Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2018 | Volume:48 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:23

We can develop the best kinds for specific uses with precise identification of fruit trees traits. In order to study some properties of three olive cultivars including 'Konservolia', 'Sevillana' and 'Manzanilla', this research was conducted in factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks in three regions, including Khorramabad, Kouhdasht and Veysian. Results of statistical comparison showed that in all evaluated traits, except for the length of the fruit there are significant differences between regions. Also, there were significant differences between different cultivars for most traits, except for chlorophyll (P<0. 01). Comparing the means of evaluated traits using the Duncan test showed that cultivars in Khorramabad had the highest values in terms of morphological characteristics among different regions and between different cultivars, Konservolia cultivar had the highest values in terms of morphological characteristics including length, width and diameter of fruit, 20 fruit and fruit weight and fruit dry weight. Also, the Konservolia cultivar had highest oil content and yield between the cultivars that in this terms it had significant differences with other cultivars. Results of correlation showed that in most cases between the morphological characteristics together and yield attribute with other traits, there is a high correlation. Finally, the Konservolia cultivar can be offered as an appropriate dual-purpose cultivar for commercial olive orchards in the Lorestan province, especially Khorramabad city and similar areas because of the high yield and high percentage of the oil.

In this research, effects of iron and nitrogen nutrition in three concentration (Iron chelate 0, 5 and 10 ppm and Ammonium nitrate, 0, 40 and 60 ppm) were evaluated on nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous contents in fruits and leaves of apple (cv. Fuji) in harvesting time and on fruit quality during storage. The experiment was carried out using a factorial completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications in 2013. Results showed that nitrogen treatment had no significant effect on fruit quality, except Vitamin C content that significantly increased. Iron nutrition mainly decreased the fruit weight loss during the storage. Storage time affected fruit quality and decreased that, which after 95 days, fruit were more injured. During the storage, Vitamin C, fruit firmness, dry weight and total acid were decreased. Nitrogen nutrition increased the nitrogen content in fruits and leaves but decreased potassium level in these organs. Iron treatment had no significant effects on nitrogen and phosphorous contents but significantly decreased potassium content in fruits. These results indicated that, storage of Fuji cultivar for three month had no reducing effects on quality.

This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of potassium silicate on geranium reaction to salinity stress in 2014. The experiment was done hydroponically in pots filled with sand. Experiment was laid out factorially based on a completely randomized design with four replications each replication included 9 treatment compositions with 36 pots. Factors consisted of daily application of 1. 8, 4 and 6 ds/m NaCl and weekly application of 0, 0. 5 and 1 mM potassium silicate through nutrient solution. Result showed that by increasing salinity, growth parameters, essential oil, relative water content and the activity of catalase and peroxidase decreased while Malondialdehyde, electrolyte Leakage and amount of proline increased. Application of potassium silicate improved growth and physiological and biochemical characteristics of geranium under salinity stress. Moreover, leaf Na increased while P content decreased, respectively, as salinity increased and application of potassium silicate increased P and decreased Na under salinity in canopy of plant. Many characters i. e. leaf area, shoot fresh and dry weights values returned to control as 1mM potassium silicate was applied. Overall, the results showed that increasing salinity pronounced stress symptoms and weekly application of potassium silicate especially at 1 mM, alleviated the stress effects.

Considerable economic losses to harvested fruits are caused by postharvest fungal decay, which can be significantly controlled by edible coatings. Grape as a perishable fruit is exposure to fungal infection especially Botrytis cinerea. In this study, thyme essential oil used as an alternative potential treatment for antifungal to inhibition of fungal diseases and maintaining postharvest quantitative and qualitative characteristic of table grape cv Bidaneh Ghermez. When TSS of grapes were almost 20 º brix harvested and after inoculation with Botrytis cinerea treated by 0, 150 and 300 μ l/l Thymus essential oil, packed in about 200 g packages, then stored for 60 days in storage 0± 2 ° C by 90% relative humidity. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with 3 replications. After treatment of fruit weight loss, color change, pH, decay and qualitative factors were measured. The results showed that treated fruit had lower decay, weight loss, shatter and cracking, and higher quality. Lighting, hue angle and Chroma decreased by the time. Also, lighting in treated fruit was lower than control. By the time, TSS and TA respectively increased and decreased. By increasing the essential oil concentration, fungi growth significantly decreased, but in most characteristics such as weight loss, lighting, hue angle, Chroma, browning, firmness, cracking and berry abscission concentrations of essential oil did not show significant difference.

