Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2018 | Volume:49 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:25

In this research work, seven seeded grape cultivars were crossed with four Iranian seedless grapes to produce new superior seedless grapes as a table grape as well as raisin. Crosses were resulted in 1400 progenies in which 322 progenies in 2010 and 419 progenies in 2011 were evaluated and compared with their own seedless parents as well as cultivars such as Perlette and Flame seedless. Progenies were divided into four grapes of seedless, semi seedless, semi seeded and seeded ones. Some seedless progenies had large berries with good attachment of berries to bunch stem and convenient berry density. Among all studied genotypes; B182, N191, J107, B180, K79, C88, L55, A170, M90, L196 & L207 were completely seedless in which B182 had largest berries(2. 2gr). Some other genotypes such as J113, M91, S66, I116, A201, C95, J69, E159 & N165 were recorded as semi seedless ones in which J113 had largest berries (2. 9gr).

The genus Satureja L. (Lamiaceae) contains 16 species which are distributed all over Iran and 10 of which are endemics. Investigation on essential oils content and composition of five accessions of S. mutica Fisch. a native species in Iran, have been subject to our research. The seeds of five accessions of S. mutica were collected from their natural habitats in Khorasan (2 accessions), Mazandaran and Gilan (2 accessions) provinces in this study. The seeds were planted inside the green house, and then the seedlings were transplanted into the field in Grizeh-Sanandaj research station in 2010 and 2011. An experiment was undertaken to determine the oil production of S. mutica in complete randomized block design with three replications. The aerial parts of each accession were collected in full flowering stages in three consecutive years. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oil yields were increased for 5 accessions in the second year. The main constituents of the essential oils during three consecutive years were thymol (51. 7 and 3. 5%), p-cymene (39. 0 and 9. 8%), γ-terpinene (23. 2 and 10. 0%) and carvacrol (49. 7 and 3. 6%). Although the main components of all the oils were similar, but there were some differences between the percentages of major components and also minor constituents. It is remarkable that the most important phenolic compound, thymol, was decreased in the oils in the second year for most accessions.

Estimating chilling and heat requirement of flower buds in fruit trees is important due to predicting flowering time for approporiate site selection to escape spring frost damage. In this serearch, chilling and heat requirements of three apricot cultivars (namely ‘ Noori’ , ‘ Nasiri’ and ‘ Shahroodi’ ) were estimated by chilling models (Chilling Hours, Utah and Dynamic) and Anderson heat model during 4 years (2009 to 2013) under Karaj climate condition. Based on different chilling models estimations, chilling requirements in apricot cultivars were estimated about 951-1100 chilling units, 41-53 chilling portion and 696-888 chilling hours in 'Noori', 1071-1286 chilling units, 47-63 chilling portion and 768-1008 chilling hours in 'Nasiri' and 1093. 5-1400 chilling units, 58-63 chilling portion and 945-1100 chilling hours in 'Shahroodi'. Heat requirements for flowering in ‘ Noori’ , ‘ Shahroodi’ and ‘ Nasiri’ were estimated about 3964. 5-4216. 5, 3140-3587 and 4477. 7-4859. 7 growing degree-hours (GDH), respectively. Based on the results, the Dynamic model was more homogeneous rather than the Utah and Chilling Hour models in different years with showing lower coefficient of variation (4. 95%) among different years. Results showed a high positive correlation between chilling requirement and flowering date, but negative correlation found between chilling and heat requirements. According to results, chilling requirement is an affective factor on change of flowering date in comparison to heat requirement in apricot cultivars under Karaj condition.

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation interval and silicon on growth, yield and oil content, total phenols and antioxidant activity of basil, an experiment was carried out at research greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Iran, in 2016. The research was carried out in pots as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with four replications. Factors consisted of irrigation in three intervals of 4, 7 and 9 days (according to soil water content of 90%, 75% and 60% field capacity, respectively) and weekly foliar application of 0, 1 and 2 mM potassium silicate. Results showed that increasing irrigation interval decreased growth, and increased water use efficiency. Silicon alleviated the stress effects and improved growth parameters and application of 2 mM potassium silicate increased stress tolerance index. Both higher irrigation intervals and foliar application of silicon increased oil content and total phenols. Moreover, increasing irrigation intervals increased antioxidant activity and the maximum activity was found in plants irrigated every 9 d and foliar sprayed with 2 mM potassium silicate. Correlation coefficient indices showed that oil content had significant positive correlations with root length, total phenols and stress tolerance index and a negative correlation with IC50. Overall, results showed that increase in irrigation interval induced drought stress and consequently decreased the growth parameters measured in this experiment and application of potassium silicate alleviated the effects of drought and improved plant tolerance to drought stress and it increased oil content, oil yield and antioxidant activity.

