فهرست مطالب فریبرز حبیبی

In this study, the effects of postharvest application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and methyl salicylate (MeSA) on chilling injury, peel attributes and fruit juice quality of ‘Moro’ blood orange during cold storage at 3 °C and 90% RH for 150 days was investigated. GABA treatment at concentrations of 20 and 40 mM using vacuum at 30 kPa for 8 minutes and MeJA and MeSA vapor treatments at 50 and 100 μM separately for 18 hours were used. Sampling was carried out on 1, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of storage. Treatments reduced the chilling injury and electrolyte leakage. Control fruit had the highest index of chilling injury and electrolyte leakage at the end of the storage period. The lowest peel moisture and fruit juice and the highest total soluble solids (TSS) and pH were obtained in control fruit. MeSA treatments had the lowest a* and the highest Hue° while the lowest lightness (L*), b*, Hue° and chroma were obtained in control fruit. Overall, 100 μM MeSA was the most effective treatment for reducing chilling injury and maintaining the peel and fruit juice attributes of ‘Moro’ blood orange during cold storage.

This investigation was carried out to determine the conversion and growth ability of artificial seeds derived from encapsulation of sunflower shoot tips in different substrates as factorial based completely randomized design with five replications, in tissue culture laboratory of Kermanshah Agriculture Research Center in 2013. Shoot tips excised from in vitro proliferated sunflower plantlets were encapsulated in three percent sodium alginate and 100 mM CaCl2.2H2O. Determination the effect of using nutrients and plant growth regulators, alginate matrix supplement with three different matrixes include distilled water, liquid MS medium and liquid MS medium whit tow mg/l BA and tow mg/l IAA. Synthetic seeds were transferred on hormone-free MS medium and two commercial substrates mixture of cocopeat, perlite (1:1) or cocopeat, perlite and peat moss (1:1:1) for generation and growth ability evaluation. Using of MS nutrients and plant growth regulators in calcium alginate beads significantly improved encapsulated explants growth. Maximum percentage response for conversion of synthetic seeds was 100 percent that was achieved from in vitro culture on MS medium and directly culture in ex vitro condition caused to decrease the conversion and growth them.

In order to study the effect of calcium acetate on shelf life, maintaining qualitative characteristics and reduction of postharvest decay of apricot fruit cv. ‘Shekar Pareh’, a factorial experiment was performed in a randomized complete design with 4 replications. Fruit harvested at the commercial maturity and immediately were transferred to postharvest laboratory of university of Zanjan. Then, fruits were immersed in different concentrations of calcium acetate [0 (control), 12.64 and 31.61 mM] for 10 minutes. Treated fruit were packed in boxes with polyethylene cover and stored at 4 °C and 95±5% relative humidity for one month. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of the fruitwere measured in three times (10, 20, 30 days of storage). The results showed that application of calcium acetate significantly inhibit weight loss and also maintain the firmness of the fruit. Ascorbic acid was reduced during the storage time and the lowest ascorbic acid measured in control. Calcium acetate prevented of increasing TSS. Immersion in calcium acetate increased TA, calcium concentration, moisture content and reduced carotenoids and TSS/TA ratio. Calcium acetate by reduction of postharvest decay caused increasing shelf life of apricot fruit. Overall, it can be concluded that, the quality of apricot was improved by application of calcium acetate which delayed the ripening of fruits.

In this research, the effect of chitosan, nano-chitosan, methylcellulose, and pectin on maintenance of bioactive compounds and storability of pomegranate aril cv. Rabbab-e-Neyriz were studied during storage time. Arils were treated with 1.5% chitosan, 3% methylcellulose, 3% pectin and pure nano-chitosan (100%) solutions and then stored at 5 °C for 16 days and sampling of stored arils was done at 4 days intervals. After 16 days of storage at 5 °C, fungal contamination was observed in all samples except for those treated with 1.5% chitosan. The most and the least weight loss in arils obtained in the control and those treated with 1.5% chitosan, respectively. The edible coatings especially chitosan significantly prevented from degradation of anthocyanin and ascorbic acid. Total phenoland antioxidant activity of juice decreased during storage; however chitosan coating significantly led tomaintain these bioactive compounds. Edible coating treatments and especially chitosan maintained the TSS, TA, flavor index in comparison with control. Overall, chitosan effectively reduced water loss, aril losses and maintained bioactive compounds during storage.

