Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2015 | Volume:46 | Issue:1|Papers Count:15

In order to study F3’5’H and F3’H function and their intraction in the grapevine flavonoids biosynthetic pathway, designing and constraction of suitable constructs encoding ihpRNA was performed and transgenic lines containing silencing construct of F3’H and simultaneous silencing construct of F3’5’H and F3’H were created. For this purpose, fragments were selected from both genes and inserted into pHANNIBAL vector as inverted repeats. Using binary vector system, each construct inserted into p27 mod GFP 4a vector and were used for Agrobacterium transformation. Embryogenic calli, drived from anther culture, were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium for transformation. Expression of GFP gene was detected in transgenic embryogenic calli, 5 days after inoculation using microscope. Finally, 42 and 34 lines were generated from single (F3’H) and simultaneous silencing (F3’5’H and F3’H) cultures, respectively. PCR analysis confirmed 36 single (F3’H) silencing line and 27 simultaneous silencing (F3’5’H and F3’H) lines, showing high efficacy of regeneration and transformation methods.

Evaluation of pomological characteristics can be useful in selection of best cultivars for commercial purposes. During this project, seven cultivars of sweet cherry including five cultivars from Hungary (‘Stella’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Germesdorf’, ‘Summit’ and ‘Subima’) and two control cultivars (‘Cillage Blamarka’ and ‘Siahmashad’) were studied by Completely Rondomized Blocks design with three replications during two years in Kamal Shahr Horticulture Research Station. Comparison of average fruit weight showed that ‘Sunburst’ had the largest fruit size (7.21 g), fruit length (23.23 mm), fruit width (23.7 mm) and fruit volume (7.09 cc) whereas the Blamarka’ had the lowest values. Average of Total Soluble Solids (TTS) ranged from 22.59% in ‘Siahmashad’ to 18.29% in ‘Stella’ cultivar. Results of this study showed that ‘Sunburst’ had the best pomological characteristics in Karaj climatic conditions. Furthermore, the Sunburst displayed self-compatibility characteristic and, therefore, may be the preferred cultivar relative to incompatible cultivars such as Siahmashhad.

Frost occurrence during plant growth created special conditions to evaluate the effects of planting date on dry matter content and agronomical characteristics of potato cultivars influenced by natural frost in field conditions. A split-plot experiment with three replications was carried out to compare three planting dates, as main plot, from 1 to 21 November with 10 day intervals and four cultivars (Sante, Savalan, Santana and elmera) as sub plot for one year (2011-2011) at Behbahan Agriculture Research Station. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design. All haulms of plants in planting dates of 1 and 11 Nov., in vegetative growth and tuber initiation stages all haulms were killed due to frost. However plants in planting date of 21 Nov didn’t emerge. One week before harvest, haulms were defoliated. Tubers were harvested at mid-May. The haulm and tuber dry matter content of all cultivars decreased in the first sampling date after frost. The recovery rate of Savalan cultivar was higher than other cultivars. Plants in planting date of 11 Nov. were recovered faster than the plants in planting date of 1 Nov. Savalan cultivar produced the maximum dry matter content in planting dates of 1 and 11 Nov. Due to higher dry matter content of plants in planting date of 11 Nov., the yield of mentioned planting date was higher than planting date of 1 Nov. Comparison of characteristics showed that frost influenced the total and marketable yield, marketable yield percentage and mean tuber weight of 1 and 11 Nov planting dates, which were higher than 21 Nov planting date. However, the effect of frost on mean tuber number and tuber dry matter content did not differe significantly. Regarding to results, planting of winter potato should be avoided before late January in Khuzestan province to minimize the risk of yield damage by frost and Savalan cultivar is recommended for winter potato planting in this province.

A factorial experiment based on Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was performed with three replications to investigate the interaction between salinity and NH+4 / NO-3 ratio on olive saplings. Four levels of salinity (0, 50, 100,150 mM) and different ratios of NH+4/ NO-3 (0:14, 2:12, 4:10, 6:8) were applied on one-year old olive saplings grown in perlite: sand media (1:1). Results indicated that different levels of salinity, decreased N, P, K absorption, K/Na ratio, chlorophyll content index and photosynthesis rate and increased proline content and Na absorption in different rates. Zard cultivar was more affected by the deleterious effects of salinity. Also it was observed that increasing NH+4 in the nutrient solution enhanced K/Na ratio and photosynthesis rate in Zard cultivar while reduces mentioned parameters in cultivar Arbequina.Nutrient solution containing NH+4 and NO-3 ions (8 to 6 ratio) in comparison with others with the increase of photosynthesis rate and K/Na ratio was more efficient in adjustment of deleterious effects of salinity. This effect was more obvious in ‘Zard’ than ‘Arbequina’.

