Research Article
Sarah Bakhtari; Gholam Reza Khajoei Nejad; Ghasem Mohamadi Nejad; Rooholla Moradi
Abstract
Introduction: Medicinal plants play major roles in human health. . Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an annual plant that commonly cultivated in arid and semiarid regions of Iran. The crop has a wide range of uses including medicinal, cosmetic and food industry. Cumin occupies about 26% of the total area ...
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Introduction: Medicinal plants play major roles in human health. . Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an annual plant that commonly cultivated in arid and semiarid regions of Iran. The crop has a wide range of uses including medicinal, cosmetic and food industry. Cumin occupies about 26% of the total area devoted to medicinal plants in Iran. However, cumin is seriously affected by the Fusarium wilt and blight diseases. The diseases usually increase under warm and wet conditions. It was demonstrated that the peak of the disease incidence is occurring at the flowering stage and irrigation cutoff at this time may be reduced the diseases density.
Materials and methods: In order to evaluate the effects of irrigation cutoff in flowering stage and foliar application of spermidine on some characteristics of various ecotype of cumin, an experiment was conducted in a split-split-plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman at 2014. The experimental treatments were irrigation in two levels (complete irrigation and cutoff the irrigation in flowering stage) assigned to main plots, foliar application of spermidine in three levels (0, 1 and 2 Mm) as a subplot and cumin ecotypes in three levels (Kerman, Khorasan and Esfahan) that was randomized in sub-subplot. Plots size under the trial was 4 m × 3 m so as to get 50 cm inter row spacing in six rows. The ideal density of the crops was considered as 120 plant m-2. As soon as the seeds were sown, irrigation was applied every 10 days. Foliar application of spermidine was done at three stages (after thinning, before flowering stage and in the middle of flowering stage). No herbicides and chemical fertilizers were applied during the expriments.
Results and discussion: In this study the number of branches, umbels per plant, 1000-seed weight, seed yield per plant and hectare, harvest index, essential oil percentage and yield, infected plants and proline contents were assessed. The results showed that irrigation treatment had a significant effect on all the studied traits except number of branches and umbels per plant. The irrigation cutoff at flowering stage caused a significant increase in seeds per umbel, infected plants and seed yield per plant and hectare Whereas harvest index, essential oil percentage and yield and proline contents were higher in irrigation cutoff treatment compared to completely irrigated treatment. The value of decrease in seed yield per hectare as affected by irrigation cutoff was so lower than that per plant; because more infected plants were observed in completely irrigatedtreatment in comparison with cutoff irrigated treatment. Decreasing the value of the seed yield per plant and hectare affected by irrigation cut-off were 58 and 15%, respectively. Proline contents in irrigation cut-off treatment were about two times more than completely irrigatedtreatment. Khorasan and Kerman ecotypes had higher value in comparison with Esfahan in all studied traits.. Seed yield per hectare for Kerman, Khorasan and Esfahan ecotypes were 525, 306 and 525 kg, respectively. The highest essential oil yield (14.92 kg ha-1) was gained in 1 Mm spermidine for Khorasan ecotype and the lowest (6.87 kg ha-1) was observed in 0 Mm spermidine for Esfahan ecotype. There was no significant difference between foliar application levels in terms of the studied traits such as….
Conclusion: Irrigation cutoff at flowering stage caused a significant increase in seeds per umbel, infected plants and seed yield per plant and hectare Whereas harvest index, essential oil percentage and yield and proline contents were higher in irrigation cutoff treatment compared to completely irrigated treatment. Khorasan and Kerman ecotypes achieved higher potential for cultivation in Kerman climate condition compared to Esfahan ecotype.
Research Article
Soheila Mohammadrezakhani; Zahra Pakkish; Somaye Rafeii
Abstract
Introduction: Recently, strawberry growers have been mostly interested in growing cultivars for the fresh market because of its profitability, but on the other hand it requires more complicated technologies and well-educated workers. High quality of the fruit for the fresh market is an important factor ...
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Introduction: Recently, strawberry growers have been mostly interested in growing cultivars for the fresh market because of its profitability, but on the other hand it requires more complicated technologies and well-educated workers. High quality of the fruit for the fresh market is an important factor attracts customers and determines their choice and prices. Fruit production cost for the fresh market needs to be calculated and efficient methods and technologies also should be taken into consideration. New environmentally friendly mineral-organic fertilizers can improve fruit quality and yield of dessert strawberry cultivars. The desired effects was obtained through the activity of fertilizer’s components, which very often belong to different groups of natural hormones, elicitors, vitamins, flavonoids, amino acids, etc. Numerous breeding programs have been aimed at improving strawberry taste and disease resistance. Three major components of fruit organoleptic quality are flavor, sweetness, and acidity. Several studies have been devoted to strawberry aroma. Fruit with intense flavor also have high titratable acidity and high soluble solids. Numerous studies have addressed strawberry sweetness and acidity. Fruit soluble solids, sugars, titratable acidity, and organic acids at maturity are quantitatively inherited. Moreover, there appears to be genetic variations for these fruit quality traits. Numerous biochemical changes are observed during strawberry development and especially during fruit ripening. The major soluble constituents of maturing and ripe strawberries are soluble sugars and organic acids. The major soluble sugars in strawberries are glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The major organic acid is citric acid. This acid contributes greatly to fruit titratable acidity, which declines gradually during fruit development. The sugar/ organic acid ratio is a major parameter of strawberry taste. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of poly hydroxyl steroids, which have been recognized as a class of plant hormones. These were first explored when Mitchell et al. (1970) reported that cell division and elongation were promoted by the treatment of organic extracts of rape (Brassica napus L.) pollen. Brassinolide (BL) was the first isolated brassinosteroid when Michael et al. (1979) isolated the biologically active molecule. Researches showed that brassinosteroids are essential for many physiological functions in plants, however little is known concerning where and when they are synthesized. In young tomato seedlings BR synthesis activity was observed mainly in apical and root tissues undergoing expansion. In flowers, synthesis activity was observed in the pedicel joints and ovaries, whereas in the fruits it was strongest during early seed development and was associated with the locular jelly and seeds. Quantitative measurements of endogenous BR indicated intense biosynthesis in developing tomato fruits, which were also found to contain high amounts of brassinolide. Moreover, brassinosteroids stimulate cell elongation and cell division, and BR has a specific effect of differentiation. Underling physiological pathways include modification of cell wall properties, effects on carbohydrate assimilation, allocation, and control of aquaporin activities. Brassinosteroids apparently coordinates and integrates diverse processes required for growth, partly via interactions with phytohormones setting the frame for BR responses. The aim of present study was investigation of the role of brassinosteroid on qualitative characteristics improvement of strawberry fruit.
Materials and Methods: In this research the effect of different concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1 mgl-1) of brassinosteroid sprayat different stages of strawberry growth (30 days after planting, first blooming, green fruit, and pink fruit) on some qualitative characteristics of the strawberry Paros cultivar was considered. This experiment was conducted asfactorial on a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in greenhouse conditions. Parameters such as total soluble solid, inducing sugar, titrable acidity, anthocyanin, phenol, fruit dry weight, fruit water and vitamin C were measured after….
Results and Discussion: Results showed treated plants by brassinosteroid, compared to control, improved fruit qualitative characteristics. So, brassinosteroid application increased total soluble solid, inducing sugar, titratable acidity, anthocyanin, phenol, dry weight, vitamin C.The best effective treatment and the best spraying time was brassinosteroid at 1 mgl-1 in pink fruit stage, respectively for qualitative characteristics improvement. Because, Brassinosteroid growth induced has been related to increase in RNA and DNA content, polymerase activity, protein synthesis carbohydrate fraction, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and starch. The yield increase in fruit trees may be related to improvement in the assimilation efficiency of photosynthetic carbon of the sprayed trees. The brassinosteroid application in wheat and mustard plants stimulated photosynthetic activity expressed by acceleration in CO2 fixing, increase protein biosynthesis and in mustard, increased photosynthetic rates that were directly related to growth and seed production. In accordance, researchers explained that BRs have been shown to enhance tracheary element differentiation, stimulate membrane hyperpolarization and ATPase activity, promote ethylene biothynsesis, control microtubule orientation and alter the mechanical properties of cell walls. In addition, brassinosteroid treatment greatly stimulated accumulation of photosynthates in the treated internode. This suggests a possible mobilization role for BR in the intact plant. As well as, in persimmon, grapevine and citrus, reported that BR compound showed, the practical effects for fruit setting. While, showed that brassinolide increased fruit weight and sugar content of oranges. In passion fruit orchards, brassinosteroid increased fruit number of plant and in turn yield per hectare and soluble solids content was 1° Brix greater than the control.
Conclusions: From this study, it is evident that the application of plant biostimulants such as brassinosteroid significantly improved qualitative characteristics. So, brassinosteroid application increased total soluble solid, inducing sugar, titrable acidity, anthocyanin, phenol, dry weight, vitamin C and effective treatment and best spraying was brassinosteroid at 1 mgl-1 at pink fruit stage for qualitative characteristics improvement.
