JOURNAL OF PLANT PROCESS AND FUNCTION
Year:2019 | Volume:8 | Issue:30|Papers Count:24

At presents, accumulation of heavy metals in water and soil is considered as an important factor of environmental pollution. Copper accumulation in the environment, resulting of application of fertilizers, fungicides and industrial and urban activities, leads to toxicity and adverse effects of this heavy metal on many biological processes of plants. Phytoremediation, is an effective and affordable way for extraction, stabilization and detoxification of heavy metals such as copper. Therefore, in this study, effects of different levels of CuSO4 (0, 5, 25, 50 and 75 μ M) on S. sclarea growth and physiological and biochemical aspects of seedlings were investigated, in hydroponic culture, in a completely randomized design. The effect of copper sulfate levels higher than 5 μ M, were incremental and significant on leaves carotenoids and anthocyanins content, while were not significant on total chlorophyll content. These levels of CuSO4 decreased the most of plant growth characteristics including fresh and dry weight of plant organs, stem and root length, leaf area, soluble carbohydrates, protein content and peroxidase activity of S. sclarea, while, 5 μ M CuSo4 concentration, increased all of the above-mentioned parameters. The results showed that, shoot copper concentrations increased linearly and significantly, with increasing levels of copper sulfate in nutrient solotion, while root copper concentrations increased, with lower ratio. In overall, it seemed that S. sclarea had relatively resistance to low level and was sensitive to intermediate and high levels of copper stress. So, it is not recommended as suitable plant species for copper phytoremediation.

Temperature is one of the most important factors limiting the production and distribution of olive. Different olive cultivars show diverse responses to low temperature and so, the selection of cold tolerant cultivars is the most effective method to avoid frost damages. The main purpose of this study was to compare freezing tolerance of seven olive cultivars and to investigate the relationship between freezing tolerance and maximum quantum yield of PSII, soluble carbohydrates, malondialdehyde, stomatal density, leaf tissue density and leaf relative water content during cold acclimation. After measuring the chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf samples from each cultivar were collected and were divided into two groups. The first group was subjected into different freezing temperatures (0,-5,-10,-15,-20 and-25 ° C) for 12 hrs., in order to determine their freezing tolerance. The second group was used for some biochemical and physiological parameters analysis. The results showed that there was a significant difference among olive cultivars with respect to freezing tolerance. The highest freezing tolerance was related to ‘ Amphisis’ , ‘ Shengeh’ and ‘ Conservallia’ cultivars (LT50-13. 14,-11. 72 and-11. 20 ° C, respectively) and the lowest tolerance to the ‘ Rashid’ (LT50-6. 90 ° C). In freezing tolerant cultivars, Fv/Fm, soluble carbohydrates and leaf density were higher than other cultivars, indicating a positive relationship with freezing tolerance. The concentration of malondialdehyde, stomatal density and relative leaf water content in freezing tolerance cultivars such as ‘ Amphisis’ , ‘ Shengeh’ and ‘ Conservallia’ were less than freezing sensitive cultivar of ‘ Rashid’ .

To investigate the effects of drought stress on the water stress, osmotic adjustment and stay green of sorghum genotypes and their relationship with grain yield, a split-plot on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the experimental field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2015. The main factor included three treatments: control (irrigation after 60 mm evaporation from the surface evaporation pan), mild stress (routine irrigation until 50% flowering stage followed by irrigation after 120 mm evaporation from surface evaporation pan). Extreme stress (routine irrigation until 50% flowering stage and water holding after it) and five sorghum genotypes (Kimia, Sepideh, KGS15, KGS23 and KGS32) were considered as sub-plots. Samples were taken at 14, 21 and 28 days after 50% flowering stage. The results showed that drought stress significantly reduced leaf relative water content whereas increased canopy temperature in all genotypes and significantly increased osmotic adjustment in most genotypes under severe drought stress. Kimia and KGS23 genotypes were identified as the most tolerant genotypes based on the of grain yield, drought tolerance indice, leaf relative water content and osmotic adjustment. Additionally, KGS23 genotype with the highest chlorophyll content as a stay green phenotype was proved to cope with drought stress. There was a positive significant correlation between grain yield and leaf relative water content, weight of the thousand grains, chlorophyll content and negative and significant correlation with canopy temperature. The results of this study showed that in addition to the importance of water relations and osmotic adjustment, stay green was one of the most important process related to yield in terminal drought stress in drought tolerant genotypes of sorghum.

