Plant Productions

Effect of salicylic acid and storage time on quality of mango fruits (Mangifera indica L.)

A.M. Dastjerdi; N. Moradi; E. Rezazadeh; M. Heidari

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 27-36

Abstract

  The effects of different levels of salicylic acid (0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg. l -1) and three time periods (7, 14 and 21 days) were studied on quality of mango fruits (total soluble ...  Read More The effects of different levels of salicylic acid (0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg. l -1) and three time periods (7, 14 and 21 days) were studied on quality of mango fruits (total soluble solids, density, pH, acidity and phenolics in pulp and skin). The experimental design used was a 4×3 factorial trial based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Results showed that total soluble solids and phenol contents in fruit skin significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increasing storage time but fruit pH and decay increased with increasing storage time. Salicylic acid treatment changes acidity and phenol contents in fruit skin and pulp as in control, and salicylic acid 1500 mg. l -1 treatment was the highest level of fruit acidity. Phenol contents in fruit skin significantly increased with increasing salicylic acid concentration but phenol contents in fruit pulp was invariable with increasing salicylic acid concentration. Fruit decay significantly decreased after application of two levels of salicylic acid (1000 or 2000 mg. l -1) after 14 days. Application of salicylic acid had no significant effects on ascorbic acid or gravity. 

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Evaluation the genetic diversity of 10 Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) ecotypes using morphological, phenological and phytochemical traits

R. Hamid; M.R. Siahpoosh; R. Mamaghani; A. Siahpoosh

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 37-47

Abstract

  Understanding milk thistle genetic diversity is essential for breeding programs of this plant. In order to investigate genetic diversity of some Iranian ecotypes, an experiment was ...  Read More Understanding milk thistle genetic diversity is essential for breeding programs of this plant. In order to investigate genetic diversity of some Iranian ecotypes, an experiment was performed based on randomized complete block design in three replications using Iranian collected ecotypes and foreign cultivar "Bodaklazi" in the experimental field of Shahid Chamran University . Morphological traits including plant height, diameter of the main capitol per plant, number of capitol in plant, grain number in capitol, grain weight in capitol, thousand kernel weight, grain yield, starting and ending days to flowering, and phytochemical traits including phenol level, flavonoid level and antioxidant capacity were measured. Analysis of variance showed significant differencs (α ≤ 0.01) for different traits. Sari and Mobarakeh showed the highest performance among  ecotypes. The phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of ecotypes ranged between 8.18-14.19 mg Tanic acid per g plant matter,5.36-11.08mg per 100g and 32.07-52.40  mg per 100g dry extract respectively. Silymarin ranged between 32.07 and 55.40 mg per 100g dry extract. Cluster analysis indicated that ecotypes can be divided into two major groups. Thus, Molasanie, Amol, Sari, Ahvaz, Shoushtar, Esfahan, Babol and Njafabad were categorized in one group and Mobarakeh and Majari in one another. The results of this study showed that the Iranian ecotypes of milk thistle inherit noticeable diversity in respect to morphological, phonological and phytochemical traits. This diversity can be used in breeding programs.

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Effect of different temperatures on germination and pollen tube growth dynamics with different time of flowering in almond cultivars

S. Moosavi Nazhad; J. Hajilou; H. Rahnamoon

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 49-58

Abstract

  In this research , the effect various temperatures was studied on pollen tube dynamics in in vitro and controlled conditions ‘Nec Plus Ultra, ‘Sahand, and ‘Ferragnes, ...  Read More In this research , the effect various temperatures was studied on pollen tube dynamics in in vitro and controlled conditions ‘Nec Plus Ultra, ‘Sahand, and ‘Ferragnes, almond cultivars and ‘K100’ genotype. The collected pollens were cultured in a suitable medium. Cross-pollinations were performed in the chambers at different temperatures. Germination and pollen tube growth were studied at different temperatures. Results showed significant differences among the studied cultivars and genotype in different temperatures for pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The highest percentage of pollen germination in in virto condition and under controlled condition was observed in ‘Sahand’. The highest percentage of pollen tube at style base was observed in ‘Nec plus ultra’ 

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Effect of substrate and different levels of nitrogen and calcium on growth and yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida)

