asghar ebrahimzadeh

Extending the flower vase life is very important in the floriculture industry. In present study, the effectiveness of chitosan and salicylic acid nanoparticles in delaying of the senescence of cut roses was evaluated. Experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with 9 treatments in six repetitions, and the treatments were applied by petal spraying every three days. Chitosan nanoparticles with two concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 mg L-1) and SA with two concentrations (0.1 and 0.3 mM) on the postharvest quality of cut roses were tested. Biochemical and enzymatic traits were measured during a period of 15 days (1, 4, 7, 11, 15 days after harvest), whereas, the vase life, RWU and electrolyte leakage were recorded till the end of flowers vase life. The maximum vase life (17.8 days) observed in flowers subjected to foliar spraying of 0.5 mg L-1 of chitosan nanoparticles with 0.3 mM salicylic acid, while shortest flower longevity (13.5 days) obtained in untreated flowers. Also, the amount of relative solution uptake of flowers and flavonoid content with significant increase were observed in 0.5 mg L-1 chitosan nanoparticles with 0.3 mM salicylic acid treatment. Treatments containing chitosan nanoparticles, especially the combined treatment of 0.5 mg L-1 of chitosan nanoparticles with 0.3 mM SA, reduced the amount of electrolyte leakage of the petals and increasing the vase life. Moreover, the lowest activity of antioxidant enzymes including GPX, PPO, POD and hydrogen peroxide were observed in flowers sprayed with 0.5 mg L-1 chitosan nanoparticles + 0.3 mM SA. Among chitosan nanoparticle treatments, the longest vase life was related to 0.5 mg L-1 (15 days), which increased flowers vase life by 11% compared to the control. Between SA treatments, the concentration of 0.3 mM was the most effective with a 6% increase in flowers vase life comparing untreated flowers. Finally, the combined treatments of chitosan nanoparticles and SA beside improving postharvest quality of cut roses, caused a 31% increase in flower longevity comparing untreated flowers.

The production and maintenance of ornamental plants are closely related to the high consumption of fresh water. Today, due to the limited water resources, we have to water plants with salt water sources. To evaluate the effects of foliar application of nano TiO2, CeO2, and quantum dot-graphene oxide (zero and 1.5 mg/L) and NaCl salinity stress (0, 75, 150 mM) on Gazania splendens L.; a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design. The results revealed that plant dry weight, flower number, proline and flavonoids content, antioxidant enzymes activity, MDA, H2O2, Na, N, and P content were influenced by the interaction effects of experimental treatments. The highest leaf dry weight, flower number, and N content were recorded at no-salinity × quantum dot-graphene oxide. The highest data for Na content, ion leakage (56.6%), H2O2 (246 nmol/mg FW), malondialdehyde (37 nmol/mg FW), and proline (1.1nmol/mg FW) content were recorded at NaCl150 mM × no-foliar spray. 150 mM salinity stress × quantum dot-graphene oxide increased catalase activity (8.9 µmol/g FW) in the plant. Superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activity were influenced by NaCl150 mM × quantum dot-graphene oxide and TiO2 foliar spray. Chlorophyll index, total phenolics, and K/Na ratio were responded to the simple effects of salinity and foliar application. The top ratio of K/Na and chlorophyll index was recorded at quantum dot-graphene oxide foliar spray. 75 and 150 mM salinity improved phenolics content in plants. Foliar spray with all nanoparticles increased phenolics content. The overall results showed that salinity had adverse effects on the growth and physiological characteristics of Gazania splendens. Foliar treatments under 150 mM salinity stress; promisingly influenced the antioxidant enzymes activity and root dry weight of plants. All in all, Gazania splendens can tolerate up to 75 mM NaCl salinity stress without a remarkable decline in growth and physiological attributes.