This study was designed and conducted to investigate physiological growth indices and photosynthetic pigments in three maturing corn (Zea mays L. ) hybrids (SC704, SC500, and SC260) using four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg N ha-1, from Urea, N= 45%). The experiments were conducted in Zabol and Isfahan in 2014 and 2015, respectively, using the split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR were affected by nitrogen. Increasing the nitrogen application rate from 80 to 240 kg ha-1 increased the LAI, RGR and CGR from 35 days after planting, which was significant after fertility. Among the physiological growth indices, NAR was lower by nitrogen fertilizer. Increasing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer increased the amount of photosynthetic pigments. The results of the experiment showed that the maximum yield of corn in Isfahan and Zabol were obtained in SC704 and SC500 at 160 kg. ha-1, respectively, and the lowest grain yield in both areas was obtained in control treatment. The threshold levels of nitrogen fertilizer requirement based on a 50% maize yield loss were determined to be 178 and 200 kg ha-1, respectively, in SC704 grown in Isfahan and Zabol while related values were 164 and 192 kg ha-1 for SC500, and 150 and 186 kg ha-1 for SC260. SC704 compared to the other two hybrids also the Isfahan region, in comparison with Zabul, were superior in terms of measured traits. The results of this experiment can be used in the sustainable production of corn under similar climatic conditions.

Zygophyllum fabago L. a facultative Perennial halophyte, is grown in arid and inert areas. Due to the different acidity of the soil in natural habitats of Zygophyllum, the effect of pH on the process of seed reserves decomposition during germination was examined. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with seven pH levels (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and four replicates in a week. The seeds were surface sterilized by hypochlorite 1% and were placed at different pHs, 28° C and darkness. Seed biomolecules and activity of alpha-amylase and lipase enzymes were carried out in two stages before (fifth day) and after (seventh day) of germination. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the lipase enzyme was more active in alkaline pH and therefore the lipid level was lower in these pHs. Alpha-amylase has been shown to be less active at alkaline pH than acidic pH. The concentration of seed starch reserves and the content of soluble sugars was followed by alpha-amylase activity. It seems that in the Zygophyllum seed, the activity of the alpha-amylase enzyme before the germination was maximum in the range of 4 to 8, which caused the degradation of the starch deposits, thereby triggering the germination process. Whiles lipase activity and lipid content indicated the importance of lipid reserves after germination. After germination, lipase can provide growth promoters (and probably no energy prognosis) for seedlings that are more considerable in alkaline environments. The highest protein content of the seeds was observed after germination and at neutral pH levels, which could indicate optimum conditions for seedling growth.

Silicon is one of the beneficial elements for plants; recent studies have shown that this element plays a very important role in plant resistance to environmental stresses, including heavy metal stress. To evaluate the effect of silicon foliar spraying on increasing tolerance to lead contamination in dill (Anethum graveolens L) a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications was conducted in greenhouse condition in 2015-2016. Experimental factors included soil contamination by lead (0, 400, 600 and 1000 mg/kg soil) from (Pb (NO3)2 source and silicon (From Na₂ SiO₃ 5H2o source) levels 1 mM and control (spraying with water). During this experiment, traits such as plant height, plant dry weight, leaf number, lateral branch number, root dry weight, electrolyte leakage, leaf relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, proline, total carbohydrates and catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity, concentration of lead and calcium concentration in the plant's shoot were measured. The results showed that lead stress had a significant reduction effect on the measured growth parameters of the plnat. The highest root dry weight, stem diameter, leaf relative water content was obtained in the control plants which were treated by 1 mM silicon. The highest value for proline and carbohydrates production, catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity were obtained by combination of spraying with 1 mM of silicon at under 1000 ppm lead contamination. In general, the results of this study showed that the foliar application of silicon can be advised for improving growth of dill plants under lead contamination stress conditions.

