Research Article
Masoud Azimi; Majid Azizi; Mohammad Farsi; Seyyed Hossein Nemati
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, mushroom and fungi are one of the most promising organisms which are used in biotechnology research (industry, medicine and agriculture). In the meantime, medicinal mushroom (mostly consumed as edible and medicinal products) have become a valuable biological resourcesin the pharmaceutical ...
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Introduction: Nowadays, mushroom and fungi are one of the most promising organisms which are used in biotechnology research (industry, medicine and agriculture). In the meantime, medicinal mushroom (mostly consumed as edible and medicinal products) have become a valuable biological resourcesin the pharmaceutical industry. Ganoderma the most legendary species of fungi in China with a long history dating back more than two thousand years.Ganodermalucidum (Fr.) Karst isa species belonging to the order of Aphyllophorales and family Basidiomycetes. The mushroom only growth on two or three types of trees among 10,000 known trees in the world and therefore is very rare. Ganoderma fruiting bodies and spores contain about 400 different bioactive compounds, which mainly includeTriterpenes, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins andpeptides. The mushroom polysaccharides, in addition to cancer treatment have showed antiviral properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and prevent blood clotting. Tavana et al (1) in the evaluation of the use of some agricultural and forest wastes material for production of the mushroom stated that the residue are suitable as a helpful supplements for the activity. Gonzalez-Matute et al (11) used sunflower seed shell after oil extraction as a substrate. They concluded that the sunflower seed shell can be used as the main energy source in the substrate to grow the mushroom. There are different agricultural wastematerials which are good sources for growing mushroom in our country. The use of agricultural residues has attracted much attention in recent years. To the best of our knowledge there are a few published studieson the production of Ganoderma in the field condition. This study was performed on Reishi mushroom (Ganodermalucidum) to investigate the effects of different agricultural wastes on some morphological characteristics (growth rate, fresh weight and dry weight of mycelia, biological yield andcrude polysaccharide content) and polysaccharide contents of fruits.
Material and Methods:The main portion of the medium for production of Ganodermalucidum was wood chips as 5-10 mm long that supplemented with different agricultural wastes included black seed waste, tea waste, hazelnut waste, coconut waste, almond wasteand sesame waste, with two types of bran (wheat and rice). The statistical design was afactorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design with threereplications. The treatment were included
Wood chips (80 percent) + black seed waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + tea waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + sesame waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + hazelnut waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + coconut waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + black seed waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + almond waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + sesame waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + hazelnut waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
Wood chips (80 percent) + coconut waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent)
At first Wood chips soaked in water for 2 days until the their moisture reached60-65 then the other agricultural waste materials added on the basis of the treatments and the autoclavable propylene bags filledwith the mixture and autoclaved for 2 hours at 121ºC. After cooling, all bags inoculated with wheat spawn of the Ganodermalucidium and the bags putunderdark condition in growth chamber with 85-95% humidity at 30ºC. After full colonization of the bags, they transfer to the light condition (200-500 Lux) at 25ºC until primordial formation. Then the light increased to 500-700 Lux until fruiting body formation.
Results and Discussion: The results of analysis of variance showed that the use of these agricultural wastes had a significant effect (P≤0.01) on growth rate, fresh weight, dry weight of myceliumand biological yield. The highest growth rate of mycelia (on the basis of days after inoculation to medium colonized completely) was detected in media enriched with tea waste, hazelnut waste, coconut waste and almond waste (15.33, 16.67, 15.33 and 14.33 days, respectively). The lowest growth rate of mycelium was detected in media enriched with black seed waste (30.33 days). The substrate supplemented with almond waste produced the highest amount of fresh fruit weight (31 g) and the lowest fresh fruit weight (15.74 g) was detected under coconut waste treatment. The highest amount of fruit dry weight (6.51 g) observed under the almond waste treatment and the lowest one observed under the coconut waste treatment (3.75 g). The media supplemented with almond wastes produced the highest biological yield (7.75%), but tea waste, hazelnut waste and coconut waste treatments had the lowest biological yield (4.75, 5.32, 5.27 and 3.93 percent, respectively) without significant differences (P≤0.01).
Research Article
Abdolreza Raisi Sarbijan; Naser Broomand; Tahereh Zaherara
Abstract
Introduction: Nitrogen is an essential element forplants and in combination withelements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and sulfur results ineven more valuable materials such as amino acids, nucleic acids, alkaloids. Hibiscus tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa ) from Malvaceaefamily is known by different names ...
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Introduction: Nitrogen is an essential element forplants and in combination withelements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and sulfur results ineven more valuable materials such as amino acids, nucleic acids, alkaloids. Hibiscus tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa ) from Malvaceaefamily is known by different names in different parts of the world. In Iran it is calledthe Maki tea, tea Meccaorred tea.As an important plant,it is decided to investigate its growth and development in Jiroft.
Materials and Methods The experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in farm research of Islamic Azad University of Jiroft during 2010. The first factor was nitrogen foliar application in four levels (0, 1, 2 and 3 percent) and second factor was foliar application of zinc at twolevels (0 and 1 percent). The measured quantitative characteristics were stem diameter, plant height, calycle fresh weight,calycle dry weight, plant fresh weight,plant dry weight, leaf fresh weight,leaf dry weight, mucilage percentage and mucilage yield.
Results and Discussion:The results of ANOVA showed that nitrogen foliar application on leaf dry weight, calycle fresh and dry weight was effective. Plant fresh weight, dry weight, stem diameter, plant height, mucilage percentageandmucilage yield showedsignificanteffects. Zinc foliar application significantly affected leaf fresh weight,leafdry weight, calycle fresh weight, plant fresh weight,plant dry weight, mucilage percentage andmucilage yield.The interaction effect of nitrogen and zinc on leaf dry weight, plant freshweight and plant dry weight was also significant.
The mean comparison of studied characteristics revealed that byincreasing the amount of nitrogen up to N2 level, the stem diameter, plant height, leaf dry weight, calycle dry weight, mucilage percentage and yield increased but there was no significant difference between N2 and N3 levels. Plant fresh weight and plantdry weight increased with increasing amountof nitrogen up to N3 level. Theapplication of zinc fertilizer significantly increased the plant fresh weigh, plant dry weight, mucilage percentage and yield. The interactions of nitrogen and zinc improved the calycle, leaf dry weight, plant dry weight, and the highest calycle dry weight were achieved from N2Zn1 and N3Zn1 treatments.
The results showed that any givenlevel of nitrogen fertilizer and zinc fertilizer increased growth, yieldand quantitative traits of Hibiscus tea, but the level of interaction between nitrogen and zinc fertilizer hada significant effect on growth traits of Hibiscus tea, and even reduced the growth and yield of quantitative traits. The nitrogen and the fertilizer mixture of nitrogen and zinc had a significant influence on Hibiscus tea quantitative traits. Nitrogen fertilizer with a higher level of performance and yield had the greatest effect on Hibiscus tea.The greatest impact of nitrogen fertilizer, zinc fertilizer and the fertilizer mixture of nitrogen and zinc on sepal fresh weight were215.481 gr, 209.935 gr and 216.893 gr respectively.The effect of nitrogen fertilizer, zinc fertilizer and fertilizer mixture of nitrogen and zinc on leaf fresh weight,leaf dry weight andsepals dry weight were 61.787 gr 13.378 gr and 19.482 gr respectively.
