مجله تولید و فرآوری محصولات زراعی و باغی
سال پنجم شماره 1 (بهار 1394)

To determine a suitable method and time of top-working for inferior walnut trees، a preliminary study was conducted to compare nine different grafting or budding methods. Two promising methods including modified bark grafting and cleft grafting at two times (early April and mid April) were further evaluated during 2001- 2006، in terms of grafting percentage and subsequent impact on growth and fruiting using a completely randomized block design. The modified bark grafting on main branches in the mid April showed the highest grafting success and survival percentage (76 - 93%). The number of nut، kernel color and weight was increased significantly in the top worked shoots compared to the non-top worked shoots (p<0. 01). Using modified bark grafting method، 15 local walnut genotypes were successfully top worked in a collection in 2004. The bark grafting method was also evaluated under different orchard conditions in west Azarbaijan during 2008-2009. Grafting success varied between 30 - 100% (averaged 67. 7%)، indicating the higher capability of this method for top working of walnut trees. Therefore، the modified bark grafting method on main branches in the second half of April could be recommended for walnut top working، especially in young، newly established seedling orchards.

The present experiment was carried out to evaluate fruit qualitative and quantitative characteristics of two local muskmelons (Cucumis melo Gr. Cantalupensis) “Samsoori” and “Saveh”. A completely randomized block design (RCBD) with 10 treatments and three replications was used for this purpose at research field of Jahad-e-Daneshgahi، Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources، University of Tehran، Karaj in 2009. Five commercial cucurbit rootstocks (Ace، Shintozwa، ShintoHongto، Zuktozwa and Ferro) were used as rootstocks. Ace، Shintozwa and ShintoHongto were used as rootstocks for Saveh and Samsori، and Zuktozwa and Ferro were applied as rootstocks just for Samsori. Non-grafted plants were used as control. The results showed that the rootstock had a significant effect on total fruit and marketable fruit number، marketable fruit yield and total soluble solids of Samsori accession. In Saveh accession، the rootstock had a significant effect on mean and marketable fruit weight and fruit thickness. According to mean results، the maximum marketable fruit number (5. 68) belonged to Samsori grafted onto Shintozwa rootstock. Samsori grafted on Shintozwa rootstock had a high marketable yield of 10. 85 kg. Samsori grafted on different rootstocks had the highest TSS in comparison with non-grafted Samsori and produced sweetest fruits with high brix. The heaviest marketable fruit (3. 23 Kg) belonged to Saveh grafted onto Ace rootstock. Saveh accession grafted on Ace rootstock along with non-grafted Saveh had the highest fruit thickness.

Identification and selection of superior genotypes is the first step in walnut breeding programs. For identifying superior genotypes in Lorestan province، Iran، 35000 seedling genotypes were evaluated during 2008-2009. 29 Phenological traits were evaluated using IPGIRI descriptors in 288 selected seedling genotypes. Finally 54 promising genotypes with 10 major phenological traits were evaluated and classified to five groups. Based on the results، The first group included B17 alone as a late leafing genotype. The second group included A11، J14، K20، H19، M13، J1، B14، E14، E6، G17، M7، O9، B7، L6، L10، F12، D6، J15، J16، N5 and N15 genotypes with high kernel percentage، very bright kernel colors، less shell thickness and medium basal fruit pore. M9 with the highest kernel percent among all of the genotypes and 80% of lateral bearing، closed basal fruit pore، less shell thickness and high fruit and kernel weight was classified in another groupe. A7، C5، N3، N18، A17، D1، N14، D4، I4، J6، K17، N4، N19، C10، E13، N13 and N16 genotypes with medium to high fruit diameter، less shell thickness، medium fruit and kernel weight and kernel percentage were classified in the next group. The fifth group included 10 promising genotypes consisting A1، A2، C12، D10، D11، D13، F3، D17، A3، N7، I13، J7، K9 and N11 with quite late leafing and lateral fruit bearing of more than 90%.

