Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2017 | Volume:48 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:21

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar application of putrescine on the pre-harvest stage on vegetative quality and postharvest attribtes of Lisianthus ‘ Miarichi Grand white’ cut flowers. Plants were planted in the pots containing soil, sand and peat with a volume ratio of 1: 1: 1. The pre-harvest putrescine treatments by 0 (distilled water), 0. 5, 1, and 2 mM were applied as foliar spray at the stage of bud initiation. Vegetative quality attributes such as number of flower bud, flower bud length and diameter, flower stem length, flower stem fresh and dry weight, leaf area and chlorophyll content were measured. Results showed that application of putrescine increased number of flower bud, flower bud length and diameter, flower stem length, flower stem fresh and dry weight, leaf area and chlorophyll content compared to the control. Also, putrescine at 2 mM was the most effective treatments in this study. To investigate the effects of preharvest putrescine on postharvest characteristics of Lisianthus cut flowers, the flowers were harvested when two flowers were fully opened. The results showed that pre-harvest treatment led to increase vase life, relative fresh weight and relative water uptake compared to the control. Also, the decrease in ionic leakage, less accumulation of malondialdehyde, reduced enzyme activity lipoxygenase, less accumulation of H2O2 and increase of antioxidant enzymes catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in the concentration of 2 mM putrescine were observed.

To evaluate the flower performance and its components in terms of morphological traits, 10 genotypes of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill. ), have been cultivated in randomized complete blocks with three replications in a research field in Golpayegan city and studied in 2013. The results of means comparisons showed that for yield per plant, Yazd2 and Khuzestan genotypes had the highest and lowest value, respectively. Esfahan4 genotype was the superior for oil yield/hec. Significant correlations were observed between the characteristics. Positive and significant correlation between plant height and number of flowers with yield per plant were the most important. The results showed significant differences among genotypes for all evaluated traits, but for the qualities of essential oils and petals of the flower weight ratio. In cluster Analysis, the studied genotypes were divided into four groups.

One of the most important limiting factors for Pomegranate fruit storing is chilling stress. Visible symptoms include fruit husk browning and arils paleness. During the recent years some researches have been done to study and inhibit the phenomenon. In this research the efficacy of two fruit covering methods with waxed paper to inhibit chilling injury were compared with controls. Some of the fruits embedded in the paper strips and some others wrapped in the paper sheets. Uncovered fruits were as controls. Fruits were transferred to a cold storage with 5oC and 85% RH. Samplings were carried out in three weeks intervals for 12 weeks. Visual evaluations showed that fruits covering reduced husk browning significantly and maintained arils color brilliance. It was also found that covered fruits had much less ion leakage and hydrogen peroxide. Total analysis of the results showed that both covering methods had potential to control chilling damages in fruits different tissues. Therefore, both covering methods which are environmentally friendly are suitable for commercialization; however, wrapping the fruits in the paper sheets is placed in priority because of the better performance and lesser paper consumption.

The evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (zero, 100, 200 and 400 milligrams per liter) on quantitative growth characteristics of two varieties of Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) a factorial experiment base on a completely randomized block design with three replications were designed. Seedlings 50 days after sowing seed (6 to 8 true leaf stage) was exposure treated with gibberellic acid levels (as foliar). The results showed increased concentrations of gibberellic acid was enhanced significantly traits. The largest number, length and diameter of the branches of flowering, inflorescence length, floret number, number of leaves, vase life and also shoot fresh weight was obtained of the interaction between 400 and 200 ppm gibberellic acid and the yellow varieties (Apollo) and were then white varieties (Alba). Among different concentrations of gibberellic acid maximum diameter of the floret, leaf area, chlorophylls a, b and total and shoot dry weight was obtained of 400 mg/liter GA and the lowest in the control. The leaf area and shoot dry weight in yellow variety was higher than the white variety.

