1- three concentrations (0, 75 and 150 mM) of NaCl, 2- bulk and Nanosized titanium dioxide and 3- six concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 ppm) of TiO2. Titanium dioxide treatments for foliar application was applied 5 times with intervals of seven days (three times before, and twice after starting salinity stress). The experiment was performed at the College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. during the flowering, flower number, corolla length, flower diameter and flower fresh weight were measured. At the end of the flowering phase, parameters such as leaf area, shoot and leaf fresh weight, lateral shoot number, leaf number, chlorophyll a, b, total and cartenoidwere measured. The data were subjected to Analysis of Variance, was done using Mstat-C statistical. The means were separated, using LSD test.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that interaction of salinity, bulk and nanosized titanium dioxide and titanium dioxide concentrationsweresignificanton total chlorophyll, cartenoides, biomass, leaf area and flower number. The highest amount of total chlorophyll concentrations was measured in 20 and 40 ppm TiO2 and 5 ppm Nano treatments, respectively. The highest leaf area (608 cm2) was in 15 ppm Nano treatment. Among levels of nano TiO2,foliar application with 5 ppm had the best flower diameter in general, foliar application of nano titanium dioxide and titanium dioxide have been effective in improving the effects of salinity stress. In addition, the use of titanium dioxide in the highest level (40 ppm) and use of nano titanium dioxide in less concentration in Petunia plant had better effect on morphological traits. An important effect of titanium compounds on plants used for various crops is yield improvement. The positive effects of TiO2 could be probably due to the antimicrobial properties of engineered nanoparticles, which can enhance strength andresistance of plants to stress.
