Seed and Plant
Year:2009 | Volume:24 | Issue:4|Papers Count:17

Growth indices of pistachio seedlings were studied in three pot experiments. The pot experiments were carried out in the form of RCBD. In the first and second experiments, growth indices of seedlings of seven cultivars of Pistacia vera, and P. mutica, and in the third experiment growth indices of seedlings of three P. vera cultivars were determined. In orchard experiment, growth of four cultivars of P. vera and also their reproductive traits were evaluated during 1990-1999 . For statistical analysis of data, the unbalanced CRD was used. In another orchard experiment, the reproductive traits of cultivars Badami- sefid and Owhadi were determined during 1998-2002. This experiment was done in the form of RCBD. In the third pot experiment, as the source of seeds was changed, the results were different, considerably. The growth variations in seedings of wild pistachios (Sarakhs and Baneh) was minimum.The seedlings of domesticated cultivars especially Owhadi and Kale-ghoochi and also semi-wild cv. badami-riz were more vigorous than wild cultivars of Sarakhs and Baneh. Considerable differences in growth indices of cv. Akbari compared to other cultivars, indicated presence of probably more different genes in this cultivar. In the first orchard experiment, quantitative yield of cv. Owhadi was considerable whereas in the second orchard experiment quantitative yield of cv. Badami-sefid was significantly higher than cv. Owhadi. In pot experiments, genetical diversity in seedlings of a definite cv. And among cvs. caused to change growth indices differently. In regard to vegetative and reproductive traits, there was a considerable genetical diversity among cvs. as well as different sources of a given cv. (grafts). For establishment of new pistachio orchards, these genetical diversities should be considered.

Effects of sowing date, seed rate and row spacing on agronomic traits, sclerotinia stem rot disease and seed yield of canola (RGS003 cultivar) was evaluated in an experiment at Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad during 2003–2005. The experiment was a split plot factorial arranged in a RCBD with four replications. Three sowing dates (6 Nov., 21 Nov. and 6 Dec.) were as main plots and three seed rates (4, 7 and 10 kgha-1) and two row spacing (12 and 24 cm) were subplots in a factorial form. The pre-flowering growth, plant height, height to first stem and secondary stems decreased with delay in sowing date. The 10 kg seed rate×24 cm row spacing treatment had the highest plant height and height to first stem (134.3 and 46.8 cm, respectively), the lowest secondary stems (3.86 per plant) and resistance to lodging (7.79) and the highest sclerotinia stem rot disease percent (10.88%). The first sowing date had the highest seed yield, because of good temperature conditions of beginning of the growth season and seedling sooner standing. The mean seed yield of the first, second and third sowing dates was 3512, 2827 and 2742 kgha-1, respectively. In the first year of experiment the seed yield decreased with increase of seed rate because of more lodging, whereas there was not a such trend in the second year of experiment. The seed yield decreased with increase of row spacing. The mean seed yield of 12 and 24 cm row spacing was 3158 and 2896 kgha-1, respectively. Finally with regard to two year results of experiment, 6 Nov. sowing date, 7 kgha-1 seed rate and 12 cm row spacing are recommended for canola planting in the area.

In order to study the effects of planting method, density and depth on yield and production period of saffron in field, an experiment was carried out for three years (2001-2003) in Agricultural Research Station of Khorasgan Islamic Azad University in Isfahan. Experimental treatments were two planting methods (ridge-and-furrow and plot), two planting depths (15 and 20 cm) and three plant densities (44.4, 88.8 and 177.6 corms/m2). Experimental design was factorial at the randomized complete block with four replications Data of the second and third years of study were analyzed. According to the results, the highest yield and the longst production period of saffron belonged to the highest plant density (177.6 corms/m2) and the deeper planted corm (20 cm) treatments. Moreover flower- tubes elongated more with increasing of plant depth (20 cm). In this study, planting method had no significant effect on the agronomical traits and yield of saffron.