The red color due to anthocyanin improves the quality attributes of blood orange fruit. Monitoring of physicochemical and physiological changes such as anthocyanin content during blood orange fruit ripening can help to predict the best harvest time with the best quality. In order to investigate the changes of physicochemical and bioactive compounds in blood orange fruit ‘Sanguine’ during fruit ripening, a randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted at three harvesting times (255, 285 and 315 days after full bloom). The results showed that fruit firmness decreased at the third stage of sampling, which did not have a significant difference with the second stage of sampling (285 days after full bloom). Total anthocyanin content increased during experiment, and then decreased, indicating the onset of anthocyanin degradation in fruit stored on tree so that the total anthocyanin concentration decreased 37% at third stage compared to the second stage. Antioxidant activity, total phenol and ascorbic acid content of fruit increased significantly during three stages of sampling. Overall, by extending the maintenance of fruit on the tree, anthocyanin may degrade and decrease the fruit quality. Therefore, for harvesting blood orange fruit ‘Sanguine’ with the highest quality, it is necessary to consider physicochemical attributes and bioactive compounds especially anthocyanin other than flavor index.

In this study, the trend of mineral uptake by GF677 (Prunus persica × Prunus amygdalus) shoots in response to salinity stress was studied under in vitro conditions. Shoots of GF677 rootstock were subcultured into the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing1 mg/l BA (6-Benzyladenine) and 0.1 mg/l NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) at different concentrations [Zero (control), 40, 80 and 120 mM] of sodium chloride (NaCl) with four replicates for six weeks. Mineral uptake was measured in the GF677 shoots every two weeks. GF677 rootstock continued N and K uptake at concentrations of 40 and 80 mM until six weeks. Phosphorous uptake continued in the control and 40 mM treatments until six weeks. Magnesium uptake decreased in the concentrations of 40, 80 and 120 mM. Iron and Zn uptake decreased in the all salinity concentration. Sodium and Cl uptake increased by increasing salinity levels during the six weeks culture. In general, due to the antagonistic effects of sodium chloride, GF677 shoots could continue to uptake nitrogen, potassium and calcium until the sixth week of culture (except for 120 mM) but did not have the ability to uptake magnesium, iron, and zinc.

In order to the study of aril and leaf mineral composition of pomegranate cv. Naderi with spraying fertilizer containing amino acid under drought stress conditions, an experiment was conducted as a split plot based on randomized complete block design. Irrigation treatment in three levels (100%, 75% and 50% required water) and fertilizer containing amino acids in four levels (0, 2, 3 and 4 milliliter per liter) were applied. Spraying was done in four stages (before anthesis, after fruit set, rapid growth phase and two weeks before harvest). The results showed increasing water stress decreased nitrogen (5.97%), phosphorus (0.37%) and potassium (0.07%) and increased iron (230 ppm) in aril and potassium (0.08%) and iron (348.84 ppm) in leaves in comparison to the control without water stress. Increasing level of amino acid fertilizer increased nitrogen (8.75%), potassium (0.1%) and iron (235.92 ppm) in the aril and level of phosphorus (0.64%) in the leaves but decreases the amount of potassium (0.07%) and iron (324.19 ppm) in the leaves. Based on the results it can be stated that spraying of fertilizer containing amino acids significantly improved the nutritional value of pomegranate and reduced the harmful effects of drought stress.

