فصلنامه فرآیند و کارکرد گیاهی
سال یازدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 50، مهر و آبان 1401)

Salinity of soil and water is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world. Medicinal plants are one of the most valuable resources in a wide range of natural resources in Iran which if scientifically recognized, cultivated, developed and exploited properly can play an important role in public health, job creation and non-oil exports. Therefore, this experiment was performed on farm of Isfahan University of Technology and A factorial randomized complete block design was used for performing this experiment. Four levels of salt treatment (i.e. 0, 40, 80, and 120 mM NaCl) were applied on two genotypes from each of the three species of fennel, ajwain, and anise in three replications. Chlorophyll a and b, leaf starch, sodium and potassium concentration and their ratios, phenolic compounds, H2O2, grain yield, 1000-grain weight, root and shoot dry weight as well as height were measured. The results showed that salinity levels had different effects on different traits of these three species and their genotypes. With increasing salinity, dry weight of roots and shoots, height, yield, 1000-seed weight decreased, and on the other hand, H2O2 concentration and phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity ramped up with increasing salinity level. Starch was different in the studied species and genotypes, so that the concentration of chlorophyll in fennel genotypes increased to a level of 80 mM salinity and then ramped down, but in the other two species had a decreasing trend: sodium concentration and sodium to potassium ratio with increasing Salinity levels increased and this increase was more noticeable in anise, the potassium concentration in all three species with The increase in salinity decreased, but the largest decrease was related to the anise plant. In general, according to our findings, anise is more prone to damage due to salinity stress, while the salinity tolerance of fennel and alder is comparable, although the salinity tolerance, especially in the latter two species, is subject to genotypic differences.

Germination and seedling establishment are sensitive and important stages in the life cycle of plants that are affected by abiotic stresses, especially drought and salinity stresses. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of osmotic potential (due to sodium chloride and polyethylene glycol) on germination and biochemical indices of Salicornia sinus-persica Akhani spec. nov.Akhani seeds in 2020 in the Agriculture Laboratory of Yasouj University of Agriculture in a completely randomized design with three replications of 50 seeds. A separate experiment was performed in which the first experiment consisted of 13 levels of osmotic potential (zero, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2, -1.5, -1.8, -1.2, -2.4, -2.7, -3, -3.3 and -3.6 MPa) which were made of polyethylene glycol and the second experiment included 13 salinity stress levels with osmosis similar to the first experiment (zero, 62, 122, 187, 249, 311, 368, 435, 498, 560, 622, 684 and 746  mM) were used to make sodium chloride. The results showed that the trend of salicornia seed germination indices in salinity and drought stresses had a constant trend up to the level of about -1.2 (249 mM) and -0.6 MPa, respectively, and then with a decrease in the osmotic potential of germination percentage, root and stem length, root and shoot dry weight and seedling vigor length and weight index showed a decreasing trend so that the slope of this decreasing trend was higher in drought stress compared with salinity stress. From osmotic potential of 1.2 MPa onwards, in salinity thirst, seed biochemical parameters such as proline content, malondialdehyde content and sodium element increased whereas potassium element decreased and in drought stress, proline and malondialdehyde content showed an increasing trend. In general, Salicornia seeds were more sensitive to drought stress than salinity stress.

Rose with scientific name Rosa hybrida is one of the important ornamental plants and one of the 10 top cut flowers in the world. To investigate the effects of foliar application of sodium nitroprusside (as nitric oxide source) and putrescine on some growth and flowering characteristics of Rose ‘Avalanche’, an experiment was conducted  as a factorial trial in a completely randomized design with two factors including: sodium nitroprusside in four concentrations of control, 50, 100 and 200 μM and putrescine in four concentrations of control, 1, 2 and 4 Mm with 3 replications under soilless conditions in the greenhouse as well as in pots for 4 months. The results showed that 50 μM sodium nitroprusside ramped up chlorophyll index and guaiacol peroxidase activity (to 2 times). Also, with concomitant use of 50 μM sodium nitroprusside together with 4 mM putrescine, it increased the flowering stem length and vase life up to 20%. Also, application of 100 μM sodium nitroprusside together with 1 mM putrescine caused an increase in hydrogen peroxide activity and diameter of flowering scape. Among different concentrations of putrescine, a concentration of 1 mM caused an increase in anthocyanin content of leaf and flower. Also, 200 μM sodium nitroprusside along with 1 and/or 2 mM putrescine decreased ion leakage and hydrogen peroxide content in all of the sampling days. In general, it was found that sodium nitroprusside and putrescine had a positive and favorable effect on the improvement of growth and post-harvest indices, but the effective concentration varied depending on the type of index.