In order to evaluate the effect of wastewater on yield and quality of okra plant، an experiment was carried out in wastewater filtration station of Kerman University during 2008 using a completely randomized block design with three replications. Treatments included different concentrations of wastewater (0، 25، 50، 75 and 100%) applied with drip method. The results showed that the use of wastewater as irrigation water increased total measured parameters. Furthermore، treatment of 100% wastewater significantly increased the chlorophyll content (32%)، plant height (33%)، stem diameter (25%)، fruit fresh weight (36%) and fruit dry weight (12%)، fruit number (31%)، root dry weight (16%) and biomass of okra (37%). In contrast، wastewater increased concentration of the elements nitrogen، phosphorus، iron and sodium in okra plants. Different concentrations of wastewater had no significant effect on accumulation of copper and zinc in okra. In summary، it could be concluded that wastewater can be used for irrigation of okra without the problem of excessive accumulation of elements in this plant.

This study was carried out to determine the best method and time of budding and grafting in walnut under controlled conditions in Saman، Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari Province. The experiment was in completely randomized design with 13 treatments، including cleft، splice and whip-tongue grafting on February 4، chip budding on April 4، 19، May 5 and 20، and T-budding and patch budding each one on first of June، July and August in three replications (each replication، including ten seedlings). All grafted seedlings were cultivated in 10-liter plastic pots. Plants were transferred into the greenhouse at about 25 °C and relative humidity of at least 70%. Chip budding، T-budding and patch budding was performed in the greenhouse. Successful budding and grafting were determined after four and 12 weeks، respectively. Furthermore، stem length، diameter and leaf number were evaluated after 12 weeks. The results were suggestive of significant differences between the different grafting methods and times at 1% level. The highest successful grafting was obtained in T-budding (100%) and patch budding (93. 3%) in August، followed by T-budding and patch budding in July (80%)، and patch (73/3%) and T-budding (60%) in June. Cleft and whip-tongue indicated 46% and 40% successful grafting، respectively. In this study، splice and chip grafting were not proven successful. The highest length and diameter of scion were obtained from the patch budding in June، and the highest leaf number was obtained in whip-though grafting. Finally، the best successful grafting was obtained when grafting was conducted at August، and the highest scion length and diameter were obtained when grafting was carried out in June.

To study the grain yield stability of winter type canola cultivars (Brassica napus L.) in multiple environments، 18 winter type canola cultivars were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with four replications. The study was conducted in two years and eight cold and temperate regions of Iran. Simple and combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes. Moreover، combined analysis of variance displayed significant differences in genotype × location and location × year interactions. Four first interaction principle components (IPCs) were involved in genotype × environment variation (over 75% of G×E interaction). Mean grain yield comparison of genotypes showed that Ebonite، ARC-5 and Elite were the three high yielding varieties (3436، 3338 and 3244 kg ha-1، respectively); on the other hand Opera، Okapi and Licord produced 2698، 2816 and 2823 kg ha-1 grain yield، respectively and were classified as low ranking genotypes. Bi-plot graph of first principle component against grain yield showed that Geronimo، Modena and Sunday (having the lowest principle component) could be grouped as stable varieties. However، Ebonite and ARC-5 were recognized as the most unstable genotypes. Based on different stability analysis methods used in this study، Geronimo، Sunday and Modena with the best stability indices، and high mean grain yield can be introduced as the most stable varieties. Ebonite was recognised as an appropriate variety for specific regions.

This research was conducted to evaluate drought tolerance of safflower genotypes (Carthamus tinctorius L.) at the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology، Isfahan، Iran during growing season of 2012. One hundred genotypes including 81 foreign genotypes along with 19 Iranian genotypes were evaluated under normal and moisture stress conditions according to a simple lattice design with two replications. Drought tolerance and sensitivity indices including mean productivity (MP)، geometric mean productivity (GMP)، stress tolerance index (STI)، tolerance (TOL) and stress susceptibility index (SSI) were studied. Results of this study indicated that genotypes were significantly different for grain yield in both moisture conditions. Among all indices، MP، GMP and STI were identified as the best indices that can be used to determine tolerant genotypes. Based on MP، GMP and STI and also principal component analysis PI 369847 (Tajikistan)، CART 56 (USA)، PI 657820 (Jordan)، PI 305527 (Soudan) were determined as the most tolerant genotypes and PI 537652 (Mexico)، CART 131 (Prague)، PI 470942 (Bangladesh)، PI 209286 (Romania) and CART 32 (German) as the most sensitive ones. Results also indicated that the biplot of principal component analysis is a powerful technique to discriminate genotypes based on the measured indices. The superior safflower genotypes can be used in future breeding programs.

