عملکرد میوه

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important economic and widely used crops in horticulture. It is a self-fertilizing and diploid plant and has 24 pairs of chromosomes (2n=2x=24). The life cycle of this plant is one year, and it is cultivated in greenhouses and fields. There are many varieties of tomatoes that differ from each other in terms of plant growth, quality, fruit shape, and other traits. Tomato fruit has a high nutritional value, consisting of minerals, vitamins, fibers, citric acid, β-Carotene and ascorbic acid. Diversity and selection are the two main pillars of any reformation program, and choosing is based on the existence of desirable diversity in the reformation materials under discussion. To produce varieties of tomatoes with high productivity, quality and resistance, breeders need evaluation of genetic diversity, identification and introduction of new genotypes. In other words, systematic study and evaluation of germplasm is of great importance for current and future agronomic and genetic improvement of the crop. Different methods are used to estimate genetic diversity and group genotypes, and the evaluation of morphological and physiological characteristics can be considered as the first step in the investigation of genetic diversity. Different genotypes of tomato differ in terms of morphological and physiological traits, and fruit yield is influenced by some of these traits. Therefore, the selection of criteria other than fruit yield, which have more stability than fruit yield, can be considered as a selection guide in the selection of desirable cultivars. Accordingly, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the genetic diversity and grouping of tomato genotypes (53 genotypes) based on morphological and physiological traits.

In the present study, 53 genotypes of tomato plants were investigated using a randomized complete block design with three replications under greenhouse conditions at the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After disinfecting and planting the seeds in the pot, sampling of the seedlings was performed. Morphological traits such as plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plant, number of side branches, number of leaves, root length, fresh and dry weight of the organ air, fresh and dry weight of roots, fruit number, fruit yield, and physiological traits including proline content, photosynthetic pigments (including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid), and total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were measured. Furthermore, the obtained data were subjected to variance analysis, mean comparison, correlation coefficient, factor analysis, and cluster analysis using suitable software.

After analyzing the data, the results of the evaluation of variance showed that the difference of the studied genotypes in terms of all traits except proline trait was significant at the probability level of 1%. Estimation of the correlation coefficients between the studied traits showed a significant correlation between most of the studied traits and fruit yield. Further, the results of the investigation into factors showed that 6 factors explained more than 77% of the total variance, so that the contribution of the first to sixth factors was 24, 18, 14, 9, 7, and 6% of the total changes, respectively. For better interpretation, larger factor coefficients for each factor were considered significant. Because the largest factor coefficients among the coefficients of each factor indicate the attribute or attribute that plays the greatest role in those factors, the factors were named accordingly. In this way, the first factor was named the fruit yield factor, the second the photosynthesis factor, the third the phenolic factor, the fourth the root weight factor, the fifth the proline factor, and the sixth the stem diameter factor. Based on the results of the cluster analysis, it was observed that the genotypes were significantly different in terms of the measured morphological and physiological traits and they were placed in 3 different groups, each of which had 30, 19, and 4 genotypes, respectively, and the genotypes in the group Third, in terms of studied traits, they were better to other groups.

In general, based on the analysis, the genotypes were significantly different in terms of the measured traits. This article shows that there is a suitable diversity among the studied genotypes and it is possible to select based on these characteristics among the studied genotypes and the selection can be effective in their improvement programs. By estimating the phenotypic correlation coefficients, it was found that the fruit yield trait had the most positive and significant correlation with the number of fruits and the amount of photosynthetic pigments. Therefore, these traits can be considered in tomato fruit yield genetic improvement programs. Considering that the average of most of the traits studied for the genotypes belonging to the third cluster (13, 15, 45 and 46) was higher than the total average and the said genotypes were excellent in terms of developmental and physiological parameters compared with other genotypes, the top genotypes identified in this research can be considered and used in future breeding studies in this valuable plant.

