مجله تولید و فرآوری محصولات زراعی و باغی
سال سوم شماره 1 (بهار 1392)

In order to study different methods of separating the seeds of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. reticualus) from the sorrounding fleshy tissues (placenta) and the effects of various treatments on seed germination characteristics, an experiment was conducted in Agricultural and Natural Research Center of Varamin, Iran, in 2009. In this research, which was based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates, three methods of seed separation including fermentation (for 24 and 48 hours), sulfuric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 12, 24, 49 and 98 percent) and hydrochloric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 4.8, 9.5, 18 and 38 percent) were used. The results showed that 98% sulfuric acid treatment was able to finish the seed separation process within 5 minutes, and with germination rate of 0.058 seeds per day was among the best treatments. In hydrochloric acid treatment, especially at high concentrations (18 and 38 percent), though seed separation was performed at acceptable rate and had positive effects on seed germination rate and percentage, but the electrical conductivity of seed solution showed that these treatments increased leakage of cellular materials, in addition to significant reduction of radicle and plumule length. Fermentation treatments had positive effects on separation and germination characteristics, except that they prolonged the time required for seed separation (24 and 48 hours). Among the treatments, the 98% sulfuric acid was superior to other treatments due to faster separation of seeds from the fleshy parts and its positive effects on seed germination characteristics.

To study the effect of cycocel, nitrogen and planting density on nitrogen (N) content, remobilization and use efficiency of Esfahan 14 safflower cultivar, a field experiment was carried out as a factorial split-plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications at Research Farm of College of Agriculture, Yasouj University, in summer of 2010. Main plots were the factorial level of N (50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) and level of cycocel (0 and 10- 6 M) and subplots were planting density (20, 25 and 33.3 plants / m2). Results showed that the highest N remobilization (1.21%) was gained from 10-6 M cycocel application and the highest amount of N and planting density. The highest N treatment, along with planting density of 25 plants/m 2, produced the highest seed protein (14%) and aerial N at flowering stage (2.15%). The highest grain yield (3146 kg/ha) and N use efficiency (62.9 kg/kg) was obtained from 10-6 M cycocel, lowest N level and 25 plants/m 2. In general, increasing N application and planting density, with cycocel application, increases shoot N content and remobilization. However, lower amount of N application is associated with higher N use efficiency and seed yield.

In order to determine the interaction of residual nitrogen (N) and different N rates on seed and oil yield of rapeseed, an experiment was conducted at Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran, in 2008-2009 growing season. The experimental design was split plots arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Seven treatments of residual N (217, 435 and 652 kg/ha from urea fertilizer; 6.1, 12.2 and 18.3 ton/ha from broiler litter; and control: no-fertilizer) as main plots, and different levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha N) as subplots were compared. Results showed that the highest number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight were obtained with residual N of 12.2 ton/ha as broiler litter of previous cropping. The applied N in rapeseed cropping resulted in a significant increase in number of seeds per pod, but oil content was significantly decreased. A significant interaction was observed between N residues of previous crop and applied N on number of pods per plant, seed yield and oil yield. The highest seed and oil yields were obtained with N residues of 12.2 ton/ha broiler litter and 120 kg/ha N in rapeseed cropping. In general, application of large amount of chemical fertilizer in maize cropping reduces the potential of rapeseed yield. However, application of broiler litter not only provides residual N for rapeseed, but also reduces fertilizer costs.

To determine the inheritance of bread making quality of bread wheat by diallel crossing, the F1 seeds of a 5 × 5 half diallel along with their parents were grown in water-stress and non-stress conditions, in a randomized complete blocks design, at Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran, in 2009, and 8 characters related to their bread quality along with 1000-seed weight and hectolitre mass were evaluated. The result of combined analysis of variance showed that the effect of stress on protein content, SDS sedimentation volume, wet gluten content, 1000-seed weight and hectolitre mass was significant. The interaction effect of genotype and stress was significant (P<0.01) for the loaf volume and hectolitre mass, and this showed different reactions of the genotypes in the stress and non-stress conditions. Also, the effects of genotype were significant for all the traits except for Zeleny sedimentation volume, grain moisture content and wet gluten content. This shows that the conditions are suitable for diallel analysis and separation of sum of squares of traits. Significance of general combining ability for loaf volume, grain hardness, moisture absorption percentage, SDS sedimentation volume, 1000-seed weight and hectolitre mass shows presence of additive effect and specific combining ability for 1000-seed weight and hectolitre mass shows non-additive gene effects in the control of these traits.

To predict growth and yield, it is needed to study sub-models of phenology, dry matter production and partitioning, leaf area variations and soil water balance. In the present study, for predicting yield of maize under Isfahan conditions, parameters of the sub-models in the aforementioned model were estimated using data of planting dates between 1988 and 2004 in Isfahan region and data of other researchers in different regions of the world. Daily variations of phenology, dry matter, leaf area and soil water balance were estimated using growth and yield model by daily climatic data (minimum temperature, maximum temperature, radiation and precipitation) and then final yield was predicted at the end of the growing season. Observed yields were between 11370 and 15770 kg/ha, with average yield of 13130 kg/ha; while the predicted yields were ranged between 12440 and 15440 kg/ha, with average yield 13360 kg/ha. Evaluation of the model showed no significant difference (confidence limits of 95%) between regression coefficients of observed and predicted yields (a = 3233 ± 1380 and b = 0.77 ± 0.12) and coefficients of 1:1 line (a = 0 and b = 1). The R2 value of the model was 0.92. In addition, values of root mean squared deviations and coefficient of variation were 570 kg/ha and 4.3%, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that this model has suitable precision for predicting maize yield under Isfahan conditions.

