marzieh ghanbari jahromi

Sweet violet (Viola odorata L.) is a perennial and aromatic plant from the Violaceae family that grows in the northern regions of Iran. This research was conducted in order to investigate the biochemical diversity of 10 selected populations of the sweet violet plant in Mazandaran province in 2023 in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications. The habitats included Elimalat, Lavij, Abpari, Noor Forest Park, Sisangan, Namak Abroud, Kalarabad, Imamzadeh Abdullah, Larijan and Khesht Sar. Ten samples were collected from each habitat and traits related to vegetative characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and phytochemical compounds of leaves of each population were evaluated. To categorize populations, cluster analysis (cluster) was performed by Ward's method using SAS statistical software version 9/4. The results showed significant differences in all the morpho-physiological traits across different habitats, so the highest  height and number of leaves were observed in Elimalat, Lavij, and Kheshtsar habitats, the highest diameter of the main and secondary stems, fresh weight and plant dryness, leaf width and surface area, and petiole diameter were reported in Kalarabad and Namak Abroud habitats and then in Kheshtsar. The most photosynthetic pigments of the leaves were evaluated in the habitats of the west Mazandaran (Klarabad and Namak Abroud) and the highest amounts of phytochemical compounds were found in the Larijan habitat which is located at a higher altitude above sea level (4115 m). The cluster analysis of different habitats based on the measured morphological traits and climatic characteristics divided the populations of violet into three separate groups. In general, we can conclude that geographical differences are one of the most important parameters affecting the growth and quality of native plants. Most of the morphological traits, photosynthetic pigments of violet leaves, and secondary metabolites such as total phenol and flavonoids in the studied populations exhibit significant differences. Some of this diversity is attributed to genetic characteristics, while another part is influenced by climatic conditions.

Weeds are one of the main obstacles to production in agricultural systems. The type of nutrient source and fertilizer can affect the density and flora of weeds, in addition to affecting the growth of agricultural plants. In order to investigate the effect of fertilizer sources on the zinia flower, a split-plot experiment was conducted in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications on a private farm in Razavi Khorasan province (Khalilabad) in 2023. The investigated factors include two levels of weed presence and absence as the main factor in two levels (presence and absence (hand weeding)) and fertilizer treatment as a secondary factor in four levels (control (no use of fertilizer), fertilizer NPK chemical (according to soil test), vermicompost (5 tons per hectare), and animal manure (cattle manure) (10 tons per hectare). The results showed that all investigated traits of the Ahar flower showed a significant decrease in the presence of weeds. In the presence of weeds, the number of flowers in the cattle manure treatment was the highest (11.71). The consumption of all three sources of fertilizer caused a significant increase in density and dry weight of weeds, but the highest density and dry weight were observed (23.30 plants/m2 and 10.99 g/m2, respectively) in the treatment with chemical fertilizer. The chemical fertilizer treatment had the lowest competition index (0.79), which can be attributed to the higher weed biomass in this treatment. The highest competition index (1.37) belonged to cattle manure, which had a significant difference from other treatments. Therefore, it is recommended to use cattle manure in the field of weed infestation.

Among the factors that reduce the production of agricultural products, weeds are of particular importance, which lead to huge losses in agriculture. In order to investigate the competition of lambsquarters weed with parsley medicinal plant, a factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a completely random basic design with three repetitions in the greenhouse of Damavand Technical and Vocational School in 1402. Experimental treatments include different levels of weed germination time (7 days before parsley sprouting, simultaneously, 7, 14 and 21 days after parsley sprouting) and plant density (zero, 1 and 2 parsley plants in the pot). The results of the experiment showed that plant height, fresh and dry weight of shoot, yield per unit area (pot), petiole diameter, absorption of nutrients and vitamin C were affected by the time of germination and weed density. The lowest amount of studied traits was observed in the treatment of 7 days, early greening of lambsquarters. The highest percentage of essential oil (0.94%) in the 21-day greening treatment of lambsquarters and the lowest percentage of essential oil were related to the greening time of -7 and 0 days, which were statistically classified in the same category. Also, the highest percentage of essential oil (0.98%) was related to the treatment of zero density of lambsquarters (control), and the lowest (0.64%) was related to the density of lambsquarters 2 plants in a pot. Therefore, it is recommended to plant parsley early so as not to reduce its quantitative and qualitative yield, although weed density should not be neglected.

In order to investigate the effect of biochar and selenium on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) under cadmium stress, a factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse conditions during the years 2022. The experimental treatments include the use of cadmium chloride at three levels (0, 10 and 20 mg/kg), biochar at two levels (0 and 5% of soil) and foliar spraying with sodium selenate at two levels (0 and 20 mg/l). The results of this research showed that cadmium treatment of 20 mg/kg caused a decrease in fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, chlorophyll a, b and total, relative leaf water content and increased activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme and soluble sugar. Phenol increased up to the cadmium level of 10 mg/kg, but decreased at higher cadmium levels (20 mg/kg). By reducing the effect of cadmium stress, selenium and biochar treatments increased the fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots, chlorophyll content, relative leaf water content, and essential oil yield, and decreased the characteristics of superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, soluble sugar, and cadmium accumulation in roots and shoots. The highest amount of essential oil yield (16.93 mg/plant) and percentage of essential oil (0.44%) was observed in the combination treatment of biochar 5% by volume and selenium 20 mg/l. Biochar and selenium improved coriander traits by modulating the effect of cadmium stress.

