mousa solgi

Zamiifolia or ZZ is a luxury indoor ornamental plant that has received considerable attention in the past two decades. Due to its high economic value, its propagation is highly valuable. This research had two experiments to investigate rooting and rhizome production by leaf cuttings. The first experiment was a factorial with two factors, i.e., IBA concentrations (0, 250, and 500 mg L-1) and three positions of leaflet cuttings on the main axis of the leaf (apical, middle, and basal). The results showed that the number of rhizomes and roots increased in response to 250 and 500 mg L-1 IBA, respectively, compared to the other treatments. In the second experiment, the effects of three propagation media were investigated, i.e., perlite: sand: cocopeat (50: 25: 50), cocopeat: perlite (50: 50), and cocopeat: perlite (70: 30), as well as three positions of leaflet cuttings on the main axis of the leaf (apical, middle and basal). The results indicated that the cocopeat: perlite medium (50: 50) significantly increased the rhizome length, rhizome width, root formation, root length, and shoot count. In conclusion, the optimal recommendation for rhizome formation/rooting substrate was cocopeat plus perlite. IBA application can highly benefit the vegetative propagation of this valuable ornamental plant.

A challenge in cultivating Chaenomeles japonica L. is the occurrence of iron chlorosis. Employing rootstocks that are tolerant of calcareous soils represents the effective strategy for addressing the encounters posed by alkaline soils. This study examines the compatibility of Chaenomeles japonica L. grafting with rootstocks and evaluates the influence of IBA on the grafting process using the stenting method. The investigation focused on the influence of IBA (0, 1000, and 2000 mg l-1) and rootstocks (Rosa alba, Pyracantha coccinea, Malus domestica cv. Gami Almasi, Pyracantha coccinea, Cydonia oblonga, and the Malling M9) utilizing the budding grafting and splice grafting technique. The evaluation of traits, success of the grafting, rooting percentage, root volume, the number of activated scions, the callus formation, the length of shoot, the inter-node distance, and the leaves number, was conducted. The findings indicated that the application of IBA effectively promoted root development. The most significant root development was observed in Chaenomeles japonica L. when grafted onto Rosa alba rootstock and subjected to at 2000 mg of IBA. The Pyracantha coccinea exhibited the lowest number of activated grafts; however, it demonstrated the highest callus formation at the grafting site among the rootstocks, suggesting a superior grafting potential. It is considered a suitable candidate for the propagation of Chaenomeles japonica L. grafts through the cutting-grafting technique. Grafting Chaenomeles japonica L. on Pyracantha coccinea demonstrates superior compatibility and enhanced growth vigor. It is expected that this rootstock will exhibit improved tolerance to alkaline soil, potentially eliminating the leaf early chlorosis.

Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a valuable shrub used in the landscape due to its beautiful leaves and flowers and pleasant fragrance. Grafting of lilac on wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) was evaluated in this study to reduce the time required for propagation and the use of rootstock. Stenting or simultaneous rooting and grafting is a novel method for propagating of some woody plants. In this research, the stenting technique was applied to propagate lilac for the first time. Two stenting methods (splice and omega) and three concentrations of IBA (0, 1000 and 2000 mg L-1) were evaluated. According to the results, stenting via the splice method significantly increased the percentage of rooted stentings and leafed scions and reduced the rate of dried stentings in comparison to the omega method. The percentage of rootstock callus formation, percentage of leafed scions, and fresh weight of produced roots and shoots were significantly enhanced by application of IBA. The best results were obtained with 2000 mg L-1. In addition, the lowest percentage of dried stenting was observed in this treatment. Also, final success of stenting showed that the use of the splice method and IBA had the highest achievement. In conclusion, the application of 2000 mg L-1 IBA in comparison with splice stenting method is recommended for propagation of Syringa vulgaris.

Water scarcity is the biggest problem in Hamadan Province. In the meantime, agricultural sector is more vulnerable than other economic sectors due to its high share of water consumption. Policymakers are interested in adopting appropriate policies and tools to manage crisis and tackle water scarcity problems. This study aimed to determine the economic value of water in the agricultural sector of the province and the potential for revenue generation of this resource in the production of irrigated crops. Selected products for the study included wheat, barley, alfalfa, potato, sugar beet, corn, grain fodder, watermelon, garlic, cucumber, tomato, grape, and walnut products. Data was obtained through questionnaires and interviews with farmers for the 2018-19 crop year and for estimating economic value of water using Cobb-Douglas production form. The results showed that the economic value of water in different crops was greater than the water supply costs. The economic value of water for the mentioned products was equal to 2043, 3775, 6023, 3506, 2136, 1956, 1778, 4902, 36750, 16337 and 4929, 15840 and 20064 Rials/m3 and, on average, 9232 Rials/m3 of water, respectively. These figures are compared to the cost of extracting water from underground sources the most expensive source is 496 Rials/m3, which shows a big gap between these numbers; therefore, it is possible to price water at the same rate as the above figures. This provides incentives towards more efficient water use in this economic sector.

