Plant Production Technology
Year:2019 | Volume:19 | Issue:1|Papers Count:16

Peach fruit has a short storage life due to high water content and respiration rate. In this study the effect of polyethylene (PE) and nano-composite (nano-C) packaging films on quality and postharvest life of peach fruit cv. Alberta was evaluated. Peach fruits were stored at 2° C and 90% RH for 6 weeks. Some properties such as weight loss, fruit firmness, pH, TSS, TA, color indexes, browning, microbial contamination and polyphenol oxidase activity were evaluated weekly. Results showed that both films could maintain fruit qualitative and quantitative properties better than the control. Application of nano-C and PE films led to delay in fruit softening, decrease in weight loss, fruit color darkness, internal browning and polyphenol oxidase in compression with the control. Application of both films resulted in low changes in TA, TSS and pH when compared control. Nano-C film caused a decrease in microbial contamination, whereas the highest microbial contamination observed in polyethylene one. Results also showed that the effect of nano-C film on the maintenance of fruit quality properties such as lightness index, chroma, hue, TA, browning, microbial contamination and polyphenol oxidase activity were more than PE film. In general, application of nano-C may be a useful way for the reduction of fruit weight loss and maintenance of peach quality during cold storage.

Modeling of calcium ascorbate effects on characteristics of button mushroom was investigated by Genetic Algorithm– Artificial Neural Network (GA-ANN). Calcium ascorbate is effective in maintaining the quality and reducing the waste of agricultural products after harvest. In this study button mushrooms were treated by calcium ascorbate solutions in 45° C temperature at three levels of 0, 0. 4 and 0. 8 %, and after drying at room temperature, kept at 1° C and 90% relative humidity. Qualitative characteristics of button mushroom during postharvest period were evaluated after 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. Modeling of calcium ascorbate effects on button mushroom characteristics were undertaken by GA-ANN method with 2 inputs (calcium ascorbate concentration and shelf life) and 9 output (weight loss, firmness, TDS, pH, chroma, hue angle, Δ E, browning index and total phenol) using multi-layer perceptron. The results showed that networks with 12 neurons in a hidden layer using tangent activation function could predict effect of calcium ascorbate on button mushroom characteristics with correlation coefficient equal to 0. 95. Results of sensitivity analysis by optimum neural network (2-12-9), was defined shelf life as the most effective factor in predicting button mushroom attributes during postharvest period.

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is grown as a commercial crop throughout the world. It is demonstrated that due to appropriate nutritional quality and high amount of protein button mushroom has special place in world’ s population food basket. Growth and production of button mushroom depend on the nutritionally sufficient of compost preparation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different concentrations of vermicompost extract (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) on growth parameters of button mushroom including number of mushroom, unitary weight, total yield, dry matter content, diameter of pileus, length of stipe, earliness, N percent, protein percent and biological efficiency. Results showed that the addition of different concentrations of vermicompost to compost had a significant difference on the most parameters (P<0. 05), although there was a significant delay of 1. 8-6. 2 days in the harvesting time of the first flush. The best concentrations of vermicompost was 75%, resulting in the greatest number of mushroom (312. 5), unitary weight (21. 6g), total yield (6. 7kg/bag), diameter of pileus (6. 1cm) and biological efficiency (67. 5%). The highest percentage of N (5. 4) and protein (33. 7) was found in 100% vermicompost, which had no significant difference with 75% treatment.

Chickpea has an important role in the agricultural systems as alternative for black fallow and also has major impress in human diet, especially for the low-income people. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing date on the seed yield of chickpea cultivars in 2015. The experiment was arranged in a split plots design based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were sowing date (11 March, 25 March and 9 April) as a main plot and chickpea cultivars (Adel, Arman, Azad and Bivanij) as a sub-plot. The results showed that delayed sowing date from 11 March to 9 April decreased all studied characteristics significantly. The chickpea cultivars also had significant difference in terms of studied traits. The results of interaction indicated that the chickpea cultivars were diverse in different sowing date in terms of the morpho-physiological traits. Adel cultivar had higher efficiency than the others. The highest total dry matter (5917. 3kg. ha-1) and grain yield (2493. 3kg. ha-1) belonged to sowing date of 11 March and Adel cultivar, and the lowest total dry matter (1200. 0kg. ha-1) and grain yield (337. 3kg. ha-1) belonged to sowing date of 9 April and Bivanij cultivar. It seems that because of its better morpho-physiological traits, Adel cultivar could be considered as suitable cultivar, especially in the early sowing date due to higher productivity from favorable environmental conditions, compared to the other cultivars.