Ferula gummosa (Barijeh) belongs to the Apiaceae family and is one of the most important pasture, medicinal and industrial plants, whose oleo-gum-resin (galbanum) has a commercial aspect. The essential oil and oleoresin of F. gummosa are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The aim of the present study is to investigate and compare the physicochemical properties of the essential oil obtained from the oleo-gum-resin of two F. gummosa populations from Isfahan and Fars habitats. For this purpose, the oleo-gum-resin of F. gummosa was collected from two areas in Kashan and Fars. The essential oil was then extracted from the fresh oleo-gum-resin by water and steam distillation. The essential oil was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using GC and GC/MS devices. The appearance, physical and chemical characteristics of the essential oil of two populations of F. gummosa, including relative density, refractive index, optical rotation, and phytochemicals of the essential oil were investigated and compared. Based on the results, the essential oil of F. gummosa is a transparent and colorless liquid with a turpentine odour and a distinct green note. The essential oil of two populations of Kashan and Fars has relative density of 0.874 and 0.869, refractive index of 1.4810 and 1.4795, and optical rotation of 11.35° and 23.52°, respectively. The results of comparing the average physicochemical characteristics of the essential oil obtained from the oleo-gum-resin of the two F. gummosa populations from Fars and Kashan indicate that there is no significant difference in the traits of relative density and refractive index, and on the other hand, there is a significant difference in the amount of optical rotation of the two essential oil samples. Based on the essential oil analysis, hydrocarbon monoterpenes including β-pinene (71% and 68.8%), δ-3-carne (9.4% and 5.2%), myrcene (3.9% and 2.4%), α-pinene (3.6% and 3.4%) and limonene (2.4% and 15.6%) were identified as the main compounds of essential oil in two F. gummosa populations from Kashan and Fars, respectively.

One of the main problems of fruit cultivation, especially peaches and almonds, is the lack of the application of the existing clone rootstocks such as the promising hybrid of peaches and almonds and its unavailability due to its propagation in Iran. So the seedling rootstocks are inevitably used. However these rootstocks cause many problems for the growers due to the lack of uniformity. In order to solve this problem, the effect of different concentrations of indole butyric acid on the rooting of hardwood cuttings ‘TF92’ (promising hybrid of peach and almond) was tested in a private sector greenhouse in Karaj equipped with a heating pad during 2019. In this paper, the effect of 4 different levels of indole butyric acid hormone (IBA) 0, 1500, 2500 and 3500 parts per million in solution on hardwood cuttings was studied in a completely randomized design in three replications. The results showed that there was a significant difference between various concentrations of indole butyric acid in terms of the effect on the characteristics of the mode of investigation such as the percentage of rooting, the number of roots formed, the dry weight of the roots, the length of the roots and the length of the resulting branches in the cuttings. Thus the highest rooting percentage (78.45) was found in the indole butyric acid (IBA) hormone treatment with a concentration of 2500 mg L-1 compared to other treatments. Therefore, this method can be recommended as a suitable treatment for the rooting of wood cuttings of this promising emerging rootstock. Also, the highest percentage of rooted plantlets was obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 1 mg L-1 IBA. According to this study, the concentrations of 1 mg L-1 IBA results in the maximum rooting, and it has been suggested as a suitable hormone for in vitro rooting of ‘TF92’.

Drought is the most important environmental stress, which is usually defined as an external factor that has adverse effects in plants. The endangered yew species is very important for human societies for medicinal and ornamental reasons. The roots and leaves of this plant produce biochemical compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins that act as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. The present research investigated the effect of different levels of drought stress (100, 75, 50 and 25% of field capacity) on the growth and biochemical characteristics of the yew plant in a greenhouse environment in three replications in the form of a completely randomized design. In this research, which used 3-year-old seedlings, the fresh-to-dry weight ratio of shoots and roots, chlorophyll a and b and the ratio of these two, the relative content of leaf water, the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, and the percentage and yield of essential oil were evaluated. The results showed that the growth traits and photosynthetic pigments and the relative water content of the leaves decreased with the increase in the severity of drought stress. Of course, the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes increased with the intensity of drought stress. The highest percentage of essential oil was obtained in semi-severe drought stress conditions (50% F.C). With the increase of drought stress up to 25% F.C, the percentage of essential oil decreased. Most of the growth and physiology parameters of yew plant at 75% FC compared to 100% FC were not significantly different, so it seems that this plant shows good tolerance in the condition of 75% FC and has an acceptable yield. Therefore, it is recommended to cultivate this valuable plant in favorable environmental conditions with sufficient water and/or with only in mild stress conditions.