In this study, two wild Iranian Crocus species (Crocus speciosus and Crocus cancellathus) were examined using 16 morphological characters and 13 ISSR primers on 250 and 25 plant samples, respectively. The highest and lowest coefficient of variations were belonged to the thickness of the petals (71.25%) and the leaf length (15.08%), respectively. Cluster analysis based on morphological characteristics divided plant samples into three groups. Thirteen ISSR primers produced high degree of polymorphism (94.46%). Genetic similarities among the samples ranged from 0.11 to 0.75 for Khanemiran–Arak with HassanAbad-shazand (C. cancellathus) and for Ravansar with-Kangavar (C. speciosus), respectively. Results showed that the plant samples belonging to two studied species, had high genetic diversity and ISSR analysis was suitable technique for evaluation of genetic diversity of Crocus species.

This research was designed to identify garlic (Allium sativum L.) bolting clones and determining the relationship between their morphological traits and bolting capacity by using statistical methods of analysis of variance, comparison of means, correlation coefficients, factor analysis, stepwise regression, path analysis and cluster analysis. Traits including flowering ability, number, length and width of leaf, position of the longest leaf, length and diameter of pseudostem, weight of bulb and clove, number of cloves in bulb, percent of clove dry matter and yield were investigated in 30 Iranian garlic clones. Results of analysis of variance showed significant difference in all studied traits of clones. Coefficients of correlation test showed that there was significant negative correlation between bolting and number, length and width of leaf, position of the longest leaf, diameter of pseudostem, weight of bulb and clove, number of clove in bulb and yield; and significant positive correlation with length of pseudostem and clove dry matter percentage. Factor analysis test showed that in first factor, the most positive coefficient was related to number and width of leaf, diameter of pseudostem, weight of bulb and yield, and in second factor, the most positive coefficient was related to length of leaf, length of pseudostem and weight of clove. Stepwise regression Analysis showed that leaf number per plant, length of pseudostem and length of leaf had the highest correlation with bolting. In addition, path analysis showed that, the number of leaves per plant and length of leaf had the highest direct negative effect on bolting whereas pseudostem length had the highest direct positive effect on bolting. Acording to cluster analysis of traits, all clones were divided into two main clusters including bolting and non-bolting. Results of this study showed that some morphological traits such as less leaf length, more length of pseudostem and fewer leaf numbers per plant, could be used as a morphological markers in breeding programs and garlic seed production.

Continual bearing and production of the highest quality fruits in kiwi requires initial training and regular annual pruning. Effects of three training systems including T-bar, as a common training system, Modified TY (MTY) and Y-shape (Y), and two pruning levels (60 and 80 buds per vine) was studied on yield and quality characteristics of kiwifruit ‘Hayward’. Experiment was carried out in a factorial experiment using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in 2012. Results showed that the highest yield was obtained in Y80 treatment and the highest content of fruit tissue firmness, TSS and TSS/TA ratio were observed in Y60 treatment. The lowest fruit dry matter percentage belonged to MTY60, but fruits vitamin C was observed in Y60, Y80 and MTY60 systems. The highest content of total phenol was obtained in Y60 and MTY60 systems. However, the highest content of fruits extract total chlorophyll and antioxidant capacity at harvest time was observed in Y60. According to the results of this study, Y training system and pruning level of 60 buds per vine increased yield and quality of kiwifruit, respectively.

To study the effect of foliar application of putrescine on enhanceing drought tolerance of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) seedlings, an experiment had been carried out as factorial based on completely randomized design in a controlled greenhouse with 9 treatments and 20 replications. In this study, treatments were putrescine (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) and three stress levels including control (80% of field capacity), moderate drought stress (50% field capacity) and severe drought stress (20% field capacity). The results of morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters showed that these parameters were affected by the stress levels as well as different concentrations of putrescine. Foliar spray of 1mM putrescine affected the physiological and biochemical parameters and enhanced the tolerance of Persian walnut seedlings to drought stress through improving antioxidant activity systems (via increasing catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase). The highest rate of shoot length (35.67 cm), leaf area (303.6 cm), leaf relative water content (58.51%), the total fresh weight (47.20 mg) and the lowest ion leakage (28.28%) was related to 1 mM putrescine treatment. It was found that foliar spray of 1mM putrescine was effective on enhanceing drought tolerance of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) seedlings.

