Research Article
Seyyed Ali Tabatabaei; Ehsan Shakeri
Abstract
Introduction: Ajowan (Carum copticum Benth. & Hook.) is an annual herbaceous essential oil bearing plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, which grows in India, Iran, and Egypt. Ajowan seeds have essential oil as an active substance, which is used in pharmaceutical industry as a diuretic, antivomiting, ...
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Introduction: Ajowan (Carum copticum Benth. & Hook.) is an annual herbaceous essential oil bearing plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, which grows in India, Iran, and Egypt. Ajowan seeds have essential oil as an active substance, which is used in pharmaceutical industry as a diuretic, antivomiting, analgesic, antiasthma, antispasmodic and a carminative. Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Also, nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. Generally, proper agronomic management including suitable plant density has a high influence on growth and yield of medicinal plants. In this regard, Kloss et al., (2012) highlighted the need for strategies to improve crop growth, make irrigation more efficient and sustainable and conserve farmlands. In addition, yield is influenced by inter-row spacing and sowing density. Ghilavizadeh et al., (2013) have reported that application of suitable amount of nitrogen fertilizer and plant density of 25 plan/m2 increased seed yield, essential oil yield and essential oil content of ajowan. In another research, Borumand Rezazadeh et al., (2009) reported that the plant density of 50 plant/m2 have produced the highest seed yield, essential oil yield and essential oil content. Generally, with regard to importance of medicinal plants and the necessity of understanding their crop and the impact of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of these plants, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of these factors on some traits of ajowan.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on different traits of ajowan (Carum copticum L.), an experiment was conducted using factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Yazd in 2012 growing season. Treatments included three levels of plant density (60, 120 and 180 plant per m2) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (60, 90 and 120 kg/ha). The geographical location of the experimental station was 55°52´ S and 29°52´ N with the altitude of 1120 m. Each experimental plot was 6 m long and 2 m wide with the spacing of 30 cm between the rows. Ajowan seeds were directly sown by hand on 3 April, 2012. To measure the characteristics of number of umbel per plant, flowering branches and diameter of top of plant with respect to the margin effect, 10 plants were randomly selected from two central rows of each plot and mentioned traits were measured and the means of each traits in each plot were used in the analysis. For evaluating seed yield, essential oil yield and content, 1 meter of each plot was harvested. For statistical analysis, MSTAT-C software was used to compare means at the 5% probability level by Duncan's multiple range test.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the highest number of flowers per plant (25/27), number of flowering branches (7/77), diameter of top of plant (32 cm), seed yield (301/4 kg/ha) and essential oil yield (12/45 kg/ha) were obtained from 60 plant per m2 and 120 kg/ha nitrogen. Among the treatments, only the effect of nitrogen fertilizer was significant on essential oil content, so that, application of 120 kg/ha nitrogen produced the highest essential oil content (4/07). Our results are in agreement with the findings of Borumand Rezazadeh et al., (2009) who reported that, the highest traits of ajowan was obtained in plant density of 50 plant/m2. Seed yield had positive and significant correlation with plant height, number of umbel per plant and number of flowering branches.
Conclusion: Generally, it is concluded that, increasing the plant density with enhancing the interspecific competition for light, nutrients, water and other resources, had negative effect on traits of ajowan. Furthermore, the findings of this research indicated that ajowan had high requirement for nitrogen to produce a reasonable yield. So, more researches at different conditions are necessary to evaluate the effect of intercropping, rotation, bio-fertilizers and composts on different traits of ajowan. Generally, it seems that more researches are needed for investigating the effect of different plant densities and nitrogen fertilizers on qualitative and quantitative traits of ajowan.
Research Article
Manizhe Khanian; Davood Ghanbarian
Abstract
Introduction: Because of harvesting of widespread volume of pomegranate production in a short time from late summer to early autumn and due to the lack of appropriate conditions of storage, a large part of which is lost prior to the market presentation or its cost is reduced due to the widespread presentation. ...
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Introduction: Because of harvesting of widespread volume of pomegranate production in a short time from late summer to early autumn and due to the lack of appropriate conditions of storage, a large part of which is lost prior to the market presentation or its cost is reduced due to the widespread presentation. Some studies investigated different methods for long-term storage of pomegranate, including use of alternative heating, low temperature, controlled atmosphere and growth plant regulators. Pomegranates are usually kept at temperatures below 5 °C only for 2 months, and then, frostbite to form of surface stains, skin browning; discolouration and browning of Arils and separator membrane are appeared. However, sensitivity to frostbite is a major problem for pomegranate storage, but generally the most important limiting factor for pomegranate storage is the growth and development of fungal contaminations, especially on the part of the throat. This problem is usually intensified at temperatures above 5 °C to prevent frostbite pomegranate. Therefore, for long-term storage of pomegranate, dual problem exists. It means that to reduce frost, we have to use higher temperatures or plastic covers, and on the other hand all these conditions can intensify the fungal decay in pomegranate. Recently, the interest of consumers has increased to food products with better quality, fresher and easier access. In this regard, packaging materials and packaging methods with the use of modern and appropriate techniques play vital role in reducing food wastes and production which is caused to healthier products. Considering the importance of extended life storage along with the preservation of favorite pomegranate quality, so the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of four types of coverage on the quality of pomegranate.
Materials and Methods: Maikhosh pomegranate cultivar was used for this study. Samples were taken directly from the Najaf Abad city orchards at the same conditions. Fruit weight was measured at the beginning of the experiments using a digital balance and then pomegranate samples were coated and stored at 4 °C for 105 days and every 35 days, the physical and chemical properties of pomegranates were measured. Initial weight of the samples stored were measured every 35 days and the percent of weight loss was calculated using Equation (initial weight-secondary weight / initial weight) × 100. In addition, the outer skin browning of fruits as one of the frostbite indices was examined. The sphericity coefficient i.e., the degree of similarity of each sample to sphere was expressed as Q = (abc) ^(1/3) / a ×100 The total surface area of the samples was determined using relationship S= π〖((abc)〗^(1/3))^2. Area brown skin of the samples was calculated by application of Imag j software. The percent of browning index was calculated by relationship (brown area of sample)/( total surface sample area), and each percentage of browning fruit were given from zero to five and frostbite percent was measured using relationship, percent of frostbite = (marks total ×100)/(number of biopsied sample×5). Firmness was measured using a manually penetrometer (ABI-ASA, Netherlands) equipped with a probe with 8 mm diameter. The pH values were measured using a pH-meter (MTT65, Iran) for the measurement of pH, 1 ml of pomegranate juice was mixed with 9 ml of distilled water using two device buffer solution with pH = 4 and pH =7. The TA was determined by mixing 1 ml of pomegranate juice with 9 ml of distilled water in the presence of phenolphthalein and titrating with 0.1 mol L-1 NaOH (PH 8.1) and using a calculated relationship TA=(M×0/0064×100)/W. TSS contents were recorded in a soluble refractometer (ATAGO, Japan) with values being expressed as 0Brix. The color content and intensity were measured using strewing pomegranate juice into centrifuge tubes with length of 20 ml and was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 minutes. Then, the absorbance within 420-520 nm was measured in a spectrophotometer, and finally the color content and intensity was calculated by A520 + A420 and A420 /A520, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software. Differences among means were tested for significance by ANOVA procedures and LSD test.
