حنیفه سید حاجی زاده

Physical treatments such as laser, gamma, and beta rays can act as effective factors in increasing the growth and germination of plants. In this research, the effect of different treatments including laser, gamma, and beta rays on germination, growth rate, seedling length, plant dry weight, leaf area, leaf number, and chlorophyll content of pot marigold were investigated. The results showed that seed treated with laser, gamma rays, and beta rays produced significant increases in germination, growth rate, seedling length, plant dry weight, leaf area, leaf number, and chlorophyll content. The number of days until germination under the influence of priming treatments decreased by almost 4 days compared to the control (10 days), which belongs to the three treatments of hydropriming (7.6), gamma rays for 5 minutes (5.6) and beta rays for 15 minutes (6.6). However, the highest percentage of germination belonged to seed treatment with gamma for 15 minutes and beta for 10 minutes, which seems to improve the germination speed is one of the reasons for the above responses. Despite the above results, laser treatment for 15 minutes produced the highest seedling length, which was not significantly different from gamma treatment for 15 minutes. Under greenhouse conditions, beta treatment for 15 minutes caused the maximum stem length, which was not significantly different from laser treatment for 15 minutes. These two treatments had the highest plant dry weight and leaf surface index. According to these results, laser and gamma treatment for 15 minutes and beta ray treatment for 15 minutes have the most improvement in the mentioned traits.

Gerbera is the fifth-cut flower in the world, in terms of economic importance, but it has a short lifespan. One of the main problems with this flower, after harvest, is the decrease in the quality and longevity of the flowers, which is affected by the balance between water absorption and water loss. For this purpose, to investigate the effect of melatonin and GABA on increasing the longevity and quality of gerbera, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Vase solutions containing 0.1 and 0.5 mM melatonin, 1 and 5 mM GABA solution, and distilled water were used as a control treatment. The results showed that as the vase life increased, the amount of electrolyte leakage, anthocyanin, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxidase enzyme activity increased in all treatments except for the solutions containing 0.1 mM melatonin and 1 mM GABA, while the amount of fresh weight, carbohydrate, flavonoid, total phenol and protein decreased. The maximum decrease in the relative water content of petals and carbohydrates, as well as the maximum increase in the amount of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage, was observed on the 10th day of the 5 mM GABA treatment. The flowers placed in the vase solution containing 0.1 mM melatonin contained the maximum amount of carbohydrate, protein, total phenol and the maximum activity of the peroxidase enzyme. In general, melatonin in both concentrations of 0.5 and 0.1 mM was the most appropriate treatment, which improved the quality of gerbera-cut flowers compared to the control and other treatments. Therefore, according to the hormonal and antioxidant nature of melatonin, it seems that the application of melatonin in low concentrations can be used as a promising technology at the commercial level in the flower industry.

Salinity is one of the important environmental factors that reduces the growth and performance of plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is one of the most important medicinal and ornamental plants in the country. Considering that the expansion of plants tolerant to salinity stress is one of the important goals of breeding and production programs, in this case a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was done during 2020–2021 in the laboratory of the Department of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, under in vitro conditions on four Damask landraces including Atashi, Bikhar, Chaharfasl and Kashan at 5 salinity levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl and the physiological and biochemical traits of them were evaluated. The results showed that the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Damask landraces caused an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities and compatible osmolytes. The Atashi landrace with high photosynthetic pigments, relative water content, proline, total soluble protein and the highest increase in antioxidant enzymes activity and, on the other hand, the lowest amount of hydrogen peroxide and electrolyte leakage, was more tolerant to salinity compared to other landraces. Compared to other genotypes, the Atashi genotype was the most favorable and tolerant, with the highest optimal level of antioxidant activity and the accumulation of compatible osmolytes, as well as a high concentration of total soluble protein. The tolerance threshold of Atashi landrace to the in vitro-induced salinity was estimated at 75 mM NaCl.

In order to investigate the effects of nanosilicon in salinity stress amelioration in miniature garden rose 'Sanaz' a factorial experiment as a completely randomized design were done with three replications at greenhouse of University of Maragheh in 1399. At the present study for improving in quantitative, qualitative and biochemical traits of miniature garden roses under salt stress (0, 25 and 50 mM NaCl), SiO2-NPs spray were used at different levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg L-1). Results showed that all measured traits were decreased severely at 50 mM salinity compared to controls and the least amount of each parameter were recorded at 50 mM level of salinity. While SiO2-NPs spray at 50 mM salinity caused to preserve chlorophyll index and led to increase in the number of plant leaves (62.4%), maximum florescence (55.4%) and variable florescence (more than 3 folded). Also, SiO2-NPs spray decreased the minimum florescence (44%) at 50 mM salinity. Nanosilicon by stimulating growth and increasing in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes resulted in a decreased lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde amount and, subsequently decreased oxidative stress in plant cells. Spray of nanosilicon under salinity stress, increased the amount of proline and decreased the oxidative damage to the protein. It seems that according to the present results foliar application of SiO2-NPs especially at 200 mg L-1 under salinity stress can be recommended in garden roses.