The effect of red beetroot extract and folic acid was evaluated on vase life of rose cut-flower cultivars of white (White Avalanche) and red (Samourai) during three experiments, in this study. In the first experiment, four concentrations of red beetroot extract (0, 50, 100 and 200 ml.L-1) and in the second experiment, three concentrations of red beet extract (0, 20 and 50 mlL-1) were used. In the third experiment, four concentrations of Folic acid (0, 25, 50 and 100 mgL-1) in combination with 2% sucrose were used. Cut-flowers were treated by pulsing method (24 hours) in these preservative solutions and then were maintained in distilled water util to end of vase life. The evaluated traits included vase life, relative fresh weight, relative solution adsorbed, anthocyanin content, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage and relative leaf water content. Results showed that the vase life and relative fresh weight of White Avalanche cultivar were significantly higher than red Samourai cultivar. By increasing the amount of red beetroot extract, the amount of anthocyanin in the petals of the treated flowers increasedWhereas, at lower concentrations of red beetroot extracts, vase life and amount of relative solution absorbed increased. In the folic acid experiment, the relative fresh weight and the amount of solution absorbed in the control which contained distilled water along with 2% sucrose, then the 25 mgL-1 Folic acid were the best treatments. It is suggested to use lower concentrations of these compounds and also with antimicrobial compounds.

One of the important proceedings in propagation process of plants is improving the speed of rooting and shortening this propagation period. Today, use of natural materials as an alternative for chemical fertilizer is concerned with successful rooting of cuttings in ornamental plants that in some cases have perceived well and effective influence of these biofertilizer compared with chemicals. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a valuable ornamental indoor plant. The production of this plant in short time is commercially important. An important stage in the process of accelerating this plant production is to improve the rooting and shortening its growth stage. Therefore, the simultaneous effect of mycorrhizal biofertilizer and biochar on Zamioculcas zamiifolia propagation was studied in this research.

This study was performed in the greenhouse in the faculty of agriculture and environmental science of Arak University with controlled conditions of 25 ◦C temperature, 70% humidity and 10,000 lux of light. Treatments were included biochar 5% + arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer 6%, biochar 10% + arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer 6%, biochar 5% + arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer 12%, and biochar 10% + arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer 12%, and control (without biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer). The arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer was mixture of Clarodeoglomus etunicatum, Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis mosseae. The experiment was performed as a completely randomized design (CRD) at three replicates. The pots were containing cocopeat + perlite (1:1) and different treatments of arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer and biochar. Morphological and physiological traits such as off-shoot number, Leafy cuttings color, Leaf width, Leaf length, Shoot length, root number, root length, rhizome diameter, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content, fresh weight (FW) of roots and shoots, the dry weight (DW) of roots and shoots, Saturation weight, relative water content (RWC), biomass, electrolyte leakage and arbuscular mycorrhizal root colonization were measured after 9 months.

Biochar and arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer application in propagation medium increased off-shoot growth of Zamioculcas zamiifolia. The results showed that the highest roots number was obtained in the treatments of arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 12% + biochar 10% which was followed by arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 6% + biochar 5%. The maximum root length was observed by arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 12% + biochar 5% treatment. The root colonization had a positive correlation with the number of off-shoot, leaf size, shoot FW and leaf chlorophyll content. The application of biochar 10% + arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 6% treatment caused an increase in the height of the shoot about 3.3 times more than the control. The highest rhizome diameter was observed in biochar 10% + arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 6% treatment. The maximum off-shoot number was measured in the treatment of biochar 10% + arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer 6% treatment which was 1.8 times more than control. No signs of colonization were observed in the control, but the roots colonization in the arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilization treatment 12% was 1.6 times more that in the arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 6%. Increasing the amount of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhiza application in the propagation medium enhanced arbuscular mycorrhiza roots colonization of Zamioculcas zamiifolia. A significant positive correlation was observed between the number of off-shoot and the total biomass (r=0.95). A high positive correlation was observed between the fresh weight of shoot and the saturated weight (r=0.95). There was a significant positive correlation between saturated weight with total chlorophyll (r=0.97) and total biomass (r=0.96). The relationship between total chlorophyll and biomass was a significant positive (r=0.95). There was a significant positive correlation between the root colonization and chlorophyll a (r=0.83). A significant negative correlation was detected between dry weight of shoot and dry weight of root (r=0.94) and dry weight of root with relative water content (r=0.95).