Research Article
Azizollah khandan Mirkohi; Nakisa Baie; Ebrahim Hadavi
Abstract
Introduction: Regular watering and application of nitrogenous fertilizers in turf-grasses is a conventional operation, especially in warm and dry or semi-dry climates, which arecommon in many parts of Iran. Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient in soil or substrates, especially in the form of nitrate. Nitrate ...
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Introduction: Regular watering and application of nitrogenous fertilizers in turf-grasses is a conventional operation, especially in warm and dry or semi-dry climates, which arecommon in many parts of Iran. Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient in soil or substrates, especially in the form of nitrate. Nitrate leaching due to the regular watering has been reported in many sources. The managing nitrogen application can help to minimize the loss of this element regarding the ability of soil-plant system. Attempts have been made to control the growth of turf-grass using various types of chemicals, but similar to the concerns associated with the consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers, this is also concerned with environmental pollutions. Therefore, the growth of turf grasses can be controlled without using chemicals and by limiting the use of nitrogen and managing the irrigation.The purposes of this study were to limit the application of nitrogen in order to control vegetative growth of the turf grass and maintain its visual quality, and to manage irrigation in order to preserve this mobile element (nitrogen) near the root system and prevent its leaching.
Materials and Methods:The effects of reduced water and nitrogen supply on the control of vegetative growth of turf grasses, commonly named as sport turf,were evaluated.Therefore, an experiment was designed in a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Mixed seeds of sport turf grass were planted with the density of 40 g m-2in boxes, which placed atthe depth of30 cm and leveled with sandy loam soil in mid-spring. Nitrogen was applied as ammonium nitrate via fertigation in five levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg m-2 month-1, andirrigation treatments performed at four levels of 100%, 80%, 60 % and 40% of field capacity. Watering was done every two days for 5 months during the warm season of the year after the first mowing on June 2013. Some traits such as plant height, fresh and dry weight, density, color and quality, and chlorophyll and proline contents were evaluated during growth period or at the end of the experiment.The data were subjected toananalysis of variance (SAS, 1996),and differences among the treatments were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at 95% probability level.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that decreasein nitrogen level up to 0.5 gdid not significantly change density index,,whilethe index showed a significant reduction in treatment containing zero nitrogen application and the lowest irrigation regime (40% of the field capacity).Quality and color of the turf grass had no significant correlation with nitrogen treatment, while the factor was significantly decreased when irrigation regime of 40% of the field capacity was applied. It was determined that although color of the turf grass was greener with lower levels of water,a good color was found with high level of non-organic fertilizer at the time that the amount of nitrogen leaching was also limited. Therefore, regardless of the different nitrogen levels applied, quality and color indiceswerethe lowest when irrigation at 40% of field capacity was applied. Limiting the level of nitrogen up to 0.5 gramand irrigation up to 60% of field capacity was desirable to control and reduce the height of turf grass. Reduction in water level up to 80% of field capacity caused no significant changes in fresh weight, but a significant decreasewas resulted with the reduction of water consumption up to 60% of field capacity. The maximum fresh weight was found with 1.5 grams nitrogen. However, reducing nitrogen level upto 0.5 gramdid not bring about significant changes in this trait. Dry weight also followed the same pattern as fresh weight. Although reduction in the level of applied nitrogen did not reduce the height, it caused a significant reduction in fresh and dry weight of the turf grass. The highest chlorophyll content was found when 2 grams of nitrogen and irrigation regime of 40% of field capacity were used. Regardless of the nitrogen level, the highest chlorophyll content was found in irrigation of 40% of field capacity,while the lowest amount was observed in the treatment containing irrigation at100 and 80% of field capacity. Plants were dark green in 40% of field capacity. Proline content showedincreasealong with the decrease inirrigation as well as nitrogen levels.
Conclusion:Plant height, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll and proline contents were significantly affected by limiting the use of nitrogen and water, but density and quality indices were not significantly influenced. Regardless of the nitrogen levels applied, quality and color traits were the lowest only in irrigation regime of 40% of field capacity. Therefore, it was concluded that reduction of nitrogen supply to 1 mg m-2 month-1and irrigation regime up to 60% of field capacity could result in thereduction ofvegetative growth of turf grass, while quality traits were not affected negatively.
Research Article
Taimoor Javadi
Abstract
Introduction: Drought is a major environmental stress that affects agricultural systems and induces several physiological, biochemical and molecular responses in plants. Drought inhibits the plant photosynthesis causing changes of chlorophyll contents, damage the photosynthetic apparatus and decreases ...
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Introduction: Drought is a major environmental stress that affects agricultural systems and induces several physiological, biochemical and molecular responses in plants. Drought inhibits the plant photosynthesis causing changes of chlorophyll contents, damage the photosynthetic apparatus and decreases plant growth and development. Generally, the environmental stresses, especially drought stress, give rise to accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, proline and free amino acids as well as antioxidant compounds. Triazoles are the active ingredient of fungicides (propoconazole, penconazole, epixiconazole) and some growth regulators. The fungicidal properties of triazoles depend on inhibition of the C4-demethylase reactions in sterol biosynthesis of fungi. However, triazole-based fungicides induce a suite of morphological and physiological adaptations and allow plants to tolerate a broad range of environmental stresses including drought, herbicide treatment and elevated temperatures. The growth inhibitor paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a triazole and has been reported to protect plants against several environmental stresses, i.e. drought, low and high temperature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of palobutrazol on vegetative, physiological and gas exchange characteristics of pear (Pyrus communis cv. ShahMive) under different irrigation regimes.
Materials and Methods: In March, 2011, 1-year-old pear (Pyrus communis cv. ShahMive) saplings 80±2 cm high were planted in 20-l plastic pots filled with loamy sand soil (8% clay, 15% silt, 77% Sand) in experimental greenhouse. Paclobutrazol was added to soil at the same time with sapling cultivation at rates of 0, 0.15 and 0.3 g active ingredient per pot. PBZ was diluted in 500 ml distilled water and solution applied to the soil at the base of the saplings on pots. The control saplings were treated with distilled water of equal volume. Vegetative (stem growth, stem diameter, leaf number, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and plant dry weight), physiological and biochemical (leaf relative water content (RWC), total soluble sugar(TSS), proline and membrane stability index (MSI)) and gas exchange (Photosynthetic rate, sub-stomatal CO2, stomata conductance (gs) and transpiration) characteristics were measured.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that paclobutrazol treatments had significant effect on growth parameters, except root dry weight. Paclobutrazol significantly reduced stem height and stem diameter increment, mean leaf area, shoot dry weight and whole plant dry weight. Root: shoot ratio was increased in paclobutrazol-treated saplings. No significant differences in any characteristic were found between 0.15 and 0.3 g active ingredient PBZ per pot for growth parameter. Waters stress decreased leaf relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, membrane stability index and chlorophyll content and increased leaf proline content, total soluble sugar and sub-stomatal CO2. Significant interaction between PBZ and irrigation regimes was seen for RWC, proline and sub-stomatal CO2. PBZ-treated saplings had higher RWC than untreated ones. The effects of treatments on physiological and gas exchange traits were significant. RWC was high in all non-water-stressed (with or without paclobutrazol) treatments and decreased in water stressed treatments. It was higher in PBZ-treated than PBZ-untreated treatments in similar water stress condition. But there was not significant differences between 0.15 and 0.3 g PBZ in a given water stress condition. For example, RWC was 89.76 and 85.56 percent in -0.4 MPa water stress plus 0.15 and 0.3 gr PBZ treatments, respectively. The results showed that leaf proline content was increased under water stress condition. Leaf proline content of the PBZ-untreated sapling, subjected to water stress increased to 32.13 and 61.82 µmol.gr-1DW in -0.4 and -0.8 MPa water stress conditions, respectively. The PBZ-treated saplings accumulated less proline content than the PBZ-untreated ones. The highest proline concentration was founded in PBZ-untreated and -0.8 MPa water stress treatment. TSS was decreased in water stress treatments. TSS concentration was increased in water stress treatments. The highest TSS concentration was founded in PBZ-treated and untreated -0.8 MPa water stress treatments. PBZ- treated saplings had more TSS than untreated ones in -0.4 MPa treatments. Water stress was decreased leaf chlorophyll (a, b and total) content of saplings. PBZ-treated saplings had higher leaf chlorophyll content than PBZ-untreated ones in non-water stress treatments. The interaction of PBZ treatment and water stress moderated the negative effect of water stress on the chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll.
Conclusions: Generally, the results showed that PBZ allowed plants to tolerate water stress by morphological and physiological traits modification. On the other hand, paclobutrazol stimulated a more efficient stomatal regulation, which affected photosynthesis, but permitted significantly better levels of water status in treated plants.
Research Article
Yahya Selahvarzi; Zabihollah Zamani; Ali Reza Talaie; Mohammadreza Fattahi
Abstract
Introduction: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belonging to the family Punicaceae, native to subtropical regions of Iran and adapted to arid or semi arid climates with mild winters. Pomegranate is fairly drought tolerant but requires regular irrigation to produce high yield and fruit weight. Large ...
