روی

Growth regulators play a vital role in developmental stages of plants and their use can be improved the yield of crops. One of the most important compounds that used as growth regulators in recent years is salicylic acid. The application of salicylic acid in the activation of systemic acquired resistance, and metabolite synthesis and antioxidant enzymes has been proved. Also, salicylic acid as a natural compound has potential to prevent ethylene production and its effect. In order to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid in different concentration on yield and oils content of Ziziphora, a split plot experiment with three replications during 2014-2015 in the field of Agricultural Faculty of Shirvan and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad laboratories was conducted.

This research was conducted during 2014-2015 under field conditions in a split plot design in time, at Shirvan Agricultural Research Station (latitude 40 º / 37, longitude 93 º / 57 and with a height of 1097 m above sea level) and in laboratory Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Each plot had an area of 4 square meters in furrow planting way which the distance between rows were 50 cm and on rows 15 cm and were carried out on 25 March 2014. Irrigation was carried out immediately after planting, and a second irrigation was done 20 days later, once the seeds had germinated. Irrigation and weed control are also done manually once a week. Salicylic acid (Sigma Aldrich, 99.5%) in the three phases of plant growth (The onset of vegetative growth, throughout vegetative growth, and at the flowering stage), at concentrations (0, 10-2, 10-4 and 10-6 M) in three repeats were sprayed. The first spraying (The onset of vegetative growth) was done on April 3, 2014, the second spraying (throughout vegetative growth) on May 4, and the third (at the flowering stage) in early June 2014. The plants were harvested on July 20. To measure the dry weight of the plants, the samples were dried in the shade for a week. Essential oil content was determined using a 30-gram dry sample in 500 ml of water through hydro-distillation with a Clevenger apparatus for 4 hours. For biochemical characteristics first samples extract were obtained. To prepare extracts, dry samples were milled then one gram of each sample was transferred to the 50 ml Erlen and 10 ml of 80% methanol was added and shaken for 24 hours. After 24 hours the extract was filtered using filter paper then used for measuring phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Phenol measurement: phenolic content was measured using the Folin reagent. In 5.0 mL of each extract (10 milligrams per ml) 5.2 ml Folin reagent was added. After five minutes, 300 ml of a molar sodium carbonate solution is added and maintained in a 40 °C bath for 30 minutes. The sample absorbance at 760 nm was measured by a spectrophotometer against the blank. Gallic acid was used as the standard for calibration curve. Flavonoids measurement: Flavonoid content of the samples were measured using aluminum chloride reagent. In 5.0 ml of methanol extract (10 milligrams per ml), 5.1 ml of methanol, 1.0 ml of 10% aluminum chloride, 1.0 ml of a molar potassium acetate and 8.2 ml of distilled water was added. The mixture kept in dark for 30 minutes and absorbance at a wavelength of 415 nm was read against the blank. Quercetin was used as the standard for calibration curve evaluation. JMP statistical software was used to analyze the data.

Based on the results, the application of salicylic acid significantly affected fresh and dry weight, plant height, and phenol and flavonoid content (P < 0.01), but had no significant effect on essential oil percentage or yield. The highest fresh weight (264.763 grams per square meter) and dry weight (93.11 grams per square meter) were obtained with the application of 10⁻² molar salicylic acid during vegetative growth, while the lowest fresh and dry herb yields were observed in the control group. Maximum height of plants (29.01 cm) was related to 10-2 M salicylic acid during vegetative growth and the lowest of plant height (23/24 cm) was related to control treatment at the time of flowering. The highest amount of phenols (0.504 mg equivalents gallic acid per gram of dry weight) was detected in plants treated with 10-2 M salicylic acid during vegetative growth and the lowest phenols (0.248 mg equivalents gallic acid per gram of dry weight) was reported in 10-2M salicylic acid and during vegetative growth. The highest amount of flavonoids (0.31 mg equivalent Quercetin per gram of dry weight) was obtained in 10-4 M salicylic acid treatments during vegetative growth and the lowest of them (0.176 mg equivalent Quercetin per gram of dry weight) was in 10-6 M salicylic acid treatment at the beginning of vegetative growth.

In conclusion the results showed that the highest amount of fresh and dry weight and plant height was under the conditions of 10-2 M salicylic acid concentration and during vegetative growth and the best yield of essential oils, phenols and flavonoids in during vegetative growth and 10-4M salicylic acid concentration was obtained.

Urban agriculture, as one of the basic features of urban planning, helps to increase the quality of urban life due to its cultural, economic and social benefits. However, pollution with heavy metals in cities causes the accumulation of these metals in different parts of planted plants and also the risk of consuming them for food in urban green spaces.

This study was conducted to assess the amount of heavy metal absorption and its effect on some biochemical and physiological properties of peppermint plant (Mentha piperita L.), in Mashhad city in 2021.The experiment was carried out as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor (location) were phase 4 Park (with high degree of contamination) and Nasim Park (with low degree of contamination). The second factor was the times of harvest (June15, July15 and August 15). At the time of every harvest fully developed leaves were collected to evaluate the traits.