A. Ghoohestani1; N. Alemzadeh Ansari; S.A. Eftekhari

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 59-69

Abstract

  To assess the effects of two types of substrate (wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse) and different levels of calcium carbonate (0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% of dry weight of substrate) and different ...  Read More To assess the effects of two types of substrate (wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse) and different levels of calcium carbonate (0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% of dry weight of substrate) and different levels of ammonium sulfate (200, 500 and 700 mg/ kg dry weight of substrate) on growth and yield of P. florida a factorial experiment in 3 replications was done. Based on the growth results, yield and biological efficiency of wheat straw substrate (267.43g in per bag, 67.88%) was significantly higher than sugarcane bagasse substrate (110.5g in per bag, 33.64%). The use of calcium carbonate and ammonium sulfate in the substrate increased the yield and biological efficiency of P. florida but various levels of them showed no significant difference. Both substrates were not significantly different in terms of protein content of pinhead. The use of calcium carbonate in substrate decreased the protein content of pinhead and the use of ammonium sulfate in substrate increased the protein content of pinhead.

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Effects of regulated irrigation on some physiological characteristic of Frankenia leavise L.

S. Chegah; M. Chehrazi; M. Albaji

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 71-80

Abstract

   Cover plants application has several advantages such as beauty in landscape, inhibition of soil erosion and the best way of using water. Frankenia (Frankenia Leavise) is one of ...  Read More  Cover plants application has several advantages such as beauty in landscape, inhibition of soil erosion and the best way of using water. Frankenia (Frankenia Leavise) is one of the valuable cover plants in the environment. According to water deficit, estimation of water requirement can reduce the irrigation volume and human power. Drought is an important inhibiting factor in plants which affects growth and development. This research was conducted to study the effects of regulated irrigation (100, 70 and 50% field capacity) on Frankenia under a randomized complete blocks design in boxes (50*70cm) with three replications. After 60 days of drought treatment, chlorophyll concentration, proline, electrolyte leakage, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots were measured. The results indicated that chlorophyll concentration significantly decreased by declining soil moisture in field capacity (F.C.), while proline contant and electrolyte leakage increased. There was no significant difference in fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots between 100 (control) and 70% treatments.    

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The effect of 5-aminolevolinic acid on some physiological responses of coriander (Coriandrumsativum L.) under drought stress

F. Ghanbari; M. Sayyari; M. Saidi; A.A. Amirinejad

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 93-105

Abstract

  In this study, the effect of 5-Aminolevolinic acid (ALA), a key precursor in the biosynthesis of porphyrin and the new plant growth regulator, was studied on some physiological responses ...  Read More In this study, the effect of 5-Aminolevolinic acid (ALA), a key precursor in the biosynthesis of porphyrin and the new plant growth regulator, was studied on some physiological responses of coriander plant under drought stress. The layout was a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three levels of drought stress (irrigation within 100%, 60% and 30% field capacity) and four concentrations of ALA (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1mM) as factors. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of agricultural faculty of Ilam University in 2010. Statistical analysis showed the significant effects of the drought and ALA on plant physiological parameters including leaf relative water content (RWC), water use efficiency (WUE), praline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and chlorophyll content. In drought conditions, chlorophyll content and RWC were reduced but MDA accumulation, praline content and WUE increased. ALA application significantly caused increasing of RWC, WUE, chlorophyll content and proline accumulation and decreasing of MDA content in plant. In this study, ALA treatment with increasing of praline and chlorophyll content and reducing of MDA accumulation decreased  the adverse effects of drought stress on the coriander plant.

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Effect of Nitrogen on Nitrate Accumulation and Nitrate Reductase Activity in Some Iranian Land Races of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