Phenology, growth stages and growth indices and their effects on yield and yield components of five cultivars and landraces of Iranian onion were studied in Neishabour Agricultural Research Station during 2005 and 2006. The experiment was in split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three planting dates 15 April, 30 April and 15 May were considered as main plots and five long-day onions Ghermez Azarshahr, Dorcheh Isfahan, Ishaqabad, Sefid Qum and Sefid Neishobour as sub plots. Growth indices were calculated based on accumulative growth degree day (GDD) up to the end of growth, and leaf area by the formula A= -93+1.83L+36.8C25. All onion cultivars which were planted in the first date, reached to the maximum leaf area index (LAT) at about 2500 GDD (22 August) and the equation LAI= e (a+bH1+CH2) was the best prospected one which could explain leaf area changes of onion cultivars in different planting dates during growth period. Total dry matter (TDM) changes during growth period achieved from the equation DM= e (a+bH1+CH2+CH3) for calculation of dry matter index (DMI). This equation showed a R2>91% for all cultivars. DMI increment procedure in all planting dates and treatments was in sigmoid form and there was no difference among cultivars. The bulb yield was affected by planting date and the maximum yield was obtained from the first planting date (56.523 tha-1). Yield increase can be related to LAI increment, DMI and relative growth rate (RGR) of cultivars in the first planting date. Dorcheh Isfahan cultivar, affecting by planting dates, produced the highest yield.

Seed samples of three oil-seed rape cultivars SLMO46, Orient and Zarfam (Regent×Cobra) with 35, 25 and 15% moisture contents were provided from seed production fields. Cortrolled deterioration test was conducted in laboratory by maintaining seeds at 40, 45 and 50oC for durations of 12, 24 and 48 hours. Analysis of data on different seed quality assessment parameters showed that except coefficient of velocity of germination, other traits were affected by deterioration treatments. Seeds of cultivar Orient had the lowest viability, seedling vigour and other related traits at 50oC for 48 hours treatment. The dioriorated seed were sown in field and some characteristics such as seedling emergence speed, field emergence index, seedling height, seedling fresh and dry weight and seedling vigour index were assessed. Analysis of data showed that only seedling fresh weight and seedling vigour index were not affected by the effect of year. Interaction effects of cultivar, temperature and duration of seed deterioration were significant for all measured characters. Seeds of Orient cultivar deteriorated at 50oC for 48 hours had the lowest field emergence speed and field emergence index. Study of correlation between different traits assessed in laboratory and field indicated that except seedling fresh weight, other field traits correlated to the final germination percent and other laboratory traits. The results of the present study revealed that application of controlled deterioration test has the potential to evaluate seed quality and seedling emergence and establishment of oil-seed cultivars in field.

The effects of different temperature and moisture regimes on oil content of two canola cultivars were evaluated at Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad in a 2-year study. The experiment was a randomized complete block design arranged in a split-plot in two conditions, i.e. supplemental irrigation and rainfed. Five sowing dates (6 Nov., 6 Dec., 4 Jan., 5 Feb. and 5 Mar.) were as main plots and two cultivars (Hyola 401 and RGS003) were as subplots. In both years, increase in seed yield was associated with increase in oil percent. In overall, oil percent and yield varied considerably (28.0-43.1% and 46-1715 kgha-1, respectively. Supplemental irrigation increased oil yield of canola, due to increase in seed yield and oil percent. There was a significant quadratic relationship between oil percent and used water in evapotranspiration during growth season, explaining 74 and 66% of the variation for Hyola 401 and RGS003, respectively. A great proportion of the variation in canola oil percent was related to environmental conditions during seed filling period. The increase of air temperature during critical period of seed filling, particularly at sowing date of 5 March, decreased oil percent. There was a significant negative relationship between mean air temperature during seed filling period and oil percent, explaining 82 and 77% of the variation for Hyola 401 and RGS003, respectively. Earlier sowing dates more closely matched seed filling period of the crop to optimum weather conditions, led to an increased oil percent, and an increased oil yield.