Due to decreasing of suitable land for agriculture and increasing of the saline lands and also the importance of Leonurus Cardiaca, Identification of tolerant medicinal plants to salinity is most important. The experiment was run as factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Four salinity levels were applied by irrigation with solutions containing NaCl that made EC of 0 (control), 4, 8 and 12 ds/m treated on four ecotypes of Taleghan, Khansar, Sarab and Kerman to measure dry weight of shoot and root, shoot length, leaf area, root length, chlorophyll, carotenoids, prolin, total phenol and elements. Results showed that effect of population and their salinity and interaction effects were significant in most of the measured attributes. Dry weight of shoot and leaf area decreased with increasing salinity level. Kerman ecotype had the highest amount of root dry weight than other ecotypes in all treatments, and had a highest amount of shoot dry weight (33. 43 g) as well. Amount of sodium increased with increasing salinity levels, while the amount of potassium, and Calcium decreased. In all treatments, Taleghan and Kerman ecotypes had the highest amount of potassium in shoot. The highest level of shoot calcium (7. 75 mg/g-1 dw) was in Kerman ecotype. Kerman ecotype was superior in most of traits.

Cultivation of appropriate cover plants could be important on managing polluted soil and water with heavy metals. In the present study, effects of two mycorrhizae species (Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae) on lead accumulation, improving growth parameters and enzymatic antioxidant system of four cool-season turfgrass species, Festuca aurandiance, Festuca ovina, Lolium perenne, and Agropyron elongatum were investigated. Mycorrhizae inoculated plants were treated with different lead concentrations (0, 2000 and 3000 μ M). Results showed that mycorrhizae fungus, especially G. intraradices has potential to colonizing with roots of different turfgrass species under lead polluted soil. The highest colonization percentage was found with Agropyron elongatum species. Mycorrhizae fungi led to an increase in root and shoot dry weight and Pb uptake at all studied turfgrass species. The maximum Pb uptake was found in Festuca aurandiance which inoculated by G. intraradices. Furthermore, mycorrhizae fungi could suppress increasing of leaf H2O2 and malondialdehyde when exposed to lead stress and increased antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in all turfgrass species. Overall, mycorrhizae could increase lead accumulation by enhancing enzymatic antioxidant system and improving turfgrass growth without observing any damage symptoms.

Rose production is a function of the genetic traits and environmental characteristics, including quantity and quality of the irrigation water. Due to the limitation in availability of high quality water resources in most regions of Iran, the effect of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (due to variation in sodium chloride concentration) was investigated on the yield and quality of rose cv. Dolce vita in hydroponic system. The experimental treatments included four nutrient solutions with different electrical conductivities of 1. 6, 1. 8, 2. 0 and 2. 2 dS m-1 containing 3. 18, 4. 57, 5. 69 and 6. 87 mM sodium and 1. 58, 2. 71, 3. 76 and 5. 11 mM chloride concentrations, respectively. Results indicated that treatments not only had no significant effect on quantitative and qualitative performance of rose cv. Dolce vita, but also they improved petal pigmentation only if ions concentrations and ions ratios were properly adjusted in the nutrient solutions. Despite applying 40 percent leaching fraction, electrical conductivities of pots drain water were gradually increased. In addition, by increasing sodium and chloride ions concentrations, only chloride concentration was significantly increased in leaf tissue. Overall, results of this research indicated that by optimizing the nutrient solution, rose cv. Dolce vita tolerated variation in electrical conductivity of nutrient solutions in the range of 1. 6 to 2. 2 dS m-1 (because of variation in NaCl concentration) without any reduction in performance or quality.