Grape stilbenes are well-known family of plant polyphenolics that have been confirmed to have many biological activities in relation to health benefits. In this study, we investigated the effect of UV-C elicitor at three different irradiation periods (10, 20 and 30 min) in combination or not with high-level light irradiation (10000 LUX) on a cell line obtained from the pulp of Vitis vinifera cv. Shahani as Completely Randomized Factorial Design, and compared the results with those of untreated control cultures. Results showed that growing the cells in dark condition can stimulate the metabolic pathway related to bio-production of the stilbenoids more than that of the cells growing under light condition. Among the time courses of UV-C elicitor irradiation, according to our results, irradiation of UV-C for 10 min was optimum for efficient production and higher accumulation of phenolics (112. 73 mg GA/g DCW) and flavonoids (150. 47 mg catechin/g DCW) as well as stilbenoids including the summation of resveratrol and its glycosylated form piceid (7. 54 μ g/ml). Furthermore, it was shown that there is a significant negative correlation between production of these metabolites and the cell growth. These data provide valuable information for the future scale up of cell cultures for the production of these very high value compounds in bioreactor systems.

The climacteric rises of ethylene production and respiration or exposure to the exogenous ethylene are more responsible for the relatively short life of carnations cut flowers. Applications of superabsorbents could lead to the decrease in the ethylene concentration. Zeolite at three levels of 0, 0. 5 and 1 g coated with potassium permanganate (one mM) at 4 levels of 0, 1, 2 and 3% (weight basis) applied as treatments for the evaluation of carnation cut flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus L. ‘ Red’ ) performance in isolated containers (one 30 cm cut flower per isolated container). The chosen levels of potassium permanganate were able to cover each of the zeolite treatments. The control treatment was without zeolite and potasium permanganate. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design conducted with three replications. Characters such as fresh and dry weight of cut flowers, vase life, cell membrane maintenance index (electrolyte leakage), ethylene concentration, leaf chlorophylls content, and petal anthocyanins were evaluated. Results revealed that 0. 5 g of zeolite coated with 2% of potassium permanganate was effective treatment to improve the vase life of cut flowers, to decrease the ethylene concentration in container, to maintain the membrane stability, leaf chlorophylls and petal anthocyanins. Results of this research could be used to improve the vase life of carnation cut flowers during transport or marketing.

Berry skin color is one of the most important characteristics of grapes that determine quality of red and black grape cultivars. It has been shown that the anthocyanin accumulation is influenced by many factors. To study the effect of girdling and ethephon (0, 150 and 300 mg/L) treatments in veraison stage on berry coloring and quantity and quality attributes of 'Rishbaba Qermez' cultivar this research was conducted as Factorial experiment based on RCBD in Urmia region on 25 years bi lateral trained vines. At harvest time the total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA), pH, berry and bunch weight, berry firmness and shatter, amount of total phenol and antioxidant and skin berry color were evaluated. Both girdling and ethephon improved amount of TSS but reduced the TA. Berry and bunch weight was increased in girdling vine whereas ethephon didn’ t have significant effect on them. At harvest time, the shatter rate in girdled vine was less than control but ethephon treatments increased shatter and reduced the berry flash firmness. Both treatments increased the amount of phenol and antioxidant composition in berry. The highest amount of total phenol was recorded in vines that treated with girdling and ethephon at veraison stage. Red berry skin color was improved by applying ethephon and girdling in veraison stage.

The genetic diversity of 27 native cultivated quince genotypes from Khalkhal and Kosar in the Ardabil province was evaluated according to 20 morphological leave, fruit, and flower's traits as well as 13 biochemical traits were measured at Mohageg Ardabili University in 2015. Results indicated, these traits can be used as basic criteria for quince genotype distinction. Moreover, the genotypes were different based on the shape, leaf blade attitude, and leaf-base shape. The flower color was variable between genotypes as white, pink and bicolor, which can be used as the key attributes to identify genotypes in Ardabil province. Fruit shape (round, square, oval and pear-shaped) showed remarkable differences between genotypes more than other characters. Cluster analysis according to the measured parameters could divide genotypes into three main groups. Genotypes Lm1, Lm5, Lm7, Lm9, Kv1, Kv3, Kv8, Kv4, Kv16 and Kv18 were suitable for fresh market due to fruit favorite taste, sweet and sour taste balance.

