Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2017 | Volume:30 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:17

Introduction: Brassica Oleracea L. is biennial of cabbages family. This plant is valuable for its leaves and resistivity against cold weather. Cabbages are resistant to cold and suitable for landscape in cold areas. In some ornamental plants, the control of plant size, vegetative growth and size reduction is necessary to enhance sale. Salicylic acid is a phenolic compound that is produced naturally in plants and on multiple factors affect. Cycocel is one of the retarder material to the growth. This research was performed in order to best retarder concentration of growth factors to improve the quantity and quality of ornamental cabbage landscape…

Introduction: In order to response to greater demand for wild medicinal plants consumption, it has been recommended that wild medicinal plants can be brought into cultivation systems.Cichorium pumilum Jacq. is an annual species of Asteraceae family, that has a long history of herbal use and is especially of great value for its tonic effects upon the liver and digestive tract. The root and the leaves of chicory are digestive, hypoglycemic, diuretic, laxative and tonic. Using chemical fertilizers can be easily lost from soils through fixation, leaching or gas emission that can lead to reduced fertilizer efficiency. The applications of organic fertilizers such as compost and vermicompost can be considered as a good management practice to increase cropping system sustainability, reducing soil erosion and improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil microorganisms have a significant role in regulating the dynamics of organic matter breakdown and the availability of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and sulfur…

Introduction: Melon is a tropical species that originates from Iran or Africa and Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India and China are the most important centers of genetic diversity of cultivated varieties (1). The original area for cantaloupe and melon is Iran. Dry and warm climate is the best condition for Melon. This plant needs heat and light for good grows. Cloudy and rainy weather at the time of fruit ripening may affect melon taste and quality (2). According to the FAO statistics in 2012, the total area devoted to melon was 1, 339, 006 hectares with an average yield of 23.8 tons per hectare and 31, 925, 787 tons production. The highest production belonged to China (55% of world production). Iran produces about 5.4 percent of world production which is about 1450000 tons from 80, 000 hectares (2)…

Introduction: The GF677 (Prunusamygdalus´P. persica) is a peach rootstock tolerant to Fe deficiency.Nowadays, it is mainly propagated through micro propagation. Widening and undesirable growth of leaves as well as poor rooting are major problems during its in vitro culture. GF-677 is one of the most suitable rootstocks for almond and peach used in calcareous soils to overcome lime-induced chlorosis. Therefore, in vitro micro propagation is important for commercial purposes. Using liquid medium, it may be possible to reduce costs to a level lower than solid medium and liquid medium is better than solid medium in growth. Both the brand and concentration of agar also affect the chemical and physical characteristics of a culture medium. One of the main factors on micro propagation is hormone specially BAP. Furthermore, shoot branching depends on the initiation and activity of axillary meristems, which usually controlled by cytokinin. The rooting stage, the induction of roots on explants from in vitro culture is crucial part in any micro propagation process. The ability of plant tissue to form adventitious roots depends on interaction of many exogenous and endogenous factors, including hormone. Most reports of adventitious root induction of woody species have involved treatments with exogenous auxins such as IBA, NAA or IAA. Dimassi-Theriou (1995) for rooting of GF-677 compared different culture media and results on the rooting of these rootstocks depend on the type of medium culture…

Introduction: Cornus is a very large genus which comprises 40 species of shrubs and trees native to Central and Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia. Many species are grown as ornamentals. Only a few species are grown for their fruits, chief among which is the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Study on the nutritional value of the cornelian cherry has focused on nutrients which play a role in preventing diseases such as scurvy. Fresh cornelian cherry fruits contain twice as much vitamin C as oranges. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and physicochemical properties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits in Iran…

Introduction: Homozygous doubled haploid lines production through induction of androgenesis is a promising method to accelerate the classical breeding program. However, this technology is relatively under -developed in tomato so that improvements in methodology are required. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is one of the most important vegetables which in addition of it is importance as a food, is utilized as a model plant for cytological and cytogenetic studies. Tomato breeding programs are often based on the production and selection of hybrid plants. To produce hybrid plants and application of features that is needed to breed pure lines with high specific combining abilities, new technologies such as doubled haploid production through induction of androgenesis can be an effective strategy to provide pure lines in tomato. One of the critical factors for induction of androgenesis in tomato is to use of microspores being in appropriate developmental stage. Cytological examination is one of the most accurate methods for determining the correct stage of microspore development. In this study, a number of characteristics were evaluated including the cytological properties of normal microspores development and pollen grains as well as the relationship between length of flower bud and anther length…