Damask rose is one of the oldest and most valuable rose varieties that to some extent, tolerates water deficiency. However, the selection and identification of genotypes that are more tolerant to drought stress will be effective in development of cultivation of the plant. In this case, an experiment was performed under in vitro conditions using polyethylene glycol at five levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 g L-1) on four genotypes of Damask rose (Maragheh, Urmia, Pakdasht and Kashan) and the tolerance of genotypes to drought stress was measured based on water relations traits of the plant via response surface method (RSM). Results showed that as the severity of drought stress increased, the percentage of dry matter was increased in genotypes of Maragheh, Urmia and Kashan compared to the control. At concentration of 100 g L-1 PEG, Maragheh genotype had the highest fresh and dry weight, total chlorophyll, chl a and chl b and the lowest leaf number and height compared to the other genotypes. Carotenoid contents in Urmia and Maragheh genotypes were higher in 100 g L-1 PEG than other genotypes. As water deficiency increased, leaf water content in Maragheh, Kashan and Urmia genotypes decreased. Maragheh genotype with high values ​​of relative leaf water content, on the other hand, with a decrease in water moisture reduction, relative water loss and saturated water deficiency, showed a better protection mechanism against drought stress than the other three genotypes. After Maragheh genotype, Pakdasht genotype was partially resistance to drought stress up to 75 g L-1 polyethylene glycol.

Essential oil of Iranian damask rose has a high quality because of the desired climatic and growing conditions.  Plant genotype as well as climatic conditions by affecting the amount of rose water, essential oils and the other by-products increases its economic value. In the present study, a RCBD design was conducted to investigate the morphology and phytochemical characteristics of six damask rose landraces, collected from east Azerbaijan province. Investigated landraces showed a significant difference among morphological traits. According to morphological characteristics landraces were grouped in two distinct classes including, with thorn and without thorn. Qazi Jahan, Nadilu and Kharaju landraces (without thorn) were the most suitable ecotypes in terms of flower yield and growth. Interestingly, the fresh and dry weight of petals, buds and flowers and number of buds per branch as well as essential oil content had a positive and significant correlation with flower yield. Essential oil analysis showed that citronellol, geraniol and n-nonadecane were the major components of rose landraces. The amount of citronellol in genotypes with thorn wild was higher than others. On the other hand, n.nonadecane was the dominant components in genotype without thorn. Our results demonstrated that there are significant differences among two classes of genotypes (with/without thorn) in terms of essential oil quality and flower yield. Among the 16 morphological traits in addition to yield and the percentage of essential oil, petal fresh/dry weigh, flower fresh weight, petal length/width and number of petals were important indices that influenced yield and percentage of essential oil of damask rose. There was a significant difference in odor of thorny landraces with the others without thorn. There was no significant difference in leaf length and width and number of branches per area between different landraces. These differences introduce a new variety of damask rose for breeding program and industry.

After peaches and plums, apricots are the third most important product of stone fruits, which is popular among consumers because of having high levels of antioxidants. But it is a climacteric and perishable fruit. Using of essential oils in maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables has a high potential as an alternative to artificial preservatives dangerous to health. Recent advances in nanotechnology, and particularly nano encapsulation of essential oils, is able to overcome existing difficulties.so a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design on apricots in three replications to investigate the effect of nano encapsulated rosemary on physico-chemical properties of fruit during storage.Results showed the amount of fresh and dry weight as well as the percentage of dry matter of fruit decreased during storage and it was more in control fruits than treated ones. The amount of carotenoids and anthocyanins increased rapidly in control fruits compared to treated fruits from the 20th day of storage. the highest amount of phenols are related to harvest day and had a decreasing trend until the end of the storage, so that fruits treated with 1000 mg / L nano encapsulated rosemary had more phenol than the control and other treatments. They also had the highest amount of vitamin C and total carbohydrates at the end of storage, despite their decreasing trend. Fruits treated with rosemary nano encapsulated rosemary had higher antioxidant activity than control at the end of storage. During storage the amount of hydrogen peroxide and the activity of enzymes guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase increased. At the end of storage period, fruits treated with 1000 mg / L nano encapsulated rosemary had the lowest amount of hydrogen peroxide and the highest activity of enzymes guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, while this trend was opposite in controls.

