Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2018 | Volume:49 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:25

Grape (Vitis vinifera L. ) contains antioxidant compounds which are very useful for human. Unfortunately, most of the antioxidant compounds, such as flavenoides, are reduced during grape ripening stages. Therefore, the study of elicitors for increasing these compounds at the time of ripening, is necessary. In this study, the effect of salicylic acid (SA) spraying in three concentrations of 0 (control), 0. 1 and 1mM on the leaves and fruits of two grape cultivars "Shahani" (with black berries) and "Fakhri" (with green berries) at two growth stages (unripe and ripe) were investigated. Detection indicators at unripe stage were acidity and berry size, and at ripe stage were juiciness and total soluble solid of berries. This study was conducted in 2013-2014 on the vineyards of the "Malayer Grape Research Center". The experimental vines were ten years old and their growing system was a row planting and drip irrigation method. This experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments and three replications. The results showed that the maximum amount of carotenoids were at the unripe stage in the fruit skin of "Shahani" and "Fakhri" cultivars treated by SA at 0. 1mM concentration to amount 73. 65 and 69. 94 mg/gFW, respectively. Results of comparing two growth stages showed that the maximum amount of anthocyanins were at ripe stages in the fruit skin and leaves of "Shahani" cultivar treated by SA at 0. 1mM concentration to amount 3. 21 and 2. 343 mg/g FW respectively. In addition, Measurement of total flavonoids content as showed the increasing effect of SA at 0. 1mM concentration on total flavonoids of leaves and all parts of fruits (exception of seeds) both "Shahani" and "Fakhri" cultivars at ripe stages were more effective. Also, SA treatment as significantly increased the antioxidant activity content of most parts both cultivars at unripe stages at 0. 1mM concentration and ripe stages at 1mM concentration. These results showed that the use of common materials, such as SA, can greatly increase antioxidant properties of grapes during ripe stage.

Cannabis sativa L. is an important economic plant for the production of medical, food, fiber and oils. Nevertheless, lack of sufficient simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers has limited the development of cannabis genetic research. In this study, transcriptome sequences were used for identification and introduction of SSR markers in order to assess genetic diversity and separation of fiber and drug types. Based on the cannabis RNA-Seq data, 3383 SSR were identified from 1402 reads in fiber type whiles this number was 10381 for 4743 reads in drug type. Among these markers, trinucleotide repeat motifs were the most abundant, followed by mononucleotide and dinucleotide. Primers were successfully designed for amplification of 234 SSR markers from 152 individual sequences in fiber and 1543 SSR markers from 1372 individual sequences in drug using Primer3 with default parameters. This study outlines the first large-scale development of SSR markers for cannabis. The effectiveness of these molecular markers should be tested using different Iranian Marijuana populations and could be particularly useful for cannabis populations breeding.

Knowledge of structure and genetic control of traits may facilitate choose the best method of breeding and breeding programs will ultimately succeed. A complete diallel cross design was used to investigate genetic controls of three traits of yield, early maturity and total soluble solids for seven endemic Iranian cantaloupe. Results indicated that the Dastjerdi parent showed high and significant general combining ability for early maturity in each year (-3. 97 and-3. 78), then the additive gene effects have an important role in the control of this trait. Therefore this parent can use in breeding programs to produce early cultivars. Savei and Magasi parents for total soluble solids had highest general combining ability and can be considered to produce varieties with high sugar. The hybrids of Shahabadi × Rishbaba and Rishbaba × Tiltorogh can be considered to produce cultivars with high yield. Furthermore, Savei × (Shahabadi or Tiltorogh or Dastjerdi) and Magasi × (Savei or Rishbaba or Magasi) were considered as appropriate pairs to produce hybrids with high total soluble solids. Results showed the selection method can be effective for the traits of early maturity and total soluble solids, and production of hybrid can be useful for yield.