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Introduction: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belonging to the family Punicaceae, native to subtropical regions of Iran and adapted to arid or semi arid climates with mild winters. Pomegranate is fairly drought tolerant but requires regular irrigation to produce high yield and fruit weight. Large parts of Iran within the boundaries of central deserts (Dasht-e-kavir and Kavir-e-Loot) have arid or semi-arid conditions which make them suitable for pomegranate production. However drought crisis and water resources restriction are very serious in these areas.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted on 7-year old pomegranate cv. Shahvar trees from 2013 to 2014 in Torbat-e-Heydarieh, Razavi Khorasan, Iran. Irrigation treatments and Gibberellic acid application were used in Completely Randomized Split-Plot Design with four replications. Irrigation treatments included [1-control: 100% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (Etc) 2-Sustained deficit irrigation (SDI): watering was constantly used at 50%Etc, and 3-Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI): not watering was imposed until fruit set and then irrigation was applied same as control]. Foliar application of Gibberellic acid was done with two concentrations (0 and 150 ppm) at early May and September. Precipitation and pan evaporation (Ep) was recorded by weather station that located at 15 km distance from the studied orchard. Daily crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by penman-monteith equation. Trees were drip-irrigated by two lateral lines parallel to the tree row and four emitters that each one delivers 4 liters per hour. Fruit weight and numbers, tree production (yield), peel, arils and juice percent and finally fruit cracking of each treatment were determined at ordinary harvest time in late of October. Some uniform and intact fruits per treatment transferred to cold storage (T= 5 ◦C, RH= 85-90%). After storage period the fruits transfered to shelf life condition (7 days at 20 ◦C and RH= 65-70%) to evaluate physiochemical traits at 2 different storage periods (9 and 18 weeks). Weight loss and chilling index were determined during 3 weeks intervals of storage. Weight loss was evaluated by a gravimetric method and results were expressed as percent of initial fresh weight. Chilling index was quantified by 5 point scale of fruit husk injury: (1: without disorder, 2: slight disorder signs 3: moderate signs 4: severe signs and 5: unmarketable).
Results and Discussion: In present research the effects of deficit irrigation treatments on all the measured attributes was significant at harvest time (p≤ 0.01). But Gibberellic acid spray had significant effect only on Fruit weight, juice percent and fruit cracking disorder. Likewise, deficit irrigation and Gibberellic acid interaction showed significant difference for fruit weight and cracking disorder. The results indicated that fruit weight, total yield and fruit juice in regulated deficit irrigation increased by 39.6, 17.1 and 16.6 percent in compare with control, respectively. Fruit numbers in control trees (108.3) was more than sustained (93.6) and regulated (87) deficit irrigation. It is possible that sustained (SDI) and regulated (RDI) deficit irrigation have decreased sprouting growth and consequently second or third waves of pomegranate flowers that forming on these shoots was lower by water restricting. Pomegranate peel percent in studied deficit irrigation strategies were less than control and naturally aril percent was more in these treatments. In other hand, the highest fruit cracking (9.1%) and lowest fruit weight (205.8 g) occurred in sustained deficit irrigation. However Gibberellic acid application could increase fruit weight and alleviate cracking disorder. The results of cold storage experiment showed that maturity index, antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin and chilling index improved by Sustained deficit irrigation. Variations of ripening index during cold storage occurred because of sugar conversion, not the changes of organic acids content. Indeed, rate of starch degradation to simple carbohydrates in fruits increase under drought condition. Probability drought in deficit irrigation treatments as an oxidative stress motivates antioxidant system and consequently increases chilling resistance in pomegranate fruits. Preharvest Gibberellic acid application amended weight loss and increased total anthocyanin and antioxidant activity during cold storage.
Conclusions: On the base of this study it seems that using of some deficit irrigation strategies have acceptable consequences on pomegranate fruit production at conditions of water resources restriction. Likewise Gibberellic acid application on trees that were subjected by deficit irrigations ameliorates the adverse effects of drought stress.
Research Article
Ahmad Hajiali; Bahman Zahedi; Reza Darvishzadeh; Jahangir Kohpalekani Abbasi
Abstract
Introduction: Watermelon (CitrulluslanatusThunb)belongs to Cucurbita genus and Cucurbitaceaefamily. Some people know Watermelon native to India and othersthought of it as native to African countries. The greatest diversity can be seen in West Africa, China and parts of India. Near East and Mediterranean ...
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Introduction: Watermelon (CitrulluslanatusThunb)belongs to Cucurbita genus and Cucurbitaceaefamily. Some people know Watermelon native to India and othersthought of it as native to African countries. The greatest diversity can be seen in West Africa, China and parts of India. Near East and Mediterranean countries are also good places to find relatives and ancestors of watermelon. Like all Cucurbita genuscrops,, Watermelon has a variety of flowers including base, male and female separately located on one slip. In terms of production atglobal level, China is located in the first place followed by America, Iran and the Republic of Korea, respectively.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate genetic diversity among Iranian watermelon landraces by morphological traits, 16 landraces alongwith two commercial watermelon cultivars were planted in completely randomized block design with three replications inAgricultural Research Center of Urmia in 2013.
Morphological markers can be an effective means to determine genetic relationsamong cultivars and among selections used in watermelon breeding programs. 18 traits including cotyledon length, fruit length, fruit weight, fruit mass, fruit skin, rind thickness, flesh thickness, yield, seed length, seed width, weight of 100 seeds, vitamin C, pH, TSS, EC, chlorophyll content and plant length were assessed in the studied genotypes. During the fruit ripening,four fruits were selected randomly from each plot and according to the International Institute germplasms (IBPGR / IBGRI),solidscontent (TSS)was measured by using refractometer, pH by using pH meter, and fruit and seed weight by using digital scale. The amount of vitamin C (milligram per 100 grams) was measured using iodometry.
Results and Discussion: Results of variance analysis showed that there were significant differencesamong watermelon cultivars in terms of cotyledon length, fruit length, fruit weight, flesh weight, yield, seed length, seed width, seed weight, vitamin C, soluble solids and EC at the 1% level, while the level of significance with respect toskin weight, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate was5%.The results also showed that there were not significant differences among the cultivars in terms of pH, skin and flesh thickness, and plant length, suggesting that there is no diversity among the masses. Based on the means comparisontable,the highestfruit length (39 cm), fruit weight (8.03 kg), fleshweight(4.3 kg), skin weight (3.36 kg) and performance rate (24926 kg in hectare) were observed in Charleston Gray.Isfahan 808 mass showed the minimum fruit length (23.66 cm);Khorasan 806 mass had the least fruit weight (3.33 kg) andskin weight (1.8 kg); and East Azerbaijan 800 and Hamedan 817masses showed the lowest fruit flesh weight (1.5 kg) and performance (13444 kg per hectare), respectively.The highest positive phenotypic correlation (0.968) was observed between fruit mass and fruit weight,whilethe highest negative correlation (-0.815) existedbetween TSS and seed length. The highest positive (0.987) and negative (-0.990) genetic correlation was foundbetween fruit weight and fruit length, and between flesh thickness and photosynthesis, respectively. The greatestheritability was related to 100-seed weight, whereas minimum heritability was due to ph. The studied accessions were classified into three different groupsby using Cluster analysis based on Ward method. Based on the intervaltable,the highest space rate was observed between groups one and three (8.985).The resultsalso showed that the maximum expected heterosis obtained in crosses between genotypes one and three.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, improved varieties (Charleston Gray and Crimson Sweet) had the highest level of performance, TSS, fruit weight and flesh weight compared to the native masses.
Research Article
Mohammadtaghi Ebadi; Majid Azizi; Fatemeh Sefidkon; Noorollah Ahmadi
Abstract
Introduction: Organic fertilizers with beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability help maintain yield and quality, and they are less costly than synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are two organic fertilizers that they contain a biologically active mixture of bacteria, ...
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Introduction: Organic fertilizers with beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability help maintain yield and quality, and they are less costly than synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are two organic fertilizers that they contain a biologically active mixture of bacteria, enzymes and phytohormones, also these organic fertilizers can supply the nutritional needs of plants. Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora Kunth, Verbenaceae) is an evergreen perennial aromatic plant. The lemon-scented essential oil from the lemon verbena has been widely used for its digestive, relaxing, antimalarial and lemony flavor properties. In order to decrease the use of chemical fertilizers for reduction of environmental pollution, this research was undertaken to determine effects of vermicompost and vermiwash in comparison with chemical fertilizer on leaf yield, essential oil content and composition of lemon verbena.