Several experiments were conducted to study the effects of bud position and plant growth regulators on the micropropagation of Rosa damascena. In the first experiment, the effects of bud localities (the proximal, middle, distal and shoot tip), BAP (2.5 and 5 mgL-1), TDZ (0.05 and 0.1mgL-1) and NAA (0.1 mgL-1) were studied on the regeneration of plant. The highest shoot length in the distal, middle and proximal bud locations was attained by 2.5 and 5 mgL-1 BAP + 0.1 mgL-1 NAA. For the proximal and shoot tips, the top data was related to 0.05 mgL-1 of TDZ + 0.1 mgL-1 NAA. In the second experiment, Kin and BAP (0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 mgL-1) treatment combinations were tested on the regeneration potential without considering bud location. The highest shoot length belonged to 4.5 mgL-1 of BA and BAP. For the rooting stage; 0.1, 0.2 and 2 mgL-1 of NAA and IBA were examined and the highest rooting percentage and root length was recorded for 0.1 mgL-1 IBA. In conclusion, the in vitro regeneration response was controversy for the bud location. However, the growth regulators had promising effects on the regeneration of Rosa damascena.

Each year new cultivars introduced in Iran and their evaluation is necessary due to the different possible responses in the new conditions. In order to study the genetic diversity of new tomato cultivars on morphological and fruit quality traits in the climatic conditions of South West Azerbaijan, an experiment was conducted in RCBD. The results showed that the highest fruit yield was observed in Bellariva hybrid (4.89 kg/plant) and SV 8320 (4.76 kg/plant) cultivars. The lowest number of days to flowering was observed in cultivar of 10857 (45 days). The lowest number of days until first fruit ripening was observed in Oula cultivar (89.67 days). CA 024 hybrid cultivar revealed the highest number of fruits per plant (121.377), the highest percentage of flower to fruit set was recorded in Oula hybrid (75%), and local Miandoab (142.3 g), local Urmia (138 g), Bellariva (137.3 g) and SV 8320 (136 g) had the highest of average weight of fruit. The highest of total soluble solids were observed in hybrid cultivar CA 024 (6.57%), the highest pH was displyed in hybrid cultivars Super stone (4.67) and 10857 (4.67) and the highest acidity was recorded in local cultivar Urmia (0.98%). Also, Pearson’s correlation of traits showed that the most effective traits in increasing yield were fruit weight and number of fruits per plant.According to the results of this study, Bellariva and SV 8320 hybrid cultivars are the most suitable high-yielding cultivars for cultivation in the ecological conditions in the northwest of Iran.

Low temperature is an effective method to maintain product quality during the post-harvest period, but due to the sensitivity of cucumber fruits to chilling injury, the use of proper alternative techniques to chilling control are essential. In order to evaluate the use of melatonin to control chilling damage on cucumber, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design was conducted with three replications. The experimental factors included: different storage times (control = harvest day, 4, 8, and 12 days after harvest) and different concentrations of melatonin (0, 1, 10, and 100 μM). Some biochemical and physiological parameters including PAL activity, antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and lipoxygenase) activities, malondialdehyde, phenolics and total protein content, electrolyte leakage, total soluble solids content and fruit firmness were measured. Melatonin in storage periods increased phenolic content and catalase and lipooxigenase activity. This increase was observed in all tested concentration of melatonin alongwith increasing the storage time up to 8 days but then reduced. Concerning SOD activity and total protein content, the increase was just until the fourth day and then decreased. Also, in all tested levels of melatonin, with storage time up to 12 days, malondyldehyde and electrolyte leakage showed an increasing trend, but fruit firmness had a decreasing pathern. TSS content decreased with time in all melatonin concentrations, which was more evident in untreated fruits. Moreover, in all tested concentration of melatonin, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and fruit firmness decreased by time up to 12 days. Overall, the results showed that melatonin treatment, especially at 100 μM, could diminish chilling injury and maintain the postharvest quality of cucumber fruits during cold storage.