The use of growth regulators and light quality change are two methods to improve plant performance. Therefore, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. Factors included three light modes (greenhouse light (control) and LED combination light of white: red: blue as 70: 10: 20 and 40: 40: 20 ratios) and gibberellic acid in four concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/l). At the stage of cotyledon emergence, the seedlings were exposed to LED and greenhouse light for 4 months. Gibberellic acid was sprayed on the leaves three times from the end of the third growing month. Based on the results, in the 6- to 8-leaf stage, the highest amount of trapped energy flux (TR0 / RC) was related to greenhouse light and the highest electron transfer flux in each reaction center (ET0 / RC) was observed at the lowest concentration of gibberellic acid (zero) in greenhouse light. The lowest light fluorescence intensity at 50 μs and 2 milliseconds (F0 and Fj) at the lowest gibberellic acid concentration under 40: 40: 20 and the lowest light fluorescence intensity at 60 ms, variable and maximum fluorescence (Fi, FV and Fm) were obtained in the same light regime. The highest content of chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll was obtained in 40: 40: 20 light mode and the highest amount of root fresh and dry weight, root length and volume in the greenhouse and the highest leaf area in the greenhouse and a concentration of 40 mg/l gibberellic acid were observed. Although the use of LED light regimes and high concentrations of gibberellic acid was beneficial in improving some physiological traits and fluorescence indices, in general, natural greenhouse light was sufficient for growing Cyclamen in the seedling production stage.

Tillage methods are among the most successful factors in agriculture that have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of agronomic plants. To evaluate different tillage methods and urea fertilizer with nitrapyrin on total chlorophyll content, grain protein, yield, and yield components of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, an experiment was conducted as split factorial in the randomized complete blocks with three replications in the Research farm Nuclear Science and Technology in 2017-2018. Experimental treatments included conventional and minimum tillage, fertilizer treatments at three levels of 0, 150 kg urea ha-1 and 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitrapyrin nitrification inhibitor and wheat cultivars (Valfajr and Roddasht). The highest biological yield (14334 kg ha-1) and leached nitrate were obtained in minimum and conventional tillage. The highest plant height, leaf dry weight as well as nitrogen harvest index were observed in conventional tillage and Valfajr cultivar (90.7 cm), minimum tillage and 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitropyrin (287.07 g m-2) and conventional tillage and 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitropyrin (41.63 kg kg-1), respectively. The highest leaf area index (3.79) and leaf dry weight (309.4) were observed in Ruddashr cultivar and 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitropyrin. The highest grain protein (13.4%) and nitrogen harvest index (41.55 kg kg-1) were observed in Ruddasht cultivar and 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitropyrin. The interaction effect of tillage system, fertilizer and cultivar showed that the highest total chlorophyll content was obtained in the minimum tillage, treatment of 150 kg urea ha-1+ nitropyrin and Ruddasht cultivar. Minimum tillage, 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitropyrin and Ruddasht cultivar obtained the highest grain yield (6563 kg ha-1) and harvest index (41.9%). According to the results obtained from grain yield, grain protein, and biological yield, in minimal tillage, Ruddasht cultivar and simultaneous application of urea + nitropyrin are recommended.