Pomegranate fruit is one of the sensetive fruit to chilling injury (CI), when they are exposed to temperatures below 5 ° C. This study applied a combination of pre and postharvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at 0 (control), 0. 1, 0. 2 and 0. 3 mM on chilling injury (CI), antioxidant capacity and fruit quality in pomegranate fruit. Fruits were stored at 4± 1 ° C and 90-95% relative humidity for 4 months. MeJA treatment at 0. 2 mM significantly delayed the postharvest CI and increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation about 54, 20 and 27 percent, repectively. In these fruits, total phenolics, DPPH scavenging activity, Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and total anthocyanine were found at higher levels in treated than control pomegranates during postharvest storage. Also, treated fruits had lower weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), pH and higher TA and Vit C. Overall, these findings demonstrated that pre and postharvest treatments with MeJA had potential effect on enhancing tolerance of pomegranates to postharvest chilling injury, maintaining the quality and extending storability and marketing of pomegranate fruits.

This experiment was conducted in order to evaluate resistance to drought stress of watermelon accessions, Isfahan, Sharif-Abad, Crimson sweat and Colocynth as index plant. Experiment performed in Randomized Completely Block Design as split plot with four irrigation regimes (100% as control, 75%, 50% and 25% of available water). Results showed that the longest shoot and high number of female flower was at 100% and 75% AW while the lowest level was observed at 25% AW. The highest water use efficiency obtained from Crimson sweat with 34/16 Kg/m3 at 75% AW. The maximum fruit yield (ton/hectare) was for Sharif-Abad in control treatment and minimum amount for crimson sweat at 25% AW without any fruit. Sharif-Abad and crimson sweat had highest contents of total phenolic compound with increasing stress level in comparison with other samples. As a whole, based on results, Sharif-Abad accession was more tolerant accession in stress conditions. In respect to Evaporation Transpiration and KC, crimson sweat allocated maximum and colocynth minimum amount. The use of local and tolerant watermelon in breeding program and irrigation management could help in overcoming water shortage.

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) in three phase system is a byproduct of olive oil extraction with high pollution load. Since it has a lot of water, organic matter and plant growth nutrients, can be used as a solution for disposal of it in olive groves. In this study, the olive trees cultivars Zard and Local Roughani (Roughani) were treated by different levels of OMW (0, 90, 190 and 380 L Tree-1) for two years. The experiment was carried out as factorial in a randomized complete block design in Manjil region, Guilan province. Results showed that, OMW application especially in high levels increased organic carbon, microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon and soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity in soil and it has a positive effect on the fruit yield. Also, it improved the quality of olive oil in terms of free fatty acids and peroxide value in olive oil, but not effect on the oil percent in dry matter. Biological characteristics in soil were different under two cultivars cultivation. Also, there was a significant difference between two cultivars in oil quality characteristics. Quality characteristics were in the range of virgin and extra virgin olive oil, in both cultivars under treated with OMW.

Passion flower (Passiflora caerulea L. ) is a climbing and herbaceous shrub belonging to the family of Passifloraceae. Tissue culture is an important part of biotechnology, which can produce plants free of pathogens and provides mass production. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of two different types of explants (leaf and petiole) in order to obtain shoot multiplication of Passiflora caerulea. Various concentrations of 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), 6-furfuryl amino purine (KN) and Thidiazuron (TDZ) in combination with indole butyric acid (IBA) were used as a completely randomized design, in three replications. Results of this experiment showed that the highest regeneration frequency of the petiole explant (100%) and the maximum number of multiple shoots (8. 9) was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 1. 0 mg/l BAP along with 0. 1 mg/l IBA. Also in leaf explants, the highest regeneration frequency (86. 66%) as well as the maximum number of multiple shoots (8. 6) were obtained in the above-mentioned medium. The highest rooting frequency (93. 33%) was observed on MS medium supplemented with 0. 5 mg/l IBA. In vitro-raised plantlets were potted and acclimatized under culture room conditions for 25– 30 days before transfer to soil conditions, where the established plants showed more than 90 % survival. The described protocol had a high potential for the micropropagation of this valuable germplasm.

Since the quality and vase life of cut flowers is seriously related to the pre and postharvest factors, so a lot of efforts have been done for increasing quality and longevity of them using different methods and compounds. In the present project, the factorial experiment was done based on Completely Randomized Design to study the effect of pre and post-harvest salicylic acid application on storability of Lilium. Solutions with 0, 50, 100 and 200 μ M concentrations of salicylic acid were sprayed on flowers and their cut flowers were placed in the same solutions after harvest. Results showed the positive effects of 50 and 100 μ M concentrations of pre and postharvest application of salicylic acid on the increase of bud number and delay in antioxidant enzyme activity reduction and also its trend was slow compared to control. Salicylic acid treatment had no significant effect on total protein in 5 developmental stage of flower and the level of hydrogen peroxide had an increasing trend, but to a lesser extent than controls. Pre and post application of salicylic acid with increasing in cell antioxidant capacity and also water balance regulation in plant, caused to extend in vase life of Lilium cut flowers in comparison with control. Due to spread of harmful chemical compounds in preservative solutions, the mentioned composition had more potential for applying in Easter lily greenhouses, flower retailers and home.

Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid looking like Iran country, including one of the factors limiting the growth and yield of crops. That's why finding suitable solutions for overcoming on stress and increased production of special importance. To study the effect of inoculation with mycorhizal fungi on yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ) under drought stress a factorial experiment with randomized complete block design and three replications was performed in greenhouse of Soil Science Department, University of Zanjan, Iran. In this experiment, potato tubers were cultivated in boxes with sandy loam soils. The factors which studied were, four levels of drought stress (FC, 80% of FC, 60% of FC and 40% of FC) and four levels of mycorrhizal fungi (no-inoculation (control), inoculation with Glomus intraradices, inoculation with Glomus mosseae and a combination of them). In this experiment yield and yield components of potato and concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium in leaf and tuber were measured. The results of analysis of variance of data showed that the effects of drought stress and mycorrhizal fungi were significant on all measured traits. The drought stress decreased all measured traits except the nitrogen concentrations of potato leaf and tuber. Application of mycorrhizal fungi increased the yield and yield components of potato and concentrations of plant nutrients in plant. The overall results showed that application of mycorrhizal fungi can decrease the adverse effects of drought stress on potato plant. The highest yield of potato at the rate of 4. 87 Kg per square meter of 100% of field capacity moisture and inoculated with the fungus G. Mosse, respectively.

Drought is one of the factors that affect medicinal plants and on the other hand, the role of mycorrhizal fungi was effective in improving the performance of some medicinal plants exposed to water stress. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted split-plot in randomized complete block design in the Boyerahmad region in three replications during years 2015 and 2016. The studied factors consisted of irrigation levels (primary factor) as irrigation after W1= 30, W2= 60, W3= 90, W4= 120 and W5= 150 mm water evaporation from evaporation pan class A and mycorrhiza fungi (sub-factor) at the levels of non application, application with Glomus mosseae species and application with Glomus intraradices species. Results of analysis of variance showed that the interaction between mycorrhizal fungi and water stress on grain yield, biological yield, 1000 grain weight, oil content and water use efficiency was significant at the level of 1%. In the treatment W30GM, the highest grain yield (276/5 kg/ha) and in the treatment W150NG, the lowest value of grain yield (69 kg) were obtained. In the treatment W30GM, the highest biological yield (5389 kg/ha) and in the treatment W150NG, the lowest value of biological yield (1517 kg/ha) were obtained. In the treatment W90GM, the highest seed oil percentage (29. 38%) and in the treatment W150NG, the lowest value of seed oil percentage (14. 97%) was obtained. In the treatment W90GM, the highest water use efficiency for grain (0. 02460 kg/m3) and in the treatment W120NG, the lowest value of seed oil percent (0. 01185 kg/m3) were obtained. Results showed that under water stress conditions, the use of mycorrhizal fungi could be effective in moderate water stress and increased grain yield, biological yield, grain weight, oil content and water use efficiency of borage compared to the control plants.

Due to climate change and increasing of water demand for agricultural productions, optimum use of water resources is necessary. In this experiment, the effects of partial root zone drying (PRD) along with shading were investigated on growth and water use efficiency of 2-year old sour orange seedlings in Ramsar, northern town near Caspian Sea, Iran. The pot experiment were assigned to a completely randomized design and were treated during seven months in 2015. Treatments were full irrigation (FI), partial root zone drying (PRD), PRD along with moderate shade (MShPRD) and PRD along with high shade (HShPRD). Irrigations water volumes were determined on the basis of soil moisture deficiency. Water consumption reduction relative to FI treatment for PRD, MShPRD and HShPRD treatments were 29. 6, 36. 2 and 39. 2 percent, respectively. Mean comparion indicated that trunk diameter, dry weight ratio of root/total plant and root variables (dry and fresh weight, volume, length, area and length density) in HShPRD were significantly lower than those of other treatments. Also, total dry matter and volume and weight of stem and branches in HShPRD were lower than those of full irrigation treatment. Dry weight ratios of leaf/total plant, shoot/total plant and shoot/root in this treatment were higher than those of other treatments. Treatments had no significant effect on leaf variables, plant height, branches length, root diameter and specific root area and length. In conclusion, the highest irrigation water use efficiency was observed in MShPRD, but it had significant difference only with full irrigation.