Generally, in the most of studied traits, the use of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer in the culture medium improved the off-shoot growth and rooting characteristics of Zamioculcas zamiifolia compared to the control. Shortening the propagation period of this slow growth and luxury plant is significant aspects in the production of this ornamental plant that reduce production costs and make the product more cost-effective. The use of biochar 10% + arbuscular mycorrhiza biofertilizer 6% in culture medium is recommended to improve the quantitative and qualitative properties through the propagation of this ornamental houseplant.

Use of biochare and folic acid in a lawns bed can be used as a method for reducing water consumption and also reducing the cost of maintaining green space. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of folic acid and biochare composition on sport lawns under drought stress conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of folic acid and biochare composition on sport lawns under drought stress conditions.

For this purpose, two substances of folic acid (0, 250 and 500 mg L-1) and biochar (0, 20 and 40 g kg-1) after water stress were used at two levels of 100 (full irrigation) and 50 (drought) field capacity percentages. The traits of perspective quality (density, color, texture and coverage), chlorophyll, prolin and N, P, Ca and P elements were measured after the drought stress application. This research was carried out as factorial in a completely randomized design at department of Horticultural Science and Engineering of Arak University in 2018.

The application of biochar at 20 g kg-1 concentrations increased the cover surface in sport turfgrass. It was also determined that drought stress reduced the qualitative characteristics of color, density, texture and coverage, but increased nitrogen levels in the sports turfgrass. In this research, the reduced amount of potassium of leaf tissues by biochar application under drought stress was observed. Although, the increasing of potassium content was observed by using of folic acid treatment under drought stress. Biochar alone at a concentration of 20 g kg-1 increased the amount of grass cover compared to the control. However, the use of biochar in drought stress conditions did not have a positive effect on the studied traits and it even caused a 50% decrease in the amount of potassium under drought stress. In this test, drought stress reduced the characteristics of sports turfgrass, including color, density, texture, and coverage. The use of folic acid under drought stress conditions caused an increase in nitrogen and potassium levels in the studied turfgrass species. However, without the application of folic acid in combination with a concentration of 40 g kg-1 of biochar caused an increase in the amount of calcium compared to the control. When biochar and folic acid were used simultaneously under drought stress conditions, the amount of phosphorus increased compared to the control. Although biochar had a positive effect on the quality of the sports grass coverage, it did not have much effect on increasing the absorption of elements under drought stress. Therefore, the amount of 20 grams of biochar per kilogram of soil is recommended. However, folic acid had positive effect on the quality of the sports grass coverage and increasing the absorption of nutrients under drought stress. Therefore, the concentration of 250 mgL-1 of folic acid is the optimal and effective concentration that is suggested in this research. In general, folic acid is a natural tampon and a suitable chelator with high ion exchange capacity, which increases the absorption of mineral elements in plants and also increases the quality and quantity.

The amount of internal anthocyanin in carnation cut flowers may be one of the factors affecting the vase life of colored carnations. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of changing the internal anthocyanin concentration in petals and the using of external sucrose on vase life of four cultivars of carnation cut flowers in this study. Four carnation cultivars were used including: white (White Liberty), yellow (Yellow Liberty), pink (Tabor), and red (Grand Slam). In the first experiment, the changes in internal anthocyanin of petals and its effect on vase life of the four cultivars were investigated. Different concentrations of external sucrose (0, 2 and 4%) on post-harvest traits of four mentioned cultivars were evaluated in the second experiment. The results of the first experiment showed that the possibility effectiveness of internal anthocyanin on vase life of carnation. Vase life of the cultivars without internal anthocyanin (white and yellow) was twice (14 days) as long as that of the red and pink cultivars containing anthocyanin (7 days). Results of the second experiment indicated that external sucrose improved the vase life traits. Moreover, the lowest vase life was observed in red cultivar (13.7 days) without the using of external sucrose and the highest vase life was found in the pink cultivar (18 days) treated with 4% external sucrose. In general, increasing in internal anthocyanin in the absence of external sucrose reduced vase life. Using of external sucrose increased the vase life of cultivars containing more anthocyanin.