An increase in the temperature and frequent droughts are consequences of the climate change. Using different methods of producing horticultural products in protected ways, such as shading net, is one approach to mitigate the impact of the changing climate. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of shading net on growth and fruit yield and quality of four grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivars in the Takestan grapevine research station in 2022. For this purpose, vegetative and reproductive characteristics of four grapevine cultivars (Sahebi, Red Sultana, Red Asgari and Mish Pestan) were evaluated under and outside of green shading net with shade coefficient of 50% as factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant increase of internode length under the shading net were recorded. Green shading net significantly increased the titratable acid (80.6%) and the pH of the fruit juice (73.2%), the length and width, and the weight of berry (21.8%, 44.11%, and 41.7%, respectively), cluster length, diameter and weight (51.6%, 49%, and 30.8%, respectively), and fruit yield per vine (65%). However, green shading net caused significant decrease in total soluble solids (17.7%). In all grape cultivars, the total soluble solids under the green shading net was lower than outside the green shading net, and the highest total soluble solids (26 Brix units) belonged to cv. Red Sultana outside of the shading net. The titratable acidity (TA) level of fruit juice under shading net was higher than outside the shading net in all grape cultivars. The highest TA level (8.5g l-1) was observed in cv. Mish Pestan under green shading net. The dimensions of berries under the shading net were greater than outside in all studied grape cultivars. The results showed that the fruit yield and its components increased under green shading net, but fruit ripening prolonged. Therefore, for table grape production, it is necessary to collect the shading net in fruit color changing period to prevent late ripening.

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation intervals, 15 selected Okra genotypes from the National Gene Bank of Iran were cultivated and evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the 2020-2021 crop year in the experimental research farm of the Seedling and Seed Breeding Research Institute in Karaj (Seed and Plant Improvement Institute).

After the plants entered the three-leaf stage, irrigation was done once every 5 and 10 days.

The results of the analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress on all measured traits, including plant height, fruit yield, biological yield, number of ripe fruits, weight of ripe fruit, diameter of ripe fruit, number of seeds per ripe fruit, 1000-seed weight, sugar, and protein content, was statistically significant. Under drought-stress conditions, the mean of all evaluated traits (except soluble sugars) was reduced. The highest fruit yield (12.06 tons per hectare) belonged to genotype 10, which decreased by 37.5% compared to the non-stress conditions of this genotype. Genotypes 1 and 12 had the least change in protein content, genotypes 4 and 6 had the least change in sugar content, and genotypes 9 and 11 had the least change in biological function.

Based on the results obtained from this experiment, the best genotype in terms of fruit yield was genotype 10, and in terms of biological function, genotypes 9 and 11 were recommended for use in areas with water shortages.

To select the high yielding and adapted pecan genotypes for Dezful climatic conditions in Iran, 50 seedling trees were evaluated in 2019-2021 in Dezful in southwest of Iran. The results showed that P200-7 and P200-8 genotypes had the largest and smallest nuts with 14.3 and 4.2 grams, respectively. P220-2-1 genotype had the highest and P200-9, and P220-2-5 genotypes had the lowest percentage of blank nuts. Kernel removal was easy in P200-1 and P200-10 genotypes, while it was very difficult in P200-3 and P200-31 genotypes. Fruit ripening time was the earliest in P200-1 and P220-2-5 genotypes and the latest in P200-23. P200-23, P220-1-1 and P200-9 genotypes had the highest yield index with 65, 49 and 39 g cm-2 of tree trunk, respectively. The results of evaluation for heat stress tolerance in pecan genotypes showed that 40 to 70% of the branches of all genotypes were damaged by hot temperatures in the summer of 2021 with 430 hours of temperatures above 45 oC, while the branches of P200- 23 genotype were not damaged. In addition, the results indicated that heat stress damage had significant correlation with yield index (r = 0.311*) and kernel color (r = 0.323*). There was highly significant (r = -0.597**) correlation between shell thickness and kernel removal. The relationship between mean fruit weight and nut length (r = 0.386**) and nut width (r = 0.440**) were also highly significant. Factor analysis showed that nut length, shell thickness, blank nuts percentage, nut weight, yield index and heat stress damage accounted for 67% of the total variance. Finally, P200-23 genotype with high yield index, golden bright kernel color and very high heat stress tolerance, and P220-1-1 genotype with high yield and low percentage of blank nuts were identified as promising genotypes for future supplemental research.

The study of genetic diversity is an important step in planning crop breeding programs. According to researchers, diversity of the population under selection ensures the desired results in breeding programs. In this regard, using the capacity of local populations to create new cultivars and achieve maximum diversity is very efficient. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the agro-morphological traits of pepper populations to identify the breeding potential of local populations for producing hybrid cultivars.

In the present study, 30 populations of Iranian peppers were planted in five replications in the research greenhouse of Department of Plant Production and Genetics of Urmia University, in order to study the genetic variability in terms of some agro-morphological traits. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) in pot conditions in  2016-2017. In this study, variance analysis (ANOVA) and mean comparison of traits by Duncan's multiple range test, estimation of phenotypic correlation by Pearson method and principal component analysis on correlation coefficient and also cluster analysis by Ward method has done and realized. Also, the variance components, heritability (h2), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), and environmental coefficient of variation (ECV) were calculated.