In order to study the effect of zero-valent iron nanoparticles on morphological and physiological traits of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. 'Hayola 401') under salinity stress, a research was conducted under controlled conditions in factorial experiment based on completely randomized design in three replicates. In the first phase, the zero-valent iron nanoparticles were synthesized and in the second phase, their optimal concentration was determined. In the third phase, the application effect of zero-valent iron nanoparticle in the optimum concentration along with iron chelates and control were evaluated under different levels of salinity (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mM NaCl). According to the results of preliminary phase, 16 mg L-1 of zero-valent iron nanoparticle was determined as the optimum concentration. In addition, the results of regression equations showed that when salinity increased, plants treated by zero-valent iron nanoparticle had lower reducing slopes for root length, stem diameter, plant dry weight, root dry weight and chlorophyll a + b and lower increasing slope for electrolyte leakage compared to both the control and iron chelates. Also, increasing slope for antioxidant enzymes was greater than control and iron chelates in a way that with using zero-valent iron nanoparticle in 90 mM, activity of the catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) were twice greater than control and iron chelates, respectively. Overall, our findings indicated that the application of zero-valent iron nanoparticles under salinity stress had a positive effect on canola growth and performance as compared with the control and iron chelates.

During the past decade considerable evidence has been accumulated with regard to the biological effects, both in vivo and in vitro, of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields, such as those originating from residentially proximate power lines, household electrical wiring and diagnostic apparatus and therapy devices. Also, during the evolutiony process, all living organisms experienced the action of the Earth's magnetic field, which is a natural component of their environment. Previously many scientists believed that permanent magnetic fields are not biologically active. However, the results obtained have revealed the high sensitivity of plants to permanent magnetic fields. In the present research, seeds of almond (two specious of Amygdalus scoparia and A. eburnea) were incubated in sterile conditions. Unique seeds were selected and divided to control and treatment groups. The treatment plant groups were exposed to a 10 mT static magnetic field for 7 days, each 5 hours and then both the treated seeds and the control were harvested, frozen with liquid N2 and used for biochemical measurements. Exposure of seeds of almond to the static magnetic field had no significant effect on seed germination, total sugar and protein content, but increased phenolic compound and total antioxidant capacity. Magnetic field also induced catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity.

Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida L. ) belonging to umbelliferae family. Asafoetida is rich source of secondary metabolites and the primary active substances of many drugs. Although, secondary metabolites are made by genetic processes but making them can be significantly influenced by environmental factors. In this research, the relationship between altitude and some physical and chemical characteristics of soil, important and effective factors, were studied on quantitative and qualitative of the essential oil and the amount of gum of Ferula assafoetida in the natural habitats of the provinces of Fars, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer. For this purpose, we were examined three natural regions of this species (Sepidan, Behbahan, Tange sorkh), respectively with different Altitude. After taking samples from the roots or base of the stem and Determination of the weight of the plant gum, The essential oil distillation by Clevenger apparatus was conducted with water. Data analysis was performed with SAS version 9. 2. The results showed a significant reduction in oil percentage and amount of gum three sites with height above sea level was, Which can be environmental factors such as soil, water and air, humidity and altitude than that. Results also showed that Behbahan sites (Khuzestan) 3. 68 percent Most of the essential oil was compared to other regions. Then, to determine the combinations of the oils from GC and GC / MS was used. By examining the spectrum of GC / MS, retention indices and mass spectra and compare them with references and track objects standard mix 24 to 26 compounds were identified That habitat of Yasouj, Fars, Khuzestan, respectively, a total of 93/47, 89/17 and 98/ 54 percent essential oil components formed.

Increasing the tolerance of plants to biotic and abioticts stresses is an important and debatable subject. Selenium can play a role in mitigating the effects of stress. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with two treatments, cadmium chloride including two levels (0 and 10 mg /kg) in soil and sodium selenate involved three levels (0, 500 and 1000 mg /L) as foliar applications with four replication at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman Research Greenhouse in 2012. The results indicated that cadmium decreased plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, relative wet content of leaves and increased hydrogen peroxide, but selenium 500 mg /L caused increasing fresh and dry shoot, root and bulb of garlic plant, chlorophyll content, carotenoids content, relative water content and decreasing hydrogen peroxide respectively. Selenium 500 mg /L under cadmium stress decreased malondialdehyde (15. 3%) and ion leakage (14%) whereas increased shoots length (16. 1%), root length (19%), proline (11%), reduced sugars (25%), superoxide dismutase (22. 2%), catalase (41. 8%), ascorbate peroxidase (27%), guaiacol peroxidase (10. 1%), polyphenol oxidase (17 %) and non-enzymatic antioxidants anthocyanin (28%) and flavonoid 330 nm (21%) in plant leaves, compared to the cadmium treatment. In most cases, selenium 1000 mg /L had an inhibitory effect. According to the results, selenium 500 mg /L could play a role in reducing the destructive effects of cadmium and activating defense system of the garlic plant under cadmium toxicity.

