Plant Productions
Year:2016 | Volume:39 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Triticale is a crop species resulting from a plant breeder's cross between wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale). Plant breeders originally wanted to include the combination of grain quality, productivity, and disease resistance of wheat with the vigor and hardness of rye. Triticale is mainly introduced as a crop which is more adapted under low-potential condition than the wheat and other small cereals. Triticale could be used as a feed grain. As a feed grain, triticale is already well established and of high economic importance. The aim of a triticale breeding program is mainly focused on the improvement of quantitative traits, such as grain yield, nutritional quality and plant height, as well as traits which are more difficult to improve, such as earlier maturity and improved test weight. In order to study the relationship between grain yield and its related traits and to select high yielding lines of triticale, this research was carried-out in a low-potential condition.Material and Methods: This research was conducted in Ahvaz Agricultural Research station during 2013-2014 cropping season, with 36 lines, using a-lattice design with two replications. Fertilizers were used based on soil test results. Each line was planted in six 6-meter rows with 0.2 meter spacing in Nov.8 and irrigation was done immediately. Days from germination to heading, physiological maturity and ripening stages, and grain yield and its components were determined. Genetic variation coefficient was calculated based on GC={[(Vg-Ve)/r]/M}×100, equation in which GC, Vg, Ve, r and M are genetic variation coefficient, phenotype variance, variance of error, replication and mean trait, respectively. Data were analyzed using MSTATC software.Results: Results indicated that genotypes were significantly different for all traits. Ranges of days from germination to ear emergence and physiological maturity were 89-103 and 129-141 respectively. The highest grain yield (4790 Kg.ha-1) and grain crop growth rate (14.1 g.m-2.day-1) was belonged to line No.29. The highest genetic variation coefficients were obtained from days from germination to ear emergence (43.6%) and biological yield (36.4%). Range of mean grain yield was 1898-4652 Kg/ha and lines No, : 5, 8, 15, 17, 20, 22, 23, 26 and 29 with grain yields 4494, 3748, 3820, 3777, 3757, 3717, 4007, 3780 and 4651 Kg.ha-1 respectively, were selected for advanced trails.Discussions: Regarding high similarity among grain yields with both grain growth rate (95%) and biological yield (86%) in cluster analysis and high genetic variation of the mentioned traits, the lines with both high biological yielding and grain growth rate were evaluated as the optimum genetic sources for breeding programs of triticale. Lines with both traits have capability to accumulate high amount of dry matter and to allocate a large proportion of this dry matter to grains.

Background and Objectives: Local accessions have developed traits that may improve their ability to adapt to local invironmental conditions. These accessions may contain genes responsible for resistance to drought, salinity, pathogens and pests. Iran is assumed to be part of diversity centers of Cucumis melo var. flexuosus. Because of high economic and horticultural importance and lack of comprehensive genetic studies, it is necessary to conduct genetic studies on local accessions.Material and Methods: Seeds from 12 Flexuosus accessions were collected from different parts of Iran. A randomized block design was used to measure 61 qualitative and quantitative traits suggested by international plant genetic resources institute (IPGRI). Analysis of variance was performed on quantitative traits to compare accessions. The relationship between traits was accessed using Pearson correlation. Cluster analysis was carried out by UPGMA method and Euclidean's coefficient.Results: The results revealed considerable diversity among snake melon accessions in many of the traits. Most of the traits were positively and negatively correlated. Factor analysis showed three important factors accounting for 84.3 percent of the total variation among traits. First to third factor assigned 36.5, 32.0 and 15.8 percent of total variation, respectively. These factors were regarded as photosynthesis, genetic and yield, respectively. Furthermore, cluster analysis grouped flexsuosus accessions into four main groups.Discussions: This research showed that grouping of accessions based on morphological markers, was not consistent with the geographical distribution of genetic distances, and accessions that were close were not necessarily close together geographically. This research also showed Iranian Flexuous germplasm is rich in genetic diversity and could have an important role to improve modern melon breeding.

Background and Objectives: Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a nonclimacteric fruit that is not ripened off the tree and should be picked when fully ripe to ensure its best flavor. Thus, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of harvesting time and fruit size on cv. 'Rabab Neiriz' in Ghalletol at the North eastern of Khuzestan, Iran. The aim of this research was to determine the best harvesting time for preserving the flavor quality in this cultivar.Material and Methods: In this experiment, pomegranate fruits were harvested at three different time periods, October 6th, October 22th and November 5th. The fruits were classified based on large, medium and small sizes according to the standard scale. A factorial experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with three replications. Treatments were 3 harvesting time and three fruit size.Results: Results indicated that there are significant differences between both fruit size and harvesting time and some properties such as fruit weight, volume, amount of antioxidants, vitamin C, titratable acidity, soluble solids, the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity, antioxidant activity and the content of phenolic materials in Rabab Neyriz cv. under this climatic condition. TSS value was 16.6 % in third sampling and there was no significant difference between medium and small fruits.Discussions: Titrable acidity and TSS to acid ratio was 1.4, 16.2 percent respectively. In general, the results of the present study confirmed that the medium fruit size at the third harvesting time has a better quality as compared to other sizes and harvesting times.

