Research Article
Growing vegetables
Seyyed Ali Yaqoobi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati; Majid Azizi; Mahmood Shoor
Abstract
Introduction Storage potential is an important characteristic for onion. Annually, a large quantity of worldwide onion production deteriorated during storage. The storage ability of onion is influenced by various endo- and exogenous factors including cultivar and storage conditions specially, temperature. ...
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Introduction Storage potential is an important characteristic for onion. Annually, a large quantity of worldwide onion production deteriorated during storage. The storage ability of onion is influenced by various endo- and exogenous factors including cultivar and storage conditions specially, temperature. Based on literature, there is considerable genetic variation for onion storability in onion germplasms from different origins. Rivera Martínez et al. (2005) evaluated the storability of 18 local and 4 commercial onion cultivars in Spain. Their results showed that there was significant variation for storability among different onion cultivars, and interstingly the local cultivars had more storability than commercial ones. Onion storage could also affected by environmental conditions such as temperature. Benkeblia et al. (2000) studied the effects of various temperatures on respiratory parameters of onion. Their finding showed onion respiration were raised by increasing temperature. Likewise, the positive effect of higher temperature on enhancing the growth of sprouts and elevating transpiration has been reported (Miedema, 1998; Yoo et al., 1997). Although, Afghanistan is considered to be one of the origins of onion (Brewster, 1994) there are no reports on estimating the storability of Afghan local cultivars under different temperature conditions. So this research has been conducted to study the effects of various temperatures on storability of native onion cultivars of Afghanistan.Materials and Methods In this research, the plant materials consisted of 10 onion cultivars consisting eight local varieties “Hanaaie Harat”, “Zard-e-Harat”, “Ghermrz-e-Harat”, “Mazar-e-Sharif”, “Kabul”, “Sar-e-Pul”, “Ghonduz” and “Balkhaab” originated from Afghanistan, an Iranian cultivar (“Ghermez-e-Azarshahr”), and a commercial cultivar “Sweet Grano”. The cultivars were stored at two different temperature regimes (5 ºC and ambient temperature), during six-time intervals of 20 days. The average temperature of ambient storage was 13 °C ranging from 8-18 °C. The experiment lasted from November 6th, 2011 to March 5th, 2012. This research was performed in a completely randomized design based on split factorial design, with three replications. For each replication, 50 healthy non-sprouted bulbs were packaged in plastic nets. Storage potential related characteristics such as sprouting percentage, weight loss percentage, sprout length, and sprout weight/bulb weight ratio in 20 days intervals were measured. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS statistical software. Mean comparisons were calculated at 5% probability level using LSD when the F-value was significant (Fisher’s protected LSD).Results and Discussion The results showed that there were significant differences among cultivars for storage characteristics (weight loss percentage, sprouting percentage, length of sprouts and sprout weight/bulb weight ratio). “Ghonduz” and “Ghermrz-e-Harat” local cultivars had the most and least storage ability, 50% of bulb sprouting after 105 and 35 days, respectively. Rivera Martínez et al. (2005) and Ramin (1999) also reported Spanish and Iranian local cultivars had more storability compared to commercial cultivars. In 5 °C, weight loss of onion bulbs followed a linear model during storage period. But, in ambient storage, it was higher at the beginning and the end of storage period, showing the adverse effects of high temperatures on bulbs weight loss during storage. The interaction between cultivar and time was also significant. It showed onion weight loss differs in various intervals. It could be attributed to the genetic variation and morphological difference such as number and thickness of dry scales of onion bulbs. In ambient storage condition, onion sprouting percentage showed a sharp increase in early storage intervals and became stable in the late intervals. Under 5 °C treatment, it raised as a linear model with very slow slope. It seems that weight loss and sprouting of onion bulbs in ambient storage is dependent on temperature and relative humidity of environment. This finding is in agreement with previous reports (Baninasab and Rahemi, 2006; Forudi, 2005). The sprout length and the ratio of sprout weight to bulb weight was lower in 5 ºC than ambient temperature. Abdalla and Mann (1963) and Yoo et al. (1997) also reported that smaller sprouts were observed in lower temperatures. Conclusion In this experiment, the effects of temperature on storability of some local cultivars of onion originated from Afghanistan were studied in different intervals. It was found that the storage potential of onion bulbs could be influenced by genetic factors and environment conditions such as temperature. Findings of this research showed that sprouting percentage, weight loss percentage and onion sprout growth were less under 5 °C treatment than ambient temperature. Therefore, it was concluded that storing onion bulbs in low temperature conditions can reduce the onion spoilage and improve their storage life. Additionally, cultivars showed highly significant variations for all characteristics related to storage ability. Our findings showed that some local cultivars are more storable than commercial cultivars. Among the cultivars, “Ghonduz” cultivar has more storage potent as compared to all studied cultivars. Our results confirmed that local cultivars can be a good source of desirable genes related to storability. Subsequently, they can exploited to broaden the genetic base of breeding matreials.
Research Article
Ornamental plants
Elham Saeedipooya; Ali Tehranifar; Ali Gazanchian; Fatemeh Kazemi; Mahmood Shoor
Abstract
Introduction
Turfgrasses, as one of the important components of urban landscapes, have played a vital role in this regard. However, the main problems of turfgrass development are the cost of turfgrass seeds, maintenance costs such as moving, as well as the high water requirement in arid and semi-arid ...
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Introduction
Turfgrasses, as one of the important components of urban landscapes, have played a vital role in this regard. However, the main problems of turfgrass development are the cost of turfgrass seeds, maintenance costs such as moving, as well as the high water requirement in arid and semi-arid regions. Thus, the reduction of lawn culture in the landscape is one of the decision has taken in parks and green spaces organization of Tehran, Isfahan and even Mashhad. For over ten years, researchers have been looking for alternatives to conventional grass lawns to reduce the high cost of maintenance especially irrigation cost in urban landscapes. According to many researches, one of the potential ground cover alternatives that might be used instead of turfgrass is White Clover. Clover (Trifolium spp.) from Fabaceae family is a genus of about 300 species.
Materials and Methods
The aim of this experiment was to compare three common turfgrasses with two clover varieties as turf replacement to reduce landscape maintenance cost specially moving cost. So, some growth and qualitative factors of clover lawn: Trifolium repens var. Calway and Trifolium repens var. Pipolina (micro clover) and three turfgrasses of Festuca arundinacea L. and Lolium perenne L. and commercial sport turf mixture (from NAk-Nederland Ltd.) were compared together. This research was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of the Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape Engineering‚ Faculty of Agricultural‚ Ferdowsi University of Mashhad‚ Mashhad‚ Iran, during 2016 and 2017. The site (59º 38′ E and 36º 16 ′ N; elevation 989 m) is located in an arid and semi- arid region with mean annual rainfall 233.8 mm and long term averages of maximum and minimum temperature are 22.5 ºC and 9.3 ºC‚ respectively. Turfgrass plots were established by directly sowing the seeds in April, 2016. The planting rate of the seedling considering their pure live seeds (PLS) were 45 g.m-2 for Lolium perenne, 34 g.m-2 for Festuca arundinacea, 6.5 g.m-2 for Trifolium repens, 5.5 g.m-2 for micro clover and 39 g.m-2 for commercial mixture of sport turf. The plots were 1 m2 (1m×1m) in size and were prepared after plowing and leveling the soil. The seeds were hand sown and covered with a thin layer of leaf compost and sand.
Results and Discussion
According to the results in the first evaluation of emergence percentage, Lolium perenne had the highest emergence percentage. After 36 days from culture, all plants had 92-98 % coverage which did not have any significant difference among grasses with clover lawns. In terms of density, uniformity and weed density, there was no significant difference between the studied plants. In the other hands, white clover showed the best quality after clipping in both years. At the point of growth index, which have done in this experiment by measuring height and dry weight of clipping, grass lawns had the higher growth index in compered to clover lawn in both years. Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne had the highest growth index and white and micro clover had the lowest growth. Also, with air warming, Festuca arundinacea became dominated plant in height and clipping dry weight. In July, Festuca arundinacea produced the highest clipping dry weight by 40 gr.m-2, Lolium perenne (19.52), commercial sport turf (15.68), white clover (6.24) and micro clover (0.36) gr.m-2.
Conclusion
One of the problems of landscape is reduction of maintenance costs such as mowing. So, the low growth of white and micro clover is a positive factor in reduction of the moving costs than turfgrasses. Also, the coverage and proper density of clover lawns are similar to grass lawns and did not have a significant difference with them. The character of low growth can be effective in reduction of irrigation costs in white and micro clover, which requires more research and examination in future. This is a positive point in the white clover and micro clover that do not need to move or cut every months. Almost, clover moving is recommended for removing their flower. Therefore, it is recommended to use white and micro clover as a replacement with less maintenance costs in landscape. Finally, the results of cultivation of grass and clover as monoculture in this study can be used to produce clover-grass mixtures suitable for the climate of our country (arid and semi-arid regions), instead of importing turf mixtures from European countries.
Research Article
Medicinal Plants
Vahid Akbarpour; Mostafa Motaharinezhad; Mohammad Ali Bahmanyar
Abstract
Introduction
Nowadays, spraying method is used in plant nutrition to optimize the use of chemical fertilizers and reduce environmental hazards. With the foliar solution, the elements are quickly transferred to the plant and delivered to the branch, leaf, or fruit. Surveys show that increase performance ...
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Introduction
Nowadays, spraying method is used in plant nutrition to optimize the use of chemical fertilizers and reduce environmental hazards. With the foliar solution, the elements are quickly transferred to the plant and delivered to the branch, leaf, or fruit. Surveys show that increase performance per unit area is one of the most important things that has attracted the attention of many researchers. The first requirement for high performance is high dry matter production per unit area. Some experiments have shown that increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air can increase yield, accelerate flowering and accumulate carbohydrates in plants. One of the solutions to increase carbon dioxide concentrations in plants is to use compounds such as ethanol and methanol. Therefore feeding plants with alcohols such as ethanol and methanol as carbon sources is one of the appropriate methods to increase their quantitative and qualitative properties.
Materials and Methods
Due to the importance of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) in the production of valuable secondary metabolites, and also the effect of ethanol and methanol on some morphological and physiological parameters of this plant, a pot experiment was conducted in factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications in the research greenhouse of Shahed University in 2018. Foliar treatments included different concentrations of 0, 15, 30 and 45% ethanol, methanol and combine them that was done in three stages. The studied traits were plant height, number of leaves per plant, biological yield, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, flavonoid, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield and protein percentage. Data analysis was performed using SAS statistical software (version 9.2) and mean treatments were compared by LSD test. Also charts were drawn by excel software.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the simple effects of ethanol and methanol on plant height, biological yield, flavonoid content, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield and protein percentage were significant but their interactions were not significant. Ethanol 45% had the most effect on percentage and yield of essential oil and protein percentage. But the use of 15% ethanol treatment had the highest value in other traits (plant height, total phenol and flavonoids), which was at a statistical level with 45% methanol treatment. Also interaction between ethanol and methanol on leaf number per plant, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid was significant at 1% probability level. The highest number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll a (29.55 µg/g fresh leaf weight) was observed in the combination of 15% ethanol and 15% methanol, while the highest amount of chlorophyll b (20.86 µg/g fresh leaf weight) and total chlorophyll (49.85 µg/g fresh leaf weight) was related to the combined application of 15% ethanol and 45% methanol.
Conclusion
Foliar spraying is one of the methods of fertilization and supply of nutrients to plants that due to high absorption rate nutrients can be made available to plants in the shortest time. The results of this study showed that all the studied traits were significantly affected by one or more of the ethanol and methanol treatments. Therefore, the foliar application of ethanol and methanol as carbon sources has an important role in improving the qualitative and quantitative parameters of peppermint.