Materials and Methods: A pot experiment based on a completely randomized design with six treatments and three replications on Lemon verbena was carried out in the experimental greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 2012. Treatments consisted of 10, 20 and 30 % by volume of vermicompost and vermiwash (with an addition to irrigation in three steps, including: two weeks after the establishment of plants in pots, the appearing of branches and three weeks before harvest), complete fertilizer and control without any fertilizer. Each replication contained six pots and each pot contained one plant of Lemon verbena provided from Institute of Medicinal Plants, Karaj, therefore 108 pots were used in this experiment. The pots were filled up by a mixture contained 3/5 soil and 2/5 sand (v/v). After three months, plant aerial parts were harvested concomitantly at starting of the flowering stage. Aerial parts were dried at room temperature for 72 hours and dry weights of dried branches and leaves were measured. For isolation of essential oils, about 20 g of dried leaves (three replications of each treatment) was subjected to hydro-distillation for 2 h with a Clevenger apparatus. The extracted essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and then they analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software and means compared with Duncan's multiple range test.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that differences between treated plants with organic fertilizers were not significant for aerial part yield, but leaf yield and essential oil content were affected by fertilizer type (p
Research Article
Azam Amiri; Bahram Baninasab
Abstract
Introduction: Salinity is a common abiotic stress that seriously affects crop production in some parts of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth are associated with low osmotic potential of soil solution (water stress), nutritional imbalance, ...
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Introduction: Salinity is a common abiotic stress that seriously affects crop production in some parts of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth are associated with low osmotic potential of soil solution (water stress), nutritional imbalance, specific ion effect (salt stress), or a combination of these factors. Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a member of the triazole plant growth inhibitor group, is a broad-spectrum gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor. Triazoles have both fungal toxicity and plant growth regulatory effects. They also increase tolerance of various plant species to biotic and abiotic stresses, including fungal pathogens, drought, air pollutants, and low- and high-temperature stress. According to our knowledge, there are no reports on the effects of exogenous PBZ enhancing vegetative peach- almond hybrid (GF 677) rootstock tolerance to salt stress. Therefore, the objective of this work was the possibility test of this idea that PBZ application would protect GF 677 rootstock from damaging effects of salinity.
Materials and Methods: One-year-old rooted cuttings of GF 677 were grown in in plastic pots in the research greenhouse of Agricultural College, Isfahan University of Technology of Iran. The minimum and maximum temperatures during the experiment period were 19 and 32˚C, respectively. After cutting establishment (3 months), the plants were sprayed twice (with a 7 days interval) with 0 (control), 20 and 40 mg l-1 PBZ to the point of run-off. One week after the second foliar application of PBZ, each plants was subjected to one of several salt stress treatments. The salt treatments (0, 25 and 50 mM NaCl) were applied to the pots intervals in 0.5 l of irrigation water. To avoid osmotic shock, the NaCl concentration was increased gradually. The layout was a 3×3 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The experimental measurements were carried out 60 days after beginning the salt treatments.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that salt stress and application of PBZ significantly affected injury rating valve (IRV). The Injury rating value of plants was found to increase significantly as the salt concentration was raised. After exposure to salt stress those plants that did not receive PBZ exhibited higher symptoms of salt injury. There was a significant interaction between salinity and PBZ application. The lowest IRV in all NaCl concentrations observed when 20 mg l-1 PBZ was applied. Salinity caused significant decrease leaf parameters so that the lowest means of leaf number (12.5) and leaf fresh weight (6.52 g) were recorded at 50 mM NaCl treatment, showing a 55.80% and 41.78% decrease compared with the control, respectively. The application of PBZ significantly increased leaf number, with the largest increase when 40 mg l-1 PBZ was applied. The interaction between salinity and the application of PBZ showed that at 25 mM NaCl maximum valve of leaf number was observed in plants after spraying with 40 mg l-1 PBZ. Relative leaf chlorophyll (RLC) was not affected by salt stress. Application of PBZ significantly increased relative RLC value compared with the control, with the largest increase in RLC measured when 20 mg l-1 PBZ was applied. The interaction between salinity and the application of PBZ showed that at 50 mM NaCl maximum valve of RLC was observed in plants after spraying with 20 mg l-1 PBZ. The proline content of leaves was significantly influenced by the salt stress and PBZ application, but not their interaction. Salinity stress, increased proline content in the leaves of salt-treated plants. At 50 mM NaCl, proline content was maximum compared to those of the controls and other salt levels. PBZ treatment increased proline content in leaves. The highest proline content was obtained from leaves of the plants treated with 40 mg l-1 PBZ (55.62μmol g-1 FW), which was 39.18 % more than the control. Salt stress significantly reduced the relative water content (RWC) with maximum reduction observed in plants grown by 50 mM NaCl. Application of PBZ significantly increased RWC compared with the control, with the largest increasing in RWC at 20 mg l-1 PBZ application. Leaf electrolyte leakage was affected by both salt stress and PBZ application. Salt stress significantly increased leaf electrolyte leakage, with a maximum increase observed in plants grown by 50 mM NaCl. The application of PBZ significantly decreased electrolyte leakage in leaf discs, with the largest decreaseing in leaf electrolyte leakage measured at 20 mg l-1 PBZ application..There was a significant interaction between salinity × PBZ concentrations. However, the greatest decreasing in leaf electrolyte leakage occurred at 40 mg l-1 PBZ in non-saline condition. In this study, the correlation between vegetation and physiological parameters of GF677 plants subjected to salt stress was analyzed. These correlations suggested that salt injury symptoms was negatively correlated with number and fresh weight of a leaf, RWC, RLC, but positively correlated with proline content and leaf electrolyte leakage.
Conclusions: in overall, this investigation revealed that salt stress had an inhibitory effect on the vegetative growth of GF 677 plants. The responses of GF 677 plants to the PBZ treatments suggest that the application of PBZ could partially increase the survival capacity of GF 677 plants and protect the plants against injuries such salt stress.
Research Article
Majid Azizi; Mansour Mashreghi; Fatemeh Oroojalian; Naser Shahyahmasebi
Abstract
To study the interaction of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial effects of Kelussia odoratissima and Teucrium polium essential oils consolidated trial based on calculation of MIC and FIC index or differential inhibitory concentration and simple method checkboard designed and implemented. Essential ...
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To study the interaction of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial effects of Kelussia odoratissima and Teucrium polium essential oils consolidated trial based on calculation of MIC and FIC index or differential inhibitory concentration and simple method checkboard designed and implemented. Essential oil of the plants extracted by hydro-distillation using clevenger apparatus. In this study, common food contaminant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enterica and Ps. aureogenosa were used. The results showed that the antibacterial properties of the essential oil of Teucrium is stronger (MIC between 0.16 to 1.25 mg/ ml) than of the oil of Kelussia (MIC between 0.3 to 2.5 mg/ml). Antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (MIC between 0.006 to 0.025 mg) were stronger significantly. Calculate the differential inhibitory concentration index (FICi) implies the existence of synergistic and additive effect between silver nanoparticles and oil of both plant which will depend on the type of pathogen. This means that the combined use of silver nanoparticles and essential oil of the plant especially Teucrium essential oils strong inhibitory effect with lower concentrations of the essential oils was observed. Antagonistic interaction between silver nanoparticles and oil treatments in any of these two plants were observed.
Research Article
Zohreh Moghimi pour; Mohammad Mahmoodi Sourestani; Naser Alemzadeh Ansari
Abstract
Introduction: Holy basil is a perennial plant belongs to Lamiaceae family. The plant is a perennial and thrives well in the hot and humid climate. Its aerial parts have been in use for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and perfumery industries. Leaves contain 0.5-1.5% essential oil and main oil components ...
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Introduction: Holy basil is a perennial plant belongs to Lamiaceae family. The plant is a perennial and thrives well in the hot and humid climate. Its aerial parts have been in use for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and perfumery industries. Leaves contain 0.5-1.5% essential oil and main oil components are eugenol, methyl eugenol, carvacrol, methyl chavicol and1,8-cineole. A balanced fertilization program with macro and micronutrients is very important in producing high quality yield. Zinc is involved in IAA production, chlorophyll biosynthesis, carbon assimilation, saccharids accumulation, reactive oxygen radicals scavenging and finally carbon utilization in volatile oil biosynthesis.
Material and methods: In order to evaluate the effect on zinc foliar application on zinc content of leaves, photosynthetic indices and pigments of holy basil, an experiment was carried out in 2013 at a research farm of Horticultural Science, Shahid Chamran University (31°20'N latitude and 48°40'E longitude and 22.5 m mean sea level), Ahvaz (Iran), a region characterized by semi-dry climate. The experiment was arranged based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were nano zinc chelate (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g.l-1) and zinc sulfate (1 and 1.5 g.l-1) fertilizers. Land preparation includes disking and the formation of raising beds (15cm high and 45cm wide across the top) using a press-pan-type bed shaper. Holy basil seeds were sown on two rows on each bed, with 15 cm in-row and 40 cm between-row spacing. The plants were irrigated weekly as needed. Foliar application of zinc fertilizers was done at six-eight leaf stage and were repeated with interval 15 days until full bloom stage. Zinc content, stomata conductance (gs), CO2 under stomata (Ci), transpiration rate (E), net photosynthesis (Pn), light use efficiency (LUE), water use efficiency (WUE) and also chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a+b and carotenoid contents were measured at beginning of flowering stage. Photosynthetic parameters were measured by Infra-red gas analyzer (LCA4, ADC Co. Ltd., Hoddesdon, UK). Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEinst) was calculated as Pn/E ratio. Light use efficiency was calculated as Pn/PPFD ratio.
