Plant Productions
Year:2016 | Volume:39 | Issue:1|Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Abiotic stresses, like salinity, cause an increase in nitrogen compounds such as proline and soluble proteins in plant. One approach to understanding the molecular basis of salinity tolerance is to identify how stress induces changes in levels of soluble sugars. Although it is still unknown whether the salt tolerance of different rapeseed genotypes correlates with their ability to accumulate these compounds under salinity stress. Thus, it is necessary to study the relationship between accumulation of these compounds and salt tolerance in rapeseed plant.Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the role of nitrogen compounds in salt tolerance, an experiment was conducted in a controlled manner, under hydroponic conditions at the college of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran. This experiment was carried out in Completely Randomized Design as split plots with three replications in 2011. Salinity in three levels includes 0, 100 and 150 mM NaCl as main plots and the subplots were composed of three rapeseed genotypes including MHA4921, MHA4026 and Hyola401.Results: Salinity caused a significant reduction in root and shoot biomass and shoot N03-. Results showed that an increase in salinity leads to an increase in proline and soluble proteins contents of all genotypes, but this increase was greater in MHA4026 (salt sensitive genotype) than in two other. (salt tolerant) genotypes, at the highest level of salinity. Soluble sugar content in shoots increased with increasing NaCl in three genotypes, but this variation was greater in salt tolerant genotypes. Soluble sugar shoot/root ratio was greater in MHA4921 and Hyola401 but the difference between Hyola401 and MHA4026 was not-significant. Discussion: Proline accumulation under salt stress seems to be a symptom of injury amount rather than an indicator of salt tolerance. In rapeseed plant under salt stress proline, soluble sugar and soluble proteins increased but the amount of proline and soluble proteins in sensitive genotype was higher than that in salt tolerant genotype. The ability of rapeseed plant to accumulate soluble sugars in response to salinity may be one of the major criteria for salt tolerance.

Background and Objectives: Satureja khuzestanica and satureja rechingeri are two valuable and endemic medicinal species that grow widely in southwest parts of Iran. These species are rich in phenolic compound caracole; therefore, they have considerable biological activities. In order to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative yields of two savory species (Satureja khuzestanica and S. rechingeri) in different irrigation intervals, an experiment was carried out in the west of Lorestan (Kashkan) during the growing season of 2012-2013.Materials and methods: The Experiment was conducted on the basis of split-plot design in completely randomized block design with three replicates. Irrigation treatments (15 and 30 days interval and rainfed) as the main-plot and species in two levels (Satureja khuzestanica and satureja rechingeri) as the sub-plot were carried out. The characteristics measured were leaf and flower yield, essential oil content, essential oil yield, essential oil compositions, leaf area index and plant height.Results: Results showed that the effect of irrigation treatments on all traits except for essential oil compositions was significant. The effect of species on essential oil content and essential oil yield was significant. Mean comparison of traits showed that by increasing in irrigation intervals, leaf and flower yield, essential oil content, essential oil yield, leaf area index and plant height of both summer savory species were decreased amount of by 73, 23, 78, 80 and 33%, respectively compared to control (Irrigation interval of 15 days). Between species, essential oil content (%3.7) and essential oil yield (100/2 kg.ha-1) of rechingeri species were more than essential oil content (%2.03) and essential oil yield (62.2 kg.ha-1) of khuzestanica species.Discussion: The leaf and flower yield, essential oil content, essential oil yield, leaf area index of both summer savory species were decreased by increasing irrigation intervals and rainfed cultivation. Trend of changes in essential oil yield was similar to leaf and flower yield, In other words, the essential oil yield was further affected by the herb yield (leaf and flower yield).