In order to investigate the salinity tolerance of six pomegranate genotypes including Malas Dane Ghermez Isfahan, Malas Yazdi, Shirin Shahvar, Meykhosh Yazd, Malas Saveh and Malas Yousofkhani, a greenhouse experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with five salinity levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM sodium chloride at Agricultural College of Lorestan University in 2015. The results showed that with increasing salinity, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf relative water content, relative chlorophyll content and mesophilic conduction (carboxylation efficiency) significantly decreased, whereas the degree of intercellular CO2 concentration and leaf water use efficiency increased significantly. Also, comparison of meanings showed that there was a significant difference between genotypes in the measured factors. Finally, the results of the research showed that the genotype of Malas Yousofkhani, due to its superiority in most traits related to salinity tolerance, had higher tolerance than other genotypes to salinity induced by sodium chloride.

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of explants types, in light and darkness condition on propagation of lateral plantlets and also to investigate the effect of type and concentrations of carbohydrates on the regeneration of Catasetum orchid plantlets in two experiments. First experiment for propagation of lateral plantlets was done with two types of explants, shoot tips and root tips, in combination with different lighting conditions (light and darkness) in completely randomized design with 5 replications. According to obtained results, the production of leaves, roots, lateral plantlets and the intensity of explant necrosis were affected by explants types and environmental conditions of light and darkness treatments and were statistically significant at (p ≤ 0. 01 & 0. 05). The highest mean number of leaves (21. 4), roots (5) were from shoot tip explants in light and the highest mean number of lateral plantlets (17. 8) was observed in root explants in darkness. In second experiment, the effect of different concentrations of sucrose and mannitol was investigated on the regeneration of Catasetum orchid plantlets. Experimental treatments included three levels of sucrose, 20, 30, 40 g/l, two levels of mannitol, 10. 08 and 22 g/l in combination with 20 g/l of sucrose and mannitol alone at 10. 08 g/l concentration. The highest mean number of formed lateral plantlets from each explant was 10. 48 which was obtained at 30 g/l sucrose concentration. For production and growth of protocorm like body, all mannitol concentrations were better than sucrose and the highest protocorm like body mean number (1. 54) was produced in 10. 08 g/l mannitol concentration. In general conclusion, the highest lateral plantlets regeneration occurred from root explants in darkness treatment by using sucrose.

Mechanical vibration is one of abiotic stresses which could affect growth and development of plant cells. In this research, effect of sinusoidal vibration were studied on some physiological parameters, protein, total phenols and free radical scavenging activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in Anthemis gilanica seedlings. Sinusoidal vibrations were applied at 0, 10, 15, 50 and 100 Hz on 10 days seedlings, and were analyzed for physiological and biochemical responses after 30 days. Results showed different responses of growth, antioxidant activity and phenolic content under different frequencies of vibration. Sinusoidal vibrations at frequencies of 15 and 50 Hz resulted in a significant increase in growth parameters, relative water content, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and protein content compared to the control. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 levels decreased significantly at frequencies higher than 10 Hz, and 15 Hz treatment resulted in a 54. 55% and 24. 5% reduction of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content as compared to the control. Sinusoidal vibrations also increased in free radical scavenging activity by reducing the IC50 value, and the highest decrease was observed at 50 Hz frequency. It seemed that increase of antioxidant capacity under proper frequency of vibration could induce A. gilanica growth.

A greenhouse experiment with potted plants was conducted to study the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) fungal inoculation on the growth, cadmium concentration and The activates of antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT)) in sunflower and safflower in four levels of Cd (0, 2. 5, 5 and 25 mg Cd kg-1 soil). Treatment were arranged in the experiment factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. In this study, exposure to Cd decreased the root and shoot dry weight of both plants and CAT activity in safflower but increased root and shoot concentrations, SOD activity in both plants and the activity of CAT only in sunflower. Inoculation of both plants with AM fungi significantly increased root and shoot dry weights, shoot Cd concentration in sunflower shoot and CAT activity in safflower as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. However, inoculation decreased Cd concentration in root and SOD activity in both plants and CAT activity only in sunflower. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation by increasing biomass production and changing the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased the tolerance of both sunflower and safflower the tolerance of these plants against cadmium toxicity and improve the phytoextraction in sunflower in contaminated soils.