Results and Discussion: The analysis results showed that the coating treatments had a significant effect on all properties while storage period had a significant effect only on pH, percent of weight loss, frosting percent, acidity and soluble solids content. The samples coated by chitosan solvent 1% showed greatly weight loss in comparison with other coating treatments. Because the high concentration of chitosan causes preservation moisture between chitosan and skin of fruit that this could increase the activity of the aerobic pathogens, decay and higher weight loss. Firmness of fruits coated by liquid paraffin greatly reduced during storage period in comparison with other coating treatments. The soluble solids content of fruits covered by chitosan solvent 1% showed greatly an increase during storage period in comparison with other coating treatments. Coating treatments had a significant effect on the color content and intensity at level of 0.05 and 0.01, respectively. The coating aloevera gel treatment showed the lowest color intensity and content which suggests maintaining anthocyanin pigments and reducing brown pigments in samples. Among all coating treatments, the pomegranate peel extract indeed of conservation of apparent quality of fruits and seeds, showed the lower frosting percent approving the favorable effect of this treatment on the preservation of fruit in cold storage.
Conclusions: The results showed that among applied coatings, pomegranate peel extract is the best option due to the conservation of apparent quality of fruits and seeds as well as the lower frosting percent. The coating treatments aloevera gel and pomegranate peel extract showed the lowest color content and intensity and they are more appropriate options due to conservation of transparency and color red, respectively. Therefore, the treatment coating pomegranate peel extract and aloevera gel were chosen as the best options in pomegranate storage.
Research Article
Majid Azizi; Zainab Safaei
Abstract
Introduction: The ever-increasing tendency to the use of medicinal plants in the world has grown concerns about their cultivation and production processes. As medicinal plants are more compatible with the nature, special interest and attention have recently been given to herb therapy, and use of medicinal ...
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Introduction: The ever-increasing tendency to the use of medicinal plants in the world has grown concerns about their cultivation and production processes. As medicinal plants are more compatible with the nature, special interest and attention have recently been given to herb therapy, and use of medicinal plants, being limited by the rise of pharmaceutical drugs, has become again common and widespread due to a number of reasons. In a sustainable agriculture system, application of the fertilizers which are nature friendly and suitable for plants is essential. This becomes more important when dealing with medicinal plants. Doing studies over the effect of nanopharmax and humic acid fertilizer on the plant, no research findings were obtained. So, in order to use less chemical fertilizers to prevent environmental pollution and encourage farmers to use more organic fertilizer, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of foliar application of humic acid and nano-pharmax fertilizer on the growth index, yield, yield components, essential oil content of N. sativa.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted at Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2012-2013. Land preparation was done in October. The land area was 80 square meters in which three blocks were designed. Eight plots were prepared within each block and each plot was planted with 4 lines. Furrow sowing operations were carried out on October 29. The plants were thinned in 4-6 leaf stage. First irrigation after planting, and subsequent ones were done every 7 days until the end of the growing season. No herbicides were applied in this plan and weeding was done by hand. The test treatments included humic acid and nanopharmax fertilizer with the levels of 0, 1, 3 and 6 mg per liter and 0 and 1 ml per liter, respectively. Fertilizer treatments was applied at the 8-10 leaf stage and continued once every two weeks, three times until after flowering. Foliar application continued until the plants were well treated with the solution. Plant height, leaf area index, dry weight, the number of branches, and the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, essential oil content and yield were measured. The factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. For the variance analysis of test data and drawing graphs, Excel and Minitab-16 software was used. All the averages data were compared at the 5 and 1% level, according to LSD test.
Results and Discussion: Different levels of humic acid imposed a significant effect on plant height, leaf area index, dry weight, the number of branches, and the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, essential oil content and yield. Nano fertilizer application significantly increased the yield and essential oil content of Nigella sativa. Combined treatment at various levels had significant effect on dry weight, seed weight, biological yield and essential oil content and yield. According to the results, it can be concluded that the levels of 6 mg.l-1 of humic acid and Nano fertilizer (Farmks®) application the treatments were more effective in the increase of growth index, yield, yield components, essential oil content on other traits. The increased seed yield affected by humic acid and nano fertilizer can be attributed to the better vegetative growth, canopy development and consequently, more appropriate use of solar radiation and high photosynthesis. Using nano fertilizer, the time and speed of nutrients dispersion is coordinated by food requirements of the plant and thus, the plant will be able to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients and therefore, while reducing the leaching of nutrients and the crop yield increases.
Conclusion: The results showed that the use of nano fertilizer and humic acid can have positive effects on yield components and yield of N. sativa. Application of nano fertilizer and humic acid concentrations of 6 mg/l showed higher yield than other treatments. Intensifying the vegetative growth, these treatments increased the yield in N. sativa species. The combined treatments significantly increased the seed weight, growth index, seed yield, biological yield essential oil content and yield. Therefore, on the basis of the results of current study, it sounds like that nano fertilizer and humic acid can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and environmental pollution. They also play an important role in achieving the goals of sustainable agriculture.
Research Article
Reza Rezaee; Ghasem Hasani; Seyed Edris Salehi
Abstract
Introduction: Apple is a major commercial fruit crop grown in Iran. The country produces approximately 1.6 - 2.7 million tonnes of apples and was one of the top 10 apple producing countries in the world during the last decade. West Azerbaijan province, with more than 50,000 hectare of apple orchards ...
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Introduction: Apple is a major commercial fruit crop grown in Iran. The country produces approximately 1.6 - 2.7 million tonnes of apples and was one of the top 10 apple producing countries in the world during the last decade. West Azerbaijan province, with more than 50,000 hectare of apple orchards and by producing of approximately one million tonne of fresh apple, is one of the main regions of apple production in Iran. In this region, two common apple cultivars Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are dominant (>90%), which needs to be updated by new apple cultivars to satisfy different technical/management as well as worldwide marketing requirements. Apple cultivars evaluations was started in Iran since 1953 and a lot of apple collection were established, but and until new apple cultivar was not introduced to farmers, As a first step for introduction of alternative cultivars, in this study, vegetative growth, flowering time, fruit ripening time as well as fruit quality of 12 apple (Malus pumilla Mill) cultivars were evaluated under Urmia climatic conditions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate vegetative growth, quality and compatibility of some apple cultivars to allow selection of alternative cultivars for commercial apple production in the northwest province of Iran.
Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted at the Kahriz Horticultural Research Station located in Urmia-Iran (latitude 44°07' E; 37º 53' N.; altitude, 1325 m above sea level). The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, with 12 treatments (cultivars) and three replications. The apple cultivars including Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Red Spur, Fuji, Delbar Stival, Golden Smothee, Jonagold, Gholab-Kohanz, Golab-Kermanshah, Mahali Shikhi and Shafie Abadi were grafted on MM 111 rootstock. Trees were 10-year-old with a planting distance of 3 x 4 m and were trained as modified leader system. Data collected for annual shoot growth, time of blooming as well as fruit quality traits for one growth season and all data obtained from the trial were analysed using combined ANOVA and means were compared using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). SPSS (version 20) was used to analyse the data.