Pomegranate is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran. Selection of suitable and resistant varieties to environmental conditions with high performance plays an important role in increasing the economic exploitation of this fruit. In order to study the genetic diversity of some Iranian pomegranate varieties, 20 morphological characteristics of leaf, flower and fruit were evaluated for two years. Results indicated that morphological characteristics were significantly affected by varieties. So that, the most coefficient variable (cv) was observed related to aril number, seed hardness, fruit weight, aril weight and fruit bark weight. Results of factor analysis separated morphological characteristics to eight factors which the most important one, was related to aril. Cluster analysis of morphological traits divided genotypes to three groups. According to results, ‘ Tabolarz’ and ‘ Mahan’ , ‘ Gabri Dane Siah’ and ‘ Siah Dane Pishva’ , ‘ Shirin Bi haste’ and ‘ Shirin Hastedar’ had high similarity that can be postulated that they have family relationship.

In order to improve yield and quality of sweet pepper cv. ‘ California Wonder’ in Ilam province, effects of gibberellins (GA3 50 mg/l) or calcium (CaCl2 0. 5 percent) spray at beginning or the end of harvesting season (70 and 120 days after transplanting, respectively) were evaluated. Either of the chemicals were sprayed two or three times per growth stage through a factorial assay on the basis of a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed that gibberellic acid and calcium spray increased average yield in plant, weight, length, diameter, volume, texture stiffness, flesh thickness, dry weight, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, as well as calcium content of fruits in both growth stages. Gibberellins with three sprays per growth stages performed the highest positive role in improvement of physical properties of fruits. Effect of gibberellins and calcium on all evaluated traits, except fruit density, were significantly higher at the late harvesting stage than early stages. Therefore, gibberellic acid and calcium spray especially at the end of harvesting season may be advised to improve yield and quality of sweet pepper.

In the present research, the physicochemical properties of cultivars Malas-e-Saveh and Malas-e-Yousef-Khani grown in different climatic conditions including Sari, Ali-Abad and Saveh were evaluated in 2014. This experiment was conducted based on factorial arrangement in completely randomized design. The results showed that cultivar and growth region did not have any significant effect on the content of total flavonoids and antioxidant capacity; however, these factors affected density and length of fruit, fruit length/diameter ratio, pH and EC of juice, total soluble solids (TSS), number and percent of arils, diameter and length/diameter ratio of arils and diameter and the percent of seed. Dispense Malas-e-Yousef-Khani cultivar had longer seed and higher anthocyanin content, but lower juice percentage, 100 aril weight, 100 aril water weight and aril length compared to Malas-e-Saveh cultivar. Among regions, Sari and Ali-Abad regions with more humid weather conditions had fruits with maximum juice percentage, anthocyanin and vitamin C. Saveh region with semi-arid conditions also produced fruits with maximum weight and volume and minimum length/diameter ratio of seed and seed moisture percentage. Furthermore, maximum amounts of 100 aril weight, 100 seed weight, aril and seed length were found in fruits grown in Sari region. Ali-Abad region produced fruits with maximum content of total polyphenol. Overall, the findings of this research showed that different climatic conditions showed some significant effects on the quality of fruit, aril and seed and cultivars must be selected regarding to this influences.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of NAA, BA and ultrasound waves on in vitro rooting and callus induction of Lilium ledebourii. For this purpose, scale explants after exposure to an ultrasonic bath with a frequency of 35 kHz in times 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 seconds were cultured on MS medium containing different concentrations (0, 0. 01, 0. 1 and 1 mg l-1) of NAA and BA alone or in combination with each other. This study was carried out in four experiments including combination of NAA and BA, NAA and ultrasound, BA and ultrasound, and the best treatments which achieved from first experiment with ultrasound, respectively. In the first and second experiment, 1 mg l-1 NAA treatments had the highest root induction and in the third experiment control treatment had the better result. In the second experiment, ultrasound did not stimulate root induction, however, in the third experiment, in 0 and 1 mg l-1 BA concentrations, ultrasound had no positive effect on root induction, but at low concentrations, BA increased the number of roots. Moreover, it was indicated that plant growth regulators and ultrasound had no significant effect on callus induction. In this study, concentration of 1 mg l-1 NAA was the best treatment for increasing of rooting parameters in scale explants.