In order to study the effect of seed priming with salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) on emergence and early growth of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. ) seedlings under drought stress condition, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications was conducted in the greenhouse of Malayer University. Experimental treatments were seed priming with salicylic acid (0, 100 and 200 ppm) and jasmonic acid (0, 50 and 100 ppm) and three levels of drought stress (100, 60 and 30% of field capacity). Based on the results, drought stress significantly (P≤ 0. 05) affected the percentage and rate of seedling emergence. In severe drought stress (30% of field capacity) percentage and rate of seedling emergence were decreased 10% and 54%, respectively. Furthermore, seedling length, seedling dry weight and seedling length vigor index decreased 11%, 9% and 25%, respectively, whereas at the same condition malondialdehyde and proline content increased 84% and 13%, respectively. Severe drought stress also increased the activity of catalase and proxidase enzymes in pumpkin seedlings up to 39 and 57 percent, respectively. Seed priming with salicylic acid and jasmonic acid significantly (P≤ 0. 05) decreased the negative effect of drought stress on all of the studied traits except seedling emergence percentage. Simultaneous priming with highest level of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid resulted in highest drought tolerance in pumpkin seedlings.

In order to study the effects of water deficit and foliar application of salicylic acid and spermine on dry matter production and biochemical and morphological treats of Echinacea purpurea, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2016-2017 growing seasons at research field of Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Iran. In this experiment, irrigation regimes of three levels (irrigation after 20, 40 and 60% depletion of soil available water) were considered in main plots and salicylic acid (SA) and spermine (SPM) spray treatments (75 mg/l SA, 150 mg/l SA, 75 mg/l SPM, 75 mg/l SA+75 mg/l SPM and 150 mg/l SA+75 mg/l SPM) were considered as sub plots. The effects of irrigation regime and spray treatments were significant on the studied traits. Water stress increased phenol, flavonoid, root length, volume, area, weight and density but decreased plant height, number of tillers, leaf area index, shoot weight, specific root length and protein. The application of salicylic acid and spermine increased plant height, number of tillers, leaf area index, flavonoid, root volume, root weight and protein but decreased phenol, shoot weight root length. The interactions between water deficit and foliar application were significant on the concentration of phenol and flavonoid in shoot and also on root length, volume, weight and density. The highest flavonoid, root volume and root weight were obtained in plants sprayed by combined applications of high rate of SA with SPM and the highest phenol, root length and root density were achived in unsprayed plants; both under irrigation after 60% water depletion. Based on the results from this experiment, the foliar application of salicylic acid and spermine improved the growth of coneflower plants under both normal and water stress conditions and the positive effects of salicylic acid were greater as compared with spermine.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ) on salinity stress alleviation of coriander plantlet. The experiment was set up as factorial experiment in completely randomized design with two factors including NaCl concentration (0, 3 and 6 dS/m) and MJ at three levels (0, 0. 25 or 0. 5 mM). The results showed that salt stress decreased fresh and dry weight of aerial, concentation of potassium, K/Na ratio, carotenoid, antioxidant capacity and catalase. Parameters such as ion leakage and concentation of aerial sodium were increased by salinity stress. Application of MJ decreased ion leakage and sodium of aerial, but improved fresh and dry weight of aerial, K/Na ratio, antioxidant capacity and catalase. Improved stress indexes in MJ-treated plantlets showed that applied of MJ ameliorated the adverse effects of injury caused by salt stress.