Research Article
Growing vegetables
Saeid Khosravi; Maryam Haghighi; Monireh Menatkhesh
Abstract
Introduction
Agaricus bisporus is the important mushroom that is cultivated industrially and due to its medicinal properties, it has special nutritional importance in the food basket of the people of the world. It is predicted that with increasing population and changing consumption patterns, ...
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Introduction
Agaricus bisporus is the important mushroom that is cultivated industrially and due to its medicinal properties, it has special nutritional importance in the food basket of the people of the world. It is predicted that with increasing population and changing consumption patterns, food will be one of the most critical issues in the country soon and protein poverty will be one of the most critical leading crises. Mushroom can be the best choice for the supply of essential human protein because they produce protein-rich foods using agricultural waste. Mushrooms are also rich sources of essential amino acids, vitamins (B2, niacin and folate), and minerals. White button mushroom production accounts for about 35% of the total world production of edible mushroom. The production of edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) depends on planting, amount of spawn consumed, growing conditions, species and media of cultivated edible mushroom.
Material and methods
The present study aims to investigate the effect of vitamins B and C on growth, yield of button mushroom and its postharvest life. The study was performed in two separate experiments in the mushroom factory and storage. The experiment was performed in the mushroom factory located in Khomeini Shahr city of Isfahan province and experiments related to the laboratory section and the research laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology. In this study, a box culture system was used to grow mushrooms. For this purpose, in order to prepare the culture media and prevent the mixing of culture media containing different treatments, cardboard plastic was used to make the boxes. First, in order to eliminate the pathogens, tiram fungicide is used for 24 hours. Cartonoplasts were then placed at specific distances of 30 cm by 30 cm. To eliminate pathogens, the composts were steamed in an autoclave at 121 ° C at a pressure of 1.34 atmospheres for 15 minutes and boarded and treatments were applied. Treatments include 3 levels of vitamin C (0, 3 and 6 mg / kg) (C0, C1 and 2C), 3 levels of vitamin B (0, 0.5 and 1 mg / kg) (B0, B1 and B2) was performed by factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications (40). Vitamin B complex, including vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 and B9 were prepared in a ratio of 1: 2: 2: 5: 4. The treatments were applied to the composts used in the bed after boarding and before applying topsoil. When the mushrooms reached the commercial harvest level, i.e., the cap was 2.5 to 8 cm, but the cap was not opened, the factors related to vegetative growth were measured as follows. The number of mushrooms during the harvest period was counted for all treatments and at the end of the period, the average number of mushrooms per unit area was calculated. Cap diameter and base of each fungus were measured with a caliper during the harvest period for all mushrooms. In order to estimate yield, the mushroom harvested daily were weighed from all replications of each treatment.
Result
The results showed that the nutritional supplements used in this study were effective in increasing vegetative growth and yield and the highest number of mushrooms and dry weight were related to vitamin treatment. The interaction effect of vitamin C and vitamin B on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of edible mushrooms at harvest time showed that dry weight increased at C1 and C2 with increasing concentration of B2 and decreased at C0. Cap diameter increased at all concentrations of vitamin C with increasing concentration of B2 and C2 had the highest amount. Base diameter was highest in C1 with increasing all concentrations of B vitamins compared to other treatments and lowest in C2 with concentration of B0. Ion leakage in C2 increased with increasing concentration of B2 and decreased in C0 and C1. The number of mushroom in C1 and C2 decreased with the addition of vitamin B and the highest number in C2 increased with the concentration of B0. The weight of grade 2 at C0 and C1 decreased with increasing concentrations of B2 and B1, respectively. Total yield was increased at all concentrations of vitamin C using B1. The highest total yield was observed in C1 treatment with B2 application. Total performance in control and C2 treatment decreased with increasing B2. Harvest time hardness increased in all three vitamin C treatments by increasing the concentration of B1, but increasing the concentration of B2 compared to B1 decreased. The highest increase was observed in the control treatment of vitamin C and the highest decrease was observed in the treatment of C2. Harvest time whiteness increased in C0 and C2 with the addition of vitamin B and decreased in C1. In general, in the control treatment of vitamin C in the two concentrations of B1 and B2, the highest amount of whitening time was observed. The highest amount of ash was observed in C2 with B2 application. In the postharvest experiment, the highest hardness after 32 days of storage was related to vitamin B treatment and the highest postharvest hardness, postharvest whiteness, and whiteness after 32 days of storage were related to vitamin C treatment. Also, the results of comparing the mean of interactions showed that the total yield in all three vitamin B treatments increased with the application of 3 mg/kg. The results of the second experiment showed that the rate of water loss in C1 with the addition of B2 concentration was the highest and in the control treatment was the lowest. The hardness increased after 32 days of storage in the control treatment and C2 with the application of B1, but decreased in C1 and C2 with the use of B2. The highest amount of whiteness was observed in C1 after 32 days of storage by increasing the concentration of C1, which was not statistically significant with the control treatment. It seems that there is not much difference between different concentrations of vitamin C in vegetative and postharvest fungal traits, but better results have been obtained by increasing the concentration of vitamin B. The results indicate that the effect of supplements on the yield of edible mushrooms is different so that adding appropriate amounts of supplements to the culture medium significantly increases crop yield. The results of this study showed that vitamin C1 treatment resulted in the highest dry and total weight, cap diameter, base diameter, and number of mushrooms. Wetter and drier cap and base diameters, ion leakage and water loss, were the highest in vitamin B2 treatment.
Research Article
Breeding and Biotechnology of Plant and Flower
Nima Javaheri; Behzad Kaviani
Abstract
Introduction
Lily, a member of the genus Lilium, belonging to the Liliaceae family is one of the most important commercial pot and cut flower species and one of the three major bulb crops in the commercial market because of its large, colorful and fascinating flowers. Lily hybrids are the most ...
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Introduction
Lily, a member of the genus Lilium, belonging to the Liliaceae family is one of the most important commercial pot and cut flower species and one of the three major bulb crops in the commercial market because of its large, colorful and fascinating flowers. Lily hybrids are the most economically important plants with varied flowers. Hybrid Eastern lily (Lilium oriental hybrid ‘Casablanca’) is a perennial bulbous plant that its propagation by bulb in natural condition is time-consuming, so produces 1–2 bulblets per bulb scale in one years’ time which is not sufficient for large scale cultivation of this plant. One of the most important and best methods for vegetative propagation and breeding of lilies is in vitro bulb scale culture. In vitro adventitious bud regeneration from scales of Lilium rely on many factors like cytokinin and auxin concentrations such as BA and NAA. The successful use of tissue culture techniques for rapid propagation of some species of the genus Lilium including L. ledebourii, L. orientalis, L. longiflorum, L. japonicum, L. speciosum, L. concolor, L. nepalense, L. regale, L. oriental hybrid, L. Asiatic hybrid has been reported. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on in vitro proliferation of Lilium oriental hybrid ‘Casablanca’ using bulb scale as explant to establish a suitable protocol.
Materials and Methods
Effect of various concentrations of 6-benzyle adenine (BA; 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg l–1) and ɑ-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg l–1) were evaluated on in vitro proliferation of L. ‘Oriental’. Bulb scale as explant and MS basal medium as culture medium were used. Activated charcoal was applied to inhibit the browning of the culture medium and explant. The experiments were conducted in completely randomized design (CRD). The 16 treatments were applied, each treatment had 4 replications and each replication had 4 individuals. Therefore, in these experiments, a total of 192 bulbs were used. Traits including total plantlets fresh weight, leaf length, leaf number, bulblet weight, bulblet diameter, bulblet number, survival percentage, root length and root number related to in vitro proliferation were measured. All the statistical analyses were done by using SAS and Tukey’s test. Arcsin software was used for changing percent data.
Results and Discussion
The interaction effect of BA and NAA was significant for all measured traits. Results showed that the maximum number of bulblet (8.66) and root (5.36) were obtained in culture medium enriched with 0.5 mg l–1 BA together with 0.4 mg l–1 NAA. Culture media supplemented with 0.5 mg l–1 BA together with 0.2 mg l–1 NAA and 1 mg l–1 BA together with 0.1 mg l–1 NAA with induction of 7.33 bulblets per explant were suitable media. The largest number of leaf (4.33) was measured in culture medium containing 1 mg l–1 BA together with 0.1 mg l–1 NAA. The highest bulblet weight was measured in culture medium supplemented with 1 mg l–1 BA along with 0.2 mg l–1 NAA. The greatest survival rate (100%) was observed in medium enriched with 0.5 mg l–1 BA together with 0.1 mg l–1 NAA. Survival rate (90%) in explants treated with 2 mg l–1 BA along with 0.4 mg l–1 NAA was high. Obtained results revealed that the presence of both BA and NAA in culture media for enhancement of most traits is necessary and critical. Plantlets were transferred to a growing medium containing cocopeat, peat moss and perlite in identical proportion for acclimatization following proliferation. Approximately, 90% of regenerated plantlets survived and were morphologically similar to the mother stocks. This study will help the producers and breeders for commercial and improvement purposes. The effective role of the simultaneous presence of both auxin and cytokinin in the culture medium in effective organogenesis was shown in the present study. Similar findings were reported for some lilies such as L. ledebourii (Baker) Bioss., L. longiflorum and L. regale. Auxin was effective in stimulating bulb production and growth of the aerial part of the eastern lily, and its presence along with cytokinin is essential for leaf induction. Some studies have reported similar results. The type and optimal concentration of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in the culture medium for suitable in vitro propagation varies in different species. Genetic variations (species type), differences in the amount of endogenous production of PGRs and their interaction with each other are among some reasons for this difference. The proper ratio of auxin and cytokinin in the culture medium is effective for inducing cell division, cell differentiation, organogenesis and finally for achieving a complete plant. Root production with appropriate quantity and quality leads to the suitable survival of seedlings resulting from the growth of cultured explants under in vitro conditions and adapted plants. Current study showed that the presence of both BA and NAA is better than the presence of one of these two PGRs for induction and growth of root. Some similar findings were reported, however in most studies, the presence of auxin as individual PGR has been found to be more suitable for root induction.
Research Article
Postharvest physiology
Bahareh Ghorbani; Roghayeh Najafzadeh
Abstract
Introduction
Cherry fruit has a high nutritional value and because of its favorable taste, its attractive appearance is of great importance. Iran is the origin of many horticultural products, especially cherries. The quality and quantity of the Iranian cherry crop are much more suitable in comparison ...
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Introduction
Cherry fruit has a high nutritional value and because of its favorable taste, its attractive appearance is of great importance. Iran is the origin of many horticultural products, especially cherries. The quality and quantity of the Iranian cherry crop are much more suitable in comparison with other producing countries due to suitable climatic conditions and significant areas under cultivation. This fruit has a very short shelf life due to its susceptibility to transport damage. After harvest, the cherry fruit decays quickly and in some cases, due to the time of transfer and marketing, does not reach consumers with good quality. Therefore, the use of natural compounds to increase shelf life and maintain its quality seems necessary inlcuding lower moisture, and perishability. On the other hand, storage of products involves a series of biochemical changes that take place, which is accompanied by softening of the fruit, destruction of the cell wall, and reduction of the external and internal quality of the products. Therefore, the use of appropriate compounds to increase durability and maintain its quality seems necessary. Phytohormonal treatments such as melatonin increase the cold resistance of fruits during storage and reduce the development of mechanical damage in the refrigerator during fruit storage. Melatonins have an amphiphilic indole ring structure, through which they can easily move out of the cell and play a role in the structure of the cell wall or membrane. Besides, melatonin is structurally similar to auxin and has similar effects, helping to maintain cell wall structure under stress and reducing the denaturation of cell wall proteins. Melatonin is also known as a biostimulant. These biostimulants in plants affect the production of secondary metabolites, biosynthesis of various phytohormones, facilitate plant uptake of nutrients, stimulate growth, and increase product quality and quantity. Melatonin, in interaction with other signaling agents, increases fruit metabolism and induces stress resistance.