The results showed significant difference among the populations for all studied traits. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) (88.36) was observed for single fruit weight and also the highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (83.63) was observed for the same trait (single fruit weight). The pulp weight and fruit yield (0.950) had the highest significant positive correlation coefficient and the single fruit weight and fruit number (-0.558) had the highest significant negative correlation coefficient. According to the results of hierarchical cluster analysis, the studied populations were divided into five clusters based on the studied traits. The Tabriz population in the first cluster and the Gharah Bagh-Urmia population in the fourth cluster were superior in the fruit number trait.

In this study based on the results of mean comparisons Bash Ghala (from Urmia), Nakhchivan (from Urmia) and Keshtiban (from Urmia) populations were superior in terms of most of the studied traits. Also, Bash Ghala (from Urmia), Nakhchivan (from Urmia) and Keshtiban (from Urmia) populations were in the same cluster had higher fruit yield than other studied populations. Therefore, these populations can be used as one of the top parents in the intersection with other populations to create desirable genetic compounds.

Physalis alkekengi is a well-known medicinal plant in Europe and Asia and especially in the northeastern of China. It is an economically valuable plant that can tolerate drought, waterlogging, and warm and cold temperatures. All parts of P. alkekengi could be used as medicine. P. alkekengi is a rich source of complex antioxidants, which has been suggested for the treatment of several diseases such as inflammation and rheumatism. The availability of water is the primary constraint on food production in arid and semi-arid regions. Trends of water availability indicated that agricultural activities are approaching a “water crisis” in the Middle East and North Africa. In Iran, water is a scarce resource due to the high variability of rainfall. Water stress effects on growth and yield are species is well known. Optimizing irrigation management, together with the appropriate crops, is suitable in these regions. So the aims of this study were to the effect of different irrigation levels and manure amount on yield, yield components, and fruit quality of Physalis alkekengi.

In order to investigate the effects of irrigation and animal manure levels on yield and yield components of Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi L.), a split-plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research field of the faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran at 2016. The experimental treatments were all combination of irrigation levels (60, 80 and 100 percent of water requirement) and four levels of animal manure (0, 10, 20 and 30 t. ha-1). Final seed yield and yield components were measured from 1 m of each plot. Characters consisted of weight of fruit per plant, number of fruit per plant, fruit weight, number of seed per fruit, 1000 seed weight, plant height, alkaloid, biological yield, and fruit yield.Data from the experiment were analyzed statistically using SAS software (Ver. 9.2). Least significant difference (LSD) test were also performed for the comparison of means. The critical difference at P = 0.05 was used to test the difference between means of individual treatments.

Our results indicated that, irrigation levels had a significant effect on all studied traits except fruit number and single fruit weight. Also, the impact of animal manure was significant on all characteristics, except 1000 seed weight. The interactions between irrigation and animal manure were significant on fruit yield, biological yield, harvest index, and fruit weight per plant. The highest fruit weight per plant (101 and 102 gr respectively) and fruit yield (8 and 8.2 t.ha-1 respectively) were observed in 100 percent water requirement with use of 20 and 30 t.ha-1 animal manure. The highest alkaloid percent was observed in 80 percent water requirement (0.4 percent) and 30 t.ha-1 animal manure level (0.37 percent).

Based on the results of this study, irrigation levels and manure levels had a significant effect on measured traits. The best of results was observed in irrigation of 80 % and 100 % of water requirement. On the other hand, the application of manure, especially 20 and 30 t.ha-1, improved the studied traits compared to 0 and 10 ton. According to the results of this research and considering the optimal use of resources, the most suitable method for the planting of this plant was considered by using 80 percent water requirement and 20 t.ha-1 animal manure.

The use of intercropping as an effective component in sustainable agriculture, while increasing the ecological and economic diversity, cause increasing yield per unit area, yield stability under adverse environmental conditions, increasing the quantity and quality of the product, increasing water use efficiency, control of soil erosion, reducing pesticides use and increasing stability in agroecosystems. Plants from the family of legumes are among the plants that have a special place in intercropping because of their nitrogen fixation ability. Usefulness of intercropping cultivation of sweet corn and green bean has been reported to be better than monoculture. This study was designed and conducted with the aim of studying the effect of replacement and additive intercropping green bean with bell pepper on yield, yield components and land equivalent ratio in Mashhad weather conditions. 

