This study was conducted to study the effect of seed dormancy breaking on seed germination of CAPER (Capparis spinosa L.), in a completely randomized design with four replications. Treatments of seed dormancy breaking in CAPER included: untreated seeds (control), scarification with concentrated sulphuric acid for 20 minutes, soaking in gibberellic acid (500 and 1000 ppm), Potassium Nitrate (0.3%), leaching for 12 hours and combined treatment (leaching for 12 hours and soaking in gibberellic acid (500 and 1000 ppm), leaching for 12 hours and soaking in Potassium Nitrate and scarification with sulphuric acid and soaking in gibberellic acid (500 and 1000 ppm). The results showed significant differences among seed dormancy-breaking methods. According to the results, the highest seed germination percentage of CAPER was observed in combined treatment (leaching for 12 hours and soaking in gibberellic acid 1000 ppm (98%) and leaching for 12 hours and soaking in gibberellic acid 500 ppm (75%). Our results showed that the treatment of seed leaching for 12 hours reduced the formation of mucilage around the seed and caused an increase in seed germination. Moreover, application of gibberellic acid or Potassium Nitrate could be just useful when the mucilage concentration of the seed coat is reduced by leaching.

In this study, 120 rainbow trout fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were prepared in six different groups and stored at refrigerator 28 days. During this time, the production of their biogenic amines (histamine, putrecine and cadaverine) were assessed. The groups were included as control, fresh rainbow trout fillet; treatment 1, packaged with modified atmosphere packaging (O2 5%, CO2 20%, N2 75%); treatment 2, dipped in CAPER extracts (0. 2%); treatment 3, dipped in CAPER extracts (0. 5%); treatment 4, dipped in CAPER extract (0. 2) and packaged with modified atmosphere packaging; treatment 5, dipped in CAPER extracts (0. 5) and packaged with modified atmosphere packaging. From each group, 4 samples were prepared and evaluated as triplicate at five interval times (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 days). The mean of histamine level was significantly decreased at treatments 3, 4 and 5 on day 14 of refrigerator storage compared to other groups (P<0. 05). The level of putrecine significantly decreased at treatments 4 and 5 on day 28 compared to control (P<0. 05). The mean of cadaverine significantly decreased at treatment 5 on day 28 compared to control and treatment 1 (P<0. 05). In conclusion, these results showed that using of CAPER extract associated with modified atmosphere packaging reduce the production of biogenic amines in rainbow trout fillet that increase its shelf life.

CAPER (Capparis spinose L.) from Capparaceae is a multipurpose plant that is well adapted to semi-arid and nutrient-poor soils. This research was conducted to investigate the oil content and fatty acids composition in some populations of Iranian CAPER seeds. According to the results, the seed oil content ranged from 31.59 to 35 % in different CAPER populations. The highest unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content of approximately 91.25% and saturated fatty acid (SFA) with 11.14% was related to Germi (GE), and Kelid Daghi (KD) population, respectively. The highest content of linoleic acid and oleic acid was observed in populations of Dasht Moghan (53.33%) and Mahalat (46.57%). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed with the main fatty acids. The first component (PC1) was contributed by the content of linoleic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, and stearic acid content. Cluster analysis based on all biochemical properties showed three separated clusters including (1) Damavand (DA), Booinzahra (BO) and Kelid Daghi (KD), (2) Germi (GE) population, and (3) Mahalat (MA), Tafresh (TA) and Delijan (DL). Furthermore, clusters of (1) DA and TA, (2) KD and GE, and (3) BO, MA, and DL were found based on climatic characteristics. The fatty acid profile of C. spinosa seed oil highlights its potential as a future alternative for the edible oilseed, especially in subtropical regions.