S. Esfandiyari Bayat; S.A. Eftekhari; M. Heidari

Volume 37, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 107-118

Abstract

  This study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen on nitrate reductase activity, nitrate content and vegetative growth (based on shoot and root dry ...  Read More This study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen on nitrate reductase activity, nitrate content and vegetative growth (based on shoot and root dry weight) in selected Iranian land races of spinach. The experiment ws carried out in 2010-2011 as factorial design under randomize complete blocks in Agriculture College of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Seedlings of 10 land races of spinach were subjected to three nitrogen treatments (modified Hoagland solution with recommended level of KNO3 as control, Hoagland solution with two or three- fold level of KNO3). Results showed that nitrate reductase activity in leaves of ‘Gorgan’ and ‘Kerman’ land races were higher than other land races. In leaves of ‘Tonekabon’, ‘Zanjan-1’, ‘Sari-1’, ‘Sari-2’, ‘Khoor Abad- Qom’, nitrate reductase activitywere lower than other land races. Nitrate reductase activity at control (1 M KNO3) and two or three fold KNO3 level were significantly different in roots all land races.There was significant differences in root or shoot nitrate accumulation among the plants of all land races treated with different concentrations of KNO3.When grown under control or KNO3 treatment (2 M), plants of ‘Gorgan’ had the highest content of  nitrate in shoot followed by plants of ‘Sari-1’ and ‘Saqri-2’ treated with KNO3 (3M). The results ofpresent study demonstrate that increasing nitrogen is highly effective in the metabolism of nitrate in roots and leaves of Iranian spinach land races. These differences may be important for selecting of a spinach land race as an efficient genotype for nitrate metabolism. 

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Effect of growth regulators and antioxidants in the medium on in vitro callus induction in European yew (Taxus baccata L.)

A. Abbasi kajani; K. Alami Saeid; M.H. Daneshvar; M.R. Mofid

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

  Yew plant is major source of Taxol, highly effective anti cancer medicine, and cell culture is one way to increase its production. A factorial experiment using B5 as base medium was ...  Read More Yew plant is major source of Taxol, highly effective anti cancer medicine, and cell culture is one way to increase its production. A factorial experiment using B5 as base medium was designed to obtain a proper hormonal and antioxidant composition in callus induction media for European yew existing in Iran. Four different hormonal mixes including 1) 4.5 mg/l 2,4-D, 1mg/l kinetin and 0.33 mg/l GA3; 2) 2 mg/l NAA, 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.2 mg/l kin; 3) 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l GA3; and 4) 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l kin as the first factor, and two different antioxidants PVP and ascorbic acid as the second factor were conducted on complete random design with 8 replications during 2 months periods. The percentage of callus induction and total callus weight were measured and the ratio of callus weight increment was calculated. Hormonal compositions and the interaction between 2 factors significantly affected percentage of callus induction during the first period, but no significant effect was observed for antioxidants alone. No significant difference observed between total callus weights during the first period, but significant effects were shown for hormonal mixtures, antioxidants, and their interaction observed during the second period. The ratios of callus weight increment also was significantly different between hormonal mixtures and antioxidants. Therefore, tissue culture process should follow out by two steps with two media; in first 2,4-D have to use to maximize callus induction, but need to permit induced calli to grow sufficiently during thereafter months on medium with NAA instead 2,4-D, to obtain high quality calli. Ascorbic acid has to use in any media as antioxidant.

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Evaluating the effects of water quality and ammonium sulfateon glyphosate herbicide efficiency in weed control of a barberry (Berberis vulgaris) garden

P. Yadegar Khosravieh; S.V. Eslami; M. Jami ALahmadi; E. Zand

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 23-34

Abstract

  To evaluate the effects of water quality and adjuvant (ammonium sulfate) in glyphosate herbicide efficiency, a factorial experiment based on RCBD with three replications was conducted ...  Read More To evaluate the effects of water quality and adjuvant (ammonium sulfate) in glyphosate herbicide efficiency, a factorial experiment based on RCBD with three replications was conducted at Research Garden of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand in 2010-2011. Experimental factors were different water quality in three levels of medium hard water with 2950 ppm, hard water with 4774 ppm total soluble concentration, and listilled water (soft water) glyphosate (roundup) dose in four levels including 2, 4, 6 and 8 lit.ha-1 and using and not using the adjuvant (ammonium sulfate at 6 kg.ha-1). The results showed that raising herbicide dose increased the reduction density percentage of broad and narrow leafweeds. Application of soft water with herbicide had the most reduction density percent and showed significant differences with other waters, so that the most and the lowest reduction density percentages with average 93 and 10.88 percent belonged to soft water with glyphosate dose of 8 lit. ha-1 and hard water with glyphosate dose of 2 lit.ha-1,respectively. But this application between doses of 6 and 8 lit. ha-1 with soft water was nonsignificant. Also, results showed that application of ammonium sulfate with hard water on reduction density percentage was nonsignificant, but had more effect on broad leaves species compar with narrow leaves. Totally, the effect of different factors on reduction density percentage increased over time. Generally with regard to economic and environmental factors, spraying 6 lit.ha-1of glyphosate with high quality water can be recommended for adequate control of barberry garden weeds.