Introduction: Germination of every plant species respond to temperature variation in particular way. Germination is critical stage in plant life cycle. Seed germination is a complex biological process that is influenced by various environmental and genetic factors. The effects of temperature on plant development are the basis for models used to predict the timing of germination. Estimation of the cardinal temperatures, including base, optimum, and maximum, is essential because rate of development increases between base and optimum, decreases between optimum and maximum, and ceases above the maximum and below the base temperatures. Usually, a linear increase in germination rate is associated with an increase in temperature from base temperature (Tb) to an optimum. An increase of temperature from the optimum will reduce the germination rate to zero. To determine the best planting date for plants, it is necessary to find the base (Tb), optimum (To) and maximum temperatures (Tc) for seed germination. These are known as cardinal temperatures. Modelling of seed germination is considered an effective approach to determining cardinal temperatures for most plant species…

Introduction: Ajowan (Carum copticum Benth. & Hook.) is an annual herbaceous essential oil bearing plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, which grows in India, Iran, and Egypt. Ajowan seeds have essential oil as an active substance, which is used in pharmaceutical industry as a diuretic, antivomiting, analgesic, antiasthma, antispasmodic and a carminative. Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Also, nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. Generally, proper agronomic management including suitable plant density has a high influence on growth and yield of medicinal plants. In this regard, Kloss et al., (2012) highlighted the need for strategies to improve crop growth, make irrigation more efficient and sustainable and conserve farmlands. In addition, yield is influenced by inter-row spacing and sowing density. Ghilavizadeh et al., (2013) have reported that application of suitable amount of nitrogen fertilizer and plant density of 25 plan/m2 increased seed yield, essential oil yield and essential oil content of ajowan. In another research, Borumand Rezazadeh et al., (2009) reported that the plant density of 50 plant/m2 have produced the highest seed yield, essential oil yield and essential oil content. Generally, with regard to importance of medicinal plants and the necessity of understanding their crop and the impact of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of these plants, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of these factors on some traits of ajowan…

Introduction: Because of harvesting of widespread volume of pomegranate production in a short time from late summer to early autumn and due to the lack of appropriate conditions of storage, a large part of which is lost prior to the market presentation or its cost is reduced due to the widespread presentation. Some studies investigated different methods for long-term storage of pomegranate, including use of alternative heating, low temperature, controlled atmosphere and growth plant regulators. Pomegranates are usually kept at temperatures below 5oC only for 2 months, and then, frostbite to form of surface stains, skin browning; discolouration and browning of Arils and separator membrane are appeared. However, sensitivity to frostbite is a major problem for pomegranate storage, but generally the most important limiting factor for pomegranate storage is the growth and development of fungal contaminations, especially on the part of the throat. This problem is usually intensified at temperatures above 5oC to prevent frostbite pomegranate. Therefore, for long-term storage of pomegranate, dual problem exists. It means that to reduce frost, we have to use higher temperatures or plastic covers, and on the other hand all these conditions can intensify the fungal decay in pomegranate. Recently, the interest of consumers has increased to food products with better quality, fresher and easier access. In this regard, packaging materials and packaging methods with the use of modern and appropriate techniques play vital role in reducing food wastes and production which is caused to healthier products. Considering the importance of extended life storage along with the preservation of favorite pomegranate quality, so the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of four types of coverage on the quality of pomegranate...

Introduction: The ever-increasing tendency to the use of medicinal plants in the world has grown concerns about their cultivation and production processes. As medicinal plants are more compatible with the nature, special interest and attention have recently been given to herb therapy, and use of medicinal plants, being limited by the rise of pharmaceutical drugs, has become again common and widespread due to a number of reasons. In a sustainable agriculture system, application of the fertilizers which are nature friendly and suitable for plants is essential. This becomes more important when dealing with medicinal plants. Doing studies over the effect of nanopharmax and humic acid fertilizer on the plant, no research findings were obtained. So, in order to use less chemical fertilizers to prevent environmental pollution and encourage farmers to use more organic fertilizer, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of foliar application of humic acid and nanopharmax fertilizer on the growth index, yield, yield components, essential oil content of N. sativa...

Introduction: Apple is a major commercial fruit crop grown in Iran. The country produces approximately 1.6 - 2.7 million tonnes of apples and was one of the top 10 apple producing countries in the world during the last decade. West Azerbaijan province, with more than 50, 000 hectare of apple orchards and by producing of approximately one million tonne of fresh apple, is one of the main regions of apple production in Iran. In this region, two common apple cultivars Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are dominant (>90%), which needs to be updated by new apple cultivars to satisfy different technical/management as well as worldwide marketing requirements. Apple cultivars evaluations was started in Iran since 1953 and a lot of apple collection were established, but and until new apple cultivar was not introduced to farmers, As a first step for introduction of alternative cultivars, in this study, vegetative growth, flowering time, fruit ripening time as well as fruit quality of 12 apple (Malus pumilla Mill) cultivars were evaluated under Urmia climatic conditions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate vegetative growth, quality and compatibility of some apple cultivars to allow selection of alternative cultivars for commercial apple production in the northwest province of Iran...