This study was performed to compare some physiological and molecular responses of lemon balm to osmotic stress imposed by drought and salinity stresses with equal osmotic potential in hydroponic culture. Growing lemon balm plants in hydroponic culture were treated with drought and salinity stress using polyethylene glycol 6000 and sodium chloride for 14 days. Then, seedlings were sampled to evaluate the amount of photosynthetic pigments, proline, phenolic compounds, malondialdehyde, ion leakage percentage, phenylalanine ammonialyase activity and the amount of rosmarinic acid. Also, the expression of phenylalanine ammonialyase and rosmarinic acid synthase genes was examined by real-time PCR. This experiment was performed as a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that photosynthetic pigments, phenolic compounds, free proline, malondialdehyde, ion leakage, enzyme activity and relative expression of phenylalanine ammonialyase gene, relative expression of rosmarinic acid synthase and rosmarinic acid content affected by drought and salinity stresses at one percent level of probability. Also, a significant reduction in photosynthetic pigments was observed in drought and salinity stresses. The phenolic compounds content in plants under salinity stress increased compared to the plants under drought stress and untreated. The increase in free proline in plants under drought and salinity stresses was 11% and 25%, respectively. The amount of malondialdehyde and the percentage of ion leakage in plants under drought and salinity stress increased compared to the control plants. Relative gene expression and phenylalanine ammonialyase activity increased in salinity stress. Increasing the relative gene expression of rosmarinic acid synthase in drought and salinity stresses increased rosmarinic acid content by 42 and 60% compared to untreated plants. According to the results, lemon balm responded differently to drought and salinity with iso-osmotic potential. In another words, the plant had a better response to osmotic stress induced by salinity than drought with more increase in proline, phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid contents, relative gene expression and phenylalanine ammonialyase enzyme activity.

In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid and cycocel under drought stress conditions on agronomic and biochemical properties and essential oil of lemon balm, an experiment as a factorial split-plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in northwest of Yasuj province during 2019 and 2020. Drought stress as the main factor included 35% (control), 70% and 90% field capacity, and the subplots included cycocel (0 and 1000 μM) and salicylic acid (0 and 1 μM). Results showed that foliar application of salicylic acid and cycocel had significant effect on grain yield, essential oil percentage, plant height, fresh and dry weight of shoot and fresh and dry weight of root and the amount of catalase, peroxidase and malondialdehyde enzymes. The highest yield belonged to irrigation treatment after application of 35% moisture along with foliar application with cyclocel and salicylic acid. Also, the most of essential oil yield belonged to irrigation treatment after consuming 70% moisture along with foliar application with cyclocel and salicylic acid. In general, the results showed that foliar application of salicylic acid and cyclocel caused drought resistance in lemon balm, and therefore it is recommended for areas similar to the climatic conditions of the study.

Drought stress is one of the abiotic factors that reduces crop production. The use of biofertilizers can mitigate the negative effects of drought stress and reduce chemical inputs on agricultural systems. In order to investigate the effect of combined management of chemical and biological fertilizers on yield and quality-related traits of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) under different irrigation levels, a split-plot experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with four replications at a research farm University of Kurdistan during 2016 spring. Two irrigation levels (100% and 70% of plant water requirement) were randomized on the main plot. Five fertilizer levels (100% chemical fertilizers, 80% chemical fertilizers + biofertilizers, 60% chemical fertilizers + biofertilizers, 40% chemical fertilizers + biofertilizers, and non-fertilizer application) were randomized on a sub-plot. The results showed that irrigation by 70% of the plant water requirement significantly ramped down plant height (19%), number of capsules per plant (12.1%), number of seeds per capsule (25.1%), 1000-seed weight (0.5). 7%), grain yield (27%), biological yield (21.3%), harvest index (2.2%), phosphorus content (9.5%) and grain potassium (12.1%), essential oil ( 12.1%) as well as oil yield (30.2%). The combination of bio-chemical fertilizers had positive effects on the studied traits. Finally, the highest grain yield was obtained from the combined treatment of 60% chemical fertilizers + bio-fertilizers (798.18 kg ha-1). Due to the positive effects of combining bio-chemical fertilizers on the yield and quality of black cumin, it is recommended to replace the combination of bio-chemical fertilizers instead of using only chemical fertilizers.