Background and Objectives: Canola crops has a special place due to specific features among crop plants and it has drawn the attention of researchers in recent years. During the period before flowering, it is observed that 72 to 83% of the total dry matter in leaves and 17 to 28% accumulates in the stem. In the period post flowering, most dry matter is (50% to 56%) in the stems that most this the material of the leaves will be obtained that they have to 8 to 11 % the total dry matter in the course. At the maturity stage, stems and pods are included 46 to 51 % and 49 to 59% of the dry matter respectively. Canola reaches in time of flowering to LAI maximum and then gradually reduced LAI so that at harvest time reaches almost to zero. K value for the products with mainly vertical leaves, or with leaves coincided together that have found host state, is variable between 0.3 to 0.45. The RUE is for winter canola 1.2 and for spring canola 1.5 g/MJ photosynthetically active radiation. This amount at time of filling grain arrives to about 0.4 to 0.75 g/MJ photosynthetically active radiation. This experiment is to investigate share different organs canolacultivar Hyola 401 from. allocation dry matter and obtain baseline K and RUE occurred in Ahvaz conditions.Materials and methods: This experiment done to form factorial whit two factors planting date in three levels (November 29, December 19 and January 8) and the density at four levels (50, 70, 90 and 110 plants per square meter) in randomized complete block design with 4 replications in the 2011-2012 crop year. To measure the relation incoming radiation used from the vertical imaging. Due to having relation incoming radiation for determine the K used from the equation FI= 1-exp(-kxLA1). RUE obtained from line slope of dry matter accumulation againts the cumulative radiation received. In order to describe the trend changes LAI againts the days after planting used from the equation LAI= ((axexp((-a)x(dap-b)xc))/(1-exp((-a)x(dap-b)))2. In order to describe the distribution rate of dry matter in different plant organs from stem elongation to flowering, flowering to pod filling and pod filling to maturity stages used from the equation y=bx.Results: The results showed that with increasing density, LAI rising. In addition, with delay in planting LAI showed a decreasing trend. K values obtained between the different planting dates and plant density did not show significant differences and the value it for the photosynthetically active radiation canola cultivar Hyola 401 was 0.39. In addition, RUE values Obtained about 0.92 g/MJ. Effect of plant density on dry matter distribution was more than planting date.Discussion: Increase in LAI by increased density can be considered due to increasing the number of plants and Increase the number of leaves. Reduce the LAI by delayed planting can be considered due to Shorten the growth period and increase in day length and temperature. Lower effect planting date than plant density on dry matter distribution canola cultivar Hyola 401 and as well as non-significance K and RUE in dates and different densities can perhaps be because climatic similarities of view day length and photoperiod and also low time interval between different planting dates.

Background and Objectives: The use of organic manures and legume species can reduce the need for fertilizers and sustain cropping systems. Organic manure plays a vital role in bringing stability and sustainability to agriculture and also avoiding over dependence on chemical fertilizers. Nowadays, consumer preference is more for organically grown produce because they are free from toxic residues and have concern for the environment. Animal manure is a good source for organic fertilizer as it helps to improve chemical, physical and biological properties of soil and it is used as a source of energy for the soil ecosystem. The aim of this study was investigating combination of animal manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield performance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum gracum).Materials and methods: In order to evaluate fertilizer treatments and intercropping ratio of isabgol-fenugreek on rhizobium nodules, root and shoot growth, an experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Shahrekord University in 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments. Four intercropping treatments consist of sole cropping of fenugreek (T), three ratios of intercropping of isabgol-fenugreek (1: 1, 1:2, 2: 1) as the first factor, and three fertilizer treatments (manure, manure: chemical (50:50), and chemical fertilizer) were investigated in factorial as randomized complete block design with three replications. In this experiment, parameters such as rate of weight and number of rhizobium nodule per plant, dry weight of root, dry weight of stem, dry weight of leaf and dry weight of pod, number of lateral branches, leaf number, leaf area index, plant height, special leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio and total weight of shoot were measured.Results: The results showed that the maximum number and weight of rhizobium nodules, shoot dry weight, number of lateral branches were obtained in isabgol-fenugreek (2:1) with the application of combined fertilizer. The maximum of isabgol height and pod weight were achieved in combined fertilizer. Also, the lowest number and weight of rhizobium nodules, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and leaf weight ratio were produced in the chemical fertilizer. Means comparison results indicated that in TP (2: 1) with application of combined fertilizer number (16.4), weight (0.28 g) of rhizobium nodules, shoot dry weight (6.82 g), number of lateral branches (4.93) and leaf area index (2.2) were obtained in isabgol-fenugreek (1 :2) with application of combined fertilizer.Discussion: In general, combined use of fertilizers in interaction with intercropping isabgol-fenugreek can be effective in increasing the fenugreek performance and environment conservation by reducing of chemical fertilizers.