Freezing injury of strawberry plants is one of the greatest factors reducing crop yield and quality in temperate regions. In order to evaluate the winter cold tolerance of 21 strawberry cultivars, an experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three replications under natural freezing temperatures in agricultural research station of Ghamlou, part of on agricultural research center of Kurdistan. Crown freezing injury index (It) based on electrolyte leakage as well as leaf and crown LT50 values, crown tissue browning intensity, survival percent, number of leaf/plant, leaf area, petiol length and yield/plant of strawberry cultivars were meseaured. There were significant differences (P≤ 0. 01) between cultivars for all of the evaluated traits. The least crown freezing injury and the highest winter survival percent were seen in ‘ Krasnyy bereg’ , ‘ Queen Elisa’ , ‘ Aliso’ , ‘ Dachnitsa’ and ‘ Kurdistan’ cvs., respectively whereas ‘ Tennessee Beauty’ and ‘ Selva’ showed the least tolerance to low temperatures. According to the results of probit analysis of crown critical temperature (LT50), ‘ Krasny Bereg’ was the most tolerant cultivar to low temperatures while ‘ Tennessee Beauty’ was the most sensitive cultivar compared to the other tested cultivars. Leaf area and petiol length had positive correlations with crown It and crown LT50 whereas the number of leaf/plant had a positive correlation with survival percent and yield/plant under low temperatures stress. Based on the results, the ʻ Queen Elisaʼ compared to other varieties is the most appropriate cultivar for cultivation in cold regions.

In this study, the effect of 5 nutrient solutions containing different ratios of ammonium nitrogen to total nitrogen on quantity and quality properties of two apple varieties (Golabe-Kohanz and Granny Smith), were studied. One of the nutrient solution (number 1) had no ammonium nitrogen but the ammonium to total nitrogen ratios of other nutrient solutions were, 0. 04, 0. 07, 0. 10, 0. 14 meq/liters, respectively. Fresh weight, length, diameter and length to diameter ratio of fruits (shape of fruits), fruit firmness, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA) and TSS / TA ratios were evaluated. When ammonium nitrogen increased in nutrient solutions there was no significant difference in fruits fresh weight and shape of fruits. While firmness, pH, total soluble solids significantly decreased when the ammonium to total nitrogen ratios increased in nutrient solutions.

In order to compare the storability of short day onion populations and cultivars in non-controlled storage, this research was conducted at Behbahan Agriculture Research Station from 2013 to 2014 for two years. Seeds were sown in nursery in late September. Seedlings were transplanted at 2-3 leaf stages. Evaluation of bulb storability was performed by using split plot experiment based on RCBD with four replications. Main plot consisted of eight populations and cultivars (Behbahan, Padook, Ramhormoz, Iranshahr and Brazjan landraces, Primavera and Texas Early Grano cultivars and improved population of Behbahan onion) and six storage times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months) considered as sub plots. The monthly bulb loss weight percentage decreased with passing time. Improved population of Behbahan onion had the most sever weigh losses (20. 26%). Damage of black mold increased until the third month of storage and then decreased. Ramhormoz landrace was the most sensitive genotype damaging from black mold (39. 47%). The highest percentage of bulb rotting (29. 65%) was recorded for Primavera cultivar and storability of this cultivar was significantly lower than other genotypes. Bulb sprouting was observed from the third month of storage. Iranshahr landrace had the highest bulb sprouting (31. 57%). Results showed that according to storability, improved population of Behbahan onion and Texas Early Grano were better than other genotypes.

Important pre-harvest management factors have a massive impact on increasing storage life and post-harvest quality of produces. One of the most important factors in post-harvest management is the amount of plant irrigation. This study conducted in order to evaluate the effect of irrigation level in the field on quality and storage duration of fresh cut watermelon (Crimson Sweet cultivar). The irrigation treatment was %100 (control) and %75 of available water (AW) and storage duration treatment was in 5 stages including 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days in 5° C. Results showed that water stress treatment increased amount of total soluble solids (TSS), total phenols, total carotenoids and decreased texture firmness. During 20 days of storage fresh cut, TSS, pH, flavor index, firmness, a*, chroma, lycopene and total carotenoid contents significantly decreased, but all of these traits except chroma had not significant difference between 0 and 5 days. Whereas, titratable acidity, weight loss, L*, hue angle and total phenolic compounds increased significantly. Although, water stress increased TSS in 0 and 5 days, this was not statistically significant compared with control. According to these results, water stress treatment improved some quality parameters of produce and stability made stable in storage. So, %75AW and 5 days of storage for maximum quality of half fresh cut watermelon could be recommended.