A two-year study (2007-2008) was carried out to explore the effect of split application of nitrogen fertilizer on yield، dry matter and harvest index of Marfona potato cultivar in Isfahan Agricultural Research Center، Iran. A randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement with three replications was used. The main plots were three levels of nitrogen (100، 200 and 300 kg ha-1) and the subplots comprised of three application rates of the fertilizer (non-split application of nitrogen before planting، split application of nitrogen fertilizer at the 5-6 leaf and rapid growth of tubers stages، and split application of nitrogen fertilizer at the two-leaf، the 5-6 leaf and rapid growth of tubers stages). The results indicated that the maximum tuber yield of 43،210 kg ha-1 was obtained with 300 kg ha-1 N and three times of N split applications، however، this treatment resulted in the lowest percentage of tuber dry matter (6. 2%). The harvest index ranged from 65 to 75 percent، with the highest HI resulting from application of 300 kg ha-1 N، with 75 and 73 percent in two and three times split applications، respectively. The highest non-marketable yields were 3350 and 3280 kg ha-1 and obtained from 300 kg ha-1 N treatment and three and two split applications، respectively. In summary، the results revealed that the optimum amount of nitrogen application rate for the environmental conditions of this study depending on seeking maximum tuber yield or tuber dry matter is different. To achieve the maximum tuber yield and tuber dry matter percentage، 300 kg ha-1 N with three split application times، and 200 kg ha-1 N with two split application times are recommended، respectively.

In order to investigate the effect of Filter Cake application on some morpho-physiological characteristics and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays var saccharata) under different irrigation regimes، an experiment was conducted in Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University، Khuzestan، in 2012. The experiment was arranged in split-plot design in RCBD (Completely Randomized Block Design) with three replications. Treatments were drought stress (irrigation after 25، 50 and 75% depletion of available water content) in main plots and Filter Cake (0، 10، 20 and 30 tonha-1) arranged in sub-plots. Results showed that drought stress increased electrolyte leakage (EL) and proline content (PC) while height of plant، relative water content (RWC)، chlorophyll stability index and ear and grain yield were decreased. The intensive drought stress had the greatest effect on EL and PC (54% increase)، and decreased ear and grain yield by21 and 37% compared to control، respectively. Application of filter cake on non-stress condition increased height of plant and economic yield. But Filter Cake in intensive stress reduced RWC and yield and increased EL compared to control. Also، the application of 30 tonha-1 of Filter Cake in intensive stress condition decreased ear and grain yield by 14. 5 and 10. 7% respectively. Thus، positive effect of Filter Cake application was clear on non-stress condition، but on drought stress condition it decreased the economic yield.

In order to evaluate the effect of trinexapac ethyl concentrations (0، 250 and 500 g/h) and traffic stress (traffic and non traffic) treatments on wheat grass physiological and morphological traits، an experiment was conducted on research farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2011 - 2012 as factorial in completely randomized designs with three replications. The studied traits involved plant height and plant density، shoot dry weight and fresh weights، tillering، chlorophyll level، roots and shoot dissolved carbohydrates. Results showed that Trinexapac ethyl reduced plant height، fresh weight and dry weight of cut parts significantly. Application of 250 and 500 g/h Trinexapac ethyl decreased plant height by 21. 23 percent and 31. 85 percent respectively. Application of Trinexapac ethyl improved plant height، tillering and chlorophyll level. In contrast، chlorophyll level was decreased substantially under traffic treatment and this treatment did not affect wheat grass density and tillering significantly. Under 500 g/h Trinexapac ethyl treatment، tillering was increased by 36 percent compared with under control condition one. Results showed that Trinexapac ethyl application and traffic increased dissolved carbohydrates of root and shoot significantly. As a result، it was found that wheat grass is a traffic resistant plant and it seems that the use of Trinexapac ethyl increases plant resistance to traffic stress