A number of grapevine cultivars have female flowers and for better fruit set, they need pollinizer. Single planting of these cultivars leads to severe decrease in fruit set. This research was carried out to investigate the effect of cross pollination with four grape cultivars (Askari, Rish baba, Bidane sefid and Tabarze sefid) on fruit set, bunch weight, berry per cluster, average weight of 20 berries, TA, TSS, pH and berry color of cv. Qezel ouzum to compare self and open pollination. Experiment was based on RCBD with four replications and seven treatments. Pollen germination of maternal parent was tested in both solid and liquid media culture. Results showed that cluster and rachis weight, %fruit set, berry number and pH were significantly affected by pollen sources. The heaviest bunch and the highest %fruit set of ‘Qezel ozum’ was obtained when cross pollinated with ‘Bidane sefid’. No pollen germination was observed in both culture media and no berry set in vineyard conditions in self pollination treatment. Based on these finding, Qezel ouzum of urmia is a male sterile cultivar which requires suitable pollinizer for commercial production.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fertilizers on the yield and essential oils of basil. This experiment was carried out in completely randomized block design with three replications in Jiroft area. The treatments included three levels of Barvar 2 (10, 20 and 25 g/ha), cow manure at three levels (5, 10 and 15 ton/ha), ammonium phosphate and superphosphate triple each at three levels (50, 100 and 150 kg/ha). Traits such as yield, plant height, seed number, panicle weight per plant, essential oil amount, leaf area, and leaf number were measured. The results showed that the treatments significantly affected yield, plant height, seed number, panicle weight per plant, essential oil amount, and leaf area at 1% level of significance but did not significantly affect the number of clusters and the leaf number. Cow manure treatment had the highest yield, plant height, essential oil, weight per plant, number of leaves and leaf area. Barvar 2 treatments had the highest effect only on the number of fertile seeds. Fertilizer treatments of superphosphate triple had the greatest impact on the number of leaf clusters. Overall, cow manures compared to other treatments had the highest impact.

Training systems and calcium foliar application can improve apple fruits pigmentation by changing mineral compositions. In this study, effect of foliar application of calcium chloride with different concentrations (0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 g L-1) over 2, 4 and 6 weeks before harvest time on fruit mineral nutrient composition and colour values of apple cvs. Gala and Delbarestival which trained in three different systems (V shape, HighTech and Cordon) was investigated. The results showed that training systems and calcium foliar application had a significant effect on apple fruit mineral nutrient composition and colour values. Apple fruit cv. Gala which treated V- shape and HighTech showed suitable pigmentation as compare to cordon, but the favorite fruits pigmentation was found in Delbarestival, when trained in High Tech. Furthermore, the highest calcium concentration was found at V- shape and HighTech for Gala fruits and HighTech for Delbarestival. Calcium foliar application could increase significantly fruit peel a* value that means anthocyanin pigment synthesis and red colour production. Phosphorous and potassium contentin ‘Delbarestival’ fruits were sprayed to 1.5 g L-1 calcium increased but their content decreased in higher concentration of calcium application. Overall, the results showed that color improvement of ‘Gala’ apple fruits in HighTech and V shape systems and ‘Delbarestival’ fruits in HighTech system which spray 1.5 g L-1 calcium at three times could be due to increasing calcium concentration in fruits.

The current experiment was carried out to evaluate qualitative and quantitativeof three melons (Cucumis melo gp. Ameri) accssions named Zardjalal, Ananasi and Khanoti. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 16 treatments and three replications at research field of Jahad-e-Daneshgahi, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran. Five commercial cucurbit hybrids named Ace, Shintozwa, ShintoHongto, Zuktozwa and Ferro were used as rootstock. Non-grafted plants of Zardjalal, Ananasi and Khanoti were used as control. The results show that, rootstock and scion had significant effect on qualityandquantity traits. According to results, maximum numbers of fruits per plant (4.76 no) were related to Zardjalal accession on Zuktozwa rootstock. The high marketable fruits numbers (3.16 no) and high yield per plant (8.44 kg) belong to Zardjalal accession grafted onto Shintozwa rootstock to compare other accessions and rootstocks. Ananasi accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had the highest diameter of the graft, scion diameter and rootstock diameter. Zardjalal and Ananasi accessions grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had superlative shoot dry matter with 12.89 and 12.72%, respectively. Ananasi accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had most fruit dry matter with 11.86%. The high cravity (9.5 mm) was seen in Zardjalal accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock. Ananasi accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had the low fruit length, fruit diameter and flesh thickness. Ananasi accession with high brix (11%) was produced sweetest fruits.

The current experiment was carried out to evaluate qualitative and quantitativeof three melons (Cucumis melo gp. Ameri) accssions named Zardjalal, Ananasi and Khanoti. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 16 treatments and three replications at research field of Jahad-e-Daneshgahi, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran. Five commercial cucurbit hybrids named Ace, Shintozwa, ShintoHongto, Zuktozwa and Ferro were used as rootstock. Non-grafted plants of Zardjalal, Ananasi and Khanoti were used as control. The results show that, rootstock and scion had significant effect on qualityandquantity traits. According to results, maximum numbers of fruits per plant (4.76 no) were related to Zardjalal accession on Zuktozwa rootstock. The high marketable fruits numbers (3.16 no) and high yield per plant (8.44 kg) belong to Zardjalal accession grafted onto Shintozwa rootstock to compare other accessions and rootstocks. Ananasi accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had the highest diameter of the graft, scion diameter and rootstock diameter. Zardjalal and Ananasi accessions grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had superlative shoot dry matter with 12.89 and 12.72%, respectively. Ananasi accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had most fruit dry matter with 11.86%. The high cravity (9.5 mm) was seen in Zardjalal accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock. Ananasi accession grafted on Zuktozwa rootstock had the low fruit length, fruit diameter and flesh thickness. Ananasi accession with high brix (11%) was produced sweetest fruits.