IRANIAN JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Year:2007 | Volume:7 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

An investigation was carried out to increase the vase life and quality of cut chrysanthemum (cvs. 'Purple Spray' and 'Yellow Spray') using various floral preservative solutions. The effect of recuting of the stem ends on vase life was also investigated. Floral preservative solutions were citric acid, hydroxyquinoline citrate, ethanol, benzyl adenine, cobalt chloride and aluminum sulphate. All of these chemicals were supplemented with sucrose. Stem end cutting (2cm) was performed on half of treated cut flowers with a 2-day interval. Treatments were compared with distilled water as control. The experiment was arranged in a factorial design based on a completely randomized design. The vase life of cut flowers, chlorophyll content, fresh weight, ethylene production and water uptake were evaluated. Results showed that both cultivars did not produce ethylene after 36 hours. The longevity and quality of recut flowers were superior (0.3 day) to control. All of the chemical treatments increased the vase life and hydroxyquinoline citrate was the best (4.1 days) and increased the amount of water uptake (15 ml) and flower's fresh weight. Treated flowers with benzyl adenine had the highest chlorophyll content (0.9mg mrl-1).

This research was conducted to identify isozymes and starch accumulation in above graft union to anticipate the graft compatibility between pear cultivars and 'Quince A' rootstock. Seventeen pear cultivars ('Natanz', 'Shakari', 'Shah Miveye Esfahan', 'Tabrizi', 'Khoje Asiyabrak', 'Domkaj', 'Dargazi', 'Torsh', 'Bore Hardy', 'Aloret', 'Flestini', 'Lizbon', 'Bolghare No.2', 'Spadana', 'Koshiya' and 'Passcrasan') obtained from Karaj Seedling and Seed Center (KSSC) and Razavi Astaneh Ghods Gardens (RAGG). For electerophoresis experiments, bark and cambial tissues of rootstock and scion and for determination of amount of starch, bark and wood of rootstock and scion were used. Many isozymes band observed in rootstock and scions, but in present study this band was observed on band A (Rf= 0.86) which was in 'Bore Hardy' cultivar (compatible with 'Quince A'). The presence of this band in each scion showed incompatibility ('Shah Miveye Esfahan', 'Dargazi' and 'Torch'). There was another band (B, Rf= 0.68) in 'Bore Hardy' which was not found in 'Quince A'. The presence of B band in pear cultivars could indicate their compatibility with 'Quince A' ('Shakari', 'Lizbon', 'Bolgare No. 2', 'Khoje Asiyabrak', 'Domkaj', 'Koshiya'). Data analysis of starch accumulation showed that 'Natanz', 'Dargazi', 'Shah Miveye Esffahan', 'Aloret' and 'Torsh' cultivars accumulate starch in above graft union, while the rest cultivars did not show starch accumulation. In general, it can be concluded that 'Dargazi', 'Shah Miveye Esfahan', 'Aloret' and 'Torsh' cultivars are incompatible with 'Quince A', while 'Bore Hardy' and 'Passcrasan' cultivars are compatible.

Identification and collection of any crop germplasm is the first step towards the conducting of breeding programs and the release of the adapted cultivars in any region. In order to identify the adopted genotypes to warm areas like Khuzestan province from local germplasm and establishing the national olive collection in Tarom and Zanjan; this study was conducted in some provinces including Khuzestan for 4 years starting from 2002. Old olive trees in old orchards which had distinctive characters especially high yielding capacity, were identified and their flowering to fruit ripening stages data including morphological and vegetative characters and fruit and seed traits were recorded according to descriptors of IOOC manual (International Olive Oil Confederation). The results were analyzed using cluster analysis method with a SPSS software. Collected genotypes were ranked based on their characters which were related to morphology of fruit, seed and the amount of oil in fruit dry matter and finally all quantitative characters. All genotypes were classified into 7 categories. Among collected genotypes from Khuzestan province the genotypes which were placed in independent categories were: ‘No.6’, ‘No.7’, ‘No.8’, ‘No.9’, ‘Aghili’, ‘Mavi’, ‘Veysi’, 'Dezful' and 'Qupe'. 'Dezful', 'Mavi' and 'Qupe'. These genotypes were finally recommended for using in breeding programs in southern warm regions of the Iran because of their adaptation to regional climate, good yield and their tolerance to low irrigation regimes.