Results and Discussion: Analysis of variance showed that apple cultivars were significantly different for all traits. Based on the means comparison test, the most and least annual shoot growth was observed in Red Delicious and Red Spur with 51.80 and 26.23 cm, respectively. The studied apple cultivars were ranked in three and five groups in terms of flowering and fruit ripening time, respectively. Flowering time is important for breeding as well as pollination purposes and in this regard there were significant differences among cultivars. The highest and the lowest fruit weight 236.07 and 63.28 g was obtained from Red Delicious and Mahale Sheikhi, respectively. The highest fruit firmness was observed in Fuji (9.17), followed by Golab Kermanshah (9.13), Red Delicious (9.03) and Golden Delicious (8.76). The highest (18.6%) TSS was observed in Fuji cultivar followed by Red Delicious (17.00%), and the lowest TSS was observed in all of early ripening cultivars. Titratable acidity (TA) was also significantly different among cultivars with Fuji showing the highest (1.32) and Golab Kermanshah, Golab Kohanz and Golshahi were the lowest (0.31-0.44) values. Compared to the other cultivars, Red Spur and Jonagold with a more L/D ratio (0.91) showed an elongated fruit form. Fruit shape especially the ratio of L/D has an important role in marketing. In addition, due to low growth and dense canopy as well as good fruit quality, the two recent cultivars are recommended for high density planting.
Conclusion: Final ranking of cultivars based on cumulative ranks from different traits showed that the higher ranks for Fuji, Red Spur and Goden Smothee, indicating their higher potential as an alternative to the Red and Golden delicious. Among the evaluated cultivars, three cultivars including Jonagold, Golshahi and Delbar Stivel were the best option to fulfill market demands for fresh fruit during mid-summer trough early autumn. It should be emphasized that these cultivars may be suitable for similar climates, but because of the effects of growing conditions (i.e. soil type, climate, cultural practices etc.) on the results of cultivar evaluation projects, complementary trials should be done in other regions before commercial planting commences. Continuous evaluation of new apple cultivars is an important prerequisite for sustainable apple industry.
Research Article
Shadab Faramarzi; Abbas Yadollahi; Ghasem Karimzadeh
Abstract
Introduction: Apple (Malus Miller) belongs to Rosacease family and the subfamily of Pomoideae. This fruit is at first place among fruits of temperate zones. The cultivated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is a complex hybrid of the apple species. Chromosomal basis of this subfamily are x = 17 and the ...
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Introduction: Apple (Malus Miller) belongs to Rosacease family and the subfamily of Pomoideae. This fruit is at first place among fruits of temperate zones. The cultivated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is a complex hybrid of the apple species. Chromosomal basis of this subfamily are x = 17 and the ploidy levels have been reported for diploid (2n=2x = 34), triploid (2n =3x= 51) and tetraploid (2n= 4x= 68). Since Iran is close to the apple diversity region (Central Asia), it has a good variation of apple varieties. Despite the high levels of variation in apple cultivars and species in Iran, there is not still a database of genome size. Classification of plants according to their genome size, especially at lower taxonomic levels is important for breeders. Over the past years, several methods for estimation of nuclear DNA content (genome size) was common, but recently, the use of flow cytometry (FCM) has been increasingly used. Flow cytometry is the best method to estimate DNA c-value and ploidy levels in apples. In this study, DNA c-Value and ploidy level of Iranian apple varieties has been estimated by flow cytometry and propidum iodide staining.
Materials and Methods: Fully expanded young leaves of all apple varieties were collected in the summer 2013. Nuclear extraction was performed using Partec kit as following: 1 cm2 apple leaf and 1 cm2 parsley leaf (as internal standard) were co-chopped with razor blade after adding 500 µl of nuclear extraction buffer. Then, the extract was filtered by two kind of filters (50 and 30 um). One ml of staining buffer, 4 µl of RNAase and 4 µl ofpropidium iodide was added for 15 min at room temperature. Finally, nuclei were counted using flow cytometry (BD FACSCanto II, USA) at Tarbiat Modarres University. The genome size was estimated according to bellow formula:
DNA 2C-value sample =
Also, given the high levels of phenolic compounds in apples, treating with PVP and PVP 1% were performed to evaluate the effect of phenolic compounds on estimation of genome size. Finally, Histogram analysis and DNA c-value estimation were done with Partec Flow Max software. The difference between means was obtained by SAS software ver. 9.2 and LSD tests.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that genome size obtained from Partec Flow Max software and ranged from 1.57 pg for ‘Golab- Bastam’ to 1.73 pg for ‘Golab- Kermanshah’. Histogram analysis was demonstrated that all studied cultivars are diploid. The average genome size in this study was 1.62 pg. Research conducted on foreign apple varieties have showed that the genome size of diploid species from was obtained 1.45 for M. fusca to1.68 pg for M. ransitoria. The genome size for triploid species was ranged from 2.37 to 2.57 pg. In this study, genome size was calculated in terms of mega base pairs and was different from 748 Mbp in ‘Golab- Bastam’ to 846 Mbp in ‘Golab- Kermanshah’. Thus, the size of the genome was closed to M. ransitoria (1.68 pg). This species is native to China, which is a Crab apple and used as an ornamental tree. It has been reported that Iranian apple are M. domestica Borkh. In another study, genome size was identified in the range from1.245 pg for diploid species of M. tschonoskii to 1.653 pg for M. florentina. M. florentina species is native to Balkans and Italy, that is an ornamental tree and its genome size is close to M. domestica Borkh. (1.653 pg).
Conclusion: Classification of plants according to their genome size seems to be important, especially at lower taxonomic. Genome size, even in very close species can also be different, for example, northern corn with more heterochromatin has larger genomes than those who are located in south (less heterochromatin). This study appears the variation of DNA 2C-value in Golab cultivars, even though Golab cultivars are known clones with low genetic diversity. Therefore, it is likely that Iranian apple varieties, with the same ploidy level, have been had difference in genome size. There are various ploidy level in apple, including diploid (2n = 34), triploid (2n = 51), tetraploid (2n = 68) and hexaploid (2n = 102). Thus, it is expected that current apple M. × domestica Borkh., have been contributed some several species such as M. prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh., M. baccata (L.) Borkh., M. sieboldii (Regel) Rehder, M. sylvestris, ،M. orientalis Uglitzk and M. sieversii.
Research Article
Rasul Najib; Mohammad Farsi; Amin Mirshamsi Kakhki; Saeid Reza Vessal
Abstract
Introduction: Homozygous doubled haploid lines production through induction of androgenesis is a promising method to accelerate the classical breeding program. However, this technology is relatively under - developed in tomato so that improvements in methodology are required. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum ...
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Introduction: Homozygous doubled haploid lines production through induction of androgenesis is a promising method to accelerate the classical breeding program. However, this technology is relatively under - developed in tomato so that improvements in methodology are required. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is one of the most important vegetables which in addition of it is importance as a food, is utilized as a model plant for cytological and cytogenetic studies. Tomato breeding programs are often based on the production and selection of hybrid plants. To produce hybrid plants and application of features that is needed to breed pure lines with high specific combining abilities, new technologies such as doubled haploid production through induction of androgenesis can be an effective strategy to provide pure lines in tomato. One of the critical factors for induction of androgenesis in tomato is to use of microspores being in appropriate developmental stage. Cytological examination is one of the most accurate methods for determining the correct stage of microspore development. In this study, a number of characteristics were evaluated including the cytological properties of normal microspores development and pollen grains as well as the relationship between length of flower bud and anther length.