The use of appropriate biological and organic fertilizers has been a prominent technique in the yield promotion and quality improvement of horticultural crops. In Present study, the effects of three commercial fertilizers; Stimplex (biofertilizer), Essential plus (organic fertilizer), Fertigofol (Complete fertilizer) as well Nano-chelate potassium on the quality and yield of two commercial strawberry cultivars (Albione and Gavietta) were evaluated. Traits including number of leaves and flower buds, petiole length, fruit firmness and yield of each plant, chlorophyll and anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity and Total soluble carbohydrate were measured. The longest petioles (15.2 cm) and the highest number of leaves (11.6) per plant were related to Gavita cultivar under stimplex biofertilizer treatment, while the shortest petiole (11.1 cm) was also affected by the same fertilizer(stimplex) in Albion cultivar. The highest and lowest total soluble carbohydrate content was obtained under potassium nano-chelate and stimplex treatments in both cultivars, respectively. Fruit firmness in Albion cultivar under all tested treatments was significantly higher than Gavita, but the highest fruit firmness was obtained with stimplex biofertilizer. The results revealed that although there were considerable variations among measured parameters as well cultivars in response to tested treatments, but the suitable treatments were Stimplex and fertifogol and then nano-chelate potassium. In short, "Gavietta" attained more score in most of measured attributes higher than "Albione. Considering the traits responses to the fertilizers, Stimplex and Fertifogol fertilizers showed more positive effects on the quality and quantity of strawberry fruits and hence,"Gavietta" was the cultivar of choice.

Application of biofertilizers is one of the most important tools to increase yield and improving the quality of horticultural products. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers as alternatives to chemical fertilizers, especially in greenhouse cultivation with sustainable agriculture potential and maintaining the consumer health. The effects of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers on yield and quality of cucumber as a highly growing greenhouse crop with considerable performance were detailed objectives of present study. 

In order to investigate the effect of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers on the quality and quantity of cucumber fruit in greenhouse conditions, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three types of fertilizers Essential plus, Fertigofol and Stimplex at three levels(Control. Foliar application of watrer, 2 and 4 g/litr ). 

The results revealed that the used fertilizers could improved most of measured parameters including fresh and dry weight of leaf, root and fruit organs. Furthermore, tested fertilizers significantly (p≤0.01) improved all measured postharvest parameters such as TA, TSS and chlorophyll content ( a and b) and vitamin C of cucumber fruit compared to untreated plants. Potassium and iron levels were also positively affected by fertilizers. 

Overalls,  based on the results from the present study, using all three fertilizers were beneficial considering the yields and quality attributes. However, Fertigofol was even more noticeable taking into account the expand shelf life and postharvest quality of fruits comparing other two biofertilizers. All in all, biofertilizers of diverse source would be advisable to test and practice instead or integrated with other chemical compounds.

Keeping anthurium cut flowers under 15o</sup>C leads to chilling damage and reduction in flower vase life. In this research, the effects of postharvest GABA treatments (0 and 1,5 mM) on vase life, membrane stability, spathe browning, antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, SOD), and MDA content during 10 days' storage at 5 and 10 o</sup>C were studied. The results revealed that the longest vase life was observed in 1 mM GABA and 10 o</sup>C. Untreated flowers showed the least membrane stability and the highest MDA content in chilling temperatures. SOD activity was increased using 5 mM GABA . The flowers treated with 1 mM GABA had more CAT activity. GABA treatment had no effect on spathe browning. Finally, it can be concluded that both concentrations of GABA (1 and 5 mM) were effective to induce chilling resistance in anthurium cut flowers. </div

Alternate bearing is one of the most important physiological phenomenon that in addition to uneven production during different years, reduces the yield and quality of the olive. In this study, the effect of alternate bearing on some fruit and oil parametrs was investigated. According to the results of this study, some of the olive fruit parameters including mean weight and meane fresh and dry weight of fruit, fruit length and diameter and fruit volume and quality parameters such as phenolics, anthocyanin, carotenoids and flavonoids contents are affected by alternate bearing. Considering the fact that olive is a dual purpose product, the qualitative parameters (free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide and spectrophotometric indices) of olive oil was also studied. The results showed that free fatty acid content was affected by alternate bearing and  was higher in off tresss, but peroxide was not affected by alternate bearing.