Plant nutrition various methods, are the most important factor which positively affects the plant growth and crop productivity. In order to evaluate effects of different levels of animal and chemical fertilizers on quality and quantity characteristics of Garlic in Hamadan climatic conditions, an experiment was conducted in the growing seasons of successive years of 2011-2012 at the agronomical farms of Hamadan. The experiment was performed as split plot layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was the four levels of animal fertilizer (0, 10, 20 and 30 ton per ha) and sub factor was four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg in ha). The agronomic traits that studied in this research consisted of yield and yield components, total bulb diameter and clovlet number. Then, the quality characteristics of garlic such as total pyrovic acid, texture hardness and essential oil percentage were measured and investigated. Results showed that the intermediate treatment of 30 ton per hectare, of manure mixed with 150 kg nitrogen per ha, produced the highest amount of bulb yields with 13290 kilo per hectare. Also, the experiment showed that the intermediate treatment with 10 ton per hectare, of animal fertilizer mixed with 100 kg nitrogen per ha of chemical fertilizers produced the highest amount of total pyrovic acid with 114 (micro mol/gr) and essential oil of 2/97 percent.

Non-destructive methods are very important in agriculture because the tested product can return to the market process, and also they don’ t have the problems of destructive methods such as time-consuming and cost. On the other hand, diversity and abundance of quality characteristics of agricultural products are considered as the other reasons for the development of non-destructive methods. Therefore, in this study the ability of the image processing method in order to predict the quality characteristics such as volume, weight, total soluble solids, titrable acid, total phenolic and antioxidant activity of three Zaghe Yazdi, Malase Yazdi and Malase Esfahan cultivars of pomegranate fruit during 2013 growth season, was investigated. Samples were collected at four stages of 50, 80, 110 and 140 days after full bloom and then the color and chemical characteristics were evaluated. Finally, the calibration models related to colorimetric data and chemical measurements were prepared. Results of validation of models showed that in Malase Esfahan cultivar, the standard deviation ratio was 2. 3, 2. 52, 1. 8 and 2. 95 for weight, volume, total soluble solids and antioxidant activity, respectively. Moreover, it was found that the changes of titratable acid and total phenolic had no significant correlation coefficient with the color of pomegranate fruit and there were not predictable by image processing technique. Overall, it can be concluded that the image processing technique is an efficient method and has a very strong potential for simultaneous and rapid detection of maturity stages and also to detect the status of qualitative characteristics in pomegranate fruit cv. Malase Esfahan.

Providing light source for plantlet growth in potato tissue culture is expensive. So, an experiment was conducted in factorial arrangement based on completely randomized block design with nine replications under in vitro and four replications in greenhouse conditions to study plantlet production under natural light and comparing the morphological traits of these plantlets with the ones grown under fluorescent light conditions. Treatments consisted of two potato cultivars of Agria and Savalan and natural and fluorescent light. Results indicated that Savalan plantlets height was almost the same in both light conditions while a higher plantlet height was found in fluorescent light conditions in Agria. Root length, stem diameter, leaf area, number of nodes per plantlet, number of branches per plantlet and plantlet fresh weight was higher in natural light compared to fluorescent in both cultivars. An increase of 23 and 6 percent in leaf area, 2. 2 and 22. 5 percent in node number per plantlet and 18. 9 and 17. 2 percent in fresh weight was found in natural light compared to fluorescent light in Agria and Savalan, respectively. Longer internodes were observed in fluorescent light. Generally, according to the suitable morphological traits of plantlets grown under natural light and higher minituber production of these plants in greenhouse, reduction in minituber production costs could be achieved by using natural instead of fluorescent light in in vitro conditions.