Heterosis is a solution for yield enhancement in rice. Selection of suitable parents is the most important step in every breeding program. This study was performed with the aim of determination of combining ability of male sterile and fertility restoring rice lines for heterosis evaluation. For this propose, 3 cytoplasmic male sterile testers were crossed with 4 fertility restoring lines using line × tester method. Parents and their F 1progenies arranged in RCB design and ten quantitative traits measured during the growing season. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits (P≤ 1%). Furthermore, the crosses effect was significant for all traits at 1% level. Results showed that tester Neda A and lines IR50, IR68061 and IR5931 were identified as the good parents based on positive and significant GCA effects for grain yield. Hybrids Neda A × IR68061, Nemat A × IR5931, Neda A × IR50, Nemat A × Pouya and Champa A × Pouya showed high significant effects for days to 50 percent heading. Hybrids Nemat A×IR50, Nemat A×IR68061 and Neda A× IR50 showed the higher mid parent heterosis. Hybrids Neda A×IR50, Neda A×IR68061 and Nemat A×IR50 showed the higher heterobeltiosis. Finally, hybrid Neda A× IR50 with heterosis values of 18. 14% (mid parents) and 17. 43% (superior parent) identified as the best promising hybrid for hybrid seed production in rice.

In order to evaluate the effects of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ) residues with the application of zinc sulfate farms on zinc, protein, phytic acid concentration in wheat grain and grain yield of wheat, an experiment was conducted in the growing season of 2012-2013 in Dehaghan city farms in Isfahan through a complete randomized block design in three replications with six treatments (control, zinc sulfate, wheat residue, bean residue, wheat residue + zinc sulfate and bean residue + zinc sulfate). Results of ANOVA showed there were significant difference in the effect of experimental treatments on yield, zinc and phytic acid concentration, phytic acid to zinc molar ratio and protein content of wheat grain. The results showed that the highest yield (3. 8 ton ha-1), protein (10. 3%) and grain zinc concentration (36mg. kg-1) was related to bean residues + zinc sulfate treatment and the lowest yield was belonged to control treatment (2. 8ton. ha-1), (7. 54%) and (26mg. kg-1), respectively. The plant residues application, particularly bean residues + zinc sulfate reduced the molar ratio of phytic acid to zinc compared to the control (36%). Amongst the plant residues, bean residues had the lowest value of carbon to nitrogen ratio (15. 4). Finally, in the current research conditions, bean residues + zinc sulfate treatment was higher compared to the other treatments having considerable in this experiment with the highest zinc, protein, phytic acid in wheat grain, phytic acid to zinc molar ratio and yield.

The use of stone fruit rootstocks can enhance water use efficiency and soil managemnet while increasing fruit production per area and reducing associated costs. Recognition of morphological and nutrient uptake characteristics would be helpful to select appropriate rootstocks in different climatic conditions. The objective of the present research was to evaluate growth characteristics of six stone fruit rootstocks (Penta, Cadaman, Saint Julien, Mr. S2/5, GF677 and Nemguard) at Kamalshahr Research Station (Karaj, Iran). The studied characteristics were morphological and pomological properties including chlorophyll index and concentrations of some of nutrient elements (phosphor, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen) in leaves. Nemaguard and Penta exhibited the highest nutrient concentration interms of phosphor, calcium, and magnesium uptake, while the GF677 rootstock showed the lowest uptake phosphor, potassium and magnesium absorption. No significant difference was observed in nitrogen uptake between different rootstock. Penta rootstock was superior over other rootstocks in terms of growth characteristics and the ability to uptake nutrients. According of the result of this study, there were wide varieties in growth characteristics of an rootstocks that would be important keys to their selection.

In order to evaluate the effect of irrigation and pruning on Yaghooti grape, an experiment was carried out in Sarpole Zehab. This study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 5 level of pruning severity (two, three, four, five and six buds) and irrigation (reduced and full) with four replications using six years old Yaghooti grape in 2010. The results showed that there as a significant difference between pruning and irrigation treatments in terms of fruit yield, panicle number, cluster weight, berry weight and fruit quality. The highest fruit yield per plant (5. 15, 5 and 5. 35kg) and per hectare (12. 88, 12. 41 and 13. 38) were obtained at four, five and six buds pruning under well-watered plants. Cluster production significantly increased by reducing pruning severity from two to six buds. Cluster weight was significantly high at four buds pruning under well irrigation conditions in compared to the other treatments. Total soluble solids decreased in six buds pruning severity comparied to the other treatments. Generally, fruit production was significantly affected by pruning severity and irrigation conditions in Yaghooti grape. According to the results of qualitative and quantitative traits especially yield, cluster weight and fruit soluble solids, remaining four buds and regular irrigation is recommend for Yaghooti grape.