Most molecular genetic tests begin by extracting DNA and RNA. To achieve this, obtaining a suitable, reliable, and repeatable extraction method is of great importance. In this regard, optimization of the extraction of nucleic acids from the Iranian cyclamen plant (Cyclamen coum Miller) and the introduction and expression of housekeeping genes was performed. After collecting plant samples from the three organs of leaf, petal and hypocotyl, modified CTAB and SDS methods were used for DNA isolation and modified Trizol, CTAB-LiCl and RNX-Plus methods were used for RNA isolation. The quality of isolated DNA and RNA was checked by electrophoresis and their concentration was measured with nanodrop. The presence of 18S ribosomal, actin (ACT), tubulin (TUB) and elongation factor (EF-1a) gene fragments was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on the results, the lowest DNA concentration was related to the CTAB method. The DNA concentration and quality of Iranian cyclamen leaf, petal and hypocotyl samples were higher in the modified SDS method than in the CTAB method. The isolation of DNA using the modified SDS method not only had a high purity but also had relatively high performance. According to quality analysis of the RNA isolated from leaf, petal, and hypocotyl samples using Trizol, CTAB-LiCl, and RNX-Plus protocols, all three strategies may be used to isolate RNA from Iranian cyclamen tissues. However, the Trizol method is superior to other methods in terms of high band resolution and RNA concentration. The production of cDNA from RNA isolated from three Iranian cyclamen tissues was successfully performed only by Trizol and RNX-Plus methods. Based on the results, cDNA made from RNA isolated by Trizol method had better quality. To check the efficiency of RNA samples in RT-PCR reaction and the expression of housekeeping genes, RT-PCR test was performed. Based on the results, the presence of the bands related to the housekeeping genes fragment in the electrophoresis stage confirmed the good quality of the produced cDNA and also indicated the high quality of the isolated RNA from the Trizol and RNX-Plus methods. RT-PCR results showed that the expression of actin, EF-1a, 18S and tubulin gene was positive in most Iranian cyclamen organs. Among housekeeping genes, tubulin and 18S genes, had higher band resolution and higher quality in all samples and tissues.

This study systematically investigates the physiological responses of Physalis alkekengi to diverse conditions of salinity stress (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl), coupled with the application of selenium (Se) nanoparticles at concentrations of 25 and 50 mgl-1, as well as silicon (Si) nanoparticles at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg.l-1. The experiment involved a thorough examination of many characteristics connected to biomass, such as antioxidant enzyme activity, fatty acid composition, and elemental content. This analysis was conducted at varying levels of salinity and with the addition of nanoparticles. The findings revealed that exposure to salt stress has a detrimental effect on both plant development and fruit output, leading to changes in vegetative and morphological characteristics. The utilization of Se and Si nanoparticles had a significant alleviating impact on stress caused by salinity. The correlation matrix analysis revealed complex correlations among the examined parameters, emphasizing the interrelated responses of P. alkekengi to environmental stressors and nanoparticle interventions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed the hidden patterns and connections between variables, highlighting the significant influence of biomass-related features, antioxidant enzymes, and fatty acid content on the observed variability. The results of this study enhance our knowledge of the physiological processes that regulate P. alkekengi's reaction to high salt levels. Additionally, it offers valuable information on the possible beneficial impacts of Se and Si nanoparticles in reducing the negative consequences of salinity stress. The study's comprehensive breadth increases its relevance to future research focused on optimizing growth circumstances and strengthening the resistance of P. alkekengi in demanding situations.

To study the effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) on various quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the Albion strawberry, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design was carried out with three replications in a greenhouse located in Damavand county. The first factor was 6-BAP at two levels (control and 100 mg/L) and the second factor was MJ at three levels (control, 100 and 200 µM). Plants were sprayed twice with 6-BAP and thrice with MJ, during the vegetative and the reproductive growth phases, respectively. Application of 6-BAP during the vegetative stage, resulted in production of plants with more and larger leaves and increased crown diameter. The highest fruit count and weight, SPAD, flavor index, total anthocyanin and fruit shelf-life, was related to the 100 mg/L 6-BAP + 200 µM MJ treatment. Using cytokinin combined with each of the MJ concentrations, resulted in significant improvement of the plant yield and fruit firmness compared to the control. Therefore, pre-harvest application of these plant growth regulators can be suggested for increasing production rates, improving the quality, and the shelf-life of this vulnerable fruit and also reducing its waste.

The present experiment was aimed to investigate the improvement of salt tolerance in narcissus by exogenous application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in a factorial complete randomized block design with three replications at the Research Greenhouse, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch during 2019-2020. Experimental treatments included irrigation by saline water at two levels 4 and 8 dS m-1 and control (without saline), as well as SNP (0, 100, 200, and 400 µM). The results indicated that elevated salt stress levels induce oxidative stress, including an increase in the hydrogen peroxide by 82% and malondialdehyde by 118% in plants. Severe salt stress reduced morphological traits, including a 40% decrease in flower longevity on the plant and a 49% decrease in the flowering duration of narcissus compared to non-stress conditions. The salt stress led to the change of antioxidant enzymes activities at different concentrations. The activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme positively correlated with salt treatment and increased up to 23%. While catalase enzyme increased up to 4 dS m-1 treatment by 87% and then decreased at a higher concentration in the leaves. However, SNP reduced oxidative damage in plants by improving antioxidant enzymes, proline and flavonoid content, ultimately, preventing the reduction of plant biomass. Finally, the present study showed that the exogenous application of SNP, especially at a concentration of 200 µM, improved narcissus tolerance to salinity stress by reducing the uptake of Na by 16%, as well as decreasing membrane lipid peroxides by 17%.