The results of analysis of variance indicated that the effect of location was significant on all traits except for the yield of essential oil. Also, the effect of harvest time was significant on all traits except for peroxidase activity and the yield of essential oil. However, the interaction of location and harvest was significant only on phenol, flavonoid, proline, cadmium and lead concentration. The results indicated that the ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase activities were higher in phase 4 Park. Moreover, the highest activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase were recorded in phase 4 + first harvest. Heavy metals cause the production of reactive free radicals and also increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. However, the chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid and total chlorophyll contents were higher in Nasim. Thus, the highest contents of Chla, Chlb, Chltotal and carotenoid were observed in Nasim + first harvest. The higher amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids in the first harvest is due to the optimal growth conditions such as day length and sunlight and ambient temperature. In addition, total phenol, flavonoid, proline, Cd and Pb elements indicated a reducing trend in phase 4 compared to Nasim Park in different harvest times, but the amount of these traits were higher in the first harvest than in the subsequent harvests. Increased amount of total phenol in the first harvest can be related to the high air temperature at the first harvest which caused stressful conditions in this stage. Proline production also increases under heavy metal stress to help protect the plant against toxicity. However, the percentage of essential oil showed an increasing trend with enhanced absorption of Pb and Cd in phase 4 compared to Nasim Park. The higher percentage of essential oil in phase 4 may be attributed to reduced leaf growth due to the higher presence of heavy metals in that area.

Overall, while the concentration of Pb exceeded the global standard level in both parks, contamination with Cd and Pb (especially Pb) was greater in phase 4 than in Nasim Park, contributing to reduced growth traits in peppermint plants. Regarding harvest times, the first harvest exhibited better growth characteristics and higher absorption of heavy metals due to the plant's greater vigor. In contrast, the third harvest showed lower growth characteristics and weaker absorption of Pb and Cd, likely due to the energy expended for regrowth.

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) tree tolerate high temperatures, drought and salinity more than other fruit crop, that is why date palm tree is named the tree of life in the desert. Date palm (Phoenix dactiylifera) is one of the fruit tree crops that is cultivated in arid region of Middle East and North Africa having a significant role on the economy of many countries in these regions. Fruit thinning is one of the major operation for improving the quality of dates as also for other fruit trees. Quality of dates is improved by increasing fruit weight and size and regulating date palm production by reducing the magnitude of year to year production affecting the date palm. Date palm orchard operations include all operations that are repeated annually to produce date fruit. Alternate bearing is common phenomenon in date palms. The thinning is one of the main methods that often helps to solve this problem. The main purpose of thinning is to create a suitable balance and often to increase the leaf to cluster ratio. It is creating a balance between vegetative growth and flowering and reducing the possibility of aging in the alternate bearing. Fruit thinning is one of the necessary operations that affects the growth, quality, fruit yield and regulation of the alternate bearing of the tree. The thinning process is performed manually, mechanically and chemically. Therefore, choosing a thinning method that saves time and money is necessary for date palms, especially in critical situations. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of manual and chemical thinning on the qualitative characteristics of date fruit at different stages of development for the Khadrawi cultivar.

An experiment was carried out as factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 2022 and 2023. The Experimental factors included: hand thinning (No hand thinning, removal of 33%, removal of 25% of the total number of strands) and chemical thinning (zero, 50 and 100 mg per liter of naphthalene acetic acid). Chemical and strand thinning were done in the Hubabok stage (about 4 weeks after pollination) and the Kimri stage (12 to 13 weeks after pollination), respectively. In two consecutive years, the fruits were transferred to the plant physiology laboratory of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The qualitative traits such as total soluble solids (%), pH, total acidity (%), taste index, antioxidant activity (%), total phenol (mg.g-1 FW), total soluble tannin (mg.g-1 FW), ascorbic acid (mg.g-1 FW), poly-galacturonase enzymes (U.g-1 FW), methyl pectin esterase (U.g-1 FW), cellulase (U.g-1 FW) and invertase (U.g-1 FW) and the percentage of reducing (%), non-reducing (%) and total sugars (%) were measured.

The results of this experiment showed that in the Tamar Stage, the interaction of hand and chemical thinning improved the qualitative characteristics of the fruit and on the characteristics of soluble total tannin, polygalactronase activity, pectin-methylesterase and reducing and total sugars, and the effect of hand thinning on total and percentage phenol and Non-reducing sugar and chemical thinning had a significant effect on ascorbic acid and cellulase enzyme. The results showed that there was upward trend in amount of total soluble solids, pH, total acidity, taste index, poly-galactronase, pectin-methyl-esterase, cellulase and invertase enzymes and the reducing and total sugars from the Kimri to Tamar stage. Also, there was downward trend in amount of total phenol, total soluble tannin content, ascorbic acid, and non-reducing sugar percentage from the Kimri stage to the Tamar.