Effects of salt stress on growth rate and ion content of 17 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars grown in a hydroculture media under normal (0 ds/m) and salt stress (8 ds/m) conditions were examined during a period of 14 days in an experiment conducted at the greenhouse of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. Cultivars of Shiraz and Gascogen showed the highest and lowest root growth rates under normal while Azar2 and Kavir showed the highest and lowest values under salt stress condition. Cultivars Shiraz and Azar2 showed the highest and Kavir and Hirmand the lowest leaf growth rates under normal condition while under salt stress condition Mahdavi and Saison showed the highest and lowest values, respectively. Generally, growth rates were reduced under salt stress compared to the control condition. In another experiment, leaf samples were taken from 10 selected cultivars grown under the same stress condition and in all RWC and Na, K and Ca content were measured. Seedlings under salt stress condition had 34% more Na, 25% more Ca and 48% more K/Na ratio while they had 29% less RWC compared to the control condition. There were no significant correlations between growth rates and ion content. Meanwhile, cultivars with higher growth rates under control condition showed higher growth rates under stress condition. It was suggested that cultivars with higher growth rates under salt stress condition may be able to escape from the detrimental effects of saline top soils and produce more vigorous seedlings which may help them to have better yield performance under salt stress condition. This needs to be investigated in the future studies.

To study the effect of seed priming on seedling emergence characteristics of lentil and evaluate its interaction with drought stress at flowering stage، an experiment was carried out as split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications at research station of Bu-Ali Sina University، Hamedan، Iran. The main factor consisted drought stress with two levels (conventional irrigation and withholding irrigation at flowering stage) and subplots were seed priming treatments in four levels (priming with zinc sulfate solution، urea solution، distilled water and no-primed). The results showed that priming treatments had positive effects on emergence characteristics، yield and yield components of lentil. Seed priming with zinc sulfate and urea solutions reduced time to 50 percent emergence by 20. 15% and increased emergence uniformity coefficient by 15. 5 %. The number of pods per plant، number of seeds per pod، 100 seeds weight، grain and biological yields of stressed plants were reduced in comparison with the conventional irrigation treatment. In this study، seed priming with zinc sulfate solution and distilled water increased the mean of pods per plant by 19% under drought stress conditions. The mean of pods per plant increased by 47% when using zinc sulfate and urea solutions under conventional irrigation conditions. The highest number of seeds per pod (1. 3) was obtained through priming with zinc sulfate and urea solutions. Compared to no-primed treatment under drought stress conditions، priming with urea solution increased the grain yield by 28. 6% (grain yield was 1652. 22 kg/ha) and under conventional irrigation conditions، priming with zinc sulfate solution increased the grain yield by 29. 2% (grain yield was 2848. 57 kg/ha).

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) cannot produce seed because it is a sterile plant. For studying bolting and determination of pollen fertility، 68 Iranian garlic clones were gathered from different parts of Iran and evaluated in Research Field of Horticultural Department، Faculty of Agriculture، Bu-Ali Sina University in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. For determining the pollen fertility، some tests including specific RAPD marker، pollen germination، pollen viability detection using acetocarmine and in vitro culture of ovules and fruits were used. Results showed that 37 of Iranian garlic clones could produce scape and inflorescence. The percentage range of pollen stained with acetocarmine was from 0. 5 up to 20 percent showing infertility of pollens. Lack of two markers (OPJ121300 and OPJ121700) and pollen tube growth proved the infertility of garlic clones pollen. Fruits and embryo sac were alive for more than two months، showing their potential for producing seeds following pollination with fertile pollens.

