Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2010 | Volume:23 | Issue:2|Papers Count:18

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is an important crop in our country and has a unique position in export goods. In respect to better nut quality this research was conducted during 2005-2006. Macro and micronutrients were used as foliar application to surmount soil limitations in nutrient uptake and alternate bearing control with “Owhadi” cultivar in RCBD with 3 replications. The treatments were control (water), NPK, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and mixture of all mention nutrients in three stage(15 day AFB, kernel filling and one month before harvest). Factors such as: dehisced nuts (%), blankness(%), number of fruit/stem cross section area, vegetative growth, leaf chlorophyll and nutrient content were determined. Treatments affected dehisced nuts properties at significant level as the highest level of dehisced nuts was detected in Ca treatment and the lowest one in control. There are not significant differences between treatments as blankness and chlorophyll content as concerned. Fruit yield / stem cross section area in two successive year had significant differences. In two years the highest yield was produced in NPK and Cu treatment respectively but the lowest yield produced in mixture nutrients. All treatment affected vegetative growth significantly as the highest growth take placed in Cu treatment and the lowest growth was detected in mixture nutrients. Leaf nutrients analysis showed significant difference as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and K content between control, NPK and mixture nutrients treatment. All the nutrient were higher in NPK and mixture treatment as compared to control. Manganese content of the leaf was higher in Mn and mixture treatments than control. In conclusion , foliar nutrition can affect growth, fruit quality and alternate bearing of the trees.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of south-west climatic conditions on quantitative and qualitative of fatty acids in dog rose (Rosa canina L.) seeds collected from five regions including: Semirom (Isfahan Province), Kiar and Gerdbishe (Charmahal and Bakhtiari Province), Yasuj and Meymand (Kohgiluye and Boyer Ahmad Province). Oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus; the fatty acid composition of oil was characterized and quantified using GC. The highest and lowest oil percentage obtained from Meymand (11.05%) and Kiar (8.15%), respectively. The results confirmed the presence of five dominant fatty acids in seeds of dog rose, including: linoleic, oleic, linolenic, palmitic and stearic acid, respectively. Results showed that differences between fatty acids quantity in regions under study was significant (P<1%). The highest amount of linoleic, oleic and linolenic acid was related to Gerdbishe (52.09%), Semirom (40.47%) and Kiar (17.47%), respectively. The lowest amount of linoleic, oleic and linolenic acid was obtained from Semirom (37.24%), Gerdbishe (22.69) and Meymand (12.85%), respectively. The highest amount of palmitic and stearic acid was related to Meymand (4.91%) and Kiar (3.88%), respectively; and the lowest amount of palmitic and stearic acid was related to Meymand (4.04% and 2.17%, respectively). The highest and lowest amount of unsaturated fatty acids was related to Semirom (92.65%) and Yasuj (90.07%), respectively. Differences between amounts of fatty acid composition of dog rose seeds in regions under study was as result of difference in climatic factors.

To investigate the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on vegetative and reproductive growth of Strawberry cv. Selva a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was carried out in greenhouse of Agriculture College, Isfahan University of Technology. PBZ was applied in two methods, drench and foliar spray, at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg active ingredient per plant. The results indicated that applications of PBZ as foliar spray was more effective than soil drench on vegetative and reproductive growth. With increasing the amount of PBZ leaf area, shoot fresh weight, whole plant fresh weight and petiole length of treated strawberries were decreased, however fresh weight, number and diameter of roots were not affected by PBZ. Also PBZ had no significant effect on fruit firmness, total soluble solids and vitamin C. The interaction of PBZ and its method of application on characteristics including leaf area, petiole length and diameter, total fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, leaf chlorophyll content, yield, fruit diameter and harvest index were significant. Foliar application of PBZ at the rate of 2 mg active ingredient per plant lead to maximum value of petiole diameter, leaf chlorophyll content and harvest index. Yield (fruit/plant) was also increased (27.16%) when the plants received 1 mg active ingredient per plant PBZ through soil drench method. 