Conclusion The results of this study showed thatin order to increase crop yield and quality,nitrogen fertilizer and spraying of manure on Hibiscus tea is recommended. Because of having useful properties in the treatment of diabetes, as well as the climate and soil conditions of Jiroft area, this plant is grown as a medicinal plant at a large scale. Since Jiroft region is a suitable place for growth of Hibiscus tea and due to the importance of medicinal plants, it recommend that this experiment should be repeated to evaluateplant characteristics.
Research Article
Safdar Pourmombeini; Norollah Moallemi
Abstract
Introduction: Dodonaeaviscosa is an evergreen and perennial shrub which distributed widely in warm regions throughout the world. Untreated seeds germinatewell, but to shorten germination, seeds werefloated in hot water for 30 seconds, then cooled down rapidly. In addition, scarification as pre-treatment ...
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Introduction: Dodonaeaviscosa is an evergreen and perennial shrub which distributed widely in warm regions throughout the world. Untreated seeds germinatewell, but to shorten germination, seeds werefloated in hot water for 30 seconds, then cooled down rapidly. In addition, scarification as pre-treatment and dipping the seed in boiling water improve seed germination. Under salinity,the level of abscisic acid increases more than gibberellic acid which prevents seeds germination. Accumulation of Na+ and Cl- ions can lead to changes in water status in plant tissues and creating a series of second stress, such as oxidative stress. In priming, seeds are authorized to absorb some water, sothat, the early stages of germination are donewithout root emerging. The country of Iran and especiallyKhozestan province is located in arid and semi-arid region of the world, sounder such conditionand dueto high temperature and low rainfall, and salinity of water sources and media, D.viscosasexual reproduction is suffered by serious challenges. Consequently,the objective of this study was to investigate the effectsof hydro and osmo-priming in combining withgibberellic acid and potassium nitrate on seed germination of D.viscosaunder salinity stress.
Materials and Methods: Two experiments in 2010 wereconducted separately and consecutively in completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications in the plant propagation laboratory of faculty of Agriculture, ShahidChamran University of Ahvaz (latitude 31.33° N, longitude 48.69° E, altitude 23 m). In the first experiment, 500 seeds were selected from seed lot, and were disinfectedwith sodium hypochlorite 2.5%, afterwards, divided into five categories (each category consisted of 100 seeds in four replicates) and were treated as : 1) Osmo-priming with gibberellic acid 50 and 100 mg.l-1 and potassium nitrate 0.5 and 1 % for 12 h. 2) hydro-primed with distilled water (as control) for 12 h. A week later second experiment wascarried out (with 500 seeds from some initial seedlot) base of the best result obtained in the first experiment to study theeffects of salinityonseed germination. Seeds weretreated withgibberellic acid(50 mg.l-1)for 12 h. During germination, seeds were irrigated with different levels of salinity, including 0.0 (distilled water as control), 3, 6, 9 and 12 ds.m-1using NaCl salt (as halopriming). Analysis of data (ANOVA) wasperformed by procedure within thestatistical software MSTAT-C and means were separated by multiple-rangetest of Duncan’s at (p
Research Article
Simin Irankhah; Ali Ganjeali; Mehrdad Lahouti; Mansour Mashreghi
Abstract
Introduction: Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. Diverse groups of microorganisms are symbiotic with Fenugreek roots system. This integration leads to significant increases in the development and production by increasing nitrogen ...
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Introduction: Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. Diverse groups of microorganisms are symbiotic with Fenugreek roots system. This integration leads to significant increases in the development and production by increasing nitrogen fixation, phytohormones production, siderophores and phosphate solubilization. Plant growth-promoting bacteria increase plant growth byimproving nutrientuptake and phytohormones production. In addition, the beneficial effect of these bacteria could be due totheirinteractionwithArbuscularMycorrhizal fungi(VAM). Drought is one of the major limiting factors for crop production in many parts of the world including Iran. Symbiotic microorganisms can enhance plant tolerance to drought. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of Vesicular ArbuscularMycorrhiza (VAM) and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on morphological and biochemical characteristics of Fenugreek in drought stress conditions.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in completely random design with 3 replications.There were four treatments including inoculation with Pseudomonas putida, inoculation with Glomusintraradices, combined association of Pseudomonas putida and Glomusintraradices and untreated as a check under drought stress (40% of field capacity) and non-stress conditions (80% of field capacity). In this experiment fiveseeds were sowninplastic pots. Before sowing, seeds were inoculated with microorganisms. In order to inoculation ofseed with Mycorrhizal fungi, for each kilogram of soil, 100 grams of powder containing 10 to 15 thousand spores of fungal soil (produced by the biotech company Toos) was added to three centimeters of soil in the pot. For seed inoculation with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, the growth curve of the bacteria was drawn at first and then the best time for the growth of bacteria was determined. The bacteria at the best time and at a dilution of 0.5 McFarland was added to the seed.Pots were placed in a growth chamber (with a temperature of 25 ° C and 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness photoperiod).After ten days of planting, the water treatment was applied and continued until the end of the experiment.
Results and Discussion:The results showed that the use of co -inoculation treatment ofP.putidaandG.intraradicesand application of G.intraradices aloneat non-stress conditions did not make a significant difference on the amount of plant biomass. In drought conditions, application of G.intraradice alone had significant difference (P≤0.05) compare with control (no inoculation microorganisms) for biomass.In stress conditions, P.putida inoculation and also in combination with G.intraradicesincreased biomass in compare with control (no inoculation of micro-organisms), but this increasing was not statistically significant.VAMare important ecological symbiotic with roots are important component of the ecosystem and affect the absorption of minerals through the roots. The results of the present study showed that the amount of phosphorus in all of treatments was increased and the greatest increase was related to G.intraradicetreatment.The results also showed that drought stress increased the leaf soluble proteins in compared with non-stress condition. Increasing the concentration of soluble proteins under drought stress can be related to increased protein synthesis that maybe related to adaptation and reprogramming under new situation and itprotect the cells against stress. The results showed that the use of co -inoculation treatment ofP.putidaand G.intraradices, as well as each individual treatment, increased the amount of soluble proteins in leaves.In the case of the Diosgenin percentage, drought stress reduced the amount of Diosgenin percentage. Underdrought stress conditions, use of co -inoculation treatment ofP.putidaand G.intraradicesand application of G.intraradicewithout presence of bacteria made a significant increase in plant Diosgenin concentration.
Conclusion: Theresults revealed that seed treatment with Pseudomonas putida and Glomusintraradices increased the biomass, protein content, phosphorus uptake and diosgenin percent in Fenugreek under drought stress condition. Since Diosgenin is very important medicinal compound, inoculation of fenugreek with these microorganisms can be a way to increase the Diosgenin production.
Research Article
Fatemeh Bidarnamani; Hossein Zarei; Kambiz Mashayekhi; Mehdi Shabanipoor
Abstract
To compare the effect of the substrate on the cultivation of ornamental plants, Ficus benjamina cv. star light was chosen as a model plant. Nine treatments from 8 types of substrates with 6 replications were investigated in this study. Data analysis with SPSS software in (P≤0.05) showed the effect ...
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To compare the effect of the substrate on the cultivation of ornamental plants, Ficus benjamina cv. star light was chosen as a model plant. Nine treatments from 8 types of substrates with 6 replications were investigated in this study. Data analysis with SPSS software in (P≤0.05) showed the effect of different month were significant on stem diameter, height, leaf number and total length of new leaves. Also application of different substrates showed the effect of substrate wasn’t significant on stem diameter and plant height, while it was significant on number of new leaf, number of new lateral shoot and total length of new leaf. The interaction between the substrates and measuring time was significant on plant height, number of new leaf and total length of new leaf, but it wasn’t significant on increasing rate of stem diameter. According to the result of this study, substrate n containing [1/3 (3 perlite+1 sand) + 1/3 (1 leaf-mold+ 1 rice hull+ 1 cocopeat) + 1/3 (2 mushroom compost+ 1 forest trees compost+ 1 rotted manure)] was the best substrate as for the most number of new leaf, number of new lateral shoots and total length of new leaf, also it was in suitable situation in height characteristic. Also in different measured month, the value of plant growth was increased with enhancement in air temperature in spring and summer seasons; insofar as the most increasing in plant height and number of new leaf were observed on July. So it is better that the plants growing should be delayed to warm seasons.