Adiquate fertilization of fruit trees after harvest will increase fruit yield and quality in coming year. To investigate the effects of potassium sulphate (0, 50, 100 and 150 g) and iron chelate (0, 10, 20 and 30 ml) on fruit quality after harvest, a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design study was performed on apple ̔ Red Delicious ̓ with 3 replications and traits such as firmness, total soluble solids, titrable acidity, anthocyanin and phenole in flesh and skin, total carbohydrate, dry matter percentage, prelim index and concentration of some macro and micro elements of fruit were measured. The Results showed that trees fertilized with 50g of potassium sulphate and 30 ml iron chelate had firmer fruits and more soluble solids. Also the effect of potassium on increasing anthocyanin in fruit skin was more than iron. Despite the decreasing trend in phenol content during storage, potassium Sulphate fertilizer had the greatest effect on increasing the amont of phenol in skin and flesh and even maintaining it during storage compared to the control. On the other hand, with increasing in the amont of iron chelate, the amont of phenols in fruirs decreased. The acidity of fuits in treatments treated with different concentrations of iron was higher than control fruits. Inceasing storage time caused a significant increase in total carbohydrate. Other quality traits decreased were decreased significantly during storage. In Genral, treatment of with 50 and 100 g of potassium sulphate alone or in combination with 10 ml of irone chelate had a good effect on the studied tratis.

Water imbalance and vascular occlusion are two serious factors in sort lasting of cut gerbera. In order to evaluate the potentials of essential oils as an alternative to chemicals in the protective solution, a factorial experiment has been conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments contain 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (0, 100 ppm) and thyme and savory essential oils (250, 500 ppm). Preservative solutions include distilled water and 8-HQS, both considered as the controls. Every day in a week, in addition to evaluating flower longevity, physiological parameters, plant water relations, and bactericidal population are measured. Results show that the protective solution with 250ppm of thyme essential oil offer 8.6 days longer vase life than the control. The 500ppm savory displays the best performance to protect the petal membrane stability, compared to both controls (distilled water or 8-HQS) at the end of the experiment. Gerbera petals, treated with thyme essential oil at 250 ppm, are fresher, having higher water content than other treatments, even in comparison with 8-HQS. During longevity, anthocyanin and dry matter have had an increasing trend with the Tss, showing a decreasing trend. The antibacterial properties of the essential oils have been significantly established in respect to the desired results of growth controlling of the microbial population in the preservative solution, even compared to 8-HQS, so it seems that the essential oils are a good alternative for antibacterial chemicals and can even reduce the harmful environmental side-effect of conventional preservative.

The presence of cadmium in the soil is a major threat to plant growth and productivity. Plants often accumulate cadmium in their edible part, reducing the yield and quality of the product. In order to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of potassium (100, 200 and 300 mg L-1) under different levels of cadmium (0, 2 and 4 mg L-1) stress in tomatoes and potassium efficiency in reducing stress effects, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design was carried out with 3 replications. The results showed that with raising the cadmium concentration, malondialdehyde content, hydrogen peroxide content and guaiacol peroxidase activity were increased. The interaction effect of cadmium and potassium on the Fe concentration in the fruits and Zn concentrations in the leaves and fruits of tomatoes was not significant; however, the use of each of them alone had a significant effect; so, potassium consumption increased the concentrations of Fe, Zn and K in the fruits and decreased the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. The results of greenhouse experiments showed that the use of potassium nitrate fertilizer improved the efficiency of the plant phytoremediation in reducing the cadmium stress, although it is necessary to continue research in the field.

Strawberry is highly perishable with huge post-harvest losses. So preserving quality and increasing in storability by using of safe compounds is important. In this case, the effect of salicylic acid and GABA (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) as a factorial experiment in completely randomized design were analyzed on longevity and qualitative and biochemical traits of strawberry during 7 and 14 after cold storage. results showed that all combined treatments and also GABA except for salicylic acid prevented the pH of juice to increase. The lowest amount of soluble solids was observed in Combination of GABA and salicylic acid (0.5 and 1mM) and the most effective treatment in maintaining vitamin C related to GABA 0.5mM. Combined treatments of salicylic acid and GABA (0.5 mM) and salicylic acid 1mM and GABA 0.5mM have the most effect on maintaining titrable acidity and total phenol content, respectively.  The highest activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme was observed in combination treatments of salicylic acid and GABA (0.5mM). The effect of salicylic acid on poly phenol oxidase and catalase activates were more than GABA. Treatment of fruits with salicylic acid and GABA significantly increased the antioxidant activity compare to controls as fruits treated with salicylic acid and GABA (0.5 and 1 mM) have the most antioxidant activity. Treatment with salicylic acid and GABA have more potential in preserving marketability of strawberry because of better maintaining qualitative and biochemical characteristics and also reducing water loss of fruits surface.