The experiment was conducted in 2015-2016 growing season based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of Agriculture Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Experimental treatments were 25% green bean+75% bell pepper, 50% green bean+50% bell pepper in replacement intercropping, 20% green bean+100% bell pepper and 40% green bean+100% bell pepper in additive intercropping and monoculture of green bean and bell pepper. Green beans have planted by seed and bell pepper transplants were sown at the same time in June 2016 in rows with a distance of 50 cm. In 4-leaf stage, green bean was thinned with an optimum density of 20 plants per square meter. In addition, the spacing on the row was considered 30 cm for transplants of bell pepper; in this case, its optimum density was 6.66 plant per square meter. At harvest time, green pod yield for green bean, fruit yield for bell pepper, other yield components and plant dry weight for two plants were measured, and land equivalent ratios were also calculated.

The highest green pod yield and plant dry weight for green bean with 57921.7 and 1051.03 kg ha-1, respectively, was observed in monoculture and the lowest values for 20% green bean+100% bell pepper with 11252.5 and 525.8 kg per ha, respectively. With the increase in the presence of green bean in replacement and additive intercropping, the green pod yield of green bean increased due to increasing of biological nitrogen fixation. For bell pepper, the highest fruit yield with 32766.7 kg ha-1 was observed in monoculture and the highest plant dry weight with 7816.6 kg ha-1 was observed for 75% bell pepper+25% green bean and the lowest fruit yield was obtained for 50% bell pepper+50% green bean and 100% bell pepper+20% green bean with 21183.3 and 21886 kg ha-1, respectively, and the lowest plant dry weight was obtained for 50% bell pepper+50% green bean with 3533.33 kg ha-1. Due to the fact that the highest number of fruits per plant was observed in monoculture of bell pepper, therefore, monoculture has higher fruit yield because it has more space for plants. The highest value of total land equivalent ratio (1.28 and 1.25) was obtained in ratios of 40% green bean+100% bell pepper and 50% green bean+50% bell pepper, respectively, indicating 28 and 25% yield advantage of intercropping compared to pure stands of species of these two plants. The lowest value of total land equivalent ratio (0.86) was observed in ratio of 20% green bean+100% bell pepper.

Comparison of different patterns of replacement and additive intercropping showed that cultivation pattern of 25% green bean+75% bell pepper was superior for most of the traits evaluated in green bean and bell pepper compared to other patterns. Additive intercropping pattern of 40% green bean+100% bell pepper had the highest total land equivalent ratio (1.28) which indicate the beneficial effect of mixed cropping pattern over pure cropping. Since green bean through biological nitrogen fixation, leads to reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers, intercropping of this plant with other plants such as bell pepper can increase the resources efficiency and improve yield quantity for bell pepper.

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth and early bearing potential of some commercial and fire blight resistant pear cultivars on OH × F87TM rootstock and to compare this rootstock with the commercial semi-dwarf Pyrodwarf rootstock. The pear cultivars were Louise Bonne, Dargazi, Spadona as the three most popular pear cultivars in Iran, and two newly introduced cultivars, Super Elliot and Packham`s Triumph, which have been evaluated under Karaj climatic conditions for four years (2017-20). The rootstocks were micro-propagated from virus free materials and the trees were two year old nursery plants. The tallest tree height was observed in cultivars Dargazi on both OH × F87TM and Pyrodwarf rootstocks and also the highest spur density was 12 spurs per meter in three graft combinations of Louise Bonne and Packhams cultivars on OH × F87TM rootstock and Spadona on Pyrodwarf. The use of two year old trees caused early bearing of trees in the first year after planting, and flowering in the second year on OH × F87TM rootstock with about 40 blossoms per tree, while Pyrodwarf had about 37.5 blossoms per tree. The highest fruit yield research period observed in cv. Dargazi and cv. Super Elliot, however, the latter showed high susceptibility to pear psylla. On the other hand, cv. Spadona which normally has a low fruit yield on Pyrodwarf rootstock, had higher fruit yield on OH × F87TM rootstock. In general, OH × F87TM rootstock, due to lower growth and relatively higher fruit yield had high yield index per trunk cross section in grafted trees, and in addition to cv. Dargazi, Louise Bonne also had high yield index per trunk cross section on this rootstock. The results showed that OH × F87TM rootstock can be considered as suitable, and even superior to Pyrodwarf, for pear cultivars in the continuation of this research.

