نشریه فنآوری تولیدات گیاهی
سال شانزدهم شماره 1 (تابستان 1395)

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hot water dips on chilling injury of karaj persimmons. Fruits were subjected to hot water dips at 20, 45, 50 or 55°C for 10 or 20 min. Treated and untreated fruits were then kept at 1°C and 85 - 90% relative humidity for 4 months. Fruit weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic content (TPC), soluble tannin content, chilling injury, antioxidant activity, electrolyte leakage (EL) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days after storage. Peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities were also determined at the end of storage. Hot water treatments had significant effects on firmness, TSS, TPC, soluble tannin content, chilling injury, EL and MDA content. Although the best results obtained in fruits that treated by 55°C for 20 min but this treatment had unpleasant effect on appearance and taste of fruits. So 50°C for 10 or 20 min and 55°C for 10 min were recognized the best treatment for maintaining fruit quality and reduce chilling injuries in Karaj persimmons.

In order to evaluate the effects of different intercropping patterns on yield components, yield and land use efficiency at diffirent intercropping patterns of dill (Anethun graveolens L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a field experiment was arranged based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at a farm located in West Azerbaijan province- city Nagadeh, Iran during growing reason of 2011-2012. Treatments included row intercropping (one row of fenugreek one row of dill), strip intercropping (two rows of dill one rows of fenugreek, three rows of dill one rows of fenugreek, two rows of fenugreek one rows of dill, three rows of fenugreek one rows of dill, two rows of fenugreek two of dill) and solecropping dill and fenugreek. Intercropping patterns had significant effect on all of mentioned traits. The highest grain yield and biological yield of fenugreek were achieved in solecropping with 940 and 3103 kg.ha-1, respectively. Results showed that the maximum grain yield and biological yield of dill obtained of three rows of dill one rows of fenugreek with 860 and 4816.67 kg.ha-1, respectively. The essential oil percentage (2.85) of all treatments was higher than solecropping (2). The highest Land equivalent ratio (1.90) was obtained in two rows of fenugreek two rows of dill. The maximum Actual yield loss (2.18) and Intercropping Advantage (1.28) were obtained in three rows of fenugreek one rows of dill that represents an increase advantages in intercropping than solecropping.

In order to determine the relationship between yield and yield components and understanding the direct and indirect effects of morphological traits on yield, twenty genotypes of strawberry were studied. An experiment was done based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at Agricultural Research Center of Kurdistan. Morphological traits (number of leaf, runner, crown, inflorescence, flower and fruit per plant, and leaf area, leaf length/wide, petiole length, number of flower per inflorescence, fruit set, fruit size, inflorescence length, fruit weight and yield) were measured.Four components derived from principal component analysis accounted nearly 73% of whole variability in the evaluated genotypes. All genotypes were grouped into five clusters according to cluster analysis using Ward method and squared Euclidean distance coefficient. Results of biplot, were consistent largely with the results of principal components analysis and cluster analysis. Results of correlation analysis showed similar trends for genotypic and phenotypic correlations and in the most cases, the value for genotypic correlation was greater than phenotypic value. There were positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation between number of leaf, crown, inflorescence, flower and fruit per plant and petiole length, number of flower per inflorescence, fruit set, fruit size, inflorescence length, fruit weight with yield; but correlation between number of leaf, runner and leaf length/wide with yield were not significant. The result of stepwise regression analysis showed that fruit set, fruit size, number of fruit were entered to the regression model with a determination coefficient of 0.95. Genetic Path coefficient analysis revealed that fruit size had the highest direct positive effect on yield and number of fruit had the highest indirect negative effect on yield by fruit size.

Thymus daenensis Celak is one of the most important medicinal plants and endemic species in Iran which has a large dispersion and wide distribution in the highlands of the Zagros Mountains. In this study, diversity of morphological traits and oil content (w/w) was evaluated among and within six natural habitats with diverse climates (Mehran, Bijar, Shekarnab, Ghateralan, Ghiagh and Semirom) .Beside, factors affecting on essential oil yield were determined by path coefficients analysis. The results indicated significant variation among populations for morphological traits. Cluster analysis divided individual plants into four independent groups corresponding to their geographical origin. The mean oil content was varied between 1.53-4.28% among populations. Path coefficient analysis showed that, among studied traits, inflorescences length and leaf length had highest direct effect while, bract length and plant height had highest indirect effect on the percentage of oil. Finally among the studied populations, population of Ilamis was suitable to be used in breeding and domestication programs due to good growth performance, adaptability to stress conditions and within population variation.