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Determination of potassium critical level in date palm leaf and effect of potassium on yield and quality of date fruit (cv sayer)

H. Dialami1

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 35-45

Abstract

  In order to determine the potassium critical level in date palm leaf, fertilizer experiments with four treatments from 4 levels of potassium, including: 0, 250, 500 and 750g K from ...  Read More In order to determine the potassium critical level in date palm leaf, fertilizer experiments with four treatments from 4 levels of potassium, including: 0, 250, 500 and 750g K from potassium sulfate source were carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications on 24 date palm (c.v Sayer) in Khuzestan Province. Potassium critical level in date palm leaf was determined by Cate- Nelson graphical method and quantitative data and qualitative characteristics were analyzed using SPSS statistical program and the means of data were compared using Duncan’s Multiple rang test. Potassium critical level in date palm leaf, 0.95 percent, was determined by Cate- Nelson graphical method. Also, the results showed that potassium treatments had a significant effect on yield and some quantitative characteristics such as weight, diameter and volume of fresh fruit, weight of pulp and pulp to seed ratio of fresh fruit.

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The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant growth and essential oil content of Ocimum basilicim l.

M. Zolfaghari; V. Nazeri; F. Sefidkon; F. Rejali

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 47-56

Abstract

  The potential of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance the production of essential oil and plant growth parameter was investigated in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). The experiment ...  Read More The potential of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance the production of essential oil and plant growth parameter was investigated in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). The experiment was done in randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications. Sweet basil is one of the most important plants in lamiaceae that is used as a spice and a culinary and medicinal herb. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can enhance the plant growth and development through the increase in nutrient uptake, plant hormones, reduce environment stress and increase resistant to pathogens. In this experiment, three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the control (no mycorrhiza) were tested on sweet basil plant. The plant was planted in pots and grew in greenhouse, and after 90 days that plant go to the flowering stage that is the peak of essential oil content, the plants were harvested and the growth parameter and essential oil content were measured. Results showed that the growth parameter like fresh and dry weight of plant, plant height, number of leaves and branches, root fresh and dry weight and essential oil content were higher than control in all mycorrhizal treatment, and among them the Glomus intraradices was the most effective treatment to increase the growth parameter, and oil content of Ocimum basilicum plant and the G.mosseae had the least effect. These results demonstrate that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi concomitantly increase essential oil production and biomass in an herbaceous species rich in commercially valued essential oils. Therefore, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi potentially represent an alternative way of promoting growth of this important medicinal herb, as natural ways of growing such crops are currently highly sought after in the herbal industry

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Determination of plant diversity using morphological characters and path analysis in dill germplasms

Z. Fathalipoor; D. Nabati Ahmadi; H. Rajabi Memari; A. Siahpoosh; F. Sedighi Dehkordi

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 57-67

Abstract

  The most important composition character within a plant breeding program is to have type and amount of genetic diversity. In addition to using a visual approach and genetic tools to ...  Read More The most important composition character within a plant breeding program is to have type and amount of genetic diversity. In addition to using a visual approach and genetic tools to discern plant variation, application of statistical methods can be utilized to screen and classify genetic differences among plants within a plant population. A was study set up asarandomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the geneticdiversity of ten different dill (Anethuprogrammm graveolens) germplasms. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (α = 0.01) among germplasms regarding the plant characters. Results elucidated the existence of great morphological/phytochemical variation among these germplasms. Application of principle components analysis has led the germplasms into four main classes based on the characters growth performance. Although, germplasms have geographically different growing conditions, some of those classified in a similar group according to their growing and plant diversity. Further analysis could categorize some of germplasms such as Varamin, Hamadan and Dezful into a distinct group having the highest rate of Carvon concentration in theirtissues, especially in the seeds

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Effect of 5- aminolevulinic acid on changes of water deficit stress tolerance index and catalase activity of sweet pepper seedlings (Capsicum annuum L. cv. red bell pepper)

