javad farrokhi toolir

A study was conducted to initially identify a number of superior walnut genotypes in Kerman province.

Among the walnut genotypes from different regions in Kerman province located at elevations ranging from 2163 to 2867 meters above sea level, 43 genotypes were evaluated for 27 morphological variables over a period of three years (2020 to 2023). The results were evaluated based on descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis;

According to the results of this research, the genetic diversity among genotypes did not follow a geographical distribution pattern. The growth vigor in genotypes 18, 19, and 22 was very strong. The ease of kernel separation was easy or very easy in 34% of genotypes. High yield was reported in 7 genotypes. About 16% of the genotypes were sensitive to late spring frost, while the rest showed medium or low sensitivity. No signs of anthracnose disease were reported among the genotypes. The highest coefficient of variation (CV) belonged to the trait "time of pollen shedding" (77.32%). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first 10 components related to qualitative traits described 75% of the total variation. Based on the dendrogram, 4 distinct groups were created in terms of qualitative traits.

Since desirable traits for walnut breeding, such as late leafing, early bearing, and lateral bearing type, are important, it can be said that genotypes 1, 2, 10, and 39 showed positive correlations with all these traits. The results can be used in selecting genotypes for using in future breeding programs

Finding non-chemical (organic) biological compounds such as salicylic acid and chitosan, which are harmless to the consumer and at the same time help to maintain the storage properties of perishable fruit crops, is of interest. Therefore, the effects of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 1, and 2 mmol L-1) on the shelf life and quality of ‘Bada’ cherry fruit during storage were surveyed. Total phenolics (TP), total antioxidant activity (TAA), ascorbic acid content (AAC) and fungal decay incidence (FDI), total titrable acidity (TTA), pH, firmness, and the color surface were evaluated during storage for 14 and 28 days at 2.5±0.5 °C and relative humidity of 85-95 %. SA at all concentrations significantly affected the fruit quality. SA at one mmol L‑1 in combination with 1% chitosan significantly decreased FDI incidence and maintained fruit marketability and firmness. L* and b* color indices significantly increased, and one mmol L‑1 SA induced the rate of yellowish skin color and lighter color. The results of this study can be used for various uses of fresh or processed cherries.

Russian olive (Senjed) is planted in a large area in Iran, and at the same time, there are limited natural habitats for its species. This elder tree can be found in different types of soils and moisture conditions, but preferably it grows better in flood plains and humid coastal areas. Russian olive has a special place as one of the important products of Kerman Province. The area under cultivation and the amount of its production in Kerman are 309 hectares and 1100 metric tons, respectively. In this province, native trees are mainly cultivated along streams and on the edge of fields due to the deliciousness of their fruits. In spite of the wide variety and potential of it, there is less information available on the number of species and the genetic diversity of local genotypes. This study, as a preliminary investigation, showed the existence of high morphological diversity in the native Russian olive genotypes of the province, which reveals the importance of using them in future multi-breeding programs.

In this research, six qualitative traits include fruit shape, fruit aroma and flavor, fruit skin color, fruit ripening date, flowering date, and leaf shape, and fourteen quantitative traits including panicle length, panicle width, petiole length, petiole width, thorn length, thorn width, fruit length, fruit width, seed length, seed width, fruit tail length, fruit tail width, fruit weight, and seed weight were studied between 22 Russian olive native genotypes from Sirjan, Bardsir and Kerman regions.

The results showed the existence of many traits among genotypes. The average fruit length was 1.87 cm, fruit diameter 1.12 cm, fruit weight 1.49 grams, seed weight 0.52 grams, leaf length 4.27 cm and leaf width 2.48 cm. The highest fruit weight and fruit quality and flavor were reported in genotype number (4) of Mahmoudabad, Sirjan. The highest positive correlation coefficient at the probable level (p<0.01) was observed in petiole length and spine length (r=0.669), petiole length and fruit tail length (r=0.601), and fruit length and fruit diameter (r=0.584). Analyzing into main components in qualitative traits showed that the first two components explained 62% of the total changes. In quantitative traits, the first five components included 74.77% of the total changes. Based on the dendrogram of the scatterplot of quantitative and qualitative traits, all genotypes were divided into three separate groups. In the present research, the classification of masses based on quantitative traits did not follow their geographical distribution.