In order to select suitable parents for breeding purposes, one must have sufficient knowledge of genetic diversity and germplasm classification. It was for this reason that a study was conducted in 2019 at the Seed and Plant Research Institute in Karaj in order to identify and classify 17 eggplant genotypes based on the randomized complete block design. This stud measured 19 morphological traits such as number of days to flowering, plant height, number of stems per plant, number of nodes, and internodes, weight, and fruit yield as well as total phenol content, total anthocyanin content and glico-aldeid solasonin. The results of the analysis of variance revealed a significant difference for all the traits (p≤0.01). The range of variation showed great genetic diversity among cultivars, which can be useful for different breeding purposes, lower plant height to prevent dormancy. Greater number of stems and flowers are important to achieve higher yield, wherein 13321 genotypes showed lower height among genotypes. Cluster analysis classified the studied genotypes into three groups, and separated white eggplants from colored ones correctly. The PCA also confirmed the results of cluster analysis, showing that the color eggplants had more fruit yield, lower levels of solasonine, and lower days to maturity than white eggplants. However, the color eggplants that were used in this research were breeding cultivars; therefore, the use of breeding methods would be important to improve the quality and quantitative of eggplant genotypes.

Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most dangerous agricultural pests worldwide. Since this mite has the potential to resist a wide variety of chemical acaricides, finding alternative natural sources for its management is suggested. This study estimated the lethal effect of methanol extracts obtained from two Euphorbiaceae plants against female adults after 24 hours using a spray tower. Probit analysis indicated that LC50 values (95% confidence intervals) of Euphorbia helioscopia and E. seguieriana were 4.54 (3.301–6.644) and 11.66 (8.498–21.043) mg/ml, respectively. Phytochemical analysis of both methanol extracts revealed that the total phenolic content, antioxidant rate, and total flavonoid capacity of E. helioscopia were significantly higher than in E. seguieriana (P < 0.05). In addition, HPLC analysis illustrated that rutin and quercetin content in E. helioscopia were 480 ± 0.01 and 2.73 ± 0.01 µg/ml, and in E. seguieriana, those were 230 ± 0.02 and 2.65 ± 0.01 µg/ml, respectively. According to the bioassay results, the methanol extract of E. helioscopia was 2.5 times more harmful than the methanol extract of E. seguieriana. Also, the metabolite contents with toxic activity in E. helioscopia were higher than in the other plant. Therefore, E. helioscopia may have the potential to act as a pesticide against T. urticae.

Drought stress is one of the most prevalent problems that limit the growth and lifespan of plants. Knowing the specifics of plant response to drought stress can be useful in the management and development of plant cultivation. The feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium L.) is ornamental and medicinal plant native to Iran and its cultivation in the landscape seems valuable as a wildflower due to its beauty. The factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of biochar and vermicompost on feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) in loamy soils under drought stress conditions based on a completely randomized design (CRD) in three replicates. The results showed that drought stress caused a decrease in shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, and leaf relative water content (RWC), compared to the control treatment. On the other hand, there was an increase in catalase enzyme because of the drought stress. By improving the soil condition, vermicompost and biochar caused an increase in fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, chlorophyll content, and leaf RWC. However, it decreased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyames. In general, the combination of vermicompost and biochar was the best treatment for enhancing the soil condition and increasing the growth characteristics of feverfew plants under drought stress.

In order to investigate the effect of benzyladenine and a kind of natural phytoncide on various quantitative and qualitative traits related to the marketing value of the strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.) plant a factorial experiment, based on a randomized complete block design was carried out with three replications in the Albion greenhouse, located in Damavand county. The first factor was benzyladenine (6-BAP) at two levels (0 and 100 mg/l) and the second, phytoncide nanoemulsion (PNE) at three levels (0, 0.75% and 1.5%). Young plants were sprayed twice with 6-BAP during the vegetative growth phase and thrice during the reproductive phase with PNE, which was comprised of the essential oils of Pinus nigra and Picea spp. Application of 6-BAP during the vegetative stage resulted in production of more leaves and higher leaf area. Also, 6-BAP increased crown diameter significantly, compared to control plants, and had a positive effect on all the studied traits at the reproductive stage, as well. This kind of cytokinin improved taste and other quality attributes of the fruits, along with plant yield. PNE was effective on increasing the fruit firmness and longevity. Furthermore, it had a significant effect on delaying the fruit weight loss and maintaining the appearance quality of the fruits for a longer time. Based on the results, taking advantage of 6-BAP and the studied PNE during pre-harvest phase is recommended for improving strawberry fruit characteristics.