The Khadrawi date variety has short strands, which results in a significant density of fruits on the strands of a cluster, which leads to large changes between fruits in most of the biochemical properties and has a negative effect on marketability. Fruit thinning is one of the most important agronomic practices in groves, as it enhances the quality characteristics of the fruit. Although hand thinning is more expensive, time-consuming, and relatively more difficult than chemical thinning, our findings showed that the quality of date fruit from the Khadrawi cultivar improved with the removal of 25% of the total number of strands and with chemical thinning using 100 mg/liter of naphthalene acetic acid. These treatments are recommended for palm growers.

Historically, medicinal plants have been one of the most important resources for therapeutic purposes, and even today, their use is expanding in many developed countries. Salinity stress is a major factor that limits plant growth by reducing metabolic and physiological activities. One of the effects of salinity stress is the increased production of abscisic acid in plants. In recent years, the use of seaweed and its extracts has been tested as a method to mitigate the effects of salinity stress on plants. According to the studies conducted in some plants, seaweed extract can cause the growth and expansion of the roots and help to increase the absorption of water and minerals through the roots. Also, based on the research conducted on some plants, the use of seaweed increases the amount of chlorophyll in the plant and accelerates the time of flowering and fruit formation in the plant. Echium amoenum is a perennial plant belonging to the family Borage is a valuable plant in terms of its medicinal properties is considered. In general environmental factors have a significant effect on flower production in these plants. Therefore, for the successful cultivation of medicinal plants, including in general environmental factors have a significant effect on flower production in these plants. Therefore, for the successful cultivation of medicinal plants, including Echium amoenum, providing optimal environmental conditions is a priority, providing optimal environmental conditions is a priority. Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract contains significant amounts of high-use mineral elements such as nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and low-use mineral elements such as iron, copper, and manganese. Therefore, according to the current results, in this study, the effect of foliar spraying of algae extract was investigated. The morphological characteristics of Echium amoenum seedling under salt stress were investigated

In order to investigate the effects of foliar spraying of seaweed extract on borage flower seedlings under salinity stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted with two factors of seaweed and salinity stress with sodium chloride salt, in the form of a completely randomized design in the greenhouse. The seeds were purchased from Pakan Seed Company of Isfahan and soaked in normal water for 24 hours, and then they were transferred into small pots containing three parts of peat moss and one part of perlite. One week after transferring the seedlings to the main pots, foliar spraying with seaweed extract was done. Foliar-spraying was repeated once every two weeks and in total the seedlings were sprayed three times with seaweed extract. In this experiment, a concentration of 1500 ppm of seaweed extract and three levels of salinity (EC=1.6, 4, 8) were used. The seaweed extract used in this experiment belonged to Akadin Company. The type of seaweed from which the extract was prepared was Ascophyllum nodosum and it is a type of brown algae. One week after the first foliar application of seaweed extracts, the application of salinity stress began. In order to prevent shock in plants, salinity treatment was done gradually and in three stages. In order to prevent salt accumulation, washing with ordinary water was done once every two weeks.

The results showed that the use of seaweed extract can significantly protect plant growth under salinity stress. Seaweed extract increased the amount of proline and potassium in the leaves of the plant and thereby reduced the harmful effects of salinity stress on the borage plant. In addition, foliar spraying of borage plant with the use of seaweed extract increased the amount of chlorophyll in the plant, and in this way, by increasing the amount of photosynthesis in the plant; it helped the plant to grow better under salt stress conditions. The results of this research indicate that the use of seaweed extract helps plants maintain their health under salt stress by increasing proline levels and enhancing potassium absorption in plant tissues. Additionally, foliar spraying with seaweed extract preserves the chlorophyll structure in plants experiencing salinity stress, thereby increasing photosynthetic efficiency and promoting better growth under such conditions.

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that seaweed can mitigate the negative effects of salinity stress in Iranian borage seedlings. Furthermore, due to its low cost and availability, it can serve as a suitable bio-fertilizer to support plant growth in saline conditions.

Almond (Prunus dulcis L.) is one of the valuable nut trees that is cultivated in many temperate regions and Mediterranean climatic conditions for domestic consumption and export. Almond belongs to the genus Prunus, from the Rosaceae family. Identifying and introducing genotypes and cultivars of late bloom is one of the most important goals of almond breeding programs. The correct choice of almond rootstock causes better management of the garden, compatibility with all types of soil and resistance to nematodes. Peach × almond hybrid has been the most widely used rootstock in both dry and irrigated conditions in the past years. Creating an orchard by selecting grafted genotypes on suitable rootstock for sustainable cultivation of almonds is particularly important. Cultivation of superior genotypes grafted on fruit trees has an effect on pomological characteristics, yield and quality of nuts. The requirement for the introduction and production of superior cultivars is an accurate selection between cultivars, which is possible through the identification of cultivars and their diversity. The purpose of this research is to investigate and evaluate the most important vegetative, phenological, quantitative, and qualitative characteristics of nuts and kernels in 36 promising cultivars and genotypes grafted onto GN15 rootstock, with the goal of identifying and introducing superior cultivars.