Outcome appropriate strategy is so essential to reduce the irrigation of the turfgrass in the landspace since to high water requirement of turfgrass growth stages and the limitation of water resources. In the first experiment, the application of polyethylene glycol (0, 2.5 and 5%) and humic acid (0, 250 and 500 mg.l-1) treatments at the germination phase and the application of foliar spraying of humic acid (0, 250 and 500 mg.l-1) and drought stress (100% and 30% of field capacity) in the turfgrass establishment stage in the second experiment was conducted. In the first experiment, although the dry weight of seedlings increased at the presence of different concentrations of polyethylene glycol, most of the indices of germination decreased in comparison to the control. In the second experiment, drought stress in turfgrass caused 10-fold increase in proline, decreasing in relative water content, fresh and dry weight of shoots compared to withouth drought stress in greenhouse conditions. Foliar spraying with 250 mg.l-1 humic acid reduced shoot height and density under drought stress conditions. Therefore, it can be stated that the foliar spraying application of humic acid under field capacity irrigation can improve the physiological conditions, lead to increasing turfgrass density and shoot length nevertheless the use of acid humic foliar spraying was not effective in reduction the drought stress of turfgrass.

Tamarix sp. Shrub species are extended in steppe and salt marsh areas. These species have adapted to the most hard climatic conditions. Therefore, it is distributed in the driest regions of Iran. The native plants are rarely used for landscape in Iran. So, identifying native plants that has the potential to be ornamental, in addition to the attractiveness of landscape can prevent soil erosion. In this study, 60 Tamarix genotypes from 11 regions in Markazi province were studied during spring and summer and subsequently morphological characteristics were evaluated based on quantitative and qualitative (as codding) traits. Inflorescence length on current shoots, number of flower clusters per shoot, flower cluster length, current shoot color, annual shoot diameter, flower color, tree growth habit, main branch diameter, main branch length, branch density, leaves density, branch flexibility, etc. were studied. The best time for measurement of traits was in late April to early June. Based on the results, there was an excessive diversity between the quantitative and qualitative studied characteristics, which reflected the rich germplasm of this province. In order to choosing native plants in the urban landscape, one should look for species with low water requirements, less maintenance and high ornamental potential. The maximum positive correlation was obtained between tree growth vigor and tree density and the maximum negative correlation was observed between flower cluster diameter and annual stem color. Khosbijan genotype could be introduced as a shrub with ornamental use in landscape due to their appropriate morphological traits such as the longest inflorescence, upright tree form, high density of foliage and brunches.

Introduction:

Genetic diversity is one of the major goals of plant breeding. Mutation induction is a method to increase genetic variety that is used in plant breeding along with selection, recombination or a combination of the both. Rosa persica Michx can serve as a valuable genetic resource for breeding programs, especially due to the market demand for variety in rose cultivars as well as its drought resistance.  In two independent experiments, this study examined the effect of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) as a chemical mutagen on seed germination and seedling characteristics of Rosa persica. 

Materials and Methods:

 The seeds of Rosa persica Mich.seeds were collected from an adult shrub on the Arak University campus, Karbala St., Sardasht (34° N, 49.6° E) and an altitude of 1872 m above sea level during mid-summer. The seeds were separated from the hips by a sharp scalpel and the damaged and abnormal seeds were removed. Before applying the cold stratification, the seeds were washed for several hours and then placed in layers of wet sand at 4 ° C for 60 days.First, the effects of 0, 0.2, and 0.3% EMS at 4, 8 and 12 hours on seed germination characteristics were examined. Second, 0, 0.2, and 0.3 concentrations of EMS at 4 and 8 hours were studied on reproductive buds. Seed germination characteristics such as final germination percentage, germination rate index, coefficient velocity germination, germination rate, mean daily germination, daily germination speed, mean germination rate, germination index, seed vigor, seed dormancy and seedling vegetative traits such as stem lengths, root lengths, and leaf number are evaluated at first experiment. In second experiment, flower diameter, flower opening rate, number of necrotic buds and the number of seeds in each hip were measured. 