Peroxidase is one of the most important genes in the lignin biosynthesis pathway. The main functions of this enzyme are polymerization of the phenolic derivatives into lignin, a connection between cell wall polymers such as monolignules, and consequently, cell wall strength. Accordingly, endogenous POD gene was isolated and cloned into gateway expression vector (PK7WG2) containing CAMV 35S promoter. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was performed to induce the construction of gerbera 'Panorama' cultivar. Following regeneration, putative transgenic plantlets were transferred to a soilless greenhouse. Molecular analysis of second-generation of transgenic plants by realtime PCR confirmed the presence of both internal and transgene in transgenic plants. In compared to wild-type, the POD enzyme activity was increased significantly in transgenic plants. Based on the results, transgenic plants showed higher enzyme activity and as a consequence less stem bending disorder than wild-type with lower enzyme activity and higher stem bending degree. Also, flower quality indices such as vase life and cell membrane stability in transgenic plants increased significantly compared with control. Transfer of transgen POD, in addition to improving the qualitative parameters of flower and increasing the water uptake by the flowering stem, significantly reduced the stem bending disorder of gerbera cut flower.

To evaluate the effect of chitosan NPs on wheat under late season drought stress, a factorial experiment was performed based on a randomized complete block design in three replications under pot conditions at Tarbiat Modares University in 2015. The experimental factors included the NPs concentrations (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg. L 1-, ) application methods (foliar and soil application) and irrigation regimes( normal irrigation and removal of irrigation 15 days after pollination. )Experimental procedure included planting seeds and then prepared chitosan NPs suspension added to them through soil and foliar application in three stages (tillering, stem elongation and heading. )Results indicated that the drought stress significantly decreased amount of carotenoid, chlorophyll a, b, total, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, yield, 1000-grain weight as well as biomass but increased intercellular CO 2concentration (Ci. )In the most studied traits, no significant difference was observed between consumption methods of nanoparticles. In both irrigation regimes, applying NPs especially concentration of 60 and 90 mg. L 1-significantly improved the majority of the studied traits. In general, application of chitosan NPs reduced negative effects of drought stress in wheat plants and improved growth.

Salinity is a major environmental stress that causes severe damage to crop and horticultural products and also reduces plant biodiversity. Nowadays with using grafting method man has overcome problem of soil salinity and ultimately, with the aim of reaching higher-quality products. In this study, water melon (cv. Sugar baby) was grafted on to the hybrid rootstocks of shintozwa (Cucurbita maxima×Cucurbita moschata), pepo (Cucurbita pepo), Buttle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria var gilan), Bitter cucumber (Citrullus colocynthis var kerman), Kermansha and Hamedan water melon (Citrullus lanatus var Kermanshah and hamedan), and using the hole insertion grafting method to the greenhouse. Grafted and un-grafted plants were exposed to to 0, 30 and 60 mM NaCl, in greenhouse and field conditions were studied. The results of this study showed that the content of sodium and chlorine elements in the leave of grafted plants onto shintozwa and pepo rootstocks in both salinity treatments was lower than of un-grafted plants. Relative variations (percentage increase) of relative water content of leave of grafted plants onto shintozwa rootstock as compared to those of un-grafted plants were 21. 16%. Also, the highest (430 g) and lowest (285 g) fresh weight of the shoot were related to sugar baby grafted onto shintozwa and un-grafted sugar baby respectively. The highest (8. 76) and lowest (5. 84%) of the TSS were related to the salinity level of 60 mM sodium chloride and control treatment (0 mM sodium chloride), respectively. There was no difference between the rootstocks in regarding to TSS, therefore, the studied rootstocks did not have a negative effect on the fruit quality of the watermelon of sugar baby cultivar. Grafted plants onto shintozwa and pepo rootstock showed the highest (18781 kg / ha) and the lowest yield (10154 kg / ha) respectively. Therefore, according to the results of this study, the shintozwa rootstock could be considered as a suitable rootstock for the watermelon transplant of watermelon of sugar baby cultivar. under conditions of salinity stress.