In this research, 36 promising almond cultivars and genotypes on GN15 rootstock were investigated in garden conditions in terms of various vegetative traits, nut and kernel characteristics in order to obtain suitable commercial cultivars. This research was conducted at the Badam research station in Saman region affiliated to the Center for Research and Education of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province as a randomized complete block design with three replications. The cultivars and genotypes studied are presented in Table 1. Vegetative traits of tree height, canopy length, canopy width, and branch length were measured by meter in the garden, and rootstock diameter, scion diameter, and branch diameter were measured in the garden with calipers. In order to measure the nut and kernels, 100 fruits were harvested from each of the studied cultivars and genotypes at the time of fruit ripening, and their green shell was separated and dried. Measurement of traits such as length, width, diameter of nut and kernel was done by digital caliper and weight of nut and kernel was measured by digital scale with accuracy of 0.01. Coding of some traits was done based on almond descriptor (Gülcan, 1985) with some changes. The data obtained from the experiment were analyzed using SAS software (version 3.1.9). To compare the means, Duncan's multiple range test was used at the 5% probability level.

According to the results of analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was a statistically significant difference at the level of 1% between the attributes of tree height, canopy width, rootstock and scion diameter, branch length and diameter, and the ratio of tree height to canopy length. (P<0.01). The results of variance analysis show that there is a significant difference between the investigated nut and kernel traits in promising cultivars and genotypes grafted on GN (Table 5). These differences show the diversity in the investigated traits and it is possible to choose cultivars for different values of the same trait. Based on the average comparison results of the vegetative traits, the highest height in genotypes GA4, GA3, GA35, The highest canopy width was observed in genotypes GA5, GA17, GA3, and GA20, GA15, GA5, the highest diameter of rootstock and scion, and the highest length and diameter of one-year branches were observed in genotype GA18. The results of the comparison of the average nut and kernel characteristics show that there is a significant difference in the cultivars and genotypes investigated in this research. The results of the comparison of the average nut and kernel characteristics show that there is a significant difference in the cultivars and genotypes investigated in this research. Based on the obtained results, cultivars and genotypes of GA5, GA24, GA12, GA9 and GA1 showed relative superiority in terms of nut and kernel traits. The results of this research showed that the GA35 genotype grafted on the GN15 rootstock had the highest length, width and diameter of the nut, and the highest weight of nut and kernel. The kernel color light, the without shrinking the kernel and the highest percentage of kernel and the highest ratio of kernel weight to nut weight.

The results of this research showed that the examination of vegetative traits, nuts and kernels in the studied cultivars and genotypes could show the diversity between cultivars and genotypes. The results showed that the investigated cultivars and genotypes have significant differences in terms of all nut and kernel traits, which indicates the existence of diversity between the investigated cultivars and genotypes. This indicates that these cultivars and genotypes can be considered a valuable source of germplasm for breeding programs. Cultivars and genotypes with a higher kernel percentage had thinner shells, more patterns on the skin, and light to medium kernel color. Based on the results, the cultivars and genotypes GA5, GA24, GA12, GA9, and GA1 demonstrated relative superiority in terms of nut and kernel traits. The research also showed that the GA35 genotype grafted onto GN15 rootstock had the greatest nut length, width, and diameter, as well as the highest nut and kernel weight. Additionally, GA35 had light kernel color, no kernel shrinkage, the highest kernel percentage, and the highest kernel-to-nut weight ratio.

Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) (Daffodil) with the scientific name (Narcissus tazetta) is a perennial bulbous plant from the Amaryllidaceae family (Mozafarian, 1996; Ghahraman & Atar, 2000). Narcissus is one of the most important ornamental bulbous plants that is used as a cut flower and a potted plant. Our country has a huge source of native daffodils. Iran, with its climatic diversity, vast area of fertile land and abundant solar energy, is one of the centers of the propagation of plant species is important. Today, plant genetic resources are considered as the most valuable and vital resources of any country. Ornamental plants such as narcissus have been important for mankind since ancient times. They are valuable for their beauty, but also for their medicinal properties and as a food source (Chehrazi et al., 2008; Farahmand & Khosh-Khui, 2007). Considering the importance of the product in the mentioned cases, preserving the valuable native narcissus plant of our country has many economic and social benefits, also to prevent its extinction. Therefore, this project was carried out to collect and evaluate native daffodil genotypes and introduce superior genotypes.

In this research, the bulbs of narcissus native genotypes were collected from natural narcissus fields in different regions of the country (Khuzestan, Mazandaran, Fars, Ilam and Khorasan provinces). Then bulbs were planted in the research field of the Ornamental Plants Research Institute and the morphological and physiological characteristics of the daffodils were evaluated in the field, including the height of the flowering stem, number of leaves, number of flowers, flowering period, chlorophyll and flavonoid content, bulb size, number and fresh and dry weight were measured. Measuring methods are explained below. Flowering branch height: The height of the narcissus flower branch from the point of contact with the soil to the tip of the flower was measured by a ruler in centimeters. Number of leaves: The number of leaves in each narcissus plant was counted. Number of flowers in each branch: The number of flowers in each branch of narcissus was counted. Flowering period: the number of days from the appearance of the first flower to the time the flowers withered was counted. The size of daughter bulbs: The diameter of daughter bulbs in each narcissus plant was measured by calipers in millimeters. Number of daughter bulbs: The number of daughter bulbs in each narcissus plant was counted. Fresh and dry weight of daughter bulbs: The bulbs of each narcissus plant were removed from the soil. After cleaning the onions from the mud, the onions were weighed by an accurate digital scale, which was recorded as fresh weight, in grams. The onions were then placed in the oven for 72 hours and then weighed again by a precision digital balance, which was recorded as dry weight in grams. Amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids was measured by the method of Maxwell & Johnson, 2000 and amount of flavonoids was measured by the method of Chang et al. (2002).