In this research، the effects of packaging with two types of polymeric films (Low density polyethylene and polypropylene) and three gas compositions (Air، 20% CO₂ + 60% O₂ and 20% CO₂ + 5% O₂) on quantitative and qualitative attributes and storage life of cornelian cherry fruits were evaluated. Also some fruits in containers without cap were considered as control. After treatment، the fruits were stored at 1°C and 90-95% Relative Humidity for 35 days. Samples were taken initially and at 7-day intervals during storage، and to simulate market conditions they were placed at room temperature for 24 hr، and then qualitative and quantitative parameters such as weight loss، surface color، anthocyanin index، visual quality، decay، pH، titrable acidity، total soluble solid and vitamin C were measured. The results showed that gas combination of 20% CO₂ + 60% O₂ with polyethylene packaging and air in polypropylene packaging had a significant effect on maintaining pH، titrable acidity، total soluble solid compared with control fruits. Also، the fruits packed with polyethylene packaging in 20% CO₂ + 60% O₂ showed the best effect on retaining of vitamin C and anthocyanin index. In conclusion، the application of MAP regardless of gas combination was found to be more effective in maintaining the qualitative and quantitative characteristics compared with fruits without packaging.

In order to evaluate the effects of planting methods and seeding rates on growth characteristics and yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)، Hamedani cultivar، a field experiment was conducted in 2008 at College of Agriculture، Shiraz University، Iran. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with four replicates in a factorial arrangement of the treatments. The factors consisted of planting methods (furrow planting، broadcasting، row planting، and flat bed planting) and alfalfa seeding rates (5، 10، 15، and 20 kg seed ha-1). Results showed that planting methods and seeding rates had a significant effect on forage dry matter so that the highest forage yield in the first and third cuttings was obtained in furrow planting method and 20 kg seed ha-1 and the lowest forage dry weight in the first and third cuttings were obtained in flat bed planting method and 5 kg seed ha-1 and broadcasting method and 10 kg seed ha-1، respectively. Seeding rates also had a significant effect on number of weeds so that maximum and minimum weed numbers were obtained in 20 kg and 5 kg seed ha-1. Our results showed that 20 kg seed ha-1 and furrow planting method was the best treatment to gain maximum forage yield and minimum weed''s detrimental impact.

One of the important factors for successful agriculture is suitable planting date. For off-season cultures، we need to protect plants from adverse environmental conditions. This experiment was conducted to determine the most suitable planting date for cucumber under semi tunnel and polyethylene mulch conditions at Kaboutar-abad research station of Isfahan during two years. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design in a split plot arrangement with four replications. Four planting dates (February 4th، February 19th، March 6th and March 21) formed the main plots and soil covers (semi tunnel with black and transparent polyethylene mulches and semi tunnel without mulch) formed the subplots. The results indicated that planting dates had no significant effect on yield but was effective in early maturing yield. Planting date of February 19th produced the highest yield (6. 4 T/ha). Soil cover had a significant effect on the traits. The highest yield، plant vegetative growth and early maturing fruits were obtained in semi tunnel with transparent mulch. Applying semi tunnel with transparent and black mulches during February 19th till March 6th had the best efficiency for producing out of season cucumber in Isfahan climatic conditions. Polyethylene mulches reduced the salt accumulation on furrows.

Chitosan، is non-toxic، biodegradable and biocompatible material، which can be used as edible coatings to maintain quality and enhance postharvest life of fruits and vegetables. In this study، the effect of chitosan at 0، 0. 5، 1 and 2% concentrations on storage life of cucumber cv. «Zomorod» was investigated. After treatment and keeping in an incubator at 12 °C and 90% relative humidity، the fruits were assessed in 5-days intervals to determine parameters such as firmness، weight loss، vitamin C، titratable acidity، soluble solids and chlorophyll content. Experiment was performed as a split-plot design in time in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results of the experiment showed that chitosan coating، had a significant effect on all traits except titrable acidity. The lowest weight loss and the highest firmness were recorded with 1% chitosan treatment which significantly differed from the control. It is appeared that chitosan coatings could be used to increase the storage life of cucumber fruit and to maintain its quality for a longer period.