Materials and Methods: In this study, four varieties of tomato including Mobil - Netherlands, Baker, U. S. Agriseed and Khoram were chosen. To determine the appropriate stage of microspore development for Anther culture, cytologycal studies were accomplished at different size length of flower buds (2. 0 - 7. 9 mm). Collection of flower buds to conduct experiments was done during 10 - 40 days after flowering for each cultivar. Flower buds collected early in the morning hours and within the containers closed - door ice were transported to the laboratory. To investigate the correlation between the length of flower bud and anther length, randomly selected from within each group of three flower buds, and their length was measurement. Then anthers were removed and anther length was measured for each flower buds. A total of 240 anthers, sixty anthers from each cultivar, were examined by microscope. In order to examine the development stage of microspores and pollen grains, flower buds at different length (5 - 10 mm) were calculated. Flower buds were incubated at 4 oC for 15 minutes and stained in acetocarmin %4 solution and squashed. In order to determine the relative frequency of each stage of the development of microspore and pollen, microspores at least 100 randomly in different parts of prepared slides were counted. Average relative frequency of different stages, meiosis, tetrads, microspores young and old and young and mature pollen grains with a standard deviation was calculated. Cytological studies were accomplished by microscopy research Olympus B X 51 and photographed by a digital camera D P 70. All analysis was conducted using statistical software JMP 8.
Results and Discussion: The time of anthers collection for the induction of haploid is very crucial. In order to determine the appropriate steps to carry out pre - treatment induced changes in the normal development of microspores embryogenesis and cytological properties in various stages of division and development should be monitored. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the length of flower bud and the anther length (r = 0.8, P
Research Article
Hadi Khavari; Morteza Goldani; Mohmmad Khajehossaini; Mahmood Shoor
Abstract
Introduction: Germination of every plant species respond to temperature variation in particular way. Germination is critical stage in plant life cycle. Seed germination is a complex biological process that is influenced by various environmental and genetic factors. The effects of temperature on plant ...
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Introduction: Germination of every plant species respond to temperature variation in particular way. Germination is critical stage in plant life cycle. Seed germination is a complex biological process that is influenced by various environmental and genetic factors. The effects of temperature on plant development are the basis for models used to predict the timing of germination. Estimation of the cardinal temperatures, including base, optimum, and maximum, is essential because rate of development increases between base and optimum, decreases between optimum and maximum, and ceases above the maximum and below the base temperatures. Usually, a linear increase in germination rate is associated with an increase in temperature from base temperature (Tb) to an optimum. An increase of temperature from the optimum will reduce the germination rate to zero. To determine the best planting date for plants, it is necessary to find the base (Tb), optimum (To) and maximum temperatures (Tc) for seed germination. These are known as cardinal temperatures. Modelling of seed germination is considered an effective approach to determining cardinal temperatures for most plant species, although these methods have some limitations due to unpredictable biological changes. The results of fitting mechanical models are useful for evaluating seed quality, germination rate, germination percentage, germination uniformity and seed performance under different environmental stresses such as salinity, drought, and freezing. Regression models incorporating more parameters can produce more precise estimates. Cardinal temperature was determined using segmented and logistic models in millet varieties and seedling emergence of wheat. In the dent-like model at lower-than-optimum temperature, a linear relationship holds between temperature and germination rate. This relationship remains linear at higher-than-optimum temperatures, but with a reducing trend. With increasing temperature, germination rate increases linearly up to an optimum temperature.
There are many cultivars of turfgrasses available each year and this large number can make your choice difficult. This guide is designed to help you decide which cultivars to use from those that have performed well in tests in Mashhad and are commercially available. When choosing a turf grass, consider the environmental aspects of where you plan to establish the turf and the cultural techniques that you will use to manage the grass and then choose the appropriate grass for your situation.
Materials and Methods: In order to determine cardinal temperatures in five cultivars of turfgrass (Festuca arundinacea asterix, Festuca arundinacea eldorado, Festuca arundinacea starlet, Lolium perenne and Bermuda grass) in eight temperature levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 400C), factorial experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with four replications in research laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
In the end of experiment measuring the following indices:
Final Germination Percentage (FGP) and Germination Rate (GR) were calculated based on below equation:
FGP= (n / N) × 100
In this equation, n is the number seed germination at the end of the trial and N is the total of seeds.
GR=
gi: the number of seed germination in every count and di:the number of days to counting until n-th day.
The base (Tb), optimum (To) and maximum temperatures (Tc) for seed germination were calculated based on below equation.
وx≤T0 y= ax2 + bx+ c
Data was analysis with MSTAT-C, Minitab ver, 13 and Excel software and means were comparative with Dunkan multiple range test in 5 percent probability.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that the germination percent, germination rate, radical length, plumule length, root to shoot and seedling vigor index are affected by temperature, variety and them interaction (P
Research Article
Amirhassan Hosseini; Ali Tehranifar; Leila Samiei; Mahmood Shoor; Farshid Memariani
Abstract
Introduction: Allium is one of the greatest genera in Amarylidaceae family with more than 900 species distributed in northern hemisphere from temperate region to tropical and subtropical areas. There are more than 135 Allium species in Iran, many of which have the ornamental potential and can be exploited ...
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Introduction: Allium is one of the greatest genera in Amarylidaceae family with more than 900 species distributed in northern hemisphere from temperate region to tropical and subtropical areas. There are more than 135 Allium species in Iran, many of which have the ornamental potential and can be exploited in floriculture industry. Northeast of Iran with more than 35 species especially in Razavi and North Khorassan provinces is regarded as one of the main centers of diversity of Alliums. The species of Allium have the great potential to be used either as cut flower and potted plant or as outdoor plant in urban landscape. There are indeed a rich germplasm of Allium in Iran with diverse characteristics of flower colour, size and form. For the utilization of the wild species, it is necessary to identify and fully assess their main morphological and phenotypic characteristics as the initial step. Morphological markers are one of the commonly used tools which are applied in phenotypic evaluation, taxonomic classification and collection management of plant species. The aim of present study was to evaluate morphological traits and genetic diversity of some of the native Allium species of Razavi khorassan in Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this study the Allium species were collected from diverse regions of Khorassan, Iran and were cultured as a collection in Research Center for Plant Sciences (RCPS) of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in a completely randomized block design. Following the establishment of the Allium species, 29 qualitative and 13 quantitative traits were recorded during the growing season in two successive years. Analysis of variance and comparison of all traits were performed using JMP8 software and simple correlation and factor analysis was calculated using SPSS software. Principal component analysis as well as maximum variance was also performed on the collected data.
Results and Discussion: The results exhibited that the species and genotypes were significantly different in their morphological characteristics. Some of the traits like scape length, leaf colour, flower diameter and length and width of perianth were more diverse among the species and consequently were considered as the most discriminating traits whereas some qualitative traits like perianth segment form, ovary form and perianth tip form remain uniform amongst the species. There are number of studies indicating the existence of high genetic diversity in phenotypic characteristics of some species of Allium like garlic, onion and shallot .The traits having the higher coefficient of variance bring the opportunity for the wider range of selection. Correlation analysis revealed the significant correlations among some of the studied traits. High positive correlation observed among leaf length with scape length, scape diameter with perianth length, leaf width with scape diameter and scape diameter with flower diameter. In garlic, similar positive correlation was reported on leaf length and width with scape length. Considering the quantitative traits, various parameters like environmental conditions are also effective in correlation between traits along with the corresponding genetic controlling. Factor analysis is used to identify the most important factors involving in discriminating among the species and genotypes. Based on the results, the 42 morphological characters were classified into five main factors which could justify 91.62% of total variance. Characters like inflorescence diameter, scape diameter, flower form, pedicel length, filament length and ovary and style length were placed in the first factor and expressed 30.03% of the variation. The second factor that could explain 24.9% of variation was included scape form and length, leaf length and pedicel colour. The selected discriminating traits of this study were similar to the ones of Allium roseum which had been earlier introduced by Zammuri et al (2009). The first two factors explained the highest amount of diversity while the 3rd to fifth factors could define 16.10%, 12.265% and 9.19% of variance, respectively. Traits like scape length, leaf form and colour and inflorescence diameter are amongst the main factors for the selection of ornamental plants.