According to the results of this experiment, Mazandaran and Ilam genotypes showed the highest values for morphological indices. By comparing different populations of Narcissus Shahla, it was observed that the population of Mazandaran with (16.38 cm) had the highest height of flowering stem, with (11.9) had the highest number of flowers, with (55.34) had the highest number of leaves, with (47.33 days) had the longest flowering period, with (8.53) had the largest number of girl onions, with (48.39 mm) had the largest size of girl onions, with (15.88 g) had the highest fresh weight of girl onions, with (10.68 g) had the highest dry weight of girl onions. Also, Khuzestan and Mazandaran genotypes showed the highest values for physiological indices. It was observed that the population of Khuzestan with (2.229 mg.g-1) had the highest amount of chlorophyll, with (1.594 mg.g-1) had the highest amount of carotenoids and with (1.525 mg.ml-1) had the highest amount of flavonoids.

Comparisons of morphological and physiological characteristics of native Iranian narcissus in the field and post-harvest period in different populations of native narcissus (Shahla and Porpar) showed that native Iranian narcissus is a plant suitable for planting in green spaces. The planting of these plants in the area of Mahalat has been successful and if cultivated, along with daily care, weeding and regular watering, it is completely suitable for surface production. Planting native narcissus can be recommended for cities with a climate similar to Mahalat. In order to achieve this, we can introduce the native daffodils of Mazandaran and Ilam regions as the best genotypes. Because in terms of morphological indicators, they have the highest stem height, number of flowers, number of leaves. Also, In order to use a flower pot in the home or office environment, the native daffodils of Khuzestan and Mazandaran regions can be introduced as the best genotypes.

Nowadays, one of the environmentally friendly methods to increase the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants is the use of biological elicitors. For this reason, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of chitosan and seaweed biofertilizers on the quantitative and qualitative traits of garden thyme. This experiment was factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with two factors: chitosan liquid fertilizer (0, 3, 6 and 9 ml.l-1) and seaweed extract (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 ml.l-1) was performed with three replications. The results showed that all the experimental treatments caused a significant increase in the studied traits; So that the highest amount of plant height, photosynthetic pigments and carotenoid were obtained with the simultaneous application of 6 ml.l-1 of chitosan and 10 ml.l-1 of seaweed. Also, the application of the highest level of fertilizer (9 ml.l-1 of chitosan and 10 ml.l-1 of seaweed) resulted in the production of the largest diameter of the main stem (1.67 times the control), fresh and dry weight of aerial parts (98% increase compared to control), biological yield, total phenol (75% increase compared to control), and total flavonoid (3.81 mg of quercetin per gram of dry weight). The maximum production of essential oil in garden thyme was also observed as a result of foliar spraying of 3 ml.l-1 of chitosan along with 10 ml.l-1 of seaweed, which was about 3.25 times higher than the control. Therefore, the use of biofertilizers can be an effective way to improve the quantity and quality of garden thyme, as well as preserve the environment and increase the food and medicinal safety of plants due to the reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers.

Soils that have low fertility and calcareous, vegetative and reproductive growth of plants, including strawberries, are limited in these soils. For this reason, natural minerals such as zeolite are used to improve the physical and chemical properties of soil. To investigate the effect of mycorrhiza and zeolite on growth, yield and content of mineral elements of Aromas strawberry plants, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications was performrd in greenhouse in 2012. The first factor consisted of three levels of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices, Glomus etunicatum and without fungi (50 g) and the second factor included 4 levels of zeolite (0, 4, 8, 12 g kg-1 soil). The results showed that the highest leaf area was noticed after inoculation with G. atonicatum without zeolite with increse of 8.3% compared to the control. Additinally, the highest root fresh weight (12.83g) and the percentage of soluble solids (7.05%) related to the treatment of 8 g kg-1 zeolite and G. intraradices. The highest fruit weight was related to the interaction of G. atonicatum and 12 g kg-1 zeolite in soil (13.44 g). G. atonicatum caused a significant increase of 20.2% and G. intraradicus increased the yield by 15.7% compared to the control treatment without fungus application. The highest total potassium uptake was found after application of 4 g kg-1 zeolite and G. intraradicus. The highest rate of root colonization was recorded in the treatment of 8 g kg-1  zeolite and G. atonicatum. In general, 4 g kg-1 zeolite in soil and 50 g G. atonicatum had the greatest effect on strawberry yield and the other measured properties.