Colocynth is one of drought tolerant species, which is widely distributed in desert regions of Iran. The experiment was performed in research field of University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran placed in Karaj, as a split plot based on randomized complete block design which irrigation levels were as main plot in two levels (100% and 60% field capacity) and accessions were as sub plot in seven levels (Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, Yazd, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Isfahan). At the end of growth period, yield, yield components and indices of drought resistance were evaluated in two stress and non-stress conditions for screening of colocynth accesstions. The highest yield in stress and non-stress conditions belonged to Kerman (5. 73 kg/plant) and Isfahan (2. 54 kg/plant) accessions, respectively. Yield components of Isfahan accession showed the lowest variation percent in stress and non-stress drought conditions. Investigation of drought resistance indices and correlation between yield and these indices and principal components analysis showed that Isfahan accession was tolerant with sustainable yield, Yazd and Hormozgan accessions were semi tolerant with relative sustainable yield and Kerman accession had high yield in non-stress and stress drought conditions. Khuzestan and Bushehr accessions were low yield and high sensitivity to drought stress and Sistan and Baluchestan accessions were low yield and relative tolerant to drought stress. Generally Isfahan accession had high tolerant to drought stress and useful for commercial watermelon breeding programs.

The antioxidants are anti-oxidative system in higher plants and therefore their endogenous stimulation or exogenous application of them can be effective in overcoming on stresses. These combinations are included the kinds of enzymatic and non-enzymatic materials such as: vitamins, pigments and so on. In this present experiment, the influence of salicylic acid and chelated magnesium sulfate was studied on stimulatory or inhibitory effects on different antioxidants production in the pears' leaves. The experiment was conducted in the ecological conditions of Qazvin province in RCBD in 2013 and plant materials were selected pear trees belonging to Louise Bonne. The studied characteristics in this research include antioxidants of -tocopherol, carotenoid, chlorophylls a, b and total. The results indicated that salisylic acid and chelated magnesium sulfate significantly affected on the content of -tocopherol antioxidant, chlorophyll and carotenoid in the leaf pear. There was a highly significant difference (P≤ 0. 01) among treatments. The changes for chlorophyll pigment were between 1. 03 to 6. 27 mg/g, for carotenoid between 0. 06 to 1. 985 mg/g and for -tocopherol between 0. 03 to 2. 30 ppm. The LSD indicated that the highest amount of -tocopherol compound was obtained in the combination of salicylic acid (0. 5 g) and chelated magnesium sulfate (0. 7 g) treatment. It can be interpreted the positive role of the aforementioned treatment in producing stimulation of this antioxidant.

In this study 17 accessions of colocynth from different parts of Iran cultivated in the research station of Horticultural Science Department of University of Tehran in randomized completely block design with three replications. Some morphological characters of fruits, total Phenol component, Carotenoid content and Fatty acid content were evaluated. According to results, the highest fruit number per plant and fruit yield was found in Orzooiyeh accession, While Khorasgan 5 accession showed the highest fruit weight. The highest amount of phenolic compound resulted in Kerman and Yazd accessions (88 μ g g-1 d. m), and highest amount of Carotenoid in Arak and Ahvaz accessions (85 mg g-1 d. m. ). The highest amount of linoleic acid was in Orzooiyeh accession seed (72. 4%) and highest amount of oleic acid (13. 8%) in Khorasgan 2 accession. In correlation analysis, fruit weight was relatively high correlated with central mesocarp and seed mesocarp diameter (r= 0. 69). There was negative correlation between stearic acid amount and seed length, in the other hand longer seed had lower amount of stearic acid. In cluster analysis based on ward method at distance 5 accessions placed in 4 groups and one accession from Kerman segregated in separated cluster which had highest amount of total phenolic compound. Based on fruit traits and phytochemical compound variation could demonstrated that colocynth plants in Iran had high genetic diversity and there are possibility for crop up this plant based on yield and suitable growth.