Materials and Methods
In the present study, cherry fruits were harvested from the commercial garden at full maturity and after washing with distilled water with zero melatonin (control), 50, 100, 200 micromolar were treated by immersion for 5 minutes and Store at 1.5 with a relative humidity of 85% for 35 days. Parameters such as weight loss, titratable acidity, organic acids, soluble solids, antioxidants (DPPH), phenolic compounds, anthocyanin content, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activity were examined per week.
Results and Discussion
The results indicated that fruits treated with 200 μM melatonin showed less weight loss than other treatments and controls, and melatonin prevented fruit water loss, as well as of phenolic compounds, titratable acidity, soluble solids. The activity of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes have all increased. These compounds preserve the fruits during storage and increase the oxidation resistance. Melatonin coating on cherry fruit and can protect cells from stress by raising antioxidant levels. Consumption of edible coatings on horticultural products such as fruits increases durability and marketability. Edible coatings reduce fruit rot and prevent microbial growth on their surface. These coatings have a positive effect on physical properties and reduce physiological activity. Oral coatings better preserve organic acids by changing the internal atmosphere and slowing down the respiration of the fruit.
Conclusion
The use of exogenous compounds or growth regulators has in many cases been effective in reducing the effects of environmental stresses. These results show that the combination of melatonin has high antioxidant properties and can act as a protective compound and inhibit free radicals. Besides, it acts as a signaling molecule at the cellular level and manages antioxidant activity, thus preventing membrane damage and lipid peroxidation of the membrane. Melatonin also increases plant tolerance to environmental stresses and follows this mechanism by regulating gene expression in various horticultural crops. The use of melatonin improves the process of coping with oxidative stress by further regulating the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and the antioxidant-encoding gene.
Decomposition of cell wall compounds may increase total soluble solids, melatonin reduces the process of wall destruction, and preserves the appearance of the fruit. Increasing the amount of soluble solids increases the total antioxidant, phenolic and increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Melatonin is also at the forefront of stress management, and other antioxidants act as support after melatonin. Melatonin can prevent further stress damage by activating the plant signaling pathway.
Research Article
Pomology
Ameneh Ghahremani; Ebrahim Ganji Moghadam; Ali Marjani
Abstract
Introduction
Nectarine (Prunus persica L. Bath) belongs to Rosaceae family, Prunoidae subfamily, and Prunus genus. This fruit is generated by a vegetative mutation in one of the peach genes. Therefore, it is a kind of peach that has been developed due to the mutation of the fruit with special ...
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Introduction
Nectarine (Prunus persica L. Bath) belongs to Rosaceae family, Prunoidae subfamily, and Prunus genus. This fruit is generated by a vegetative mutation in one of the peach genes. Therefore, it is a kind of peach that has been developed due to the mutation of the fruit with special aroma, color, and taste. Nectarine had about 10.1% of the total distribution of stone fruits in Iran. In Khorasan Razavi province, the production and yield of nectarine were 5412.7 tons and 6243 kg/ha in 2018, respectively. Due to the lack of sufficient research on different nectarine cultivars in Khorasan Razavi province and farmers' lack of access to new and high yielding cultivars, and the use of unknown low-quality cultivars with low marketability and yield, the present study aims to investigate morphological, pomological, and qualitative responses of 10 nectarine cultivars and genotypes in Khorasan Razavi province climatic conditions were performed to select promising cultivars and genotypes.
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted to select the best genotypes in terms of growth, morphological, and pomological traits from among ten nectarine genotypes and cultivars (‘Flamino’, ‘Nectared’, ‘Henri’, ‘Shaniaria’, ‘Royziana’, ‘Taj No.-1 and -2’, ‘Shalil No.-1’, ‘Andrros’, and ‘Sungold’ as a control) as a randomized complete block experiment with three replications during 2018-2019 in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Khorasan Razavi. The traits measured in the present study are flowering start time, flowering period, harvest time, tree height, and diameter, yield, length, width, and weight of fruit and length, width, and weight of the stone, acidity, titratable acidity, soluble solids, fruit tissue firmness, and flavor index.
Results and Discussion
Results indicated that the cultivars and genotypes showed significant differences in terms of phenological traits (first bloom, full bloom, flowering time, flowering period, and harvest time), morphological (tree height, trunk diameter), pomological (yield, length, width, and weight of fruit and length, width, and weight of stone) and quality (acidity, titratable acidity, soluble solids, fruit tissue firmness, and flavor index). The earliest flowering genotypes were ‘Nectared’, ‘Flamino’, and ‘Sungold’, while ‘Henri’ and ‘Taj No.-1’ were the latest flowering. ‘Henri’, which had the most extended flowering period, showed a later harvest time. The panel test results showed that ‘Flamino’, ‘Henri’, and ‘Shaniaria’ had the highest rank in terms of color, texture, smell, and taste. While ‘Royziana’ had the lowest average. ‘Flamino’ had the highest chlorophyll index (36.91), which was not significantly different from the ‘Nectared’, ‘Henri’, ‘Shaniaria’, ‘Taj No. -1 and -2’. ‘Henri’ genotype with 44.6 kg yield, 3.55 kg/cm2 fruit tissue firmness, and 16.39% soluble solids showed statistical superiority in quality traits. ‘Flamino’ and ‘Shahlil-1’, with 138.76 and 129.51 g, respectively, had the highest fruit weight, increasing 32.97 and 28.19% compared to the control. In the second year, due to more growth and increasing the age of the tree naturally, increased tree height (22.41%), trunk diameter (79.8%), crown of the tree (73.3%), chlorophyll index (5.16%), fruit weight (35.06%), and fruit flavor index (28.46%) were observed compared to the first year. Tree yield was positively and significantly correlated with tree height and fruit tissue firmness and negatively and significantly correlated with fruit length, fruit width, and stone length. Tree height, crown of the tree, fruit width, stone weight, and fruit weight entered the regression model, finally explaining 55.91% of the tree yield changes.
Conclusion
In general, ‘Flamino’, ‘Nectared’, and ‘Henri’ are recommended for cultivation in Khorasan Razavi province's climatic conditions due to their high pomological and phonological traits as superior nectarine genotypes.
Research Article
Pomology
Reza Fifaei; Hossein Taheri; Yahya Tajvar; Esmaeil Gholamian
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Water is a main factor in agriculture activities and almost 70 percent of world water resources are consumed in agriculture. Drought consist the most important environmental restriction to plant growth and production. Drought stress is known to change a range of physiological ...
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Background and Objectives
Water is a main factor in agriculture activities and almost 70 percent of world water resources are consumed in agriculture. Drought consist the most important environmental restriction to plant growth and production. Drought stress is known to change a range of physiological processes such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. Citrus are one of sub-tropical and tropical fruits and the most important horticultural products in the world that tolerate low temperature and weak drainage but as regards Citrus growing in sub-tropical and tropical regions that often expose drought. Drought is one the environment stress factors that is caused changes in plants morphological and physiological characteristics. Study of survival time in the three citrus rootstocks in sever stress circumstances showed that this time in rootstocks poncirus, cleopatra mandarine and former-alkaeid 5 were 11, 13 , 20 days, respectively while survival time in valencia on the rootstocks was 21, 26 and 29 days, respectively. This study was performed in order to study drought tolerant in natural genotypes with the poncirus and rough lemon. And so, morphological and physiological characteristics were investigated in this genotypes.
Materials and Methods
This research was performed in separately two tests in Citrus and subtropical fruits research center on 2016. In the first test, survival time and total transpiration and in the second test, organs fresh and dry weight, ion leackage and leaf relative water content were assessed in factorial experiment based on randomized completely design in nucellar seedlings of 8 Citrus natural genotypes (G10, G11, G12, G16, G18, G22, G23, G25) poncirus and rough lemon under glasshouse conditions (with temperature 26-28 degree centigrade in day and 20-22 degree centigrade in night and 80-85 percent relative humidity). Factors were 10 Citrus genotypes and two treatment of irrigation (optimum irrigation and withholding irrigation for six weeks) in the second test and 10 Citrus genotypes in the first test. In this study, medium weight moisture is calculated and due to the soil moisture characteristics curve was obtained medium matric potential. The matric potential rate was in control -0.03 megapascal and in sever stresss -1.5 megapascal. Organs fresh and dry weight were measured on digital balance with accuracy 0.01 gr. (model GM 6101, Germany). S amples were dried in oven (70 degree centigrade and for 48 hours). RWC is measured by using of fresh weight, dry weight and turgid weight in this formula: RWC= [(FW-DW) / (TW-DW)] × 100. Ion leackage was determined by use of 4 equal leaf segments and measuring of primary and secondary ion leackage in this fomula: EL (%) = (EL1/EL2) × 100. The first research was included of 10 treatment, six replication and one seedling in every plot and the second research was included of 20 treatment, three replication and two seedlings in every plot. SAS software (ver. 9.1) and Duncan test were used to variance analysis and mean comparison. Excel software was used to graphs drawing.
Results
The results showed that in first test, poncirus (with 125 days) and G11 (with 78 days) have longer survival time and are more tolerant and so rough lemon (with 38 days) and G12 (with 44 days) were more susceptible. Others were intermediate. Slowest of water consumption time in poncirus and the most quick in rough lemon, and so maximum of total transpiration in G25 and minimum in poncirus was observed. In second test, decrease maximum of leaf, shoot and total fresh weight in G22 (arranged by 0.37, 0.47 and 0.42) and decrease minimum in G11 (arranged by 0.48, 0.54 and 0.52), decrease maximum of root fresh weight in G22 (with 0.35 fold) and decrease minimum in G18 (with 0.52 fold), decrease maximum of root/shoot fresh weight in G18 (with 0.61 fold) and decrease minimum in G23 (with 0.65 fold) and increase maximum of root/shoot dry weight in G16 (with 1.56 fold) and increase minimum in poncirus (with 1.3 fold) was observed in compared with control. In stress, G18 (with 32.32 percent) and G12 (with 34.37 percent) had leaf relative water content minimum in compared with control. G12 (with 78.59 percent) and G18 (with 73.16 percent) had maximum and poncirus (with 31.85 percent) minimum ion leackage percent in compared with control. Therefore, rough lemon, G12 and G18 as susceptible and poncirus and G11 as tolerant to drought were introduced.
Discussion
In stress conditions, poncirus has longer survival time, slower water consumption time, minimum total transpiration and minimum ion leackage percent and is most tolerant. Rough lemon has shower survival time, more rapid water consumption time and is most susceptible. Other genotypes locate in after grades. Therefore poncirus and rough lemon can be used as rulers in tests of drought study.
Research Article
Postharvest physiology
Vahid Anisi; Yahya Selahvarzi; Maryam Kamali; Bahram Abedi
Abstract
Introduction
Cucumber is a vegetable with a low capacity for storage; it usually loses quality 14 days from the beginning of storage. The benefits of cold storage are not the same for all the fruit or vegetables, some given vegetables are more suitable for cold storage than others. However, pre-cooling ...
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Introduction
Cucumber is a vegetable with a low capacity for storage; it usually loses quality 14 days from the beginning of storage. The benefits of cold storage are not the same for all the fruit or vegetables, some given vegetables are more suitable for cold storage than others. However, pre-cooling is always advisable, because the products takes profit from the benefits of low temperatures in cold storage rooms. Due to the short shelf life of cucumber and the high speed of reducing its quality, various methods are used to maintain the quality of cucumber, such as edible coatings. Propolis, also called “bee-glue,” is a natural resinous substance produced by honeybees from plant exudates, beeswax, and bee secretions in order to defend the hives. Propolis has an important role in prevention of food loss weight and waste, thus helping to ensure food safety and security. The concoction of aqueous propolis extracts has a lower cost as compared to hydroalcoholic extracts and it is believable that both, aqueous and hydro alcoholic extracts, present similar concentrations of phenolic compounds resulting in a product of appropriate functional characteristics. Herein, the biochemical composition and efficacy of propolis in maintaining the postharvest storability of food products were discussed to provide a comprehensive guide to farmers and food processing and storage sectors and to scientists.