According to nutritional disorders in Iran citrus orchards and need to investigate the effects of nutrient elements and growth regulators that have the ability to improve quality and quantity of crop, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of calcium chloride, potassium chloride and salicylic acid on quantitative and qualitative attributes of ‘Washington Navel’ orange fruit. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in Janat Shahr, Darab, Fars province, during two successive years. Treatments of experiment included calcium chloride (1.5% and 3%), potassium chloride (1.5% and 3%), salicylic acid (0.015%, 0.03% and 0.045%), combined treatment of calcium chloride, potassium chloride and salicylic acid and control. The spray of aqueous solutions was applied at the end of the first stage of fruit growth, one month after full bloom (fruit diameter was 20 mm) and repeated in late September. Results showed that foliar application of calcium chloride, potassium chloride, salicylic acid, and combination of these treatments had different effects on fruit quality characteristics at the harvest time. Foliar application of potassium had no significant effect on fruit peel potassium. However, peel calcium increased with spraying of calcium chloride. Foliar application of salicylic acid up to 0.03%, significantly increased calcium and potassium contents of fruit peel. Calcium chloride and salicylic acid treatments had the greatest positive effect on fruit quality characteristics. Although, potassium did not have significant effect. The effect of treatments on hue angle, fruit juice content, TSS and antioxidant activity were not significant. Calcium chloride and salicylic acid had a positive effect on the qualitative properties of juice. Calcium chloride at 1.5% and salicylic acid treatments at 0.03% had the most positive effect on the quality characteristics (antioxidant activity and total phenol). Combined treatments had positive effects, but the effect of calcium and salicylic acid was more effective treatments.

Influence of organic iron (Fe-EDTA) and inorganic iron (FeCl3) on growth, mineral uptake and photosynthesis parameters of GF677 (Prunus persica × Prunus amygdalus) rootstock were studied under in vitro conditions. Plantlets of GF677 rootstock were subcultured to modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1 mg l-1 6Benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mg l-1 naphthaline acetic acid (NAA) 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mM concentrations of Fe-EDTA and FeCl3. The experiment was containing on a completely randomized design with five replicates in eight weeks. Results showed that, treatments of 0.1 and 0.2 mM Fe-EDTA and 0.2 FeCl3 had a significant effect on measured parameters. The highest fresh weight, dry weight, proliferation rate, shoot length, leaf chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance of plantlets were observed in 0.2 mM FeEDTA, Meanwhile, control (iron free) and 0.05 mM FeCl3 treatment had the, highest leaf chlorosis and lowest growth rate, leaf chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance. Both iron sources caused increasing Fe uptake by plantlets, but 0.1 and 0.2 mM Fe-EDTA had a significant effect on Fe uptake in comparison to FeCl3. Treatment of FeCl3 decreased P, Zn and Mn uptake by plantlets. Increasing Fe-EDTA concentration in the medium increased Mn uptake and decreased P and Zn uptake. So, according these results, replacing Fe-EDTA instead of FeCl3 in in vitro culture of GF677 rootstock, improve growth response and photosynthesis parameters.

In the present study, the effect of plant growth regulators on direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of two Iranian sunflower hybrids (Azargol and Farrokh) were examined. After the flowering, immature embryos ten day after pollination were used as explants. Immature embryos were surface sterilized and subsequently transferred to embryogenesis medium containing MS medium elements and B5 vitamins, 120 g/l sucrose and different combinations of plant growth regulators (BA in two levels,1 and 2 mg/l in combination with NAA or 2,4-D in three levels 0.1, 0.25 and 1 mg/l and 2,4-D in two levels, 0.33 and 1 mg/l. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between hybrids, hormones and hybrids×hormones interaction. The somatic embryos were first observed 10 days after culture on medium containing 120 g/l sucrose and a callus intermediate was not formed. Somatic embryos of two sunflower hybrids directly obtained on a medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BA and 0.25 mg/l NAA with more number and speed.