Results and Discussion:

The results showed that increasing the concentration of EMS and the time of seed treatment caused a further decrease in germination indices. In 0.3% EMS treatment for 8 hours on seeds, traits such as germination percentage, germination rate index and daily germination were reduced to zero. According to the results of the second experiment, leaf and seedling lengths were longer at 0.2 and 0.3% EMS concentrations and at 4 h incubation. There was a decline in the number of seeds per hip and an increase in necrotic buds with increasing concentration and time of EMS application. In order to succeed in a breeding program using mutagenic methods, the appropriate concentration and time must first be optimized. To determine the best concentration of mutagens, there are two important factors to consider: first, that the concentration should not be so high as to destroy plants, and second, that the applied concentration should be selected moderately. Although, that the frequency of mutations occurs sufficiently. 

Conclusion:

In order to induce a positive mutation and diversity in Iranian roses for the purpose of introducing a new cultivar, seed treatment with a concentration of 0.3% EMS and an incubation time of 4 h is recommended. It is also recommended to apply a concentration of 0.2% EMS on the reproductive buds for 4 h to induce mutations. Keywords: Seed, breeding, germination, mutation, ornamental plant

Tamarix aphylla is used as a windbreaker, shade tree and ornamental plant in gardens and urban landscape. The browning phenomenon is an important inhibitory factor in various stages such as disinfection and regeneration of Tamarix aphylla. To optimize the disinfection conditions and control the browning process of the explants, experiments were carried out with disinfectants and eugenol compound to disinfect the current and annual stem explants. Then, callus induction was studied in a medium complemented by two types of auxins (2,4-D and NAA). In the third experiment, the optimization of shoot induction medium was investigated on current and one year old shoots explants. The best disinfection treatment to control fungal and bacterial contamination and phenol secretion from the current explants was obtained using a 60-second ethanol application combined with 10 minutes of 20% sodium hypochlorite disinfection. Spraying of donor plants with thiophanate methyl fungicide was also able to reduce fungal contamination by almost 50% compared to the control. Application of 0.01% eugenol in the medium by injection reduced the contamination and phenol secretion from the explants. The highest survival and callus induction was acquired at the concentration of 1 mgL-1 2, 4-D, in the shortest time. Shoot induction in the explants of current and one year old shoots was obtained in the culture medium containing 2 mgL-1 BA and 0.5 mgL-1 IBA In conclusion, the application of younger plant materials, spraying of donor plant with fungicides and the use of 0.01% eugenol in the medium can reduce the browning phenomenon and proper control of contamination and finally could provide micropropagation of Tamarix aphylla shrubs using appropriate growth regulators

In prder to investigate the effect of long-day treatment during autumn and winter on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Rosa hybrida ‘Dolce vita’, an experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with nine replications. Rose bushes were treated with increasing length of photoperiod to 16-h under six levels of light intensity includes 0, 85, 170, 255 and 340 µmol m-2 s-1 using HPS lamp and 85 µmol m-2 s-1 using LED lamp. Important factors of quantitative and qualitative yield such as shoot length, stem diameter, time of harvesting, renewal bud formation, quality index and vase life were affected by supplemental light treatments. Using supplemental light, the average time required for harvesting the flower was around five days lesser than the control plants. The highest number of renewal bud formation was observed in light intensity of 85 µmol m-2 s-1 using HPS lamp, respectively. In many traits such as plant height and stem length, stem diameter under flower, leaf number, leaf length and width, fresh and dry stem weight, flower quality index and vase life, 340 µmol m-2 s-1 light intensity was the best treatment.

In order to investigate the effect of nanocomposite superabsorbent and humic acid on the characteristics of lawn sport, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was carried out. The first factor was nanocomposite superabsorbent at three levels (0, 2 and 5 g/Kg in each pot), the second factor was humic acid at three levels (0, 250 and 500 mg/L, as spray) and the thirs factor was drought stress at two levels (50 and 100% field capacity). Results showed that the application of humic acid during drought stress improved color traits and aerial part hieght. Application of nanocomposite superabsorbent during drought stress reduced the effect of drought stress on color traits, leaf texture quality and aerial part hieght. The application of humic acid and nanocomposite superabsorbent simultaneously improved the density, shoot height, fresh weight, but reduced the ion leakage, proline and dry weight of turfgrass. In general, the results showed that the application of humic and nanocomposite superabsorbent acid could help the stress flow through the passage, and reduced the effect of stress on the plant.