Materials and Methods
In order to investigate the effect of two factors of hydro cooling and propolis as an edible coating on cucumber shelf life, this study was conducted in the spring and summer of 2019 in the laboratories of horticultural sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The factorial experiment was based on a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included three levels of propolis alcoholic extract (0, 4 and 8%) and two temperature treatments (4 (hydro cooling temperature) and 25 ° C) in 4 replications.
Weight loss, tissue firmness, extract pH, total soluble solids, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, total phenol and antioxidant activity were measured. The experimental data were analyzed using Jump-8 statistical software and the means of treatments were compared by LSD test at 5% probability level.
Results and Discussion
Results showed that the interaction of treatments had an effect on fruit weight loss percentage, firmness, and antioxidant activity, chlorophyll and total soluble solids. Thus, the highest percentage of fruit weight loss was observed in the control treatment (without propolis) in 4°C (5.02%). Foliar application of fruits led to an increase in firmness of fruit tissue with propolis in both concentrations of 4 and 8% compared to the control treatment (no foliar application with propolis) in both temperature treatments. The highest total chlorophyll content was in 8% propolis treatments + temperature of 24 °C (8.96 mg / gfw), treatment of 8% propolis + temperature of 4 °C (8.68 mg/gfw) and treatment of 4% propolis + temperature of 4 oC (7.93 mg/gfw) significantly. In addition, antioxidant activity increased in the treatments of 4 °C+ foliar application with propolis 4 and 8%. In general, although fruits treated with 24 ° C showed more weight loss than 4 °C, the use of both concentrations of propolis improved the above trait, reducing the amount of fruit phenol and tissue firmness and other biochemical traits. Studies have shown that the chemical composition of the propolis samples which a certain breed of bees (Apis mellifera intermissa) made have 17 different chemical compounds. They noted that the main phenolic compound was caffeic acid (0.85 mg·g−1 EAP) and the main flavonol compound was pinocembrin (0.82 mg·g−1 EAP). Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were observed in dragon fruit quality when treated with different concentrations of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0%) and stored at 20 ± 2 °C and 80 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 20 days, which matched our results. Passos et al. (2016) reported test panel did not detect significant differences amongst coated and not coated cv. Prata bananas up to six days of storage. Propolis extracts.
Conclusion
In addition to a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, contain hydrophobic composites that assist in ameliorating attributes as biodegradable films on fruits.
Research Article
Medicinal Plants
Rahele Ghanbari Moheb Seraj; Mehdi Behnamian; Asadollah Ahmadikhah; Vahid Shariati; Sara Dezhestan
Abstract
Introduction
Plant growth and yield are affected often by stress conditions, especially drought, which is the most important factor in reducing crop production worldwide. Silybum marianum is an important pharmaceutical crop with great potential as a multipurpose plant for low-input cropping systems ...
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Introduction
Plant growth and yield are affected often by stress conditions, especially drought, which is the most important factor in reducing crop production worldwide. Silybum marianum is an important pharmaceutical crop with great potential as a multipurpose plant for low-input cropping systems of the arid and semiarid regions.
Materials and Methods
In this experiment, the effect of drought stress (full irrigation at field capacity; no stress, irrigation at 70% of field capacity; mild stress and irrigation at 40% of field capacity; severe stress) on physiologic traits, the amount of silybin a and b and 1000 seed weight in milk thistle was studied in the research field of Shahid Beheshti University in 2017-2018. The experimental site is located in Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran (51.23°N, 35.48°E, and 1769 m above mean sea level). It has a moderate and mountainous climate with a mean annual rainfall of 145.2 mm and a mean temperature of 22ºC. This experiment was performed in a completely randomized block design with 3 replications. Milk thistle seeds were prepared from Isfahan Pakanbazr Company. The soil composition consisted of 1/3 clay, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 leaf composts. The field area was 150.0 m2. Furrows were created to implement this study. The space of plants on rows was 0.5 m and between rows was 1 m. In general, 15 furrows were created and 15 plants were cultured on each furrow, so the total number of plants cultivated on the field was 225. Drought stress was applied at flowering stage. Soil moisture was measured by the weighing method. The soil samples were taken from various areas (randomly) of the field, three samples each day. After measuring the water content at F.C, based on that, the amount of 70%F.C and 40%F.C was also calculated. At the time of stress, F.C irrigation was performed every two days, 70% F.C irrigation every 4 days, and 40% F.C irrigation every 6 days. After 8 days, leaf sampling was performed to measure catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline and malondialdehyde content and seed sampling was performed to 1000 seed weight and extract analysis. For physiologic measurements, 3 plants were randomly assigned to each stack and their leaves were separated and transferred to the laboratory. Then, in the next step, their physiologic parameters (include Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, proline and malondialdehyde content) were measured according to the relevant protocol. In order to measure silybin, 4 plants were randomly considered to each stack and their seeds were harvested and combined and dried in shade condition in the laboratory for one month. The dried seed samples were completely powdered using a mill, then 10 g of the powders weighed and the oil extract of them was isolated by Soxhlet using n-hexane solvent. The extraction temperature was 70 °C and the extraction time was 6 h. After the extraction was completed, the extract was poured into dark glass. Next, the oil-free powder was dried in an incubator at 37 ° C. Methanol extract of oil-free powder was extracted using methanol solvent. For this purpose, 2 g of samples powder was weighed and 200 ml of 80% methanol was added to each of them and the mixture stirred for two days by Shaker. The mixture was then passed from a filter paper and after that, 200 ml of 80% methanol was added to the sample precipitate (on filter paper) and placed again on the shaker. After 24 h, extraction was performed by the same method and were added to the previous extract. The extracts were then concentrated in the environment temperature for two weeks. Concentrated extracts (powder) as well as standard silymarin with certain concentrations were dissolved in methanol solvent and used for injection into HPLC (Model: Infinity1260, Manufacturer: Agilent) using syringe filters with a diameter of 0.2 μm. After receiving the HPLC results, the data and peaks were analyzed and the amounts of silybin a and b were determined and compared at different levels of water stress. Statistical analysis of data was performed using R 3.6.1 and RStudio 1.1.463 software. Mean data were compared using Duncan's test with agricolae package at a significance level of 0.05.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that with increasing water stress intensity, the amount of silybin a and silybin b increased by 24% and 26%, respectively. The amount of these compounds in 40% were significantly higher than other treatments, so that its amount compared to F.C treatment (26.07 mg/g Grain DW in silybin a and 40.74 mg/g Grain DW in silybin b) and compared to the 70%F.C (25.32 mg/g Grain DW in silybin a and 34.64 mg/g Grain DW in silybin b) was higher. This indicates carbon assimilation from photosynthesis to produce secondary metabolites in this treatment. Also, the amount of silybin b compared to silybin a in all treatments was (0.8: 1.2), in which 1.2 is related to silybin b and 0.8 is related to silybin a. In severe stress treatment (40% of field capacity), the amount of silybin a and b (67.30 and 98.92 mg/g, respectively) increased significantly compared to other treatments. According to the mean comparison results, the highest activity of catalase (5.16 U/ml) and ascorbate peroxidase (2.26 U/ml) was observed in mild stress treatment. Proline content gradually increased with increasing stress intensity and reached its peak in severe stress (3.36 µM/gr). Lipid peroxidation also had their maximum in severe stress (8.35 nmol/grFW). The 1000 seeds weight was reduced by 6.8 g in severe stress treatment (40%F.C) compared to the control (F.C).
Conclusion
According to the results, the amount of milk thistle flavonoids can be increased for medicinal purposes including the treatment of liver disease and hepatitis by applying dehydration stress.
Research Article
Medicinal Plants
Shirin Taghipour; Abdollah Ehtesham Nia; Hamed Khodayari; Hassan Mumivand
Abstract
Introduction
Due to their pleasant and soothing taste and odor, attractive colors, and medicinal purposes, Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers have been widely used as food, tea, ornamentation, and medicine. It has been reported that C. morifolium can reduce hyperactivity of the liver, improve eyesight ...
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Introduction
Due to their pleasant and soothing taste and odor, attractive colors, and medicinal purposes, Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers have been widely used as food, tea, ornamentation, and medicine. It has been reported that C. morifolium can reduce hyperactivity of the liver, improve eyesight and regulate cellular immunity. Pharmacological investigations have shown that Flo's chrysanthemum exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and heart-protective characteristics. Previous phytochemical studies on caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, triterpenoids, glycosides and alkaloids have been isolated from Flo's chrysanthemum. In this study, chrysanthemum cultivars were evaluated in terms of having secondary compounds and desirable medicinal properties, as well as antibacterial effects to introduce superior cultivars and purposeful planning for breeding research. The purpose of the present study, 25 cultivars of C. morifolium were compared in terms of essential oil content, leaves total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant activity.
Materials and Methods
In this experiment, 25 chrysanthemum cultivars were studied in terms of essential oil percentage, antioxidant index, total phenol and flavonoid content and antibacterial effects in a randomized complete block design in Lorestan University research farm in the year 2016. Essential oil was extracted from dried flowers in the shade using a Clevenger apparatus for 3 hours. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of the extract was measured by DPPH method based on the method of Kulisic et al. (2004). The amount of flavonoids was measured by aluminum chloride and total phenol by Folin - Ciocalteu reagent colorimetric. Ward analysis was done to classify the cultivars.
Results and Discussion
The results of analysis of variance showed that the studied chrysanthemum cultivars had significant differences in terms of all studied phytochemical traits. According to the obtained results, among different cultivars, the total amount of phenolic compounds is between 14.52-47.90 mg/g dry weight, the total flavonoid content is between 11.59-55.62 mg/g DW and IC50 index varied between 83.92 and 257.43 μg/ml. The highest amount of total phenol was present in Avadis and Dila cultivars (45.86-47.90 mg/g dry weight), while Yasamin cultivar (14.52 mg/g DW) had the lowest amount. Also, in terms of total flavonoid content, Golnar and Farahnaz cultivars had the highest total flavonoid content with 55.62 and 53.01 mg quercetin/g DW, respectively. Cluster analysis divided all studied cultivars into five groups. The percentage of essential oil among different cultivars varied between 0.41 to 0.62% and a high variability was observed in terms of the amount of essential oil in the studied cultivars. The highest percentage of essential oil was related to Farhnaz and Elmira2 cultivars. In general, the results showed high antioxidant activity of most cultivars. Therefore, chrysanthemum extract can be introduced as a suitable source of natural antioxidants. Also in this study, Paridokht, Sana and Ashraf cultivars were studied in terms of antioxidant and antibacterial index and Farahnaz and Elmira 2 cultivars appeared superior to other cultivars in terms of essential oil production. Hedaei et al. (2018) studied evaluation of some bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of leaf methanolic extract and flower essential oil content from different cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium, in this review, total phenol and flavonoid contents and IC50 values in different cultivars were ranged from 17.63-33.20 mg/g DW, 12.62-53.17 mg quercetin/g, and 54-228 μg/ml respectively. The highest phenolic content was in cultivar “Poya3” (33.20 mg/g DW), whereas the cultivar “Sahand2” (17.63 mg/g DW) contained the lowest value. Also, in terms of total flavonoid content, cultivars “Marmar” and “Sahand 2” had the highest and the lowest flavonoids with 53.17 and 12.62 mg quercetin per gram, respectively.
Conclusion
The results of the present study indicate a significant difference between different cultivars in terms of the total amount of phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant compounds that the existence of such diversity can be the role of cultivar and genetics in the production of these compounds. According to the results of this study, chrysanthemum cultivars with desirable levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds can be used as a source of natural antioxidants as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants. In this study, Sana, Paridokht and Ashraf cultivars appeared superior to the existing genotypes in terms of phytochemical and antibacterial traits. The results of this study can be used to select the correct parents for purposeful crosses in subsequent chrysanthemum breeding programs in order to improve the phytochemical traits of existing cultivars.