Research Article
Hosein Nazari Mamaqani; Seyyed Jalal Tabatabaie
Abstract
Introduction: The N source used in commercial hydroponic culture of vegetables is mainly NO3-N. The rate of NO3- uptake is usually high, particularly in leafy vegetables and it can be markedly increased when the NO3- supply in the environment is high. An abundant N supply leads to a high NO3-N absorption ...
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Introduction: The N source used in commercial hydroponic culture of vegetables is mainly NO3-N. The rate of NO3- uptake is usually high, particularly in leafy vegetables and it can be markedly increased when the NO3- supply in the environment is high. An abundant N supply leads to a high NO3-N absorption and accumulation in plants. When NO3- rich vegetables are consumed, various harmful effects on human health may occur such as met-hemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome) and cancer. Keeping levels of NO3- below limits of FAO seems to be impossible without changing conventional fertilizer application techniques. The suitability of urea for the cultivation of field crops has been well documented. Urea is used as the main source of N fertilizer for crops grown in soil. Its use as N source for crops grown under the hydroponic system has yet to be evaluated. To hydrolyze urea, the enzyme urease requires Ni as a component. Substitution of urea for commonly used N03-N fertilizers in hydroponic culture of vegetables would not only enable to avoid excessive accumulation of N03- in plants but would also reduce the cost of production. Leafy vegetable crops, such as lettuce and spinach, contain large amounts of N03-N. Therefore, it is important to reduce N03- concentrations in hydroponically grown with lowest negative effects on yield.
Materials and Methods: The experiments were carried outin greenhouse hydroponicsResearchFaculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in randomized complete block designwithtwo factors ureaatfivelevels of 0,25, 50, 75and100milligrams perliter(U0, U25,U50, U75, U100)andnickelattwo levels of0and2mg per liter (Ni0, Ni2)ofnickelsulfate(NiSO4)in4replicatesusinglettuce(Lactuca sativa cv. Siyahoo). Plants fed with the modifiedHoagland solutionorhalf theconcentration. Treatments added to nutrient solution when plants were in four leaf stage. Plants were harvested 50 days after treatment. Different organs (leaves, stems and roots) were separated and each separate simultaneous freshweight wasmeasured. Dry weight of organs wasmeasured afterit was oven-dried at 80ºCfor 72h. Leavesoven-dried andthenpowdered, and weredigested(usingacid) tomeasure theelements. Extracts from thedigestionmethodwere used for determination ofnickelusingDimethylglyoximemethod.Spectrophotometer used to cover the wavelength at 530nm. Potassium was measured by Flame Photometer410.Totalnitrogenwas measuredbyKjeldahlmethod.Thehomogeneouspowders of dried leaves with hot water were extractedwithnitratemeter(Horiba, Japan)and they were used to measuretheirnitrate content. Analysis was performed usingthe Software Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v. 16.0. Individual treatment means were compared with a Duncan’s test to determine whether they were significantly different at the 0.05 probability.
Results and Discussion: U50treatedwith 1.8 fold increasecompared with thecontrol groupshowed thehighestfresh weight. The yield increased with increasing concentration to 50 mg/l urea, butat higher urea concentrations, 50 mg/l,yieldsignificantlydecreased, althoughitwas significantlyhighercompared to control. .Enhanced growth and yield in two levels of U25 and U50were coerced. It was duo tohydrolysis urea with the help nickel stored in seed endosperm and also contamination application of nickel fertilizers in nutrient solutionsthat led to release of urea nitrogen.The highestandthelowest concentration ofnickelinleaveswith11-fold increase,were observedatconcentrations ofU50andU100, respectively. Dilution phenomenon occurred with increasingurea concentrationmore than U50.Nickelconcentration inleaveswassignificantlyincreased that this is theopposite offresh weightanddry weight. In U50 treated K concentration was 1.6-fold higher compared to control. With increasing urea concentration more than U50,K concentration decreased. Applyingthe Ni, 8 percent decreased K concentration in leaf tissues. With increasing urea innutrientsolution, totalnitrogenconcentration of leaf tissuealsoincreased,so that theplantsU100 have 1/1-foldmoretotalnitrogencomparedwithU25plants. Theinteractions betweenthe treated also showed that plantsU0Ni2compared to control(U0Ni0), have 1.2-fold moretotalnitrogen. Concentration ofnitrateinplantsleavesthat showednickelwas 1.2 fold highercompared to the plants withoutnickel.Interactive effectofureaconcentration andapplication ofnickelalso showedthat treated plants hadU0Ni0 2.6-fold more nitratethanU0Ni2plantsleaftissues.
Conclusion: Urea was hydrolyzed in low and middle concentrations (U25 and U50) and led to increasing yield. An inhibition of NO3- uptake can result from the action of Ni on H+- ATPase pump, though it can also affect the carrier of H+/NO3symport. Moreover, proteins of the NO3- uptake system contain -SH groups, and due to that they are sensitive to heavy metals including Ni.
Research Article
Peyman Jafari; Amirhooshang Jalali
Abstract
Introduction: The term of Mulch, is the German word (Molsh) means the soft, however, not soft, and made of plant debris or synthetic substances. Many positive effects attributed to the use of plastic mulch such as adjusting the temperature in the root environment, conserve moisture, reduce weeds, increase ...
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Introduction: The term of Mulch, is the German word (Molsh) means the soft, however, not soft, and made of plant debris or synthetic substances. Many positive effects attributed to the use of plastic mulch such as adjusting the temperature in the root environment, conserve moisture, reduce weeds, increase root growth, reduce soil erosion, and soil condensation and improve germination and early plant establishment. The use of mulch can reduce the harmful effects of salt in plants.
Materials and Methods: To evaluate the effects of black and clear polyethylene mulch on yield and yield components of melon in salinity stress condition, a study was conducted in 2011 using split plot randomized based on complete block design with three replications in Varamin region. Three salinity levels of irrigation water of 2, 5 and 8 dS-1 as main factor and three plastic mulch treatments (no mulch, clear mulch and black mulch) were considered as sub-plots. At harvest and after determining the yield and number of fruits harvested from each plot, the average number of fruits per plant was measured and fruit pulp thickness was recorded with calipers.
Results Discussion The results showed interactive effects of salinity and mulch on fruit yield, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, days to first harvest and fruit soluble solids percentage were statistically significant. In salinity levels of 2, 5 and 8 dS m-1, fruit yield increased, respectively, 19.6, 59, and 45.4 %in clear mulch compared to control. Similarly these increases for the black mulch were equal to 15.7, 41.9, and 21.4 percent, respectively. With 2, 5 and 8 dS m-1 salinity levels, fruit yield in the first harvest were 7.44, 7.72, and 6.98 t ha -1, respectively, which was significantly higher than without mulch and black mulch. Mulch can reduce evaporation and increase the level of moisture in the soil and thereby dilute the salt and reduce the harmful effects of salinity. Some researchers believe that increase in crop yield by using plastic mulch than plant debris mulch is due to the simultaneous increase in moisture and soil temperature. Effect of plastic mulch on soil temperature and crop yield depends on the color and usually transparent plastic are more effective in this regard than black polyethylene mulch. In terms of rising temperatures in the microclimate around the plant roots, transparent mulches are more effective than dark mulches. Unlike dark mulch, clear mulch have minimal absorption of light, approximately 85 to 95 percent .The inner surface of clear mulch is covered with water that the short wave passes and outgoing long wave radiation is absorbed from the soil and thus prevent heat loss. Water use efficiency with use of clear and dark mulches in compared to control treatment was increased by 17.3 and 13.4 %, respectively. Under salinity conditions, plastic mulches can reduce the harmful effects of salinity. Water use efficiency in salinity 2, 5 and 8 dS m-1, respectively, were 12.6, 7.6 and 3.1 kg m-3.Research results indicated that when water use efficiency based on the economic performance expression (e.g. present study) reduced water use efficiency but when water use efficiency expressed based on the total dry weight, water use efficiency is independent of salt concentration and the amount of water use efficiency is the function of plant and plant yield.