In this research, the effects of corm culture in 15, 20 or 25 cm distances in two culture pattern of triangle and square on growth and flowering of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrida cv. White friendship) was investigated. The experiment was carried out as factorial in completed randomizes design with four replication (each replicate consist of one plot 1×1.5 m). The results showed with corm culture in triangle pattern and 25 cm distance, the height of flowering stalk was significantly more than corm culture in 15 cm distance in both triangle and square patterns. The ratio of flowering section height to stalk height in culture distance of 25 cm in both patterns was significantly higher than 15 cm culture distance. The most number of cut flowers were produced in 15 cm culture distance in both patterns and increase of culture distance caused of decreasing this index in both patterns. In both triangle and square culture patterns, increase of culture distance caused of decreasing the number of new corms and the most number of corms were obtained in 15 cm distance of triangle pattern. The culture pattern and culture distance of corm did not affect significantly on weight and diameter of new corms and also weight, number and diameter of cormlets. The treatments used were not affected significantly on ratio number of florets to height of stalk, number, height and wide of leaf and diameter of stem.

The purpose of this study is acclimization evaluate of five wild Achillea in cultivation condition and ornamental potential. The seeds of wild species (From Khorasan Razavi, Shiraz and Karaj area, Iran) were sownt in pots in September 2006. After initial growth, the seedlings were transplanted in main plots (30×40 cm interval) in November 2006. Phonological and morphological characteristic at different growth stage were recorded. An experiment conducted in factorial randomized based on complete block design (RCBD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications that Achillea species were treatments. The results showed that different species have special traits that could be used depend on our goal. A. millefolium has the highest flowering period (100 day) and plant height (nearly 1 meter). A. biebersteinii was better than other species in respect of inflorescence number, flower diameter and flower height. A. wilhelmsii and A. eriophora had the highest lateral inflorescence number and early flowering. This species because of good acclimization, tolerant to unfavorable conditions, long flowering period, perennial habit and bearing beautiful and big flowers, seems to be suitable plants for use in green space.

In order to provide optimal yield and quality of tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Beril), different growing media for soilless culture of tomato plants were studied. seedling of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. Beril ) were cultivated in perlite, mixture of perlite with NH4-zeolite and with raw zeolite (z:p ratio 10v:90v) and fed by two nutrient sources: a) complete nutrient solution (N+) b) nutrition solution with 30% decrease in N concentration. The experimental design was split plot with complete randomized block design. Fruit quality and yield were determined during growth. Result indicated that fruit yield, length of fruits and titrable acidity decreased and small fruits increased with reducing nitrogen in solution. Solution didn’t significally effects in yield. Fruit weight were reduced significantly with nitrogen decreasing in nutrition solution, But solution types didn’t affect on yield. Media significantly affected yield, Weight of fruit, number of fruit per plant and medium fruits (70-100g). The highest of this characteristic obtained in saturated zeolite and perlite. Interaction effect of incomplete solution and saturated zeolit media caused a reduction in weight of fruit, dry mater, small fruit ratio in yield and vitamin C in comparison to other media. There weren’t significantly difference among TSS, firmness and density. 

In order to study the effects of irrigation regimes and plant spacing on bulb yield of two onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes, an experiment was conducted at Kabootar Abad Research Station of Isfahan during two growing seasons (2005 and 2006). The experiment design was split-factorial with a randomized complete block arrangement with four replications. Main plots included three irrigation regimes (irrigation after T1= 50±3 mm, T2= 70±3 mm and T3= 90±3 mm evaporation from class A pan). Sub-plots formed from factorial combination of two spring onion genotypes (Yellow Sweet Spanish and Dorcheh-Isfahan) with three plant spacing in rows (5, 7.5 and 10 cm). The results showed that total yield, marketable yield, bulb diameter and bulb height decreased as irrigation frequency increased. The highest total yield (6.867 kg/m2) and marketable yield (5.761 kg/m2) were produced in T1 treatment. Regarding total yield, the response of genotypes to increasing irrigation frequency was different. The Yellow Sweet Spanish genotype tolerated water deficit more than Dorcheh. Total yield, marketable yield and bulb height in Yellow Sweet Spanish genotype were significantly greater than Dorcheh, but diameter of bulb neck, dry matter and total soluble solids in Dorcheh were significantly greater than Yellow Sweet Spanish. Among the plant spacings, the 10 cm spacing had the lowest total and marketable yield and there were no significant differences between 5 and 7.5 cm spacing. But bulb size (height and diameter) increased as plant spacing increased.