Seed dormancy removal by cold stratification is accompanied by the development of gluconeogenic competence. Although hydrogen cyanide can stimulate the germination of many herbaceous dormant seeds and increase gluconeogenesis in long term, its short-term effects on sugar metabolism require further investigation. Accordingly, an experiment in the form of complete randomized design was carried out to compare the effects of cold stratification and hydrogen cyanide on walnut (Juglans regia L.) kernel dormancy release and sugar metabolism. Imbibed walnut kernels were either cold stratified or pre-treated with hydrogen cyanide and changes in lipids, total soluble sugars, non-reducing sugars, starch as well as the activity of aldolase were assessed at two and 10 days after imbibition and compared to those of warm (27 °C) incubated kernels at the corresponding days. Walnut kernels pre-treated with hydrogen cyanide showed germination of about 88%, whereas the figure for warm incubated kernels was 52%. The cyanide-treated seeds before 10 days had lower levels of soluble sugars and starch but on the 10th day, had the greatest starch and highest aldolase activity compared to the cold-stratified and warm-incubated kernels. Lipid mobilization occurred in both warm incubated and cyanide pre-treated seeds but it was undetectable in cold stratified kernels. It was assumed that cyanide stimulates sugar glycolysis in the short term as evidenced by greater aldolase activity and decreased carbohydrate levels and in the next step through the activation of lipid gluconeogenesis leads to starch biosynthesis and the greater germination potential of walnut kernels.

In this research, to study the effect of drought stress on the morpho-physiological traits of two hybrid cultivars of lily, ʻMerluzaʼ and ʻNashvilleʼ, a factorial, completely randomized design-based experiment with four replicates was performed with potted plants in the experimental greenhouses of the department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Khuzestan. The experimental factors included four irrigation levels (irrigation at the rate of 100, 80, 60, and 40% rate of field capacity) and two lily cultivars, ʻNashvilleʼ with yellow, and ʻMerluzaʼ with white flowers. The results indicated that the reduction of irrigation rate had significant impact on the evaluated traits. Stalk height and the number of flowers reduced with the reduction of soil water content, whereas the fresh: dry weight ratio of petal increased. However, no significant difference was found in this trait between 80 and 100% rate of field capacity. The activity of catalase antioxidant enzyme, increased as the irrigation rate decreased, however, this increase in ʻNashvilleʼ was higher than ʻMerluzaʼ. Although with both cultivars, catalase activity and soluble carbohydrate level were higher under drought stress, severe stress at 40% rate of field capacity led to reduced protein content, ramped down catalase activity and diminished rate of soluble carbohydrates. Generally, the results of the present study indicated that although both cultivars well tolerated mild drought stress of 80% rate of field capacity, severe stress at 40% rate of field capacity led to serious damages in both lily cultivars. Also, lily ʻNashvilleʼ cultivar expressed more tolerance than ʻMerluzaʼ cultivar via the mechanisms such as increased carbohydrate content and peroxidase activity that resulted in the reduced peroxidation of lipids.

Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is a perennial herbaceous plant with ornamental and medicinal properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of water-deficit and spraying with salicylic acid, sodium nitroprusside and zinc Nano-oxide on physiological parameters, secondary metabolites and enzymatic activity of sweet violet. Factorial experiment in completely randomized design was performed with two factors; water-deficit stress at 3 levels (55, 65 and 85% of field capacity or FC of pot soil) and sprays including salicylic acid (200 and 300 mg/l), zinc Nano-oxide (1000 and 1500 mg/l) and sodium nitroprusside (200 and 300 μM) in three replications. The results showed that with increasing water-deficit stress, the amount of phenolic compounds, proline and phytol, as well as the percentage of secondary metabolites, antioxidant enzyme activity and plasma membrane stability increased. The highest phenolic compounds (57.07 mg/galic acid/g D.W.) and proline content (52.47 mg/kg F.W.) were obtained in the treatment of 300 μM sodium nitroprusside at 55% of field capacity. The highest activity of superoxide dismutase (1.94 EU/mg/pro./min), catalase (0.198 EU/mg/pro./min) and polyphenol oxidase (0.248 EU/mg/pro./min) were obtained in treatments of 200 mg/l salicylic acid and 200 and 300 μM sodium nitroprusside, respectively, in 55% FC. The highest amount of phytol (2.87%) belonged to the control treatment in 55% of FC. The highest amount of sodium (28.60 mg/kg) and phosphorus (0.60 mg/kg) in control plants in 55% stress and potassium (4.29 mg/kg), iron (306 mg/kg F.W.) and dry matter percentage of shoots (26.23) and roots (27.60) was observes in spraying with 1000 mg/l of zinc nanoparticles in stress 85%, 1500 mg/l zinc oxide in stress 65%, 200 μM salicylic acid in stress 85% and 1000 mg/l of zinc Nano-oxide in 55% stress, respectively. Totally, the use of 200 mg/l of salicylic acid as spray, in addition to improving the growth and developmental conditions of sweet violet, decreased the negative effects of water-deficit stress and increased plant resistance to water-deficit.