Background and Objectives: Mulberry (Morus spp. L.) is one of species belong to Moraceae family. There are twenty-four species of Morus and one subspecies, with 100 known varieties. The various methods used in classification of Morus were mainly based on the conventional systematic studies and agronomic characters. Despite the widespread genetic diversity in Iranian mulberry, so far, the identification of these plants have not been selected, and introduce for cultivation. Field expeditions were carried out in 2008 and 2014. Collections were made from different regions (Tehran, Mazandaran, Kurdistan, Markazi, Khuzestan, Fars, West Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Hamedan, Khorasan, South Khorasan, Semnan, Ardabil, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, East Azerbaijan) in Iran. Characterization of leaf and fruits was based on Morus descriptors developed by the International. Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). The aim of this study was evaluation of genetic diversity and mulberry clustering genotypes, on the basis and quantitative traits and to determine the genetic distance among studied genotypes.Material and Methods: Mulberry trees are widely distributed in Iran. 118 samples selected from Mulberry population based on descriptor developed by International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) were evaluated for their morphological trait. The quantitative and qualitative traits were measured according to International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). When the data was denoted through descriptive statistics, were conducted. The analysis of variance with the PROC GLM procedure was applied to distinguish the effect of the genotype into treatment and regions within each area as replication on the analyses traits. The mean separation was conducted through the LSD test.Results: Results reflected a significant diversity in the assayed Mulberry germplasm. It was noted that the characteristic trait of leaf margin, petiole length, and flower diameter were reflected higher coefficients of variation that were higher diversity among investigated genotypes. Therefore, there is the possibility of selecting genotypes for different values of an attribute. All other related traits with high coefficients of variation are more diverse than other trait, which reflected low variable. coefficient variation value.Discussions: The value of the correlation coefficient (r) was noted to be positive significant for the harvest time of fruit ripening (r = 0.82, P<0.001), the shape of inflorescence at the time of fruit ripening (r=0.71, P<0.001). Some value correlation obtained for 'Brix' versus time of fruit ripening (r= 0.60), Brix and fruit shape (r=0.28), fresh weight vs. the time of ripening (r= 0.81), which were found to be positive at 5% level. The result indicates that the fruits are harvested almost simultaneously ripened in a long time unlike other fruits. Clustering (Ward linkage) based on morphological trait clearly separated genotypes into three main groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the morphological distinction between the populations. The first component contributed 0.65% the total variation contributed by all traits. Overall, the results showed that great morphological variation among the plant population.

Background and Objectives: Maize is the most important grain crop that has great economic importance and is grown worldwide. The largest areas under maize in Iran are in the regions with semidry and dry climates. Bio-fertilizers differ from chemical and organic fertilizers in the sense that they are cultures of special bacteria which do not directly supply any nutrients to crops. The phenomena of fixation and precipitation of P in soil caused a low efficiency of soluble P fertilizers such as superphosphate. The studies on the application of biofertilizers as replacements or supplements to mineral nutrients in the crop production show economic and ecological justification of their broad practical application and commercialisation of biofertilizers. Given the importance of water and fertilizer in agriculture, research leading to improvements in water efficiency and the use of chemical fertilizers is essential.Material and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of growth promoting bacteria and different levels of phosphorus chemical fertilizer on grain yield and yield components of corn hybrid (540) under humidity different regimes, an experiment was conducted as Line source based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Agricultural Education Center of Shahid Naseri in Karaj during 2012 and 2013. Line source was applied to four levels of irrigation (not stress, mild stress, moderate stress, severe stress). Phosphorus factor was in five levels including the application of 100% triple super phosphate fertilizer and without biofertilizer, 75% recommended chemical fertilizers with biofertilizer, 50% recommended chemical fertilizers with biofertilizer, 25% recommended chemical fertilizers with biofertilizer, biofertilizer and without chemical fertilizers, too.Results: The results of the experiment showed the significant effect of fertilizer treatments on all traits both in the first and second years. In comparison, the effect of different levels of phosphorus fertilizers was investigated by the application of 100% phosphorus fertilizer and without inoculation it had the highest grain yield under non-stress conditions, while with increasing of stress intensity, grain yield in 75% recommended chemical fertilizers with biofertilizer treatment under mild stress, moderate stress and severe stress conditions was 2.1%, 5.5% and 35.8% higher than the same treatment in similar circumstances, respectively.Discussions: The result of the experiment showed that the use of plant growth promoting bacteria with a good percentage of the phosphorus chemical fertilizer, while increasing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers and soil conservation, improved grain yield under water stress conditions. The positive effect of bio-fertilizer may also be due to optimum soil pH which facilities maximum utilization of applied micronutrients to crops. Also, use of Biosuper biofertilizer had positive effects on all traits.