Dormancy in potato minituber buds is one of the limiting factors on planting them after harvesting. This study was undertaken in a completely randomized Nested with arrengment three replications to examine the effective hormonal and temperature treatments on rapid breaking of minitubers dormancy at 2008. Treatments included gibberellic acid (2 and 5 mg/l), benzyl adenine (5 and 10 mg/l), zeatine (1.5 and 3 mg/l) and temperature (5, 10 and 15°C). Results showed that germination rate and percentage, length of sprouts, number of active sprouts, tuber weight were affected by hormonal and temperature. Germination rate and percentage were not significantly different amoung hormones under temperature 15°c but lowest was respectively 14.4 and 11 for control. Most effect on length of sprouts was resulted in 5 mg/l gibberellic acid. Temperature 10°c had most affect on number of active sprouts. Under low temperature effect of hormones on studied was not significant. Loss of Tuber weight under low temperature (5°c) and high temperature (15°c) was high and low respectively.

The present research was conducted to evaluate the biochemical changes trends of Shahroodi table grapes tissues in a factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design with three replications under modified atmosphere packaging compared to the controls. Three gas combinations including 10%CO2+5%O2 (GC2), 10%CO2+15%O2 (GC3) and 10%CO2+60%O2 (GC4) using two types of polymeric films (polypropylene and polyethylene) were used to store grapes at 1°C and 80-90% RH. The content of reducing sugars, total titratable acidity (TTA) and pH of fruit juice were measured every 15 days following the placing of fruits for 24 hrs at room temperatures. The results of 45 days storage showed that along with decreased reducing sugars content the infection incidence has been increased. On the other hand a sharp increase in reducing sugars content was observed after infection incidence. Our results showed that the early increase of reducing sugars content in the fruits of GC4 occurred along with less infection. In addition, it was observed that the decrease of TTA and increase of pH showed slower trends in these samples.

To evaluate the effects of some chemical agents on fruit thinning percent and fruit quality of apricot cv ‘Khiary’ an experiment were carried out in the commercial orchard at Neyriz, Fars province, Iran. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (10, 20 and 40 mg l-1), naphthaleneacetamide (NAD) (20, 40 and 80 mg l-1), ethephon (50, 100 and 200 mg l-1) and urea (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) were sprayed on selected branch units 2 weeks after full bloom (AFB) in 2006. Results showed that all treatments except urea at 0.6% significantly increased fruit drop in comparison with control (P=0.05). Chemical agents increased fruit volume, length, diameter, total soluble solids (TSS), Tss/total acid ratio, nut weight and flesh/nut ratio. Between control and other treatments had no significant effect on total acidity (TA) of fruits.

One way of the increasing saline tolerance in citrus plants is grafting of sensitive commercial cultivars on to tolerant rootstocks. Sweet lime (Citrus limetta) is one of the most sensitive species to salinity of soil and water, and under such conditions, drastic reduction of both vegetative and yield occured. This reaserch was conducted in completely randomaized design with factorial arrangement and four replications in order to study the effect of salinity and different rootstocks namely: Sour orange(C. aurantium), Sweet lime(C. limetta), Mexican lime (C. aurantifolia), Volkameriana(C. volkameriana) and Bakraii (C. reticulata × C. limetta) on concenreation of micro elements in sweet lime leaf. Four levels of salinity imposed were: 0, 20, 40 and 60 mili mole L-1 NaCl. Results showed that rootstock had significant effects on leaf concentration of micro elements and under salinity treatments different changes were occurred in concentration of micro elements among rootstocks. Generally concluded that, Volkamer lemon, and to some extent Bakraii, could induce salinity tolerance in Sweet lime scion.

The present research was conducted in a commercial orchard of pistachio during 2006-2007 in Rafsanjan, Iran. Gibberellic acid (GA3) were applied at 0, 25, 50 and 75 mgL-1 and at three time of spray (the first of June, July and August) on “Ahmad-aghai” pistachio cultivar. Two branches of each tree was sprayed during two years of study. Spraying at June had least of early splitting. GA3 at 50 and 75 mgL-1 significantly reduced early splitting and cracking. Time of application had no significant effect on in dehiscent of pistachio nut. Percentage of indehiscent pistachio nut was increased by increasing the concentration of GA3. Spraying in August increased fat and protein content of kernel of pistachio nut. Treatments of GA3 had no significant effect on fat and protein content of kernel. GA3 was increased chlorophyll content of kernel of pistachio nut at 75 mgL-1.

