Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2019 | Volume:50 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:20

Breeding of table grapes to obtaine new superior seedless cultivars have a great importance in its marketing. Six new bred early ripening hybrids, derived from crosses among four seedless male parents and seven seeded female parents were compared with ‘ Yaghouti’ cultivar. In this study, yield and qualitative traits were studied in randomized complete block design with eight replications (8 plants per hybrid) in horticultural research station of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran during years 2014 and 2015. All hybrids ages were 4 to 5 years old at the time of evaluation and were trained as head pruning. The results of means comparisons showed significant differences among hybrids for all measured traits. In terms of ripening time, genotypes S51 and I21 with average of 53 and 59 days were ripened earlier than ‘ Yaghouti’ (69 days). Hybrids I10 and E10, had maximum berry size while ‘ Yaghouti’ had the lowest. Hybrid S51 had highest ratio of sugar to acid. However, hybrid I10 and ‘ Yaghouti’ cultivar had the highest and lowest single seed fresh weight. In panel test of seed trait, hybrids S51, I21 and I13 were recognized as completely seedless, C25 as semi seedless, and I10 and E10 as seeded hybrids. Considering all qualitative and quantitative traits, two hybrids (S51 and I21) were selected as superior early ripening seedless hybrids.

About 75 percent of Iran`s land is arid and semi-arid. Hence, the use of high-efficiency irrigation methods in agriculture will be important. In order to study the effects of both regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and super absorbent (SA) on the storage quality of Japanese plum fruits (Prunus salicina cv. Santarosa), an experiment was conducted under factorial design with three replicates. Plum trees from the pit-hardening period (seven weeks after full bloom) were exposed to RDI treatments; 100%, 75% and 50% of seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and four super absorbent treatments including 0, 100, 200 and 300 g (per tree). Harvested fruits at the ripening stage were stored at 4ᵒ C in 80% relative humidity for one month, then, some quality characteristics of fruits were evaluated. The firmness of fruits tissues and total flavonoids in RDI treated plants was higher than the control fruits. However, RDI levels and different concentrations of super absorbents did not show significant effects on the TA, SSC and SSC/TA when compared to controls. The interaction of treatments increased fruit juice, total phenol and antioxidant capacity significantly. Fruit juice decreased by RDI and increased due to SA, and while total phenol and antioxidant capacity of fruit under RDI was considerable, SA application could reduce both traits significantly.

This study was carried out on the effect of iron and zinc foliar applications on quantity and quality trait of apple ‘ Delbar estival’ fruit. The research experiment was carried out as factorial in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications on 8-year-old ‘ Delbar estival’ apple trees on M9, trained to Y system in Horticultural Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. During growth season, iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA) in three levels (0, 50, 100 mg/l) and zinc sulfate in three levels (0, 5, 10 mg/l) were sprayed 30, 60 and 90 days after full-bloom. Harvested fruits were transferred to cold storage with 0± 1˚ C and 85-90% relative humidity and kept for 5 months. In order to measure the treatments effects on qualitative and quantitative fruit traits, samples were assessed at harvest time and monthly intervals during cold storage. Results showed that increased Fe concentration caused enhancement of fruit flesh firmness, vitamin C, soluble solids, antioxidant content and dry matter. Zn could increase vitamin C, soluble solids, dry matter but reduced flesh firmness and total phenols. It can be concluded that, iron and zinc application was suitable for improving the quality indexes for this apple cultivar.

In order to investigate the effect of drought on some of the olive cultivars, a factorial pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in Gilan-Gharb city of Kermanshah Province in open condition during 2015. The treatments consisted of three irrigation levels of 100% (control), 75% and 50% field capacity, and three olive cultivars (Zard, Amigdalolia and Conservolia). The results showed that vegetative growth such as plant height, Leaf number, leaf area and root length were significantly affected by water stress depending on the cultivar. Peroxidase and catalase enzymes activity were significantly different between cultivars under water stress. The highest levels of peroxidase and catalase activity were observed in Conservolia cultivar at 50% irrigation treatment. The amount of phenol increased under water stress. ‘ Zard’ , ‘ Amigdalolia’ and ‘ Conservolia’ had the highest to lowest levels of phenol under stress treatments in compare to the control plants, respectively. The amount of malondialdehyde in different treatments was significantly affected by drought stress. The highest increase of malondialdehyde was observed in irrigation treatment of 50% in Zard cultivar with about 57% increment compared to control plants. Generally, according to the response of cultivars, they differed in drought tolerance, and each showed a specific response. Vegetative shoot growth under conditions of drought stress was higher in ‘ Zard’ compared to Conservolia and Amigdalolia cultivars. Zard cultivar was superior in terms of increase in phenol content and peroxidase and catalase activity, while ‘ Conservolia’ had the highest increase in sugar content.