In order to evaluate the effect of grafting of cucumber on commercial cucurbits rootstocks, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block design including eight treatments with three replicates in the field of Agricultural Research Station, University of Tabriz in field Conditions at 2015. Two populations of Azerbaijan cucumber (Basmenj and Gouney, respectively) and a commercial cultivar of cucumber (Mahan) were grafted on two commercial cucurbits rootstocks (Shintozwa and Routpower, respectively). Treatments of experiment were including grafted combination of Basmenj/ Shintozwa, Basmenj/ Routpower, Gouney / Shintozwa, Gouney / Routpower, Mahan / Routpower, non grafted Basmenj, Gouney and Mahan cucumbers. Plants were grafted by single cotyledon splice grafting techniques. Results showed that rootstocks had a significant effect on growth and yield index including leaf area, cholorophyll index, stem length, shoot dry weight, fruits number per plant and yield per plant. The highest N concentrations in leaf was observed in grafted combination Mahan/ Routpower and the lowest in Basmenj. The highest K and P concentration in shoot were observed in grafted combination Mahan/ Routpower while the lowest K and P concentrations in shoot were observed in Basmenj. The highest nitrate concentration in leaf was observed in Basmenj and the lowest in grafted combination. Mahan/ Routpower. The highest concentration of sucrose and total soluble sugar in leaf were observed in grafted combination of Mahan/Routpower. In grafted combinations, the effect of rootstocks on N, P and K concentrations in shoot and yield index in most traits were similar and Shintowza and Routpower improved yield and growth index, because of increasing concentrations of N, P and K in shoots.

Date palm is one of the important fruit in Iran. Maintain of fruit quality, reducing microbial contamination and control of pests are the main objects of date palm during storage. To determine the effect of gamma radiation on date palm, research on 'Piarom' as semi-dry date cultivar and 'Deiri' and 'Zahedi' as dry date cultivars were performed after storage for 4 months at 25± 2° C. Fruit harvested and were irradiated by gamma radiation (0, 1, 3 and 5 kG doses). The factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with 3 replications was conducted. Result showed that in all three cultivars, treated fruits had lower water loss and higher flavonoid content. Treated fruits with highest doses of radiation showed better sensory quality and lower pest contamination. Irradiation had significant effect on control of microbial contamination in Deiri and Zahedi cultivars but had no effect on Piarom palm. Zahedi didn’ t show any bacterial contamination and other cultivars also showed significant differences. In general, the best dose of irradiation in this study was 5 kG. Results indicated that gamma radiation can be considered for inhibiting microbial contamination and maintain quality of fruits. It can also be used as a technique of future definition.

Medlar (Mespilus germanica L) grows wildly in East Azerbaijan province (Arasbaran). Unfortunately, a few studies have been done on medlar in this area, except in limited cases. In this research, physicochemical characterizations such as weight, length and width of fruit and seed, fruit color parameters and antioxidant capacity of peel and flesh of 20 wild medlar genotypes were measured. Results showed that there were high diversity in some of the attributes such as peduncle length, a*, Hue, seed weight and flesh antioxidant capacity. The 10 main factors based on factor analysis were explained approximately 85. 97 % of the total variance. According to the cluster analysis, genotypes were divided into four main groups. The first group includes four genotypes (M7, M8, M5, M6) which had the highest mean length, width, thickness and weight of the seeds. In the second group, the eight genotypes (M3, M9, M10, M11, M2, M4, M1, M13) were located and these genotypes had the highest mean length, width, weight and geometric mean diameter of fruit. The third group of genotypes included two genotypes (M19, M20), the leaf length, petiole length, peduncle length, pH, and Hue had a significant role in the separation of this group. In fourth group, the six genotypes (M14, M15, M16, M12, M17, M18) were located and the peel and flesh antioxidant capacity had the highest impact in separation of this group. Obtained results might be helpful for breeding programs and introducing of cultivar in medlar.