In this study investigated the regrowth of sunflower plantlet shoot tips. Shoot tips of sunflower (Helianthus annuus hyb. Farrokh) were encapsulated in 3% sodium alginate to evaluate their response to different storage periods. The encapsulated shoot tips stored for several period (15, 30, 45 and 60 days) at 4°C. The regrowth ability of encapsulated shoot tips was affected by the storage duration and the presence or absence of MS nutrients and plant growth regulator in calcium alginate beads. Maximum percent germination of artificial seeds in non-encapsulated shoot tips and encapsulated in DDW, MS, MS+ growth regulator was 30, 40, 65 and 70 respectively. that obtained from synthetic seeds cultured on MS medium without plant growth regulators stored for 60 days. The longer duration of cold storage, caused the less in plantlet recovery. It can be said that encapsulated plantlets could be regenerated for a limited period under in vitro condition. Addition of MS nutrients in calcium alginate beads significantly improved encapsulated explants regrowth after storage periods

The present study demonstrates the potential of nutrient-alginate encapsulation of shoot tips of sunflower, Helianthus annuus (hyb. Azargol) for synthetic seed technology, which could be useful in germplasm distribution and exchange. Shoot tips from in vitro shoot cultures derived from mature seed explants were encapsulated in 3% sodium alginate and 100 mM CaCl2. 2H2O are supplemented with three different matrices (include distilled water, liquid MS medium and plant growth regulators) and they are stored for several periods (15, 30, 45 and 60 days) at 4°C. After each storage period for regeneration and regrowth evaluation, encapsulated and non-encapsulated shoot tips were cultured on hormone-free MS medium. The regrowth ability of encapsulated shoot tips affected by the storage duration and the presence or absence of MS nutrients in calcium alginate beads. Percentage response for the conversion of encapsulated and non-encapsulated shoot tips decreased gradually after storage at 4°C by increasing storage durations. Indeed, encapsulated vegetative propagules showed a higher resistance to storage at 4°C than non-encapsulated. Addition of MS nutrients in calcium alginate beads significantly improved encapsulated explants regrowth after storage periods.