Lilium is an ornamental plant which is highly valuable in international flower markets. Due to Iran’s dependency to the importation of lilium bulbs, it is highly desirable to propagate this plant efficiently within the country. One of the most effective techniques for propagation of lilium is tissue culture techniques, preferably through bulblet production. Some experiments were carried out to obtain a practical protocol for mass production of bulblets of two commercial lilium cultivars, Girande, an Asiatic hybrid, and Cassandra, an Oriental hybrid. Effects of sucrose concentrations (30, 60 and 90 gl-1), bulb scale position (external, central and internal) and the best soil mixture were studied. Factorial experiments based on complete randomized design were used. Explants were placed on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.03 mgl-1 NAA and 0.3 mgl-1 BAP and 7 gl-1 agar after surface sterilization. Data of bulblet production parameters including number of bulblets per explant, number of scales per bulblet, mean of diameter, length, weight, number of rooted bulblet per explant and position of bulblet formation were analyzed cv. Cassandra showed better results for most in vitro bulblet production parameters compared to Gironde. Results showed that central scales and 60 gl-1 sucrose in both cultivars were most effective on length and the best position of bulblet to be chosen. Basal parts of the bulb scales produced the most bulblets compared to the lateral and distal parts, in both cultivars. Peat was the best substrate for in vitro bulblet's growth and development for both two cultivars. Generally, lilium cultivars produced different in vitro bulblets in size.

Proliferation of embryogenic calli and production of healthy plants are the most powerful aspects of somatic embryogenesis. The aim of study was proliferation of embryogenic calli followed by regeneration and production of healthy plants in two carnation cultivars Nelson and Spirit. Proliferation of embryogenic calli was achieved in two cultivars of carnation. MS culture medium used for embryogenic callus formation was supplemented with 30 gl-1 sucrose, 2 mgl-1 2, 4-D and 0.2 mgl-1 BA. Proliferation of embryogenic calli was observed on MS basal medium containing different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 mg1-1) of picloram. Maximum proliferation of calli was obtained in concentration of 0.5 mg1-1 picloram. Increasing the number of calli subcultutes, increased the rate of embryogenesis. Proliferated calli were transfered to hormone free MS medium containing 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 g1-1 mannitol. Maximum embryogenesis was obtained using 90 g1-1 mannitol. Cotyledonary somatic embryos were evoluted into plantlets when transferred in the half-strength MS medium without growth regulators. Plantlets were also continued to grow under greenhouse condition.

To study the selective absorption of different nitrogen sources by in vitro shoots of a selected genotype of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) located in Nour forests in Mazandaran province, Iran, different nitrogen sources in different concentrations of MS medium were used. To optimize proliferation medium, the effect of different nitrogen sources on coefficient of multiplication and quality of micropropagated shoots defined by growth characters was studied. For true to type mass propagation different growth characters like shoot height, inactive leaves percent, total number of leaves, dry weight and coefficient of multiplication in three intervals of 15, 30 and 45 days after culture were analyzed. To understand the effect of nitrogen on biological activities including uptake level, new shoot formation and height, different nitrogen sources including single forms KNO3 and NH4NO3 and the combined form (KNO3+ NH4NO3) of nitrogen in different concentrations were used. These sources were tested in six concentrations including 1.2MS, 1MS, 0.8 MS, 0.6 MS, 0.4 MS, 0.2 MS and control (0.5 MS) independently on growth characters. Comparison of different sources of nitrogen showed that the combined source of nitrogen (KNO3+ NH4NO3) 30 days after culture resulted in the best rates of growth characteristics of the selected wild cherry genotype compared to other nitrogen forms. The optimum concentration range for this form of nitrogen found to be 0.8MS to 1MS compared to the control. As a result, the subculture period was decreased to minimum, and luxury consumption of macronutrient was avoided.

Galbanum or Gummosa (Ferula gummosa B.) is a highly valuable medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, it is a herbaceous, perennial and monocarpic plant. Flowers appear only once during the life cycle of the plant. The main aim in this study was to induce healthy plantlets for preparing suitable explants for callus induction and introducing a reliable shoot organogenesis protocol by changing different media components and hormones. To evaluate callus induction and shoot regeneration, at first seeds were surface sterilized under a laminar air flow cabinet by successive immersions into ethanol and sodium hypochlorite, and then embryonic axes were excised from the pericarp and rinsed in sterile H2O before placement on culture medium (MS1/4). Root, cotyledons, main leaf, hypocotyle, embryo and embryonic axes as an explant, were placed on MS medium with 1/4 concentration containing various combinations of growth regulators, 2,4-D, NAA, BAP, and kinetin. In regeneration phase, B5 medium were used with various combinations of growth regulators (BAP, ADS and ABA). The best response in callus induction phase obtained on concentration levels of 2 mgl-1 BAP and 10 mgl-1 NAA. Root and cutting embryo were the best explants. The best response for shoot regeneration was observed on 1.5mgl-1 BAP and 0.5 mgl-1 ADS.