Result and discussion: The results showed that the effect of foliar application of zinc fertilizers on all measured traits except Ci and WUE was significant (p≥0.01). The highest values of zinc content (110.53 mg.kg-1), chlorophyll a (0.99 mg.kg-1 fresh weight), chlorophyll b (0.30 mg.kg-1 fresh weight), chlorophyll a+b (1.29 mg.kg-1 fresh weight) and carotenoid (0.18 mg.kg-1 fresh weight) traits were obtained in plants sprayed with 1.5 g.l-1 nano zinc chelate. The lowest amount of zinc content (21.37 mg.kg-1), chlorophyll a (0.58 mg.kg-1 fresh weight), chlorophyll b (0.14 mg.kg-1 fresh weight), chlorophyll a+b (0.72 mg.kg-1 fresh weight) and carotenoid (0.13 mg.kg-1 fresh weight) traits were obtained in control plants. Foliar application of holy basil with 1.5 g.l-1 nano zinc chelate led to increase in stomata conductance (322.22 mm H2O.m-2.s-1), transpiration rate (2.86 mm H2O.m-2.s-1), net photosynthesis (11.75 μm CO2.m-2.s-1) and light use efficiency (6.10 μm CO2. μm photon-1). The minimum amount of stomata conductance (172.00 mm H2O.m-2.s-1), transpiration rate (2.16 mm H2O.m-2.s-1), net photosynthesis (8.23 μm CO2.m-2.s-1) and light use efficiency (4.46 μm CO2. μm photon-1) were observed in control plants. There were positive correlation (p≥0.01) between zinc content and chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a+b and carotenoid. Zinc content also had positive and significant correlation (p≥0.01) with stomata conductance, CO2 under stomata, transpiration rate, net photosynthesis and light use efficiency. So, providing zinc by foliar application with 1 and 1.5 g.l-1 nano zinc chelate and 1.5 g.l-1 zinc sulfate can lead to increase in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Increase in net photosynthesis may be due to higher photosynthesis pigments and also stomata conductance and CO2 under stomata. In the other hand, zinc is an essential micronutrient that acts either as a metal component of various enzymes or as a functional, structural, or regulatory cofactor such as carbonic anhydrase, ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate, and is thus associated with saccharide metabolism and photosynthesis.
Conclusion: Although the highest amount of most measured traits was obtained in plants that treated with 1.5 g.l-1 nano zinc chelate, there were no significant difference between 1 and 1.5 g.l-1 nano zinc chelate and 1.5 g.l-1 zinc sulfate treatments for zinc content, stomata conductance, CO2 under stomata, transpiration rate, net photosynthesis, water use efficiency and light use efficiency. Therefore, in order to increase zinc content and photosynthetic traits of holy basil, foliar application of with 1.5 g.l-1 zinc sulfate is recommended.
Research Article
Hadi Ghasemi; Mehdi Rezaei; Hamid Reza Asghari; Hasan Ghorbani Ghuozhdi
Abstract
One of the most important ornamental plant in Iran and all of the world is pollinates. In this research we studded effect of two types of fertilizer on the characters quantity and quality of pollinates. We used Bio fertilizer and chemical fertilizer. The bio fertilizer was Azosprillum and the chemical ...
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One of the most important ornamental plant in Iran and all of the world is pollinates. In this research we studded effect of two types of fertilizer on the characters quantity and quality of pollinates. We used Bio fertilizer and chemical fertilizer. The bio fertilizer was Azosprillum and the chemical fertilizer was potassium nitrate. A factorial experiment was conducted based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The result show that characters of related of leaf, total weight of bulbs, originally bulbs weight, number of side bulblets, number of bulbs and amount of potassium were significant in Potassium nitrate treatment. Also, in Azosprillum treatment characters originally bulbs diameter, steam diameter and amount of potassium were significant. In interaction of Potassium nitrate and Azosprillum characters such as: Leaf fresh weight, leaf area meter, originally bulbs diameter, originally bulbs weight, number of side bulblets, number of bulbs and amount of potassium were significant. Potassium nitrate was more effect with level of 150 k/ha on often characters, especially on percent flowering and number of bulbs was increased rang 20 numbers. On the other hand, Azosprillum was little effect on characters of vegetative and reproductive.
Research Article
Reihane Mesgari; Taher Barzegar; Zahra Ghahremani
Abstract
Introduction: Cucumber is one of the most important vegetable crops for the local consumption and exportation. The use of grafted vegetable seedlings has been popular in many countries during recent years. Growing fruit-bearing vegetables, chiefly tomato, cucumber and watermelon through grafted seedlings ...
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Introduction: Cucumber is one of the most important vegetable crops for the local consumption and exportation. The use of grafted vegetable seedlings has been popular in many countries during recent years. Growing fruit-bearing vegetables, chiefly tomato, cucumber and watermelon through grafted seedlings become a widespread practice worldwide. Grafting is a valuable technique to avoid soil-borne diseases, provide biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, enhance nutrient uptake, optimize water use, and increase fruit yield and quality. Vegetable grafting is a new topic in Iran and there are a limited number of studies on grafted vegetable production. However, attention to grafting by researchers has recently increased. Suitable rootstocks should be identified and characterized for the effective utilization of grafting. The rootstock's vigorous root system increases the efficiency of water and nutrient absorption, and may also serve as a source of endogenous plant hormones, thus leading to increased growth and yield in addition to disease control. In the present study, we investigated the response of two Cucurbita sp. and an Iranian melon as rootstocks for cucumber.
Materials and methods: In order to study the effect of cucurbit rootstocks and grafting method on growth, yield and fruit quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Super Dominus), an experiment was conducted as a factorial design in the base of RCBD with three replications in the greenhouse and research farm, University of Zanjan. Treatments were included three rootstocks (Cucurbita moschata L., Lagenaria siceraria and Cucumis melo L.) and ungrafted plants (control) and two grafting method (hole insertion and splice grafting). Seeds were sown simultaneously in plastic pots. For obtaining the same stem diameter of scion and rootstocks, cucumber seeds were planted four days earlier than rootstocks seeds. The seedlings were grown in an environment-controlled greenhouse with 25/20 day/night temperatures. When seedlings reached the first true leaf stage (diameter of the leaf was about 2 cm) the grafting was performed. After grafting, grafted plants were transferred to a mist chamber for post-graft care (>95% RH, 27-30 °C) for 10 days, after which the relative humidity was reduced gradually for acclimatization. After 20 days of grafting, surviving grafted plants and ungrafted plants were transplanted to the field. Common agricultural practices like fertilizer application, insects and disease control were adopted. Vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality were measured. Data were analyzed using the SAS statistical program (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA), and means were compared by Duncan’s multiple range tests at the 5% probability level.
Results and Discussion : The result showed that rootstocks had a significant effect on growth indexes. Cucumber was grafted on cucurbita moschata L. rootstock had the highest stem length and leaf numbers, while, the lowest values of plant height, leaf area, leaf number and yield were recorded with grafted plant on melon rootstock. Fruit numbers were significantly influenced by rootstock. The highest fruit number per plant was observed in cucumber plants that were grafted on cucurbita moschata rootstock. The results of the study showed that cucumber grafting on suitable rootstocks had positive effects on the yield. But rootstock had no significant effects on fruit quality like flesh firmness and total soluble solid. The Soluble solid content of fruit was reported to decrease in tomato, cucumber and eggplant due to grafting. chlorophyll content of leaf showed significantly different between grafted and non-grafted plants. The highest amount of leaf area was obtained from non-grafted plants. Grafting methods had no significant difference in growth, yield and fruit quality. Nitrogen and potassium leaf contents of grafted cucumber and ungrafted plants had no significant difference. The interaction between rootstocks and grafting method had no significant effect on yield and the other growth indexes.
Conclusion: Our findings showed that vegetative growth and yield of cucumber were affected by grafting. On the basis of these results, Cucurbita moschata rootstock had the highest effect on growth and yield of cucumber. It may also be concluded that the grafting method had relatively same growth response. Although the cost of a grafted seedling is surely one of the main concerns of growers, especially since grafted seedling costs from three to five times more than non-grafted seedling. However, investigation proved that, on-farm grafted cucumber transplant production can be successful and the results indicate that grafting of cucumber onto cucurbit rootstocks can increase on-farm net returns due to improve growth and yield.
Research Article
Parvaneh Yousefvand; Asghar Mosleh Arani; Afagh Tabandeh Saravi
Abstract
Introduction: Climate change has great impact on global production of several major plants. Negative effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the world, on the one hand, and positive effects of the gas on plants, on the other hand, are the most important reasons for investigating the gas ...