Nowadays, need for medicinal plants are increasing to the extent that it has become a very important in terms of trade. Chinese lantern belongs to Solanaceae family and it is indigenous to the American continent. There are many benefits to Chinese lantern such as anticancer activities against hepatitis and Diabetes. The optimum planting date of Chinese lantern is one the most important factors for a successful cultivation. Interactions between environmental and plant factors cause planting date, transplanting date and the age of the transplants vary from one location to another, even among different genotypes. Moreover, the optimum plant density is an essential factor to reach a high yield. In fact, low plant density leads sources to waste; on the other side, high plant density causes yield reduction due to intense competition. The present study aims to investigate the effects of different plant densities and age of transplants on yield and yield components of Chinese lantern in Mashhad, Iran. A field study in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design was carried out with three replications at the research field of faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in 2016. The experimental treatments were the combination of transplants age (5, 8 and 11 weeks) and four levels of the plant density (5, 6.7, 10 and 20 plants per square meter). All the transplants were transferred in the field on May 5. Plots were designed with 3 m long and 2 m width, 0.5 m apart from each other. The first irrigation was done three days before transplanting date; and further irrigation was done immediately after transplanting. At the maturity stage, five plants in each plot were selected randomly to measure plant height, fruit number, fruit weight per plant, single fruit weight, the number of seeds per fruit and 1000 seeds weight. Final fruit yield, biological yields and harvest index were measured by harvesting 1 m2 of the central part of each plot. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.1 software (SAS, 2011). When F test indicated statistical significance at p<0.01 or p<0.05, the least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate the means. The highest fruit weight per plant was acquired by the density of 5 plants per m2 and transplant age of 8 and 11 weeks. Increasing plant density from 5 to 20 per m2 led to decrease fruit weight in plant. In the low density, plants can access to the sufficient amount of recourses, so, yield rises; while in the high density, plant competition causes assimilation to reduce. The highest biological yield (16 tons per hectare) was obtained in the 8- and 11-week transplants, and density of 20 plants per m2. The highest fruit yield was achieved at 10 plants per m2 and 11-week-old transplant which was significantly different from the other treatments. The highest fruit yield was obtained by the density of 10 plants per m2 followed by 6.7 plants per m2 when 8-weeks transplant was used. The 11-week-old transplant and the density of 5 plants per m2 produced the highest fruit number (109). In general, with increasing age of transplants, the number of seeds per fruit increased. The results showed that increasing age of transplants from 5 to 11 weeks led to increase seeds weight from 2.14 g to 2.87 g. Plant height increased significantly by increasing plant density. The density of 5, 6.7 and 10 plants per m2, and 8 and 11 weeks old transplants had the highest harvest index. The lowest harvest index was seen at 20 plants per m2. Overall, 5-week-old transplants could not produce proper mature plants; also, the density of 20 plants per m2 was not favorite for most of the traits except for biological mass and plant height. The results showed that plant density and the age of transplants had significant effects on the studied traits. All the traits were superior when 8- and 11-week old transplants were used. It seems that 5-week-old seedlings were not enough strong to grow well and did not have a normal plant size to provide successful mature plants in the field. Plant height and biological mass increased when plant density increased.

Ilam is one of the rich olive germplasm resources in Iran. Identification and study of adaptation of native olive genotypes is of great importance for establishment of olive orchards. This research was carried out on 15 olive genotypes collected from Ilam province to evaluate pomological and fruit yield in comparison with cv. Amphissis as check cultivar from 2015 till 2018 at Sarpole-e-Zehab Olive Research Station, Sarpol-e-Zahab, Iran. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. The results showed that pomological traits such as fruit, pit and flesh weight, flesh: pit ratio, fruit and pit dimensions were significantly different among genotypes. Fruit weight varied from 3.28 to 7.92 grams among olive genotypes. Fruit yield also differed among genotypes, BSCH2, BSCH3, SKE7, SKE8, BSCH1, DZ4 and SBM5 had higher fruit yield. Oil content in dry matter was significantly different among genotypes. Oil content in dry matter of NS3, SBM2, SBM1, SKE7, DZ4, PG3 and NS4 genotypes varied from 30-40%, and categorized as low oil olive genotypes. In general, results showed that BSCH2, BSCH3, SKE7, SKE8, BSCH1, DZ4 and SBM5 genotypes performed as promising genotypes with higher fruit yield at eight to nine years old trees and can be used for being released as new cultivars as well as establishing of new olive orchards.