Benefits of cut style method and ovary slice culture for overcoming pre-and post-zygotic barriers in lily crossing were studied. Three Asiatic hybrid cultivars (Tressor, Pirandello and Ceb duzzel) along with four cultivars of Oriental section (Rialto, Sorbonne, Paradero and Manissa) were used as maternal plants. Lilium ledebourii has selected as pollen donor plant to cross with maternal plants using stigma pollination or cut style pollination methods. Harvesting of produced capsules for ovary slice culture was done after 10, 20 and 40 days. Ovary expansion index, number of produced capsules, capsule weight, and number of cultured slices, number of produced seeds, seed weight and number of germinated seeds were recorded. Results indicated that cultivar had significant influence on all recorded parameters. The number of seeds was significantly affected by capsule harvesting time (p<0. 05). In cut style experiment in crosses between Lilium ledebourii and Mannisa, Tressor and Sorbonne 172, 80 and 60 seeds were produced respectively. The rate of seed germination for Mannisa by L. ledebourii was 1. 1 percent. In stigma pollination experiment capsules were expanded but none of them produced viable seeds. Totally, in this experiment, use of CSM pollination method was successful for by passing pre-zygotic barriers in lily interspecific crossing.

Substrate composition is one of the most important determinants of the growth and development of oyster mushroom. In this study, the combined effects of chemical supplements including copper sulfate (100 ug/g D. M of substrate), ammonium nitrate (150 ug/g D. M of substrate), magnesium nitrate (100 ug/g D. M of substrate) and biological supplementation of rhizobium bacteria (108 bacterium per ml for one kilogram of spawn) and also, substrates of sawdust, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, rice straw and olive-oil industry wastes and ratios from substrates, were studied for the cultivation of mushroom. Nitrogen of fruit body in combined substrate of wheat straw with olive pomace and the non-combined substrate of sawdust were 8. 91 mg/100g D. W. and 2. 6 mg/100g D. W. respectively. Also amount of riboflavin in combined substrate of sugarcane bagasse with olive pomace and the non-combined substrate of sawdust were 4. 9 mg/100g D. W. . and 1. 4 mg/100g D. W. . respectively. Also, spawn run-stage was completed in 16. 2 days in combined substrate of wheat straw with olive-oil industry wastes. The results showed that total yield (total of three flush) of fruit body in combined substrate of wheat straw and olive-oil industry wastes that enriched with chemical supplementation of ammonium nitrate and the noncombined substrate of sawdust enriched with copper sulfate was 1862. 35g and 840. 90g respectively. Therefore, combined substrate of wheat straw and olive-oil industry wastes that enriched with ammonium nitrate, is a suitable substrate for the production of ostreatus mushrooms.

The effect of drought stress were studied on some physiological aspects of five grafted and ungrafted rootstocks including GF677, Garnem, peach seedlings, almond seedlings and a selected local almond ×peach hybrid (LAP), with Ferragnes cultivar as scion. Three different drought stress levels including moderate (Ψ soil=-0. 9 Mpa) sever (Ψ soil=-1. 5 Mpa) and a control (Ψ soil=-0. 3 Mpa) were applied in a randomized complete block design as factorial with three replications in pot plants during four weeks. Physiological traits including chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence indices, leaf relative water contents (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), free proline and concentrations of leaf pigments were recorded. Results showed that photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), RWC, Chl a, Chl b and total Chl were reduced significantly under drought stress while minimum fluorescence (F0), MSI and Free proline were increased noticeably. Drought stress affected significantly on evaluated traits in ungrafted rootstocks compared to grafted ones. According to results, almond seedlings, GF677 and local LAP almost showed similar responses to drought stress and had more tolerance than Garnem rootstock. Peach seedlings were affected significantly by drought stress more than the other rootstocks. Present study suggests chlorophyll fluorescence index as a simple trait for evaluation of almond rootstocks exposed to sever drought stress.