In this study, the impact of silicon application under salt stress on growth and photosynthetic characteristics of GF677 and GN15 rootstocks in a hydroponic culture system was examined. The experiment was performed over the 2019 and 2020 years in the Horticultural Sciences research greenhouse, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University. The research was conducted in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three factors: rootstock at two levels (GF677 and GN15), salt stress at three levels (0, 50 and 100 mM sodium chloride) and silicon treatment at three levels (0, 1 and 2 mM) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Results demonstrated the exposure of rootstocks to 100 mM salinity stress, caused a notable decrease in leaf production, with a 38.6% decrease observed in GF677 rootstock and a 53.2% decrease in GN15 compared to the control condition. Stem length also showed a substantial decline, as 40.1% in GF677 and 53.8% in GN15 rootstocks under the 100 mM salinity stress. Also the findings showed that the salt stress treatments caused a decrease in photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange indices. The application of silicon, improved all measured parameters in both studied rootstocks. In general, the results from this study demonstrated that silicon could increase the tolerance of the studied rootstocks to salt stress with the 2 mM concentration showing the most substantial effect.

In a greenhouse experiment, the responses of three varieties of paper flowers to varying levels of sodium bicarbonate and iron chelate were studied. This investigation was structured as a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included three levels of bicarbonate (0, 15, and 30 mM) and three levels of FeEDDHA iron chelate [(3 μM (deficiency), 30 μM (normal), and 60 μM (excess)] and three cultivars of paper flowers (ʻBarbara Karstʼ, ʻJamaica whiteʼ, and ʻLady Mary Baringʼ). The results showed that the fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, relative water content, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing alkaline stress. Additionally, the treatment of 30 mM sodium bicarbonate and 60 μM iron chelate increased the amount of ion leakage and water use efficiency compared to lower concentrations. The ion leakage levels in the three flower-paper cultivars rose in response to alkaline stress. The relative leaf water content in the ʻBarbara Karstʼ cultivar decreased by 27.75% with rising alkalinity up to 30 mM. However, in the ʻJamaica whiteʼ and ʻLady Mary Baringʼ cultivars, these reductions were 26.49% and 2.1%, respectively. Notably, under high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate and iron (30 mM and 60 μM), the photosynthesis rates decreased significantly by approximately 45.14%, 49.80%, and 57.32% in the ʻBarbara Karstʼ, ʻJamaica whiteʼ, and ʻLady Mary Baringʼ cultivars, respectively. Based on the results, it is evident that the ʻBarbara Karstʼ cultivar exhibited superior tolerance to sodium bicarbonate stress compared to the ʻJamaica whiteʼ and ʻLady Mary Baringʼ cultivars.

In order to study the effect of Putrescine on some quantitative and qualitative traits of barberry in “on” (2018) and “off” (2019) years, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block design with factorial arrangement and three replications. Putrescine solution (0, 0.1, and 1 mM/L) sprayed at full bloom and the fruit set stage. Wet and dry fruit weight, length and diameter, pH, anthocyanin and phenol content of berry measured in two years. The results showed that all parameters differed significantly in the “on” and “off” years. The content of acids, anthocyanins, and phenols was higher (9.52, 2.98 and 2.26 percent, respectively) in the “on” year than in the “off” year. In addition, Putrescine at a concentration of 1 mM /L was the most effective treatment for increasing all parameters except acidity and phenolic content. In addition, this treatment increased pH, soluble solids content, length, and fresh and dry weight (21.59, 9.45, 12.47 and 23.58 percent, respectively) of berries in the “on” year. There was no significant difference between measured parameters in the “on” and “off” years. Putrescine treatment (1 mM /L) reduced some quantitative and qualitative traits in on year.

One potential strategy to mitigate environmental stress on plants is the utilization of a shade net. Changes in the environmental conditions on shade net, particularly with regards to luminosity and temperature, will invariably result in alterations in the biochemical reactions and quality attributes of the product. In light of the advancements made in shade net technology in Iran, the current study was undertaken to explore the impact of the green shade net with 30 percent shading on the quality attributes of apricots, Rajab Ali cultivar, at the Shahrood Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center on 2021-2022. Various parameters such as fruit length, diameter, weight, percentage of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, color, vitamin C, total phenol, total antioxidant capacity, and texture firmness were evaluated on treatment and control samples and subjected to t-test analysis at a 5% significance level. The findings indicate that the average weight of fruits during full ripening was 48.31 and 78.58 outside (control) and inside (treatment) shade net respectively. The difference between the color of the samples inside and outside the canopy was significant. The value of a* in the control samples was higher than its value in the treatment samples. A significant difference was observed between the amount of total phenol and total antioxidant activity between treatment and control. Total soluble solids were 13.71% and 13.10% respectively in the control and treatment at the stage of fruit ripening. According to the results, the use of shade net until the end of fruit ripening on apricot trees (6 months), in addition to changing the quality characteristics, also causes late fruit ripening.