Tomato is one of the most economically important vegetable crops in many parts of the world. Improvement of yield and other essential characteristics of tomato have received more attention. Mapping quantitative trait loci could accelerate tomato breeding processes. ISSR markers were used to identify molecular makers associated with qualitative and quantitative traits in 93 landraces (from West Azarbaijan in Iran and Iğ dı r in Turkey) and three commercial cultivars. Association analysis using mixed linear model (MLM) identified 74 ISSR markers significantly (p<0. 05) associated with 12 qualitative traits. The highest and lowest number of associated markers achieved for fruit size homogeneity (4 markers) and depression at peduncle end (10 markers), respectively. For quantitative traits, 93 ISSR markers were found to be significantly (p<0. 02) associated with 20 traits. The highest and lowest number of associated markers was observed for cotyledon leaf width (one marker) and fruit length and fruit pH (9 markers), respectively. Some markers showed significant association with a number of quantitative traits in both years. Also, siginificant associations were found between a marker and various traits. After validation of these markers, we will be able to use them in tomato breeding programs for simoultaneous mutil-trait selection.

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the earth crust. Silicon has been shown to ameliorate the adverse effects of heavy metals on plants. In order to investigate the effects of silicon nutrition on tolerance of mint (Mentha spicata L. ) to cadmium stress, a factorial experiment based on Completely Randomizad Design was conducted in four replications in research greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University at 2014-2015. Experimental factors included soil contamination by cadmium (0, 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg soil) and silicon nutrition (0 and 1 mM). The number of pots was 32 also in each pot one spearmint stand were planted. During this experiment, traits such as: plant height, plant dry weight, root and stem dry weight, leaf and stem number, leaf area, chlorophylls index, electrolyte leakage, relative water contents, chlorophylls a, chlorophylls b, total chlorophylls, enzyme activity of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, as well as proline, carbohydrates, caretenoids were measured. Results indicated the intractive effects of cd stress and si on plant height, leaf area, plant dry weight, stem dry weight, root wet weight, proline, activity of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, chlorophylls a, chlorophylls b, were significant. The highest value for carbohydrate, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, chlorophylls a, chlorophylls b, plant height, plant and stem dry weight, leaf area, root wet weight were obtained by foliar spraying of 1 mM concentration of silicon and without cd stress. In general, it can be concluded that foliar spraying of silicon is effective to increase total chlorophylls, plant dry weight, and stem dry weight under cd stress.

In order to study effects of organic and bio-fertilizers on dry matter yield and quantity and quality of essential oil of green basil, an experiment was conducted as factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete block design. First factor contained three levels 0, 5 and 10 ton/ha vermicompost and second factor contained two cases inoculated seeds and non-inoculated seeds with Nitroxin biofertilizer. Results showed that the highest shoot dry yield was obtained with application of 5 t/ha vermicompost while the highest essential oil percentage and essential oil yield were in applying 10 ton/ha vermicompost. Nitroxin biofertilizer showed significant effects on shoot dry yield, geranial percentage and Caryophyllene oxide percentage in essential oil, as the highest geranial percentage and caryophyllene oxide percentage in treatment of application of Nitroxin (inoculated seeds) were obtained. Also, the intractions effect of factors on shoot dry yield, geranial, caryophyllene oxide and trans alpha bergamotene in essential oil were significant. Generally, the highest shoot and essential oil yields were obtained with application of vermicompost and the highest essential oil compositions with Nitroxin application.

Assessing nutritional status of plants is the effective approach in diagnosing and determining macro and micro elements optimum patterns and increasing the yield and improving the quality of agricultural products. Therefore, this study had been done for evaluating nutritional status, seasonal variations and concentration of nutrients in leaves of five pistachio cultivars (Qazvini, Badami Zodras, Momtaz, Ahmad Aghaii and Kalle Gochi). This study was carried out in completely randomized block design a few years with three replications at Mahneshan research station. Results showed that the most Nitrogen and Phosphorous concentrations were in the fruit set stage and the concentration of these elements was decreased until kernel filling stage. Potassium concentration of leaves had not so many variations in the fruit set and fruit development stages and was decreased in the kernel filling stage. The highest concentration of Zinc was observed in the fruit set stage and then decreased. Results of the Deviation from Optimum Percentage revealed that the nutritional importance order was as K>P>Zn>B>Mn>Cu>N. Σ DOP of 450 for the Badami Zodras cultivar was the worst unbalanced nutritional estate among all cultivars and the Potassium and Boron concentrations of this cultivar was less than the optimum levels.