Phytoremediation as a cost-effective and environmental friendly technique used to polluted soils with heavy metals contamination. The present study was aimed to evaluate the resistance and remediation of Tamarix aphylla calli affected by in vitro mutagenesis with. In the first step, optimization of callus induction and mutation in media with different concentrations of -2,4 was performed. The third experiments involved the evaluating of resistance and remeditaion rate of callus to cadmium at the concentrations of 0-40 mg L-1 in both treated and untreated explants with Ethyl methanesulfonate in medium. The highest survival and induction of callus was induced by the concentration of 1 mg L-1 2,4-D during the short time. Ethyl methanesulfonate at concentration of 0.2 percentage and 30 minutes made the maximum survival and minimum blacking phenomenon of explants. The highest accumulation of cadmium was obtained 1053.56 mg kg-1 dry weight in callus treated by 40 mg L-1 cadmium.

Using of humic acid and adding Biochar to soil could be used as an effective way to reduce the harmful effects of drought stress in Zinnia elegans. The effects of three factors: biochar (three levels 0, 20 and 40 g / kg of potting soil), humic acid (three levels 0, 250 and 500 mg / L, soluble) and two irrigation levels (50 and 100% crop capacity)was investigated in this experiment. According to the results, drought stress reduced the amount of chlorophylls, content phosphorus and potassium leaves, but increased amount carotenoids, ion leakage, proline, nitrogen and magnesium elements. The use of Biochar increases potassium and ion leakage. Humic acid reduced the content of proline in the studied plants, reducing the drought stress. The effect of Biochar and humic acid on the amount chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll, nitrogen and phosphorus were significant. The use of humic acid causes confront with drought stress and its use under drought stress conditions is recommended. The use Biochar is advisable in lack of phosphorus and nitrogen elements.

This experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with three replications and two factors by applying a type of bed (manure, manure plus superabsorbents nanocamposite and vermicompost plus superabsorbents nanocamposite) and irrigation period (no stress, 5-day and 10-day) in the farm. Shoot and root height, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, root penetration depth, carbohydrate, chlorophyll, prolin, carotenoid and ion leakage cnotents were measured in this experiment. The results showed that the bed containing nanocomposite superabsorbent was significant on fresh weight, dry weight and root penetration depth. The effects of irrigation period were significant on fresh weight, dry weight, root penetration depth, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll, carbohydrate, electrolyte leakage and quality (NTEP). The quality was maintained in five-day irrigation period. The interaction between bed and the irrigation period was significant for proline and Chlorophyll which indicating the tolerance of five-day irrigation period in the bed containing superabsorbents nanocomposites.

Among the major environmental pollutants, lead is the most substantial contaminant due to causing toxicity in plants and organisms. Recently, the remediation of these metals has been considered in plants. Plant in vitro culture is a key tool in phytoremediation research. In general, Plant tissue culture and in vitro selection techniques are used to increase the tolerance and the accumulation of heavy metals which have been reported in numerous plant species and populations. The application of ornamental plants for phytoremediation in metal-contaminated soil is a new alternative. Ornamental kale is an important bedding plant in many landscapes of cold temperate regions. The present study was aimed to evaluate the Pb resistance and remediation of Brassica OleraceaVar. Acephala affected by in vitro culture as a bedding plant. This experiment was carried out in 2016 at Arak University.
  In this study, the stalk explants of Brassica OleraceaVar. Acephala was used for callus induction. Callus and plantlet were exposed to different concentrations of lead in the media. The Callus induction medium was MS (Murashige and Skoog) supplemented with 0.1 mgL-1 2,4-D and BA. The regeneration medium was MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL-1 NAA in combination with 1 mgL-1 BA. The rooting medium was half-strength MS medium without plant growth regulators and sucrose. All of the media containing 30 gL-1 sucrose, 7 gL-1 agar, and pH were adjusted to 5.8. All of the regeneration stages from callus induction to rooting and the acclimatization stages were done by different concentration of Pb(NO3)2 (0, 10, 25, and 50 mgL-1). The traits, such as callus browning, fresh and dry weight, callus formation, survival rate, root and shoot length, leaf number, and the lead accumulation, were evaluated during various stages of callus regeneration and rooting in plantlets. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) arrangement with three replications was used in this experiment. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA procedure of SAS statistical software (version 9.2).
  Based on the results, not only did different concentrations of lead not have the toxic effects but also they had a stimulation effect in some concentrations on callus growth and regeneration. Lead concentrations increased leaf number and length of shoots in the regenerated ornamental kale. Lead accumulation in cultures was increased by increasing the concentration of lead in the medium at all stages of the regeneration. The highest accumulation of Pb was obtained 2395.7 ppb in callus treated by 25 mg L-1 Pb in media.
  The results of the present study showed the occurrence probability of the somaclonal variation due to 2,4-D supplemented in the media. In the regenerated plant, results revealed that the growth traits and Pb uptake were affected by Pb concentrations. Some in vitro derived plantlets showed an increase in uptake potential of lead in their organs (6.1 to 2.7 times compared to the control) and that it is remarkable and suitable for phytoremediation studies.