Conclusion For using salty water, which may be unavoidable for many agricultural areas, use of mulch (especially transparent mulch) can have a significant role in increasing yield and more efficient utilization of water. From a practical perspective, in areas where irrigation water quality has declined due to reducing the level of the underground water table, the indiscriminate use of water resources and similar cases and use of these resources will lead to a gradual increase in soil salinity, application of mulch with the impact on the soil water content prevent of crop yield loss and cause earliness product.
Research Article
Mahjabin Adel; Mohammad Esmaeil Amiri; Mohammad Ali Nejatian
Abstract
Introduction: Fruit quality is described based on the crop functions (for industry or table) and/or difference of the consumer tastes in different societies. The conformity of the quality with consumer demands has an effective role in improvement of the marketing process. For example, elongated pears ...
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Introduction: Fruit quality is described based on the crop functions (for industry or table) and/or difference of the consumer tastes in different societies. The conformity of the quality with consumer demands has an effective role in improvement of the marketing process. For example, elongated pears are preferred for the processing industries and conserving productions. The lack of attention to retaining of quality and/or improvement of apparent situation of gardening product in proportion to consumer demands decreases especial consumer acceptance. The necessity of having desired quality characteristics in pear fruits from the characters viewpoint of fruit specific gravity (major rating criterion of pears) and proportion of length to diameter (minor rating), because of their role in market acceptance and pricing, is evident. Fruit quality, while harvesting, as one of the components of plants fertility influenced under different parameters like nourishment and could be managed during growth season. In other words, the gain of qualities proportionated to consumers demands and/or processing industries is possible by the use of acquired method such as the kind of mother plant nutrition, and control of pests and diseases, etc. In the current research, the effect of salicylic acid and chelated magnesium sulfate was studied on physical indexes of fruits quality of pear fruit.
Materials and Methods: In order to study the effect of treatment agents, an experiment was conducted in the ecological conditions of Qazvinon Pear trees belonging to Louise Bonne cultivar in the Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments includecontrol group (with andwithout water),chelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.5 gram in a liter, chelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.7gram in a liter, salicylic acid with concentration of0.1 gram in a liter,the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.1 andchelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.5 gram in a liter, the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.1andchelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.7gram in a liter, salicylic acid with concentration of 0.5gram in a liter,the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.5andchelatedmagnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.5 gram in a liter, and the compound treatment of salicylic acid withconcentration of 0.5andchelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.7gram in a liter. Measuring the attributes of fruit weight, fruitvolume, fruit specific gravity(W/V), fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit shape index (L/D) were made in two successive years (2012, 2013).Diameter andlength of fruit earned by nondestructive method and by using digital caliper (Mitutoyo) in the place of maximum length and width diameters andlength: diameter ratio by division of these two parameters. Fruit weight estimated by digital scale (0.01 g) and its volume by the difference of the water level of scaled column and fruit density was calculated by using formula d=M/V. The statistic calculations of measured characteristics were made using MSTATC and SPSS soft wares and the comparison of means using Duncan's test.
Results and discussion: The results indicated that the plants nourishment using organic and mineral combinations had an influence on quality characteristics and there was a significant difference among combinations in most cases (p< 0.01). In the way that the extent of changes among different treatments was changeable in the case of fruit length between 64.67 to 76.82 mm, fruit diameter between 45.01 to 57.81 mm, proportion oflength to diameter between 1.28 to 1.59 mm, fruitvolume between 54.67 to 128.7cm3, fruit weight between 67.39 to 121.7 g and fruit specific gravity between 0.72 to 0.97 g to cm3. Maximum weight, volume and specific gravity in fruits were allocated to the treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.1gram in a liter, the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.1 and chelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.5gram in a liter, and the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.5and chelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.7 gram in a liter, respectively and the least amount in each of the three cases was related to the treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.5 gram in a liter, too. The most and the least amount oflength: diameter ratio were allocated to the treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.5 gram in a liter and the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.1 and chelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.5gram in a liter, respectively. The increase of crop quality by salicylic acid in plants under tension conforms to the other study results. Salicylic acid has an important role in regulating various physiological processes such as growth, plant development, ion absorption and photosynthesis. Therefore, the application of salicylic acid as a plant growth regulator besides the mineral compound of chelated magnesium sulfate is effective on physical indexes of fruit quality in Pear.
Conclusions: The results indicated that the fruits treated with salicylicacid with concentration of 0.5 gram in a liter had more proportion of length to diameter and less specific gravityrelated to others and the aforesaid treatment can be paid attention as proposed nutrition to produce lighter and more extended pear fruits, depending on the purpose.Furthermore, the compound treatment of salicylic acid with concentration of 0.5 and chelated magnesium sulfate with concentration of 0.7 gram in a litercan be paid attention as proposed nutrition to produce heavier pear fruits, too and that is because of its allocation of the most amount of fruit specific gravity.
Research Article
Moslem Salehi; Vahid Reza Saffari; Shima Hasanzadeh Fard
Abstract
Introduction: Bedding plants, especially petunia is important element for urban landscaping and attracted the attention of landscapers. This is due to some properties such as growth habit and color. The petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) belongs to Solanaceae family that has annual and perennial varieties. ...
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Introduction: Bedding plants, especially petunia is important element for urban landscaping and attracted the attention of landscapers. This is due to some properties such as growth habit and color. The petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) belongs to Solanaceae family that has annual and perennial varieties. This plant is originally from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Some plant growth regulators such as gibberellic acid (GA3) and vitamins including thiamine and ascorbic acid affect plant growth and development and may extend flowering period. Vitamin C affects cell division and cell growth in plants and is effective on the feeding cycle activity in higher plants and it has an important role in electron transport system. The concentrations of 50 and 100 ppm of vitamin C and thiamine can increase the plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, and chemical compounds of the Syngonium plant. The application of 100 mg/l of GA3 significantly increased plant height and the number of leaves of gladiolus.
Material and methods: The experiment was arranged in a factorial based on a completely randomized design with five replications. In this research, growth characteristics (lateral branch number, flower number, flower diameter, stem diameter, root length, and lateral branch length) and biochemical characteristics (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and reducing sugar) were measured. After seeding and transplanting the seedling at 6 leaf stage, plants sprayed at 4 various growth stages with following treatments:
1- Control
2- Vitamin C(100 mg/l)
3- Thiamin (100 mg/l)
4- Gibberellic acid (100 mg/l)
5- Vitamin C and Thiamin (The concentration of both 100 mg/l)
6- Vitamin C and Gibberellic acid (The concentration of both 100 mg/l)
7- Thiamin and Gibberellic acid (The concentration of both 100 mg/l)
8- Vitamin C, Thiamin and Gibberellic acid (The concentration of three 100 mg/l)
Data obtained from the measured parameters analyzed using statistical package SAS and means were compared using LSD test at the level of statistical significance of P˂0.05.