A karyological study of five taxa (15 populations) of the genus Satureja L. from different geographic origins is presented. The haploid levels were different among species (n= 12 and 15). The work deals with chromosome number and morphometry. We found two of the usual basic chromosome numbers in this study for satureja species, x= 12 and x= 15. All populations were diploid and were located in 1B or 2B Stebbins classes. The karyotypic results showed the diversity among the species as mostly displayed median region (m) and submedian region (sm) and the chromosome lengths were determined between 0.60 µm in Satureja sahendica Bornm. (1041) to 2.27 µm in S. macrantha C.A.Mey. (3). Detailed karyotype analysis allows us to group the different populations and determine the relationships among them. It also pointed out the possibility of inter and intra-species cross to improve plants.

Elatior Begonia (Begonia × hiemalis Fotsch.) is a flowering and beautiful pot plant that is particularly notable due to its flower color variations. The present study was conducted to investigate shoot proliferation and rooting of B. hiemalis under the influence of plant growth regulators in vitro. Shoot proliferation was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) using NAA at 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg L-1 as auxin and BA and Kin at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mg L-1 as cytokinin. Results showed that the highest amounts of fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, the number of leaves, and proliferation rate were observed in the treatments containing 0.25 mg L-1 NAA and 1 mg L-1 BA/Kin. Among different levels of cytokinin, BA 1 mg L-1 was more effective than the other levels. The percentage of necrosis in treatments without NAA was higher than the others. Rooting experiment was conducted as a CRD employing IBA at levels of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg L-1. The highest rate of rooting was obtained in 0.5 mg L-1 IBA. Evaluation of adapted plants showed that in the acclimatization stage, the plants obtained from both cytokinin treatments had acceptable values in terms of phytochemical properties. Because BA treatment resulted in greater total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and total phenol levels, BA can be recommended as the most effective and preferable cytokinin for B. hiemalis proliferation and its commercial reproduction.