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Introduction: Climate change has great impact on global production of several major plants. Negative effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the world, on the one hand, and positive effects of the gas on plants, on the other hand, are the most important reasons for investigating the gas effects on different plants. Many studies have been conducted to examine the effects of elevated CO2on plants during the past several decades. Carbon dioxide enrichment in greenhouses can be used as a mechanism for reducing production time, improving quality and increasing plant vigor. The world is facing an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the coming years. The physiological responses of plant are affected by CO2concentration,among which changes in nitrogen, chlorophyll content, proline and soluble sugar have been observed in many studies. The significant changes in the levels of these characteristics are likely to cause marked effects on the entire metabolism of plant. Since the proteins of the Calvin cycle and thylakoid represent the majority of leaf nitrogen, chlorophyll content is the central part of the energy manifestation and can directly determine photosynthetic response and primary production. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of elevated concentration ofCO2 on some morphological and physiological traits of Melia azedarachunder greenhouse conditions. .
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted in a CO2 – controlled glasshouse in a completely randomized design with three replications in Yazd University. The glasshouse consisted of three separate chambers with threeCO2levels of control (450 ppm), 750ppm, and 1100ppm.The concentration of CO2within each chamber was monitored constantly three times a week. After two months, morphological characteristics such as diameter of the collar, height of stem, number of leaves, wet weight of shoots, root wet weight, wet matter biomass, dry weight of shoots, root dry weight, dry matter biomass, and physiological characteristics including proline content of leaves, soluble sugar of leaves, a andb chlorophyll content, total chlorophyll content, carotenoid, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water content of leaves were measured. To analyze the data, normality was assessed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Analysis of variance was performed to detect the difference between the different levels of treatment for all traits. Difference among treatments means were compared by using Duncan test. All the analyses were performed using SAS statistical software.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that CO2at the concentrations of 750 and 1100 ppm affected significantly all the measured morphological properties except for plant height, root dry weight and physiological traits such as proline, N, and leaves relative water content. However, CO2concentration of 750 ppm had the highest effect on the studied parameters, so that mean dry weight of shoot, dry matter biomass and proline increased up to more than three times, and shoots and roots wet weight and wet matter biomass increased up to more than two times compared to control. The greatest diameter of the collar and the amount of nitrogen were observed at 750 ppm concentration. Concentrations of 750 and 1100 ppm caused a significant increasein the number of leaves (up to two times) and the height of stem compared to control. The increase observed inmorphological characteristics may be owing to photosynthesis stimulation during the experiment in CO2-elevated chamber. Soluble sugar as an important product of photosynthesis increased but the differences were not significant. Soluble sugar may be used for synthesis of morphological characteristics.
Conclusion: Growth of Melia azedarach in elevated-CO2 chamber strongly reacted to theincrease in photosynthesis. Therefore, based on the results of this study,CO2 elevation in glasshouse can be proposed for increasing the growth of plant. Consideringthe continued increaseinCO2 concentrations as a result ofcontinued use of fossil fuels in the word, cultivation of Melia azedarach in urban areas seems an appropriate option. The results of the present study also showed that there is not generally a significant difference between CO2concentrations of 750 and 1100 ppm in Melia azedarach. Therefore, it can be concluded that CO2 up to 750 ppm can cause a significant increase in the growth of this species, because no significant effect was observe between the two concentrations (750 and 1100 ppm) on growth factors.
Research Article
Sara Khorasaninejad; Hassan Soltanloo; Javad Hadian; Sadegh Atashi
Abstract
Introduction: Plants are usually exposed to different environmental stresses which limit their growth and productivity as well as cause considerable loss of worldwide agricultural production. One of the most important factors affecting plant and production of secondary metabolites is the salt stress. ...
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Introduction: Plants are usually exposed to different environmental stresses which limit their growth and productivity as well as cause considerable loss of worldwide agricultural production. One of the most important factors affecting plant and production of secondary metabolites is the salt stress. Salinity of soil or water is one of major stress, obstacles to increase production in plant growing areas throughout the world and especially in arid and semi-arid regions it can severely limit plant production. Iran is among the world's arid and semi-arid land, and faces water resources shortage and saline lands. According to the concept of sustainable development and role of Agriculture, using saline water and soil resources seems mandatory. 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 were fundamentally produced by genetic processing, but, their biosynthesis are strongly influenced by environmental factors. It means that biotic and abiotic environmental factors affect growth parameter, essential oil yield and constituents. Abiotic environmental stresses, especially salinity and drought have the most effect on medicinal plant. Medicinal plants cultivation is one of ways to exploit these resources. Essential oils help to easier adapt to the environmental stress conditions. Also, essential oils are not constantly in the quantitative and qualitative terms. They are changing continuously, due to the requirements of the environment, and to individual survival. The different results were dedicated from the effect of salinity stress on the quantitative and qualitative parameters. Lavender (Lavandula angustifulia Miller) is a perennial woody medicinal plant that cultivated for its an essential oil in leafs and flowers. Major parts of Lavender produces essential oil are flowers and leaves.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications to study the effect of salinity stress on growth parameters, essential oil constituents and yield of Lavender (Lavandula angustifulia) at the Horticultural Sciences Department, Plant Product faculty, Gorgan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Lavender plants were obtained from seed plantation. The seeds in this investigation were obtained from the Institution of Forests and Range researches in Tehran. After three weeks stratification (4ºC) and germination, five plants were transplanted into similarized pots that were filled with perlite and cocopeat (2:1). Irrigation treatments with hydroponic solution were completed during germination until stage of 6-8 leaf. Then, five levels of salt stress, including 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl levels were investigated during four months, applied in hydroponic. Length, shoot wet weight, root wet weight and root dry weight were measured at full flowering stage (after five months). The same time in order to evaluate percentage and composition essential oil, each plant were harvested and dried under room condition. After two weeks, Clevenger method was used to extract the essential oil from the plant foliage. The obtained essential oil were measured for calculating of essential oils percentage and then, analyzed by using GC/MS (Gas choromatography-mass spectrometry) for identification and quantification of the components. Statistical analysis of data was used with SAS software and charts preparing was done with Excel software. Mean comparison with LSD’s test in 5 percent probability was used.
Results and Discussion: Results indicated that salinity stress motivated a significant influence in all of the growth parameters and essential oil yield and percent in P < 0.05. Increasing salt of the soil led to reduce in stem length, shoot wet weight, root wet weight and root dry weight and increase length of root and leaf essential oil percent at first, and then led to reduce these two parameters.
The highest values of the essential oil percent were obtained from second level of salinity. Also, it was reported that salt stress had a significant effect on yield and percent of essential oil that was similar to our finding. This was reported that percent of essential oil in each plant and composition of essential oil changed. According to the results of this research, salinity treatment significantly increased essential oil percentage in Lavandula angustifulia.
Conclusion: The most important of leaf essential oil component is Borneol that was increased. So, the medium level of salinity stress caused to increase in percent and quality of lavender essential oil.
Research Article
Somayeh Rastegar; Majid Rahemi
Abstract
In this research different compounds such as moisture,protein,nutrition,fructose and glucose,cartenoid,organic acid,phenolic acid of piarom,shahani and deiry were studied.Suger was analyzed by (HPAEC-PAD). organic acids and phenoilc acids were studied by (HPLC). According to our result, shahani, piarom ...
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In this research different compounds such as moisture,protein,nutrition,fructose and glucose,cartenoid,organic acid,phenolic acid of piarom,shahani and deiry were studied.Suger was analyzed by (HPAEC-PAD). organic acids and phenoilc acids were studied by (HPLC). According to our result, shahani, piarom and deiry as soft, semi-dry and dry cultivars showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between most properties. Piarom has the highest organic acid compared other cultivar. Piarom has the highest organic acid, but in nutrition, total phenol and phenolic acids, deiry has first value. In three cultivars, among the minerals studied, potassium was most abundant with a concentration of 1170–2440 mg/100 g. Shahani has the highest reducing sugar (68.8%) and showed significant differences in compared to piarom and deiry. Deiry has the highest proteins (7.3%) as compared to other cultivars
Research Article
Roohallah Montaghemi Rad; Ebrahim Ahmadi; Hassan Sarikhani
Abstract
Introduction: The maintenance of the quality of fresh produce is still a major challenge for the consumers. The most important qualitative attributes contributing to the marketability of fresh fruit a reappearance, color, texture, flavor, nutritional value and microbial safety. Storage conditions of ...
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Introduction: The maintenance of the quality of fresh produce is still a major challenge for the consumers. The most important qualitative attributes contributing to the marketability of fresh fruit a reappearance, color, texture, flavor, nutritional value and microbial safety. Storage conditions of product after harvest and storage duration are important factors with specific effect on products qualitativeproperties such as acidity, soluble solids materials, phenolic compounds and density. The amount of soluble solids materials is an important qualitative factor that is directly related to fruit quality and ripening.The existence of phenolic compounds, phenol absorption and changes phenol in product has caused changes in color. Shape, size, arithmetic mean diameter, geometric mean diameter, mass, volume, density, and sphericity coefficient are some of the physical properties of products that are crucial to analyze the behavior of matter in the handling.Furthermore, adequate knowledge about the physical properties of the products is of high importance in machines design, transportation and processing of product.