The effect of different nutritional solutions on growth and flowering of potted anthurium (Anthurium andreanum cv. LentiniRed) was comparised in soilless culture in a completely randomized design with four nutrient solutions (treatments) and four replications (each replication five pots), in a research green house in University of Guilan from November '2014 to July '2015. The first (nitrate/total nitrogen, 3. 5/3. 5) and second (nitrate/total nitrogen, 3/3) nutritional solutions were without ammunium and the third (nitrate/total nitrogen, 4/4. 5 and ammonium/total nitrogen, 0. 5/4. 5) and forth (nitrate/total nitrogen, 3. 5/4 and ammonium/total nitrogen, 0. 5/4) ones included it. The first and third nutritional solutions included 2. 9 and the second and forth ones included 2. 4 meqK/l solution. The results showed significant differences among different treatments regarding the number of leaf, flower, flowering time, and the amount of spathʾ s anthocyanins, leaf chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids, the concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron in leaf. There were no significant difference for plant height, length and width of spath, length, width and area of the leaves and leaf phosphorus concentration. The most number of the leaves and flowers was found in the third nutrient solution. Flowering in third and forth treatments were faster than others. The most concentration of spathʾ s anthocyanin was seen in plants related to the second treatment and the most chlorophyll a and carotenoid concentrations were observed in the first and third treatments. Ammonium as a nitrogen source led to a significant decrease in the cationsʼ s concentration and an increase in iron concentration in leaf.

In order to investigate the effect of harvesting time (17 August and 17 September) and planting space (20, 25, 30 and 35 × 50 cm) on growth criteria, quantitative and qualitative yield of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in Research Station of Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape Engineering, University of Tehran during years of 2013-2014. Based on results, planting space significantly affected the most measured traits except plant height, leaf to stem ratio and chlorophyll content. By decreasing of planting space from 35×50 to 20×50 cm, fresh and dry weight of the aerial part and leaf and yield of Stevioside and Rebaudioside A were increased. Also, harvesting time significantly affected the measured traits except chlorophyll content in which the highest plant height and diameter, fresh and dry weight of the aerial part and yield of Stevioside and Rebaudioside A were obtained at 17 September. Harvesting at 17 August caused the highest leaf to stem ratio. The interaction effect of planting space and harvesting time significantly affected leaf dry weight in which the highest leaf dry weight obtained by the planting space 20×50 cm and 25×50 cm at 17 September. There was no significant effect on chlorophyll content. In general, based on these results, planting space of 20 and 25 × 50 cm and harvesting time at 17 September compared to other treatments pronounced better for cultivation of Stevia in studied area of Karaj.

Quinces use as bearing fruit tree and also have numerous medicinal effects, such as high contents of antioxidants including phenols and flavonoids. Due to importance of flavonoids in the physiological and medicinal aspects of this tree, the current research was conducted to investigate the variations of flavonoids in the leaves and fruits of quince genotypes from northern regions of Iran, comparing them with cultivar Esfahan as control. So, it was followed by using 24 genotypes including ARD1-7, Beh Amroudi, Beh Sibi, Beh Givi Kowsar from Ardebil province, LA1 and LA3 from Tehran provinces, M1, M2, M3, M4, M8 and M9 from Khorasan and AS1, ASM1, ASM2, ASM3, ASP1 and ASP2 from Guilan province. The results showed significant differences in the total flavonoids in the leaves and fruits of the quinces. According to the results, M3 and LA1 genotypes respectively had the highest and lowest total levels of the flavonoids in their leaves with 21. 9 and 3. 1 mg QE/g values, compared with the control cultivar containing 13. 4 mg QE/g. Also the results of the flavonoid contents of the fruits indicated the highest level in control cultivar, Esfahan with 6. 2 mg QE/g, while all other genotypes had significantly lower levels of flavonoids. Also evaluation the effects of sampling period on the variation of total contents of the leaf flavonoids showed that the highest concentration of these compounds belonged to the beginning of the summer, while the leaves had lower levels of flavonoids at other sampling periods.