Results and Discussion: The results indicated that GA3 affected all the measured characteristics except carotenoids in comparison with thiamine and ascorbic acid. Meanwhile, the combined application of GA3 and ascorbic acid affected stem growth, root growth and flower diameter. Simultaneous use of GA3 and thiamine was effective on pigments, reducing sugar, carotenoids and flower number. The simultaneous application of three chemicals resulted in a considerable increase in growth and development traits, such as stem and root growth, flower number and diameter, pigments and reducing sugar compared to control. Generally, gibberellic acid will increase vegetative growth with impress cellular processes, including stimulation cell division and cell elongation. It was reported that the uses of ascorbic acid and gibberellic acid in Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) increased plant height and root length. Ascorbic acid makes a set of functions such as cell division and enlargements, cell wall development and other developmental processes in plants. Ascorbic acid affects plasma membrane proton pump and according to the acidic theory stimulates weaking cell wall and consequently will increase cell wall development and cell enlargement. It was found that thiamine significantly increased flower number in chrysanthemum .
Conclusion: The results indicated that the synergistic effects of this material can be used to enhance the growth and development of petunia. On the other hand, in arid and semiarid areas of the country, that drought and salinity stresses somewhat inevitable, these materials, especially vitamins are effective in reducing stress and increase flowering period.
Research Article
Hamed Doulati Baneh; Narjes khatoon Abedi; Tooraj Jadidi
Abstract
Introduction: Before a new vineyard construction, in addition to collecting detailed data on climate, soil and planting area, some other considerations like selection and understanding the principles of quality and quantity in terms of agronomic traits and physiological characteristics of the product ...
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Introduction: Before a new vineyard construction, in addition to collecting detailed data on climate, soil and planting area, some other considerations like selection and understanding the principles of quality and quantity in terms of agronomic traits and physiological characteristics of the product should be made. Among grape varieties grown in anorchard, some self-fertile and male sterile cultivars (female physiological) are present. Without suitable pollinating, varieties in the vineyard, is not accessible for semi-fertile or sterile ones with high quality and quantity and will notbe sufficient.Therefore the identification of sterile varieties, the best pollinizers and fruit growth and phenological stages is essential. Qzlouzum is one of commercial seeded cultivars in West Azerbaijan province whichis suitable for storage and delivering to domestic and foreign markets forout of season because of nice red color and thick skin and late ripening.These favorable properties for sale with high prices is also one of the otherbenefits that have led to the interest of the farmers every year to increase the acreage of the cultivation. Preliminary studies showed that Qzlouzum cultivar is a physiological female and needs cross pollination for fruitset. This study aimed to investigate the complete botanical characteristics, flower sexuality, pollen germination and determine the phenological stages (especially fruit growth stages).
Materials and methods: Based on grape descriptor, morphological characters of 10 vines of Qzlouzum grape cultivar at different stages from bud break to dormancy was studied in Horticultural Research Station in 1390 in Urmia(Kahriz). To calculate the growing degree days (GDD), daily temperature above 10 ° C was obtained from the meteorological station of Agriculture faculty in Kahriz-Urmia. Pollen germination rate was tested in both liquid and solid growth medium. In order to study the changes in a number of qualitative and quantitative traits, TSS (total soluble solids), TA (titrable acidity), pH, berry weight and diameter, seed length and weight from the beginning of the berry formation to harvest time of clusters in 15-day interval were measured.
Results and discussion: The results of this study showed that flowers of Qzlouzum are female with reflexed stamens. The results also determined that none of pollens germinated on both liquid and solid media culture. Based on reflexed stamens and none pollen germination, Qzlouzum grape cultivar proves to be male sterile (physiological substance). This cultivar needs 1483 degree days (above 10°C) from bud break till ripening. The changes in TA and TSS were reversed. Amount of acid reduced and sugar content increased with time and berry development. Veraision period was approximately started 55 days after full bloom. At this stage, which is also known as berry softening, acid concentration is reduced and the amount of sugar was increased. Acid content and pH of the fruit were opposite together and by reducing the amount of acid, the pH levels increased. Several studies have confirmed that after changing the color of the grape varieties,sugar can often increase. Conversely, acid reduction in berries is the first happensbefore color change in berries. The berry weight and size changes were described as Double Sigmoid Curve. In the first phase, berry diameter and weight increased rapidly and lasted 60 days. In the second phase or delay phase, berry weight and diameter changedvery slowly while seed weight reached themaximum in this stage. After this phase, the third phase which was associated began with veraision, sugar content increased and the amount of aciddecreased. At this stage berry reached its maximum size and weight.
Conclusion: Uniform planting of Qzlouzum red grapes is not recommended because of male sterility and suitable pollinizers should be used. Male sterility, without emasculation will be suitable for grape breeding programs. In areas with short growing season, if the total heat has not beensupplied, berries of this cultivar will ripe late and sugar contentand color intensity will decrease and will notproducedesired and marketable product. Phenological stages duration is highlydependent on factors such as cultivar, environment and location. Genetic factor also isparticularly important in determining the time of ripening. Qzlouzum is a late ripening grape cultivar and without sufficient thermal requirements, the ripening process will not occur completely.
Research Article
Jamal Javanmardi; Ozra Hasanshahian
Abstract
Introduction Pepino (SolanummuricatumAit.), a Solanaceous vegetable fruit has been recently introduced to Iran markets. Organic farming is currently the fastest growing agricultural sector worldwide. Although several investigations are available on chemical fertilization of pepino, the knowledge of organic ...
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Introduction Pepino (SolanummuricatumAit.), a Solanaceous vegetable fruit has been recently introduced to Iran markets. Organic farming is currently the fastest growing agricultural sector worldwide. Although several investigations are available on chemical fertilization of pepino, the knowledge of organic fertilization ismostly lacking. Therefore, at the beginning of introducing pepino plant to Iranian farmers it worth to evaluate the impact of organic fertilization on the productivity, profitability, acceptability and sustainability of farming systemsto this plant. High chemical fertilization of pepinoincreases the vegetative growth over the generative and fruit production. The aim of this investigation was to introduce the possibility of organic production of pepino.
Materials and Methods.A two-year experiment was carried out to assess the possibility of organic production of pepino using organic fertilizers. Humistar® organic fertilizer (containing 8.6% humic acid) at 50 L/ha and sheep or cow manure teas at 1:10 and 1:5 ratios were used for production of pepino cv. Kanseola to evaluate their effects on the physiology of reproductive stage and some fruit quality characteristics. The experiments were arranged as factorial in a randomized complete block design comprised of 3 replications, each of which 10 plants. Mother plants were obtained from Mashhad Ferdowsi University and incubated in a greenhouse (mean temperature of 25 °C and 60-70% relative humidity) for 1 month to proliferate. Cuttings with 2-3 leaves at the top, 3-5 healthy buds and 20 cm length were rooted for 14 days in a rooting media, ( 1:1:2 of field soil, composted leaf and perlite), respectively. Plants were transplanted into the field in 100 × 75 cm spacing after the danger of frost was over. Treatments consisted of two levels of 1:5 and 1:10 (w:w) cow or sheep manure teas in combination with two levels of Humistar® organic fertilizer as 0 and 50L/ha levels. Control plants received no manure teas and organic fertilizer. Treatments were applied as drenching2 weeks after transplantation in a weekly manner for 10 weeks. Plant characteristics including number of days from transplanting to first flowering, flower number in truss, fruit set percentage, number of days from transplanting to the first harvestable fruit were recorded. Fruit quality indices including fruit fresh weight, fruit dry matter percentage, total soluble solids (TSS), fruit total phenolic contents and ascorbic acid content were measured at harvest time.