Edible coatings have been used to preserve, improve the quality and increase longevity of fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two types of edible coatings on based natural gum on qualitative attributes and storage life of grape cv. Hosseini as a factorial experiment and completely randomized design. Fruits were immersed in Arabic gum (0, 5, 10 and 15 concentrations) and Almond gum (0, 3, 3.5 and 4 concentrations) in tree sampling times (at harvvest, 15, 30 and 45 day).  All treated fruits were stored in a cold storage in 1±0.5 °C and 95% RH for 45 days. Every 15 days, the percentage of weight loss, firmness, ripening index (TSS/TA), total phenol, vitamin C, amount of photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrate and antioxidant activity of the skin and flesh of berries were measured. The results of the present study showed that coated samples had lower weight loss and better firmness than uncoated samples. Also, coated fruits could be able to preserve vitamin C, total phenol, pigments and antioxidant activity of the skin and flesh of berry better and the amount of TSS/TA and total carbohydrates increased lower than control samples. It is concluted that the concentrations of %5 Arabic gum and %3.5 Almond gum had a significant defference in most of the parameters with other concentrations and the qualitative and sensual attributes of berry could be preserved better than other treatments and extended fruit storage life.

Fertilization is one of the most important management tools in horticulture playing an important role in nutrition of fruit trees in order to improve the yield and quality. A factorial randomized complete block design experiment with 3 replications was conducted to investigate the effects of potassium sulphate (0, 50, 100 and 150 g/tree) and iron chelate (0, 10, 20 and 30 ml/tree) during Red Delicious apple tree growth. Some traits including branch length, chlorophyll index, fruit length and width, fruit weight, fruits number, leaf area index and concentration of some nutrients in leaves were measured. The results showed that potassium sulfate and iron chelate improved all growth traits. Potassium sulfate and iron chelate showed a positive and significant increase in yield. With increase in concentration of potassium sulfate, the amount of phosphorus and potassium in leaves was increased, while iron chelate decreased the amount of phosphorus. The highest amount of magnesium was observed in the absence of potassium sulfate treatment and treatment with 30 cc of iron chelate. The highest amount of iron was observed in the case of treatment with 20 and 30 cc of iron chelate with no potassium sulphate application. Also, with the application of potassium sulfate fertilizer, the amount of calcium and copper in the leaves was decreased. Fertilization had no significant effect on the concentration of nitrogen, zinc and manganese in the leaves.

One of the most important characteristics of fruit crops is susceptibility to decay and quality reduction during storage life. Crops with higher antioxidant capacity are tolerant to stress and have greater nutritional quality and storage life. Hence, to investigate the antioxidant capacity of two grape cultivars Ghezel uzum and Red hosseini a factorial experiment with 3 replications was carried out as a Randomized complete block design. Results showed that the percentage of weight loss in Ghezel uzum cultivar was 1.5 fold greater than Red hosseini cultivar. Berry quality traits such as total soluble solids, pH, the amount of electrolyte conductivity and fruit taste index were increased while titrable acidity, carotenoid, chlorophyll a and b, anthocyanin, vitamin C, total phenol and the amount of antioxidant activity were decreased during storability in both cultivars. Ghezel uzum had more carotenoids than Red Hosseini (2.6 fold) but the extent of decreases in pigment concentration in Red hosseini was lesser than that of the other cultivar. In contrast the amount of antioxidant capacity (88.20% and 17.38% in skin and pulp, respectively), total phenol (204.4 and 2.11 mg 100gFw-1 in skin and pulp, respectively) and chlorophyll a and b (1.13 and 3.9 µg Kg-1, respectively) was greater in Red Hosseini cultivar compared to Ghezel uzum cultivar. It may be concluded that the Red hosseini cultivar has a greater capability in preserving its quality characteristics at the end of storage life, compared to other cultivar.