Chilling damage under 15ºC in anthurium cut flowers reduces the vase-life, quality and marketability of the product. In the present experiment, GABA postharvest treatment (0, 1 and 5 mM) was studied on the vase-life, total soluble solid (TSS), H2O2 content, proline content, spathe browning, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes activity of Anthurium andraeanum 'Sirion' during 10 days of storage at 10 ºC and 5 ºC. The results revealed that 1 mM GABA treatment at 10 ºC was the treatment of choice considering the vase-life. GABA treatment had no special effect on reducing the browning incidence. GABA at 5 mM increased the SOD activity. Furthermore, GABA reduced H2O2 levels compared to control untreated flowers. Moreover, under chilling stress, proline was the highest with GABA treated flowers. One mM treated GABA treatments hold higher catalase activity. The highest TSS belonged to 5 mM GABA under 5ºC.

This study was conducted to assay the effects of diverse levels of foliar application of brown marine algae extract (0, 150 and 300 ml) in combined with integrative treatment of organic fertilizers (control, poaltry manure, cow manure and vermicompost) and soil cover (white and black) on some physiological characteristics (chlorophyll content, total phenolic, flavonoids and anthocyanin contents) and growth potential of Calendula officinalis as factorial based on RCBD with three replications. The results revealed the significant interaction effects of integrative treatments (soil cover and organic fertilizer) and algal extracts foliar application on chlorophyll a content. The highest chlorophyll a content was recorded in vermicompost + 300 ml algae extract. The highest data for root (15gm-2) and stem dry weight (74/8g m-2) and for flower diameter (5/98cm) were recorded in plants treated with vermicompost + white mulch. The greatest phenolic content, flower dry weight, as well as the highest essential oil content were acquired in organic fertilizer + black mulch. The lowest data for phenolic and essential oil content was belonged to control (without algae extract) treatment. Algal extract foliar application significantly influenced the anthocyanin content at 300 ml. Finally, all treatments used in this study had positive effects on the physiological and morphological characteristics of Marigold and can be recommended to farmers.

Senescence is an integral part of the normal developmental cycle of plants and can be traced in cell, tissue and organ level. This work was focused on the efficiency of post-harvest treatment with the free polyamine spermine (Spm) to extend the vase life of cut rose flowers as an anti-senescence compound. Spm treatment was applied at the rates of 0, 1, 2 and 4 mM. Some morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics of tested cut roses (Rosa hybrida cv. ‘Dolce Vita’) such as; flower diameter, water uptake, relative fresh weight, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde content, guiacole peroxidase activity, hydrogen peroxide content and vase life were evaluated. The effects of a pulsing application of the polyamine on the mentioned traits were significant and treatment with Spm effectively delayed the senescence of roses, especially when applied at 4 mM concentration. Polyamine treatment resulted in a notable decrease in petal electrolyte leakage due to its cationic and anti-peroxidative characters. In addition to the anti-ethylene property, the cationic character of polyamines may play an important role in determining the vase life of cut flowers.