The forage yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is reduced by the attack of alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyll.) in most regions of the world, especially in Hamedan. In order to evaluate the resistance to this insect pest, 30 genotypes of alfalfa were studied in Hamedan using the completely randomized design (CRD). The results of the analysis of variance of all the studied traits showed a highly significant variability of all traits in genotypes. There was a significant difference in leaf greenness, pest damage percent, Plant height at the time of damage and percent of dry material at the level of 1% probability. This difference was significant for dry forage yield at the level of 5% probability. The results of the analysis of correlation showed a significant and positive correlation (P=0.695**) between the pest damage percent and larvae number at the level of 1% probability. In the stepwise regression for fresh forage yield, dry forage yield and dry material percent entered the model, respectively. These traits justified most of the changes in fresh forage yield with the cumulative contrast coefficient of 99.58%. Other studied traits did not have any significant influence on the model. With regard to the results of the present study, Karaj 2122 and Bami103, can be recommended as the optimum population, which are resistant to pests and suitable for cultivation in Hamedan.

Fertilizer management is most important factor in success of plants crops cultivation. Application of biological fertilizers is important in production of these plants with the aim of elimination or significant reduction of chemical inputs and also increase of soil fertility and improvement of plant growth and quality. An experim was conducted to study the response of some qualitative characteristics of forage sorghum to biological, chemical, and manure, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included three biofertilizers and their combination and vermicompost and chemical fertilizer as follow: 1- mycorhhiza arbuscular species Glomus moseae vermicompost, 2- mycorhhiza nitrocsin (included bacteries Azospirillum sp. and Azotobacter sp.), 3- mycorhhizaarbuscular Rhizobium (Rhizobium sp.), 4-mycorhhizaarbuscular Chemical fertilizer NPK, 5- mycorhhizaarbuscular (Glomus moseae) and 6-control. In this experiment, although the treatments have not significant effects on ash, NDF and ADF, however, crude protein, dry matter digestibility as well as organic matter digestibility were affected by experimental treatments. The results showed that the percent of crude protein (15/19 percent), dry matter digestibility (70/12 percent) and organic matter digestibility (72/16 percent) were higher in integrated mycorhhiza and nitrocsine treatment in comparison whit other treatments. The numerical highest percent of ash (9.8 percent) was observed in mycrhhoriza plus vermicampost. In conclusion, the integration of mycrhhoriza and biological nitrocsine had the higher positive impact on forage quality of sorghum. Therefore, it could be concluded that biological fertilizers may be considered as a suitable replacement for a lot of chemical fertilizers consumption in sustainable agricultural systems.

This experiment was carried out with aim of evaluation of phenological traits of main crop and ratoon of rice in cropping system, as split plot in randomized complete blocks design with four replications at Neka, Mazandaran, Iran in 2011 and 2012. Planting systems were chosen as main plots (Conventional, Improved and SRI or System of Rice Intensification) and rice cultivars as sub plots (Sang Tarom, Tarom Hashemi, Neda and Shiroodi). The results showed that in conventional system the growth stage was longer and delay to enter there productive phase led to reduction of paddy yeild of main crop and ratoon. In SRI,create optimal conditions for growth cause to increase yield. The most paddy yield of main crop was produced for Neda and Shiroodi cultivars. Paddy yield of ratoon for Tarom Hashemi cultivar was 7.53 % more than Sang Tarom cultivar. The maximum paddy yield of main crop was obtained at interaction of SRI and Neda cultivar. The most harvest index of main crop was achieved at interaction of SRI and Shiroodi cultivar. The highest harvest index of ratoon crop was observed at interaction of SRI and improved systems for Tarom Hashemi cultivar. Therfore, rice cultivars planting in SRI had the higher efficiencythan improved and conventional systems.

Almond is an economically important species of genus Prunus. Self-incompatibility and less quality fruit are the most important limitative problems for fruit set and cropping in almond. Also, almond is the earliest temperate tree crop to bloom, which limits production in areas with spring frosts. One of the main breeding objectives for almond is finding or production of late-flowering cultivars. Thus, this study was conducted in 90 seedling genotypes of almond for finding self-compatible and late-flowering genotypes. Results of the first experiment showed that five genotypes including No. 30, 42, 56, 63 and 82 were semi-self-compatible. Results of the second experiment showed that the considered genotypes had significant differences in flowering time; so that flowering time varied from March 12 to March 30. Flowering time of 10 genotypes (No. 13, 14, 19, 31, 58, 62, 63, 76, 80 and 82) ranged from 25 to 30 March, which were known as late to very late flowering genotypes. Furthermore, flowering time for 33 genotypes were recorded from 20 to 24 March and they clustered as late flowering genotypes. These two groups can be used as parents in breeding programs or after evaluation of vegetative and fruit traits for cultivation in commercial orchards. According to results of the third experiment, 13 out of 43 late flowering genotypes including No. 3, 6, 13, 14, 23, 43, 57, 62, 63, 71, 77, 80 and 82 were the best genotypes in terms of consistent high fruit set, large nut, large kernel and high kernel percentage and can be singled out for cultivation in orchard.