Results and Discussions The seasonal effect on all traits was not significant. All studied traits were affected by combination of manure teas andhumic acid except fruit total soluble solid. Cow manure tea at 1:5 v/v caused plants to fail growth in both years. The sole application of manure tea did not significantly affect the number of flowers per truss but humic acid alone or in combination with manure tea showed similar increasing trend in flower number. Application of sheep manure tea at 1:10 v/v caused the greatest total soluble solid content in fruits (up to 6.9 °Brix) as was 45% greater than control and cow manure tea treatment. The effect of humic acid on the number of days from planting to the first flower formationwas not significant. Sheep manure tea at 1:10 (v/v) level when combined with humic acid lead to the least required days preceding the first flower formation (9 days earlier flowering). The same treatment leads to the highest fruit dry matter percent (as about 8.1%) which was 10 times greater than control plants. The sole application of humic acid led to the greatest fruit set percentage as of 60% (2 fold above control). The same treatment caused 17 days earlier crop (53 days for fruit ripening versus 70 days in control plants. The greatest total phenolic content (56.1 mg gallic acid per 100 g fresh fruit over 50% greater than control plants) was obtained with sole humic acid application. This treatment leads to the greatest fruit ascorbic acid content asabout 15.62 mg/100g fw (over 57% greater than control plants).
ConclusionTo obtain the preferred fruit quality for industry or fresh use, different combinations of humic acid, cow and sheep manure teas should be considered. Briefly, sole application of humic acid would affect fruitset percentage, earliness, fruit total phenolic content and vitamin C. Manure tea affect fruit total soluble solid content, while in combination with humic acid would affect flowering and fruit dry matter content.
Research Article
Seyyed Majid Zargarian; Ali Tehranifar; Seyyed Hossein Nemati; Bahram Syavashpor
Abstract
Introduction: In order to improve physical and mental human healthy, development of the urban area landscape is necessary. Water deficit is one of the most important problems in arid and semi- arid regions. Water deficit causes to reduce growth of different plants parts, including roots, aerial parts, ...
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Introduction: In order to improve physical and mental human healthy, development of the urban area landscape is necessary. Water deficit is one of the most important problems in arid and semi- arid regions. Water deficit causes to reduce growth of different plants parts, including roots, aerial parts, leaf area, height, dry weight, proteins, amino acids and chlorophyll. Using drought tolerance plantsisone solution. Moreover, one physiological method to decrease the hazardous effects of environmental stresses on plants is to applyplant growth regulators such as salicylic acid (SA). SA is one of the plant phenolic compounds in low amounts (mg/g wet weight or lower).
This hormone can perform an important role in resistance to stresses. Asteraceae is one of the biggest plant families with over 20,000 species which is distributed worldwide in moderate and tropical regions. A lot of border flowers of this family are widely used in landscaping. Toselect drought tolerance flowers and application of materials that reducing stress effects, this experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of salicylic acid on some morphological and physiological characteristics of five border flowers of this family.
Materials and Methods: The field experiment was conducted as split plot on randomized complete blocks design with four replications in which factors included two levels of water deficit (50, 100% FC) as main plot and two levels of SA (0, 1mmol/L-1) as sub plot in the horticulturedepartment of faculty of Agriculture atFerdowsi University of Mashhad. In this investigation five border flowers (Ageratum houstonianum‘Blue Danube’, Tagetserecta ‘Discovery Yellow’, Tagetspatula‘Hero Harmony’, Zinnia elegans ‘Lilliput rose’andCallistephuschinensis ‘Milady Mix’ ) of Asteraceae family were chosen for study. The soil mixture was analyzed before starting the test. According to the result of physicochemical analysis of the soil, it had loamy texture (52% sand, 30% silt and 18% clay) with 7.04 pH and 3.6 ds/m electrical conductivity (EC) and total N (0.175mg/kg), P (142.7 mg/kg) and K (142.3mg/kg) were reported, too. Investigated characteristics were height of the plants, leaf area,flower number,root dry weight, flower dry weight, aerial parts dry weight,chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, ,total chlorophyll,carotenoide,stomata conductance,relative water content (RWC) and electrolyte leakage. Tomeasureleaf area and stomata conductance, leaf area meter and prometer were used, respectively. In addition, electrolyte leakage, RWC, chlorophyll and carotenoide were evaluated by Sairamet al., Smart and Bingham, Arnon and Rangan methods, respectively. Minitab 16 software was used for data analysis and LSD test (p≤ 5%) for mean comparison was applied.
Results and Discussion: The results of this study showed that all characteristics of examined flowers decreased underwater deficit treatment (50% FC). SA had different effect on flowers properties. Although SA had not significant effect on flower number, it improved the percentage of characteristicssuch asflower dry weight, chlorophyll a, stomata conductance and RWC of Ageratum houstonianum; root dry weight, carotenoid andstomata conductance of Zinnia elegans; carotenoid of Tagetserecta; flower number, flower dry weight, carotenoid and stomata conductance of Tagetspatula; root dry weight, flower dry weight, aerial parts dry weight andstomata conductance of Callistephuschinensis. Moreover, SA had significant effect on the considered characteristics of the other studied flowers. Interaction effect of these two factors had different effects on all of the examined characteristics of five flowers. The highest amounts of the investigated characteristics mostly obtained from water deficit with SA application treatment. Under water deficit, SA could influence leaf area and electrolyte leakage of all examined flowers and aerial parts dry weight of all flowers except Callistephuschinensis. Among the studied flowersTagetserectaand Zinnia elegans showed the highest and Callistephuschinensisdisplayed the lowest response to SA application under water deficit. Underwater deficit conditions SA probably cause to improve nutritious elements that can increase plant growth. Different effects of SA on morphological and physiological properties may be due to the plant species and environmental conditions that can influence on morphophysiologic process variously.
Conclusions: The results of this studyindicated that SA resulted in the improvement of themost of morphological and physiological properties. However different results obtained,due to the variation in morphological and physiological characteristics of flowers.
Research Article
Mahmood Azimi; Ali Asghar Zeinanloo; Karim Mostafavi
Abstract
Introduction According to statistics presented by FAO in 2011, the world area under olive cultivation has been estimated about 9 million and six hundred thousand hectares from which Iran shares approximately 103 thousand hectares. Tarom region in Zanjan province is one of the important olive cultivation ...
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Introduction According to statistics presented by FAO in 2011, the world area under olive cultivation has been estimated about 9 million and six hundred thousand hectares from which Iran shares approximately 103 thousand hectares. Tarom region in Zanjan province is one of the important olive cultivation in which 12600 hectare has been devoted to olive planting. A growing trend could be seen if the cultivation area regarding the fertile and non- fertile olive orchards along with amount of production were compared during the last decades which may be attributed mainly to favorable climatic condition for olive cultivation in the region. Temperature as the most important environmental factor affects flowering and fruiting of olive trees. Temperatures that stimulate olive fruiting, and sub-zero temperatures which cause damage to olive tree or fruit yielding are of great importance in determining the adaptability of olive trees. Regarding the quality of olive oil, fruit characters such as: cultivar, ripening and climatic conditions are considered as main characters too. To determine the adaptable cultivars for any region and microclimates many experiments have been carried out worldwide. In Iran, Zard and Roghany local olive cultivars selected for northern parts of Iran with the most area under cultivation in Rudbar and Tarom regions but the Dezful cultivar has been released for southern regions of the country. This study was carried at Tarom Olive Research Station, Zanjan, Iran and aimed to evaluate the vegetative and reproductive traits of some domestic and foreign olive cultivars and to determine the adaptability of them to the studied area.