Some rhizobacteria have positive effects on plants growth. Syrian bean-CAPER (Zygophyllum fabago) is a weed plant with medicinal value. This study was conducted to isolate and identify bacteria from Syrian bean-CAPER rhizosphere. Characteristics associated with plant growth stimulation, such as phosphate and zinc dissolution, production of Indole acetic acid and antifungal activity, were investigated. The isolates were separately inoculated to the plant and after plant root establishment was ensured, their effectiveness in increasing plant growth in greenhouse conditions was measured. Biochemical and molecular identification results showed that five isolates belonged to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Pantoea, and Brevibacterium. All five isolates showed some degree of plant growth promotion capabilities. Among the isolates, only the genus Bacillus increased the dry weights of plants significantly. The amount of phosphate solubilization for this isolate was 440 μ g ml-1 and its acid production in the culture medium was higher than that in other isolates. The isolate had zinc solubilisation capability and produced 3. 89 mg ml-1 indole acetic acid. However, this isolate did not show antifungal activity against two fungal pathogens of Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea.

Capparis spinosa L. (CAPER) is an aromatic plant, commonly used in the Mediterranean diet, possessing numerous antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, rutin, tocopherols, carotenoids, and vitamin C in its leaves. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of Iranian CAPER leaves extract on oxidative stress caused by CCl4 in the mice’ s liver. This study was conducted on 42 male mice in seven groups. The control group, the sham group, the CCl4 group, the Iranian CAPER leaves extract 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg + CCl4 groups. Then, Biochemicals, oxidative stress, and hepatic histopathology parameters were evaluated. The co-administration of Iranian CAPER leaves extract, and CCl4 significantly decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde (P<0. 001) and significantly increased the levels of glutathione and catalase in comparison with the group treated with CCl4 alone (P<0. 01). Furthermore, Iranian CAPER leaves extract improved histopathological changes such as the the inflammation and necrosis of hepatocytes. Iranian CAPER leaves extract has protective effects on hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4, mainly through suppressing oxidative stress.

In order to investigate the effect of drought and salinity stress on CAPER plant (Capparis spinosa), a factorial experiment including two factors consisting of drought and salinity levels based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five blocks were carried out at College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. After pretreatment, seeds were germinated in petri dishes and then transported to pots, to grow out of the glasshouse under natural conditions (same as environmental condition). Measuring morphological (Plant height, number of leaves, length of greatest leaf, root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight and root dry weight, and chlorophyll (pad) and also physiological traits (relative water content (RWC) and water saturated deficit (WSD) for both root and shoot, root water content (RooWC) and leaf water content (LWC) showed that salinity and drought stresses as well as ABA concentration had negative effects on the plant. ABA content was significantly higher in salt-treated plants than in drought treated ones. The injury effect of salt stress was lower than drought. The results also indicated that the changes in response to the two stresses were low and so that this plant could be a suitable candidate for sowing and using in arid and semi-arid regions and also in saline condition.

This research is carried out in CAPER habitats of Khalij-o-Omanian region in south of Iran.  Eight sites were chosen and 24 plots each containing at least three CAPER trees were established. Some silvicultural characteristics of trees as well as physical and chemical properties of soil were studied within the plots. Totally 67 CAPER trees were studied quantitatively. Generally, CAPER habitats in Hormozgan province have  arid and warm climate, low annual precipitation (141.5 mm), high temperature (maximum 44.8oC) and high relative humidity (>60%). The results showed that CAPER tree (Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew.) had a short tree and shrub form with canopy diameter more than its height and numerous suckers in young stage, which changes to tree form (max. 9 meter height) with one trunk (max. 1.8 meter trunk height) and less suckers in old stage. Soil of CAPER habitats were loam and silty loam, saline, calcareous and with very little organic matter. Electrical conductivity of the studied soil was 0.6- 22.5 mmohs/cm, pH=7.3-8.1, TNV=19.6-34% and organic carbon=0.2-0.5%. The quantitative datas shows 42-105 tree ha-1 with 12 to 50.6 suckers (coppices) per plot, 3.2-4.5 m height, 9-31.3 cm diameter, 0.03-0.3 m trunk height and 3.7-6.5 m canopy diameter. CAPER trees flush (new branches with tiny leaves) with beginning of rainfall (autumn–winter) and leaves abscised later in old branches. Old branches were woody, green and able to photosynthesis (similar to leaves). Considering all soil and silvicultural characteristics, one can conclude that the Jagin site could be distinguished from other sites because of soil richness, highest trees, thickest trunks and coppice stools, widest canopy diameter and less number of root suckers.