Z. khazaei; M. Sayyari; M. Seydi

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 79-92

Abstract

  To study the effect of 5- aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on some physiological responses of sweet pepper under drought stress, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design ...  Read More To study the effect of 5- aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on some physiological responses of sweet pepper under drought stress, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with 5- aminolevulinic acid and water deficit stress treatments was carried out in the greenhouse of the agricultural faculty of Ilam University. Levels of water deficit stresswere stress free conditions (irrigation within the field capacity), moderate stress (irrigation within the 60% field capacity) and severe water deficit stress(irrigation within the 30% field capacity). Four concentrations of AL Aincluding 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mM were applied as foliar application at three to four-leaf stage. The results showed that with increasing ALA concentrations, catalase activity, proline content, relative water content, dry weight, flower and fruit number increased but electrolyte leakage (EL) decreased. The lowest EL and the highest proline content, relative water content, fruit number and shoots fresh weight were observed at 1 mM of ALA while the highest catalase activity, dry weight and flower number were obtained with application of 0.5 mM ALA. Water deficit stressdecreased relative water content, fresh and dry weight, flower and fruits numbers, but increased EL, proline content and catalase activity. ALA with increasing of catalase activity and reducing of EL reduced the stress effects on plant growth and yield. According the results of this experiment, through the impact on growth characteristics and biochemical and physiological parameters, ALA provides better water deficit stresstolerance in pepper plants

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Evaluation of genetic diversity in some strawberry (fragaria × annanasa Duch.) cultivars in Iran using morphological characteristics

H.A. Asadi Gharneh; K. Arzani; A. Shojaeiyan; A.R. Golparvar; N. Sabaghnia

Volume 37, Issue 4 , March 2014, , Pages 93-106

Abstract

  Strawberry is one of the most important small fruits in Iran and the world. Identification of elite cultivars according to morphological characteristics is an important task in any ...  Read More Strawberry is one of the most important small fruits in Iran and the world. Identification of elite cultivars according to morphological characteristics is an important task in any breeding programs of strawberry in Iran. For evaluation of morphological characteristics, the available  strawberry cultivars in Iran, 15 daughter’s plants of commercial strawberries, were cultivated in the greenhouse using hydroponic system. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among cultivars for all the traits. Results showed that the means obtained from some evaluated traits such as leaf number, branch crown number, stolon number and truss number per plant were 11.18, 4.81, 9.00 and 2.89, respectively. Total yield of cultivars varied from 45.83 to 322.9 g/plant and 4 cultivars (Aliso, Selva, Paros and Gaviota) yielded more than 250 g/plant, while cultivar Blackmore, Fresno and Kordestan produced less than 100g/plant. The amounts of fruit firmness indicated that 'Camarosa' fruits were firmer than others cultivars. By factor analysis, the characteristics were divided in to seven factors and included 14 characteristics that accounted for 90.24% of total variations. Also, cluster analysis classified the cultivars in to seven distinct groups. The means of all evaluated characteristics of the fourth group were higher than those of the total means. The cultivars of “Kordestan” and “Sequia” were placed in a distinct group. According to our results, strawberry cultivars had high variations in quantitative and qualitative traits and were suitable for breeding program of strawberry in Iran.

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Investigation the effect of pollen grain type on mango (Mangifera indica) fruit set and its quality

M. Shamili; R. Fatahi; A. Talaii

Volume 36, Issue 2 , September 2013, , Pages 1-12

Abstract

  Mango is one of the tropical crops cultivated in the south of Iran, where it has fewer yields in comparison with other regions of its cultivation. According to reports, cross pollination ...  Read More Mango is one of the tropical crops cultivated in the south of Iran, where it has fewer yields in comparison with other regions of its cultivation. According to reports, cross pollination will increase the yield of this plant. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of selfing, control crossing and open pollination on pollen tube growth and fruit setting in three cultivated mango genotypes in Iran. The inflorescences in some trees were bagged after related pollination treatment. Sampling was done from the pollinated flowers three and seven days after pollination. Pistils were stained with aniline blue and the situation of pollen tube growth was studied using a fluorescence microscope. The final fruit production was counted 15 and 90 days. After pollination, mean fruit length, width, weight and TSS were recorded in all treatments. In all genotypes, selfing inflorescence prevented fruit set completely. There was significant difference in pollen tube growth and fruit set of self crossing and open crossing treatments. The maximum fruit set was observed in genotypes one and three with pollen grain of genotype two. The results of this study showed that the source of pollen can influence quantity and quality characteristics of mango, so much so that self-pollination usually results in significantly lower crop production than cross-pollination in mango. In addition to higher production of controlled cross pollination with cross pollen grain, the selection of proper parent plants should be done with sufficient care in order to improve production efficiency in this crop.