Materials and Methods At the beginning of the study, age of the olive trees varied between 4 to 6 years and all the trees were in the reproductive phase. Plantation system was also 8 × 8 meters with trickle irrigation systems. The cultivars were: Amigdalolia, Arbequina, Abusatl, Bladi, Picual, Roghany, Zard, Koroneiki, Konservolia, Leccino, Mary, Mastoidis, Manzanilla, and Mission. The experiment was conducted based on a RCBD layout with three replications considering four trees for each plot. Vegetative characters (tree vigor, growth habit and crown density), flower traits (number of flower per inflorescence, number of inflorescence per shoot, perfect flower) and fruit characters (fruit weight, length and diameter of fruit, stone weight, flesh to stone ratio, oil percent in dry fruit weight and yield per hectare) as well as susceptibility of crown trees to wind and susceptibility to cold, along with the cumulative yield of 5-year were measured. For statistical analysis the SAS software was used and means comparisons were performed using Duncan Multiple Range Test.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that among evaluated cultivars, the number of flowers per inflorescence in most cultivars except Leccino, Baladiand Koroneiki were the same level. Manzanillaand Mission had the highestflowers per inflorescence but Leccino and Baladi had the lowest number of flowers per inflorescence. Arbequina, Koroneiki, Baladi, Zard, Konservolia, PicualandRoghany in comparison with other cultivars had high perfect flowers. Konservolia, Zard, Koroneiki, Arbequinaand Abusatl had the highest yield. Theyield of these cultivars was 4265, 3498, 3104, 2625, 2273and2101kg per hectare, respectively. The cumulative yield of abovementioned cultivars in5-year were 22472, 17490, 15520, 13125, 11365and10505 Kg/ha, respectively. Amigdalolia, Konservolia, Baladiand Mastoidis cultivars had the highest oil content in dry matter basis. Also Mari, Koroneiki and Arbequina cultivars had the highest oil content. Fruit weight of Amigdalolia, Abusatl and Konservolia cultivars were more than 8 gr. More over Picual, Zard, Mission and Manzanilla cultivars fruit weight were between 5 and 6 gr. Konservolia, Abusatl, Manzanilla, Amygdalolia, Picual and Mastoidis had the highest flesh to stone ratio. The flesh to stone ratio of these cultivars was 10.09, 9.35, 9.04, 8.16, 7.45 and 7.05 respectively.
Conclusion: Konservolia as a double purpose cultivar was the first olive cultivar choice of this research. Konservolia as compared with other cultivars had the highest yield. In addition,it is reported that this cultivar tolerated cold temperatures (low temperatures)during years of 2006 and 2007.Konservolia with large fruit and a high ratio of flesh to stone can be a substitute for the Zard olive cultivars in Tarom area. Zard, Koroneiki and Arbequina were the other selected of these studies. Zard is a native cultivar. Now, this cultivar is the first priority of Tarom region, because is a double purpose cultivar. Moreover studies showed that Zard in comparison with other native cultivars had high oil quality.
Research Article
Sanaz Molaie; Ali Soleimani; Mehrshad Zeinolabedini
Abstract
Introduction Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) has special position in Iran fruit culture industry. In terms of cultivation and producing, Iran is one of the major countries in the world but in terms of export Iran is ranked 23. For this reason, research on necessities of fruit culture industries and access ...
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Introduction Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) has special position in Iran fruit culture industry. In terms of cultivation and producing, Iran is one of the major countries in the world but in terms of export Iran is ranked 23. For this reason, research on necessities of fruit culture industries and access to new cultivars by breeding project is required. Obviously, paying attention to quality and quantity of products and using of local germplasm that known completely, played a significant role in this project. Apricot with genomic feature 2n=16, has extensive diversity due to sexual propagation and cultivation in different areas. Central Asia and Caucasian groups of apricot that involving Iranian and Turkish cultivars, have greatest phenotypic variations, while European group including cultivars that cultivated in North America, Australia and South Africa have the lowest diversity. Climate adaptation, increasing of fruits quality, self-compatibility and resistance to diseases are the most important goals of apricot breeding. Of course, the quality of fruits depends on sugar and acid balance and special aroma. One of the important targets of apricot breeding is introduce and develop of cultivars that can be cultivated in extensive areas. Target of recent study is primary evaluating of morphological and pomological traits of some cultivar and genotypes of apricot grown in Zanjan province. In order to introduce the cultivars that produces fruit with high quality and complete scientific researches to selection of ideal cultivars in this region for future.
Method and material: This research carried out on four cultivars (Badami, Daneshkadeh, Shekarpareh, Shahroodi) and two genotypes (C and D) and was conducted in a completely randomize design with three replications. Evaluating of tree, branch, leaf, flower and some fruit traits performed based on existing descriptor. For determining some important pomological traits, fruits harvested in commercial time and transferred to laboratory. For measuring total soluble solid (TSS), refractometer (model: ATAGO-N1) was used. To determinetitratableacidity (TA) titration with 0.1 N NaOH method and for measuring pH content, pH-meter (model: JENWAY 3020) was used. The weight of fruit and stone was measured with digital balance. Flesh fresh weight also was determined with digital balance and flesh dry weight was measured after 72 hours dried in oven. Finally flesh firmness was determined with presser meter (model: OSK 1618). For evaluating fruit set percent, flowers of some branches in every cultivar was numerated then primary and final fruit set percent was calculated after 10 and 30 days, respectively. Data analysis was done with SAS 9.1, SPSS 20 and Statistica 10 software.
Results and discussion: The results of qualitative data that analysis with non- parametric (Kruskal-wallis) method showed significant differences among some genotypes and cultivars. In terms of corebitternes strait genotype D showed significant differences with other cultivar and genotypes. Due to this trait, genotype D is suitable for use as rootstockbecause the genotypes with kernel are suitable for cultivation in lime and semi dry soil and also are resistant nematode. In terms of blooming time, genotype D (late blooming)had significant differences with genotype C, Badami and Shahroodi cultivars. Because of this trait, genotype D is resistance to late spring chilling injury. Based on trees growth habit, genotype C (long growth habit) showed significant differences with Shekarpareh cultivar (widespread growth habit). In terms of flower bud distributions genotype C (blooming on annual branches) showed significant differences with genotype D and Daneshkadeh cultivar (blooming on spurs). According to these traits genotype C is suitable for dense cultivation orchards and need to prune every year like peach. Results of correlations among traits showed that TA has negative significant correlations with flesh dry weight, TSS/TA ratio and flesh weight/stone weight ratio. During fruit ripening TA rates was decreased and TSS rates were increased, so during of TSS increasing as one of the non-structural components of dry matter, flesh dry weight increasing simultaneously. Positive correlations between flesh dry weight and TSS/TA ratio indicate that cultivars with big fruits have high dry matter, so they are sweeter than other cultivars. Also aprincipal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the number of important factors that influenced on morphological identification. The results of PCA showed that total variance (90.2%) is justified by two factors. The first factor (73.05%) included all fruit traits, leaf length and first and second fruit set percent. The second factor (17.21%) contained flower diameter, core length and juice percent. Consider to this analysis, Shahrodi, Daneshkadeh and Shekarpareh cultivars were settled near each other but Badami cultivar, Cand D genotypes were placed separately.
Conclusion: According to the results, high diversity was observed among genotypes and cultivars. This diversity provides suitable genetic resources for breeding works. Results of this study showed that Daneshkadeh cultivar has the biggest fruits and Shahroodi cultivar has the most rates of TSS and flesh firmness, so this cultivar has long storage life. Finally, the Shekarpareh cultivar showed the most flesh dry weight and flesh weight/stone weight ratio, so this cultivar is suitable for processing.