Availability and uptake of mineral by explants are recognized as being important in tissue culture. The limiting factor for maximum mineral uptake and optimum growth is that minerals are not enough available to the explants. There are the inter-relationships between plant growth, mineral uptake, medium water potential, and mineral movement through the medium. Plantlets growth with increasing agar concentration in plant tissue culture medium decreased due to various potential water that creates. Despite importance of mineral uptake in vitro is an indispensable part for plantlet growth in vitro, to date, less attention has been paid to the control of mineral uptake and aspects of transporting of ions and the role of water potential in mineral diffusion in the culture medium. But, this work can be used to better understand of effects of different agar concentrations on growth and mineral availability of explants.
For explant preparation, one year mature dormant shoots were used. After proliferation, three uniform explants (approximately 20 mm in length) were subcultured on same proliferation medium with different concentrations of agar [0 (as liquid medium), 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 g l-1] foe six weeks. The experiments were set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. Data were collected (growth parameters and mineral) at the end of experiment (6th weeks). After data collection statistical analysis was performed using MSTAT-C program and Means were separated according to the least significant difference (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability and charts were drawn by Excel 2007 software.
Results showed that growth parameters such as fresh weight, dry weight, water content, shoot number, shoot length, leaf number increased significantly (P=0.05) to 5 g/l agar. Chlorophyll index slightly decreased compared to control at high concentrations of agar. The highest concentrations of macro elements (N, P, K, Mg, Ca) and micro elements (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) were obtained in 0.11 MPa water potential and lowest concentrations of mineral in 0.98 and 1.15 MPa water potential. GF677 was a capable rootstock for N uptake. Maximum height of plants was obtained in liquid treatment and best growing conditions and proliferation in 3 and 5 treatments, respectively.
In this experiment, optimum agar concentration for growth and proliferation of GF677 was 3 to 5 gl-1. At concentration of 3 g the highest proliferation and best growth and proliferation conditions was obtained in 5 g than the higher agar concentrations. Of course, at 3 g concentration of agar to prevent the vitrification explants must be transferred to new media after culture and proliferation and higher concentration of 7 g/l agar for this plant is not recommended.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the Punicaceae family and grows in subtropical and Mediterranean climates. Nowadays the widespread usage of inorganic fertilizers has increased and so people concern about their health. The use of organic fertilizer instead of inorganic fertilizers is one of the methods of preserving health. Pomegranate is one of the most important products of Iran. This fruit plant is cultivated in some regions in arid and semi-arid areas. Due to the long growing season of pomegranate, droughtstress is one of the main limiting factors in the development of pomegranate orchards in Iran. Utilization of amino acids can help to increase efficiency and improve the quality of the fruit under environmental stress. Thus, this study aims to findany possibility to increase the production and quality of the fruit during the drought. The goalof this study was to study the effect of organic Aminol-Forte fertilizer on physiological and biochemical responses of pomegranate cv. Naderi under drought stress conditions.
This research was carried out in AbShirin field located on the old road 40 km from Qom-Kashan during 2011. Asplit plot experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted with two factors, irrigation treatment in three levels (100% required water, 75% required water and 50% required water) and Aminol-Forte fertilizer treatment in four levels (0, 2, 3 and 4 ml/l). Spraying was conducted in four stages (pre-anthesis, after fruit set, fruit growth andtwo weeks per-harvest). In the end of the experiment, chlorophyll index, soluble sugars, insoluble sugars, proline, canopy degree and stomatal conductance were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17 program. Means were separated according to the Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) at 0.01 level of probability.
Analysis of variance of Aminol-forte fertilizer spraying on physiological and biochemical responses of pomegranate cv. Naderi under drought stress conditions showed that between irrigation treatment for chlorophyll index, proline and stomatal conductance were significant at 1% level of probability, and at 5% level of probability soluble sugarand insoluble sugar and canopy degree were significant. Fertilizer treatment at 1% level of probability was significant for proline and at 5% level of probability was significant for soluble sugars. Interaction was significant for soluble sugars, proline and canopy degree. Means showed that by increasing fertilizer level, soluble sugars content, proline and stomatal conductance significantly increased insoluble sugars and chlorophyll index decreased insignificantly. By decreasing irrigation levels, chlorophyll index, soluble sugars and proline significantly increased, meanwhile insoluble sugars and stomatal conductance significantly decreased. The highest chlorophyll index (65.44 SPAD) and the lowest chlorophyll index (56.48 SPAD) were obtained in 75% required water with 2 ml/l of fertilizer level and 100% required water with 3 ml/l of fertilizer level, respectively. The highest soluble sugars (14.94 mg/g) and the lowest soluble sugars (11.64 mg/l) were obtained in 50% required water with 0 ml/l of fertilizer level and 100% required water 2 ml/l of fertilizer level, respectively. The highest insoluble sugars (9.99 mg/g) and the lowest insoluble sugars (6.82 mg/l) were measured in 100% required water with 3 ml/l of fertilizer level and 50% required water with 2 ml/l of fertilizer level, respectively. The highest proline content (2.51μmol/l) and the lowest proline content (1.05μmol/l) were obtained in 50% required water with 4 ml/l of fertilizer level and 100% required water with 0 ml/l of fertilizer level, respectively. The highest canopy degree (-7.31˚c) and the lowest canopy degree (-9.38˚c) were measured in 50% required water with 4 ml/l of fertilizer level and 100% required water with 4 ml/l of fertilizer level, respectively. The highest stomatal conductance (38.23 mmol/m2/s) and the lowest stomatal conductance (9.7 mmol/m2/s) were obtained in 50% required water with 2 ml/l of fertilizer level and 100% required water with 3 ml/l of fertilizer level, respectively.
By increasing the level of Aminol-Forte fertilizer from 0 to 4 ml/l, soluble sugars content, proline and stomatal conductance significantly increased meanwhile insoluble sugars and the chlorophyll index decreased. Drought stress increased soluble sugars content, chlorophyll index, canopy degree and proline but, insoluble sugars and stomatal conductance decreased. According obtained results, it can be said, spraying of Aminol-Forte fertilizer containing amino acid could significantly reduce the negative effects of drought stress. In this study, the best results in terms of stress and no stress were obtained in 3 and 4 ml/l of Aminol-Forte fertilizer.