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The effect of different levels of vermicompost and plant density on growth and developmental factors, seed yield and oil content of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.)

H. Neamati; M. Azizi

Volume 36, Issue 2 , September 2013, , Pages 23-34

Abstract

  This experiment investigated the effects of different levels of vermicompost and plant density on growth and developmental factors, seed yield and oil content of evening primrose (Oenothera ...  Read More This experiment investigated the effects of different levels of vermicompost and plant density on growth and developmental factors, seed yield and oil content of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.). The research was set up as a factorial experiment on the basis of Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in the experimental field of the Agricultural faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM) during 2008-2009. The treatments included 4 levels of vermicompost (0, 2, 3 and 5 kg.m-2) and 3 levels of plant density (9, 12 and 20 pl.m-2). During the flowering period, plant height, number of side branches, number of capsules and seeds per capsule at main stem and side branches were measured separately. The oil of the seeds was extracted by using Soxhlet. The results showed that the simple effects of vermicompost and plant density were significant on the number of capsules and seeds per capsule of the main stem and side branches, as well as oil yield. The highest plant height and oil yield were obtained at the highest level of vermicompost, and the highest number of seeds per capsule of the main stem and side branches were obtained at average levels of vermicompost (3 and 5 kg.m-2). Increasing the plant density decreased the number of side branches, capsules and seeds per capsule of the main stem and side branches significantly. However highest oil yield obtained in the highest level of plant density. There was a significant interaction effect between vermicompost and plant density on the number of side branches, the number of seeds per capsule of the main stem and side branches.

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Effects of fruit maturity and packing method on storage life of “Ghermez Shahroud” apricot cultivar

M. Zarrinbal; A. Dabbagh mohammadinasab; R. Rasouli pirouzian

Volume 36, Issue 2 , September 2013, , Pages 123-133

Abstract

  Apricot has short storage life and is marketed immediately after harvest. Rapid ripening process and high respiration rate of apricot cause its short cold-storage duration. Harvesting ...  Read More Apricot has short storage life and is marketed immediately after harvest. Rapid ripening process and high respiration rate of apricot cause its short cold-storage duration. Harvesting of apricot fruits in suitable time and packing them increase their storage period. This study was carried out to determine the optimum harvest maturity and packing method of apricot fruits to prolong their storage life and decrease its wastes. Split- factorial based on complete randomized block design was used for "Germez shahroud" apricot fruits in three harvesting stages (as main-factor) based on fruit skin color. The first harvest was conducted when skin color had a predominantly green background with yellowish tinges; the second and third harvest coincided with yellow background with greenish tinges and yellow-orange background color of fruits. Fruits were packed in two methods (as sub-factor) including boxes with polyethylene covers and without it. Fruits stored at 0-2 degree centigrade and 85% RH For 0 (control), 7, 14, 21 and 28 days (as sub-factor). After each storage period, fruits were tested for their properties including fruit weight, firmness, total soluble solid, pH and electrical conductivity. Results showed that the optimum harvest time of this cultivar was when the fruit skin color had a predominantly yellow background with greenish tinges. This is synchronous with 75 days after full bloom equal to 1041 growth degree days or 24987 growth degree hours for "Germez shahroud" cultivar. Use of polyethylene packaging prolonged fruit’s storage life. Under these conditions, the fruits of "Germez Shahroud" could be cold-stored with suitable quality until 21 days. Delay in their packing time reduced apricots storage life significantly. Accordingly, with the increase of fruit's cold storage period, fruit firmness reduced but total soluble solid, pH and electrical conductivity of fruit extract increased significantly.

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Effects of harvest time and packing method on fruit quality and Cold-Storage duration of "Gorban Maragheh" apricot cultivar