Research Article
Farzaneh Olyaei; Bahram Baninasab; Cyrus Ghobadi
Abstract
Introduction: Salinity is a common abiotic stress that seriously affects crop production around the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.The deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth are associated with low osmotic potential of soil solution (water stress), nutritional imbalance, specific ...
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Introduction: Salinity is a common abiotic stress that seriously affects crop production around the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.The deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth are associated with low osmotic potential of soil solution (water stress), nutritional imbalance, specific ion effect (salt stress), or a combination of these factors. Olive is one of the most important fruit crops in Iran and the world. Despite olive has been classified as moderately salt tolerant plant, poor quality of irrigation water in association with salt build-up soils has reduced the yields, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. The tolerance of the olive to salt is to a great extent depends on the cultivar. Selecting salinity-resistant cultivars is one of the most important strategies used for mitigating salinity effects on olive. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the salt tolerance of four olive cultivars under greenhouse condition.
Materials and Methods: For this purpose, one-year-old rooted cuttings of Iranian olive cultivars (‘Dakal’, ‘Shiraz’, ‘Zard’) and non-Iranian cultivar ‘Amigdal’ were grown in the research greenhouse of Agricultural College, Isfahan University of Technology of Iran. Plants were grown in plastic pots. The pots were 180 mm in diameter and 20 mm in depth with volume of 7 L. The minimum and maximum temperatures during the experiment period were 19 and 35˚C, respectively. After sticking the cuttings, the pots with uniform plants were subjected to the treatment with 0 (control), 100, 150 or 200 mMNaCl. The electrical conductivities of these solutions were 0.003, 10.52, 15.43 and 19.55 dS m-1, respectively. To avoid osmotic shock, the NaCl concentration was gradually increased. The layout was a 4×4 factorial experiment based oncompletely randomized design, with four replications. The experimental measurements were carried out three months after beginning the salt treatments.
Results and Discussion:The results showed that salt stress and cultivar hadsignificant effects on all of vegetative and physiological parameters. Injury rating valueof plants wasfound to increase significantly as the salt concentration was raised. Among the cultivars, the highest injury rating value (2.75) belonged to Amigdal cultivar, while the lowest means (2.00) was related to Dakal cultivar. By increasing the salinity level, stem heightincreasing ratesignificantly decreased. The lowest means (18.17%) belonged to 200 mMNaCl treatment, showing 81.83% decrease compared with control. Among the cultivars, Zard showed the highest means of increase in stem height (71.75%). Leaf area influenced significantly by salinity, sothat the lowest means of leaf area (35.05%) was recorded for200 mMNaCl treatment, showing a 69.91% decrease compared with the control. The highest leaf area belonged to Shiraz cultivar, which had a significant difference with Zard and Amigdal cultivars. Compared with the control, salinity caused 50.83% and 54.36% decreases in shoot fresh and dry weight in 200 mMNaCl, respectively. The highest shoot fresh and dry weightswere recorded forZard cultivar. The lowest shoot fresh and dry weights were observed forAmigdal cultivar.Increment of salinity concentration significantly declined root fresh and dry weight. Among the cultivars, the highest means of root fresh weightbelonged to Amigdal cultivar, whereas the lowest was related to Shiraz cultivar. The highest and lowest root dry weightswere observed forDakal and Amigdal cultivars, respectively.Salinity significantly decreased relative water content.The lowest leaf relative water content (66.04%) was recorded in 200 mMNaCl treatment, showing a 23.43% decrease compared with the control.Zard cultivar showed the highestleafrelative water content. Salinity stress decreased chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of salt-treated olive plants. At 200 mMNaCl, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence was minimal as compared to control and other salt levels. The highest leaf chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (0.74) was recorded forZard cultivar. However, Amigdal cultivar showed the lowest means for this index (0.60).Salinity significantly decreasedleaf chlorophyll content.The lowest leaf chlorophyll content (69.39%) was recorded in 200 mMNaCl, showing a 66.80% decrease compared with the control.Among the cultivars, Zard showed the highest leaf chlorophyll content (170.33). In the present study, the increase in proline content in the NaCl-treated plants was noted, with the highest level being attained with 200 mMNaCl. The highest proline content (1.03 µmol.g-1 F.W.)was observed in Zard cultivar. Salinity stress increased malondialdehyde content in the leaves of salt-treated plants. The highest malondialdehyde content was obtained from leaves of plants treated with 200 mMNaCl. The highest malondialdehyde content was recorded in Amigdal cultivar.Shirazl cultivar showed the lowest malondialdehyde content. In this study, the correlation betweenvegetative and physiological parameters of olive plants subjected to salt stress was analysed. These correlations suggested that salt injury symptoms was negatively correlated with relative water content, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf chlorophyll content, but positively correlated with proline content and malondialdehyde content.
Conclusion: In overall, this investigation revealed that salt stress had aninhibitory effect on the vegetative growth of olive plants.The responses of olive cultivars to salt stress suggested that Zard and Shiraz cultivars were more tolerant and ‘Amygdal’ was the most sensitive to changes in the salt levels.
Research Article
Ahmad Golchin; Amin Vatani; Fatemeh Rakhsh
Abstract
Introduction:Vinasse is a byproduct of the sugar industry. Sugarcane or Sugarbeet is processed to produce crystallinesugar, pulp and molasses. The latter isfurther processed by fermentation to ethanol, ascorbicacid or other products. After the removal of the desired product (alcohol, ascorbicacid, etc.) ...
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Introduction:Vinasse is a byproduct of the sugar industry. Sugarcane or Sugarbeet is processed to produce crystallinesugar, pulp and molasses. The latter isfurther processed by fermentation to ethanol, ascorbicacid or other products. After the removal of the desired product (alcohol, ascorbicacid, etc.) the remaining material is called vinasse. Vinasse is sold after a partial dehydration and usually has a viscositycomparable to molasses. Commercially offered vinasse comes either from sugarcaneand is called cane-vinasse or from sugarbeet and is called beet-vinasse. On average, for each liter of vinasse, 12 liters alcohol produced. Vinasse is a material with dark brown color and the smell of burned sugar, which is rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and nitrogen.
Materials and Methods:To determine the effect of vinasse and additive nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and yield of tomato, a factorial pot experiment was conducted at ZanjanUniversity in 2008. Two different plant nutrient including N and P and their combination (N+P) were added to vinasse with three different concentrations to form experimental treatments. In addition to these treatments, three control treatments with vinasse of different concentrations, but with no additive were also included in the experiment. Each treatment used with two different application methods (soil application and soil + foliar application).The experiment had 24 treatments, a complete randomized design and three replications. The vinasse used in this experiment was diluted with water 10, 20 and 40 times to make a nutrient solution of three different concentrations of tomato plant. The amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus that were added to vinasse were 224 and 62 mg/l, respectively. Phosphorus and nitrogen were applied to as super-phosphate triple and calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate respectively. After being deployed to ensure complete installation of tomatoes in pots containing perlite (about 2 weeks after the transfer of seedlings tothe pots) treatments wereapplied to the pots. It should be noted that initially, three tomato seedlingswere planted in each pot at later stage after the plants were thinned to one plant per pot.Five months later after planting seedlings, fruits were picked and measured separately. At the end of the growth period, fruit yield, leaf and some quality characteristicsof fruit were measured.
Results Discussion: The results showed that the effects of vinasse concentrations on fruit yield, dry matter content of fruit, dry weight of root and plant height were significant at p
