Plant Production Technology
Year:2020 | Volume:19 | Issue:2|Papers Count:16

The need for improving heat tolerance in plants is increasing because of global warming. In order to investigate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on the growth and ornamental traits of marigold (Calendula officinalis L. ) under heat stress, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications in 2015. Experimental treatments included two cultivars of marigold (‘ Candyman’ and ‘ Zen’ ) and four concentrations of SA (0. 25, 0. 5 and 1 mM, and control). The results showed that foliar application of SA under heat stress, improved almost all studied morphological characteristics with the exception of plant height, leaf number, days to first flower and flower dry weight. According to the results, among all concentrations, the highest mean in most of traits was obtained from foliar application of 0. 25 mM SA. Compared to the control conditions, application of 0. 25 mM solution of salicylic acid increased leaf area (21%), fresh and dry shoot weight (15% and 16%, respectively), flower number (42%), flower longevity (19%) and flower fresh weight (43%). The interaction effect between cultivar and SA treatment was not significant for all measured traits.

Investigating and recognizing the trend of changes in physiological and biological characteristics of fruit during the period of cold storage leads to successful and economical storing management and supplying quality fruit to the market. The present study was conducted in 2014 in order to compare the storage life of ‘ Granny Smith’ apple fruit produced in two important regions of Abyek-Alborz and Khorramdasht-Qazvin with different altitudes. Fruits were collected from both regions160 days after full bloom and evaluated within 4 stages including pre-storage and 1, 2 and 3months after keeping in cold. According to the results, there was a significant difference between the two regions in most of the studied quality traits. Maximum tissue firmness (9. 04 kg /m2) was observed in stored fruits from Abyek region. The highest amount of total phenol (5. 22 mg GA/1 g FW) and antioxidant activity of fruit peel (84. 10%) were related to Abeek area before storage. The maximum activity of peroxidase enzyme (9. 67 μ mol per 1 g fresh weight per minute) was observed in Khorramdasht region and the minimum activity of this enzyme (0. 78 μ mol per 1 g fresh weight per minute) was observed in Abyek region. As a result, the cultivation of 'Granny Smith' apples in the plain areas near the mountains, led to the improvement of fruit quality traits such as firmness, taste and nutritional value, followed by increased storage.

To evaluate drought tolerance of three cultivares of forage millet and one variety of sorghum, this experiment was conducted as split split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation frequencies consisted of irrigation after 80 (control), 120 and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan as main plots and sub plots was consisted of sorghum cultivar (Sorghum bicolor cv. Speedfeed) and three cultivares of millet (Setaria italica cv. Bastan, Panicum miliaceum cv. Pishahang and Pennisetum americanum cv. Nutrifeed). Flage leaf sampling has done at three stages, before, one and three days after irrigation. According to the results, delaying in irrigation caused reduced leaf pigments and yield of forage, and also increased proline, sucrose and soluble sugars of leaf. Residual effects of drought stress were observed at the days after irrigation. 120 and 160mm evaporation were moderate and sever respectively. It needs three days at least to recovery the effects of moderate stress. Speedfeed sorghum produced maximum yield, in each irrigation frequencies. The highest forage dry yield belonged to normal irrigation and speedfeed sorghum (9376Kg/ha). There were positive correlations between yield and proline and sucrose as osmotic regulators, but leaf pigments had no significant correlation. Also speedfeed sorghum had high ability to adaptation, and repaired damages faster than millet cultivares after irrigation.