Conclusion: In overall, substantial valuable information obtained for some of the native species of Alliums of Iran for the first time. This information can help in selection of desired species for specific landscape designing however characterization of the native germplasm can also be a very beneficial task in future breeding program as well as the conservation strategies for preserving the endangered species.
Research Article
Reyhane Setayesh; Mohammad Kafi; Jafar Nabati
Abstract
Introduction: The population growth and water requirement for domestic consumption, industry, agriculture and urban development in Mashhad megacity, increase pressures on freshwater resources. Therefore, planning for water use optimization is necessary. The new allocation of water resources for landscape ...
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Introduction: The population growth and water requirement for domestic consumption, industry, agriculture and urban development in Mashhad megacity, increase pressures on freshwater resources. Therefore, planning for water use optimization is necessary. The new allocation of water resources for landscape greenish, especially in arid and semi-arid is difficult. Therefore, water allocation to landscape is valuable and should be used efficiently. According to water resource limitation, using drought-tolerant plant species and determine threshold of drought tolerance in landscape can improve water use management. Plants that naturally survive in your area are the ones best adapted to your soil, climate and rainfall. By selecting plants that either avoid or tolerate dry conditions, a beautiful, thriving landscape can be made possible. Drought-tolerant plants survive long periods of drought by storing water internally or by developing extensive root systems that sink deep into the soil. Many drought-tolerant plants have additional protection through a waxy coating that reduces evaporation or hairs on the leaf surface that reflect some of the light, insulating the plant. Most drought-tolerant plants use several of these features to survive on low amounts of precipitation. Japanese barberry is a compact woody deciduous shrub with arching branches. Leaf colours include green, bluish-green to dark red and purple. B. thunbergii's progress in the United States has, to date, been held in check to the south by, probably, its need for cold winter temperatures for stratification of the seeds, and to the west by, probably, drought conditions. Although very drought tolerant once established, a very dry terrain would tend to discourage its incursion. Rugged, adaptable, no serious problems or pests, easy to maintain, transplants readily, shade and drought tolerant, deer resistant is typical ad copy found at any site offering this shrub of colourful fall foliage. In this regard, drought stress tolerance thresholds of ornamental barberry plant in Mashhad landscape were evaluated.
Materials and Methods: In order to determine the qualitative and quantitative drought stress tolerance thresholds of ornamental barberry (Berberis thunbergii) plant an experiment was conducted basis on randomized complete block design with three replications in Plant Production Complex of Mashhad Municipality. Treatments included; 100, 80, 60, 40, and 20% of culculated water requirements based on evaporation pan data. Two years old plants with similar size were transplanted from pots to field in 16 March 2012. Treatments were applied after establishment in 28 April and sampling was arranged in 6 August, 23 August, 6 September, and 7 October. During the growing season, the evaporation level was daily measured from pan Class A. In each sampling two plants sampled randomly from each plot for measuring the plant height, highest branches, number of branches, fresh and dry weight, dry mater percentage, irrigation water use index and freshness index.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that with increasing severity of drought stress plant height of barberry reduced significantly, but there were no significant difference between 100 and 80% of water requirement treatments. The highest branches reduced by diminishing water application volume but there were no significant difference among 100, 80 and 60% of water requirement application. The maximum of branch number was observed at 60 percent water requirement, however, there were no significant difference between 100 and 60% of water requirement treatments. The number of branches in 60% was 26% lower than 80% of water requirement. Therefore, application of 60% water requirement with 23 branches per plant produced highest branch number. The highest and lowest plant fresh weight was measured in 100% and 20% water requirement application, respectively. Application of 60% of water requirement produced statistically on the same biomass production of 100% of water requirement application. The lowest freshness index was observed in 20 and 40% of water requirement, but there were no significant difference among 60, 80 and 100% of water requirement applications.
Conclusion: Generally, results showed that ornamental barberry plant is a drought resistant plant and it can be alive by only 20% of its water requirement application, but for having freshness ornamental barberry in urban landscape, at least 60% of its water requirement should be applied. Based on the present results, water application of ornamental barberry could be reduced to 60% of calculated water requirement. It could be saved water application of barberry up to 4400 m-3.ha-1 in a growing season in Mashhad condition.
Research Article
Sakineh Bagheri; Dariush Davoodi; Mohammad Esmaeil Amiri; Mina Bayanati; Mehrnaz Entesari
Abstract
Introduction: The GF677(Prunusamygdalus×P. persica) is a peach rootstock tolerant to Fe deficiency. Nowadays, it is mainly propagated through micro propagation. Widening and undesirable growth of leaves as well as poor rooting are major problems during its in vitro culture. GF-677 is one of the most ...
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Introduction: The GF677(Prunusamygdalus×P. persica) is a peach rootstock tolerant to Fe deficiency. Nowadays, it is mainly propagated through micro propagation. Widening and undesirable growth of leaves as well as poor rooting are major problems during its in vitro culture. GF-677 is one of the most suitable rootstocks for almond and peach used in calcareous soils to overcome lime-induced chlorosis. Therefore, in vitro micro propagation is important for commercial purposes. Using liquid medium, it may be possible to reduce costs to a level lower than solid medium and liquid medium is better than solid medium in growth. Both the brand and concentration of agar also affect the chemical and physical characteristics of a culture medium. One of the main factors on micropropagation is hormone specially BAP. Furthermore, shoot branching depends on the initiation and activity of axillary meristems, which usually controlled by cytokinin. The rooting stage, the induction of roots on explants from in vitro culture is crucial part in any micropropagation process. The ability of plant tissue to form adventitious roots depends on interaction of many exogenous and endogenous factors, including hormone. Most reports of adventitious root induction of woody species have involved treatments with exogenous auxins such as IBA, NAA or IAA. Dimassi-Theriou (1995) for rooting of GF-677 compared different culture media and results on the rooting of these rootstocks depend on the type of medium culture.
Materials and Methods: Axillary shoot of GF677 was cultured on both liquid and solid media. In proliferation step both liquid and solid media (MS, DKW and WPM) were used in primary stages of the experiment. Medium containing BAP 1mg.land-1 NAA 0.1mg.l-1. Under growth chamber conditions, light intensity was maintained at 2500-3000 lux with an 8-hour dark period. For rooting, 3-4 cm-long shoots from previous culture were transferred to 1/2 MS medium containing IBA (0, 0.5, 1 and 1/5mg.l-1) and 6 , 0 g l-1 agar. Darkness during the last week of the rooting phase has been shown to be necessary in stimulating rooting in some woody species. Note that the room temperature was maintained at 25°C during this experimental stage. The experiment was carried out based on factorial adopted completely randomized design with 5 replications per treatment. Explants shoot lengths, shoot numbers, root lengths and root numbers were recorded after 4 weeks which propagated plants via tissue culture were transferred to soil medium using 50% peat and 50% perlit mixture.
Results and Discussion:
Shoot proliferation: The observation indicates that there were significant differences between solid and liquid media. Best results were achieved for proliferation by liquid medium and among which MS obtained the highest frequency. The highest number of shoot was observed in MS medium and the lowest number of shoot was observed in WPM medium. Increasing mineral concentration resulted in increased multiplication, growth rate and total mineral uptake by GF677 explants.
Root initiation of in vitro: Various concentrations of IBA showed significant differences. The maximum number of roots and root length were observed in the medium containing 0.5 mg.l-1 IBA. The best results were obtained for rooting in liquid 1/2 MS supplemented with 0.5 mg.l-1 IBA. The mean survival of the plants were transferred to liquid medium (75%) and mean survival of the plants were transferred from the solid culture medium (50%).