The highest fruit weight belonged to the genotype of Mahmoud Abad Sirjan, which is a tropical region of Sirjan, and it had a sweet taste and a good aroma. The highest correlation values of traits were observed in PC1 between the traits of flowering date, leaf shape, leaf, fruit and seed dimensions, as well as seed weight. The presence of superior leaf traits and the subsequent improvement programs on them can expand the scope of use of elderberry from the fruit-only state. Environmental conditions and being at different heights above sea level do not play a significant role in the classification of genotypes.

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is mainly cultivated in the north and northwest of Iran. In this study, the genetic structure and diversity of 52 hazelnut accessions were investigated using 9 simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 3, with a total number of 19 alleles. The highest and lowest values of observed alleles were found in the Fandogloo-Ardabil (Na=2.22) and 6th population (Na=1.77), respectively. The highest and lowest effective alleles were observed in Fandogloo-Gilan (Ne=1.94) and Hatammeshasi (Ne=1.56) populations, respectively. The highest value of the Shanon index (I=50%) was found in Hatammeshasi. A high level of genetic diversity, including expected heterozygosity (He), was found in Hatammeshasi population (He=0.50), while the highest value of observed heterozygosity (Ho) was found in Talesh population (Ho =0.25). The polymorphic information content (PIC) varied from 0.87 to 0.98 per locus. The mean values of PIC, Fis, and Fst for all loci were 0.88, 0.53, and 0.15, respectively. Overall, gene flow between populations (Nm=1.57) was observed in the studied populations. The highest correlations (r=0.94,  p<0.05) were observed between the Eshkavar and Fandogloo-Gilan, and Hatammeshasi and Fandogloo-Ardabil populations. Regarding the X2 test at p<0.05, the studied populations did not follow the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Cluster analysis based on UPGMA method divided hazelnut genotypes into four groups. The results confirm that SSR is a reliable DNA marker that can be used to accurately study genetic diversity in hazelnut populations.

The Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is one of the most valuable crops in Iran. The present study was conducted in The rabor agriculture research station (RARS) in Kerman province to investigate 21 important pomological and phenological variables among 37 walnut native genotypes and commercial cultivars in the year 2020. In general, results showed that walnuts from RARS were phenotypically diverse with the significant variation found across most traits examined. The highest and lowest coefficient of variation (CV) was for kernel percentage (CV= 29.48%), and time of male flowering (CV= 14.77%), respectively. Results also showed a strong positive correlation between nut weight and kernel weight (r= 0.727). The date of nut maturity had the lowest correlation with kernel intensity of  the ground color (r= -0.476). Principal component analysis of variables revealed that the first eight principal components (PCs) accounted for 79.43% of the total variation. Cluster analysis based on variables produced a dendrogram with five main clusters. The grouping of genotypes was not following their geographical origin. This study revealed the presence of high phenotypic diversity in the walnut genotypes of Rabor Agricultural Research Station (RARS), supporting their breeding value for possible use in the future.

The Fandogloo jungle is located in the Ardabil province of northwestern Iran, and contains the largest in situ germplasm collection of hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) in Iran. In this study, 12 quantitative and 21 qualitative traits of 70 wild hazelnut genotypes native to Fandogloo were studied, including traits of nuts, kernel and tree morphology. Results showed that, hazelnut genotypes from Fandogloo were phenotypically diverse with significant variation found across most traits studied. Interestingly, they had a smaller nut and kernel size and weight, compared to some hazelnut germplasm pools previously studied around the world, overall they exhibited a higher kernel to shell ratio. Results also showed, there were strong correlations between kernel length and kernel thickness (r=0.878), nut length and nut thickness (r=0.875), and kernel percentage and chlorophyll index (r=0.617). Positive correlations were also found between branching density and suckering (r=0.487) and between the curvature of the nut basal scar and size of the pistil scar (r=0.352). Principal component analysis of quantitative variables revealed that the first four principal components (PCs) accounted for 74.2% of the total variation. Regarding qualitative variables, the first nine PCs accounted for 64.3% of the total variation. Cluster analysis based on quantitative and qualitative traits resulted in a dendrogram with seven and eight main clusters, respectively. Some of the genotypes were not grouped according to their geographical distribution. Overall, this study revealed the presence of high phenotypic diversity in the hazelnut genotypes from Fandogloo region, supporting their breeding value for possible use in future.