The purpose of this study was to study the stability and adaptability of 12 advanced lines of rice with two control varieties (Fajr and Neda cultivars). These genotypes were evaluated over 3 years of cultivation (2011-2013) in a randomized complete block design with three replications and three locations including Amol, Sari and Tonekabon. In this research, the stability statistics including Romer’ s environmental variance, Francis and Kannenberg coefficient of variation, Wrick’ s ecovalance, Shukla stability variance, AMMI stability value, lin and Binns parameter, within location coefficient of variation and Tai regression method were used to evaluate genotypes stability. Based on environmental variance and coefficient of variation, lines 7, 9 and Neda cultivar were stable and showed acceptable yield. According to Shukla stability variance, wrik’ s eco-valance parameters and yield, lines 1, 7, 9, 12 and Fajr cultivar were the best genotypes. The results of variance and Lin and Binns parameter indicated that lines 10, 7 and 1 were the best genotypes. Based on AMMI stability parameter, lines 1, 2, 4, 7, 12 and Neda variety showed the best stability and yield. Tai regression results indicated that lines 7, 9, 12, and Fajr and Neda cultivars had the best stability and yield. Based on all methods, lines 7, 9 and Fajr cultivar were identified stable and with the yield of 6032. 44, 5879. 59 and 5755. 81 kgr/ha respectively stayed above the average of all genotypes.

This research was carried out to evaluate the traits of 110 superior Persian walnut genotypes in Estahban Genetic Resources Collection. Nut morphology, shell thickness, nut weight, kernel weight, kernel percentage, kernel color, kernel plumpness, kernel fill and ease of removal of kernel were evaluated. Great variability was observed among genotypes for evaluated traits of nuts. Results showed that in shell weight and kernel weight per nut varied between 7. 4-17. 9 and 3. 7-8. 2 g respectively. Kernel percentage varied between 35. 6-60. 6 and roundness index of nuts among evaluated genotypes varied between 0. 73-1. 08. Kernel and shell color of 68. 2 and 56. 4 percent of genotypes was light respectively. Removal of kernel in 56. 4 percent of genotypes was easy, kernel fill in 50. 9 percent was well, and kernel plumpness in 70 percent of genotypes was moderate. Average kernel weight per nut showed a positive and significant correlation with average in shell weight and length, diameter and depth of nuts. Correlation coefficient of kernel percentage, kernel fill and kernel plumpness was positive and significant. Based on the results of evaluated traits, genotypes number 5, 7, 8, 15, 23, 29, 34, 42, 49, 107, 108 and 109 are introduced as promising genotypes for nut production.

In this study, 16 ecotypes of different species of Thymus were evaluated for morphological and flower related traits (plant height, canopy diameter, leaf length and width, plant dry weight, 1000 grain weight, number of day to flowering, flower length, flag and pistil length, number of flag and pollen viability) in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at the Research Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Isfahan. Analysis of variance showed significant difference for these traits between studied species. Mean comparison showed that the highest amount of dry weight has belonged to species of Thymus kotschyanus from west Azerbaijan. Therefore, this genotype can be offered, if the purpose of breeding program is increasing of plant dry weight. Study of correlation between traits showed that dry weight had a significant negative relationship with 1000 grain weight and pollen viability percentage, as increasing of the number of seeds per inflorescence may reduce the availability of photosynthesis materials for the vegetative parts of plant. Stepwise regression analysis showed that flower length, number of flags, large canopy diameter, and percentage of pollen viability, flag length and 1000 grain weight explained variation of plant dry weight and these traits are the most important component of plant yield. Cluster analysis on the studied species could be divided them into 4 distinct groups. The results showed that these groups did not follow geographical distribution.

The effects of applications of chicken manure on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L. ) were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were 4 levels of chicken manure (0, 5, 10 and 15t. ha-1). The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications at the Research station of Faculty of Agriculture University of Birjand during growing season of 2015. The main secondary metabolites saffron (crocin, picrocrocin and safranal), antocyanin and total phenol were influenced by chicken manure treatments. The highest total phenol (9. 078mg. 100g dry weight-1) and antocyanin (26. 70mg. 100g dry weight-1) were obtained in plants treated with 5t. ha-1 of chicken manure. But, no significant difference was found in antioxidant activity under chicken manure treatments. The highest crocin (86. 24%), picrocrocin (65. 53%) and safranal (29. 92%) were obtained in plants treated with 15, 10 and 5 t. ha-1 chicken manure, respectively using these treatments caused 57 and 29 % increase compared to control. but there was no significant difference between 5, 10 and 15 t. ha-1 chicken manure. Generally, the findings of current study revealed that the use of 5ton ha-1 chicken manure had strong impact on qualitative characteristics of saffron in this study.