Materials and Methods: In this study, two types of olives, which were bitter and sweeten with 1.5%NaOHbefore the storage, were collected and their physical properties (length, width, thickness, arithmetic and geometric mean diameter, sphericity coefficient, mass, volume, density and primary moisture) were evaluated. Then, tostudy the effect of storage duration,the sweetened olives were stored at two temperatures (25℃ and 4℃temperature of the refrigerator) for 3 months,and during this period, sampling was performed at 10-dayintervals and the amount of total acidity (TA was determined by diluting each 1 ml aliquot of strawberry juice in 10 ml distilled water and then titrated to pH 8.1 using 0.1 N NaOH), total soluble solids materials (TSS was determined by a handheld refractometer device and expressed as ° Brix), phenolic compounds and the density weremeasured. The study was carried out as factorial based oncompletely randomized designwith twoindependent factors of temperature and storage time.
Results and Discussion: Results obtained for physical properties showed that the means of length, width andthickness insweet olive were 9.72, 1.34 and 1.11%respectivelyhigherthan bitter type. Penetration and absorption of NaOH and processing methods of the product can be considered among the possible causes of this increase. Linear regression relations between physical properties for sweet and bitter olives showed that mass and volume of fruit areestimated accurately according to the main dimensions. The results of data variance analysis also showed thatdensity and soluble solids materialswere significantly affected by themain and interaction effects of the twofactors at 1% probability level. Moreover, the main effect of storage time on total acidity and phenolic compoundswassignificant at 5% and 1% levels, respectively. With increasing storage time, density of sweet olive increased and soluble solids materials and phenolic compounds decreased. Acidity changes of olive during storage fluctuated, and an increase was found in the values of density and soluble solids materials along with theincrease of storage temperature from 4℃ to 25℃.With respect to density, the third month of storage showedhigherincrease compared toother months, and maximum value was reported for sweet olive in temperature of 25℃ and 19thday. Increase ofstorage duration resulted in the reduction of moisture content,whichin turns leads to the reductionof product volume and increase of density. The reductionfound in acidity in the second and third months of storage resultedfrom maturation and ripening processes of the fruit. Organic acids are a source of energy,which are consumed in the time ofmetabolism increaseand fruit ripening.Decreasein phenolic compounds also occurs as the result ofphenol penetration from olive flesh into the water - salt solution.
Conclusion: Results of this study showed that length, width, thickness, mass and volume of sweet olive weregreaterthan bitter type, but,by contrast,sphericity coefficient was higher in bitter olive. Moreover, storage time, increase caused an increase in thedensity of sweet olive and decrease insoluble solids materials and phenolic compounds.There was fluctuation inacidity during different storage times. An increase was found in the values of density and soluble solids materials along with the increase in storage temperature from 4℃ to 25℃.
Research Article
Amirhooshang Jalali; Peyman Jafari
Abstract
Introduction: Spinach is an important leafy vegetable in the cold season, and despite the fact that is considered as low-calorie food source contains significant amount of minerals such as iron, and vitamin A and C. According to the University of Utah 3.8 dS m-1 is salinity tolerance threshold for the ...
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Introduction: Spinach is an important leafy vegetable in the cold season, and despite the fact that is considered as low-calorie food source contains significant amount of minerals such as iron, and vitamin A and C. According to the University of Utah 3.8 dS m-1 is salinity tolerance threshold for the spinach and yield decrease that have been reported by 10%, 25% and 50% at 5.5, 7 and 8 dS m-1 salinity. The necessity to supply adequate potassium has been demonstrated in salinity conditions. In salt stress conditions, foliar application of K in spinach, reduces the harmful effects of salt and increase the ratio of potassium to sodium (1.61 to 2.72). Foliar application of K with prevent of potassium transfer from root to shoot is causing continuation of photosynthesis and reduce the effects of salinity. Absorption of potassium from the leaves depends on the type of used compound. In this context, characteristics of plant (leaves with a waxy composition, duration of growth and leaf area) are important. 100 kg ha-1 of potassium in salt stress conditions by reducing the absorption of sodium, increased salt tolerance on the sunflower.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the foliar application of K on the yield and yield components of spinach in salt stress condition, a study was conducted in 2012 by using split plot randomized based on complete block design with four replications at Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station. Three levels of irrigation water salinity consisted of a control (2 dS m-1), well water with salinity (4 dS m-1) and well water with salinity (8dS m-1) arranged in main plots and two levels of control and foliar applications of potassium fertilizer containing potassium oxide solubility in water (2.5 ml per liter) arranged in subplots. Statistical analysis was conducted by using SAS software and statistical tests were compared with Duncan at 5 percent.
Result and Discussions: The results showed that the yield of spinach with foliar application of K and 4 dS m-1 salinity was equaled 35300 kg ha-1 which had not significantly different from control treatment. Foliar application of K and 8 dS m-1 salinity, and also 8 dS m-1 salinity and without foliar potassium, had 20.2 and 38% yield reduction, respectively. In salinity 2.1, 4 and 8 dS m-1 plants m-2 were 40, 38.1 and 29.1, respectively. Leaf dry matter percent was improved with foliar application of K in 8 dS m-1 salinity. Effect of potassium, as modulators of salt in spinach, by researches of Shannon and Greve (24) and Kaya et al (14) have also been emphasized. Spinach leaves number was from 11.4 to 16.7 in different treatments. Foliar application of K in 4 and 8 dS m-1 salt treatment was increase in the number of leaves. This increased in treatment of 4 and 8 dS m-1 was 15.3 and 28.9 percent, respectively. In both saline treatments of 4 and 8 dS m-1, leaf length was positively affected by the application of potassium but in salinity 4 dS m-1 (unlike the eight salinity dS m-1) leaf width was not affected by the potassium spraying. The ability of plants to maintain intracellular potassium to sodium ratio leaves in certain extent is necessary for a salt tolerance. In fact, the application of potassium in salinity conditions by increasing the concentration of the K in organs is a kind of acclimation to the salt stress and activates repair mechanisms of the damage against of stress agent. The length of tail leaves in 4 dS m-1 salt was not significantly affected by the spraying of potassium while in 8 dS m-1 salinity, spraying potassium led to an increase of 28 percent in length of leaf tail. The effect of K application on the dry matter content in the 8 dS m-1 salinity was statistically significant. Potassium is the most abundant cation-forming in many plants (typically more than 10% of dry weight) and less than 10 grams per kg-1 of dry weight appear deficiency symptoms in most plants.
Conclusion: According to the results, in salinity conditions, the foliar application of K can be used as a factor to reduce the harmful effects of salinity. While the lack of fresh water for irrigation in arid and semi-arid crops has become a challenge, attention to the moderated mechanisms of the harmful effects of salt, is one of the approaches to face the challenges ahead.
Research Article
Farzaneh Nourbakhsh; Vida Chalavi; Vahid Akbarpour
Abstract
Introduction: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a perennial, ever green and fragrant plant belongs to Lamiaceae family. Vegetative parts of this plant have essential oil and compounds with anti oxidant and antibacterial properties which are used extensively in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic ...
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Introduction: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a perennial, ever green and fragrant plant belongs to Lamiaceae family. Vegetative parts of this plant have essential oil and compounds with anti oxidant and antibacterial properties which are used extensively in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. The use of biofertilizers such as vermicompost and Nitroxin could have beneficial effect on production of rosemary by increasing the production of plant growth hormones and the availability of macro and micro nutrients in growing media.
Materials and Methods: The effect of vermicompost and Nitroxin biofertilizers was investigated on growth, yield, the amounts of photosynthetic pigments, flavonoid, essential oil percentage and yield of rosemary. The experiment was based on a randomized complete block design with two factors, including vermicompost (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% w/w) and Nitroxin (inoculated and non-inoculated with Nitroxin) with four replications. This research was done at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran, in 2012-2013. Uniform one-year old rooted rosemary cuttings were selected for this experiment. Before planting, rooted cuttings were treated in diluted Nitroxin solution in water (1:10) for 10 minutes. After planting, rosemary plants were fertilized twice by Nitroxin for every 45 days according to the producing company recommendation. During growth period, irrigation was done according to plants requirement. At the end of experiment, parameters such as plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, leaf flavonoid and essential oil yield were measured. Data was analyzed using standard analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear models procedure of SAS, (version 9.1; SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.). Differences among means were tested by least significant difference (LSD) (p ≤ 0.05).
Results and Discussion: Obtained results showed that the application of different levels of vermicompost and Nitroxin inoculation and their interactions had significant effect on some rosemary morphological and physiological properties such as plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, leaf flavonoid and essential oil yield. The interaction of vermicompost and Nitroxin were highly significant for shoot weight. The highest fresh weight (71.55 g) for each plant were obtained from 40% vermicompost with Nitroxin inoculated treatment. The lowest fresh weight (45.62 g and 44.4g) belonged to 10% vermicompost and control treatments, respectively. Shoot dry weight yield was also affected by vermicompost with Nitroxin interaction and was highly significant. The highest dry weight (31.37 g) was obtained from 40% vermicompost with Nitroxin inoculated treatment while the lowest dry weight (18.68 g and 18.79 g) was observed in control and Nitroxin treatment, respectively. The amount of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll were affected by vermicompost with Nitroxin interaction too. The highest amount of chlorophyll a (25.89 mg/g) was observed in 30% vermicompost treatment. The highest amount of chlorophyll b (2.13 and 1.81 mg/g) belonged to 20% and 30% vermicompost treatments, respectively and , the highest amount of total chlorophyll (27.7 mg/g) was measured in 20% vermicompost in combination with Nitroxin inoculated treatment. The highest amount of leaf flavonoid (6.25 mg/g) was determined in 10% vermicompost with Nitroxin inoculated treatment. The highest essential oil yield (0.263 and 0.272 g per plant) was obtained from 20% and 30% vermicomposts treatments, respectively. According to the presented results, amendment of growing media with vermicompost and Nitroxin inoculation significantly increased quantity and quality properties of rosemary.