In order to investigate the influence of humic acid spraying on trees on shelf life and to maintenance of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ‘Granny Smith’ apple, an experiment based on completely randomized block design was conducted in khoramdareh postharvest physiology laboratory of University of Zanjan. The humic acid spraying was conducted in four concentrations of 0 (distilled water), 5, 10 and 15 mg l-1 on 8 year-old ‘Granny Smith’apple trees grafted on MM106 rootstock. Spraying was conducted 2, 4 and 8 weeks after full bloom stage. Fruits of trees treated stored in 0±0.5°C with 90±5% relative humidity for six months. Fruit weight loss, fruit firmness, pH, total soluble solid (TSS), titrable acid (TA), total sugar (TS) and ascorbic acid content (vitamin C) were measured every two months. The results showed that, during the storage, fruit weight, fruit firmness, TA and ascorbic acid decreased. The maximum and minimum amont was belong to 10 and 15 mg l-1 humic acid and control treatment in the third stage of sampling (sixth months). Meanwhile, total soluble solid, pH and TA increased in the storage. According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that humic acid spraying had influence on shelf life and quantity and quality characteristics of ‘Granny Smith’ apple during storage. Therefore, to maintain postharvest quality of ‘Granny Smith’ apple spraying of humic acid with concentrations of 10 and 15 mg l-1 on trees is recommended.

Salinity is the most significant abiotic factor limiting crop productivity and several physiological responses, including modification of ion balance, water status, mineral nutrition, stomatal behavior, photosynthetic efficiency and so on. The GF677 (Prunuspersica×Prunusamygdalus) is widelyusedas rootstock for peach and almond. It is mainly used as a rootstock because of its resistance to drought, calcic soil and Fe deficiency. Nowadays, using tissue culture techniques is very popular for the selection of plant resistant to abiotic stress (in vitro salinity); because in vitro conditions are more controllable than in vivo conditions and the large number of genotypes can be evaluated in a limited space. For example, in the field, plants are exposed to variable biological and climatic conditions which result in some interaction effects. In other words, the nutrition and climatic effects are easily controllable in the in vitro conditions all over the year. The objective of this study is to identify biochemical markers of salinity stress of GF677 rootstock under in vitro conditions. Plantlets of GF677 rootstock were subcultured into the Murashige and Skoog (MS) proliferation medium containing1 mg/l BA (6-Benzyladenine)and 0.1 mg/l NAA (naphthaline acetic acid) with different concentrations (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM) of sodium chloride (NaCl) with four replicates. Cultures were transferred to the growth chamber with temperature of 25±2°C, relative humidity of 70%, under a 16/8 h (day/night) photoperiod. Data were collected at the end of the experiment (6th weeks). Antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase and peroxidase),total protein content, proline content, soluble sugars, and Na and Cl were measured. The experiments were set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates (a vessel in each replicate) and statistical analysis was performed using MSTAT-C program. Means were separated according to the Duncan’s multiple range test (DNMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. After six weeks, the results showed that by increasing salinity levelsin the culture medium, antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase and peroxidase),total protein content, proline content and soluble sugars increased significantly. The antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and peroxidase) were increased significantly in the GF677 rootstock by increasing salinity levels. Catalase activity increased with increasing salinity levels, such that the maximum value (0.61 [abs/min /mg protein (f.m)]) was observed in 80 mM sodium chloride treatment. The lowest catalase activity (0.11 mg [abs/min /mg protein (f.m)]) was observed in 120 mM. The highest of peroxidase enzyme activity (0.109 and 0.105 [abs/min /mg protein (f.m)]), was obtained in 80 and 40 mM, respectively. Also, by increasing the salinity level, total protein content increased significantly in GF677 plantlets. The highest total protein was observed in 80 mM sodium chloride. By increasing salinity levels, proline content increased compared to the control at the GF677 rootstock, but no significant difference was observed between salinity levels. The highest accumulation of proline was obtained in 80 and 120 mM, respectively, while the lowest proline was obtained in control. By increasing salinity levels, soluble sugars increased in GF677 rootstock. The highest accumulation of soluble sugars was obtained in 80 mM. By increasing salinity levels in the cultural medium, the uptakeof sodium (Na+) and chlorine (Cl-) significantly increased in GF677 rootstocks over the six-week culture period. The highest uptake of Na and Cl ions in plant tissue was observed in 4th week. The results showed that with increasing salinity levels 80 to 120 mM), leaf chlorophyll index (SPAD unit) decreased in GF677 rootstock. The lowest chlorophyll index was observed in 120 mM treatment, while the highest leaf chlorophyll index was obtained in the control treatment. According to the results and analysis of biochemical and enzymatic responses,it can be concluded that GF677 is a concentration tolerant to salinity up to 120 mM. The highest amount of biochemical responses and enzymatic activity was observed at 80 mM, where the continued growth of the plant was in terms of salinity. The rootstock was due to antioxidant defense mechanisms such as antioxidant systems, osmotic adjustment by proline and soluble sugars and increasing protein synthesis can sustain growth even under salinity conditions, as a tolerant rootstock was used for peach and almond cultivars.