Silicon as a beneficial element has several effects on growth, yield, abiotic stresses tolerance and nutrient element balance in plants. For this purpose, an experiment established in Complete Randomized Design with four levels of silicon foliar spray (0, 40, 80 and 120 mg. L-1) with three replications (each replication contained five 0. 7 liter pots) on Impatiens hawkeri in greenhouse conditions during 2 months in summer 2015. Different traits such as nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and leaf silicon content, anthocyanin, a, b and total chlorophyll contents were measured. Results showed that the most N (2. 8%), P (0. 41 %) and K (2. 68 %) contents were related to 40 mg. L-1 of silicon treatment. However, the most Ca (3. 75 %) and Mg (1. 81 %) contents obtained in 80 mg. L-1 silicon treatment, but the most Si content (15. 6 mg/kg fw) obtained in 120 mg. L-1 treatment. Total chlorophyll (20. 76 mg/kg fw) and petal anthocyanin content (32. 1 mg/kgfw) was the highest in 120 mg. L-1 Si treatment. Generally, Si can be suggested as a beneficial element (120 mg. L-1 ) for New Guinea Impateins.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid at concentrations of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg l-1 and thiamine of 100 and 150 mg l-1 in both soil (Cattle manure, sand, leaf mold and garden soil) and hydroponic (coco peat and perlite) systems on growth, development and flowering of tuberose in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement with three replications in Research greenhouses of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at day/night temperature of 28 and 16 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 75± 5%. Treatments as foliar application in two stages (40 and 47 days after planting) was applied on the aerial parts of the plant. Results showed that the highest fresh weight, number of florets, flower diameter, number of leaves belonged to the thiamine treatment of 150 mg l-1. The highest stem diameter and leaf area was obtained in plants treated with salicylic acid of 100 mg l-1. Salicylic acid in concentrations of 200 and 50 mg l-1 created the highest spike and stem height, respectively. The most depth of root development was obtained in thiamine treatment (100 mg l-1). The lowest number of days to head emergence of flowering stems and flowers were related to thiamine treatment (100 and 150 mg l-1) and salicylic acid (50 mg l-1). Comparison of culture bed, showed that hydroponic culture in all measured morphological traits except stem length had the most effect, and the lowest number of days to emergence of flowering head stems and flowers were obtained in soil culture. Overall, it was determined that salicylic acid and thiamine had positive effects on measured traits and are recommended to improve the growth and development of tuberose. Also, considering to the ever increasing use of hydroponic system, it would be justified for the cultivation of tuberose, of course needs more research.

A standard in vitro mass propagation protocol for development and propagation of valuable flowers such as Anthurium is one of the major procedures and goals in flower industry. Towards developing a commercialized propagation recipe for A. andraeanum cv. Pink, effects of BA and NAA were investigated on regeneration, proliferation and in vitro mass propagation efficiency of cultivar Pink, as well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The lateral buds were established in 1/2MS contains different concentrations of BA (0, 0. 1, 0. 3 mg/l) and NAA (0, 0. 04, 0. 07, 0. 23 mg/l). The longest shoots (average of 23. 46 mm), was obtained in 1/2MS containing 0. 23 mg/l NAA. The highest number of buds were produced in medium containing 0. 23 NAA plus 0. 3mg/l BA. The highest root number was emerged in 0. 23 mg/l NAA. The highest percentage of regeneration rate obtained in the media containing 0. 23mg/l NAA+ 0. 3mg/l BA compared to the control. Obtained protocol can be simply used for in vitro mass propagation of healthy Anthurium plants.

Abstract: The flavonoid compounds in the Dracocephalum kotschyi has anti-cancer properties and using various methods such as hairy roots production can used to produce valuable secondary metabolites. In this study, the effect of explant type (cotyledon, hypocotyl, leaf and internode) and explants age (1 week leaf, 2 weeks leaf and 4 weeks old leaf) on hairy roots induction percent were surveyed. The transgenic status of hairy roots was confirmed by PCR using rolB genes-specific primers. In order to find optimum culture media for hairy roots growth and proliferation, four types of liquid basal media including, MS, 1/2MS, 1/4 MS and B5 and UV-B elicitor effects in three levels (3 min, 6 min and 9 min) on biochemical characteristics and Rosmarinic acid (RA) contents were investigated. The maximum hairy roots induction was obtained in 1 week leaves old (56. 66 %); cotyledon explants (36. 66 %), respectively. The highest fresh (4. 34 gr) and dry weight (0. 31 gr) and lowest fresh (1. 04 gr) and dry weight (0. 10 gr) was recorded in 1/4 MS and B5 media, respectively. The maximum and minimum antioxidant activities (92. 33% and 63 %) were obtained in UV-B exposure time to 6 min radiation and non-transformed hairy roots. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the production of RA in UV-B (6 min) elicited hairy roots of D. kotschyi was almost 2. 5-fold higher than that of the non-transformed roots (34. 9 μ g /mg DW compared to 13. 8 μ g /mg DW).