Background and Objectives: Allelopaty is regarded as a natural protecting strategy involving plant secoundary metabolites that influence the growth and development of surrounding biological system. Determining the mode of action of secondary metabolites as allelochemicals is one of the challenging aspects in allelopathic research. Today, allelochemicals have been proposed to cause oxidative stress in some of neighbor plants and inhibited their cell proliferation; however, its mechanism of action remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phytotoxic effect of leaf aqueous and methanol extract of Ferula foetida on physiological and biochemical processes during germination of tomato seeds.Material and Methods: Effects of allelochemicals extracted from Ferula foetida on tomato (Lycopersicun escolentum) seed germination were investigated. For these purposes, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications in plant physiology laboratory of Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur Branch. The first factor included allelopatic materials in three levels including 10% aqueous and methanolic extract of Ferula foetida (gathered in early vegetative growth period), and control and the second factor was time of sampling in 5 levels including sampling in 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours after imbibition.Results: The results showed that tomato seed viability, Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, hydrogen peroxide and antioxidative enzyme activity such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were significantly affected by treatment. In the earliest time of imbibition, both aqueous and methanol extracts, the activity of APX of tomato seed was the lowest, while the PPO showed the highest activity. The highest loss of seed viability, H2O2 and MDA, was in the seed treated with aqueous extract after 120 h, and the highest activity of antioxidative enzymes was in 72 h after exposure to water extract phytotoxins.Discussions: Our results showed that despite the activation of the antioxidant system by Ferula foetida phytotoxic, reactive oxygen species accumulation caused cellular damage which resulted in decrease of gradual loss of tomato's seed viability. In addition, this study demonstrated that aqueus and alcholic extraction materials from Ferula foetida exhibited cosiderable allelochemical potential. Therfore, this compound could be utilized to generate a new generation of herbicidees that are more ecologically friendly.

Background and objectives: Kiwifruit is a good source of natural antioxidant substances, in particular vitamin C. The studies on kiwifruit post harvest handling and storability would be helpful in marketability of high quality fruits and indeed it would be beneficial to our country's economy. In order to examine the effects of summer pruning combined with calcium chloride spray and duration of storage on some quality features of kiwifruit, the present research was undertaken as a complete block design in factorial arrangement with four replications.Materials and methods: The project was conducted during 2008-9 in a commercial orchard in Chalos, Iran. The CaCl2 was applied in four concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) and pruning was carried out in four levels including no pruning, leaving 2, 4, 8 leaves after the last fruit. Storage period included four levels between two to six months.Result: It was found that, summer pruning could increase calcium content of pulp. The total soluble solids decreased by pruning treatments but no significant changes were recorded for other quantitative traits. Calcium chloride applications significantly enhanced calcium content of pulp section (p<0.001). Furthermore, the interaction of calcium chloride and time may significantly influence firmness, vitamin C content, pH, total acidity and total soluble solids. Maximum total acidity (1.118 g/100 ml), vitamin C content (60.111 mg/100 ml) was observed following spraying 1% CaCl2. Also, the lowest pH (3.445) and total soluble solids (12.7%) and maximum firmness (1.475) were recorded following application of 1.5% CaCl2, six months after storage.Discussions: The results showed that the treatments had a significant effect on some traits and summer pruning improves fruit calcium's. Absolute increasing on fruit calcium density means sprayed calcium can penetrate in fruit epiderm and it can be because of weakness in cell membrane during development that can simplify calcium penetration. Also, summer pruning can increase fruit quality and improving antioxidant system and vitamin C by effect on light and air circulate in tree canopy and can increase calcium density in fruit texture by enhancing transpiration in fruits, because cutting the end part of developing shoots make reduction in competition between element absorption especially calcium element and make it flowed to set fruit.