Salinity is considered as one of the major abiotic stress limiting growth and productivity of plants. Identification of physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved in the resistance to salinity can be useful to select salt tolerant rootstocks. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of rootstock (three cucurbit rootstock, Shintoza, Cobalt, Rootpower) and salinity stress (0, 40, 60 and 80 mM NaCl) on growth, yield, leaf area, antioxidant enzymes activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and Photosynthetic parameters in cucumber (cv. Khasib) leaves were determined, 35 days after salt treatments. Plant Growth parameters in all salinity treatments were significantly higher in grafted plants than non-grafted plants. Grafted plants had 14-21% higher yield than non-grafted plants. The catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity increased as a result of salinity stress, but this increase in grafted plant was 0. 1-2 times of ungrafted plant. Reductions in stomatal conductance at the three salt treatments were significantly lower in the grafted plants in comparison to ungrafted plants. Moreover, lipid peroxidation (MDA content) in grafted plants was 7-12% less than ungrafted plants by salt stress. Maximal quantum yield of PS II (Fv/Fm) of cucumber leaves showed significant difference between grafted and ungrafted plant and this amount was 3-6 percent more than ungrafted plants. Results suggested that increase in activity of antioxidant enzymes, ratio of Fv/Fm and stomatal conductance in grafted plant could be associated with their greater tolerance to salinity stress.

Raisin is the main product of grape in Iran that obtains through drying process. Regarding to mass production of grape in this country, optimization of the raisin preparation methods in order to increase world market demand is required. In this research, effects of three different methods of drying including of sun drying, shad drying and alkaline emulsion drying (potassium carbonate + ethyl oleate) were investigated on biophysical and biochemical properties' of Sultana grape's raisin including raisins yield, drying rate, dry weight, and rachis weight and also antioxidant capacity (based on DPPH, FRAR methods), total flavonoids, total phenols, total protein, soluble sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose), organic acids (ascorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid) and some nutrients under a completely randomized design with three replicates in Iranian Grape and Raisin Institute of Malayer University. In early Sep. of 2015, fruits were harvested manually based on TSS index of 21 (° Brix) and then were laid on drying net racks until they reached 15% moisture. Based on results, significant differences were found among three drying methods regarding to both biophysical and biochemical properties'. The highest drying period was related to shade drying methods while the lowest was found in alkaline emulsion drying method. Furthermore, the highest and lowest grape to raisin drying rate was belonged to alkaline emulsion and shade drying methods, respectively. Raisin yield was highest in alkaline emulsion drying method and lowest in sun drying method. The highest total phenol, total flavonoid and measured antioxidant capacity by DPPH and FRAR was found to be higher in alkaline emulsion drying method compared to other methods. Moreover, soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose and raffinose) and organic acids (tartaric, malic but not ascorbic acid) was higher in alkaline emulsion drying method than other methods. In conclusion, owing to faster grape to raisin drying rate observed in alkaline emulsion drying method, the oxidation of phenolic compounds and flavonoids of these raisins was lower compared to both sun-and shade drying methods which showed higher nutritional value and antioxidant capacity than other methods.

In order to study the effect of calcium acetate on shelf life, maintaining qualitative characteristics and reduction of postharvest decay of apricot fruit cv. ‘ Shekar Pareh’ , a factorial experiment was performed in a randomized complete design with 4 replications. Fruit harvested at the commercial maturity and immediately were transferred to postharvest laboratory of university of Zanjan. Then, fruits were immersed in different concentrations of calcium acetate [0 (control), 12. 64 and 31. 61 mM] for 10 minutes. Treated fruit were packed in boxes with polyethylene cover and stored at 4 ° C and 95± 5% relative humidity for one month. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of the fruit were measured in three times (10, 20, 30 days of storage). The results showed that application of calcium acetate significantly inhibit weight loss and also maintain the firmness of the fruit. Ascorbic acid was reduced during the storage time and the lowest ascorbic acid measured in control. Calcium acetate prevented of increasing TSS. Immersion in calcium acetate increased TA, calcium concentration, moisture content and reduced carotenoids and TSS/TA ratio. Calcium acetate by reduction of postharvest decay caused increasing shelf life of apricot fruit. Overall, it can be concluded that, the quality of apricot was improved by application of calcium acetate which delayed the ripening of fruits.