Recognition of medicinal plants and their biochemical compounds provides fundamental steps for the optimal use of medicinal combinations and their properties. In this study, the antioxidant activity, quantitative and qualitative of essential oil of Artemisia kopetdaghensis and A. sieberi Besser in Razo Jarglan rangelands located in North Khorasan province were investigated. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH free radicals scavenging assays and the compounds present in the essential oil were studied by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that 34 compounds were identified in the essential oils of Artemisia species including Camphor with 15.83%, Pinocarveol with 11.37% and Borneol with 11.32% in A. kopetdaghensis and Davanone with 18.01%, 1,8-Cineol with 7.85% and Linalool with 5.43% in A. sieberi were the main essential oil compounds in these plants respectively. Essential oil yield percentage was 0.92% in A. kopetdaghensis and 0.11% in A. sieberi. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the most abundant compounds of extracted essential oil which accounted for 71.48% in A. kopetdaghensis and 40.59% in A. sieberi. Regarding the antioxidant properties, A. kopetdaghensis with 83 μg/ml showed more antioxidant capacity than A. sieberi in DPPH free radicals scavenging assays. It seemed that  A. kopetdaghensis had a higher medicinal value due to its essential oil yield and higher antioxidant capacity.

To investigate trunk injection treatment effects on eliminating chlorosis disorder and improving the growth of plane trees (Platanus orientalis L.), an experiment was arranged in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design at Lavark Reasrch Farm, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran, with three replications and four treatments. Treatments consisted of different sources of iron (iron aminolate, iron gluconate, iron citrate, iron sulfate) at six concentrations (0 as control, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1%) for each treatments. The measured traits included photosynthetic pigments, iron content, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf protein content, appearance quality index, relative leaf water content, and electrolyte leakage of tree leaves. The results indicated that trunk injection of iron aminochlate and iron gluconate at 0.75 and 1% concentration had the most significant positive effect on the most of the measured traits compared to the other treatments. Therefore, the use of iron aminochlate and iron gluconate treatments improved the visual appearance of plant trees by increasing the concentration of photosynthetic pigments. The results showed that iron aminochlate and iron gluconate treatments at the level of 0.75% and 1% had the most significant positive effect on the most measured traits compared to the other experimental treatments. Iron aminochlate and iron gluconate treatments improved the appearance of the sycamore tree by increasing the amount of photosynthetic pigments. Also, increasing the concentration of iron used in each treatment in most traits improved the measured characteristics. Based on the results, the interactions of iron aminochlate treatment with a concentration of 1% showed the most significant positive effect compared to the control treatment in the most traits. Therefore, the trunk injection method using aminochlate treatments is recommended to improve different traits in sycamore trees.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a medicinal plant belonging to lamiaceae and is rich in antioxidant compounds. with the aim of optimizing the production of antioxidant compounds, in this research, we studied the effect of different concentrations of silver nanoparticles on growth indices and antioxidant activity of proliferated shoots in vitro culture. For this purpose, seedlings of seed germination in MS medium were transferred for propagation to MS culture medium containing 1 mg / l BAP and 0.5 mg / l NAA. after one month, silver nanoparticles with concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 ppm were added to the culture medium  and growth indices, antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging (DPPH), reducing power (RP) and superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOD) and phenolic and flavonoid compounds compositions of the proliferated shoots at 14 and 28 days intervals were measured after treatment. The results of growth analysis showed that increasing the concentration of silver nanoparticles from 1 to 4 ppm increased growth indices (fresh and dry weight of the plant, shoot and root length, number of leaves and number of shoots). This increase was evident 28 days after treatment. The number of leaves and the number of brancheswere affected more than other indices. The lowest amount of IC50, the highest activity reducing power activity (RP) and superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOD), and the highest amount of phenoli and flavonoid compounds were observed in the treated shoots with a concentration of 1 μg / ml silver nanoparticles for 28 days. Generally higher concentrations of silver nanoparticles for growth indices and its lower concentration is suggested to be useful for the production of antioxidant compounds.