M. Zarrinbal; A. Dabbagh Mohammadinasab; R. Rasouli Pirouzian

Volume 36, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 1-11

Abstract

  Apricot because of its high respiration rate and rapid ripening process has short storage life and so should be marketed immediately after harvest. Harvesting of apricot in suitable ...  Read More Apricot because of its high respiration rate and rapid ripening process has short storage life and so should be marketed immediately after harvest. Harvesting of apricot in suitable time and packing it increase storage period. This study was carried out to determine the optimum harvest time and packing method of apricot fruits to prolong their storage life and decrease their waste. Split- factorial based on complete randomized block design was used for one traditional apricot cultivar as "Gorban maragheh" in three harvesting stages (as the main factor) based on fruit skin color. The first harvest was conducted when skin color had a predominantly green background with yellowish tinges; the second and third harvest times coincided with yellow background with greenish tinges and yellow-orange background color of fruits. Fruits were packed in two methods (as sub-factor), boxes with and without polyethylene covers. Fruits were stored at 0-2 degree centigrade and 85% RH For 0 (control), 7, 14, 21 and 28 days (as sub-factor). Fruit properties including fruit weight, firmness, total soluble solid, pH and electrical conductivity were measured and results were analyzed. Findings showed that the optimum harvest time of this cultivar was when the fruit skin color had a predominantly yellow background with greenish tinges. This was synchronous with 82 days after full bloom equal to 1176 growth degree days or 28224 growth degree hours for "Gorban maragheh" cultivar. Use of polyethylene packaging prolonged storage life. In these conditions, fruits could be cold-stored with suitable quality until 28 days. Apricot fruit's storage life was reduced significantly by delays in their picking time. Accordingly, increase of fruit's cold storage period, fruit firmness reduced but total soluble solid, pH and electrical conductivity of fruit extract rose remarkably.

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The effects of partial root zone drying (PRD) and green pruning on yield and quality of Thompson seedless grape

A. Taherkhani; A. Golchin

Volume 36, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 25-38

Abstract

  Partial root zone drying (PRD) is a new irrigation technique which improves water use efficiency without significant yield reduction. To study the effects of partial root zone drying ...  Read More Partial root zone drying (PRD) is a new irrigation technique which improves water use efficiency without significant yield reduction. To study the effects of partial root zone drying and green pruning on yield and fruit quality of Thompson seedless grape a split plotted experiment with randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted. The experiment was performed in Takestan, Gazvin province, on 20-year old grapevines with row spacing of 2×4 m .The treatments were irrigation and pruning at three levels. During the growing season, half of the root system was maintained in a dry state, while the rest was irrigated (PRD). The irrigation levels were: full irrigation (irrigating both sides of root zone), drying left side of root zone (irrigating from north direction) and drying right side of root zone (irrigating from south direction). Pruning levels includeding light, medium and heavy green pruning. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of data showed that the effects of irrigation were significant on pH and TSS of grape juice at 5% level. While there were no significant differences between irrigation treatments with respect to grapevine yield. Water requirement of grapevine can be reduced to half without significant yield reduction. The effects of pruning were also significant on grapevine yield, berry weight and diameter, cluster weight and length and Raisin production. The interactive effects of pruning and PRD were significant on weight and diameter of berry, weight and length of cluster and raisin production. Full irrigation with medium pruning, irrigation from north with medium pruning and irrigation from south with light pruning had higher grape yield than the other treatments. PRD reduced growth of main and lateral shoots by 8% and 30% respectively compared with full irrigation.

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Effect of Gibberellic acid treatment on storage life and quality indices of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. Siah Mashhad

A. Sedighi; M. Gholami; H. Sarikhani; A. Ershadi

Volume 36, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 51-61

Abstract

  Fruit softening, shrinkage, decay and fruit stem browning are the most important problems in sweet cherry post-harvest storage. This research was conducted to study the effect of gibberellic ...  Read More Fruit softening, shrinkage, decay and fruit stem browning are the most important problems in sweet cherry post-harvest storage. This research was conducted to study the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment on storage life and some quality attributes of sweet cherry cv. Siah Mashhad. Gibberellic acid was sprayed on fruits and leaves at four concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg/l, at fruit coloring stage. The treated fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and stored at 0oC. The results showed that GA increased fruit but size and weight significantly delayed the ripening. GA reduced the rate of fruit softening and weight loss during storage in comparison to the control. Furthermore, its application at all three concentrations decreased ethylene production. However, the treated fruits had higher titratable acidity and lower pH values compared to controls. Fruits treated with GA3 at the concentration of 10 mg/l, showed significantly higher firmness and lower fungal decay compared to the others. In addition, GA maintained more fruit stems color and fruit freshness. Our results indicated that GA is an effective substance on maintaining sweet cherry quality during post-harvest storage period.