Urea is one of the sources of nitrogen fertilizer, which has many applications in agriculture due to its low cost, easy application and high nitrogen content (46%). The main role of nickel is to participate in urea metabolism in plants with urea nitrogen source. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of nickel and urea nutrition in the hydroponic cultivation conditions on the growth characteristics and also reducing the negative effects of ammonium application in the winter season (decreasing the pH of the root environment and disrupting the absorption of elements) of cut roses of (Rosa hybrida cv. Tonight). A factorial experiment was performed based on completely randomized design with three levels of urea (0, 500 and 1000 µmol) and three levels of nickel (0, 2.5 and 5 µmol) from the source of nickel nitrate by directly adding it to the fertilizer solution. 3 months after applying the treatments, sampling of the developed leaves was done to analyze the morphological and biochemical traits. The results of this experiment showed that the interaction of nickel and urea was significant on the traits of steem height, flower length and flower diameter, fresh weight, steem diameter, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, total protein, anthocyanin and phenol. The application of 1000 (µmol L-1) of urea and 2.5 (µmol L-1) of nickel led to a 40% increase in yield compared to the control treatment. The highest stem height (86.96 cm) was obtained in the treatment of 1000 (µmol L-1) of urea and 2.5 (µmol L-1) of nickel. High concentrations of nickel led to leaf toxicity, reduction of anthocyanin, chlorophyll, and increase of total phenol, and as a result, reduced the green color of leaves. The highest amount of superoxide desmutase enzyme (0.577 U/mg Protein) was obtained in the treatment of 500 micromoles of urea and 2.5 micromoles of nickel, and the lowest amount of the enzyme (0.337 U/mg Protein) was gained in the treatment of 500 micromoles of urea without the presence of nickel. Application of urea alone had no significant effect on the above traits. By replacing ammonium with urea in the nutrient solution, it prevented the decrease in the pH of the environment.

Leafhoppers are among the most important pests of grapevines in the Sistan region. Both adult insects and nymphs cause damage by puncturing leaf tissues and sucking plant sap. In recent years, the damage caused by this pest has been so severe that partial or total dieback of the vines has been reported. Therefore, identifying the dominant species of active leafhoppers along with their natural enemies plays a crucial role in preventing a decline in vineyard health and the quantity and quality of the Ruby grape yield. During the years 2019-2021, three leafhopper species were identified in vineyard samples from the region: Arboridia Kermanshah (Dlabola, 1963), Empoasca decipiens (Paoli, 1930), and Anaceratagallia laevis (Ribaut, 1935). The species A. Kermanshah was the dominant leafhopper pest in the Sistan region, with a frequency of 73.31%. In the study of biological control agents, parasitoids such as Anagrus atomus, Trichogramma sp., Chrysoperla spp. (lacewing species), and the mite Anystis baccarum were collected from the region's vineyards. The results suggest that, given the diversity of natural enemies in the ecosystem, a biological control program can be implemented in combination with other management practices to reduce leafhopper damage.

Grape cultivation in Iran has a long history, and the country ranks ninth in global grape production. However, in terms of yield per unit area and the quality of the products in some regions, there is still a significant gap from the optimal level, and the cost of producing each kilogram of grapes is relatively high. This results in reduced economic efficiency and an inability to compete with other countries. Gray mold is one of the main limiting factors for commercial grape production in many countries, including Iran. Primary infection of the clusters often occurs in the vineyard, but the development of the disease and the damage to the fruit usually happen post-harvest, during transportation, and especially in storage. To control gray mold, the use of fungicides, especially in regions with higher rainfall, alongside non-chemical preventive methods, is common worldwide. Even one infected berry in a box of grapes can cause severe damage to the entire fruit inside, as the fungus can grow at cold storage temperatures (0.5°C to +0.5°C) and spread from the infected clusters to healthy ones through airborne mycelium. Pyrimethanil fungicide (Milis® 30% SC) is the first fungicide registered in Iran for controlling grape cluster gray mold, and it is used as a spray one to two weeks before harvest.

Grape (Vitis vinifera L) is one of the most important horticultural products globally and in Iran, having been used by humans for centuries. Undoubtedly, the goal of establishing a vineyard is to achieve high yield, sustainable production, and economic viability, which is influenced by various biological and abiotic factors. Among these, the cultivar plays a key role in the success of vineyard production. In this regard, one of the best options for improving the vineyard is changing the cultivar to superior commercial varieties using the cion grafting method. To this end, an evaluation of commercial grape cultivars (Resheh, Torkaman 4, Flame Seedless, Crimson Seedless, Red Seedless, Superior, Scarlett, and Perlette) was carried out in a rainfed vineyard located in Noorabad Mamasani in the Doshman Ziari region, based on the Shirazi cultivar. Traits assessed included grafting success and quantitative traits such as cluster weight, number of clusters, cluster length and width, berry weight, number of berries, yield, and qualitative juice traits including TSS, TA, and TSS/TA ratio. The results showed that under rainfed conditions, the cultivar had a greater effect on both quantitative and qualitative traits compared to the grafting method. The highest cluster weight in rainfed conditions was observed in the Crimson Seedless cultivar (420.9 g), while the lowest cluster weight was in the Flame Seedless cultivar (296 g). The highest yield per plant was obtained in the Resheh cultivar (4.31 kg per plant), while the lowest yield per plant was in the Superior cultivar (3.6 kg per plant). The highest maturity index or Brix-to-acid ratio was observed in the Red Seedless cultivar, similar to the Torkaman 4 cultivar, while the lowest ratio was recorded in the Superior cultivar. The Torkaman 4 and Flame Seedless cultivars were earlier-maturing than the others and could be harvested at the same time as the unripe Shirazi grapes.