To investigate the effect of quinine seed priming on morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of seedlings, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications at the seed processing laboratory of the Shahed University of Tehran. Experimental factors included two levels of seed age (one-year old and four-year old) and four priming treatments (control without priming, hydro-priming, salicylic acid with a concentration of 50 ppm and potassium nitrate with a concentration of 0.2 wt% by volume). The effect of seed age on all studied traits was significant at the level of 1% probability. With increasing seed age, germination percentage (45.6%), germination rate (63.43%), seedling length (59.21%), chlorophyll a content (53.1%), chlorophyll b content (67.4%), carotenoids (6 56.6%), soluble sugar (55.8%), protein (47%), anthocyanin (62%) and catalase activity (50%) decreased whereas the amount of electrolyte leakage increased by 25.9%. The effect of priming on all studied traits was significant at the level of one percent probability and improved the studied traits. The interaction effect of seed age and priming on some traits was also significant. Priming of four-year-old seeds with potassium nitrate as the best treatment composition increased Germination percentage (52.67%), Germination rate (about 490%), Shoot length (about 430%), Chlorophyll a content (77.4%), Chlorophyll b content (180%), Carotenoids (92.8%), Protein (200%) and Catalase activity (250%) and 40.2% reduction of Electrolyte leakage from the plasma membrane. According to the obtained results, it can be stated that the use of the potassium nitrate priming method can greatly reduce the effects of ageing and seed deterioration.

Since about 20% of the world's arable land and 50% of productions in the world are subject to salinity stress, it affects all stages of plant life from germination to seed production. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity stress on physiological and biochemical characteristics of some wheat cultivars. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was salinity stress at three levels (control, 100 and 150 mM sodium chloride) and the second factor was wheat cultivars (Mihan, Heydari, Saisons and Gascogen). Plants were exposed to stress from two to four leaf stage and normal water was used for control treatment. Sampling was performed 14 days after stress application from treatet and the control samples. The results showed that among the studied cultivars, salinity stress decreased the concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, total protein, and increased prolin, eantioxidant enzyme (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) activities and fresh weight of stems and leaves in Saison cultivar. Also, salinity stress did not have significant effect on the amino acids lysine and methionine. The activity of antioxidant enzymes is a very important defense mechanism and increasing the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes during salinity stress can reduce or prevent oxidative stress. In general, salinity affected wheat cultivars differently, because cultivars deal with salinity stress toxicity using different mechanisms.

Considering the increasing trend of salinity development and the lack of suitable arable lands for agriculture in the world, the use of saline resistant species that reduce the effects of salinity stress in plants is very important. The aim of the present study was, investigation and comparison of morphophysiological and biochemical traits in leaf tissue of two barley cultivars (Aklyl and Zahak) under Salinity stress (0 (control), 150 and 300 mm NaCl). This experiment was performed as a factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications, conducted at the Institute for Biotechnological Research in the University of Zabol in 2021. According to the results of interactions, it was found that salinity stress in both barley cultivars reduced morphophysiological traits such as fresh weight (68%) and dry weight (69%), height (43%), Chlorophyll a (74%), b (78%), total (76%), relative water content of leaves (35%), protein (49%) but increased in soluble carbohydrates (58%), proline (8%), carotenoids (62%) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (73%), polyphenol oxidase (24%) and ascorbate peroxidase (78%) compared with the control treatment. In normal conditions and salt stress (300 mM), Aklyl cultivar compared to Zahak cultivar had the highest amount of chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids, relative content of leaf water, carbohydrates, proline and catalase, while the highest amount of protein and activity of antioxidant enzymes of ascorbate, polyphenol oxidase was related to Zahak cultivar at salinity of 300 mM. As a result, based on the results of the present study, it can be stated that Aklyl cultivar was less affected by salinity stress and had a better reaction than Zahak cultivar.