Many vine growers in cold regions of Iran, in the ‘Khazandeh’ vine training system, for protecting vines from freezing in automn and winter, and frost in early spring, bury vines in the autumn and remove soil in mid-April, and postpone pruning until the flower structure appears in the end of May. The aim of this study was to investigate the best time for soil removal of buried vines, timing and severity of pruning of vines following exposure to spring frost to reducing frost damage. Two experiments were carried out in 2015 and 2016 in the cv. ‘Bidaneh Sefid’ vineyard of Javersian, Khondab, Iran. The first experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three treatments and six replications. Treatments included: T1: soil removal in 16 March, T2: soil removal 4 April and T3: soil removal in 24 April (control). The second experiment was carried out using randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and three replications. Each treatment was a combination of pruning time (19 March, 7 April and 27 April) and pruning severity based on the number of buds (4, 6 and 8 buds). In both experimentes, the vines experienced spring frost. In the first experiment, the best time for soil removal from buried vines was after 4 April. March 16 with lowest sprouted buds (%65) had the highest frost demage. In the second experiment, the number of cluster per sprouted buds (fertility coefficient) in short prunings (T2L1 and T3L1 with 50.5% and 48.9%, respectively) were significantly higher than the long pruning (T1L3 and T2L3 with 30.7% and 28.4%, respectively). On the other hand, T3L1 with 24.6 tonha-1 had the highest fruit yield. Considering the results of this study in the “Khazandeh” vine training system, when the vines are exposed to spring frost, to obtain a high sprouted buds (%), fertility coefficient and fruit yield, the best time for soil removal from buried vines and pruning is second half of April.

Medicinal Pumpkin (Cucurbit apepo convar. pepo var. styriaca) is a valuable medicinal plant in pharmaceutical industry. Iran has a semi-arid climate and located in areas suffer from water stress which can be considered as the biggest problem in crop production. Therefore, to achieve the highest yield of products in times of stress, the crop should be under full irrigation or proper management to make better use of the water in critical phases of crop growth. One of these managements is to reduce soil evaporation by using mulch .Mulching, reduces the amount of sunlight and preventing water evaporation effects on microclimate and provides a favorable environment for plant growth and development. The water resources in the country are limited and it needs to be efficiently used. Then an experiment was carried out aiming to investigate the effects of different levels of irrigation and plastic mulch on yield and yield components of medicinal pumpkins in weather conditions of Mashhad. This study was conducted in split plot design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during growing season of 2014-2015.The main plots were irrigation including 50, 75 and 100% crop water requirement and two black plastic mulch surface (presence and absence of mulch) arranged as subplot. The distance between rows of 200 cm and distance between two plants was 30 cm. There were three rows of cultivars in each plot with a density of 34.3 plants.m-2. Based on soil test results and fertilizer requirements, 180 kg.ha-1 of urea and 100 kg kg.ha-1 of P2O5 were given to the land. The planting was carried out two weeks after irrigation and according to the air temperature. Irrigation of plots was done every seven days by polyethylene pipes and the volume of water entering the plots was measured. Yield and its components were measured at the end of growing season. The results showed that irrigation reduction resulted in a significant (p<0.01) change in all studied traits. For example, 50 percent reduction in irrigation reduced fruit yield by 68 percent compared to control. Reduction in fruit yield under water stress conditions can be related to a reduction in flower production in plant. Mulch had also significant effect (p<0.01) on total dry weight, leaf area index, fruit yield, seed yield, harvest index, and also on 1000-seed weight (p<0.05). Use of mulch increased fruit and seed yield and harvest index by 38.4%, 38.4% and 30.6% compared to the lack of mulch, respectively through reduced soil evaporation and increases available water of plant. Irrigation× mulch affected significantly (p<0.01) on total dry weight, leaf area index, harvest index fruit and seed yield, and seed weight per plant. Plant yield reduction under drought stress could be could be attributed to decrease in plant photosynthesis, leaves aging, and decrease in gas exchange due to stomatal closure. In general, irrigation of 75% of the plant's water requirement and the use of plastic mulch is the best condition for planting Medicinal Pumpkin. Because it greatly saves water consumption and also had the highest rate of production. The results of this study indicated that irrigation based on plant need can play an important role in increasing yield and yield components of pumpkin plant in drought conditions Also, the plastic mulch by preventing water loss, increases the amount of water available to the plant and reduces the effect of stress and improves plant yield.
Acknowledgement: This study has been funded by the University of Mashhad faculty of Agriculture and we would like to thank you in this regard.