Introduction: Apple (Malus Miller) belongs to Rosacease family and the subfamily of Pomoideae. This fruit is at first place among fruits of temperate zones. The cultivated apple (Malus´domestica Borkh.) is a complex hybrid of the apple species. Chromosomal basis of this subfamily are x=17 and the ploidy levels have been reported for diploid (2n=2x=34), triploid (2n=3x=51) and tetraploid (2n=4x=68). Since Iran is close to the apple diversity region (Central Asia), it has a good variation of apple varieties. Despite the high levels of variation in apple cultivars and species in Iran, there is not still a database of genome size. Classification of plants according to their genome size, especially at lower taxonomic levels is important for breeders. Over the past years, several methods for estimation of nuclear DNA content (genome size) was common, but recently, the use of flow cytometry (FCM) has been increasingly used. Flow cytometry is the best method to estimate DNA cvalue and ploidy levels in apples. In this study, DNA c-Value and ploidy level of Iranian apple varieties has been estimated by flow cytometry and propidum iodide staining…

Introduction: Allium is one of the greatest genera in Amarylidaceae family with more than 900 species distributed in northern hemisphere from temperate region to tropical and subtropical areas. There are more than 135 Allium species in Iran, many of which have the ornamental potential and can be exploited in floriculture industry. Northeast of Iran with more than 35 species especially in Razavi and North Khorassan provinces is regarded as one of the main centers of diversity of Alliums. The species of Allium have the great potential to be used either as cut flower and potted plant or as outdoor plant in urban landscape. There are indeed a rich germplasm of Allium in Iran with diverse characteristics of flower colour, size and form. For the utilization of the wild species, it is necessary to identify and fully assess their main morphological and phenotypic characteristics as the initial step. Morphological markers are one of the commonly used tools which are applied in phenotypic evaluation, taxonomic classification and collection management of plant species. The aim of present study was to evaluate morphological traits and genetic diversity of some of the nativeAllium species of Razavi khorassan in Iran…

Introduction: The population growth and water requirement for domestic consumption, industry, agriculture and urban development in Mashhad megacity, increase pressures on freshwater resources. Therefore, planning for water use optimization is necessary. The new allocation of water resources for landscape greenish, especially in arid and semi-arid is difficult. Therefore, water allocation to landscape is valuable and should be used efficiently. According to water resource limitation, using drought-tolerant plant species and determine threshold of drought tolerance in landscape can improve water use management. Plants that naturally survive in your area are the ones best adapted to your soil, climate and rainfall. By selecting plants that either avoid or tolerate dry conditions, a beautiful, thriving landscape can be made possible. Drought-tolerant plants survive long periods of drought by storing water internally or by developing extensive root systems that sink deep into the soil. Many drought-tolerant plants have additional protection through a waxy coating that reduces evaporation or hairs on the leaf surface that reflect some of the light, insulating the plant. Most drought-tolerant plants use several of these features to survive on low amounts of precipitation. Japanese barberry is a compact woody deciduous shrub with arching branches. Leaf colours include green, bluish-green to dark red and purple.B. thunbergii' s progress in the United States has, to date, been held in check to the south by, probably, its need for cold winter temperatures for stratification of the seeds, and to the west by, probably, drought conditions. Although very drought tolerant once established, a very dry terrain would tend to discourage its incursion. Rugged, adaptable, no serious problems or pests, easy to maintain, transplants readily, shade and drought tolerant, deer resistant is typical ad copy found at any site offering this shrub of colourful fall foliage. In this regard, drought stress tolerance thresholds of ornamental barberry plant in Mashhad landscape were evaluated...

Introduction: Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a perennial plant of the family Geranium (Geraniaceae). Although CaCl2 at higher concentrations than NaCl in the soils and ground water in many areas of the word, most studies have been based on experiments that NaCl is the predominant salt. Relatively few studies have focused on the effects of CaCl2 on plant growth and physiology. Silicon (Si) is considered as an essential element in several crops enhancing growth and alleviating different biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the role of Si in alleviation the deleterious effects of salinity on geranium have been studied…

Introduction: Pistachio is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran, USA, Turkey and some Mediterranean countries. Some physiological problems such as abscission of inflorescence buds, blankness, nonsplitting, early splitting, cracking and nut deformation reduce the pistachio yield and quality. A proper nutrition management of pistachio orchard might decrease the physiological problems and increasing the yield. Calcium is an essential plant macro-nutrient that has several distinct functions within plants. These functions can be divided into main areas including effects on membranes, enzymes, cell walls, and interactions of calcium with phytohormones. Free polyamines (putrescine, spermine, spermidine), are the widely distributed of N containing organic molecules binding to the intracellular anions (DNA, RNA, chromatin and proteins). They are also known to possess several regulatory functions. In plants, they have been associated with regulating many physiological processes, such as organogenesis, embryogenesis, floral initiation and development, leaf senescence, fruit development and ripening, and abiotic and biotic plant stress responses. Although the spray application of calcium compound and free polyamine has been investigated separately, application of calcium compounds combined with free polyamines has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined treatments of calcium and free polyamines on decreasing the physiological problems and improving the yield of ‘Ahmad-Aghaii’ pistachio trees…