One of the pillars of sustainable agriculture systems, is using biological fertilizers to meet the nutrient requirements of the plant with the aim to eliminate or substantially reduce the use of chemical inputs. Therefore, to investigate effects of mycorrhiza and vermicompost on grain yield and essential oil production of anise, a field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, University of Yasouj during 2013-2014 growing season. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on complete randomized block design with three replications. Treatments included vermicompost levels (including control, 5 and 10 ton. ha-1) and mycorrhiza (including control, application of Glumus mosseae, application of Glumus intraradices and integrated application of G. mosseae× G. intraradices). Results showed that use of different nutritional resources had a significant effect on the most studied traits in the medicinal herb Anise. So, the highest plant height (53. 46 cm), number of umbels per plant (35. 44), grain yield (2968. 26 kg. ha-1), essential oil perentage (3. 40) and oil yield (101. 21 kg. ha-1) were obtained in 10 ton. ha-1 vermicompost. Results also showed that the highest 1000-grain weight (2. 86gr) and biological yield (8989. 43 kg. ha-1) were obtained in the interaction of 10 ton. ha-1 vermicompost+integrated use of G. mosseae and G. intraradices. Also, the highest harvest index (42. 03%) was obtained in 5 ton. ha-1 vermicompost. In general, results showed that the use of bio-fertilizers of mycorrhiza and vermicompost had significant role in increasing yield and quality in Anise.

Selection and evaluation of superior cultivars is one of the main programs for fruit trees breeding, including pear trees. The research was conducted to study growth and yield of 11 imported pear cultivars Abate Fetel, Beurre Hardy, Doyenne du Comice, Mellina, Nart, Conference, Beurre Bosc, Packham's Triumph, William, Red Bartlett, General Leclerc as well as Shah Miveh and Sardrodi Iranian cultivars as control in Urmia climatic conditions for eight years (2008 to 2015). Combined analysis of variance revealed significant difference (P≤ 0. 01) among cultivars for vegetative characters including annual growth, tree height, trunk diameter and tree canopy and also fruit characters of length, diameter, weight, firmness, TSS, pH and titrable acids, number of fruits per tree, index of yield per tree and yield per unit trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA). The lowest vegetative growth was observed at Red Bartlett cultivar. The lowest mean yield per tree for three years with 2. 72 kg and the highest with 7. 66 kg were recorded in Shah Miveh and Mellina cultivars respectively. The highest index of yield per unit trunk cross-sectional area was observed in Mellina cultivar. Whereas, Abate Fetel, Packham's Triumph, Doyenne du Comice and Mellina cultivars had advantage than other cultivars due to good marketing and a high yield, so Doyenne du Comice and Packham's Triumph cultivars can be used as mid ripening and Abate Fetel and Mellina cultivars as relatively late ripening for the development of pear culture in Urmia and similar regions.

The current study was aimed at determining the optimum time of urea foliar spray to improve fruit quantity and quality (fruit set%, yield, size, peel thickness of fruits, titrable acidity (TA), total soluble solid (TSS)) of ‘ Thomson Navel’ orange trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck. ) for 2 consecutive years. Thus, a 0. 5% solution of urea was sprayed on to 20 years old orange trees during January (T1), March (T2) and June (T3). There was a set of control trees that only sprayed with simple water (T0). The results showed that the trees receiving foliar applied urea, independent of application time, had significantly greater leaf nitrogen content and fruit set % than the control trees. In addition, the impact of the urea foliar application on the yield and quality properties of fruits was significant (P<0. 05). The effect of urea spray time on TSS/TA (maturity index) and yield depended on studied year. In first year (low yield), the highest level of yield observed in T1 and T3 treatments and the highest level of TSS/TA observed in T0 treatment. In second year (high yield), the highest level of yield and TSS/TA observed in T2 and T3 treatments. Therefore, it is important to determine the optimal level and time of application of nutrients to stimulate a specific physiological process in citrus, depending on the studied year (high yield or low yield).