Conclusion: In conclusion, a micropropagation system for GF677 has been worked out utilizing nodal explants. Our investigation showed that the liquid MS medium with 1 mg.lit-1 BAP was the best for proliferation of GF677 and micropropagated plants were rooted and established in soil successfully. WPM medium is higher in chloride level which has been reported to result in growth depression in plants due to inhibited nutrient uptake, transport and utilization of nutrients variation in multiplication and growth of explants can be explained on the basis of water potential and mineral availability to the explants in the liquid medium. Many investigators have reported that IBA has a better effect on promoting adventitious root formation in comparison to IAA. The best results were obtained for rooting in 1/2 MS supplemented with 0.5 mg. l/1 IBA.
Research Article
Hamid Hassanpour
Abstract
Introduction: Cornus is a very large genus which comprises 40 species of shrubs and trees native to Central and Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia. Many species are grown as ornamentals. Only a few species are grown for their fruits, chief among which is the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Study ...
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Introduction: Cornus is a very large genus which comprises 40 species of shrubs and trees native to Central and Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia. Many species are grown as ornamentals. Only a few species are grown for their fruits, chief among which is the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Study on the nutritional value of the cornelian cherry has focused on nutrients which play a role in preventing diseases such as scurvy. Fresh cornelian cherry fruits contain twice as much vitamin C as oranges. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and physicochemical properties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits in Iran.
Materials and Methods: Distribution of cornelian cherry was traced on the map according to the visitation of the different provinces. In order to study the characteristics of the fruit, samples were taken from five different areas and various parameters were evaluated. Fruit and seed weight (g) were measured by a digital balance with a sensitivity of 0.001 g (Scaltec Company, Gottingen, Germany; model SPB31). Fruit length (mm), fruit diameter (mm), seed diameter (mm) and seed length (mm) were measured using a digital vernier caliper with a sensitivity of 0.01 mm. TSS was determined by refrectometry of one drop extracted juice of each fruit at 25°C (Kyoto Electronics Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Japan, and Model RA-250HE). TA was determined by titration and the pH value was indicated by pH meter (HBJ-260). In addition, total ascorbic acid content was determined by the dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) method. Data were subjected to calculate of descriptive statistics by SPPSS and means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test at p
Research Article
Fateme Hasanvand; Abdolhossein Rezaeinejad; Mohammad Feizian
Abstract
Introduction: Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a perennial plant of the family Geranium (Geraniaceae). Although CaCl2 at higher concentrations than NaCl in the soils and ground water in many areas of the word, most studies have been based on experiments that NaCl is the predominant salt. ...
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Introduction: Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a perennial plant of the family Geranium (Geraniaceae). Although CaCl2 at higher concentrations than NaCl in the soils and ground water in many areas of the word, most studies have been based on experiments that NaCl is the predominant salt. Relatively few studies have focused on the effects of CaCl2 on plant growth and physiology. Silicon (Si) is considered as an essential element in several crops enhancing growth and alleviating different biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the role of Si in alleviation the deleterious effects of salinity on geranium have been studied.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted in spring-summer 2014 in research greenhouse situated on the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. The greenhouse temperature was 16.5–37.5 ◦C and relative humidity of greenhouse was 30–80%. Terminal stem cuttings with five nodes were obtained from mother plants in the same greenhouse and placed in a sand substrate for rooting in April. Uniform rooted cuttings were then transplanted into plastic pots (22 cm diameter and height) filled with sand substrates and grown hydroponically. Transplanting was done in May and one plant per pot was cultivated. Cultivated plants were irrigated with Hoagland’s medium electrical conductivity (EC) 1.8 dS/m, (pH) 5.8 twice a day. Experiment was arranged as factorial based on a completely randomized design with five replications. Factors consisted of daily application of 1.8, 4 and 6 ds/m CaCl2 and weekly application of 0, 0.5 and 1 mM silicic acid in nutrient solution. Plants were harvested in November. In this research some characteristics include the number of leaf, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments (chla, chlb. Total chl, carotenoids), MDA, EL, RWC, proline, number of stomata in surface unit of leaf, density of stomata and stomata index and antioxidant enzyme include CAT and POD measured.
Results and Discussion: In current study salinity decreased the number of leaf and leaf area and Si increased these characteristics. In general, decrease in the leaf area can result in a reduction in size of individual leaf of plants, decrease in the production of leaves and fall the old leaves. It also reduce the growth rate of leaf in salinity which causes osmotic effect around the roots (rhizosphere). Over time, the rate of cell division and elongation decreased, and finally this changes leads to decrease in the final size of leaf. In this study, salinity increased electrolyte leakage and the use of silicic acid prevents electrolyte leakage. Probably saturation of phospholipids with increasing salinity increased, as a result the fluidity of membrane decreased and finally increased the electrolyte leakage, silicic acid absorbed in plant and deposited in the cell membrane, causing the silica hardened. This causes in stress condition, cell membrane maintains stability and significantly reduced the amount of electrolyte leakage. In this study application Si in various concentrations under salinity stress brought a significant decrease in MDA compared with salinity alone. Salinity increased the MDA and EL so that application of1 mM silicic acid decreased EL to 16.7 and 11.9 percent plants grown in 4 and 6 dS/m EC, respectively, compared with controls. Application of 1 mM silicic acid decreased the MDA to 23.6 and 35 percent plants grown in 4 and 6 dS/m EC, respectively, compared with controls. Therefore, the present results indicate that Si can effectively ameliorate membrane lipid peroxidation, thus protecting plants from oxidative stress. Salinity affected on leaf anatomy and chloroplast ultrastructure, photosynthesis also affected by these factors. Reduction in chlorophyll at height salinity levels due to chloroplast destructive. The results showed that salinity decreased the density and stomatal index in plants and silicic acid increased these characteristics. Salinity decreased the RWC and antioxidant enzymes and application of silicic acid improved them. Increase in salinity increased the leaf proline and application of silicic acid alone in plant on stress decreased it.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of present research showed that high EC induced by CaCl2 negatively affected geranium growth, and weekly application of 1 mM silicic acid alleviated the destructive effects of stress and in high salinity the positive effect of silicic acid is more than in low salinity.
Research Article
Hamid Mohammadi; Gholamhossein Davarynejad; Masud Khezri
Abstract
Introduction: Pistachio is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran, USA, Turkey and some Mediterranean countries. Some physiological problems such as abscission of inflorescence buds, blankness, non-splitting, early splitting, cracking and nut deformation reduce the pistachio yield and ...