In order to evaluate the effect of water regims on yield and yield components of soybean in Urmia region, a field experiment was conducted at Urmia Agricultural Research School during 2012 in the form of split plot based on randomized complete block with three replications. The main and subplot were three levels (optimum irigation 60 mm, moderate water stress 110mm and severe water stress 160mm evapration by evapration pan Class A) and three cultivars (Clark, Wiliyams and Onion), respectively. In this experiment traits of total number of node, number of sceondary stem, total number of pod, grain per plant, grain yield, 1000-grain weight, biological yield and harvest index were investigated. The results of variance analysis showed that the effect of water stress on all of the traits was significant at 1% probability. The simple effect of cultivar on the number of sceondary stem, grains per plant, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index were significant. Mean comparison showed that with increasing water stress, all of the traits deacresed significantly so that the highest and lowest obtained by optimum irrigation and severe water stress, respectively. Severe water stress reduced the grain yield by 63 and 45% compared to the optimum irrigation and moderate water stress, respectively. In optimum irrigation and severe water stress conditions, the highest grain yield ontained by Onion cultivar. In this study, Onion cultivar had a good adaptation to stress conditions and it is recommended for areas with dry and semi-arid climates.

Lily is one of the most popular cut flowers that proper storage could ensure high quality of flowers during the supply chain. In this study the effect of 12 h pulse treatment of sucrose (3%) with or without 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) under dry and wet modified athmosphrere packaging were evaluated on the cut lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. CebDazzle) flowers. Flowers were kept at 8˚ C for 15 days. To vase life predict at the end of supply chain, flowers were transferred from storage to the room temperature and the pack was opened. Followed flowers vase life, weight loss, charbohydrate, chlorophyll, pigment and some senescence related enzymes conent were measured every 5 days interval. The results showed that 8-HQC in combination with 3% sucrose extended cut flowers vase life. Otherwaise MAP under wet condtion in campare with dry condition had significant effect on the longevity and quality parameters of cut liles. The best water balance were obsereved on 8-HQC treating contain 3% sucrose under wet MAP condition. Moreover, the degradation of chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenol and anthocyanin as well as carbohydrate of the cut flowers was retarded during postharvest life. Protein degradation and antioxidant activities were controlled by the use of wet MAP in combination with8-HQC plus sucrose. It seems that this treatment could be able to provide primary carbohydrate levels for flowers to contiue their developmental stage, therefor, wet MAP condition during long transport and storage is preferred by cut lilies.

The present research project was aimed to study the effect of humi potas organic fertilizer and potassium sulfate fertilizer on biochemical characteristics and durability of wallflower. The study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in shahid Chamran University in Ahvaz, during the year 2014. Treatments include Humi potas fertilizer in 3 levels (zero, 500 and 1000ppm) and potassium sulfate fertilizer in 3 levels (zero, 50 and 100kg per ha). Biochemical traits (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, potassium and calcium in the plant, organic matter content and percentage of ash) and flower life index were evaluated. Results, showed significant differences when humi potas was used in all traits with the exception of organic matter content and percentage of ash, while with potassium sulfate treatment all traits except for the potassium and flower life. The highest percentage of ash, potassium and pigments were observed with 1000ppm humi potas treatment and the highest percentage of organic matter otained under different levels of potassium sulfate. It was also observed the highest levels of calcium and flower life in the interaction 1000ppm humi potas and 100kg of potassium sulfate. In general, according to the results, the combination of 1000ppm humi potas and 100kg per ha potassium sulfate improved biochemical characteristics and durability of wallflower.

Anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity and the bacterial and fungal colonies in pomegranate fruit juice as well as visual quality of the fruits (cv. Malas Saveh) were evaluated through 120 days of cold storage (5± 1° C). Four packaging styles including gapped and closed wooden boxes with and without polyethylene fruit coverage, and three irradiation treatments comprising 0. 0 (control), 5. 0 and 15 minutes UV (1. 435W. m-2 intensity) exposure time were applied. Packaging and UV irradiation treatments had no significant effects on anthocyanin content, but the interaction between these two factors was significant in this respect. Fruits with polyethylene coverage had the higher antioxidant activity compared to the non-covered samples. In addition, the greatest antioxidant capacity was obtained from the 5 minutes UV exposure time. Between the irradiation levels, the numbers of bacterial and fungal colonies were higher in the control fruits than the two other treatments. Using polyethylene coverage considerably reduced the bacterial contamination, while this increased the fungal infection, but irradiation of fruits greatly decreased the negative effect of polyethylene coverage on fungal infection. Overall, UV irradiation significantly controlled fungal infection without putting the negative effects on anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity as well as pomegranate fruit taste and flavor. In addition, utilization of polyethylene coverage could keep the visual quality of pomegranate (cv. Malas Saveh) fruit in cold storage.