A true understanding of the temporal and spatial expression patterns of the genetic coding of florogenesis in fertile garlic genotypes will facilitate garlic breeding. Herein we studied the expression patterns of gaLFY and AsFT 1, 2, 4 during reproductive development in different organs of bolting, semi-bolting and non-bolting Iranian garlic clones. The highest relative expression of the gaLFY was observed in the meristem of all clones eight weeks after planting, which was 20 fold more in bolting than in non-bolting clone. gaLFY expression was also increased in the inflorescence of bolting clone in comparison to control (eight leaves of non-bolting clone). AsFT4 and AsFT1 were expressed in the bulbs of all clones and at low amount in inflorescence and flowers of bolting clone, respectively. The highest relative expression of the AsFT2 was observed in the leaves of all clones 12 weeks after culture, which was 3. 2 times more in bolting than in non-bolting clones. AsFT2 was also expressed in the meristem of bolting and semi-bolting clones. It is suggested that gaLFY plays its role in flowering integration and floral identity and AsFT2 could be a flowering integrator gene in bolting clone. Low expression of gaLFY and AsFT2 in semi-and non-bolting clones causes vegetative to reproductive transition but inhibits complete scape elongation. So that in the non-bolting garlic scape aborts and in the semi-bolting garlic a very short scape forms among the leaves.

This research was performed to evaluate morphological diversity of 40 thornless blackberry genotypes to find their relation with thornless resources. The samples evaluated based on blackberry descriptor in SANRU blackberry collection. Results showed high diversity in empty seed, taste, weight and titrable acidity of fruit with 100, 59, 43 and 42%, respectively. Empty seeds showed positive correlation with number of shoot (0. 325) and cross section of stem (0. 365) and negative correlation with fruit TSS (-0. 393) significantly. Morphological cluster separated two different class of thornless genotypes. The first class included Thornless Evergreen and Everthornless as first (chimera cultivar) and second (tissue cultured cultivar) resources of thornlessness in blackberry and separated based on flower lengths, TSS/TA, seed number and weight traits. The first class included most of evaluated thornless genotypes and it indicated genetic and recessive type of thornlessness (tissue cultured cultivar) which is the most popular cultivar in Mazandaran, Iran. Homonym genotypes identified, too. In second class, the vigorous thornless cultivars which could be related to poly ploiid cultivars belonged to Merton source of thornlessness, separated from others. Therefore, two early sources of thornlessness identified between Iranian genotypes inside of 'Merton thornless'. It seems that other distinct thornless genotypes related to evolution of thornlessness in diverse climate of north of Iran and will be valuable for future studies.

The experiment was carried out on 560 half sib and full sib hybrids of apple during 2014-2015. This study was conducted on 6 and 7 year-old plants in Seed and Plant Improvement Research Institute, Iran. The program related to composed of 7000 seedlings made by 44 cross combinations (2004-2005) based on morphological marker technique in 2006-2007. The plants were grown in the hybrid orchard obtained through a large screening program to select early and mid-early hybrids. In this study, some important quantitative and qualitative pomological traits were evaluated and genotypes were classified into three groups using cluster analysis based on measured traits. In estimation of correlation between phenological traits, there were no significance relationships between yield per tree and growth vigor, period of flowering, flowering density, ripening time and height of tree, but yield had significance and positive correlation with percent of fruit abscission. Flowering density had no significant effect on some phenological traits. In estimation of heritability of some important traits, the highest and lowest general heritability were from yield and period of flowering (64. 10% and 5. 75%, respectively). General heritability of early ripening was 41. 15 percent.