Background and Objectives: The phenomenon of date-bunch fading is one of the most important problems of some Iranian date producers. This disorder causes fruit shrinkage at the stage of Khalal to Routab conversion. Since the disorder is accompanied with the sudden increase of temperature and decrease of air relative humidity, in this research it was assumed that severe leaf or fruit transpiration is the cause of disorder, so the effect of chitosan and kaolin as anti-transpiration agents were investigated in combination with matting during 2012 and 2013 in Jiroft Agricultural Research Center on 'Mazafati' date fruits.Materials and methods: In the first year, fruits were sprayed with chitosan (0 and 1 %) plus matting (with or without matting) at 3 replications and in the second year, the leaves were sprayed with kaolin (0, 2, 4 %) plus matting (with or without matting) at 4 replications using CRBD as factorial.Results: The results of the first experiment showed that chitosan could not reduce the severity of disorder, although it improved fruit weight and length and pulp to seed ratio to some extent. In the second experiment, leaf covering with kaolin caused dramatic reduction of disorder and had positive effects on fruit qualitative traits. The use of matting was effective in reducing disorder in both experiments.Discussion: The results of the experiment revealed that leaf transpiration plays a more important role in date-bunch dryness occurrence than fruit transpiration.

Background and Objectives: The cultivated apple, Malusdomestica, belongs to the Rosaceae Family, and the subfamily of Pomoideae. Apples are adaptable to various climates, but can be considered best adapted to the cool temperate zone from about 35-50 degrees latitude. Khorasan Razavi has a large and diverse genetic resource of apple trees. There fore, identification, collection and evaluation of these genotypes are necessary to plan future research programs. This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating 12 different genotypes of local apple trees in Khorasan Razanvi province by using national guidlines for conducting test of Distinctive, Uniformity and Stability (DUS).Materials and methods: This investigation was carried out in the apple orchad collection located in Torogh station of Khorasan Razavi Agriculture and Natural Resource Research Center during 2010-2012. In this study, 12 local apple genotypes including Torbati, Khojeh Hesar, OghazShirvan, Alimoridovom, Kompoti, Kojeh Torbat, Arbabi Bojnord, Sheykh Ahmad Tabriz, Morabaye, Abasi, Sheykh Amiri, Golmakani were evaluated based on a randomized complete block (RCBD) with 3 replications. The morphological and fruit pomological traits were measured in each genotype. The evaluated characters were firmness, width and depth of eye basin, width and depth of stalk cavity, stalk length and thickness, fruit length, width, yield and weight, flower diameter, peduncle length, leaf blade length and width, length of internodes, one-year-old shoot growth and one-year-old shoot diameter. Data were analyzed using MSTATC and Mini-tab software. The analysis of variance on test data and comparison with the middle of the Duncan test were performed at the 5% level.Results: The results of ANOV A showed significant differences between apple genotypes; that is, Golmakani and Morabaye genotypes with 181.67 and 7.1 g fruit weight had the largest and smallest fruit weight, respectively. The mean comparision indicated that vegetative characteristics differed significantly among genotypes, so that the length, blade width, and thickness of annual branch were higher in Oghaz Shirvan genotype than other genotypes. Also, the longest internode length and annual branch growth beloged to Golmakani genotype. The coefficient of correlation analysis among different measured traits showed positiveand significant correlations between fruitdiameter and fruit length, fruit weight, eye bezel width, brew bezel width, flower diameter. In addition, there were strong positive and significant correlations between fruit yield and fruitdiameter and fruit weight. Fruit yield did not show a significant correlation with other traits. Cluster analysis with Ward method classified genotypes to 5 clusters, including very early and early ripening (Torbati, KhojehHesar, Alimouridovom, Khojeh Torbat, OghazShirvan, Sheykh Ahmad Tabriz and Morabaye), midripenning (Kompoti and Arbabi Bojnourd), late ripening (Abasi and Sheykh Amiri Shirvan) and very late ripening (Golmakani).Discussion: In general, the present results showed that Kompoti genotype is recommended for mid season regions due to low variation in mid mature ripening genotypes, and Morabaye is suitable for stock because of its small fruits and low vegetative growths.