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The Effect of postharvest application of putrescine and UV-C irradiation on strawberry (Fragaria × ananasa cv. Selva) fruit quality

B. Siruie Nejad; S.M.H. Mortazavi; N. Moalemmi; S. Eshghi

Volume 36, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 117-127

Abstract

  Strawberry fruit due to the soft tissue and high metabolism has a short postharvest life. In this study, the effect of putrescine (1 and 2 mM) and UV-C irradiation at 0.72 KJ/m2 on ...  Read More Strawberry fruit due to the soft tissue and high metabolism has a short postharvest life. In this study, the effect of putrescine (1 and 2 mM) and UV-C irradiation at 0.72 KJ/m2 on postharvest quality of strawberry fruit cv. ‘Selva’ was studied during 10 days of storage at 4°C. Fruits treated with both putrescine concentrations had higher firmness, vitamin C, anthocyanin, phenolic content and antioxidants capacity and showed lower weight loss in terms of storage duration. However, UV-C irradiation had no significant effects on most studied parameters, it helped to maintain more anthocyanin content especially at 6-10 days of storage. Among three color spaces, L and hue angle were not affected by applied treatments but Chroma showed higher values in fruits treated with two putrescine concentrations and UV-C irradiation. Generally, putrescine immersion and ultraviolet radiation treatment could effectively maintain the postharvest quality of strawberry fruit.

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Effect of row planting design and planting distance on flowering and quality of gladiolus cut flower (Gladiolus hybrida cv. Oscar (

M.H. Daneshvar; M. Heidari

Volume 36, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 129-140

Abstract

  The increasing of planting density of bulbous flowers is one of the most important step for more  production of ornamental plants. One of the possible methods for increasing density, ...  Read More The increasing of planting density of bulbous flowers is one of the most important step for more  production of ornamental plants. One of the possible methods for increasing density, is cultivation of bulb plants in multiple rows pattern. In this research, the effect of one, two, and three row planting design bed were investigated on flowering and quality of Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrida cv.Oscar) cut flower in climatic condition of Mollasani in Khuzestan province, located in south west of Iran on 1388 through 1389.. The treatments were the cultivation of corms in on row of 30 × 20 cm (control) and two and three-bed row (20 cm on row, 30 cm between main row and/or pattern with distance of 15, 20 and 25 cm between subordinate row). The results showed that cultivation of corm in three-row bed pattern with distance of 25 cm between subordinate row and/or cultivation of two-bed and three-bed row in distance between subordinate rows of 15 and 20 cm causes significant decreases on weight of cut flower, stem diameter and height of spike. Height of cut flower was not significantly different only in treatment of two-bed row with distance of 25 cm between subordinate rows when compared to control. The number of cormels were significantly decreased In treatment of three-bed cultivation pattern with distance of 25 cm between subordinate rows, as compared to control. The number of floret, only, in cultivation pattern of two-bed and three-bed row with distance of 15 cm between rows had significantly decreased when compared to control treatment. These treatments had no significant effect on diameter of cut flower, height of spike, diameter, width and weight of corms. The results indicated that the cultivation of gladiolus in pattern of multiple rows is possible but the decrease of distance between rows, reduce the quality of cut flower. It strongly suggested that more researches require to accomplish on various distances on subordinate rows.

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The Most Suitable Method and Time of Ber Tree (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) Budding in Ahvaz

Aziz Torahi; Majid Alihori

Volume 34, Issue 2 , February 2012, , Pages 81-86

Abstract

  Ber (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) is one of the tropical and subtropical fruit trees that grow in different countries in Europe, America, Africa, Australia, and Asia including Iran. Ber ...  Read More Ber (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) is one of the tropical and subtropical fruit trees that grow in different countries in Europe, America, Africa, Australia, and Asia including Iran. Ber is considered as one of the hardiest cultivated fruit trees to drought, salinity and high temperature. It is a multi-purpose tree and is used for its fresh fruits and has many other applications. Despite of its desired characteristics, it has not been yet cultivated commercially in Iran. The most important reason for this is lack of grafted seedlings of suitable varieties and propagation information. This project has been carried out using CRBD (Complete Randomized Block Design) with three factors including i) time of budding (Spring and Summer), ii) budding method (T, ┴ and ring) and iii) Scion (ecotype A, ecotype B and ecotype C) in three replications from 2004-2006. Results showed that the best time for ber budding in Ahwaz is in late summer with 80.26% success and the best method for its budding is ┴ method with 86.15% success. Scion ecotype has no significant effect on budded plant survival that can show the high compatibility between seedlings and tested scions.   

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