Selenium and hydrogen sulfide can alleviate the adverse effects of oxidative stress on plants by improving the oxidative defense system. In order to improve the oxidative defense system of garlic under lead and salinity stress by selenium and hydrogen sulfide, a factorial experiment was carried out using selenium and hydrogen sulfide in a completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental treatments included sodium chloride at three levels of zero, 25 and 75 mM, lead at three concentrations of zero, 10-5 and 10-3 M lead nitrate as well as stress ameliorators in three levels (5 mg / L sodium selenate, 200 μm sodium hydrogen sulfide and control). The results showed that with increasing salinity and lead concentration, a significant decrease in root length and dry weight was observed. In the treatment of 10-5 M lead under 75 mM salinity, the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase were 4.44, 11.76 and 10.47%, respectively, and compared to the zero lead stress and 75 mM, salinity was improved with selenium application. In general, sodium selenate and sodium hydrogen sulfide decreased the uptake of lead in root tissue whereas increased the length and dry weight of roots under salinity stress at a concentration of 10-5 M, but at a concentration of 10-3 M lead, this effect was not observed. Overall results showed that the positive effect of selenium on hydrogen sulfide during salinity stress was more evident in reducing the negative effects of lead. It seemed that selenium suppressant improved the growth parameters of garlic roots under salinity stress and low lead concentrations by reducing lead absorption and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

In order to investigate the effect of priming on germination characteristics of aged pumpkin seeds, under salinity stress an experiment was performed as a factorial design in a completely randomized design with 4 replications. Experiment was done in the Seed Science and Technology Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mohaghegh Ardabili University. Treatments included seed deterioration (control, 85% and 75%), salinity stress (zero, 75 and 150 mM), and priming (control, hydropriming, gibberellin, Gr24, benzyl-aminopurine, and spermidine). The results showed that salinity stress and seed deterioration reduced germination percentage, root length, stem length, relative water content (RWC), protein and carotenoids so that salinity treatment of 150 mmol, degree of 75 % seed deterioration  showed the lowest percentage of these traits. Also, the activity of CAT, POX and SOD due to seed deterioration was 75% lower than other treatments. While priming with spermidine was able to significantly increase the amount of these enzymes in conditions of high salinity MDA, which is one of the most important results of stress, decreased under salinity stress and aging, but seed priming decreased MDA sharply, especially in priming with spermidine. In addition, seed priming was able to significantly reduce the effects of salinity stress and seed deterioration so that the percentage of germination and protein in increased gibberellin priming, root and shoot length in priming with Gr24, as well, and RWC and carotenoids in priming Spermidine. Salinity stress applied on deteriorated seeds led to disruption and reduction in physiological traits, while seed priming by different methods led to a reduction and improvement of adverse stresses.

The medicinal shrub, scientifically named Myrtus communis L. is one of the valuable wild medicinal shrubs. The aim of this study was to investigate the essential oil, phenol and flavonoid compositions of this plant in three forest habitats of Zagros. For this purpose, leaf samples were prepared from 20 stands with a distance of at least 15 meters during the flowering season. Then, essential oil extraction was carried out by water distillation using Clevenger apparatus and the content of phenol and flavonoids was measured using Folin-Cocaltive and Aluminum Chloride methods, respectively and Gas chromatography and gas chromatography devices connected to mass spectrometers were used to identify the essential oil compounds. The results showed that the highest content of phenols and flavonoids was related to the habitat of Mal-Agha Khuzestan with an average of 3.048 mg of quercetin per gram of extract and 7.79 mg of gallic acid per gram of extract, respectively. The results also showed that the five compounds of α-pinene, cineole, linalool, alphaterpineol and linalyl acetate were the main and predominant essential oils of this species in all habitats. Findings of this study showed that the environmental characteristics of the habitat, especially altitude, electrical conductivity and organic carbon affect the phenol and flavonoid content