This study was carried out to evaluate factors affecting ex vitro micrografting of sour lime (Citrus aurantifolia L. ) such as size and type of scions, grafting type, micrografted plantlets conditions and usage of nutrient medium, in order to rescue rootless shoots developed form tissue culture or genetically transformed shoots. Our results showed that the optimum efficiency was achieved when bigger and woodier scions were used in conventional grafting method under controlled environmental conditions. Furthermore, soluble nutrients injected into the micrograft did not show significant difference compared with the control. However, the number of successfully ex vitro micrografted explants treated with MS medium containing agar was higher than the parafilm covered micrografted explants. MS medium supplemented with agar can act as an additional nutritional source to the micrografted explants during the early days of micrografting. Moreover, it gives better anchorage and humidity support for scions and helps with the gradual acclimatization of them in in vivo conditions.

Using native plants in landscape is an issue that has been neglected in the field of landscaping. Therefore, this research took place with the aim of examining the aesthetic aspect of the native tree plants of the Hyrcanian area. Field studies were carried out on 55 native tree species in 9 paths in Sari in the studied area for one year. These studies included recording appearance and aesthetic features. Registration of aesthetic features was done by observation of trees in nature and taking picture of various organs. Scoring was done according to the aesthetic indexes and then data were analyzed by SPSS software and the use of clustering method. Eventually, native tree species of the Hyrcanian region were classified based on aesthetic indexes. In the final stage, superior species was classified according to their application; finally 23 species were introduced as suitable species for street sights, 42 species for parks, 10 species for creation of productive landscapes, 19 species for use in making hinges and walls and 7 species for the margin of rivers and wet places. Summing up the results of this research, it can be concluded that, from the aesthetic point of view, some native Hyrcanian species are highly suitable for use in urban landscapes. Therefore, compatibility research for suggested species in urban environments is recommended.

Plant growth regulators can improve plant growth under environmental stress conditions. Effect of trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on growth response, soluble sugars content (SSc), proline and ion regulation were investigated in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. ) under salinity stress. The four salinity levels were applied at rate of control, 5, 10, and 15 dS/m with NaCl and TE treatments were applied with a hand sprayer at three times, biweekly at rate of 0, 60, 120, and 240 mg/100 m-2. Salinity, significantly increased SSc, proline content, leaf and root Na+, leaf K+, leaf Na/K and root Na/K rates but root K+, root length density and relative water content (RWC) decreased. Also, Foliar application of TE increased RWC, root length density, SSc, proline, leaf and root Na+ and K+ concentrations, Na/K as well as leaf and root ratios. Results indicated that taking up more of the K+, maintaining a high K+ concentration in the leaves and reducing the Na+ being transferred from the roots to the shoots could be the mechanisms for Na+ and K+ regulation for salinity tolerance in creeping bentgrass.

In order to study the effect of deficit irrigation stress on growth, yield and physiological traits of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus cv. Charleston Gray), an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in university of Zanjan. Treatments consisted of three irrigation levels (100%, 70% and 50% Crop Evapotranspiration (ETc)) and grafting (plants grafted on bitter apple and ungrafted plants). Results showed that deficit irrigation stress significantly decreased growth, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) and increased electrolyte leakage and proline content. The highest value of fruit yield and WUE were obtained in ungrafted and grafted plants under irrigation 100% ETc. The maximum soluble solid content was recorded at grafted plant under deficit irrigation 50% ETc. The highest leaf area, plant length, fruit firmness and RWC were obtained in ungrafted plants under irrigation 100% ETc. The maximum POX activity was observed in grafted plants under deficit irrigation 50% ETc. Bitter apple rootstock decreased calcium concentration under irrigation 100% and 70% ETc and increased blossom end rot (BER), but by increasing deficit irrigation stress, calcium concentration in ungrafted plants was decreased and BER was increased. According to the results, grafting on bitter apple rootstock had no positive effects.