In this study, to evaluate the effect of foliar-applied iodate (5 and 50 mg/l KIO3) on the improvement of tolerance to salt stress (50 mM NaCl) in strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. ), an experiment was under taken in complete randomized block design (RBD). The photosynthetic apparatus of strawberry was damaged at 50 mM NaCl, as indicated by a decrease in performance index (PIabs) coupled with lower values of photosynthetic electron transport chain components including the electron transport flux (φ Eo) and the inferred oxygen evolving complex activity (Fv/Fo) as well as higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Plants treated with a low concentration of KIO3 (5 mg/l) showed an increase in the leaf dry weight, total protein and soluble sugars content with respect to no KIO3 supply under salinity stress. Additionally, low concentration of KIO3 raised free radical scavenging activities of strawberry leaf because of an enhancement of total phenolic content as well as CAT activity. In contrast, plants supplemented by 50 mg/l KIO3 exhibited an extreme stress for the photosynthetic parameters of strawberry, as demonstrated by the changes in the Fv/Fo as well as higher levels of MDA was similar to that observed in salt treatments. While KIO3 at 5 mg/l could increase photosystem performance index under salt-stress conditions in addition to the stimulation of antioxidant system, KIO3 at 50 mg/l could not ameliorate the negative effect of salt on strawberry and led to toxicity and caused damage to photochemical reactions, which is mainly overlooked by other authors.

Drought stress (water scarcity) is one of the most limiting environmental factors in plant growth and production. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a nitric oxide doner compound (NO) plays an important role in reducing the oxidative stress caused by abiotic stresses. In order to investigate the effect of SNP foliar application on some biochemical characteristics, growth and yield of Echinacea purpurea Moench L. under drought conditions, an experiment was conducted in a split plot design in a completely randomized block design with three replications at the Research Institute of Agriculture, Institute of Forest and Rangelands, Karaj, Iran, in 2015-2016. The experimental treatments included SNP factor at four levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 μ M) and drought stress factor at three levels [30% field capacity (severe), 60% field capacity (moderate), 90% field capacity (control)]. At full flowering stage, plant height, number of lateral branches, leaf and flower number, dry weight of shoots and percentage and yield of shoot essential oil were measured. Also, leaves sampling was performed to measure relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenol and proline contents. Results showed that the hieghest amount of morphological triats and shoot dry weight were related to 200 μ M SNP concentration under non drought stress (control) condition. The highest amount of RWC was obtained (97. 9%) in 90% moisture treatment (control) and 200 μ M of SNP. Also, higher concentrations of SNP (200 and 400 μ M) under moderate stress (60% of crop capacity), could increase the plant drought stress tolerance by increasing the SOD and POD enzymes activity as well as reducing MDA content. The highest amount of proline (16. 7 μ mol/g fr wt) and total phenol (127. 7 mg GAE/g dry matter) were also related to 400 μ M SNP treatment. In general, SNP foliar application especially at 200 μ M concentration under drought stress conditions could modify drought stress damage, and increase active ingredient of the plant.

Lime induced iron chlorosis is one of the important problems of fruit trees, especially apple, in calcareous soils. This disorder affects many fruit trees in these areas, each year. The purpose of this study was to determine a suitable method for evaluation of apple rootstocks and cultivars against iron stress. A factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design with 18 treatments and 3 replications was performed. Treatments included cultivars (Golab Kohanz, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious), rootstock at 6 levels (M9, M26, M7, M25, MM106, MM111) and iron stress at three levels (2 μ M iron, 90 μ M iron with and without 10 mM sodium bicarbonate). The treatments were applied to the grafted pot trees in in perlite after 8 weeks of feeding with half strength Hoagland solution. In this study, the effects of different levels of iron stress on theoretical Fe-efficiency indices and the biochemical properties of grafted combinations were evaluated. The results indicated different reactions of the cultivars and rootstocks, and thus the grafted combinations to the applied stresses. Cultivars and rootstocks showed remarkable differences in the absorption and transfer of iron, so that they can be categorized into resistant (iron efficient), sensitive (iron inefficient) and semi-sensitive ones. The method of biochemical assessment more accurately showed the differences between cultivars and rootstocks in response to iron stress, and provided an effective evaluation compared to the theoretical Fe-efficiency indices.