Background & Aims of the Study: The objective of this study was to investigate the seed pre-treatment with salicylic acid (SA) on tolerance and remediation ability of Brassica oleracea var. acephala under lead and zinc stresses.
Present study was conducted to evaluate phyto-accumulative ability of Brassica oleracea var. acephala in heavy metal concentrations. After seed disinfection, the seeds were soaked in the solution of SA (0, 200 and 300 mgL-1) for 6 hours and cultured in media with different concentrations ZnSO4 and Pb(NO3) (0, 50, 100 and 200 mgL-1). Some germination indices such as the shoot to root ratio, leaf width, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content and absorption of heavy metal by seedling were investigated, after 14 days.
The results showed that with increasing metal density, almost all of germination indices decreased significantly in comparison with the control. The most heavy metals accumulation was observed in seed pre-treatment with 300 mg L-1 SA and 100 mg L-1 metals treatment. By increasing the concentration of lead and zinc in the medium, the accumulation of metals was increased significantly in the plants. So, in the treatment of 100 mg L-1 of each metal, the accumulation of lead and zinc were 8500.5 and 1085.1 mg kg-1 in dry weight respectively.
The results show that that ornamental Kale can be used as a hyperaccumulator plant for lead and zinc in polluted regions in this study. The Ornamental kale would be a high biomass crop that can accumulate the contaminant of lead and zinc in the soil.

Concentrations of 4 toxic metals, viz. Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the soil and alfalfa samples collected from Borujerd, Iran, was determined. The capability of alfalfa to accumulate heavy metals from soils was assessed in terms of Biological Concentration Factor.
The alfalfa and soil samples were collected from 20 different farms, including 13 wastewater-irrigated and seven underground-irrigated farms. After acid digestion, the samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
The levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soils of wastewater-irrigated farms were higher than those from the groundwater-irrigated farms. With the exception of Cu, concentrations of heavy metals in the alfalfa crop were higher in wastewater-irrigated farms compared to well water. Also, in the case of BCF, both Cd and Cu values decreased with increasing metal concentration in soil. The order of BCF of heavy metals in alfalfa was in order of Cu>Cd>Zn>Pb in well water-irrigated and Zn>Cd>Cu>Pb in wastewater –irrigated samples.
Discussion and The findings remarked that the levels of Cu, Cd, and Pb in alfalfa were exceeding the permissible levels suggested by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. These outcomes propose that the consumption of alfalfa plants is potentially threatening both animal and human health.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is one of the most important and consumption cut flowers in the world. Carnation cut flowers are sensitive to microbial contaminations at the stem end or in the vase solutions that make their vase life shorter. Numerous studies have reported that three genera of bacteria are the main bacteria which were recognized in the preservative solution of cut flowers. Nowadays, the finding of new compounds as alternatives to common chemicals is important in postharvest of cut flowers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of new compounds including chitosan, thymol and green silver nanoparticles on vase life of cut carnation flowers.
Material and The effects of green silver nanoparticles (25, 50 and 100 mg L-1), thymol (25, 50 and 100 mg L-1) and chitosan (25, 50 and 100 mg L-1) were investigated against of silver nitrate (25, 50 and 100 mg L-1) and control (2% sucrose) on vase life of carnation cut flowers "White Liberty", in this research. All treatments included 2% sucrose. Cut flowers were held in treatments for 24 hours, then replaced with distilled water. The experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with three replications. Evaluated characteristics were vase life, relative fresh weight (on days 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10), solution uptake (on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10), ion leakage of petals (on day 11) and chlorophyll contents (on days 2, 4 and 8).
Results showed that the effects of different treatments on vase life were significant and thymol 25 (13 days), green silver nanoparticles and chitosan 25 (12.5 days) had the highest vase life in comparison with control. The effects of different treatments on relative fresh weight and solution uptake were significant in the evaluated days. Although, the chlorophyll content of leaves and ion leakage of petals were not significant.
In the present study, it was found that pulse treatment by chitosan, thymol and green silver nanoparticles (25 mg L-1) significantly increased the vase life of cut carnations cv. "White Liberty". The presence of two sections of sucrose as nutrition source and antimicrobial agents seems to be necessary for carnation cut flowers. The antimicrobial effects of these compounds have been demonstrated in several studies. The application of thymol and chitosan as non-toxic compounds in the preservative solutions showed positive prospects for using these in extending carnation cut flowers.