Hawthorn with scientific name Crataegus spp. It belongs to the Rosacea genus, which has more than a thousand species of hawthorn in the world, twenty-two species in Iran, and nine species in East Azerbaijan. The use of hawthorn tree for the rootstock of apple and pear trees is unknown in Iran, but in many parts of the world, hawthorn species (Crataegus.azarolus) is used as a rootstock for pears (Willimas) and apples (Golden Delicious), which causes dwarfing and Early fruiting in the mentioned cultivars is pear and apple. One of the main problems of dwarf pear cultivation in Iran is the lack of dwarfing or semi- dwarfing rootstocks compatible with cultivars and conditions of calcareous and dry soils, which has caused the lack of orchards with dwarf pears. Hawthorn can be used as a suitable rootstock for pear due to its compatibility with calcareous soils and relative tolerance to drought. For dwarfing, early fruiting and prevention of chlorosis caused by iron deficiency, resistant hawthorn rootstock can be used in pear orchards.One of the ways to identify species, new breeds or genetic originality in plants is the use of molecular markers. The problems of using molecular markers, both costly and time-consuming, make the need to use other methods inevitable. The basis of new digital technologies for analyzing the shape and color in leaves and fruits is, in simple language, the extraction of digital information from the shape and color in leaves and fruits. This technology can be used to evaluate a variety of techniques used by botanists.This technology is able to evaluate the amount of phenotypic diversity between the plant mass in a particular area, if the amount of phenotypic diversity is high, that area can be investigated and emphasized more in terms of genetic reservoir, center of plant diversity, or even the origin of the plant. The analysis of the shape and color in leaves and fruits shows the diversity in a mass. With this technology, identification and comparison of the phenotypic homogeneity or heterogeneity of a plant mass is done with minimal time and minimum cost compared to other methods. This technology will be suitable and affordable for research work. In the RGB colorimetric model. There are different types of anthocyanins that can be stored in different parts of the plant such as leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. Anthocyanin is one of the types of secondary metabolites of the flavonoid category, which is a pigment soluble in water, and the plant produces this substance to withstand stress and adverse environmental conditions such as high ultraviolet radiation, high salinity, low temperature, and high dryness. Increasing the height above the sea level with increasing the intensity of sunlight and the amount of ultraviolet rays and decreasing the temperature at night during the coloring and ripening of the fruit, the total content of anthocyanin in the skin of the fruit increases and the skin of the fruit becomes more colorful. Increasing the amount of anthocyanin in the fruit also increases the resistance of the fruit against all kinds of pests and diseases. Increasing the altitude above sea level and increasing the intensity of ultraviolet rays and low temperature gradually changes the color of the anthocyanin of the fruit skin from yellow to orange and then to pale red and then to deep red. This research is based on the evaluation of phototypic diversity of hawthorn plant in Sahand protected area using the method of fruit color appearance evaluation and also the complementary evaluation of fruit color with two digital colorimetry models in hawthorn and comparing the results of these two methods. Evaluation of phenotypic diversity with digital colorimetry can be a suitable alternative in comparison with the method of molecular markers due to its low cost and time saving. The method can be used to evaluate the center of diversity, origin and genetic reserve of a plant in a region.Sahand Protected Area is one of the important habitats and genetic reserves of hawthorn in East Azerbaijan province, between Tabriz city and Maragheh city, which is located at an altitude of 1500 to 3400 meters above sea level. This area is located at 46 degrees east longitude and 37 degrees north latitude with an area of sixty thousand hectares. 156 plant species have been identified in this habitat, 26 of which are endangered. Field studies have been carried out in the range of Hawthorn in the protected area of Sahand at an altitude of 1500 to 2200 meters above sea level. Sampling of hawthorn fruit from 21/07/1399 to 21/08/1399 from a height of 1500 meters to 2200 meters above sea level located at coordinates 37 degrees North and 46 degrees East in our area between Tabriz city and Maragheh city in the region The Sahand reserve was established in East Azarbaijan province with an area of sixty thousand hectares. The high dispersion of individual hawthorn trees in Sahand protected area and the lack of expected density in hawthorn trees caused the fruits of each tree to be considered as an independent population. From each population, fifteen fully colored fruit samples without damage and without crushing, and a total of nine hundred fruit samples from sixty separate populations were collected and selected using equipment including GPS, gardening shears and equipment for packing fruit samples. In photographing hawthorn fruits, the natural color of the fruits must be completely preserved, and after several tests on evaluating the exposure system for photographing the fruits, the best result is with a special system with exposure from below and imaging from above in JPG format. In order to compare the appearance of fruit size, shape and color, three parts were photographed, including the lateral part of fruit, the blossom and the junction of the fruit tail in all nine hundred fruits from sixty different populations. The digital color analysis computer software called Image pro plus has converted the color of the selected fruit samples into numerical data using the RGB model, and the numerical data has been extracted which contains the numerical average of the colors red with the symbol (R), green with the symbol (G) ) and blue with symbol (B) were transferred to EXCEL software and then these data related to each fruit were normalized by the following formulas under EXCEL software, which in the formulas of normalized numbers, the numerical mean of red color with symbol ( r), the normalized numbers of the numerical mean of the green color were shown with the symbol (g) and the normalized numbers of the numerical mean of the blue color were shown with the symbol (b).r = R / (R + G + B)g = G / (R + G + B)b = B / (R + G + B)Then, by six formulas, the following six numerical indices of each fruit related to red, green and blue colors were calculated under EXCEL software.I1 = I GREEN = g-r / g + r The first green indicatorI2 = I RED = r-g / r + g The first red indicatorI3 = I BLUE = b-r / b + r The first blue indicatorI4 = I RED = r-b / r + b The second red indicatorI5 = I GREEN = g-b / g + b The second green indicatorI6 = I BLUE = b-g / b + g The second indicator is blueThe CMY model stands for three colors: cyan, magenta and yellow. Finally, by CMY method and with the following three formulas, three numerical indices of each fruit, which were related to yellow color index, turquoise color index and magenta color index, were calculated and extracted under EXCEL software and then statistically analyzed by SPSS statistical software.I yellow = r + g / r + g + b Yellow indicatorI Cyan = r + g / r + g + b Turquoise color indexI Magenta = r + g / r + g + b Magenta color index.This research shows that by investigating the phototypic diversity of hawthorn plant in Sahand protected area using the method of evaluating the appearance of fruit color and also the complementary evaluation of fruit color with two digital colorimetry models RGB and CMY in hawthorn and comparing the results of these two methods to the results Reliability was achieved in the field of investigating phenotypic diversity in hawthorn plant. Phenotypic diversity with digital colorimetry can be a suitable alternative in comparison with the method of molecular markers with low cost and time saving. From the indices L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, Ly, Lcy, Lmag calculated with nine formulas in the research method section and then analyzed by SPSS software in the nine tables of the results section, it can be concluded that for evaluating The center of diversity, the origin and the genetic reserve of a plant in a region, RGB and CMY digital colorimetry models can be a suitable substitute for the molecular markers method.

Mycorrhiza is a common group of microorganisms that can establish symbiotic relations with plants. To evaluate symbiosis and compatibility between a collection of chicory seeds and mycorrhizal fungi, through inoculation, a factorial experiment is set up in a randomized complete block design. Two batches of chicory seed (Ardabil and Fars) are inoculated by two species of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices) with the control group of the seeds not being inoculated at all. Three replicates have been arranged in a greenhouse. The research aims at examining how the two species of mycorrhizal fungi affect several plant traits and the amounts of phytochemical compounds (i.e. phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll), fresh and dry weights of roots and root length. It also deals with chicory roots’ ability to absorb several elements. Results show that seed batch and mycorrhizal fungi have significant impacts on vegetative traits, chlorophyll content, phenol, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in plants. The highest amounts of total phenol production (3.77 mg/g fresh weight), total flavonoids (1.21 mg/g fresh weight), antioxidant activity (5.23 mg/g fresh weight), root growth and chlorophyll content are observed in the Ardabil batch when treated with G. intraradices. The lowest amounts of these values are recorded in the Fars batch where no mycorrhizal inoculation has been applied. The two batches of seeds grow into plants with different growth rates and phytochemical compositions. The growth parameters of plants improve in the case of mycorrhizal inoculation. The effects of G. intraradices are more efficient than those of G. mosseae in symbiosis with chicory plants. Based on the results of the present study and considering the compatibility of mycorrhiza with the environment, the use of these fungi can substantially increase the yield of various plants, especially medicinal plants.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide. It is vegetatively propagated using pieces or whole potato tubers, but a virus infection causes crop reduction to almost a half or even one third, which varies from place to place and from season to another. Micropropagation is the practice of rapidly multiplying stock plant material to produce many progeny plants, using modern plant tissue culture methods. Microtuberization in potato needs the right interaction between several factors such as cyto, sucrose and osmotic stress. The purpose of present study was to investigate microtuberization efficiency of three potato cultivars under osmotic stress and in vitro conditions.

This experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications. Potato seeds of three cultivars (Agria, Savalan and HPS-II/67) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. After proliferation, plantlets were transferred to the media containing nine treatments with polyethylene glycol hydrogel (PEG) at four levels (0.003, 0.006, 0.009, 0.012 M), sorbitol at four levels (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 M). For this purpose, potato quality, microtuberization percentage, proline concentration, chlorophyll content, and Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured.

The results showed that plantlets grown under non-stressed conditions (control) possessed higher rates of leaf number, new shoot length and proliferation index compared to the under stressed conditions. Agria cultivar presented better growth characteristics under stressed conditions compared to other experimental cultivars. The highest potato destruction was observed at 0.012 M PEG in Savalan cultivar followed by 0.4 M sorbitol in all cultivars. Microtuberization percentage increased in all three cultivars by stress conditions, in which it increased with progressing in stress levels. The greatest percentage of microtuberization was obtained from Agria cultivar at 0.003 M PEG. Compared to the control, proline concentration, and also CAT and SOD activities increased under stress conditions. Moreover, total chlorophyll content decreased under the stress conditions in comparison to the control.

Generally, based on the results, maximum rates of microtuberization and viability were observed in Agria followed by HPS-II/67, and the highest microtuber weight was obtained in HPS-II/67 cultivar. When plants are faced to stress conditions like osmotic stress, free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases. On the other hand, plants use different strategies to scavenge the generated ROS. The reduction of chlorophyll content and increases of antioxidant enzyme activities are due to increase of ROS under osmotic stress conditions. At slight stress conditions, potato plants utilize the strategy to generate more tuber. Therefore, the lower concentrations of PEG can be introduced as a stimulator of microtuber.

Determining the morphological characteristics of each plant is an important criterion in generating information for breeding programs. Understanding the vegetation of the region provides planners with a sound vision of the future. Zanjanchr('39')s Tarom Sheet area is a desert state and only allows certain species to grow. In this area, the plants are highly resistant to drought and with unpredictable rainfall. Capparis spinosa, one of the most important multifunctional plants, is of less concern to the inhabitants of these areas and grows in places with minimal rainfall and sandy soils. It is one of the rare plants that can withstand this harsh condition. Unfortunately, the plant is under threat from genetic erosion, pests and severe grazing. In order to preserve this valuable food, medicinal, industrial and cover crop and evaluate the genetic diversity of six blind populations of the region under 752 hectare conditions, the area was randomly selected. 18 phenotypic and quantitative traits and 4 qualitative traits were measured and analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed using SAS 9.1 statistical software and one-way correlation coefficient was determined by Pearson method. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to analyze the data. Data analysis using these methods showed the relationships between the studied populations. Principal component analysis helped to create patterns of diversity and identified germplasm of the studied populations in the blind, taking into account the main traits, the existence of blind diversity in the Sheet area. The analysis showed a significant difference (at 1% level) in all studied traits with the exception of width, petiole length, width of spleen and spine length which was significant at 5% level. Among 18 morphological traits by cluster analysis, four clusters were obtained by Euclidean square method using intergroup linkage method. The first three principal components accounted for about 81.34% of the total variation among the 18 traits. The results of principal components showed that traits such as flower and fruit size and their components, number of main and secondary shoots and leaf size were the main distinguishing traits in the blinds of Sheet area. The highest amount of total phenol and antioxidant activity belonged to region 6 and then region 2. In cluster analysis of phytochemical traits, in cut from 5 Euclidean units it was observed that Capparis spinosa growth sites are divided into three separate groups. In the first group are places 1, 4 and 3. 5th place in a separate group and 2nd and 6th place in the third group.

The word biostimulant was apparently coined by horticulture specialists for describing substances promoting plant growth without being nutrients, soil improvers, or pesticides. The use of fresh seaweeds as a source of organic matter and as fertilizer is ancient in agriculture, but biostimulant effects have been recorded only recently. Chemical elements that promote plant growth and may be essential to particular taxa but are not required by all plants are called beneficial elements. The two main beneficial elements are Se and Si, present in soils and plants. Many effects of beneficial elements are reported by the scientific literature, which promotes plant growth, the quality of plant products, and tolerance to abiotic stress. This includes cell wall rigidification, osmoregulation, and reduced transpiration by crystal deposits, thermal regulation via radiation reflection, enzyme activity by co-factors, plant nutrition via interactions with other elements during uptake and mobility, antioxidant protection, interactions with symbionts, pathogen and herbivore response, protection against heavy metals toxicity, plant hormone synthesis and signaling. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different culture media and foliar application of some biostimulants (silicon, selenium, and seaweed extract) on growth characteristics and yield of tomato (cv. Dafnis) under hydroponic condition.

This study was a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with two factors of culture media (50% cocopeat + 50% perlite and 50% palm peat + 50% perlite) and foliar fertilizer application (control, concentration of 10 and 20% of seaweed extract, 25 and 75 mg/L sodium silicate and 4 and 10 mg/L sodium selenite) were applied in four replications.

This experiment showed that each of the main factors significantly affected the growth characteristics except stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area. There was no significant difference in terms of yield and yield components between palm peat + perlite with cocopeat + perlite. It was also found that foliar application of seaweed extract, silicon, and selenium significantly improved yield and yield components compared to the control treatment. So that among the studied treatments, the highest increase in yield was obtained with the application of 20 % concentration of seaweed extract as well as 75 mg/L sodium silicate.

In general, palm peat in combination with perlite can be used as a suitable media in hydroponic cultures. Also, foliar application of seaweed (20 %), silicon (75 mg/L), and selenium (10 mg/L) had positive and significant effects on vegetative growth and yield of tomato and can be recommended in commercial tomato greenhouses.

Silicon (Si) has a principal role in mitigating the adverse effects of salt stress on plant growth; however, its effects on physiochemical properties of medicinal plants under salinity is still unknown. This study investigated the effect of Si and salinity on growth, chlorophyll and water content, the antioxidant capacity of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves as factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Foliar application of 50, 100, and 200 mg/L Si and 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl were applied on 4-leaf plants. The results revealed reduced growth by representing lower shoot and root dry weight through progressing the salinity. 100 and 200 mg/L Si represented a greater role in alleviating the salinity stress on growth properties. Salinity significantly reduced chlorophyll (Chl) and relative water content (RWC), but they were improved by Si spraying. Total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) significantly increased up to 100 mM NaCl and then decreased at 200 mM NaCl. Salinity led to increases in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, but higher Si concentration reduced them. 100 mg/L Si and 100 mM NaCl was the best treatment for obtaining the optimum essential oil (EO) percentage and yield. Finally, 100 mg/L Si can be suggested to promote the plant growth and yield by changing physiochemical characteristics under medium or severe salinity.

Drought is one of the major environmental constraints that limits plant growth and productivity more than any other environmental factors. Recent Mycorrhizal arbescular application to affeviate drought stress in many plants has been reported. Vermiwash can be used in two forms of foliar application or drench. It contains several enzymes, plant growth hormones, vitamins and macro and micro nutrients which can enhance plants tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, as well as crop yield efficiency.

In order to investigate Mycorrhizal arbuscular fungi and Vermiwash foliar application on Gazania (Gazania rigens L.) growth and flowering characteristics under drought stress a greenhouse experiment with factorial design was conducted based on complete randomized blocks by considering three factors including MA fungi in two levels (incubation with MA and non- incubated plants), Vermiwash foliar application in four levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm) and imposing drought stress in three levels (irrigation based on 40, 70 and 100% field capacity) with three replications in the greenhouse and laboratory of the Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Tehran University in 2018. Studied traits involved plant height, number and leaf area, flower diameter and number, aerial fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll and carotenoid amount, N, P and K quantity of leaves. Analysis of variance’s results indicated that the influence of main effect of droughtt stress, MA and Vermiwash on the measured traits were considerably functional.

The maximum value of leaf’s carbohydrate was achieved in drought stress with the high severity in 40% of FC witch was 32.46 mg/gr. MA caused elevation in macro elements amount of the leaves. Foliar application of Vermiwash increased flower number and dimention and macro elements amounts as well. Among the Vermiwash treatments, foliat application of 200 ppm treatment reduced the negative effects of drought stress on plants. Comparison of the mean of dual effect of vermicompost in drought stress showed that the highest plant height in 200 ppm Vermiwash was 100% irrigation and the lowest value was in 50 ppm Vermiwash in irrigation 40% of field capacity. The lowest amount of chlorophyll a was observed in 40% water capacity and no Mycorrhizal fungi application. The highest leaf carbohydrate content was observed in irrigation treatments with 40% and 200 ppm Vermiwash.

vegetative growth decreased with increasig drought stress intensity from optimal irrigation level to severe stress. The use of Mycorrhiza and Vermiwash was positive compared to the control (Non-use), consumption of 100 and 200 ppm Vermiwash has better performance than other levels. Gazania responds to intense stress with more intensity than mild stress. It is recommended to prevent severe stress during the plant growth period. In this regard, the use of symbiotic fungi as well as Vermiwash foliar application (100 and 200 ppm) can help maintain plant growth by increasing plant tolerance to increasing stress intensity.