In this study, the effects of chitosan, Thymus essential oil and their combination on post harvest life and quality properties of grape (‘ Shahroudi’ cultivar) were investigated. The study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Grapes were treated by 0. 5 and 1% (w/v) chitosan solution, 150 and 300 μ l/l Thymus essential oil their combination, and control fruits received no treatments. For combined solution, chitosan treatments were first prepared, and then thymus essential oil was added to them. Grapes were packaged in 200 g packs and stored at 0-2° C and 90% ± 5 relative humidity for 90 days. Changes in weight loss, color, pH, total soluble solid (TSS), decay and sensory quality were measured each 10 days. Results showed that weight loss, pH, a*, decay, browning, shrivel and berry abscission increased during storage time. However TSS, firmness, L*, b*, color and flavor of berries decreased over the time. Chitosan and essential oil treatments significantly decreased weight loss, decay, color change, shrivel and berry abscission and increased flavor, color and quality of berries compared to control. According to the taste panelists, treated fruit by 1% chitosan + 150 μ l/l thymus essential oil had better colour and taste than the others. Generally, chitosan, essential oil and their combination could increase grape pastharvest life and maintain their quality.

In order to evaluate planting date and planting pattern on yield and quality properties of canola (Brassica napus L. )-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. ) intercropping, a split plot experiment was conducted bases on a randomized complete block design with four replications during 2014-15 in Hamedan, Iran. Canola was sown only in the first date (21 Sept). Then, chickpea was sown in four sowing date as main factor with 20 days interval including: simultaneous with canola in 21 Sept and then 10 Oct, 30 Oct and 20 Nov. The sub-factor was different planting pattern by replacement method including: 100: 0, 75: 25, 50: 50, 25: 75 and 0: 100 chickpea-canola, respectively. Results showed significant effects of treatments on most of the traits. Among chickpea sowing dates, the first and the last date had the lowest and highest biological and grain yield, respectively. In the late sowing date of chickpea (20 Nov) the climate condition was much colder and therefore the damage of freezing on dormant seeds was lower than that of growing seedling of the earlier sowing date. In comparison of planting pattern, the highest biological and grain yield was achieved at sole cropping for both crops. In contrast, the higher values of relative crowding coefficient index and land equivalent ratio (LER) were obtained in intercropping system than to the sole cropping. So, for all of the intercropping treatments, LER were always higher than unit. It was concluded that 50: 50 intercropping treatment had comparative advantage compared to the others treatments and could increase land use efficiency.

In this study, response of two bread wheat cultivars (Arg and Tajan) to different irrigation regimes (full irrigation and 85 percent of water requirement) and different salinity levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl) in a greenhouse using a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block designe with three replications was evaluated. Treatments were imposed when the leaf 4 was fully expanded. 150 mM level of salinity significantly decreased shoot dry weight, root dry weigh, and water use efficeiny in grain and shoot dry weight. Although, water use efficeiny in grain and shoot dry weight of tolerant Arg cultivar (3. 9 and 0. 97 g/L per plant respectively) was more than sensitive Tajan cultivar (2. 8 and 0. 85 g/L per plant respectively), but both cultivars had the same reduction in shoot dry weight. Deficit irrigation decreased the rate of roots Na+, shoot Na+ and flag leaf Na+, and increased flag leaf K+/ Na+ ratio from 4. 73 to 5. 33 and water use efficeiny in shoot dry weight from 3. 1 to 3. 5 g/L per plant respectively. The yield of both cultivars did not affect by 50 and 100 mM NaCl. At last, 150 mM NaCl caused a same reduction in yield at full irrigation and 85 percent of water requirement in Tjan, but in Arg cultivar, the yield did not affect by this level of salinity. Because grain yield of both cultivars did not affect by deficit irrigation under salinity levels, thus they had a similar resistance to osmotic stress.