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles has attracted the attention of scientists in various fields, particularly in the chemical, physical, biological and medical sciences. Using extract of plant for nanoparticle synthesis can be advantageous over other biological processes because it eliminates the elaborate process of maintaining cell cultures and can also be suitably scaled up for large-scale nanoparticle synthesis. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from ZnNO3 using Olive (Olea europaea). Nanoparticles were characterized with the help of Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV– Visibe absorption spectroscopy. To study the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (0, 200, 400 ppm) on growth, proline and Malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenol, flavonoid, Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), chlorophylls and anthocyanin content in plant of Borago officinalis, experiment was carried out at shahid bahonar university of Kerman University in 2014. Synthesised ZnO nanoparticles were confirmed by the absorption maxima at the wavelength of 370 nm. TEM image revealed that ZnO nanoparticles were spherical with average size 41 nm. The results of the effect of nanoparticles on Borago officinalis showed the plants that treated with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, increased root and shoot length. But soluble suger, anthocyanin and CAT activity in the plants that treated with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles had no significant effect. On the other hand, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles decreased proline and chlorophyll content. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles treatment at 400 ppm increased phenol content, H2O2, lipid peroxidation and APX, GPX, PAL activity. Reactive oxygen species generation was a toxicological mechanism of nanoparticles that increased H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation in plants. ZnO nanoparticles causing increased production of reactive oxygen species and decreased proline and chlorophyll content in Borago officinalis.

In order to investigate the effect of drought stress by application of hormone and nanoparticulate spraying on corn biochemical traits, a split-plot factorial experiment was used in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the Agricultural Research Faculty of Islamic Azad University, Varamin. Drought stress in two levels (drought stress and contorol) and three growth regulators (application of gibberellic acid (200 ppm), application of cytokine (200 ppm) and lack of application of regulator and growth hormone) and three levels of nano particles (application of silver nanoparticles (0. 02%), application of zinc nanoparticles (0. 02%) and application of nanoparticles were incfuded. The results showed that in all drought stress conditions, the traits under study were affected so that the levels of malondialdehyde, proline, superoxide dismutase, catalase increased and leaf protein, alpha-amylase and soluble sugar decreased. The application of gibberellin and cytokinin as well as application of silver and zinc nanoparticles reduced the effects of drought stress. In drought stress conditions, growth regulator application and nanoparticles resulted in increased proline levels. The use of gibberellin hormone with the application of silver and zinc nanoparticles reduced the amount of protein in the leaf. According to the results, the application of growth regulators and nanoparticles could help to improve plant performance under drought stress conditions.

It is of great significance to understand the tolerance mechanisms by which plants deal with drought stress and application of these mechanisms for improvement of genotypes in response to drought stress. In order to identify and investigate the expression of genes involved in tolerance to drought stress, leaf and root EST were analyzed in Spontaneum (wild barley) and Nimruz (tolernt to drought stress) barley genotypes. The library's initial information was received from the databases and the bioinformatics services were used for the pre-processing and identifying genes. In order to investigate the expression of candidate genes with Real time-PCR, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a pot with 3 replications. First factor included cultivars (Nimruz and Spontaneum) and second factor was irrigation (control and 50%FC). Also sampling times were considered at 3 levels of 0, 24 and 72 hours after drought stress. Two genes HvPIP1; 4 (Plasma Membrane Intrinsic Protein 1; 4) and HvnsLTP(Non-specific lipid transport) were identified based on expression in stress conditions as important genes involved in response to drought stress in the barely. Based on the analysis of gene expression, it was found that Nimruz genotype as resistant cultivar had a higher expression for candidate genes. The expression of HvPIP1; 4 and HvnsLTP genes were 95. 98 and 54. 53fold after 72 hours, respectively. In addition, the results of this study showed that changes in HvPIP1; 4 gene expression were significantly (P <0. 05) higher than the HvnsLTP in the Nimruz genotype in the compared to the spontanum genotype. So, this gene played key role in drought resistance in Barley.

This research was carried out in order to investigate the effect of foliar application of potassium nitrate and polyamines putrescine, on growth and biochemical characteristics of rapeseed (Brassica napus) under waterlogging condition. An experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with four replications. The factors included waterlogging stress conditions on two levels (I0 = no flooding, I1 = flooded for 10 days) and foliar application of potassium nitrate and polyamine putrescine in five levels (M0 = no spraying, M1 = concentration of 10 ppm potassium nitrate, M2 = concentration of 20 ppm potassium nitrate, M3 = concentration of 10 ppm polyamines putrescine, M4=20 ppm concentration of polyamines putrescine). The results showed that the main effects of flooding stress and foliar application of putrescine and potassium nitrate had a significant effect on plant height, number of leaves, total dry weight, leaf greenness and enzyme activity (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). The results showed the greatest increase in morphological traits was obtained by spraying 20 ppm of potassium nitrate or putrescine. Also spray of 20 ppm potassium nitrate caused the greatest increase in the activity of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase.