Journal of Ornamental Plants
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Spring 2012

‘Smyrna’ type figs (Zidi ‘ZD’: dark fruit and Thgagli ‘THG’; Bidhi ‘BD’ and Khedri ‘KHD’: white fruit) originated from two areas of fig production in Tunisia were subject to physico-chemical description and spectrophotometric analysis for their sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and organic acid (citric and malic) contents. Fruit weight ranged between 54 and 82 g, fruit width between 47 and 59 mm, ostiole width between 5.5 and 13.7 mm, total soluble solids (TSS) between 16.1 and 18.4% and titratable acidity (TA) between 2.0 and 4.7 mEq/kg of fresh weight (FW). Tunisian figs were characterized by the predominance of glucose (6.3 g/100g FW) and fructose (5.1 g/100g FW). Citric acid (0.38 g/100g FW) was the major organic acid in all cultivars and almost three times higher than malic acid (0.13 g/100g FW). Differences between cultivars were significant (p£0.05). Highly significance was recorded related to malate content contrary to citrate levels which were almost the same in the four cultivars. Purple black ‘ZD’ fruit was the richest on reducing sugars and malic acid and is more suitable for fresh consumption. ‘BD’ fig had the most interesting physico-chemical properties with round shape, light skin colour and highest concentrations on soluble solids and is better adapted to drying Compared to common fruits, figs are exceptionally rich on sugars responsible in major part of enhancing food ration and intake of people living in the Mediterranean region. Quality parameters described in the present work are fundamental to judge about the potential of local cultivars. Considering quality a prime target for plant breeders, present data could help for fig breeding and cultivars selection.

This study was done to evaluate the effect of different planting arrangements (square, lozenge and rectangular) and various concentrations of potassium sulfate (K2SO4) fertilizer (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) on yield and essential oils quantitative of Calendula officinalis L., a medicinal and ornamental plant. The experiment was done as a factorial in randomized completely blocks design (R.C.B.D.) with 3 replications. The results showed that the plant height, the number of flowers, flowers dry weight, potassium content of aerial part, flower essential oil and carotenoids content in petals were significantly increased. The highest plant height (54.18 cm) was calculated from plants grown under 200 kg/ha K2SO4 and rectangular arrangement. Maximum number of flowers per square meter (727.93), flower dry weight per square meter (140.58 g), potassium content of aerial part (0.9 mg/L), essential oils content per square meter (0.27 g) and carotenoids content in petals (8.24 mg/L) were obtained from plants grown under soil conditions containing 300 kg/ha K2SO4 and with square arrangement. The results of current study recommend using of 300 kg/ha of K2SO4 and square planting arrangement for increasing the yield and essential oils content of calendula.

The effects of salinity and supplied calcium chloride on growth and leaf ions concentration of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) were investigated in Gorgan, Iran. A factorial experiment was conducted based on RCBD with four NaCl levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) and four CaCl2 levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1). Data of growth, yield and leaf’s Ca, K, and Na content were subjected to analyze of variance. The results showed that fruit yield decreased under salinity stress. Increasing Ca2+concentration in the nutrient solution increased the fruit yield. Leaf Ca2+, K+, and N content decreased under salinity stress. Tomato in its response to nutrient solution, salinized with sodium chloride and calcium chloride. The results obtained from this experiment show that salinity stress caused a significant reduction in plant growth, leaf number and fruit weight.

In order to study on effect of plant density and nitrogen on yield and yield components of Visia faba (faba bean), the experimental design was implemented by randomized complete block with three replications at 2010- 2011 in Lahijan. The experimental factors were three plant density (25×25 cm, 35×35 cm and 45×45 cm) and four nitrogen fertilizer (0, 20, 40, 60 kg ha-1). In this experiment, features such as seed yield, weight of 100 seeds, the number of pod per plant and harvesting index were measured. The results showed that the effect of plant density and nitrogen were significant on seed yield but were not significant on weight of 100 seeds and the no. of pod per plant. The highest seed yield was obtained in 25×25 cm plant density. Also with increasing of N up to 60 kg ha-1, harvesting index increased. The interaction effect of plant density and nitrogen on seed yield was significant and 25×25 cm plant density and 40 kg ha-1 nitrogen had shown the most effective on seed yield. But the interaction effect of plant density and nitrogen on other features hadn’t significant.

Debaryomyces hanseniZopf isolated from the fructoplane of apples were found to be effective as biocontrol agent against rot of papaya caused by Ulocladium. chartarum(Pr.) Simm. The ability of D. hansenii to prevent infection of U. chartarum was lost when the antagonist cells were killed by autoclaving. Cell free culture filtrates of antagonist were unable to prevent disease incidence. Efficacy of sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate (0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%) and calcium chloride (CaCl2 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%) solutions alone or in combination with the application of biocontrol agent Debaryomyces hansenii (106 and 109 CFU ml-1) were simultaneously evaluated for the control of Ulocladium rot of papaya. Fresh cells of biocontrol agent proliferated inside the wounds and their survival was not adversely affected by the presence of residues of calcium chloride salt. Sodium carbonate adversely affected the growth of yeast cells in in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. Sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride also reduced the percent rot but their integration with biocontrol agent enhanced the activity of antagonist at high levels as compared to the single treatments of salts and D. hansenii. The integration of treatments is a promising approach to control the Ulocladium rot of papaya.

The anthocyanins of the fruit skin of Iranian forest pear (Sange Khouj) were separated, identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) and HPLC/electrospray ionization /mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI /MS). The individual anthocyanins were identified by comparing their mass spectral data and retention times with those of standards and published data. Cyanidin-3-galactoside was the major compound, taking up 93% of the total anthocyanin content. The content of Cyanidin-3-galactoside reached 23.7±3.2 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight, followed by the eighth peak (2.14%) and Cyanidin-3-glucoside (1.23%). Pelargonidin- 3-rutinoside was identified for the first time in ordinary pear (P. communis L). DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays showed that the extract from the fruit peel of ‘Sange Khouj’ contained anthocyanins and possessed high antioxidant capacity.

The organization of gall on the ovary ofSesamum indicum L induced by the gall midge, Asphondylia sesami Felt, not only affects biochemical equilibrium of the host but also causes disturbed vegetative growth and reduced seed-setting. The toxicity created by the gall maker induces the re-orientation of vasculature Cecidogenetic stimuli lead to excessive hypertrophy and hyperplasy forming the gall chambers. Each gall chamber is lined by a layer of dense mass of cells called nutritive zone. Vasculature is disturbed during gall formation. One to few larvae are present in a larval chamber. Occurrence of insect galls in the ovary of this taxon is remarkable and it is a new record in the field of cecidology.

The phenotypic diversity of potato, Solanum tuberosum was assessed using morphological traits. To verify, how this diversity is distributed among the main potato varieties in the growing areas in Iran. A total of eleven potato varieties, Ramose, Sante, Shepody, Marfona, Maradona, Milova, Santana, Boren, Cosima, Granola and Agria, were evaluated under vivo and situ experimental conditions in Isfahan, conditions, Iran. Seven phenological, floral and morphological vegetative aerial descriptors, Growth Rate=CGR, Net Assimilation Rate=NAR, Leaf Area Duration=LAD, Leaf Area Ratio=LAR and specific Leaf Area=SLA were recorded. The descriptors were evaluated by SAS Software and their means comparison by DMRT test. Certain defined groups were observed, indicating that the diversity of the cultivars are structured with a considerable morphological variation in between the varieties with a very high significant growth indices.

Trifolium spp. are native plants in Iran exhibiting good ground cover po-tential. Salinity is a major environmental stress and today, 20% of the world cultivated areas and nearly half of all irrigated lands are affected by salinity. The main aim of this research was to study morphological and physiological adaptations of these native species under different salinity levels for urban landscape usage. For this purpose a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replicates was conducted. Plants of Trifolium repens and two Trifolium pratense species (native and commercial) were submitted to salinity stress in a pot experiment with 4 different salinity levels (0, 75, 150, 225 mM NaCl) during the experiment period. Leaf area, LRWC (leaf relative water content), electrolyte leakage, root and shoot length and root and shoot fresh and dry weight were measured. Results showed significant dif-ferences within salinity treatments in all 3 species studied. Highest values measured for traits in cultivars were observed in T. pratense commercial followed by T. pratense native and T. repens except electrolyte leakage and root fresh weight. But alinity effect on these species increased along with severity, linearly. Leaf area was ost affected and decreased to 40.21 mm 2 (225 mM) from 184.14 mm 2 in control. Generally Trifolium species showed sensitivity to salinity stress, especially in higher levels. This study should help understand some physiological and morphological responses of Trifolium species to salinity stress for urban landscape projects, parks and xeriscapes in Iran.