This experiment was conducted to investigate heritability, combining ability and genetic control of important traits of greenhouse cucumber inbred lines in 2015-2016. The genetic materials used in this experiment were 52 hybrids from 10 male and 27 female cucumber inberd lines which were examined in two separate experiments. These experiments were carried out as North Carolina Design I using randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that male parents 1, 2 and 13 had the highest values of vegetative traits in both experiments. Estimation of genetic parameters for vegetative traits also indicated low levels of additive variance and narrow-sense heritability. The highest total number of fruits in the first experiment was observed in male parent number 7. Regarding fruit yield related traits, male lines number 7 and 15 in the first experiment had higher fruit yield. The results of second experiment showed that the longer fruit production duration and higher number of fruit per node belonged to male parents 10 and 3, respectively. There was no significant differences for other fruit related traits. Estimation of genetic parameters showed that in many of traits associated with fruit such as fruit diameter, fruit firmness, fruit number and yield, the additive variance and narrow-sense heritability were high, therefore, it is possible to select successfully for these traits. In general, male inbred lines number 7, 13, 15, and 24 contributed to increasing of fruit-related traits and fruit yield in progenies.

  Olive (Olea europaea L.) belongs to Oleaceae family. Olive fruit has been used for oil and table olive. Olive is one of the most important fruit trees around the world. Iran is one of the regions of the world with different wild olive genotypes distributed in different provinces. Olive genotypes are important genetic resources for Iran. These genotypes can be selected as promising genotypes and used in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate adaptability of 8 olive genotypes from Gorgan and Taroum. This experiment was conducted to evaluate adaptation ability of 8 olive genotypes in Tarrom olive research station during 2007- 2011. Trees were planted under a complete randomized block design with a 6 × 6 distance. Vegetative and reproductive characters of olive trees were measured. The collected data were analyzed with MSTATC and the means were compared with Duncan's multiple test. Vegetative results showed that tree height, wide, shoot season growth and trunk cross sectional areas were significantly different at 1% between olive genotypes in Tarrom olive station. Inflorescence number per shoot, flower number per inflorescence, perfect flower percent, and final fruit set were significantly different at 1% statistical level. Fruit weight was significant between olive genotypes and it varied between 2.3 and 9.8g. G4 genotype had the biggest fruit and flesh weight. Fruit yields were significant between genotypes so that T2 and B1 had the highest and lowest yields respectively. The oil percent in dry matter was significantly different between genotypes. All genotypes had higher than 40% oil in dry matter. The highest oil percentage (52%) was recorded in G4 genotype. Generally, G4 olive genotype could be a promising genotype due to the large fruit (more than 9 grams), relatively high yield (about one ton) and high oil content (more than 52% of the dry matter). Wild olive genotypes are very important gene pole for any purposes in each county. Iran has different wild olive genotypes in different regions like Golestan, Gilan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Ilam and so on. Identification and evaluation of adaptability of local olive genotypes are very important for new olive cultivar selection and breeding programs. As mentioned above, the evaluated olive genotypes show different responses in Taroum olive research station. Different vegetative and reproductive characteristics were recorded on evaluated olive genotypes. Generally, results showed that G4 olive genotype was superior based on fruit traits, oil and yield.

This study was conducted to evaluate vegetative, reproductive and pomological characteristics of eight promising olive genotypes, originated from Tarom and Gorgan regions in Iran. Te experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2013-2015 at Taram olive research station, Tarom, Zanjan, Iran. Results showed that tree height, trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) and canopy width were significantly different among olive genotypes. The number of inflorescence per branch, the number of flower per inflorescence, percentage of complete flowers, percentage of initial and final fruit set were also significantly different among genotypes. Mean fruit weight varied between 2.5 to 8 grams. T2 had the highest (6.9 tonha-1) fruit yield. All genotypes had greater than 40 percent oil content in dry matter. T7 with mean fruit yield of 5.8 tonha-1 and more than 50 percent oil content in dry matter was identified as a promising genotype for olive oil production. T2 was found a suitable genotype for dual purposes.

To evaluate some fruit characteristics and yield of seven promising olive genotypes a field experiment was carried out- using randomized complete block design with three replications in 2016 in Dallaho research station, Sarepol Zahab, Iran. Fruit yield and some fruit characteristics including; fruit weight, stone weight, drymatter (%), oil content were measured. Results showed that genotypes were significantly different for fruit yield and fruit characteristics. Genotype × year interaction effect was significant on fruit weight, fruit flesh weight, stone weight, flesh percentage, fruit yield and oil yield. Dd1 genotype with mean of 7.87 g had the heighest and Ps1 genotype with 3.31 g had the least fruit weight. Genotype, year and genotype × year interaction effects were significant on fruit yield and oil yield. The highest fruit and oil yield belonged to Bn6 with 17653 kgha-1 and 2362.1, respectively. Cultivar Sevillano had the lowest fruit yield (3000 kgha-1) and oil yield (218.9 kgha-1). Considering fruit and oil yield, Bn6 and Dd1 were identified as superior genotypes.

To evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation stress on growth, yield and physiological traits of bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis), the experiment was conducted with three replications. Irrigation levels were 100% ETc and two deficit irrigation 70% and 50% ETc. The results showed that deficit irrigation stress significantly reduced growth and fruit yield. The lowest leaf area, plant length, fruit number per plant and fruit yield was obtained in deficit irrigation 50% ETc. Relative water content and chlorophyll content significantly decreased in response to increase in deficit irrigation stress. The increase in deficit irrigation stress resulted in higher peroxidase activity, electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation, although there was no significant difference between irrigation 100 and 70% ETc. Deficit irrigation 70% ETc saved 30% of irrigation water with a 15.5% reduction in fruit yield, so caused 16.8% increase in water use efficiency. Therefore, under limited irrigation water, it is recommended to irrigate bitter apple plants at 70% ETc irrigation to produce not only the same yields, approximately, but also to save more of water as compared to 100% ETc treatment.

This study was done to investigate and compare fruit yield, yield components, morphological traits and fruit quality of greenhouse tomato genotypes in order to use them as selection criteria. Progenies of 49 crosses of greenhouse tomato together with their 13 parents were evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The highest amount of fruit yield was observed in the progenies of the crosses 20, 25 and 46. On the other hand, the progenies of the crosses 17 and 18, which showed the highest amount of fruit quality, also had a suitable fruit yield. The highest number of fruits was observed in the progenies of the crosses 18, 16 and 19. In order to selecte the most effective traits as the selection criteria, broad and narrow sense heritabilities were estimated under two growing seasons by uniparental-perogeny, biparental-perogeny regression, and parental-perogeny correlation. The amount of broad sense heritability ranged from 45 to 92% in the first season and from 43 to 80% in the second one. Therefore, the traits including the total fruit yield, fruit weight, pericarp thickness, Brix, and PH were suggested for selecting the best genotypes, because of the higher level of heritability in these traits. Higher amounts of narrow-sense heritability in number of fruit per cluster and internode length suggested that these traits are appropriate as selection criteria. But the results showed that selection criteria varied in different environmental conditions.

To determine broad-sense heritability and genetic variance of some flower and fruit traits of twenty olive cultivars, a split-plot in time experiment based on CRD with three replications was conducted during two years at Tarum Olive Research Station in Zanjan province. Sixteen quantitative traits of flower, fruit, pit and leaf were evaluated. Analysis of variance of the data showed significant differences for most traits among cultivars. Genetic and phenotypic coefficients were nearly equal for about half of the studied traits, showing less influence of environmental conditions on them. Broad-sense heritability of fruit traits was about two times more than these of flower. The maximum and minimum broad-sense heritability were assessed for stone fresh weight (87.05 %) and final fruit set (7.04 %) respectively. The results revealed a positive and significant genetic and phenotypic correlation between oil percent and pulp/stone ratio in olive cultivars. Noticeably, fruit size (based on fruit fresh weight) was decreased by increasing of final fruit set. Hence, fruit oil content was decreased because of its low pulp/stone ratio. In general, a considerable genetic variation was observed among olive cultivars with respect to the studied studied traits. This shows the selection possibility of superior cultivars albeit, with attention to genetic correlation among traits and their heritability.

In order to study the effect of putrescine on growth, yield and fruit quality of Sweet pepper (Capsicuum annum cv. Dimaz) under water stress, an experiment was conducted in split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research filed of university of Zanjan. Treatments consisted of three irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100% ETc) and putrescine including four levels (0 (control), 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM). The results showed that water deficit stress reduced growth and fruit yield of sweet pepper .The highest growth, fruit number, yield and vitamin C content was obtained in irrigation 100% ETc and TSS in 75% ETc. Foliar application of putrescine improved growth and fruit yield. The highest plant growth, plant height (67.00 cm), leaf area (5887.28 cm2), chlorophyll content (2.2 μg /g), plant dry weight (29.41 ETc), vitamin C (42.67 mg/100ml), fruit chlorophyll (0.18 μg /g), fruit length (16.56 cm), fruit number (268.00), fruit yield per plant (0.45 kg) and total yield per hectare (9.98 ton) was obtained with foliar spray of 1.5 mM putrescine under 100% ETc irrigation. According to the results, application of 1.5 mM putrescine can be proposed to improve growth and fruit yield of pepper under water deficit stress.