The suitable culture medium and hormonal requirements for tissue culture of sweet potato were studied. Tuberous roots of two cultivars namely 'White Type' and 'Red Type' were collected from Hormozgan province and cultured in the greenhouse of Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture of Shiraz University. For disinfection, leaves and stem explants were immersed in 25% chlorox for 15 min and for tuberous roots, 60% chlorox for 30 minutes was used and then the explants were washed with sterilized distilled water. Explants were placed on MS culture medium containing concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg 1-1 NAA and 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg 1-1 BA. The optimum concentration for callus regeneration was 1 mg 1-1 NAA with 2 mg 1-1 BA. The highest regeneration rates of root and shoot were obtained in the treatment of 1 mg 1-1 NAA and 0.5 mg 1-1 BA. Means root length, shoot length and shoot number were 40.50, 44.75 mm and 3.6 for stem explants and 34.50 mm and 2.20 for leaf explants, respectively, which were significantly different with other treatments. The second experiment was conducted for determination of the best hormonal concentrations of NAA and BA. In this experiment, MS medium containing concentrations of 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5mg 1-1 BA and a constant level of 1 mg 1-1 NAA was used. The highest root and shoot in the second experiment were obtained with 0.1 mg 1-1BA and 1mg 1-1 NAA. In this treatment, the means of root length shoot length and the numbers of shoots were 85.50, 68.75 mm and 6 for stem explants, respectively, the differences were significant in both cases. The shoot formed on the plants kept on the culture medium for about 100 days. To compare the 'White Type' and 'Red Type' cultivars, stem explants of both cultivars were cultured on the media containing 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mg 1-1BA and 1 mg 1-1 NAA. The highest numbers of root and stem in both cultivars were obtained with 0.1 mg 1-1 BA and 1.0 mg 1-1 NAA, which were statistically significant compared to other treatments. Shoot regeneration rate in the 'White Type' (6) was significantly more than that of the 'Red Type' (3.6). Regeneration capacities of the 'White Type' and 'Red Type' in all explants were increased when the light intensity of 50mmol m-2 S-1 was used.

The turf density and color are important factors affecting turf quality. These factors plus shoot/root ratio, would increase attractiveness, photosynthesis and wear tolerance and would decrease damages from the athletics falling on the sport fields. Bermuda grass would lose its quality in the cool seasons, because of its dormancy period. To study the effects of urea on turf quality, a spilt plot experiment was conducted using a complete randomized blocks design with three replications in dormancy period, during 2002-2003 at Horticultural Department of Shahid Chamran University. Four nitrogen levels (control, 3, 5, 7 g m-2 as urea) and 3 time intervals between urea spraying, (15, 30 and 45 days) were examined. The results showed that nitrogen treatments reduced winter dormancy duration and increased the quality of the lawn in comparison with control. According to the results obtained from chlorophyll meter, the treatments of 3 and 5 g m-2 and time intervals of 45 days increased the leaf green color. In the warm and sunny weather, treatments with higher nitrogen levels and long time intervals improved the turf density. A proper ratio of root/shoot (3: 1) wase obtained using 3 g m-2, with time interval of 45 days. This treatment was considered the best treatment for turf management in south of Iran.

In order to study the effects of application methods of iron and copper on the seed yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. 'Texas Early Grano 502', an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications in Kabootar Abad Research Station of Isfahan for two years (1998-2000). Treatments consisted of: 1) Control, 2) Foliar application of 2 kg ha-1 iron sulphate (0.5%), 3) Soil application of 10 kg ha-1 Fe-EDDHA, 4) Foliar application of 2 kg ha-1 copper sulphate (0.5%), 5) Soil application of 20 kg ha-1 copper sulphate, 6) Foliar application of both iron and copper sulphate (1%) and 7) Soil application of both Fe-EDDHA and copper sulphate. Mother bulbs were planted in first week of October. Soil treatments were applied at planting time and foliar applications were performed at two stages: a) At starting of regrowth after winter and b) At the late stage of seed stack growth (before spathe opening). Results showed that foliar application of both iron and copper sulphate significantly increased seed yield and the number of seeds per capsule compared to control and other treatments. Treatments showed no significant differences regarding the number of umbels· per square meter, capsules per umbel, 1000 seeds weight, plant height, seed germination percentage and germination rate. Among yield components, the number of seeds per capsule showed the highest correlation with the seed yield.