The grape cluster borer Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is the most important pest of this plant in Iran, including in North Khorasan province. To compare the infestation rates of 12 grape cultivars to this pest, a study was conducted in the city of Bojnord during the years 2020-2021. The emergence times of the three pest generations were determined using pheromone traps (delta traps), and after observing damage symptoms, the percentage of infested clusters was calculated. The lowest percentage of infested clusters was observed in the Flame Seedless (5.5%) and Yagooti (7.3%) cultivars, while the highest infestation rates were seen in the Siah-Sardasht (44.1%) and Khushnav (38%) cultivars. The results of this study indicated that the level of infestation and damage caused by the grape cluster borer pest varied significantly between different cultivars. Therefore, it is recommended to use the relatively resistant cultivars identified in this study when establishing new vineyards. Additionally, nursery producers in the country can propagate and distribute the resistant cultivars identified in each province to the vineyard expansion applicants.

This study examines the nutritional status of soil and grapevine leaves in vineyards across various regions of Iran, including East Azerbaijan, Qazvin, Shahroud, and West Azerbaijan. The results revealed that nutrient deficiencies in vineyard soils and leaves vary depending on soil characteristics and regional environmental conditions.In the soils of East Azerbaijan and Qazvin vineyards, deficiencies in organic carbon, phosphorus, and iron were observed. Conversely, the soils in Shahroud and West Azerbaijan faced greater challenges in nutrient availability due to high pH levels, excessive lime content, and saline irrigation water.Leaf analysis showed that potassium, nitrogen, and calcium—key macronutrients—were deficient in most regions, significantly impacting yield. Additionally, deficiencies in micronutrients such as magnesium, zinc, and iron were particularly pronounced in regions like West Azerbaijan.Plant tests indicated that unfavorable soil conditions, saline irrigation water, and poor plant nutrition management were the primary factors contributing to these deficiencies.

Among the various grape cultivars, some possess desirable fruit qualities that, due to their high quality, attract the attention of growers for uses such as fresh consumption, raisin production, and processing. Consequently, the cultivation area of these cultivars has been increasing steadily. In contrast, cultivars with less desirable fruit have lost their significance and are often overlooked. However, these seemingly less desirable cultivars may harbor valuable genetic traits, such as resistance to pests, diseases, cold, salinity, drought, and similar stresses. Identifying these cultivars is particularly important for addressing challenges posed by climate change, including drought, increased heat, and spring frost.To identify, select, and evaluate drought-resistant grape genotypes in Qazvin Province, a project was initiated in the spring of 2002. This project began with a comprehensive survey of vineyards in the region and indirect selection and screening of drought-tolerant cultivars based on morphological traits. Initially, all grape genotypes in Qazvin Province were examined for traits compatible with drought stress. After identifying superior cultivars, cuttings were prepared and planted in a primary field. The local commercial cultivar, White Seedless, was used as a control. Drought stress treatments were applied, eventually leading to the introduction of a new cultivar named Siaden, recognized as drought-resistant and suitable for fresh consumption. This cultivar features characteristics such as round black berries, suitability for fresh consumption, early ripening as unripe grapes, and excellent market potential.

The gradual rise in temperature, reduced rainfall, and soil fertility decline in recent decades have significantly lowered saffron stigma yield. Given saffron's vital economic and social role in Iran, enhancing traditional cultivation methods and advancing industrial cultivation technology are crucial. This study assessed the impact of four non-soil cultivation substrates (three perlite variants - fine, medium, coarse, and a perlite-cocopeat-cocochips mixture) on saffron growth and development. Using a completely randomized design with five replications, the physiological and morphological characteristics of leaf (net photosynthesis rate, total photosynthesis rate, weight, number, and area), corm (weight, number, large-sized percentage), and root (contractile root formation) of saffron were evaluated. Measuring physical indices revealed that the mixed substrate had the most optimal water-to-air ratio. Plants grown in this substrate exhibited the highest leaf weight, net photosynthesis rate, and large-sized cormlet weight (and weight percent). Among the three pure perlite substrates, the medium-sized perlite showed superior physical properties and higher plant yield compared to the other two substrates. Corms grown in the pure perlite substrates produced contractile roots. Overall, the study indicated that despite saffron being a low-water geophyte, adequate water and nutrient supply significantly enhance its physiological and morphological parameters, including nutrient storage in corms, crucial for efficient reproduction in subsequent generations.