Citrus often are encountered with periodic droughts. For this reason, nucellar seedlings of Poncirus (PT) (Poncirus trifoliata Raf. ), Rough Lemon (RL) (Citrus jambhiri Lush. ) and 8 Citrus unknown genotypes including of 2-4, 5-2, 12-2, 10-5, 10-1, 2-1, Bakraii and Astaraii lemon were planted in cocopeat and sand medium (1: 1) under greenhouse conditions and were subjected to drought stress. This research, was conducted as factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. The factors were 10 Citrus genotypes and two level of irrigation. The results showed that PT with 298. 4 μ mol/gdw had maximum accumulation of proline in drought stress. Maximum and minimum accumulation of malondialdehyde (356. 9 and 134. 4 μ mol/gdw, respectively) were observed in RF and PT rootstocks under drought stress. Also maximum of total soluble sugar quantities in 5-2 genotype with 97. 37 mg/gdw and minimum in RL with 51. 57 mg/gdw were reported under drought stress. RF had minimum of total chlorophyll content under drought stress. The most and least of total carotenoid content were seen respectively in genotype 5-2 with 9. 4 mg/gdw and Astaraii lemon genotype with 4. 4 mg/ g dw in drought stress conditions. Maximum of calcium content was observed in PT with 57 mg/gdw and minimum in RF with 32. 63 mg/g dw. On the basis of the study, PT and 5-2 genotype were introduced as tolerant and RL and Astaraii lemon as susceptible to drought.

In order to identify salinity tolerant genotypes, seedlings of tolerant and susceptible genotypes named ‘ Cleopatra’ mandarin and ‘ Troyer’ citrange, and some screened citrus genotypes to salinity (sum of 28 genotypes) from Citrus Research Institutes of Ramsar and Darab were assessed. Three levels of sodium chloride including 0, 40 and 90 mM were applied on eight months seedlings for 12 weeks under greenhouse conditions in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. Physiological traits including chlorophylls a and b, proline, lipid peroxidation, enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase, total protein and quantum yield of photosystem Π were studied. The results of physiological traits showed that salinity reduced the chlorophyll a and b, total protein, quantum yield of photosystem II, ascorbate peroxidase activity and catalase activity in studied genotypes. In this study, proline content, malondialdehyde concentration and superoxide dismutase activity increased under salt stress. Genotypes G8, G44 (sour orange), G19, G25 and G42 (bergamot) in several traits including chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation, proline content and enzymes activity were better than others. G8 genotype was better than salinity tolerant cultivar, ‘ Cleopatra’ , in some traits. Consequently, mentioned genotypes could be considered as tolerant or semi-tolerant genotypes for further research or practical purposes.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of basal culture media and plant growth regulators on establishment and growth of Whortleberry explants and production of secondary metabolites in in vitro conditions. Accordingly, single node explants and apical buds of Whortleberry were collected from forestry areas (Soha, Ardabil, Iran), surface sterilized by benomyl (3 g/l), H2O2 (5%), Ethanol (70%) and sodium hypochlorite (2. 5%, pH=10) for 12 min, respectively. The explants were cultured on MS, AN, and WPM media supplemented with 0. 1 mg/l NAA or IBA, and different levels of BAP, Zeatin and TDZ. Results showed that growth of explants (%) and number of leaves per explant were affected significantly by type of basal culture medium, plant growth regulators combination and their interaction. Number of leaves per explant and explant’ s growth in MS medium was significantly higher than in AN, and WPM media. The highest shoots (%) and number of leaves were obtained in MS basal medium supplemented with 0. 1 mg/l IBA plus 0. 5 and 1 mg/l Zeatin or 0. 5 mg/l BAP. Moreover, there were significant differences among the treatments for secondary metabolite contents. The highest amount of anthocyanin and flavonoid were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BAP+ 0. 1 mg/l IBA and MS medium plus 2 mg/l TDZ and 0. 1 mg/l NAA.

Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is a medicinal plant with immense medicinal value that over-exploitation of this medicinal plant led to decline its natural habitat. In vitro propagation delivers powerful methods for the mass multiplication of economically important species and germplasm conservation of endangered species. The present study has been carried out to establish an efficient protocol for in vitro callus induction and regeneration of Sweet violet by optimizing the various concentrations of plant growth regulators. For calli induction, different concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) (0, 0. 5, 1, 1. 5, 2 and 2. 5 mg/l) and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) (0. 5, 1, 1. 5, 2 and 2. 5 mg/l) and for indirect shoot regeneration different concentrations of BA (0. 5, 1, 1. 5, 2 and 2. 5 mg/l) were used. The MS medium supplemented with 1. 5 mg/l BA and 1. 5 mg/l 2, 4-D was found most suitable for callus induction from petiole explants after 30 days of incubation. The best growth response and the highest rate of shoot regeneration from callus were observed on MS medium containing 1. 5 mg/l BAP. Shoots were rooted easily in the same regeneration medium after the second subculture and then successfully acclimatized in pitmoss: perlite substrate with 100% survival rate. This protocol could be successfully used for the mass multiplication and germplasm conservation of this valuable medicinal plant.

The effect of UV-C irradiation, either alone or in combination with other treatments, on the biosynthesis of secondary compounds in plants has been recently become a matter of interest. In this study, the influence of UV-C light on some phytochemical traits and activity of enzymes involved in phenolic metabolism in grape was investigated. At first, the berries of table grape cv. Sultana were subjected to UV-C irradiation in different doses of 0 (control), 0. 8, 1. 2, and 4. 2 kJm-2, then they were kept at 15° C for 6 days. UV-C low doses induced total phenol in the berry skin. The lowest flavonoid content was observed in berries subjected to the highest dose of UV-C (4. 2 kJm-2) on the first day, whereas those irradiated by the low dose of UV-C (0. 8 kJm-2) had the most flavonoid content after 5 days (0. 45 mg Rutin/g FW). Also, UV-C application improved antioxidant capacity of treated samples in comparison with control. It should be noted that UV-C irradiation had no effect on total tannin content of the berry skin. However, the effect of UV-C radiation on phenylalanine amonialyase (PAL) activity was remarkable during storage. The UV-C restricted the POD activity up to the middle of storage. However, in terms of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), this behavior was dosagedependent. The results showed that UV-C application at the low doses is an appropriate way to increase phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of table grapes cv. Sultana during limited storage time.

Two species of Nepeta genus, N. kotschyi var. persica and N. glomerulosa, are native medicinal plants of Iran, containing medicinal compositions such as Nepetalactones. This study was conducted for plant domestication under field condition during years 2017 and 2018. The experiment was carried out under completely randomized block design with three replications. Morphological and yield traits besides essential oil content and composition were measured. Results showed that total fresh and dry weight in N. kotshyi (9954 and 3152 kg ha-1, respectively), were higher than N. glomerulosa (2858 and 990 kg ha-1, respectively). Essential oil content and yield in N. kotschyi were 2. 12% and 48. 35 kg ha-1, respectively, while these traits in N. glomerulosa were 1. 42% and 7. 39 kg ha-1, respectively. Essential oil composition analysis determined that the sum of Nepetalactone isomers in N. kotschyi were higher than N. glomerulosa, 94. 57% and 38. 68%, respectively. On the whole, according to the aerial parts and essential oil yield, and Nepetalactone content in the oil, the N. kotschyi var. persica showed the higher performance, though, in order to produce Nepetalactone for medicinal industries, N. kotschyi var. persica cultivation is recommended under similar field condition.

In order to investigate the effects of different levels of salinity on growth indices, proline and chlorophyll content, nitrogen concentration, potassium, phosphorus and sodium contents of leaf and sodium concentration of root of GN15 hybrid rootstocks, as well as the activity of three antioxidant enzymes, an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 4 salinity levels of 0, 35, 70 and 105 mg / L sodium chloride and 5 replicates in 1394. Different concentrations of sodium chloride were added to the pots containing these plants and after 100 days of salinity stress, these traits were measured. Results showed as increasing salinity levels, growth indices including plant length and diameter, leaf number and area, relative humidity content and leaf chlorophyll content decreased. This reduction was lower at concentration of 35 mm but was very severe at 105 mM. Concentration and efficiency uptake of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus decreased with increasing sodium chloride concentrations, and increased the concentration of sodium in leaves and roots and its uptake efficiency in leaves. The amount of proline in the root and leaf increased simultaneously with increasing salt concentrations, so that its amount reached a maximum at concentration of 70 mM (39 and 30 mg / g fresh weight). The activity of antioxidant enzymes was also increased by increasing the salt concentration up to 70 mM, so that SOD, POD and CAT of roots in this treatment were 150. 2, 22. 6, 13 and for leavs were 183. 8, 16. 8 and 24 U/mg protein, respectively.