Mango (Mangifera indica) is a tropical fruit native to India whose global production in 2014 reached nearly 45 million tones. Mango is a commercially important fruit and improvement in its storage is of special importance. Mango is a Climacteric fruit whose ripening is done by exogenous or endogenous ethylene. In plants, Polyamines such as spermine, spermidine, and putrescine contradict ethylene because of a common precursor (s-adenosyl methionine (SAM). During ripening, different qualitative and nutritional changes occur in the fruit, e. g. changes in color, tissue softening, accumulation of sugars and organic acids, and great changes in taste, flavor, aroma and plant biochemical materials. Fruit ripening is a complicated process, complementary to fruit development, and a start to its senescence. In general, senescence of a fruit is related to loss of membrane lipids, destabilization of membrane matrix, and lipid peroxidation. Recently, naturally active biological products are applied in a large amount for increasing the storage life and quality of the fruits and delaying their senescence.This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of spermidine on the quality and vase life of a local mango variety of Minab.
Healthy fruits, uniform in size, shape, color, and degree of maturity were selected from a mango orchard in Minab and their original physical and chemical characteristics on the first day were measured after washing with water and drying. Statistical analysis of data was done by a general linear model (GLM) with SAS (version 9.1) and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan's multiple range test. Treatment solution in the rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mM spermidine (SIGMA) was made and its pH was set to 5 using NaOH. One liter of distilled water was used in the control treatment. The treated samples were immersed in solutions of different concentrations of spermidine just once for 30 minutes. During 24-days of shelf life, storage temperature was 15 °C and the relative humidity was 85 to 90 percent. Measurements were on the zero, 8th, 16th, and 24th days. Characteristics such as weight, firmness, flavor index, phenol, ascorbic acid, qualitative characteristics (PH, TA and TSS), and sensory evaluation were measured.
The results showed that physical and biochemical qualities in the control fruit were lower compared to the other treatments. The Polyamine treatment with spermidine, especially at the concentration of 2 mM, significantly maintained weight loss and reduction of vitamin C during storage of fruits. Spermidine treatments increased ascorbic acid and other organic acids in fruit juice and reduced pH. Increased acidity in spermidine treatments of these substances play an active role in coping with storage stress. Moreover, with reduction of tissue respiration, the consumption of organic acids decreased during storage. The results showed that increasing the concentration of spermidine leads to the least decrease in the phenol flesh. Firmness gradually decreased during storage and at the end of shelf life, there was significant difference between the treatments. It was found that treatments with 1 and 2 mM spermidine were the best. Furthermore, the effect of spermidine on the total soluble solid solutions in the flesh of mango fruit was not significant during storage. But skin color, taste, flavor, and aroma index were more favorable. Treatments that delay production of structural lipids led to the production of aromatic volatile substances, which produced a favorable aroma in fruits. It seems that increasing spermidine concentration plays an important role in mango fruit fragrance at the end of shelf-life. The 2 mM spermidine treatment led to the highest total content of phenol and showed the lowest pH in fruit juice.
Spermidine, that is naturally present in animals and plants in particular, belongs to the amine groups. The results indicated that spermidine maintains firmness and extends shelf life of mango fruits and has a significant and beneficial impact on the quality characteristics including weight, color, taste, aroma, and vitamin C during storage. It seems that spermidine of 2 mM concentration has tangible impact on mango fruits and it is recommended in mango store rooms. There is a competition in production of Ethylene and polyamides of spermine, spermidine, and putrescine in plants, due to their common precursor namely S-adenosyl methionine, yet they act oppositely in ripening and senescence processes. Application of polyamides had extraordinary effects on the quality of some fruits during storage.

This study was conducted to assay the effects of methanol foliar application (0, 10, 20 and 30% v/v) and bed cover (control, white and black covers) on yield and some physiological traits of marigold as a factorial based on RCBD. The results revealed the significant interaction effects of bed cover and methanol foliar application on chlorophyll a content and plant height. The highest plant height was belonged to black mulch × methanol (except for 30% methanol). The highest chlorophyll a content (2.3 mg g-1 FW) was attained by black mulch × 30% methanol. Chlorophyll b content was influenced by soil cover and the highest chlorophyll b content (1.1 mg g-1 FW) was recorded with black mulch. The flowers and leaves dry weight as well as relative water content and total soluble solids content were affected by the treatments and, the highest data for flower dry weight (116 g) was in 30% foliar spray and black mulch (103.6 g). The highest data for total soluble solids content (120 °Brix) and relative water content (49.7%) were recorded with 30% methanol foliar application and by black soil cover. For root-dry weight (15.3 g) and total phenolics content (95.05 mg GA g-1 Dwt), black mulch was the treatment of choice.

Pelargonium odoratissimum is a perennial evergreen used as a fragrant ornamental plant. Leaves, green branches and fresh flowers contain essential oils, that have been shown to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal and antioxidant properties. In order to study the effect of foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg L-1) on vegetative growth and some physiological characteristics of Pelargonium odoratissimum L. plants, a pot experiment was carried out during 2015 at the Research Greenhouse of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Iran. Vegetative growth (plant height, fresh and dry weight) was significantly affected by the application of ZnSO4. Foliar application of ZnSO4 promoted plant height especially at 2000 mg L-1. Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were affected with ZnSO4 treatment as well. The content of essential oil was not significantly influenced with ZnSO4 spray. ZnSO4 application had significant effect on total phenolic and anthocyanins (at 1000 and 2000 mg L-1) and total flavonoids (at 2000 mg L-1) content.