In order to evaluate three species of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus clarum, Glomus fasiculatum and Glomus mosseae) and drought stress (80, 55 and 30 percent of field capacity) on characteristics of grass genera, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Festuca aurandiancea and Agropyron elongatum, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was carried out in the greenhouse using a cylindrical pots. According to the results, Lolium showed the highest root colonization with G. mosseae while Poa showed the lowest colonization with G. clarum. Drought stress reduced the root colonization of Festuca and Lolium in all mycorrhizal treatments, but increased the root colonization of Agropyron and Poa with G. clarum and G. fasiculatum. At highest level of stress, G. fasiculatum and G. mosseae increased the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of grass genera, more than 38 percent. Grasses symbiotic with G. mosseae showed the highest relative water content and lowest electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content compared to grasses symbiotic with other species of mycorrhizae. In general, mycorrhizal fungi could reduce the adverse effects of drought stress on grass characteristics, but the tendency to symbiosis and that’ s influence on the grass genera under stress, were different.

In order to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid and humic acid on some morphological and physiological traits of Narcissus cv. German, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 2 factors, 12 treatments, 3 replications and 5 pots in each plot. The first factor was gibberellic acid at four levels with concentrations of zero (control), 150, 300 and 450 ppm which was carried out by immersing onions in the mentioned concentrations of gibberellic acid for 48 hours. The second factor was humic acid at three levels with concentrations of zero (control), 250 and 500 ppm which was carried out as a foliar application at the vegetative stage. Analysis of variance showed that the effects of gibberellic acid treatment on appearance of flowering stem, flowering time and flower diameter had a significant effect compared to control. Gibberellic acid and humic acid treatments had individually significant effects on total chlorophyll, carotenoid and diameter of narcissus bulbs. The most leaf area was also related to the interaction of gibberellic acid (300 ppm) and humic acid (500 ppm). In general, results of this study indicated that according to the studied traits, use of gibberellic acid (300 ppm) and humic acid (500 ppm) was the best treatments to improve the studied traits.

Walnut kernel due to the chemical composition of fatty acids can be nutritionally and economically very important and has positive effect on human health. In this study, which was carried out during 2014 growing season, Eighteen walnuts genotypes in terms of fruit and kernel characteristics which were higher than “ Chandler” , were selected to evaluate their oil and fatty acids. The oil was measured with Soxhlet and its variation range was between 57. 32-75 percent dry weight in walnut kernel. The type and amount of fatty acids were analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC). Results of this study showed that kernel oil contains more than 88 percent unsaturated fatty acids. Among the identified fatty acids in walnut oil, linoleic acid (39. 38-57. 77%) was the predominant fatty acid followed by oleic acid (20. 67-41. 29%), linolenic acid (7. 84-12. 89%), palmitic acid (6. 7-9. 33%) and stearic acid (1. 47-4. 67%). (Traits in this study showed no significant correlation between kernel weight and altitude with oil amount, but the negative correlation was observed between oleic acid and linoleic acid. Results of this study showed, walnut oil content and fatty acid composition were not affected by physical characteristics and climatic conditions.

This experiment was conducted in order to investigate effects of drought stress and 24-epibrassinolide effects on some physiological and antioxidant enzyme activity of medicinal Coriandrum sativum L. as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Jiroft, south of Kerman. The treatments consisted of three levels of irrigation at-2 bar (moderate drought), irrigation at-3. 5 bar(mediate drought) of matric potential, mediate drought and-4. 5 bar of matric potential (severe drought) as the main factor and three concentrations of 24-epibrassinolide as foliar spraying (0, 0. 5 and 1 μ M) as the sub factor. Results showed that according to significant effects of drought levels, the most values of RWC, total chlorophyll, carotenoide content and soluble protein and also, the most values of ion leakage percentage and reduced sugars were obtained in plants treated under moderate drought level (-2 bar). The effect of foliar spraying with 24-epibrassinolide was significant on ion leakage percentage and soluble proteins. The least values of ion leakage percent and the most value of soluble protein were obtaind in plants treated with 1μ M of brassinolide. The mutual effects between drought levels and spraying with brassinolide were significant on vegetative yield of coriander. The most average of vegetative yield was obtained in plants under moderate drought at all three concentrations of brassinolide that they had not significant difference with yield average of plants treated by mediate level of drought and 0. 5 μ M of brassinolide.

Citrus tolerate low temperature and weak drainage. Growing citrus in warm regions, expose them to drought. This research was conducted to investigate drought effect on relative water content, ion leackage, malondialdehyde, soluble sugars, potassium and calcium nutrients in nucellar seedlings of citrus natural genotypes with two susceptible and tolerant rootstocks in factorial test based on randomized completely design with three replications in glasshouse conditions. Factors included commercial Citrus genotypes and two level of irrigation (optimum irrigation and withholding irrigation). The results showed that Poncirus because of lower ion leakage (31. 85 %), lower malondealdehyde accumulation (134. 4 nm/gdw) and higher calcium content (57 mg/gdw) compared with other genotypes was more tolerant to drought. Rough lemon because of higher malondealdehyde accumulation (356. 9 nm/gdw), high ion leakage (69. 43 %) and lower calcium content (32. 63 mg/gdw) compared with other genotypes, was susceptible to drought. Genotype of Shelmahalleh because of high ion leakage (77. 17 %) and slight total soluble carbohydrate accumulation was susceptible to drought after Rough lemon. Therefore, we could consider ion leakage as a proper physiological marker for drought tolerance with regard to means comparison and its good correlation to survival time.

To investigate macro-and micronutrients effects on flower quantity and quality of Damask rose (Rosa damasena Mill. ), a research was conducted at Alborz Research Station in 2008-2012. It was performed using split plot with 3 replications based on randomized complete block design. Main factor included chemical fertilizers; manure (M), combined fertilizer at 14 levels and sub factor was soil use of micronutrient (0, 8 & 12g Fe chelate). Variance analysis indicated significant effects (P<0. 01) of years, main factor (macro-nutrients), and micro-nutrients, year* macro-nutrients, year* micro-nutrients, macro-nutrients* micro-nutrients and year* macro-nutrients* micro-nutrients on number of flower per plant, yield of fresh flower, essential oil percentage, and essential oil yield. Means comparision showed maximum petal yield (7338. 9 kg/ha) in second year with application of 12 g micronutrients and N80P80K40M0. The essential oil yield (7019g/ha) and percentage (0. 12%) were maximum in secend year with 12 g micronutrients and N40P40K40M0. Results for two years showed that application of 40-80kg/ha NPK fertilizers at planting time and annually consumption of 12 g/plant iron and zinc fertilizer, can improve the quantity and quality of Damask rose.

In order to evaluate the effect of different light quality, on the growth of potato plantlets in vitro, and their subsequent performance in the greenhouse, an experiment was performed in 2015 in Mashhad, in tissue culture laboratory and greenhouse of Yekta Seed Technology Company. A factorial experiment based on the completely randomized design with six replications performed. The first factor consisted of eight different light treatments as follows: white, red and blue Light-emitting diode (LED), combination of red and blue spectrum ratios of 1: 1, 1: 3 and 3: 1, fluorescent lamp and natural light and the second factor was two potato cultivars including Agria and Fontane. MS culture medium was used for micro propagation of plantlets and plants fed with Hoagland nutrient solution in the greenhouse. After four weeks, the seedlings were removed from the culture medium, and their morphological properties were assessed and then plantlets transferred to the greenhouse and were grown in hydroponic condition for 90 days. Results showed that Agria in vitro plantlets were taller than the Fontane plantlets. Natural light produced the highest leaf area and the lowest leaf area was produced in blue spectrum. By increasing the red spectrum, number of tubers of both cultivars significantly increased and the weight of tubers per plant decreased. Fluorescent light source produced the lowest number of tubers per plant in both cultivars. By increasing ratio of red spectrum, potato plants produced higher tuber number with the smaller size and weight.