Effects of different concentrations of salicylic acid on the storage of golden and red delicious apple fruits in Rafsanjan's Cantoie garden were studied at harvest time and 45, 90, 135 and 180 days after storage. Treatments were included no washing, distilled water, salicylic acid 1, 2, and 3 mM for 1 and 2 hours in cold storage room at 1 ± 2 ° C. A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design was designed. In both cultivars, harvest index coincided with 170 days after full bloom. Results showed that weight loss, electrolyte leakage and decay reduced by salicylic acid and maintained total soluble solids, general acceptance and antioxidant activity. However, salicylic acid treatment had no effect on the color parameters, total acidity and pH of apple fruit. During storage, weight loos, total acidity, pH and decay in golden delicious apples were higher than the red delicious apple, also shelf life of red delicious apples was higher than that of golden delicious apples. Application of 3 mM salicylic acid resulted in increasing superficial scald, off-flavour, and reduced general acceptance, but fruits treated with 2 mM salicylic acid had better quality and more storage life compared to the other treatments.

Silicon is an essential nutrient element for some herbaceous plants and a useful element for improving the growth and to encounter with biotic and abiotic stresses. This research was carried out on natural contaminated soil with heavy metals from Zanjan Industrial Town. The effect of nano-silicon particles application on morpho-physiological and nutritional responses of Lolium perenne was investigated. Nano-silicon treatments were selected in six levels of 100 (NS1), 200 (NS2), 500 (NS3), 1000 (NS4), 2000 (NS5), and control treatment (N0) (in mg/kg). Experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design in greenhouse conditions. Nano Silicon added to soil by usage of pipette method. After the planting and cropping stages of Lolium perenne, the aboveground parts, the concentration of heavy elements (lead, zinc and cadmium) and nutrient elements (phosphorus, potassium and silicon) were measured. Results showed that application of silicon on the adsorption of cadmium and zinc and nutrient elements of potassium, phosphorus, and silicon was significant at 5% level. Also, the application of silicon in soil increased the absorption of zinc and cadmium contaminants in the plant. The highest amount of silicon adsorption in Lolium perenne was observed in NS5 treatment, which showed a significant difference compared to other levels of nano and control treatment. In general, application of silicon improved plant growth and increased the uptake of nutrients in the contamination/stress of the heavy metals.

In order to investigate effects of salt stress on some morphological and physiological traits of Iranian turnips accessions, a greenhouse experimental was carried out as a factorial with a completely randomized design in three replications. The first factor was the salinityof water at four levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 mM NaCl) and the second factor was the accessions of Iranian turnip at 15 levels. Results showed that salt stress reduced the fresh and dry weights of shoot (63, 33) and root tuber (86%), chlorophylls a and b (52 and 37. 5%), potassium ion of leaf and tuber root (33. 2 and 31. 2%) and increased the sodium content of leaf and root tuber (84 and 90. 3 percent. Results of interaction of salinity and accession showed that Mashhad, Yazd and Birjand accessions had the greatest reduction in proline (71, 64. 5 and 61. 6%); while, accessions from Mehriz and Kermanshah had the smallest decrease in chlorophyll a (22 and 32. 3%) at 180 mM salinity compared to control. Chlorophyll a and b levels were positively correlated with fresh weight (0. 8**, 0. 72**) and dry weight of shoots (0. 43**, 0. 68**). Proline had a positive and negative correlation with sodium and potassium of leaf (0. 43*,-0. 42*), respectively. Root potassium and sodium had negative significant correlation. Results showed accessions of Iranian turnip exhibit different responses to salt stress and potassium and sodium ions can be used as a selection index for accessions of salt-tolerant turnip.

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Ramat. ) is one of most important ornamental and medicinal plants in the world. In order to evaluate genetic diversity among some tall Chrysanthemum cultivars using morphological markers, 21 traits in 15 tall cultivars, were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications in Beiranshahr Khorramabad county, Lorestan province. Results obtained from this study revealed a wide range of variations in the measured traits between cultivars. A higher coefficient variation observed for some traits such as flowers number, number of leaves, number of lateral branches. Results of correlation coefficients showed that there was negative correlation between flowers number per plant and number of branches, main branch diameter and plant spacing. Factor analysis, showed seven main and independent components factors with Eigen values greater than one which could Justified 91. 1 percent of the total variation. In Cluster analysis, cultivars in Euclidean distance of 33. 73were divided into three groups. Therefore, two cultivars of 'Shekarnaz' and 'Nandia2' were distinguished from the other cultivars with the highest branch height and 'Golgis' cultivar with the largest head diameter. Since the evaluation of these cultivars was done in the same conditions, so selection can be done for the studied traits.