In order to evaluate the effect of kaolin on leaf gas exchange in seedlings of pistachio (Pistacia vera L. ), an experiment was conducted as split plot based on a completely randomized design with five replications in open field condition during year of 2013. Kaolin concentration at four levels (0, 5, 10 and 15%) and spraying time at three levels (once, two and three times) in 3×4 factorial as main factor and five sampling time as sub-factors were considered. Results of the experiment indicated that 5, 10 and 15% concentrations of Kaolin reduced leaf temperature by 1. 1, 2 and 2. 2° C compared to the control. Simple effect of spraying time on photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration was significant, whereas these traits significantly decreased when spraying was more than two times. Maximum photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and intracellular CO2 were recorded in 5% Kaolin. Treatments of control and 15% Kaolin recorded maximum and minimum value in quantum yield with 0. 89 and 0. 88, respectively. Generally, 5% Kaolin concentration in one and two spraying time increased leaf gas exchange compared to the control due to the reduction in negative effects of high temperature. Nevertheless, high kaolin concentrations (10% and 15%) despite further lowering leaf temperature, decreased the photosynthesis of pistachio seedlings significantly due to increasing light reflection as a result the thick layer of kaolin on leaf and disruption of stomatal activity.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation interval and mulch on morph-physiological characteristics of 11-years old olive trees, Sevillana cultivar. A factorial experiment was carried out in Dallaho Olive Research Station in Sarpole-Zahab. Field experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors (irrigation interval and mulch) was conducted in 2015. Irrigation treatments period for experiment were 3, 6 and 10 days interval and mulch treatments for experiment were control (no mulch), polyethylene and wheat straw. Some vegetative growth traits including current-season shoot growth and diameter and certain physiological characteristics consisting of leaf relative water content (RWC), ionic leakage, total chlorophyll, proline content, total soluble sugars, phenol and malondialdehyde were measured at the end of growth season. Results showed that mulch and interval of irrigation treatments caused significant differences in morph-physiological traits so that mulch and 3 days interval irrigation treatments increased current-season shoot growth and diameter of olive trees. Leaf RWC and total chlorophyll was reduced under drought stress. The usage of mulch resulted in higher leaf RWC and total chlorophyll compared to the drought stress conditions. Application of mulch improved growth characteristics of olive under drought stress and helped to save water in olive orchards.

In order to evaluate the effect of sunflower aqueous extract, Sulfosulfuron and Sulfosulfuron Metsulfuron-methyl on seedling growth and Some physiological and biochemical traits of Avena fatua and Hordeum spantaneum, this study was conducted in the Agricultural Faculty of Islamic Azad University (Shooshtar Branch) in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Treatments included concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100% sunflower aerial organs aqueous extracts, Sulfosulfuron (27. 7 g. ha-1), Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron-methyl 5% (40 g. ha-1) and the control (nontreated plants). Results indicated that the weed dry weight, weed height, peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities, malondialdehyde concentration, sucrose synthase activity and photosynthesis rate of Avena fatua and Hordeum spantaneum influenced by experimental treatments. The lowest sucrose synthase activity (2. 7 nmol/mg pro/ min) was observed in 100% sunflower extract. Sulfosulfuron and 100% sunflower extract had the lowest sucrose synthase in Avena fatua (2. 6 and 2. 4 nmol/mg pro/ min, respectively). In general, 75 and 100% sunflower extracts, and also the use of herbicides, caused cell membrane degradation, photosynthesis alleviation, and Avena fatua and Hordeum spantaneum seedlings growth reduction.