Research Article
Ornamental plants
Maryam Hojatipour; Moazam Hassanpour Asil
Abstract
Introduction
Lilium flower is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, belonging to the Liliaceae family. Position of lilies as the fourth best-seller cut flower in the world, as well as the increasing trend of demand for this flower in the global market, indicates the importance of improving the ...
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Introduction
Lilium flower is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, belonging to the Liliaceae family. Position of lilies as the fourth best-seller cut flower in the world, as well as the increasing trend of demand for this flower in the global market, indicates the importance of improving the quality and solving the sustainability issues of this flower. Gibberellins are one of the most important endogenous plant hormones involved in controlling plant dormancy. Gibberellin is a plant growth regulator that stimulates physiological responses in plants by affecting photosynthesis. Polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are a group of plant growth regulators that have effects such as increasing cell division, biosynthesis of enzymes, regulating various developmental stages such as differentiation.
Materials and Methods
This study was performed to investigate the effect of gibberellic acid and putrescine on growth, flowering and vase life of Lilium cut flowers. Experiment was performed as factorial based on completely randomized design, included 16 treatments with 3 replications and 2 pots in each replication. The culture medium containing mold leaf soil, sand and perlite (1:1:1) and was prepared by disinfection with fungicide. The first treatment consisted of concentrations of 150, 300 and 450 mg/L gibberellic acid and onions were pre-treated by immersing for 24 hours. The second treatment consisted of concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 mM putrescine which was sprayed at the beginning of budding and continued every two weeks until the first bud flower coloring. Growth period conditions in green house were controlled. In this study, different parameters such as bud number, flowering stem length, fresh weight of cut flowers, relative fresh weight of cut flowers, water uptake of cut flowers, vase life, leaf chlorophylls a, b and total, petal carotenoid, percentage of petal cell membrane stability and total soluble solids of petals were examined.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the application of gibberellic acid and putrescine improved the number of buds and increased cell membrane stability. Actually, gibberellic acid preserves the cell membrane by preventing the breakdown of proteins and increasing the pH, thus increasing the vase life. Also Putrescine protects cell membranes by removing free radicals. It is also known that gibberellic acid used at all levels in the experiment increased the height of the flower stem due to its role in cell division and elongation. Study of the flower stem water content and cut flower fresh weight, which are factors for longer vase life, showed that gibberellic acid increases the plant's ability to absorb water and increases these two traits. So that the highest cut flower fresh weight with 13 g difference compared to the control level belonged to the treatment level of 450 mg/L gibberellic acid. Also putrescine reduces plant water loss by increasing membrane permeability to calcium and increases the flower stem water content and cut flower fresh weight, which increases vase life. Also, gibberellic acid by creating water potential in the cell and putrescine by strengthening water relations and preventing blockage of water vessels increased the relative water uptake of cut flower. Thus, the greatest effect was observed on the third day post-harvest and the highest amount (2.47 ml. g-1 FW) on the third day belonged to the highest level of both treatments. Results also showed that all the levels of putrescine increased TSS due to its effect on the synthesis of sugars and carbohydrates in compared to control. The results showed that application of gibberellic acid and putrescine respectively at 300 mg/L and 2 mM, significantly increased the vase life compared to the control. The best vase life (15 days) occurred at 300 mg/L gibberellic acid and 2 mM putrescine. Although gibberellic acid increased growth and flowering of Lilium, but putrescine effectiveness on vase life of cut flower was more evident. The highest amount of leaf total chlorophyll (0.514 mg. g-1 FW) belonged to the treatment of 450 mg/L gibberellic acid and 2 mM putrescine and the lowest amount of leaf total chlorophyll (0.085 mg. g-1 FW) belonged to both treatments were at the control level. Also, in the study of petal carotenoid content, the highest amount belonged to the treatment of 450 mg/L gibberellic acid and 2 mM putrescine.
Conclusion
According to the results obtained from the present research, it can be concluded that use of gibberellic acid and putrescine had great effects on most of traits in compared to control treatment. The use of putrescine and gibberellic acid improves the flowering and vase life conditions by increasing water uptake and consequently increasing the relative fresh weight.
Research Article
Pomology
Mohyedin Pirkhezri
Abstract
Introduction Barberry is one of the native plants of Iran and tolerates environmental stresses, especially drought. This species can play a special role in the future development of horticulture in Iran. This species is drought tolerant and can be used in the development of rain-fed gardens. The ...
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Introduction Barberry is one of the native plants of Iran and tolerates environmental stresses, especially drought. This species can play a special role in the future development of horticulture in Iran. This species is drought tolerant and can be used in the development of rain-fed gardens. The Barberry family contains 15 genera and 650 species, most of which are distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The most important genus in the barberry family is Berberis. This genus has 500 species, some of which, including Zalzalaki, Zarafshani, Khorasani, Rastkhoshe, common and Japanese barberry, exist in Iran (i.e., Berberis vulgaris, B. orthobotrys, B. crataegina, B. integerrima, and B. khorasanica, respectively). This plant is widely distributed in Iran. Various wild species of barberry are distributed in the southern and northern slopes of Alborz from Firoozkooh, Taleghaneh, Miyaneh to Amarlu of Gilan. This genus grows on large areas of the Zagros at an altitude of 1000 to 2500 meters above sea level. Iran is the largest producer of seedless barberry in the world with a cultivated area of 18341 hectares and production of 21181 tons of dried barberry. This species can play a special role in the future development of horticulture in the country and reduce the pressure on water resources, especially in rain-fed horticulture.Materials and Methods In this study, 25 genotypes were evaluated from three regions: west of Alborz province (Taleghan region), north of Alborz province (Chalus road and Khuzenkola, Arangeh, Asara to Dizin heights) and northeast of Tehran (Lavasanat). Morphological evaluation was performed according to UPOV instruction (TG 68/3). 32 quantitative and qualitative morphological and horticultural traits were evaluated according to UPOV (TG 3.68). Of which, 11 quantifiable traits including leaf length and width, fruit length and width, pedicel length, Berries per raceme, cluster length, spines length, vitamin C, TA (Titratable Acidity) and TSS (Total Soluble Solid) were analyzed.Results and Discussion The results of analysis of variance showed significant differences between genotypes for all quantative traits evaluated at the level of 1% and for the number of berries per cluster at the level of 5%. The high coefficient of variation indicates high variability for the desired trait, which allows the breeder to have more choices for selecting desired genotypes. The number of fruits per cluster with 45.55, spines length with 28.67 and titratable acid with 26.58 percent malic acid, had the highest range of changes. Qualitative traits included Foliage secondary color, Leaf curvature and Leaf margin, Leaf glossiness, Color of lower side, Fruit tip, Fruit waxiness, Foliage persistence, and Shoot color in spring among the genotypes were uniform and without variance. The lowest coefficient of variation among quantitative traits was related to Brix (7. a16 percent) and fruit length (13.14 percent). The highest number of fruits was belonged to Lavasan genotype (AD8) giving an average of 25 fruits per cluster, which was substantially different from other genotypes. The highest and lowest fruit length and width are related to Taleghan 5 (11.59 mm) and Chalus 7 (3.26 mm) genotypes, respectively. In a study, the average length and width of barberry fruit were 7.69 and 3.32 mm, respectively. Vitamin C is one of the nutritional values of fruits and has direct effects on human health. Wild barberry genotypes possessing the least vitamin C content (4.7 mg/per 100 gram) of fresh fruit (Asara I genotype) and also the fruits containing the highest values (i.e., 10.57 (Taleghan 4), 9.63 (Chalous 8) and 9.4 (Taleghan 8)) yielded more than even temperate fruits such as stone and pome fruits (The mean amount of vitamin C in apples, grapes and black cherries is 4.6, 4, 10 mg/100 g FW, respectively). This value in strawberries as an indicator plant is reported between 10 and 100 and an average of 58.8 and the value for lemons is 53 mg/100 g FW. Khayat and Mahmoud Abadi (2010) reported the amount of vitamin C in seedless barberry treated by fertilizers varied from 4 to 9 mg per 100 g of fresh fruit.The highest values of total soluble solids or Brix˚ were related to Chalus 8 genotypes with value of 24.83% and Chalus 1 with value of 23.23% and the lowest amount was related to Asara 2 genotype with 18.1%. Khayat and Mahmoud Abadi (2010) reported the total soluble solids ranged between 18.3 to 33.06 percent in seedless barberry, which is much higher than our experiment. The highest titratable acidity were observed in Taleghan 4, Taleghan 8 and Taleghan 2 genotypes, with 2.66, 2.65 and 2.41 mg/ml malic acid respectively, and the lowest titratable acid was observed in Chalus 9 genotype with 1.12 mg/ml malic acid. This value has been reported in domestic barberry is between 1.07 and 2.95. The highest mean leaf lengths were observed in Chalus cultivars 3 and 5. Among the genotypes, Taleghan 7 has the longest Pedicel length.ConclusionThe selected genotypes for breeding programs were the Oshan (AD8) genotypes with an average of 25 fruits per cluster. Regarding vitamin C content the prominent genotypes were the Taleghan 4 (10.57), Chalus 8 (9.63) and Taleghan 8 (9.4) mg/100 g F.W. The highest genotypes for total soluble solids were Chalus 8 genotypes with 24.83 and Chalus 1 with 23.23 percent.
Research Article
Ornamental plants
Roghayeh Abdi; Zohreh Jabbarzadeh
Abstract
Introduction The genus Rosa from the family Rosaceae with over 150 species is one of the most important ornamental plants in the world. From a commercial point of view, cut roses play a key role in trade of cut flowers. Nitric oxide regulates key physiological processes that depend on the concentration ...
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Introduction The genus Rosa from the family Rosaceae with over 150 species is one of the most important ornamental plants in the world. From a commercial point of view, cut roses play a key role in trade of cut flowers. Nitric oxide regulates key physiological processes that depend on the concentration of this compound such as hypocotyls growth, defensive responses, growth and development, photosynthesis, and phytoalexin generation in stressful conditions. Polyamines are key biomolecules that have a role to play in the regulation of many plants’ growth and development processes and their responses to different environmental stimuli. This study was performed to investigate the effect of foliar application of sodium nitroprusside (as a NO donor) and putrescine (as a polyamine) on ‘Avalanche’ rose in hydroponic conditions.Materials and Methods This study was conducted in the research and production greenhouses of Urmia University and the research laboratory of the Department of Horticultural Sciences of the Faculty of Agriculture in 2019-2020 on rose (Rosa hybrida ‘Avalanche). This experiment was conducted as a factorial trial based on completely randomized design with two factors including sodium nitroprusside in four concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200 μM and putrescine in four concentrations of 0, 1, 2 and 4 mM with 3 replications as a foliar application under hydroponic conditions in greenhouses and in pots. The treatments were applied two weeks after transplantation, every 15 day-interval for 4 months. In order to investigate the effects of putrescine and sodium nitroprusside on some morphological and physiological characteristics of plants, two weeks after the end of treatments, sampling was performed to measure morphological and physiological characteristics. The measured indicators included: fresh and dry weight of flowering stem, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, carotenoids and also in the postharvest stage were guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes activity and bending of flowering stem. The SAS software version 9.2 was used to analyze the variance and compare the mean of the studied traits. Comparison of means was performed using the Tukey’s range test method at a probability level of 1 and 5%. Also, Excel (2016) software was used to draw the graph.Results According to the means comparison of measured parameters, sodium nitroprusside along with putrescine increase the flowering stem fresh and dry weight, photosynthetic pigments of leaves and antioxidant enzymes activities at the postharvest stages. Sodium nitroprusside at a concentration of 50 μM with 4 mM putrescine increased the fresh and dry weight of the flowering stem. Also, the concentration of 100 μM sodium nitroprusside with 4 mM putrescine significantly increased chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content compared to control. It should be noted that preharvest application of sodium nitroprusside along with putrescine cause to improve postharvest characteristics of rose. In this research, application of 100 and 200 μM SNP alone or with different concentrations of putrescine increased guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activity and reduced bending of flowering stem of rose ‘Avalanche’ at the postharvest stage. Probably polyamines (such as putrescine) and nitric oxide increase photosynthesis potential with increasing photosynthetic pigments and protecting cell membranes thus increase growth and flowering traits of plants such as increasing the flowering stem weight of rose in this research. At postharvest stage, senescence of flowers is an inevitable phenomenon that cause to produce free radicles in plants. Free radicles injure the plant membranes lipids and change the antioxidant enzymes activities. This despite the fact that nitric oxide and putrescine protect antioxidant enzymes against free radicles as a result can improve vase life of rose. Conclusion Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that putrescine, with SNP, improves growth characteristics as well as increases the postharvest traits and quality of cut flowers of rose. According to the results, it is observed that among the different concentrations of putrescine, the concentration of 4 mM had the greatest effect on the growth and physiological parameters of rose while the concentration of 100 and 200 μM sodium nitroprusside had a greatest effect on physiological characteristics and postharvest traits of rose. In general, both SNP and putrescine had a positive and favorable effects on improving growth and postharvest indices, but the effective concentration varied depending on the type of parameter.