Effect of foliar spraying by humic acid on mineral leaf composition، yield and fruit quality of apple (Malus domestica L. cv. ‘Granny Smith’) was studied. An experiment based on randomized complete design was conducted in Khorramdare city of Zanjan province. Spraying of humic acid was conducted in four levels 0، 5، 10 and 15 mg/l on eight year-old ‘Granny Smith’ apples grafted on MM106 rootstock. Spraying was conducted two، four and eight weeks after full bloom stage. Results showed that humic acid treatment significantly increased yield، total soluble solid (TSS)، acidity (pH)، concentration of leaf potassium and total chlorophyll content. Concentrations of 10 and 15 mg/l had the highest effect on yield. The humic acid treatment reduced vegetative current shoot growth. There have not significant effect on fruit firmness diameter and length fruit of treated fruits and control. The parameters such as total sugar، leaf area، concentration of N and P of leaf did not influenced by humic acid treatment. According to the results، it can be concluded that concentrations of 10 and 15 mg/l of humic acid spraying have main effect on increasing yield and precocity of ‘Granny Smith’ apple.

In order to study the effect of pre and postharvest polyamines spraying on increasing vase life of alstroemeria (Alstroemeriaaurantica cv. Sukari)، an experimental was conducted on completely randomized factorial design with two types polyamines (putrescine، spermine) in four levels (zero، five، 10، 15 and 20 mg/l). Results showed that، 20 mg/l of putrescine and spermine treatments increased vase life to 19 and 20 days، and 10 mg/l increased vase life to 14 and 18 days، respectively. Putrescine and spermine treatments had a significant effect on leaf chlorophyll index in three stages of sampling. In the first stage of sampling، 20 mg/l putrescine concentration and 10 and 20 mg/l spermine concentration had a significant effect on fresh and dry weight. Concentrations of putrescine and spermine (10 and 20 mg/l) significantly increased catalase enzyme activity in the first and second stage of sampling and spermine effect was more than putrescine. Treatment of 20 mg/l spermine significantly increased superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and increased its activity until third stage of sampling. Putrescine and spermine significantly decreased chlorophyllase، pectinase and phenoloxidase and best treatment was 20 mg/l spermine. Treatments of putrescine and spermine (10 and 20 mg/l) had significant effect on increasing membrane resistance in the first and second stage of sampling. According to results it can be said that، spermin 20 and putrescine 10 mg/l had most effect on increasing vase life and decreasing senescence of alstroemeria flowers. Spermin was more effective than putrescine in increasing vase life of alstroemeria flowers

In this study, effect of CaCl2 treatment and spraying time were studied on quality, mineral composition and shelf life of apricot (Prunus armeniaca cv. ‘Jahangiri’). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with seven treatments at the experimental orchard of Horticultural Research Station of Kamalabad in Alborz (Karaj) province, Iran, during two years (2010 and 2011). Treatments were control tress (spraying with distilled water) and two concentrations of calcium chloride (0.5 and 1%), in three time (30, 38 and 46 days after full bloom). Fruits were stored at 0°C with 93 to 95% relative humidity. Fresh weight and dry weight, flesh fruit firmness, fruit volume, pH, total soluble solid (TSS), mineral concentration (Ca, Mg, N, K and P) were measured five times (at harvest time, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th week of shelf life). Also, fruit wet weight loss was recorded at week 4 and compared with the fruit weight at harvesting. The results indicated that pre-harvest calcium chloride spraying of fruits had significant effect on all of studied parameters. Spraying with different concentrations of calcium chloride increased shelf life of apricot until 10 days with maintaining of quality. The best spraying time for increasing of fruit quality can be applied between 1 and 1.5 months after full bloom.