In order to investigate the effects of different sources of nitrogen on yield and nitrogen uptake of two nettle species, a pot experiment under outdoor condition was conducted at Ramsar (Mazandaran Province) in 2015. Treatments were set up as factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications, including species at two levels (Urtica pilulifera L. and Urtica dioica L. ) and fertilizers at seven levels (0, 30 and 60 kg N ha-1 (urea), Farm Yard Manure (FYM): 5 and 10 ton ha-1 and integrated inorganic and FYM: 15kg N ha-1 + 2. 5 ton ha-1 FYM and 30 kg N ha-1 + 5 ton ha-1 FYM). The highest dry yield was obtained from Urtica pilulifera and 30 kg N ha-1 + 5 ton. . ha-1 FYM (59 g/pot). In other words, by reduction 50% use of inorganic fertilizer., increased yield 27. 30% compared to 60 kg N ha-1. Urtica pilulifera had higher growth traits, nitrogen use efficiency and lower nitrogen uptake percentage than Urtica dioica. The highest nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake percentage were achieved from 15 kg N ha-1 + 2. 5 ton FYM ha-1 (3. 18 g dry weight/g N) and 60 kg N ha-1 (3. 76%), respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that integrated application of inorganic and organic fertilizers is the best combination for nettle crop production, resulting in no significant decline in yield quantity.

To evaluate the effect of planting date and seed priming in the field on growth, yield components and yield of maize single cross 260, Experiment split plot based on randomized complete blocks with three replications in research farm located in the region of Kurdistan in the years 2013 and 2014 Dehgolan Sarab came into force. Three planting dates (10th, 20th and 30th of May) in main plots and six priming includes priming with tap water, homeopathic priming with urea, priming with zinc sulfate, priming magnetic water, priming with Aminol-Forthe and untreated seeds were placed in sub plots. The results showed that priming treatments with tap water, urea homeopathy and zinc sulfate had the highest crop growth rate at the second planting date. Also the highest biological yield and grain yield were obtained in the second planting date (19660 and 10890kg/ha) respectively. Grain yield in these priming treatments was 18, 15 and 9% higher than control (without priming) respectively. From the results of this experiment it was concluded that seed priming treatments with tap water, urea homeopathy and zinc sulfate on the second planting date improved the growth indices and as a result of grain yield and biological yield. Also, the second planting date due to having the highest yield, the most suitable date for the cultivation of maize 260 in the region of Dehgolan was known.

Microbial contamination (fungal and bacterial) of culture medium is one of the most common problems in plants in vitro micropropagation. In the present research, achievement of a reliable sterilization method, optimization of callus proliferation and plant regeneration medium in three Iranian commercial cultivars of sugarcane, CP48-103, CP69-1062 and CP57-164 were studied. For sterilization, 12 treatments were separately examined for each cultivar in a completely randomized design with 12 replications. In order to select the best callus culture and plant regeneration media, five treatments including MS medium supplemented with a combination of 2, 4-D (2 mg l-1) and different levels of BAP and fifteen treatments using MS medium containing different levels of auxin and cytokinin were studied, respectively in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. Based on the results, disinfection treatments containing carbendazim 2 parts per thousand (15 min), 70% ethanol (50 seconds), 25% sodium hypochlorite (5% active chlorine) plus Tween 20 (15 min), and culture medium containing cefotaxime (200 ppm) and gentamicin (5 ppm) showed to be the best sterilization method without any contamination in CP69-1062 and CP57-164 cultivars and the lowest percentage of contamination in CP48-103. For callus culture, MS media containing 2, 4-D (2 mg l-1) + BAP (0. 5 mg l-1) exhibited the highest callus growth rate and proliferation. The highest percentages of plant regeneration were observed in treatments (Kinetin = 0. 5 mg l-1 and BAP = 0. 5 mg l-1), (Kinetin = 3 mg l-1 and NAA = 0. 5 mg l-1) and (Kinetin = 3 mg l-1 and NAA = 0. 1 mg l-1) with the means of 70%, 60% and 50% in CP48-103, CP57-164 and CP69-1062 cultivars, respectively.