In this research, the effect of chitosan, nano-chitosan, methylcellulose, and pectin on maintenance of bioactive compounds and storability of pomegranate aril cv. Rabbab-e-Neyriz were studied during storage time. Arils were treated with 1. 5% chitosan, 3% methylcellulose, 3% pectin and pure nano-chitosan (100%) solutions and then stored at 5 ° C for 16 days and sampling of stored arils was done at 4 days intervals. After 16 days of storage at 5 ° C, fungal contamination was observed in all samples except for those treated with 1. 5% chitosan. The most and the least weight loss in arils obtained in the control and those treated with 1. 5% chitosan, respectively. The edible coatings especially chitosan significantly prevented from degradation of anthocyanin and ascorbic acid. Total phenol and antioxidant activity of juice decreased during storage; however chitosan coating significantly led to maintain these bioactive compounds. Edible coating treatments and especially chitosan maintained the TSS, TA, flavor index in comparison with control. Overall, chitosan effectively reduced water loss, aril losses and maintained bioactive compounds during storage.

Todays, the accumulation and toxicity of heavy metals in the environment and food chain is one of the most major problems in the world. Recently, remediation of these metals have been considered by the plants. This study was performed in two experiments. Lead, zinc and copper concentrations 0, 20, 50, 100 and 200 mg/l was applied during seed germination of ornamental cabbage, in the first experiment. In the second experiment, tolerance and remediation of ornamental cabbage to lead, zinc and copper concentrations 0, 25, 50 mg/l were investigated at the greenhouse conditions. In the first experiment with increasing concentrations of heavy metals, growth of seedlings was decreased. The highest seedling growth inhibitory effect was observed in the presence of copper, lead and zinc, respectively. In greenhouse experiments, the highest growth and lowest toxicity were observed in the presence of Cu, Zn and Pb, respectively in the media contained vermicompost. Amount of Cu and Pb uptake was found more in the bed without vermicompost. The achieved results indicated that ornamental cabbage could be as new plant hyperaccumulator and has potential for use in the Phytoremediation study of Pb and Cu contaminated soils.

In order to evaluatethe effect of salicylic acid on some morpho physiological charactristics of Calendula officinalis. L. under water deficit stress, an experiment was set out in split plot design based on RCBD with three replications under Zanjan climate conditions. Treatments consisted of 3 different irrigation regimes (100, 66, 33% ETC) as main plot and SA at 4 levels (0, 0. 5, 1, 1. 5 mM) as sub plots. Results indicated that, water deficit stress significantly increased proline content and peroxidase enzyme activity and reduced height, fresh and dry weights of shoot, flower number, flower vase life and leaf relative water content (RWC). Foliar application of SA at the 1 mM significantly increased fresh and dry weight of shoot, flower number, flower vase life, relative water content (RWC), peroxidase enzyme activity and proline content under water deficit stress. According to the results of this research, foliar application of salicylic acid could improve plant response in most traits at 1% level to drought stress.

Drought stress is one of the major limits of agricultural production in the world as well as Iran. Knowledge of the mechanism of action in different varieties and genotypes of grape in drought stress can help farmers in the selection of suitable varieties for cultivation and researchers to determine the candidate genotypes for breeding programs. For this purpose, research by factorial arrangement in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in greenhouse conditions in 2015-2016 were carried out to study the effect of soil water potential changes in some physiological and morphological traits of four varieties of domestic and foreign grapes. The treatments includes four varieties of grapes (Askari, Khalili, Chafteh and Perlette) and three levels of drought stress (-0. 2,-0. 7 and-1. 2 M Pa). In this experiment effect of water potential changes in some physiological and morphological traits of four varieties of domestic and foreign grapes were studied. Measured traits were LMA (Leaf Mass Area), cell membrane stability index, chlorophyll, proline, total protein, soluble carbohydrates, RWC (Relative Water Content), malondialdehyde levels, activity of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX). Base on the results of this study, all drought stress levels and varieties have significant effect on measured traits at 1% level. By increasing drought stress, proline (21-38%), MDA (50-70%), soluble carbohydrates (55%), activity of CAT (37-54%), and POX (13-17%) increased, but RWC (5. 6%) and total soluble protein (19-39%) decreased. In general, the results showed that the varieties of Chafteh and Khalili have the higher potential to tolerate drought stress conditions compared with Askari and Perlette.