wheat growing areas of the country. Productive and rich lands, high rainfalls and favorable temperature and light in these regions provide good conditions for production of high quality wheat yield. In the other hand, due to the presence of important diseases such as yellow rust, leaf rust, powdery mildew, septoria leaf blotch, fusarium head blight and crown and root rots in these regions, introduction and release of high yielding cultivars is rather difficult. Therefore, breeding programs are undertaken continuously in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) to develop new high yielding and diseases tolerant cultivars with good adaptability to the warm and humid climate. Line N-80-6 with the pedigree of Luan/3/V763.23/V879.c8//Pvn/4/Picus/5/Opata was selected from the breeding materials obtained through ''North Wheat Breeding Programs'', CIMMYT, Mexico in 1994. F2-F6 generations were evaluated in Moghan Research Station. In 1999- 2000, 78 pure lines were selected for further experiments, among them line No. 67 (2071) was superior. These lines were tested in preliminary regional wheat yield trials of north warm humid climate for one year and selected lines were evaluated in advanced regional wheat yield trials for another two years. Line No. 67 with 6.641 tha-1 grain yield compared to the check cultivar Tajan with 5.451 tha-1, was the most high yielding line. Because of resistance to diseases especially to yellow rust and fusarium head blight, this line (coded as N-80-6) together with 16 other lines were selected for ellite regional wheat yield trial (ERWYT-N) and were evaluated for two years in Gorgan, Gonbad, Sari and Moghan. Mean yield of line N-80-6 was 6.183 tha-1 which was higher than yield of Tajan cultivar (check), 5.390 tha-1, and other lines. Line N-80-6 was evaluated for resistance to different diseases in special disease nurseries in different locations under artificial inoculations for several years. It was resistant or moderately resistant to yellow rust and leaf rust, and tolerant to septoria leaf blotch and fusarium head blight. Line N-80-6 is good for quality and contains high molecular weight glutenine alleles null, 7+9 and 5+10. Due to high yield, yield stability stability and compatibility, resistance to diseases and good baking quality, this line was introduced as Moghan 3 in 2006 for cultivation in warm humid climate regions of Khazar, Iran.

Line N-78-14 with the pedigree of SHA4/CHIL CM91099-25Y-OM-3N-1Y-OYZO10M- OY-3M-O10 was obtained from CIMMYT, Mexico in 1996 through High Rainfall Wheat Screening Nursery. Preliminary evaluation of the genotypes in International Nursery in Gorgan and Sari Research Stations during 1996-97 cropping season, resulted in selection of this line as one of the most high yielding genotypes. Selected lines were evaluated in preliminary regional wheat yield trials of north warm and humid climate in 1997-98 in four locations of Gorgan, Sari, Gonbad and Moghan. Line N-78-14 together with other selected lines were tested then in advanced regional wheat yiled trial (ARWYTN) in 1998-79, and later in ellite regional wheat yield trials (ERWYT-N) for three years in four locations. In all these experiments line N-78-14 was the most high yielding line compared to the check cultivar and other lines. Evaluation of line N-78-14 for resistance to different diseases in special disease nurseries in different locations under artificial inoculations indicated that in most locations, this line was resistant or moderately resistant to yellow rust and leaf rust while tolerated well fusarium head blight and septoria leaf blotch diseases. Line N-78-14 has been evaluated as a good baking quality wheat containing high molecular weight glutenine allels 2*, 7+9 and 5+10. Due to high yield, yield stability and compatibility, resistance to diseases and good baking quality, this line was introduced as Darya in 2006 for cultivation in warm humid climate regions of Khazar, Iran.