Research Article
Medicinal Plants
Lamya Vojodi Mehrabani; Yagoob Anvari Gheshlagh; Alireza Motallebiazar
Abstract
Introduction
NaCl Salinity is one of the major environmental stressors affecting agricultural production everywhere. Salinity impacts the plants by the osmotic stress, nutritional imbalance with plants cells and by reducing the nutrients absorption and reactive oxygen species over-generation, ...
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Introduction
NaCl Salinity is one of the major environmental stressors affecting agricultural production everywhere. Salinity impacts the plants by the osmotic stress, nutritional imbalance with plants cells and by reducing the nutrients absorption and reactive oxygen species over-generation, as well as by ionic competition for the absorption, translocation, distribution and ion toxicity inside plants. Under salinity stress, plants develop various physiological and biochemical mechanisms to overcome this conditions, like ion homeostasis and compartmentalization, ion uptake, biosynthesis of osmoprotectants, activation of antioxidant enzymeic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymic compounds (proline) to overcome salinity stress. Optimum nutrition under stressful saline conditions is important to overcome the problem and to produce optimum yield. Pelargonium graveolens is a plant commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries. Iran has favorable micro-climates for the Pelargonium graveolens, production, and since this plants is in common use with diverse industries, this experiments was conducted to study the effects of foliar spray with Se and nano Fe on growth and physiological traits Pelargonium graveolens under NaCl salinity depression
Materials and Methods
Two separate experiments were concluded to evaluate the effects of foliar application of selenium and nano-Iron (0, 1.5 and 3 mgL-1) on pelargonium under saline (0, 50 and 100 mM) conditions as factorial based on Completely Randomized Design. In the first experiment, the effects of magnetized Iron and in the second experiment, the effect of selenium were assayed on pelargonium growth and physiological traits (plant dry weight, enzymic activity, elemental content, essential oil percent and oil constituents) under salinity stress.
Results and Discussion
The results obtained from the first experiment showed that, the aerial parts dry weight, Na, Fe and H2O2 content, catalase activity and oil percent of Pelargonium graveolens were independently affected by the salinity and (1.5 and 3 mgL-1) Fe foliar treatment. At the first experiment the highest amount of K/Na ratio, flavonoid content, K content, malondialdehyde, proline and superoxide dismutase activity were influenced by salinity stress. The top amount amount of plant dry weight, Fe content, K/Na, Na and superoxide dismutase activity were recorded at control plants. The top amounts of Na, proline, malondialdehyde, H2O2 content were recorded at 100 mM salinity stress. control and 50 mM NaCl increased oil percent in plants. Foliar spray with 1.5 and 3 mgL-1 Fe increased catalase, yield, phenolic content and oil percent in plants. At the second experiment; aerial parts dry weight, proline and flavonoid content were influenced by salinity stress. Catalase activity, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase activity and H2O2 content were influenced by sole effects of salinity and Se foliar application. Under non saline condition, plant dry weight, superoxide dismutase activity, K content were increased in plant. With increasing salinity to 100 mM NaCl, proline, malondialdehyde and H2O2 content were increased. Se, Na content and K/Na ratio in the second experiment was influenced by the interaction effects of salinity and foliar spray. At the second experiment, the top amount of K/Na ratio were recorded at NaCl0 × 1.5 and 3 mgL-1 Se spray. The top amounts of Na were recorded at NaCl0 × no foliar application. The superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde and K+ were responded to the individual effects of salinity and Se treatment. The highest amounts of total phenolic content was attained by (1.5 and 3 mgL-1) nano Fe and Se treatment in both experiment. With salinity of 50 and 100 mM, the flavonoids contend was increased at both experiments. Foliar spray with 1.5 and 3 mgL-1 Nano Fe and Se increased catalase activity in plants. 1.5 and 3 mgL-1 Se and nano Fe foliar application reduced H2O2 content in plant at both experiment. GC/MS analysis revealed that β-citronellol (12.5-20.5%) was the major constituent with control treatment Citronelly formate (10.75-25.2%) were the dominant constituents of oil control plants. Β-Thujone (12.61%), trans-Rose oxide (2.85- 9 %) and the highest amounts of Aromadendrene (5.42 %) only recorded at control plants. Salinity stress and foliar spray had negative effects on α-Pinene biosynthesis and the highest amounts of α-Pinene was recorded in control plants. The top amounts of Geranyl formate (0.7-7.8 %) was recorded at NaCl50 × 1.5 mgL-1 Fe spray. Y- muurolene (0.4 – 4.06 %) biosynthesis increased at NaCl50 × 1.5 mgL-1 Se.
Conclusion
Salinity stress involves changes in metabolic processes and various physiological traits, controlled by salinity stress severity. In total, salinity had negative effects on the growth and physiological responses of plants, however, foliar treatment with Se and Fe improved some physiological traits of Pelargonium graveolens.
Research Article
Pomology
Ali Akbar Shokouhian; Somayeh Mohammadi Shevir; Shahriyar Einizadeh
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Fulvic acid has a relatively low molecular weight and contains a large number of oxygen and carbon-rich functional groups. Many of the beneficial effects of fulvic acid spray include stimulating plant metabolism, increasing the activity of transaminase and invertase enzymes, ...
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Background and Objectives
Fulvic acid has a relatively low molecular weight and contains a large number of oxygen and carbon-rich functional groups. Many of the beneficial effects of fulvic acid spray include stimulating plant metabolism, increasing the activity of transaminase and invertase enzymes, increasing bioavailability and nutrient uptake, as well as increasing crop growth and yield. Fulvic acid spraying solution helps to transfer minerals to metabolic sites within plant cells. Fulvic acid at certain stages of plant growth can be used as a major method to maximize plant production capacity. Due to the fact that calcium transfer is difficult, although the soil is rich in this element, so its foliar application is recommended. In addition, calcium deficiency leads to a decrease in root growth and leaf loss, but also leads to the production of poor quality fruits. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of investigating the use of fulvic acid and calcium as a spraying solution on growth and yield of Quince ‘Haj Agha Kishi’.
Materials and Methods
In order to investigate the effects of fulvic acid concentration and chelated calcium on quality and quantity of fruit indices of Quince ‘Haj Agha Kishi’ an experiment was conducted during 2017-2018 in kosar city, Ardabil province. The experiment was performed as a factorial in based on the randomized complete block design with four levels of fulvic acid application with concentrations of 0, 1, 2 and 3 per thousand and three levels of application of chelated calcium with concentrations of 0, 1.5 and 3 per thousand in three replications. The treatments were applied to six-year-old seedlings. The treatments were applied on the trees as a spray solution and applied three times: after fruit set, one and two months after fruit set. In this study, leaf chlorophyll content index was measured by Arnon method. The leaf area of the plant was measured with a level gauge, model AM300, In this study 10 leaves were randomly selected from each tree branch, the average leaf area was multiplied by the number of main and secondary branches, and the leaf area of each treatment was recorded as average. In order to determine the length, diameter and average weight of fruit, ten fruits were randomly harvested from treated trees, then the diameter and length of the fruits were measured with a caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Also, the weight of the fruits was determined with a scale of model GF800, made in Japan with an accuracy of 0.01 grams. Yield was calculated by measuring the total weight of the crop in each tree. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SAS 9.2 statistical software. Means were compared based on LSD lest at 1 or 5% and charts were drawn using EXCEL 2013 software.
Results
The results of data analysis of variance showed that the effects of chelated calcium and fulvic acid on leaf area, length, diameter, wet weight and fruit yield were significant (P<0.01). Based on the results, fulvic acid had a significant (P<0.05) effect on chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content of leaf. The interaction of calcium ×fulvic acid treatments had a significant (P<0.01) effect on leaf area and fruit length. The highest total chlorophyll content of 1.20 mg.g-1 was obtained by using 3 per thousand concentration of fulvic acid and the lowest rate was 0.79 mg.g-1 in the control. The highest (5481.69 mm2) leaf area was obtained with the simultaneous use of 3 per thousand concentration of chelated calcium and 3 per thousand concentration of fulvic acid, which was significantly different from other levels. The lowest leaf area was also observed in control. Comparison of the means showed that the treatments of 3 per thousand concentration chelated calcium and 3 per thousand concentration of fulvic acid had the highest fruit yield with 167.63 and 135.30 kg, respectively. The lowest yield was recorded for control trees.
Conclusion
Increasing yield and quality is the most important goal in agricultural production. Due to the fact that biostimulants do not have adverse effects on soil and water. In order to maintain sustainable production should be used in the production program. Folic acid, as a biostimulant, improves plant metabolism and facilitates the absorption of elements. According to the findings of this study, application of fulvic acid and chelated calcium at 3 per thousand concentrations is recommended for Quince ‘Haj Agha Kishi’ to improve leaf efficiency and fruit yield.
Research Article
Postharvest physiology
Fahime Nasr; Vali Rabiei; Farhang Razavi; Gholamreza Gohari
Abstract
Introduction
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is an important fruit that is consumed due to high nutritional, desirable taste and flavor. Unfortunately, most persimmon fruit producers do not use the suitable technology to preserve the fruit quality, consequently, marketing their product at lower ...
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Introduction
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is an important fruit that is consumed due to high nutritional, desirable taste and flavor. Unfortunately, most persimmon fruit producers do not use the suitable technology to preserve the fruit quality, consequently, marketing their product at lower prices. The fruit of Karaj cultivar is one of the best and highest quality cultivars in Iran but this fruit is sensitive to chilling injury and shows drastic softening and reduced nutritional value as chilling damage. Appliacation of effective treatments for reducing chilling symptoms and preserve quality can lead to the increase of shelf life in this fruit. Ascorbic acid is an important nutrient that it is required for the functioning of several enzymes and is important for immune system function. It also functions as an antioxidant. Recently this treatment has gained much attention for use as an environmentally friendly technology for the maintenance of postharvest quality of many horticultural crops. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of ascorbic acid and storage time on the postharvest life of persimmon fruit.