Artificial seed production is now an outstanding technique for plant propagation and preservation, and has been applied on many plants. This investigation was carried out to study the effect of nutrients and plant growth regulator application in encapsulated matrix on regeneration and growth of synthetic seeds in two Iranian sunflower hybrids. Somatic embryos derived from the culture of sunflower immature zygotic embryos were encapsulated using 3% sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride. Alginate matrix was provided with three different matrixes including distilled water, liquid MS medium and plant growth regulators and then regrowth ability was determined for synthetic seeds during four weeks after culture on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without plant growth regulators. The results of analysis of variance showed that plant regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos and establishment of plantlets were affected by the presence or absence of MS nutrients and plant growth regulator in calcium alginate beads. Using MS nutrients resulted in production of stronger plantlets and the presence of plant growth regulator in calcium alginate beads produced more number of shoots and leaves and more root extension in plantlets.

Influences of pollination methods and plant growth regulators spraying; gibberllic acid (GA3) or naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on some quantitative and qualitative parameters of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera cv. ‘Kabkab’) was investigated in two years (2009 2010). The experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with eight treatments including embedded male inflorescence in spadix (EM), hand pollination (HP), hand duster (HD), motorized duster (MD), hand pollination + GA3 (100 mg l-1) (HP + GA100), hand pollination + GA3 (100 mg l-1) (HP + GA150), hand pollination NAA (150 mg l-1) (HP + NAA) and free strand (FS). Results showed that the highest fruit set percent, the lowest fruit abscission, the greatest fruit number per strand, the highest strand weight, the greatest fruit weight, the highest yield, the greatest fruit length, the greatest fruit diameter, the greatest fruit volume, the greatest pulp/seed ratio and the highest fruit growth rate were obtained by HP+GA150 treatment application. The highest fruit abscission and the lowest fruit number per strand were measured by MD treatment application. The lowest fruit weight was obtained in control (EM), HP and HD treatments. Control (EM), FS, HP, HD and MD treatments showed also the lowest yield. Treatment of HP+NAA150 had the lowest seed length and HP+GA100 treatment had the greatest seed length. The greatest and the lowest seed diameter were obtained by usage of HP+NAA150 and HP treatments, respectively. Seed weight was not influenced by exerting treatments. The highest and the lowest TSS were obtained by HP and HP+NAA150 treatments application, respectively. The highest pH was obtained by usage of HP+GA100. The lowest fruit moisture was observed in HP treated fruit and the highest moisture was observed in HP+NAA150 treated fruit. It can be concluded that application GA3 and NAA have a significant effect on yield increasing, quantitative and qualitative parameters of date fruit cv. Kabkab and HP+GA150 may be recommended.

Effect of ethephon foliar spray on berry anthocyanin contents and quality of grape (‘Beidaneh Ghermez) was studied, using a split plot design. Four ethephon levels [0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 ppm] were sprayed at two growth stages T1 (10-30% berry veraison) and T2 (50-70% berry ripening). Results showed that ethephon significantly increased berry anthocianin content, berry weight and total soluble solid (TSS). Meanwhile, there were not any significant differences among titrable acidity (TA), pH, test index (TSS: TA) and berry firmness compared with control treatment. Also, there was not any significant difference between applications of ethephon times on measured parameters. Ethephon spraying had more impact on increasing anthocianin in berry of ‘Beidaneh Ghermez’ and improved color. According on obtained results it can be said, 300 ppm concentration of ethephon in early ripening time (T1) had best effect. Also, ethephon spraying not only increased color and total soluble solid content also accelerated fruit maturity and ripening.