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Introduction: Pistachio is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran, USA, Turkey and some Mediterranean countries. Some physiological problems such as abscission of inflorescence buds, blankness, non-splitting, early splitting, cracking and nut deformation reduce the pistachio yield and quality. A proper nutrition management of pistachio orchard might decrease the physiological problems and increasing the yield. Calcium is an essential plant macro-nutrient that has several distinct functions within plants. These functions can be divided into main areas including effects on membranes, enzymes, cell walls, and interactions of calcium with phytohormones. Free polyamines (putrescine, spermine, spermidine), are the widely distributed of N containing organic molecules binding to the intracellular anions (DNA, RNA, chromatin and proteins). They are also known to possess several regulatory functions. In plants, they have been associated with regulating many physiological processes, such as organogenesis, embryogenesis, floral initiation and development, leaf senescence, fruit development and ripening, and abiotic and biotic plant stress responses. Although the spray application of calcium compound and free polyamine has been investigated separately, application of calcium compounds combined with free polyamines has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined treatments of calcium and free polyamines on decreasing the physiological problems and improving the yield of ‘Ahmad-Aghaii’ pistachio trees.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried out in a commercial 20-year old ‘Ahmad-Aghaii’ pistachio orchard in Rafsanjan, Iran. It was arranged as factorial based on randomized completely block design with three replications. The treatments were control, calcium compounds (calcium nitrate and calcium chloride at concentration of 0.5%) combined with free polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine at concentration of 0.5 mM). Spraying were applied at different growth stages including two weeks after full bloom (stage 1), six weeks after full bloom (just before endocarp hardening) (stage 2) and the combination sprays of stage 1 and stage 2. Different traits including the percentages of abscission of inflorescence buds, cracking, blankness, early splitting, nut deformation, non-splitting and splitting as well as yield, leaf area and vegetative growth were measured. The individual shoot was the experimental unit and analyses of variance were performed using the General Linear Models procedure of SAS. Means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test (P < 0.05).
Results and Discussion: Results showed that the main physiological problems of pistachio crop were decreased by application of calcium compounds combined with free polyamines. Spray application of the mentioned treatments was more effective at combined stages of 1 and 2 rather than the stages separately. It was resulted that calcium nitrate combined with spermine and spermidine treatments at combined stages of 1 and 2 reduced the abscission of inflorescence buds, blankness, nut deformation and non-splitting. Also, it was found that calcium nitrate combined with spermidine at combined stages of 1 and 2 reduced the percentage of early splitting while splitting and yield were increased. Spray application of free polyamines combined with calcium compounds did not affect the length and diameter of current-year shoots but significantly increased the leaf area. It seems that calcium plays a key role in conjunction with free polyamines especially spermidine and spermine in decreasing the abscission of inflorescence buds via improving the stability of cell wall and preventing abscission layer formation. It also seems that polyamines reduce the abscission of inflorescence buds by antagonism with ethylene, possibly by competing for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a common precursor of both plant bioregulators. Increasing the shoot yield and decreasing the percentage of blankness might be due to improving leaf photosynthesis as well as regulating kernel growth and development. It was found that free polyamines and calcium might promote a regulatory system against environmental stresses especially heat, drought and salinity which are the main concerns of pistachio growers.
Conclusion: According to the results, the application of calcium compounds combined with free polyamines could reduce the physiological problems and increased the yield of ‘Ahmad-Aghaii’ pistachio. Among calcium treatments, calcium nitrate was significantly more effective than calcium chloride. In the case of free polyamines, both spermidine and spermine were more effective than putrescine. It was concluded that application of calcium nitrate combined with spermidine or spermine at both stages (stage 1 + 2) was the most effective treatments in reducing physiological problems and increasing the yield of pistachio trees.
Research Article
Farima Doaei; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Reza Ghorbani; Ahmad Balandary
Abstract
Introduction: In order to response to greater demand for wild medicinal plants consumption, it has been recommended that wild medicinal plants can be brought into cultivation systems. Cichorium pumilum Jacq. is an annual species of Asteraceae family, that has a long history of herbal use and is especially ...
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Introduction: In order to response to greater demand for wild medicinal plants consumption, it has been recommended that wild medicinal plants can be brought into cultivation systems. Cichorium pumilum Jacq. is an annual species of Asteraceae family, that has a long history of herbal use and is especially of great value for its tonic effects upon the liver and digestive tract. The root and the leaves of chicory are digestive, hypoglycemic, diuretic, laxative and tonic. Using chemical fertilizers can be easily lost from soils through fixation, leaching or gas emission that can lead to reduced fertilizer efficiency. The applications of organic fertilizers such as compost and vermicompost can be considered as a good management practice to increase cropping system sustainability, reducing soil erosion and improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil microorganisms have a significant role in regulating the dynamics of organic matter breakdown and the availability of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and sulfur.
Materials and Methods: For evaluating the effects of organic, mineral and biological fertilizers on seed yield and yield components of dwarf chicory (Cichorium pumilum Jacq.), a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (36016/ N, 59036/ E, elevation 985 m) during growing season of 2011-2012. The experimental layout was factorial based on randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental treatments were all combination of organic and chemical fertilizers (compost 4 t/ha, vermicompost 4 t/ha, urea fertilizer 130 kg/ha and control) and biological fertilizer (biosulfur biofertilizer + pure sulfur 100 kg/ ha and control). Before conducting the experiment, soil sample were taken from the depth of 0-30 cm, and physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and also used compost and vermicompost were determined. All fertilizer treatments were added to the soil and mixed well with the soil before sowing. In order to avoid leaching, all urea fertilizer was divided to two parts and these were used in two dates during the growth period. Cichorium pumilum Jacq seeds were hand sown in 2.5 ×4 m plots in five rows and with plant density 20 plants m−2. Before harvesting the grain, five plants were randomly selected in each plot from 2500 cm2 (50×50cm) and their characteristics and traits such as plant height, number of tiller per plant, number of branch per plant, number of inflorescence per plant, number of seed per inflorescence, number of seed per plant and seed weight were determined. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan multiple range test at 0.05 level were performed using SAS version 9.1 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA).
Results and Discussion: The Results indicated that studied factors and their interactions had not significant effect on morphological traits (plant height, number of tiller per plant, number of branch per plant) and on yield components of seed such as: number of seed per inflorescence, 1000-seed weight, seed weight per plant, seed yield and harvest index (HI). The results showed that organic and chemical fertilizers had significant effect on number of inflorescence per plant, number of seed per plant, biological yield (p< 0.05).The highest number of inflorescence per plant, number of seed per plant and seed weight per plant were observed in chemical fertilizer + biosulfur biofertilizer treatment. The highest seed yield (1489 kg.ha-1) obtained from compost + biosulfur biofertilizer treatment. Chemical fertilizer + biosulfur biofertilizer treatment (7576 kg.ha-1) produced the highest biological yield. It seems that because of high solubility of chemical fertilizer, nutrients are immediately available to the plants therefore, plants can use nutrients of chemical fertilizer faster than other fertilizers. Biofertilizer and organic fertilizer can improve soil properties and also through nutrient supply, improves plant growth.
Conclusion: In this study, it seems that the morphological traits (plant height, number of tiller and number of branches per plant) and yield components such as the number of seeds per inflorescence and seed weight were influenced by genetic characteristics and fertilizer treatments had little effect on mentioned traits and the plant was able with nutrient available in soil, overcome its needs. Overall in this study, results showed that the use of compost combination with biosulfur biofertilizer had positive effect on studied traits of dwarf chicory and use of them can be an effective step towards sustainable production and replacement use of chemical fertilizers.
Research Article
Alireza Sobhany; Majid Reza Kiani
Abstract
Introduction: Melon is a tropical species that originates from Iran or Africa and Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India and China are the most important centers of genetic diversity of cultivated varieties (1). The original area for cantaloupe and melon is Iran. Dry and warm climate ...
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Introduction: Melon is a tropical species that originates from Iran or Africa and Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India and China are the most important centers of genetic diversity of cultivated varieties (1). The original area for cantaloupe and melon is Iran. Dry and warm climate is the best condition for Melon. This plant needs heat and light for good grows. Cloudy and rainy weather at the time of fruit ripening may affect melon taste and quality(2). According to the FAO statistics in 2012, the total area devoted to melon was 1,339,006 hectares with an average yield of 23.8 tons per hectare and 31,925,787 tons production. The highest production belonged to China (55% of world production). Iran produces about 5.4 percent of world production which is about 1450000 tons from 80,000 hectares (2).