In order to evaluation of morphological traits and essential oil yield in wild chamomile (Tanacetum parthenium (L) Schultz-bip. ), 61 populations were sown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in Alborz research station in Karaj, Iran during 2012-2014. Data were collected and analyzed for length and width of canopy diameter, plant height, number of flower, shoot fresh and dry weight, growth degree days (GDD), essential oil percentage and essential oil yield. Mean comparison of the traits showed that population of 26500-Hamadan with fresh-dry weight as (15545, 6218) kg/ha, respectively, had higher areal yield. The highest amount of essential oil percentage and essential oil yield with average values of 1. 03% and 22. 30 kg/ha were obtained in populations of 14340-Hamadan and 27158-Foman, respectively. Population of the 29813-Boyer Ahamad with 417◦ C had lowest GDD and with (65 days to flowering) had lowest time of flowering. They were considered as early maturity population compare with other populations. From the result of this study, it was concluded that the earlier maturity populations with higher shoot yield coupled with higher both essential oil percentage and essential oil yield were recommended for produce new improved varieties and cultivation in dryland farming system in Alborz and Zagross regions, Iran.

In order to determine the effect of different levels of salinity (EC=1. 6, 3. 2, 4 and 0. 8 dS/m as control) using sodium chloride on physiological parameters and also some growth indices in the three grafted-pear rootstocks (OHF69, pyrodwarf and one seedling rootstock) in grafting with Daregazi, Louise Bonne and William Duchesse scions, a pot experiment was carried out as factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Horticulture research station of Kamalabad/Karaj in spring of 2015. In the present work, different indices of susceptibility and tolerance for all studied parameters were identified and also rank mean (Ṝ n) and standard deviation of ranks (SDR) of all mentioned parameters were measured. Results of this study showed that among all studied parameters the reduction of chlorophyll or SPAD value (20% reduction in saline conditions) was higher than other parameters. Among all grafted-pear rootstocks, seedling rootstock in grafting with Louise bonne showed comparative advantage in terms of length, diameter, FV/FM and the amount of chlorophyll or SPAD value compared to other grafted-pear rootstocks. Also, pyrodwarf rootstock in grafting with Louise bonne showed in saline conditions, further reducing the parameters of length, diameter, leaf area, Fv/Fm and chlorophyll or SPAD value compared to other grafted-pear rootstocks. In the present work, seedling rootstock in grafting with Louise Bonne was identified as the most salt tolerant between studied grafted-pear rootstocks, while pyrodwarf rootstock in grafting with Louise Bonne as the most sensitive.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. ) is a dioecious and long life plant which has high economic important in Iran. Date palm is propagated traditionally through the off shoot that is more laborious and expensive. So, other amplification methods, such as tissue culture are used for its multiplication. Plant tissue culture is leading to somaclonal variation, due to epigenetic non-inherited variation which is a temporary phenotypic effect. However, in some cases, these genetic instability caused reduction at the tendency of farmers to cultivate tissue-culture based genotypes of palm. Genetic stability of ten Iranian genotypes of date palm (originated by tissue culture via direct organogenesis and off-shoot) was evaluated by 20 primers of SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat). Four primers (mPdCIR044, PDAAG1023, DP172 and PDAAG1025) were polymorphic. According to obtained results, total of 38 alleles were detected, resulting a mean number of 1. 9 allele per locus. No microsatellite DNA variation was observed among tissue culture and their offshoots in each cultivar. According to WARD cluster analysis, the genotypes were grouped into two main groups. The results of this study showed that identical genetic structure for date palm originated by two methods of tissue culture and off-shoot, in each cultivar. Hence, the plant tissue culture method is advised for rapid propagation in date palm genotypes.

The evaluation of wild grapes for breeding programs and introducing cultivars for special climatic conditions is very important. The aim of this study was to better understand the characteristics of wild grape genotypes in order to use in breeding programs. Twenty genotypes were collected in Sardasht and Piranshhar regions of the West Azerbaijan province and various attributes such as bunch, bunchlet, berry, seed and total antioxidant were measured. There is high variation in some traits, including length and width of bunch, bunch weight, length of peduncle and number of bunchlet. The flesh, peel and seed antioxidant capacity of the studied genotypes ranged from 15. 53 to 71. 53, 7. 36 to 84. 96 and 8. 71 to 64 %, respectively. The bunch traits, including length and width of bunch significantly correlated with fruit traits such as length and width of berry, weight and size of the fruit. The eleven main factors were explained approximately 79. 97% of the total variance. According to cluster analysis, genotypes were divided into three main groups. Genotypes in the first group had the highest flesh weight, skin thickness, TA, pH of juice, Hue and chroma values. The berry length and width, length of peduncle, number of seed, L* and a* had a significant role in separation of the second group. Genotypes in third group had a higher average number of bunchlet and length of bunchlet. The results obtained might be useful for breeding programs and introducing of new grape varieties.