In order to evaluate the comparison of different methods, to evaluate of wheat cell sap electrical conductivity under water deficit stress with spectrophotometer unit, this study was carried out in field of Arak Payam Noor University in 2009. A split-plot arrangement of treatment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Water stress (I0= Control irrigation, I1, I2, I3 = Irrigation about 85, 70 and 55% plant requirement water, were assigned in the main plots and different levels of zeolite application (Z0= without zeolite application, Z1, Z2, Z3, 3, 6 and 9 ton ha-1) in sub plots. Each sub plot consisted of 4 rows, 5 m long with 50 cm between rows space and 5 cm between plants on the rows. In this study characteristics such as: grain yield, absorption of spect in control treatment, absorption of spect in methanol treatment, absorption of spect in asetone treatment, absorption of spect in manithol treatment, absorption of spect in 50 degree water and absorption of spect in 60 degree water were assessed. Results indicated that (Irrigation about 70% of plant requirement water without zeolite application) with average rate of absorbtion by spectrophotometer (67.90%) and (Irrigation about 85% of plant requirement water 9 ton ha-1zeolite application) with average (33.67%) were significantly superior to the other treatments.

In order to investigate the effect of cadmium and zeolite on vegetative growth of cress and radish a factorial experiment carried out in a completely randomized design with 3 replications at Research Station of Tabriz University. Cadmium as the first factor at 5 concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg soil) from cadmium sulfate and zeolite (Klinoptiolite, Sabzevar) as the second factor with two levels (0 and 1% w/w soil) were studied. The result showed that cadmium significantly affected dry and fresh weight and leaf area of cress and root weight, length and diameter and leaf fresh and dry weight of radish. Zeolite only affected cress leaf area and fresh weight significantly. Treatment with 40 mg/kg Cd led to decreasing of radish root fresh and dry weight about 38 and 36% respectively. Application of zeolite in the soil improved growth characteristics of radish, whereas this amendment positive effect on cress was not observed. Cress leaf area was increased 2-fold by the addition of zeolite in 20 mg/kg Cd treatment. Cadmium had negative effect on growth characteristics of both plant and its negative effects on some traits was reduced by application of zeolite.

Strawberry is one of the unique small fruits which it’s annual (in glasshouse) and perennial culture has been expanding. This plant is sensitive to salinity. This research was done to investigate the effects of different salinity levels (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mM NaCl) on changes of vegetative and reproductive growth and fruit quality of strawberry in hydroponics system. The experiment was done based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates. The results showed that by increasing the level of salinity, in addition of considerable loss of fresh and dry weight of plant shoot and root parts, leaves number and area also reduced significantly so that the plant yield at different salinity levels of 15, 30, 45 and 60 mM reduced by 20, 42, 45 and 65% respectively compared to control. The salinity stress also resulted in reduced leaf chlorophyll and relative water content, fruit TSS and titratable acidity while the amount of leaf electrolyte leakage, necrosis area and percentage, fruit anthocyanin, antioxidant capacity, phenolic content, proline and firmness were enhanced by increasing the level of salinity. Totally the majority of changes in response to using salinity stress were observed in vegetative and reproductive plant growth, while, changes in the properties of fruit quality was less affected by salinity.

In order to study of nitrogen rates and seed inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on grain weight per plant, chlorophyll content and fertilizer use effeciency of triticale, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research greenhouse University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2011. Factors were: nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 80,160 and 240 kg N ha-1) as urea and seed inoculation with PGPR containing, (without inoculation as control, seed inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum strain OF, Psedomunas putida strains 41 and 9. Results indicated that nitrogen rates and seed inoculation with PGPR had significant effects on grain weight, number of grains per spike, spike length, grain 100 weight, harvest index and grain protein percentage and the other traits. Increasing N fertilization increased grain protein percentage. Maximum of grain protein was obtained in seed inoculation with Psedomunas strain 9.Means comparison of seed inoculation with PGPR× nitrogen rates showed that grain weight at seed inculation with Azospirillum lipoferum× 160 kg N ha-1 was more than application of 240 kg N ha-1× no seed inoculation. Maximum of nitrogen use efficiency was obtained at application of 80 kg N ha-1 in seed inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum. It seems that in order to increasing of grain weight per plant, and some agronomic traits can be suggested that seed inoculation of triticale be applied with Azospirillum lipoferum× application of 160 kg N ha-1.