Materials and Methods
Persimmon fruit (cv.‘Karaj’) was first harvested at physiological maturity stage from a commercial orchard in Karaj city, then immediately transported to the postharvest laboratory at University of Zanjan. Fruit selected for uniformity of size, shape, color and free from disease or mechanical damage. The treatments included ascorbic acid at three levels (15, 30 and distilled water as a control mmol.L-1) and storage time at three levels (15, 30 and 45 day). Fruit was dipped in solution of Ascorbic acid 15 and 30 mmol.L-1 and distilled water (control) for 10 min. After treatment, the fruits were stored at +4°C and 85-90% relative humidity for 45 days. Fruits were sampled during storage after (15, 30 and 45 days) and 24 hours maintaining at room temperature and fruit firmness, weight loss, TSS, TA, vitamin C, total flavonoids, total phenol, soluble tannins, total carotenoids, antioxidant capacity and MDA were measured at the end of each period. Persimmon fruit samples were weighed before and after the storage to calculate weight loss (%) during storage by using the formula of [(weight of fruits before the storage − weight of fruits after the storage)/weight of fruits before storage] × 100. Fruit firmness was determined using OSK 1618 penetrometer equipped with an 8 mm tip at 3 equatorial points, and the results were expressed as kg/cm2, Soluble tannin was measured by using the method of Tiara (1996). Total carotenoid was measured based on wang et al (2006), Total soluble solid (TSS) was measured by using refractometer, Ascorbic acid content was determined by using the method of Jalilimarandi (2000) and Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging activity of the examined extracts on the 2,2-diphenylhydrazil (DPPH) radical as described by Dehghan and Khoshkam (2012). Statistical analysis was performed using SAS V9 software and the treatment means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range tests.
Results and Discussion
Results showed that all treatments showed significant effect on evaluated traits. All treatments preserved vitamin C and antioxidant activity of fruit compared with control. Ascorbic acid 30 mmol.L-1 significantly preserved firmness, soluble tannin, total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant capacity. Based on current results that ascorbic acid 15 and 30 mmol.L-1 treatments were the most effective in delaying decrease weight loss by reduced metabolic activity, delayed senescence, and maintained better cellular integrity thereby worked in an integrated manner to reduce fresh weight loss of persimmon fruit. Increasing Ascorbic acid suppressed oxidative damage possibly by quenching hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion. Therefore, positively correlated with higher membrane integrity and less MDA of persimmon fruit. Ascorbic acid is not only an important nutraceutical compound but also a critical antioxidant that positively eliminates certain reactive oxygen species and preserve antioxidant compounds such as phenol, flavonoid, carotenoid and vitamin C in post-harvest. Ascorbic acid 15 and 30 mmol.L-1 treatments used in this experiment had no effect in changes TSS and total carotenoid. So ascorbic acid can improve effectively the quality and increase shelf life of fresh persimmon fruit in post-harvest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our research indicates that ascorbic acid could prolong postharvest life of persimmon fruit by maintaining fruit quality attributes. Ascorbic acid treatment significantly is effective in preserving, firmness antioxidant compounds, quality properties and increasing the storage time of persimmon fruit of Karaj cultivar without harmful for human health. Hence, ascorbic acid treatment is a safe and applicable method of increasing the shelf life and preserving the quality in persimmon during cold storage.
Research Article
Breeding and Biotechnology of Plant and Flower
Fatemeh Bidarnamani; Seyyed Najmodin Mortazavi; Yasob Shiri
Abstract
Introduction
Phalaenopsis is one of the beautiful and commercial species of orchid family that there is little research on its medicinal properties. Phalaenopsis orchids can be grown outdoors in warm, humid conditions that are damp but not wet, in a location that is shady but bright. Since the ...
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Introduction
Phalaenopsis is one of the beautiful and commercial species of orchid family that there is little research on its medicinal properties. Phalaenopsis orchids can be grown outdoors in warm, humid conditions that are damp but not wet, in a location that is shady but bright. Since the introduction of orchid meristem culture in 1960, branching in micro-propagation methods develop based on using two clearly different culture schemes. It have been used from medicinal properties of orchids for anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-seizure, diuretic, nutrient protection, relaxation, anti-aging, wound healing, hypoglycemia, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-oxidants and anti-diarrhea.
Material and Methods
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the canonical correlation between morphological and phytochemical characteristics of five phalaenopsis orchid varieties: Nottingham, Bucharest, Andorra, Memphis, and Dubrovnik. Micro-propagation of orchid seeds was performed after sterilization of capsules by bleach and ethanol. Leaf and root organs of 5 orchid varieties were harvested from Chen medium in Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Zabol, on 2020. The sliced samples were dried in an oven at 50 °C for 72 hours, after separating the leaves and roots of each variety. The powdered leaves and roots of each variety (5 g) were separately immersed in 50 ml of ethanol for 24 hours at room temperature. Then the extracts were placed on a shaker at room temperature at 120 rpm.
Result and Discussion
The results showed that the first two canonical variables were significant and third variable was not significant. The first canonical variable has the highest special value of 65.83 and the second and third canonical variables have 4.59 and 0.10 special values, respectively. According to this research the first canonical variable with the highest special values, square of canonical correlation and the most cumulative percentages should be studied in all morphological and phytochemical characteristics. Significant canonical correlation in morphological characteristics fit 94% of the total variance of physiological variables, while significant canonical variables in phytochemical characteristics fit 100% of the variance of phytochemical characteristics. Due to the fact that phalaenopsis orchid flower has many leaf and root wastes, the findings of this study show that due to the medicinal properties of this plant, we can reduce the waste of this plant in greenhouses and production centers of this flower. In this study, the amount of phenol, flavonoid and antioxidants were determined. Also the relationship between morphological and phytochemical traits showed that this plant has medicinal properties. The lowest number of leaves belongs to Memphis variety and the highest number of leaves belongs to Nottingham variety, among the studied varieties. Therefore, it can be concluded that the roots are longer and shorter in orchid varieties with white (Nottingham) and purple (Memphis) flower respectively. Also, the second focal variable of root trait with the highest coefficient had a negative correlation with the number of leaves and root length, which shows that in the second correlation of the number of leaves and root length, the number of roots will decrease. In the second focal variable, the number of roots had a positive focal correlation with leaf length. That is, the closer we get to the second center of correlations between morphological traits, the more direct and positive becomes the relationship between root number and leaf length traits.
Conclusion
According to the results and high percentage of fitness in phytochemical characteristics, it can be concluded that phytochemical traits can more precisely express the correlation between the traits. Also it showed significance of canonical correlation between two variable groups, the relationship between phytochemical and morphological traits of five varieties of phalaenopsis orchid. In general, the results of this study showed orchid varieties have high phenolic and flavonoid compounds and have the highest restraint power of free radical in canonical correlation, and they can be used as medicine. In this study, it was found that Phalaenopsis orchid varieties had phenolic content and good antioxidant capacity relatively and there was a high positive correlation between morphological and phytochemical traits and enhanced with adding the plant's length or number of leaves containing phytochemical compounds. Also, according to the results of this study and similar findings in other research, it was found that the production of secondary metabolites of orchids and other plants under the influence of genetic and environmental conditions can affect the production and amounts of chemical compounds and medicinal performance of plants.
Research Article
Pomology
Zohreh Abbasi; Iman Zamani; Mohsen Shafieirad; Amir Hossein Amiri Mehra; Seyyed Mehdi Hosseinifarahi
Abstract
Introduction Strawberry is a significant fruit due to its rich sources of vitamins and plenty of antioxidants and grows worldwide. Thus, studies that provide information on topics in strawberry growth are momentous. Strawberry production is often threatened by various pests. Therefore, pest management ...
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Introduction Strawberry is a significant fruit due to its rich sources of vitamins and plenty of antioxidants and grows worldwide. Thus, studies that provide information on topics in strawberry growth are momentous. Strawberry production is often threatened by various pests. Therefore, pest management is one of the most critical points in strawberry cultivation and production that have to be considered. There are several pests that can have detrimental effects on strawberry production. For example, thrips is an important pest for strawberry in a greenhouse condition. There are many ways to deal with greenhouse pests; one of the best ways is to observe greenhouse hygiene and sanitation and use the proper chemical pesticides. Yet, it is impossible to predict the plant's growth stages in the usual ways to predict the time of using chemical pesticides. The time of each growth stage's occurrence can be predicted only by using simulation models and considering the factors affecting plant growth, such as environmental factors, pests, disease, and nutrition. To this end, this study aims to model the growth process of strawberry plants by considering pests and diseases' impact.Materials and Methods Monitoring the growth stages is a critical component of a successful strawberry growth program. To harvest more, it is vital to develop effective predicting tools. There are several approaches to investigate the change in the size and form of planets based on some growth conditions over time. The best-known mechanism of analyzing the growth process mathematically is simulation modeling. Models can be used as an alternative for statistical analysis of harvest of crops. They enhance the inferences about productive behavior and can be used to evaluate experiments. To introduce a desirable model, it is required to identify the essential features of the growth process, such as environment and climate. In this work, the dynamics of growing strawberry, the evolution of their size in time and their forms are modeled. Meanwhile, the plant's reaction to environmental factors such as pests and effective management factors on the environment and climate created for plant growth is investigated.Results and Discussion The use of growth models increases the analysis that can be made about the productive behavior of strawberry plants. Moreover, the proposed model has efficiency in predicting plant growth. This model, including simple relationships and the general concept of growth, is useful for teaching, learning, and researching to analyze plant growth factors. Furthermore, the proposed model can study how plants react to environmental factors such as pests and significant management factors on the environment and climate of plant growth. Besides, the model can help scholars, researchers, and plant producers with the ability to predict the amount and manner of plant growth and the effect of changing the number of pests. In this paper, the amount of disease and pests' damage for different rates in the growth stages is shown by using the plant growth process's modeling to reduce the amount of damage caused by pests by predicting the amount of damage and provide applicable, low cost and practical solutions. According to the results obtained in this study, since the lack of pest control causes only four out of ten healthy fruits to reach the full growth stage, control and repel pests are essential.Conclusion From the results of this study, it can be concluded that greenhouse owners and producers can simulate several growing seasons in a matter of seconds and predict the amount of harvest and loss of their crop by considering the environmental information of the area of study in which they decide to plant and knowing the effective rates in the process of plant growth and having a model. The greenhouse owners can predict the number of healthy and infected plants using the desired model before harvest by using the help of horticultural experts, collecting information about their environment, climate, soil, etc., and using different aspects affecting plant growth in the desired area. This approach can be extended to other crops to investigate the treatment effects and the production behavior throughout the crop cycle. Using this method predicts the crop cycle and leads to fruit production in a shorter period because the producer can use pesticides at the right time of production to decrease the damages to pests.
Research Article
Medicinal Plants
Seyyed Amir Hamzeh Bahari Meymandi; Shahram Sharafzadeh; Omid Alizadeh; Froud Bazrafshan; Bahram Amiri
Abstract
Introduction In recent years, the aggressive application of chemical fertilizers for agricultural production has endangered the health of soil, water, air, as well as crops, and has raised many concerns for the global environment and human health. In addition to the positive biological effects and ...