Application of tolerant and resistant rootstocks and varieties is the best way to overcome Witches’ Broom Disease of Lime (WBDL). The aim of this research was to develop a practical protocol for micropropagtaion of Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) as one of the highly tolerant varieties. For culture establishment, apical and axillary buds of young stems of three-year-old trees were cultured in free hormone MS medium after surface sterilization. The explants were transferred to DKW and MS culture media containing different concentrations of BAP for proliferation after 20-30 days. Another experiment was carried out using Kinetin and BAP for determination of shoot elongation medium. Two separated experiments using three concentrations of IAA and NAA and three concentrations of IBA and NAA in DKW medium and 2% sucrose were used to obtain the best medium for rooting. To acquire the suitable soil mixture for acclimatization, an experiment using six different soil mixtures was done. The results showed that DKW basal culture medium supplemented with Gamborge’ s B5 vitamins, 1 mg. L-1 BAP and 3% sucrose was the best medium for proliferation. DKW basal culture medium supplemented with Gamborge’ s B5 vitamins and 0. 25 mg. L-1 BAP was the best medium for elongation. The best rooting medium was DKW basal culture medium, Gamborge’ s B5 vitamins, 2% sucrose and 2 mg. L-1 NAA. The optimum soil mixture with 88% of survival for acclimating in vitro plantlets was sand: perlite: peat: clay (1: 1: 3: 3). The plantlets could transfer to the orchard after 60 days.

Stress induced by boron toxicity is one of the main problems in the arid and semi-arid area. One of the methods for increasing plant resistance to abiotic stresses is silicon treatment. In order to study the effect of silicon on boron toxicity reduction in ‘ Bidaneh Sefid’ grape saplings, an experiment was conducted with three concentrations of boron (0. 2, 15 and 30 mg/l) and potassium silicate (0, 50 and 100 mg/l) in factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three months after the treatments, accumulation of boron, relative water content, ion leakage, proline, malondialdehyde, soluble sugars, soluble protein and guaiacol peroxidase enzyme activity was measured. The results showed that accumulation of boron, ion leakage, proline and malondialdehyde content, soluble sugars and total soluble protein of leaves increased with increasing boron concentration but relative water content and guaiacol peroxidase enzyme activity decreased. Potassium silicate application significantly reduced the accumulation of boron, malondialdehyde content and ion leakage in leaves and increased guaiacol peroxidase enzyme activity and leaf relative water content. None of the treatments had a significant effect on soluble sugar content. Boron accumulation in 30 ppm boron treatment was decreased 33 mg per kilograms dry weight by 100 mg/l potassium silicate application compared to the same treatment with zero ppm potassium silicate concentration. The results showed that grape saplings treatment with 100 mg/l potassium silicate alleviates oxidative damage caused by boron toxicity by reducing boron accumulation in leaves.

In this study, the growth and flowering characteristics of 10 accessions of Salix aegyptiaca L. grown in the collection of Kurdistan agricultural research center were assessed. The experiment was run in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The analysis of variances showed significant differences (P≤ 0. 01) among accessions for characteristics such as tree height, collar diameter, catkin length, catkin length/width ratio, leaf length, leaf width, leaf length/width ratio, leaf area, petiole length and significant differences (P≤ 0. 05) among accessions for angle of branches with trunk, length of annual shoot, catkin length width. Based on the results of correlation coefficients, there were significant positive correlations between leaf area and flowering characteristics (catkin length, width, fresh and dry weight). Moreover, there were significant negative correlations between tree height and catkin length and fresh weight. Cluster analysis of studied traits grouped accessions into three clusters. To determine the superior accessions, principal component analysis was used. Bi-plot was made based on the first two components which covered 70 percent of total variance and showed the accessions of K2, K3 and K6 were superior and could be recommended for landscape designing and breeding programs.