In order to determine the most important phenological traits influencing the increase in seed yield and their relationship with yield and yield components in spring cultivars of canola, a factorial Split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications in 2013-2014 growing season in the Research Field of Gonbad Kavous University. Treatments included four canola cultivars (C1= Hyolla401, C2= Zarfam, C3= Hyolla308 and C4= RGS003), two planting dates (D1= 20 November and D2= 30 December) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (N1= zero, N2= 50% and N3=100%). The results showed significant differences in seed yield and other traits. The highest yield in the RGS003 (4. 4ton ha-1) planted on 20 November and the lowest in Hyolla308 (1. 1ton ha-1), were observed using nitrogen fertilizer and in this respect they were divided into three groups: high yielding (RGS003), medium (Hyolla401 and Zarfam) and low (Hyolla308). The maximum seed filling rate (6. 1g/day) for the treatment RGS003 and 100% of the recommended nitrogen fertilizer and lowest (3. 7g/day) the date of 30 November was Hyo1la 308. In addition, on the date of 30 December, Hyolla308 lowest seed weight (3. 52g) with 100% nitrogen fertilizers, and RGS003 had the highest seed weight (4. 04g), respectively. Seed yield except in the days to flowering (r=0. 70**) and 1000 seed weight (0. 19g) had a significant positive correlation with the other traits.

In order to provide enough products in cereal crops especially wheat, as the main base of human nutriment, enhancing yield of this crop is necessary. Also, role of nutrient elements in increasing yield per unit of area is hugely important. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to assess the effects of humic acid and iron spraying on physiological traits and yield of Sardari wheat ecotypes in Kurdistan University Research Farm at 2012-2013 cultivation season. The experiment was performed as split-split plot based on randomized complete block design with three factors and three replications. Experimental factors included: 13 ecotypes of Sardary and Azar2 cultivar were allocated to main plots. Spraying time in two levels was posed in sub plots and foliar application at four levels was considered as sub-sub plots. The results showed that spraying with humic acid and iron had significant effects on the studied traits. Comparison of means indicated that spraying increased seed yield in wheat ecotypes. In general spraying with humic acid and iron and their mixed spraying caused an increase in seed yield by 46. 44, 31. 42 and 42. 74 percent compared to control, respectively. In comparison with the control treatment, spraying with iron increased seed iron content by 21. 95 percent.

This study was conducted during 2009 and 2010 to investigate the effect of green manure and nitrogen fertilizers on the yield, dry matter, starch, protein and reducing sugars content in potato. A split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications was carried out. Green manures were applied at 5 levels (barley, canola, clover, vetch and without green manure) as main plot and nitrogen fertilizer were applied at 4 levels (100, 75, 50 and 25% of recommended) as sub-plot. The results for both years were statistically analyzed separately and also combined. Dry matter, starch, protein, reducing sugars percent and also potato tuber yield were affected by green manures and nitrogen manure levels. Also the interaction of treatments was significant on the yield, protein and reducing sugar percentage of potato tubers. The vetch green manure and 75% of recommended nitrogen was the best green manure. This treatment significantly increased dry matter and starch percentage of potato tuber by 22. 3 and 12 percent, respectively. Also, the vetch green manure and 100% of recommended nitrogen increased protein percentage of tuber significantly; and the interaction of green manures and nitrogen fertilizer on the reducing sugars percentage was within the permissible limit. In terms of tuber yield per area unit, the interaction of clover with 75% of recommended nitrogen was the best treatment and resulted in a 33% increase in tuber yield. In addition, it decreased the amount of nitrogen consumption by 25%.

This research was carried out to analyze and model energy consumption in the production of software in open fields using intelligent artificial neural network, multi-layered non-fuzzy inference scheme and regression. In order to estimate the amount of energy consumed, data were collected directly from 50 strawberry producers in Dezful. According to the results, the total input and output energy for this product was equal to 36257. 25 and 30006. 51 megajol per hectare. The highest amount of inputs was allocated to the amount of 18139. 84 megajol per hectare and 50 percent to chemical fertilizers. According to the results of ANFIS model, the correlation coefficient and mean square error and mean absolute error for strawberries were 0. 98, 0. 047 and 0. 012 respectively. Also, the values of these parameters for artificial neural network with optimal structure (7-6-1) were 0. 97, 0. 056 and 0. 020 respectively and for regression were 0. 90, 0. 076 and 0. 053 respectively. Also, the effect of energy consumption by different inputs on strawberry production was studied using the Cobb-Douglas parametric method and final physical production. The results showed that the impacts of machine and water inputs were higher than the other inputs. The results of the comparison of the regression model with the ANN and ANN model indicated that the anfis model estimates the output value more accurately than the best artificial neural network model and artificial neural network compared to the regression model.