This research was carried out in order to evaluation effects of chemical thinners (Urea and NAA) on quantitative and qualitative characteristics on 2 peach cultivars (Sun crest and Dixired) in Meshkinshar region. Experiments were carried out based on randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications for 2 years. Treatments were urea (10 and 12%), NAA (15 and 20 ppm) and control trees take place at full bloom stage. Characteristics such as flower abscission, fruit weight, fruit sizes, acidity, TSS and yield were measured. Results showed that effect of different concentrations of urea and NAA on flower abscission, fruit weight, fruit size, acidity, TSS and yield in cultivars were significant. Different concentrations of urea and NAA causes increased flower abscission, fruit weight, fruit size and decreased yield in studied cultivars in comparison with control trees. Mean comparison results showed that urea at 12% treatment had the most effects on flower abscission and such urea 12% had lowest yield in all cultivars. This treatment increased fruit weight and fruit size in all cultivars in comparison to other treatment. Urea 12% had highest and NAA 15 and 20 ppm had lowest acidity in Cv.dixired. NAA at 15 and 20 ppm had the most effects on TSS in comparison other treatments in sun crest peach. The highest yield was obtained from control trees in two cultivars.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants of the mint family that have numerous applications in food, cosmetical and pharmaceutical industries due to its valuable medicinal properties. In this research, the change in essential oil content and composition of fresh leaf and flower of spearmint cultivated in Hamidieh and Shoshtar locations during five months on 2012 were studied. Fresh leaf samples were harvested on May, July, August, September and October. Fresh flower samples were harvested on July, August and September. The essential oil was extracted by Clevenger apparatus base on water distillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Result showed that the harvest time had a significant effect on essential oil content of leaf and flower of both locations. The highest essential oil content of leaf (0.74%) and flower (2.84%) of Hamidieh samples were recorded on July and August, respectively and on August for Shoshtar samples (0.98 and 2.07%). The lowest essential oil content of leaf (0.26 and 0.42%) and flower (1.52 and 1.64%) were observed on May and July for both locations, respectively. In Hamidieh samples, the highest (69.60%) and lowest (51.92%) amounts of carvone of leaf were observed on October and May, respectively and the highest (63.80%) and lowest (53.33%) amounts of carvone of flower were also recorded on September and August, respectively. In Shoshtar samples, the highest carvone amount of leaf (64.03%) and flower (58.95%) was obtained on July and August, respectively and its lowest (60.34 and 54.26%) amount was observed on September. The highest limonene amount of leaf (23.30%) and flower (30.87%) was observed on July and August for Hamidieh samples and on August (20.99%) and September for Shoshtar (28.52%) samples, respectively.

In this study, the effect of spraying with different concentration of ascorbic acid (0, 10 and 20 mM) was examined in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications on the essential oils percentage, antioxidant enzymes, phenolic compounds and their accumulation in plant tissues influenced by arsenic toxicity (0, 40, 80 and 120 mg arsenic kg-1 of soil) with purpose to test whether ascorbic acid application was effective in countering the arsenic toxicity. The experiment was conducted in 2012 at the Zabol University research greenhouse in Zabol, South Iran. Results showed that arsenic pollution decreased essential oil percentage, chlorophyll index, carotenoids, chlorophyll fluorescence; and increase catalase, carbohydrates, ascorbate peroxidase in plant tissues. Application of ascorbic acid especially at concentration of 20 mM, protect plants against arsenic toxicity. Our observations indicated that ascorbic acid spraying at lower concentration might be favorable to improve growth and defense ability against arsenic toxicity in basil though field testing would be required to verify this.

The citrus fruit coating is a common postharvest treatment before storage. It seems necessary to study fruit quality and nutritional value changes in this condition. Orange fruits including, Thomson, Siavaraz (A local cultivar), Moro, and Page mandarin were used in this experiment. Treatments were included control (Non-coating), wax coating (Britex Ti) and storage duration (0, 30, 60 and 90 days). Treated fruits were stored at 5°C for 90 days and some qualitative properties of fruits were evaluated with fruit taken from 0, 30, 60 and 90 days during storage. The results showed that fruit weight loss in non-waxed fruits were higher than wax-coated fruits during storage. Wax treatment only had a significant effect on losses of Thomson cultivar during storage. The peel color indices did not change during storage significantly. No significant differences were observed between coated and non-coated fruits about juice percentage, pH, TA and TSS during storage. The TSS: TA ratio decreased in all cultivars significantly. Wax caused an enhancing in antiradical efficiency (in pulp) during two month storage, but reduced again at the end of storage. Finally, sensory analysis revealed that, waxed fruits had better sense and quality conditions -except of page mandarin- compared with non-coated fruits.