Salicylic acid can improve plant stress tolerance by changing physiological and morphological characteristics of plants. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate morphophysiologycal responses of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L. ) Pers. ) to water deficit stress and salicylic acid application in Research greenhouses of horticultural science department at the University of Zanjan in 2015. Three soil available water levels (40, 70 and 100%) and salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 millimolar) were applied in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications. Results showed that water deficit (40 % available water) reduced leaves relative water content and shoot growth whereas, root growth, root to shoot ratio, leaves antioxidant capacity, electrolyte leakage, proline, total phenol and chlorophyll content increased with decreasing soil available water. Salicylic acid application ameliorate adverse effects of water deficit in bermuda grass by increasing leaves antioxidant capacity, proline, and chlorophyll content as well as reducing electrolyte leakage and this effect was more pronounced in concentration of 2 mM.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L. ) is used abundantly in the food, medical and pharmaceutical industries due to high levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidants and having anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In order to study fruit qualitative traits, 20 loquat genotypes from different regions of Gorgan in Golestan province were selected. The fruits of the genotypes were collected at ripening stage in spring, 2014 and their biochemical and qualitative attributes were assessed. The means comparison showed that the total phenol of the genotypes varied between 131. 95-316. 55 μ g gallic acid/g FW, total flavonoids 3. 45-87. 91 μ g quercetin/g FW, antioxidant capacity 11. 05-76. 81 %, total carotenoid of fruit skin 3. 64-18. 39 and total carotenoid of fruit flesh was 0. 24-5. 08 μ g/g FW. Therefore, total carotenoid of fruit flesh was less than fruit skin. Genotype 5 had the highest L* and b*. The results showed that the amount of glucose, fructose and sucrose was varied between 41. 86-136. 41, 16. 04-51. 26 and 0. 07-0. 63 mg/g 100 FW, respectively. In addition, the assessed genotypes had a white flesh and glucose was the dominant sugar. As a whole, genotypes 5, 14 and 9 had the highest content of phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, the results of this research indicate the high content of secondary metabolites in the loquat fruit, thus the fruit can be more considered in food and medicinal industries.

Regarding to Iran’ s climate and water shortage problems and also low green space capitation, it is essential to use different methods to decrease water consumption in green roofs. Therefore, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in 2013 in research greenhouse complex roof of Shahrekord University using Gazania hybrida. The first factor consisted of vermicompost at three levels (0%, 4%, and 8%) and the second factor was conducted at four levels of superabsorbent (hydrogel) consisted of 0, 250, 500 and 1000 g/m3. Irrigation was considered based on water usage of control substrate. Four months after transplanting, measuring the flower diameter and the number of flowers were initiated. Also, other indices such as water use, dry and fresh weights of shoots and roots were measured and the results showed that vermicompost and hydrogel treatments not only resulted in less water consumption, but also improved plant vegetative and generative traits such as shoot fresh weight, flower number and diameter.

To investigate the effect of light intensity and light combinations on vegetative characteristics of petunia seedling (Petunia × hybrida 'Super cascade Blue'), an experiment was conducted as factorial in Completely Randomized Design with three replications Seedlings were treated for four weeks under two levels of light intensity includes 40 μ mol. m-2. s-1 and 60 μ mol. m-2. s-1 and three combinations of blue and red spectrum with ratios of 0% blue: 100% red, 15% blue: 85% red, 30% blue: 70% red and Fluorescent light. The result showed that fresh weight and dry weight, leaf area and stem caliper were superior less than 65 μ mol. m-2. s-1 of 15% blue: 85% red ratio. Our results implied that specific light combination was able to compensate the negative effects of low light intensity because using 15% blue: 85% red ratio with 40 μ mol. m-2. s-1 compared to 0% blue: 100% red, 30% blue: 70% red and Fluorescent light at 60 μ mol. m-2. s-1 light intensity lead to seedlings with superior vegetative characteristics.