Plants often accumulate cadmium (Cd) in their edible parts that causes a decrease in crop yield and quality. In order to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of potassium (100, 200 and 300 mg/L) in tomatoes under Cd stress (0, 2 and 4 mg/L) and its efficiency in reducing stress effects, a factorial experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design with 3 replications. Results showed that application of Cd significantly increased Cd concentration in fruits. Existence of Cd in nutrient solution significantly decreased fresh and dry weight of fruit, firmness, titratable acidity, and finally yield. Also, the negative effect of Cd stress on fruit titratable acidity and firmness was neutralized by increasing the potassium (K) level. Potassium caused an increase in total soluble solids and color by affecting a* color parameter and fruits had more red color and ripeness. The treatments had no significant effect on fruit pH and pericarp thickness

Since the quality and vase life of cut flowers is seriously related to the pre and postharvest factors, so a lot of efforts have been done for increasing quality and longevity of them using different methods and compounds. In the present project, the factorial experiment was done based on Completely Randomized Design to study the effect of pre and post-harvest salicylic acid application on storability of Lilium. Solutions with 0, 50, 100 and 200 μM concentrations of salicylic acid were sprayed on flowers and their cut flowers were placed in the same solutions after harvest. Results showed the positive effects of 50 and 100 μM concentrations of pre and postharvest application of salicylic acid on the increase of bud number and delay in antioxidant enzyme activity reduction and also its trend was slow compared to control. Salicylic acid treatment had no significant effect on total protein in 5 developmental stage of flower and the level of hydrogen peroxide had an increasing trend, but to a lesser extent than controls. Pre and post application of salicylic acid with increasing in cell antioxidant capacity and also water balance regulation in plant, caused to extend in vase life of Lilium cut flowers in comparison with control. Due to spread of harmful chemical compounds in preservative solutions, the mentioned composition had more potential for applying in Easter lily greenhouses, flower retailers and home.

Todays, contamination of agricultural soils by different ways of salinity is increasing as a result of human and environmental factors that would reduce yield and quality of agricultural crops. However, there are some plants that can tolerate some degrees of salinity. Tomato is one of the horticultural crops, moderately sensitive to salinity even that salinity can improve its quality. So, a study was conducted using four varieties of tomato under normal and salt stress (3, 6 and 9 dS m-1) hydroponic conditions to evaluate tomato quality. The results showed that increasing in salinity improves the quality and taste of tomato with a reduction in pericarp thickness, fresh weight and total protein. However, when the degree of salinity exceeds 6 dS m-1, a significant difference was observed in fruit yield which was variety dependent. Also, there is a significant difference between salt tolerance, performance, and taste of different varieties. Furthermore, it is found that the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and catalase enzymes increased as well as an increase in the level of salinity. Tomato cv. Super Chief with the highest number of fruits per plant, high level of proline as well as catalase activity, has the best performance against salinity levels of soil and was more resistant to salinity than other varieties. Also, tomato ‘Super Chief’ had the highest taste index with a slightly decline in the yield. Salt stress tomatoes have more carotenoid than controls but the level of 9 dS m-1 salinity was not tolerable by all varieties.

Regarding the increasing demand for table grapes consumption, the restrictions in maintenance postharvest life lead to decreas storage life and shelf life of the produce. Salicylic acid plays an important roles in decreasing the adverse effects of biotic and/ or abiotic stresses such as low temperatures. In order to study the effect of salicylic acid treatment in preserving quality of "Soltanin" table grape,  a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with salicylic acid at 1, 2 and 4 mM, washing with distilled water and without washing (control) with 3 replications. After treatment, grapes were stored at 1 ˚C and 90% RH during 6 weeks and quality attributes were evaluated every once a week. The results showed that salicylic acid reduces some the chilling injuries and maintains fruit quality. Also, treatment with salicylic acid enhanced proline content, total carbohydrates and decreased the activity of gauiacol peoxidase enzyme and H2O2 content. Treatment with 4 mM salicylic acid showed the highest total carotenoids after 2 weeks of cold storage. But according to the results, salicylic acid at 2 mM significantly extened the shelf life of "soltanin"  table grape.

Ethylene as a plant hormone plays a major role in senescence and loss of fruit quality and shelf life of apples. In order to maintain quality and increase storability of Golab Kohanz apples, an experiment was conducted in split factorial design with four replications. Treatments were threee different storage temperatures (1, 4 and 20 °C), gas combinations with two levels (2% CO2 + 3% O2 and 4% CO2 + 1% O2) and two types of polymeric films (polyethylene and polypropylene). The flesh firmness, total soluble solids (TSS). Electrolyte conductivity (EC), pH, terrible acidity (TA), TSS/TA and rate of ethylene production were measured in 14 days intervals. The results showed that ethylene production rate at 1°C was lower and the packed fruits under 1°C with gas combination of 1% O2 + 4% CO2 and polypropylene film maintained TSS, TA, TSS/TA and tissue firmness values compared to other treatments. pH and TSS/TA of fruits showed an increased trend, while TSS and TA decreased through the storage of fruits. The changes of quality factors occurred with slower rate than controls. The results indicated that modified atmosphere packaging has led to extension of storability and retardation of softening rate in fruits compared to controls