Background and Objectives: Organic fertilizers are derived from animal matter, human excreta or vegetable matter. (e.g. compost, manure). Organic fertilizers are carbon-based compounds that increase the productivity and growth quality of plants. Organic fertilizers preserve food cycle; reduce pollution and remediation of soil physicochemical properties and stabilization of plants in soil. Use of these organic fertilizers ensures that the food items produced are free of harmful chemicals. As a result, the end consumers who eat these organic products are less prone to diseases such as cancer. In addition to the on-farm production possibilities of organic fertilizers, organic fertilizers help in maintaining the soil structure and increasing its nutrient-holding capacity. Organic fertilizers are easily bio-degradable and do not cause environmental pollution. On the other hand, chemical fertilizers contaminate both the land and water, which is a major cause of diseases for human beings and is the force behind the extinction of a number of plant, animal, and insect species.Material and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of organic fertilizers (vermicompost, compost and manure) on morpho physiological characteristics of Petunia hybrida an experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Irrigation treatments consisted of three levels (100% of field capacity by irrigation at a rate of 360 cc (D1), 50% of field capacity by as much as 180 cc (D2) and 25% of field capacity by as much as 90 cc (D3)), and four fertilizer treatments (control, compost, vermicompost and manure). Some traits such as stem fresh weight leave fresh weight, flower fresh weight, length, diameter and number of flowers, SPAD index, leaf area, relative water content and membrane stability index were measured.Results: The results showed that effects of the treatments on traits such as flower fresh weight, length, diameter and number of flowers, SPAD index, relative water content and membrane stability index were significant at 1% level. The interaction of two factors on traits such as stem and flower fresh weight, flower number, leaf area, leaf fluorescence, relative water content and membrane stability index was significant. Thus the weight of a single flower per plant increased with the application of vermicompost fertilizers, compost and manure, respectively, 16.26, 65.9 and 40.8% over control at 100% capacity. Irrigation with treated manure at 25% field capacity (D3) increased length of flower over 14% compared to control. In 50% of field capacity (D2) with vermicompost in the context of the membrane stability index was 62% which, compared to control treatments at the same level of irrigation, was increased by 67%. Use of manure and vermicompost seems to improve adverse effects of drought stress.Discussions: Manure and vermicompost improves soil aeration, enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding enzymes such as phosphatase and cellulase), Enhances germination, plant growth, and crop yield and also improves water holding capacity.

Background and Objectives: Basil is a rich source of phenylpropanoids and enzymes Chavicol o-methyl transferase and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase are involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds.Material and Methods: A completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in greenhouse to assess the effect of methyl jasmonate on the expression of the genes encoding CVOMT and C4H enzymes. Methyl jasmonate with concentrations of 0, 0.1 and 0.5 mM was sprayed on healthy plant leaves in flowering stage. Plant leaves were sampled at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after spraying. Relative expression of the genes was determined by real time PCR. Methyl jasmonate concentrations and sampling times were considered as main and sub-plots, respectively, and analysis of variance was performed in a split plot in time design.Results: Based on the results of variance analysis and mean comparison tests, the highest expression of the CVOMT gene was achieved in a concentration of 0.5 mM methyl jasmonate at 48 hours after spraying (p£0.01). The expression of the C4H gene was significantly (p£0.05) affected by the methyl jasmonate concentrations and sampling times. The maximum expression of this gene was obtained in 0.1 mM concentration of methyl jasmonate. Also, the expression of C4H gene was reached its peak 48 hours after spraying.Discussions: Methyl jasmonate with concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mM methyl jasmonate lead to significant increase in the expression of the genes encoding CVOMT and C4H enzymes which could probably increase the production of phenylpropanoids such as chavicol and methyl chavicol.

Background and Objectives: Low quality of fruits is one of the most important problems in marketing of apple fruits. Recently the use of organic compounds such as ascorbic acid in order to improve fruit quality has greatly increased. Since little information is available regarding the effects of ascorbic acid on apple fruit quality, the present study was conducted to study the effect of foliar spray with ascorbic acid on some qualitative characteristics of apple fruits.Material and Methods: In this study, the effect of foliar application with different concentrations of ascorbic acid (0, 200 and 400 mg/L) during summer season, was investigated on some fruit quality properties characteristics and color improvement in Red Spur apple cultivar. The experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications (one tree per replication).Results: The results showed that foliar spray of ascorbic acid at 200 mg/L concentration significantly increased the amount of fruit TSS and anthocyanin compared to the control. Significant increasing in total acidity, vitamin C, total antioxidant content, total flavonoid and PAL enzyme activity were observed with increasing concentration of ascorbic acid. By increasing the concentration of ascorbic acid, fruit pH was significantly reduced.Discussion: The results of this study showed that foliar spray of ascorbic acid probably due to increased level of TSS as a main substrate in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and due to increased PAL enzyme activity as a key enzyme involved in flavonoids biosynthesis pathway such as anthocyanin, led to improve fruit color and qualitative characteristics of Red Spur apple cultivar.