Background and Objectives: Tomato is a climacteric vegetable crop with a high ability of ethylene production. Approximately, 30% of tomatoes is lost during the harvest to consumption chain yearly. Accumulation of C2H4 gas in the storage atmosphere accelerates fruit ripening, thus, it is an important problem during tomato storage.Materials and methods: In this study, conducted at the agricultural research center of Hamadan during the 2012-2013, various nano Ag-coated TiO2 concentrations in slurry form of TiO2 (0, 4, 8 and 12 g/l) were used to delay the ripening time of harvested tomatos which were irradiated with a UV lamp., Tomatoes (cv Halil) were then harvested at breaker stage of ripening.Results: The results dpppemonstrated that in the absence of ultraviolet light, and proportional to the concentration of the solution, titanium dioxide was able to decpmpose 26 to 90 percent of the ethylene produced by tomatoes. Ethylenereduction caused increasing texture firmness between 16 to 72%, decreasing color change surface of tomatos from orange to red up to 24%, along with 2 weeks delay in ripening time of orange tomatoes compared to control.Discussion: Exposure to 5 W/m2 UV radiation or nanosilver particles with a 12 g/l titanium dioxide solution showed the same effect on the accumulated ethylene, texture firmness and color in tomatoes. According to this research, UV radiation or nanosilver particles ara essential for activation of TiO2 photocatalitic reaction.

Background and object: One of the most important factors affecting the distribution of plants is physiological dormancy phenomenon. An apricot tree (Prunusarmeniaca) is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran, particularly Azerbaijan region. Apricot tree is an early- flowering and susceptible to chilling tree and due to early-flowering of this tree in planting and processing of this product, susceptibility to chilling injury during the flowering, is a limiting factor.Material and method: To determine the heat and chilling requirement of flowering in four apricot cultivars (Tabarzeh, Asgaraabad, Shekarpareh, Shamloo) an experiment was carried out in Agricultural Research Stations "Khalaat Pooshan" in 2013-2014. Annual shoots with equal diameter and length were removed from trees and transferred weekly to the growth chamber. Sprouts status of phonological stages, and fresh and dry weights was examine dateachstage of sampling. To calculate the chilling requirements of cultivars several models were used. To estimate the heat requirement from, growth degree hours (GDH) model was used.Result: Results showed hat in allmodels, Tabarzeh and Shamloo cultivars had the highest chilling requirement and Asgaraabad cultivar had the least chilling requirement. The amount of heat required, Cultivars of Tabarzeh and Shamloo with 3060 GDH had the least heat requirement and the Asgaraabad cultivar with 3254 GDH had highest heat requirement. Fresh and dry weight of buds before and after exposure to growth chamber showed significants difference at different sampling dates. Research of pro line changes in cultivars during dormancy proved that pro line amount at different sampling dates showed that significant difference between the cultivars and different sampling dates. Therefore, Tabarzeh cultivar had the least free pro line amount and the highest free pro line belonged to the Shamloo cultivar.Discussion: Considering the cold weather of most of the Azerbaijan regions, selection and planting of apricot varieties with high chilling and heat requirement seems to be important. In this respect, knowledge of the chilling and heat requirement, selection of varieties and top genotype with high chilling and heat requirement to reduce the risk of late spring frosts increases production.