A factorial experiment in completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to investigate the effects of nanocomposite containing zeolite nanoparticles and some nutrients on the growth characteristics of African violets. This experiment was run in Agriculture and Natural Resources College, Arak University, in 2015. African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) as a potted plant is sensitive to the method of irrigation. Water continuous contact to plant organs may be caused to rot the plant and appearance of white and yellow spots on leaves. The effect of Nanocomposite containing zeolite nanoparticles plus nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) in four levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 grams per pot) and three irrigation intervals (5, 10 and 15 days) on some morphological and physiological characteristics of African violet were investigated in this study. The results showed that nanocomposites in the highest level (three gram per pot) in addition to reducing the negative effects of deficit irrigation, increased the multiple absorption of phosphorus and potassium. Furthermore, increasing the morphological traits (length and width leaves, canopy, fresh weight and chlorophyll index) and decreasing of some physiological characteristics such as ion leakage, were observed, significantly.

In this research, synthesized silver nanoparticles by using saffron petals extracts were applied on inhibition of bacteria growth in preservative solution for extending vase life of rose cut flowers "White Naomi", in three separate experiments. In the first experiment effects of different ratios of silver nanoparticles and saffron petals extract (1:20, 1:5, and 1:2) were investigated on growth inhibition of five important preservative solution's infecting bacteria including Bacillus subtilus, Bacillus cereu, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonads fluorescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in completely randomized design with factorial arrangement. Results showed that applied concentrations had significant effect on growth of gram positive bacteria. Saffron petals extract didnt have any antibacterial effects in comparison with synthesized silver nanoparticles. 1:5 and 1:20 ratios showed the highest inhibition of bacterial growth in gram positive ones. In the second and third experiments effects of different concentrations of silver nanoparticles products were evaluated on vase life, relative fresh weight and relative solution uptake of rose cut flowers by two permanent and pulsing methods. Results showed that, low ratios of silver nanoparticles particularly 1:20 significantly increased vase life approximately two times in comparison to control due to increasing relative fresh weight.

Heavy metal pollution in soil is one of the major environmental problems throughout the world. Since metals uptaken by plants and fruits are transferred to humans, this problem is more serious in agricultural and garden soil. The object of the present study was to investigate and assess heavy metals in vineyards soil of Malayer plains. Random sampling system was used in this study. Totally, 25 soil samples were collected from the depth of 0-20 cm. Soil samples were analyzed by HR-CS AAS with flame method. The mean concentrations of Copper, Lead, and Zin in the soil samples were 7.36, 6.91, and 54 mg/kg respectively which were lower than the world average and earth crust for these metals. The results showed that positive and significant correlation between Cu - Zn, Cu - Pb, Zn - Pb and pH – EC. It seems that in addition to geology and parent materials, chemical fertilizers and animal manure are the sources of metals to vineyrads soil. In addition, copper fungicides have not played any role in the increase of the concentration of copper with regard to the application of sulphur as fungicide. At present these heavy metals are serious risk for these vineyard soils.

An important part of plant in vitro techniques is the sterilization of explants and the maintenance of aseptic conditions. Ideally, sterilizing materials should be effective on a vast range of microorganisms at low density. Nowadays, the use of compounds such as essential oils (EOs) and nanoparticles is applicable in microbiology studies. The main objective of this experiment was to study the substitution probability of silver nanoparticles (SNPs), thymol and carvacrol as novel sterilization agents in the tissue culture of Cynodon dactylon. Explants were sterilized with 70% ethanol for 2 min, and then 30% Clorox for 15 min. Sterilization complementary treatments (SNPs, thymol and carvacrol) were applied at different concentrations (100 and 200 mg l-1) with exposure times of 30, 60 and 120 min. According to the results, infection of bermudagrass explants was controlled successfully by SNPs, thymol and carvacrol. Examination of various concentrations in different exposure times showed that 200 mg L-1 SNPs in combination with 100 mg L-1 thymol in 60 min inhibited microbial growth. Thymol and carvacrol were more effective than SNPs in controlling bacteria and fungi contaminations. Finally, these novel agents could be used as an alternative to common chemical treatments for elimination and control of microbial population explants in in vitro conditions.