Conclusions: The presented results showed that the use of vermicompost, and Nitroxin separately or in combination have positive effect on growth yield, pigments formation and essential oil yield of rosemary. The increased fresh and dry yield of rosemary in this study could be the result of optimum condition of growth media provided by vermicompost. The use of vermicompost increases water holding capacity and better ventilation environment for plant roots. In addition, the presence of vermicompost in growing media provides greater nutrient availability for plants and therefore increases plant fresh and dry yield. This greater nutrient availability could be due to increased microbial population and their activities in vermicompost- amended growth media.
Research Article
Maryam Jabbarzadeh; َAli Tehranifar; Jafar Amiri; Bahram Abedy
Abstract
Introduction: Salinity is one of the most important environmental factors that regulates plant growth and development, and limits plant production. Researchers have shown that some plant growth regulators such as nitric oxide improve the plants resistance to environmental stresses such as heat, cold, ...
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Introduction: Salinity is one of the most important environmental factors that regulates plant growth and development, and limits plant production. Researchers have shown that some plant growth regulators such as nitric oxide improve the plants resistance to environmental stresses such as heat, cold, drought and salinity. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) commonly has been used as nitric oxide (NO) donor in plants. NO is a diffusible gaseous free radical. Low concentrations of NO inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species and protect plants against ROS damages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of SNP as NO donor on salt tolerance of Calendula officinalis and its effects on some morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of this plant.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the effects of salinity (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM) and sodium nitroprusside (0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mM) on morphological and physiological characteristics of Calendula officinalis L. were investigated. Total leaf area and number of leaves were determined in the end of the experiment. Electrolyte leakage was used to asses’ membrane permeability. This procedure was based on Lutts et al.,1995. Soluble sugars were extracted and estimated by the method of Irigoyen et al., 1992. Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid content were calculated from the absorbance of extract at 653, 666 and 470 nm using the formula of Dere et al., 1998. Proline was extracted by the method of Bates et al., 1973. DPPH radical- scavenging activity of sample was performed as described previously of Cleep et al., 2012. The SAS software was used for the analysis of variance (ANOVA), comparisons with P
Research Article
Ali Salehi Sardoei; Parviz Rahbarian
Abstract
Introduction: One factor that is of great importance to the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, is the media. Planting plants in containers as an important component of the nursery technology has grown. Compared with farm volume, growth media used for each plant greatly reduce plant growth ...
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Introduction: One factor that is of great importance to the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, is the media. Planting plants in containers as an important component of the nursery technology has grown. Compared with farm volume, growth media used for each plant greatly reduce plant growth that largely influence by the physical and chemical properties of growth media used. Therefore, good management of potted plants bed will cause the plants have good quality. A good growth media with optimal physical and biological properties, relatively inexpensive, stable and style enough to work should be available. The Burgers showed that composted green waste can be used as substrates for soilless cultivation and improve the water-holding capacity of soil. The garden has a range of materials including hardwood and softwood bark, leaves, soil, waste, sewage sludge and coconut (cocopeat) that has been used as a seed bed. According to the economic issues and increasing moisture storage, palm peat substrates are primary material that can be prepared as a good growth medium for the producing's presented level Country. Peat moss is not applicable to all plants because of high cost and poor absorption characteristics like low pH and low water holding capacity . This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of replacing peat moss palm waste and the effect of it on growth characteristics were studied.
Materials and Methods: The experimental design was completely randomized design with four replications of eight treatments. The compressed unit (block) was supplied and commercial cocopeat was used because of reducing the cost of transportation. Before applying this material, the amount of water was added for opening up and voluminous and become it completely uniform.. In treatments containing sand + perlite, these four types volume ratio of 1:1 and mixed with sand + perlite were used. First, wooden cuttings of pandanus in a bed of sand rooted in the greenhouse, then the rooted cuttings were transferred to pots with a diameter of 17cm. The pots were filled with the examined material. After planting in pots in a greenhouse with temperature of 20-25°C in winter and 30-35°C in summer were kept on planting plans. The indicators of growth including stem diameter, stem length and lateral shoot number, leaf area and chlorophyll index were measured. Analysis was performed on data using SPSS 16. Comparisons were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range tests. Differences were considered to be significant at P < 0.05.
Results and Discussion: Vegetative characteristics of pandanus plants were significantly different from each other. Results showed that the mean media of cococheps and 50% peat palm + 25% sand + 25% perlite had the highest leaf area with 413.97 and 378.69cm2 respectively and non-significant difference was showed. Means followed by same letter are not significantly different at P
Research Article
Rahman Ebrahimzadeh Abdashti; Mohammad Galavi; Mahmood Ramroudi
Abstract
Introduction: Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) belongs to the Malvaceae family, and is an annual or biennial plant that cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its stem fibers, eatable calyces, leaves and grains. Roselle is resistant to relatively high temperatures throughout the growing and ...
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Introduction: Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) belongs to the Malvaceae family, and is an annual or biennial plant that cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its stem fibers, eatable calyces, leaves and grains. Roselle is resistant to relatively high temperatures throughout the growing and fruiting times. Continuous use of chemical fertilizers destroys the soil ecological balance, reduces soil fertility and groundwater pollution is caused. In contrast, organic fertilizers are very safe for human health and the environment. It is made by recycling organic material as plant and animals waste, and food scraps in a controlled process. Of the organic fertilizers can be noted to compost, vermicompost, cattle manure andhumic acid. The study was carried out in order to sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on some quantitative traits and anthocyanin of roselle.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was performed in complete randomized block design with ten treatments and four replications in research field of agricultural faculty, university of zabol. The treatments included T1: control, T2: NPK in a ratio of 2:1:1 (300 kg ha-1), T3: cattle manure (20 t ha-1), T4: compost (10 t ha-1), T5: vermicompost (5 t ha-1), T6: humic acid foliar in a ratio of 1.5 per thousands, T7: 50% of T2 and T6 , T8: 50% of T3 and T6, T9: 50% of T4 and T6 and T10: 50% of the T5 and T6.
Five plants were chosen and an average of five plants was calculated as the single plant for measuring of variables that included the height, number of branches, stem diameter, shoot fresh weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, number of seeds per plant, fresh and dry weights of sepals, inflorescence length, length and diameter of fruit. Method of Wagner has been used for the anthocyanin measurement.
Results and Discussion: Results of this research showed that the application of different fertilizers increased the height, number of branches and stem diameter per plant in different stages of growth. Mean comparison showed that there were significant differences between the treatments and control in most traits, so that the maximum height, number of branches and stem diameter belonged to the treatment of organic and chemical fertilizer with humic acid (T8, T9 and T10). The highest number of fruits and seed yield per plant (41/98%) was obtained from the T9 treatment compared to the control. This result was corresponded with the results of other researchers in the roselle.
The result showed that inflorescence length, length and diameter of fruit had the highest values by using the cattle manure + humic acid (T8); and so measured characters had the lowest values in control treatment. Effect of different fertilizer treatments on fruit fresh weight, fresh and dry weights of sepals had statistically significant differences. The highest and the lowest values of fruit fresh weight, fresh and dry weights of sepals were obtained from T9 treatment (compost + humic acid) and control treatment, respectively.
Compost improves conditions for the plant growth. Humic acid stimulates the growth hormone and increases the absorption of nutrients by plant. So, with these reasons it seems that higher growth features and further calyx yield were achieved by applying compost + humic acid than other treatments.
The effect of treatments organic and chemical fertilizers with humic acid on the amount of anthocyanin was higher compared with using them separately. Compost, vermicompost and cattle manure fertilizers are containing humic acid substances and humic acid (phenolic compound derivatives) is a precursor for the synthesis of anthocyanidin (flavonoid structure), therefore they correlated with the increasing anthocyanin in treatments organic fertilizers and chemical with humic acid.
Conclusions: The results showed that all applied fertilizers treatments improved growth features, further calyx yield and anthocyanin amount, than the situation of non-use of fertilizer. Nevertheless, the effect of the treatments organic fertilizers with humic acid on vegetative growth, fruit and sepals yield and anthocyanin content per sepals was higher compared with using them separately and using chemical fertilizers.
Therefore, to achieve maximum vegetative growth, fruit and sepals yield and anthocyanin content per sepals using treatments of organic fertilizers with humic acid were better than other fertilizer treatments in this research. Therefore, it seems that, in terms of sustainable production and the environmental protection of roselle, applications of organic fertilizers may be viable alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