In order to study the effect of planting season (autumn and spring) and plant density on growth traits and flower yield (dry weight of flower) of Matricaria (Matricaria chamomilla), an experiment was carried out at the Research Field of Agricultural Faculty of Shirvan, affiliated to Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. A split plot design with two factors, including planting time and plant spacing within row with four replications was used. Planting time was arranged in main plots and plant spacing within row was allocated as subplot. The results showed that planting time significantly affect growth traits of Matricaria plants. Plant height, the number of branches, flowering period, number of flower per plant and consequently flower yield were significantly increased in autumn rather than spring planting date. The best space between two plants within rows was 20 cm in both spring and autumn planting dates.

The aim of this study was to eliminate Zn deficiency and increasing yield in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L) cv, Askari، via trunk injection method. The experiment was carried out in the Cisakht region; in randomize complete blocks design with four treatments and four replications. Treatments included of Zinc trunk injection in concentration 0.15, 0.3 and 0.5% amount of 500 cc was injected to each vine and Control. Injections were applied in three stages including flowering, after fruit set and veraision. Different traits including yield, chlorophyll, Zn concentration in leaves, TSS %, TA, length, volume and weight of berry were measured. Results showed that trunk injection of zinc increased yield, Chlorophyll, length, volume and weight of berry when compared with untreated control. The TSS %, Zn concentration, TA and ratio of TSS/TA were not affected by trunk injection. However Zn was increased in leaves up to 16.7%. So, trunk injection method in order to correct zinc deficiency and increasing yield in Grapevine cv, Askari، is recommended.

For evaluation and identification some of the chamomile species in two genera Anthemis and Matricaria, morphological and phonological characteristics were used. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Completely Blocks Design (RCBD) with three replicates, sixteen quantitative and qualitative traits were evaluated such as plant height, anthodium diameter, receptacle diameter, ligulae flower number, dry flower percent, 100 flower weight, time of flower beginning, yield, flower number per plant, 1000 seeds weight, stomata length, leaf length, leaf width, flower color and type of leaf and receptacle in 26 genotypes. Results showed that genotypes were significantly different for all traits. Principle Components analysis (PCo) analysis placed 16 traits in five principle components that covered 91 percent of variance. The first principle components covered 39 percent of variance included main traits such as anthodium diameter, receptacle diameter, ligulae flower number, 100 flower weight, yield, 1000 seeds weight, leaf length. Cluster analysis classified genotypes to 8 main groups and 2 independent genotypes. This study showed that morphological markers on of the reliable mean to determined genotypes and species, yet.

Salinity tolerance is one of the major factors influencing crop productivity in arid and semi-arid areas. The salinity tolerance of fruit trees can be enhanced through the use of tolerant rootstocks. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of salinity stress and rootstock on the growth, photosynthetic rate and nutrient concentrations of almond (Prunus dulcis Miller.) cv. “Ferragnes” grown in the soilless culture and controlled environment. Three levels of NaCl (0, 50, 100 mM) and two rootstock (GF677, Tuono) was factorially combined in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed that the salinity stress had a significant diminish effects on vegetative and physiological characteristics and nutrient concentrations of almond. The severity of the adverse effects of salinity varied among rootstocks. Fresh and dry weights of leaf and root, leaf number and chlorophyll index was increased in F/GF677 at 50 mM salinity level and then decreased compare to that in control, however it was decreased at 100 mM salinity concentration in F/Tuono. Photosynthetic rate, leaf area and K/Na ratio was decreased with increasing salinity in both rootstocks, it became more pronounced in F/Tuono. With increasing NaCl levels, leaf concentrations of N, P, K was decreased and Na concentration was increased in both rootstocks. These results imply that GF677 have a exclusion mechanism such as restrict either the uptake or transport of Na from root to shoot or maintain sufficient level of K, have a higher salt tolerance than Tuono hence, under salinity conditions can be useful salt-tolerant rootstock for different almond cultivars.