Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Year:2017 | Volume:48 | Issue:SPECIAL ISSUE|Papers Count:7

Researchers have found that a user’s perception of the campus environment is related to quality life and academic accomplishment. In this study, we have analyzed the perceptions of more than 600 users at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad to evaluate the level of green space use and to understand user preferences from aesthetics and safety aspects. The results show that for most of the respondents (more than 80%), the use of green space was nearly 40%. The respondents’ aesthetics and safety preferences were more than moderate (65%) and nearly high (70%) respectively. A high correlation (nearly 80%) was found between their aesthetics and safety preferences. Based on the results, we recommend a thorough investigation of the effective factors and exploration of the reasons for the reduced campus green space use.

To evaluate the effect of water-deficit stress on the yield, antioxidant activity, and physiological traits of four Iranian melon genotypes (“Khatooni, ” “Suski-Sabz, ” “Zarde-Tabriz, ” and “Shiari”), an experiment was conducted. The irrigation levels were: (1) control (100%ETc); (2) deficit irrigation 66% (66%ETc); and (3) deficit irrigation 33% (33%ETc). The results showed that the yield and relative water content (RWC) significantly decreased in response to an increase in water-deficit stress. The highest yield reduction (60.7%) was measured in Khatooni under 33% ETc deficit irrigation. Water deficit had no significant effect on the Vitamin C content. Among genotypes, the highest value of Vitamin C was seen in Suski-Sabz. Water-use efficiency (WUE) increased under water-deficit stress conditions with higher WUE values recorded in the Suski-Sabz and Shiari genotypes. Significant proline accumulation was detected with increasing water-deficit stress and the highest value of proline was obtained in Shiari under 33%ETc deficit irrigation. The increase in water-deficit stress resulted in higher catalase and peroxidase activities in all genotypes. According to the results, the Suski-Sabz and Shiari genotypes showed the lowest yield reduction respectively, related to high antioxidant enzyme activity and proline accumulation under water-deficit conditions.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of expanded clay (Leca) and Styrofoam on the physical characteristics of growing media and their relationship with the growth of Spathiphyllum wallisii. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications. Cocopeat and peat moss combined with different proportions of inorganic materials Leca and Styrofoam were used as conventional media for the growth control. Growing indices of plants consisting of the number of leaves, shoot length, the fresh and dry weight of shoot and fresh and dry weight of roots, and physical characteristics of the media including bulk density, particle density, total porosity, water retention and air space were determined in this work. Chemical characteristics of the media including total nitrogen, absorbed phosphorous, and absorbed potassium, organic carbon, pH, and EC were also evaluated. Our results show that growth of the plant is much better in control media containing 40% cocopeat and 60% peat moss. Moreover, Leca and Styrofoam can be used as additives in the media, but the suitable proportion Leca and Styrofoam in the growing media was 25% because an excessive amount of these substances led to a change in the physical characteristic of the media and a drop in the growth rate of Spathiphyllum wallisii. Moreover, using more than 25% of these substances made a change in the volume of pots, leading to their reduced stability and some difficulties during their irrigation and shipment to the greenhouse.

The present study was carried out during 2007, 2008 and 2009 on 6 olive cultivars to investigate the process of oil and dry matter accumulation in response to warm and dry conditions in Dallaho Olive Research Station of SarpoleZehab, Kermanshah province, Iran. Results showed that oil begins to accumulate in the fruit from July, increases gradually through August and reaches its maximum as the fruit becomes completely black in November. Patterns of oil accumulation over the period of the study varied between cultivars. Dry matter acquisition was continuous and increased with a slow slope in all cultivars during fruit growth. Oil content correlated with the percentage of fruit dry matter, so that Roghani with the highest dry matter had the highest oil content in fresh fruit and dry matter. There was a linear relationship between dry matter and oil content in all cultivars. This relationship varied for different cultivars and was not strong however it can be an indicator of oil content. According to the results, olive cultivars showed different responses to warm conditions and oil accumulation was related to temperature. In conclusion, oil accumulation is a trait that can be influenced by environmental conditions and it depends on olive cultivars.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most important economical crops in Iran. The present study was conducted to evaluate the morphological characteristics and yield of saffron corms in six regions of Talesh city, Guilin province (Iran) with different altitudes. The studied regions were considered as treatments and the obtained data were analyzed based on a nested design. The results showed significant difference among the cultivation areas in terms of number, diameter and dry weight of corm. The areas with altitudes of ~ 1250 and ~1400 m produced the maximum number of corm per plant (7.64 and 6.16, respectively). The highest corm diameter (15.7 mm) and dry weight (0.94 g) were produced in the plain region with ~30 m altitude. Direct associations were observed among environmental factors such as precipitation, relative humidity, annual mean temperature and saffron corm weight. According to the results of the present experiment, saffron corm can be efficiently produced in Talesh region of Guilan province.

Primary bud necrosis (PBN) of grapevine, which is a physiological disorder, seriously decreases the fruit yield of vineyards. This research was carried out to determine the effects of mineral deprivation onincreasing the incidence of PBN in ‘Askari’ table grapes in Sisakht region of Southwest of Iran. For this purpose, the changes of mineral elements in leaves and PBN percentage were estimated on both fruiting and de-fruited ‘Askari’ vines. The experiment followed a factorial experiment in a randomized completely block design consisting of 10 × 2 (10 sampling dates × 2 treatments (fruited and de-fruited)) and four replicates was conducted. Eighty leaf samples were collected from vine clusters located in four blocks of commercial vineyard every 10 days starting 40 days after bud break (DAB) until 130 DAB. PBN was first studied by a hand lens and then by a microscope after dissecting the buds. The results showed that the initial symptoms of PBN appeared at 60 DAB. The PBN disorder progresses as bud development proceeds, with the higher percentage of PBN being observed in de-fruited vines than fruiting ones. In both fruiting and de-fruited vines at 60 DAB, the amount of iron content was close to the critical deficiency level whiles the concentration of elements such as Zn, B and Mn, was below the critical range. Furthermore, with increasing the concentration of Zn, B and Mn in leaves, PBN percentage significantly decreased.

Application of natural compounds such as essential oils and plant materials as bio-products is known as an appropriately safe strategy for controlling decay and maintaining fruit quality.Pistachia atlantica essential oil (PAO) (ranging between 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 ml l-1) was tested for antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea in vitro conditions. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (0, 1 and 2%) and PAO (0, 600 and 1200 ml l-1) were applied to the "Rasheh" grope for improving grape cold storage to preserve fresh fruit quality during cold stored postharvest. The growth of B. cinerea mycelia was greatly inhibited up to 84% at 1200 ml l-1 PAO under in vitro conditions. CMC and PAO treatments led to delaying grape weight loss and fruit decay. Titratable acidity, anthocyanin, antioxidant capacity, phenol and tannin of uncoated fruits decreased and total soluble solid contents increased during the grape storage. Fruit coating with CMC and PAO maintained higher anthocyanin, antioxidant capacity, phenol, tannin and titratable acidity. Less increase of total soluble solids was observed in coated fruits when compared to control fruits. The results indicated the beneficial effect of CMC (2%) and PAO (1200 ml l-1) coating on maintaining of grape fruit quality 28 d after storage.