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Introduction In recent years, the aggressive application of chemical fertilizers for agricultural production has endangered the health of soil, water, air, as well as crops, and has raised many concerns for the global environment and human health. In addition to the positive biological effects and modification of soil physical and chemical properties due to the gradual release of nutrients, organic fertilizers cause less pollution in the environment. Due to the significant role of medicinal and aromatic plants in different industries, it is important to increasing production of yield and secondary metabolite produced without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) is widely grown in arid and semi-arid regions and due to its economic importance and pharmaceutical industrial applications, it is one of the world’s most dimension medicinal plant. This plant has antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, diuretic, carminative and analgesic effects and is effective in gastrointestinal disorder treatment. Moreover with its antioxidant and antiulcer properties, it is used to treat neurological disorders.Materials and Methods This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic and biological fertilizers on the morpho-physiological and phytochemical properties of fennel (Foeniculum vulgar Miller). In this study, the impacts of vermicompost (0, 4, 8% in pot), animal manure (0, 7.5, 15% in pot) and mycorrhizal fungi (0, 1%) on physiological and biochemical properties of fennel in greenhouse conditions was evaluated. In order to extract the samples to measure biochemical factors, methanol 70% was used at a ratio of 5:1 (volume- weight). Determination of free radical scavenging was performed by using the DPPH test. The samples’ absorptions were read at a wavelength of 517 nm with Epoch Microplate Spectrophotometer, BioTek Instruments, Inc., USA. Measuring the total phenols was performed according to the Folin’s reagent method and the use of gallic acid as standard (purchased from the brand MERCK, Germany) by using a spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 765 nm. Total flavonoid content was measured using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 510 nm through a standard curve of quercetin from Sigma-Aldrich. The Essential oils were obtained from seeds by hydrodistillation for 3 h using a clevenger type device. The analyses of essential oil volatile components were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data were analyzed by using Duncan’s multiple range test (P< 0.05) by SAS, version 9.4 for Windows.Results and Discussion The results of current investigation showed that organic and biological fertilizers improved the fennel yield and phytochemical properties such as the plant height, seed weight per plant, fresh and dry weight of roots and plants, content of total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, percentage of essential oil and root colonization. The highest plant height, number of flowers, umbrellas and seeds per plant and fresh and dry weight of roots were obtained after combined application of 8% in pot vermicompost, 15% in pot animal manure and application of mycorrhiza. According to the results, the highest amount of total flavonoids (177.66 mg/100g DW) and root colonization (35.8%) after of 8% in pot vermicompost + 15% in pot animal manure + mycorrhiza application was observed. The results also revealed that the highest fresh and dry weight of the plants (121.33 and 17.41 g, respectively) was obtained after application of mycorrhiza + 15% in pot animal manure. Application of mycorrhiza in combination with 15% in pot animal manure compared to other treatments caused a significant increase in total phenol content in aerial parts with 73.22 mg/100g DW. In addition, the highest amount of antioxidant activity (51%) was obtained after 8% in pot vermicompost + 15% in pot animal manure application. Application of organic and biological fertilizers significantly increased the 1000 seed weight and the percentage of essential oil in fennel. After 15% in pot animal manure treatment, the highest percentage of essential oil by 3.43% was recorded. In general, the highest percentages of essential oil components were related to (E)-Anethole (78.26%), Fenchone (7.15%), Limonene (6.12%) and Methyl chavicol (3.85%), respectively. The amount of (E)-Anethole as the essential oil predominant compound, in the control treatment was 66.92%. The application of mycorrhiza + 4% in pot vermicompost increased the content of (E) -Anethole in essential oil to 80.72%.Conclusion In general, application of vermicompost, animal manure and mycorrhizal fungi improved the growth, biochemical and yield characteristics and essential oil yield of fennel in greenhouse conditions. These fertilizers increased plant yield by providing large amounts of required nutrients and affecting various aspects of root growth and development. Among them, the role of nitrogen may be more prominent due to its participation in protein synthesis and the role of iron in nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis and electron transfer.
Research Article
Ornamental plants
Badri Gholamian Dehkordi; Saeid Reezi; Masud Ghasemi Ghehsareh
Abstract
Introduction Cyclamen persicum is a genus of Primulaceae family and is a winter pot plant that can be marketed within seven months under proper growing conditions. In recent years, the rapid development of lighting technology has increased the use of several types of LED lamps ...
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Introduction Cyclamen persicum is a genus of Primulaceae family and is a winter pot plant that can be marketed within seven months under proper growing conditions. In recent years, the rapid development of lighting technology has increased the use of several types of LED lamps because of their efficient roles to generate visible light via a lot of wavelengths. Application of some plant growth regulators (PGRs) like GA3 is well-known as an environment-friendly growth regulatorwhich is extensively employed to increase the productivity and and changing the phenotypic features of several ornamental plants.Materials and Methods In this experiment, cyclamen large red flower seeds, i.e. the Halios series, were planted in early May, and then kept in a dark and cool greenhouse for one month. After germination and the emergence of cotyledonary leaves, transplants exposed to two levels of the LED light spectrum for 4 months consisting of the ratios of 70:20:10 and 40:40:20 via white:red and blue with the same intensity 100 µmol/m2/s subjected to a 16-hour photoperiodic conditions. At the end of the third month of growth, GA3 was sprayed on the leaves at four concentrations of 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/l three times around the experiment. NPK fertilizer with a ratio of 10-52-10 was then applied once a week and a ratio of 20-19-19 fertilizer until the roots were fully established. Afterwards, the leaf area was measured using Digimizer version 5.4.3 software, in which the flowering date was calculated from of transferring time the plants of each treatment under light. In the following, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were measured using Lichtenthaler and Wellburn method. Leaf soluble sugar was measured using the Oregon method and the chlorophyll fluorescence indices were measured using FluorPen FP 100.Results and Discussion According to the results, the highest leaf number of cyclamen seedlings in the treatment of 40:40:20 was equal to seven, whereas the highest leaf area (9.8 cm2) observed under the light treatment of 70:20:10. the blue LED light can affects on differentiation of leaf mesophilic cells as well as the development of intercellular spaces, and the red light affects the production of a plant hormone so-called Meta-Topolin, which stimulates cell division and leaf expansion. Here, it should be noted that adding white LED light to the composition spectrum increases both growth and photosynthesis because of its deeper penetration into the plant canopy. The maximum root length was achieved at a concentration of 60 mg/l GA3 equal to 5.1 cm. It should be mentioned that GA3 is effective to increase the growth of cells in different parts of the plant (such as roots) by stimulating mitotic division. The closest date to cyclamen flowering time (90 days) was obtained in 70:20:10 treatment. . The highest amount of chlorophyll b was achieved from the interaction of light treatment 40:40:20 and concentration of 0 mg/l GA3 equal to 0.35 mg/g. Results showed that the red light is needed for the photosynthesis, whereas the blue light is needed for chlorophyll and chloroplast synthesis, stomatal opening, and photomorphogenesis. The highest amount of leaf soluble sugar of cyclamen seedlings was achieved from the interaction of 40:40:20 and the concentration of 0 mg/l GA3 equal to 0.53 mg/ml. Carbohydrates mostly accumulate in the leaves under blue light, whereas the red light can cause them to accumulate by preventing the transferring the photosynthetic products from the leaves. Among chlorophyll fluorescence indices, the highest VJ index was obtained from 40 mg/l GA3 concentration equal to 0.51. VJ was measured from the first light pulse, in which its increase via increasing the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus reveal the ability of seedlings to make better use of environmental conditions applied to produce more carbohydrates as well as to enhance the growth quality. The highest values of φ-E0 and Ψ-0 indices in GA3 0 treatment were 0.44 and 0.54, respectively, indicating that increasing them improves the performance index of the photosynthetic apparatus. The external GA3 increases only the amount of chlorophyll and soluble protein content in the leaves of some plants, and interferes with the greater light reflection, chlorophyll fluorescence and eventually the performance of photosystem II. In this regard, the highest amount of ABS/RC index was observed in the interaction of 40:40:20 and concentration of 60 mg/l GA3 equal to 2.27, which is equal to increasing the performance index of photosynthetic device. During the plant growth, the use of monochromatic LED light compared to the full visible spectrum or red + blue lights would lead to creating some defects in the electron transport chain.Conclusion An increase in PI (Plant Photosynthetic Performance Index) means that the plant is operating under conditions of normal photosynthesis. In general, an increase in this index indicates the ability of seedlings or mature plants to make better use of environmental conditions to produce more carbohydrates and improve growth quality. The relationship between increasing the amount of chlorophyll b, leaf soluble sugar and ABS / RC index all in 40:40: 20 treatment while confirming this correlation, shows that since most of the light absorption by chlorophyll is in the red and blue light spectrum. 40: 40: 20 is better than 70: 20: 10 with more red and blue light. The effect of light of any quality or GA3 at any concentration on the qualitative traits of seedling or adult plant growth is directly related to plant genotype and no specific effects can be determined for them. The use of complementary LED light may in some respects lead to a further increase in the quality of Cyclamen seedlings, but it is only reasonable to use them if it compensates for other production costs, including electricity consumption. Finally, chlorophyll fluorescence indices are also independent of each other in terms of their effect on the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Research Article
Medicinal Plants
Zeinabsadat Shahzeidi; Saeid Hesami Tackallou; Leila Amjad; Hakimeh Zali; Alireza Iranbakhsh
Abstract
Introduction UV-C (254-280 nm) and 280-320 nm) UV-B, UV-A (320-390nm) wavelengths are irradiated with three ultraviolet strips and have detrimental effects on the growth of a number of plants. Ultraviolet light is an important non-living factor that can stimulate the production of secondary metabolites, ...
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Introduction UV-C (254-280 nm) and 280-320 nm) UV-B, UV-A (320-390nm) wavelengths are irradiated with three ultraviolet strips and have detrimental effects on the growth of a number of plants. Ultraviolet light is an important non-living factor that can stimulate the production of secondary metabolites, including antioxidant compounds in plants. Ozone depletion and its consequences, including direct UV radiation on the planet and its effects on crops and medicinal plants, are among the topics that have received very little study. Ultraviolet light in nature occurs only at low intensities, but if the inhibitory effect of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is significantly the result of nitrogen and hydrocarbon oxides the weaker the halogen, the higher its amount.Materials and Methods Portulaca oleracea seeds were prepared by Pakan Isfahan Company. The aim of this study was the effect of ultraviolet rays at different levels (UV-C: 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 nm) on the activity of photosynthetic pigments and biochemical traits of portulaca oleracea in factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. After transferring the seeds of portulaca oleracea, the healthy and uniform seeds of this plant were sterilized in 15% sodium hypochlorite solution for 154 minutes and then washed thoroughly with distilled water and placed in a petri dish for germination. Moisture was supplied through filter paper soaked in distilled water. The seeds were planted in pots filled with cocopeat and perlite evenly and watered for 20 days with a half-strength Hoagland solution. Plants were grown for 20 days at a temperature of 30 ± 2 ° C and a light period of 8.16 (light / dark, respectively). Plants for one week, every other day, and for 3 minutes each time by two fluorescent lamps with a wavelength of 260 nm exposed to ultraviolet C (at a distance of 30 cm from the UV light source with an intensity of 27 (w / m2) were located. The traits studied in this study included chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenol, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. In this study, the effect of ultraviolet light on the activity of photosynthetic pigments and biochemical traits of portulaca oleracea was investigated factorially in a completely randomized design with three replications.Results and Discussion The results of the mean comparison showed that the UV treatment of chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid of portulaca oleracea was reduced compared to the control; However, UV treatment of portulaca oleracea significantly increased phenol, flavonoids, and antioxidants compared to the control. The effect of different doses of ultraviolet rays on phenol and portulaca oleracea antioxidants showed that the UV-C highest and lowest were 700 and 100 nm, respectively. Decreases in carotenoid content can result in either inhibition of pigment synthesis or their breakdown and degradation. The results of this report indicate significant changes in phenols and flavonoids as compounds it absorbed ultraviolet rays compared to control cells.Conclusion It can be said that excessive exposure to radiation may affect chlorophyll levels by inhibiting chlorophyll biosynthesis or accelerating its degradation. Oxygen is an electron receptor in the electron transport system that produces energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body. Under certain conditions, oxygen can be converted to a single electron, creating free radicals. When oxygen is converted to a single electron, it is called active oxygen (ROS). These free radicals cause oxidative stress in plants which oxidative stress leads to damage to macromolecules such as DNA, proteins and so on. Environmental stresses, including UV radiation, produce active oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2-), and hydroxyl radicals (OH), which cause oxidative stress and cause damage to cells, such as DNA. And cause the destruction of these compounds. The plant contains compounds that act as active antioxidants and sweep away active oxygen. In the present study, the observed increase in phenols, flavonoids and antioxidants indicates an increase in the production of free radicals under ultraviolet radiation and shows that the production of these radicals is more than the plant's defense capacity and has caused damage to plant biological membranes. In summary, the application of controlled ultraviolet light stress can provide a new alternative strategy to increase the productivity of the portulaca oleracea plant. Modulating UV-C light in agricultural systems is a promising tool to increase crop production.