Background and objective: Sweet com (Zea mays L.) is one of the most popular vegetable in many countries. It is characterized by translucent, horny appearance of kernel when matures and wrinkled when it dries. The efficiency of maize breeding programs would be significantly enhanced if superior crosses could be predicted before field evaluation based on screening of parental inbred lines. Even though remarkable advances in maize breeding have been achieved, field trials involve significant resources and are time consuming. However, field tests still have an irreplaceable role in modem hybrid breeding programs. Determining performances of maize inbred lines as potential hybrid parents in field experiments based on combining ability of inbred lines and heritability of traits that are related to grain yield is very important in breeding programs.Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted in Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Mashhad, Iran in 2012-2013. The experimental materials were 37 sweet com genotypes consisting of 18 inbred lines and 19 single cross hybrids that were evaluated in complete block design (CRD) with three replications. In each plot, seeds were planted in two 5m length rows with 75cm between two rows. The final plant density was 7.6 plants per square meter. The measured traits were some of morphological and phenological characteristics, yield and yield components that were recorded for 10 competitive plants or ears in each experimental plot. Analysis of variance was performed by SAS ver 9.1. Means with significant differences were compared using Duncan's multiple range tests.Results: The results showed significant differences between different sweet com genotypes for all studied traits (p£0.01). The mean comparison showed that hybrid Temptation* chase with 26.273 ton/ha has the highest conservable grain yield. Also, the highest heritability belonged to tassel length with 96.63 %. The most yield heterosis and heteroblitiosis were 280.72 and 337.1 percent in genotype Temptation 2* Chase, respectively. The cluster analysis divided genotypes to 4 clusters with inbred lines located in A and B clusters and single cross hybrids in C and D clusters.Discussion: We concluded that the selected elite single cross hybrids like Temptation*Chase can be used as good candidates for final comparison yield trials in future breeding programs.

Background and Objectives: Inequality of increasing population and food will be worse as soon as possible, because the human population is expected to increase to over 8 billion by the year 2020 (Ashraf and Harris, 2006). Therefore, plant breeding is a permanent and economic method to solving the problem. Detection of effective traits on grain yield is an efficient approach to increase crop production. Among agronomy crops, chickpea plays vary important role in human life. KHalighi et al. (2011) showed that grain yield had a significant correlation with pod number per plant, seed number per plant, harvest index and biomass. In another research (Fayyaz and Talebi, 2009), the traits of number of pod and number of seed per plant were proposed as the most important traits for yield increasing in chickpea. Yucel et al. (2006) suggested that seed number per plant and pod number per plant have maximum direct effect on grain yield. Stepwise regression showed that the traits of biomass, harvest index and 100 -kernel weight had great effect on chickpea grain yield, so the traits explained the main part of yield variance (Mardi et al, 2003). Detection and identifying the most effective traits on chickpea grain yield was the main objective of the current research.Materials and methods: The experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications on 18 chickpea promising lines and two cultivars (as control) under normal moisture condition in 2011-2012. The experiment was conducted in agricultural and natural resources research center of Kurdestan, Iran. The traits of day to 50 percent flowering, day to 50 percent podding, day to maturity, relative water content, number of sub-branches, number of main branches, seed number per plant, pod number per plant, plant height, 100- kernel weight, grain yield, harvest index and biomass were measured. Correlation analysis, stepwise regression analysis, and path analysis were used for identifying the best genotypes and traits in the current experiment. Phenotypic coefficient variation, genotypic coefficient variation and broad sense heritability were estimated for all traits.Results: The results showed that the traits of number of sub-branch per plant, number of pod per plant, number of main-branch per plant, seed number per plant, harvest index and biomass had the maximum, positive and significant correlation with grain yield, while the trait of day to 50% flowering had the maximum, negative and significant correlation with grain yield. Stepwise regression results indicated that the traits of number of sub-branch, biomass, harvest index and day to 50% flowering (with negative beta) were the most important effective traits on the mean of grain yield and explained 97.98% of yield variance. Path analysis results confirmed the obtained results. The path analysis results showed that the traits of number of sun-branch and biomass had the maximum positive direct effect on grain yield. 100-kerenl weight and plant height had the highest and lowest heritability respectively. The maximum genotypic coefficient of variance belongs to 100-kernel weight, number of sub and main branches respectively. Meanwhile, the trait of harvest index and biomass (by increasing the number of sub-branch) had the maximum indirect positive effect on yield. As a result, increasing the sub-branch number and decreasing of day to 50% flowering may be proposed as a useful strategy for yield increase under the current experiment condition.Discussion: Grain yield is a quantitative trait with low broad sense heritability. Therefore, identifying the traits correlated with grain yield is a suitable strategy for improvement and indirect selection of grain yield. Stepwise regression and path analysis are an efficient and useful statistical approach for reaching were the above aim. According to results, the traits of number of sun-branch, number of main-branch and biomass recognized as the best suitable traits for indirect grain yield selection under normal moisture stress condition.