Recently, a great number of studies have studied the correlation between melon yield and its components. The first branch (5), the number of primary branches, the number of fruits per plant and fruit weight per plant (6), length and width of fruit and fruit shape index were the most important melons traits which have been evaluated by other studies (4). Fruit yield has significant positive correlation with the length of the stem, primary branches, the date of the first appearance of female flowers and fruit weight. Studies revealed that there is a negative correlation between the number of fruits per plant and the average fruit weight.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 2008 with 17 landrace seeds collected from different locations of Khorasan provinces included Kashmar, sarakhs, Boshruye, Sabzevar, Dargaz and Bajestan. Experiment was designed based on randomized complete block design with three replications at agricultural Research Station of Khorasan Razavi.
Results and Discussion: The cultivars did not show any different in the time of emergence as all of them emerged 4 to 7 days after the first irrigation. The comparison showed that melon cultivars were significantly different in all traits except of number of stems per plant. Melon cultivars KohsorkhKashmar, Abbasshori, Haji Mashallah and Jafarabadi were similar in yield and showed greater yield than other cultivars. In this experiment, Khatooni with maximum area in khorasan had highest yield in compare with other cultivars. Khatooni yield was 28.72 tons per hectare. The lowest yield belonged to ghanat s Boshrooye (equal to 18.83 tons per hectare), chahPaliz (17.4 tons per hectare) and kharmansarakhs (with 16.94 ton per hectar). Jafarabadi cultivar had the biggest fruits and ghanatboshrooye and bakharmansarakhs had the smallest fruits. The average weight of a melon fruit Jafarabadiwas 3.50 kg in white ghanat Boshruye or bakharman sarakhs was 1.93 kg. kohsorkh kashmar and abbasshory with 3.4 fruits per plant and mahali boshroye and zinabadwith 2 fruits per plant had the highest and lowest number of fruits respectively.
Cluster analysis for all of traits put 17 melon cultivars into four groups, first group consists of a ghasri, zemestani Mashhad, the second group consisted of ghanat Boshrooyeh, Jabbari, mahali sarakhs, Jafarabadi,chah Faliz, mahalli Boshrooyeh, Dargazi, zinabadi, Bakharman sarakhs, the third group were included Abbaspoor and KohsorkhKashmar and finally Haj Masha Allah, khatoni and bandi were placed in fourth.
Cluster Analysis for yield put melon genotypes into 4 groups, first group consisted of dargazi, zinabadi, zemestani mashahd, mahalli boshrooyeh, mahalli sarakhs, ghasri and khaghani with average yield of 24.7 t/ha and the second group consisted of bakharman sarakhs, chah faliz and ghanat boshrooyeh genotypes with average yield of 23.6 t/ha, Jabbari and khatoni put in thrid group with average yield of 29.2 t/ha and the other genotypes put in 4th group with average of 30 t/ha yield.
Cluster Analysis for number of fruits divided melon genotypes to 4 groups, First group with highest number of fruit consisted of dargazi, zinabadi, zemestani mashahd, mahalli boshrooyeh, bakharman sarakhs, chah faliz, ghanat boshrooyeh with average of 2.5 fruits.
Factor analysis showed that traits used in this experiment covered 73 percent of variation in melong genotypes and traits were divided to 4 components the first one consisted of yield, fruit weight, fruit number, fruit length, fruit width, seed weight and dry weight which covered 16 percent of variations. The second component included length of plant with covering 11.7 percent of variation, fruit Hole diameter and fruit width were put in third and fourth component with covering 10 and 7 percent of variation respectively.
Research Article
Seyyed Najmodin Mortazavi; Fatemeh Khodabandelu; Mohammad Hossein Azimi
Abstract
Introduction: Brassica Oleracea L. is biennial of cabbages family. This plant is valuable for its leaves and resistivity against cold weather. Cabbages are resistant to cold and suitable for landscape in cold areas. In some ornamental plants, the control of plant size, vegetative growth and size reduction ...
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Introduction: Brassica Oleracea L. is biennial of cabbages family. This plant is valuable for its leaves and resistivity against cold weather. Cabbages are resistant to cold and suitable for landscape in cold areas. In some ornamental plants, the control of plant size, vegetative growth and size reduction is necessary to enhance sale. Salicylic acid is a phenolic compound that is produced naturally in plants and on multiple factors affect. Cycocel is one of the retarder material to the growth. This research was performed in order to best retarder concentration of growth factors to improve the quantity and quality of ornamental cabbage landscape.
Materials and Methods: This study was done as factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experiment was performed with two factors of cycocel with four levels (0, 50, 100, 150 mg.lit-1) and salicylic acid with four levels ( 0, 50, 100, 200 mg.lit-1) by spraying and every of them with three replications. In this experiment, traits such as plant height, antocianin, resistivity against cold weather, electrolyte leakage, rational component of water, chlorophyll, wet and dry weight of leaves, wet and dry weight of roots and the number of leaves were investigated. 80 numbers of uniform seedlings of ornamental cauliflower varieties of purple were prepared and after the reached the stage of 5 and 4 leaves to the pot of 10 to 15 cm and then after a short growing period for the the main land (bed) in loam soil with distance of 30 cm they were transferred. The treatment of salicylic acid and CCC two times and as foliar application on the leaves of cabbage was performed them with an interval 24 to 48 hours. The first stage of treatment on 18 and 19 November and after a few days of planting cabbage and establish them in the land, was performed. Statistical analysis using software MSTATC and comparing the average results using Duncan's multiple range test was performed.
Results and Discussion: Result from variance analysis showed that using of cycocel and salisilic acid have effect on growing, antocianin, number of leaves, rational component of water, chlorophyll, net weight of wet and dry leaves and roots, is significant in the level of one percent. The highest percentage of electrolyte leakage, leaf number, leaf and root dry weight and fresh weight were observed at 200 mg/ liter. The plant height, anthocyanin, cold resistance and Fresh weight of root were in control. High levels of chlorophyll and relative water content were observed in 100 mg/ liter. The use of Cycocel had a significant effect on growth traits. The highest dry weight of leaves, root dry weight and the highest percentage of electrolyte leakage in the treatment of 150 mg/ liter and the highest plant height, the highest percentage of relative water content and chlorophyll was observed in control. Most of the leaves, anthocyanin and cold resistance at the level of 50 mg/litter and highest fresh weight were observed at 100 mg/litter. The cycocel had no significant effect the growth traits.
Results showed that significant interactions SA and CCC one percent of levels on plant height, electrolyte leakage, number of leaves, anthocyanins, relative water content, chlorophyll content, leaf dry weight and root dry weight and the significant other traits has not. The results showed that spray application separately SA and CCC and the interaction of these compounds had significant effects on the plant height, anthocyanin extract, chlorophyll conten, fresh weight of root and dry weight of root. The results showed that the Cycocel and interaction of SA and CCC had a significant effect on the relative water content, but salicylic acid alone had no significant effect, which may be no significant in this experiment due to lack of relative water content in the presence of a low level of salicylic acid and or the duration of treatment was low. Cycocel alone and combination of SA and CCC had significant effects on dry weight of leaves, but salicylic acid alone had no significant effect.
Conclusions: Therefore, to increase the quantity and quality characteristics of ornamental cabbage treatments Salyslyk acid concentration of 200 mg l cycocel concentration of 150 mg per liter is recommended