In order to study the effects of simultaneous application of nitrogen (N) and ZnSO4 fertilizers and biofertilizer (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) on grain yield and growth traits of rapeseed, Hyola308 cultivar, a field experiment, with split plot factorial layout based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications, was conducted at Research Field of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran, during 2007-2008 growing season. Nitrogen fertilizer at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) were the main plot and ZnSO4 fertilizer at two levels (0 and 50 kg/ha) and biofertilizer at two levels (with and without biofertilizer) were arranged in sub-plots. Results showed that maximum and minimum leaf area indices at flowering stage (average of 1.29 and 0.95, respectively) were obtained in 150 kg/ha N+ZnSO4+ biofertilizer and in 50 kg/ha N+ no ZnSO4+ no biofertilizer treatments. Maximum and minimum crop growth rates at flowering stage (average of 5.89 and 3.19 g/m2.GDD, respectively) were obtained in 150 kg/ha N+ZnSO4+ biofertilizer and control treatments. Maximum and minimum grain yields (2568, 2468 and 543 kg/ha, respectively) were obtained in 150 kg/ha N+ with/without ZnSO4+ biofertilizer and control (no fertilizer) treatments. Maximum and minimum oil yields (42.8 and 37.3%, respectively) were measured in 0 kg/ha N+ZnSO4+ biofertilizer and 150 kg/ha N+ no ZnSO4+ no biofertilizer treatments. Since there was no significant difference between 150 and 100 kg/ha N+ZnSO4+ biofertilizer treatments in terms of impact on canola grain yield and growth traits, it seems that application of biofertilizer (Azotobacter and Azospirillum), without any reduction in yield, increased grain production and oil content and saved 50 kg/ha of N fertilizer. Biofertilizer (Azotobacter and Azospirillum), along with zinc and sulfur, produced phytohormones, and N fertilizer increased dry matter accumulation and leaf area index (by increasing carbohydrate conversion to protein), made fertilizer sources available to plants for longer periods of time.

conditions. Thus, these varieties could be suitable option for yield increase and an effective step toward food security. Selection of parental lines has essential role in developing ideal combinations. Therefore, it is essential to study the relationship and genetic diversity among parental lines in hybrid rice. Sixteen hybrid rice parental lines including 6 restorer lines (Poya, Sepidrud, Pajohesh, R2, R9 and IR50) and 5 CMS lines (Neda, Nemat, Dasht, Champa and Amol 3) with their 5 maintainers were studied at Research Farm of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University during 2011. Analysis of variance showed significant variations for all of the studied traits, which shows great diversity among the genotypes. The number of fertile tillers and length to width ratio of grain showed positive and significant correlation with yield. But, grain width showed negative and significant correlation with yield. Results of principal component analysis revealed that 3 components explained 75.64% of the total variations. Cluster analysis at 15 genetic distance criteria grouped genotypes in 4 clusters. In exploration of heterosis phenomenon, parents must be far away from each other. So, the results of this study suggested crosses between CMS lines of Neda A, Nemat A and Champa A with each of restorer lines R9, R2, IR50 and Poya for experimental hybrid seed production.

Development of cultivars better adapted to drought stress in the arid and semi arid climatic conditions is considered as a major breeding objective. Grain quality is a trait with physico-chemical complexity depending primarily on genotype, is strongly affected by environmental factors and their interactions. Effect of terminal drought stress on quality traits of 18 triticale lines, comprising of 9 doubled haploids (DH) and 9 F7-8 lines, and two bread wheat cultivars (Rowshan and Kavir), was investigated under two separate experiments (with/without drought stress) at the Research Farm of College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran, during two growing seasons of 2007-2009. Plants were grown under full irrigation until the mid-jointing stage when drought stress was applied. In this experiment, amount of glutenin, gliadin, gliadin/glutenin ratio, dry gluten content, sediment volume SDS, crude protein, carbohydrate, ash, grain test weight and grain yield were evaluated. The results showed that triticale lines performed superior to wheat cultivars under drought stress conditions considering grain yield, but wheat cultivar possessed the highest values for majority of quality traits. Grain yield had negative and significant correlation (r = - 0.56**) with grain protein content under no-stress conditions, and with grain test weight (r = - 0.67**) under stress conditions. Accordingly, genotypes with more grain test weight and protein content under stress conditions were probably affected by drought stress. and this may be due to lower of plant performance under drought stress conditions than those under normal conditions. Grain yield produced under drought stress conditions negatively and significantly correlated with dry gluten and protein under non-stress conditions. Overall, based on the results of this research, it was concluded that under drought stress conditions at the reproductive stage, DH triticale line number 2 performed superior for grain quality and biochemical adaptation to drought stress.

Studies show that some of the medicinal plants have allelopathic effects. Therefore, one of the tools for reducing application of herbicides is using the allelopathic properties of these plants. These plants, if put in the agronomic rotation, are very important. The present research was conducted to determine the effects of different concentrations of aqueous extract of leaf, stem, flower and root of beebalm and fennel on germination and growth of maize (cv. Single Cross 704) and chickpea (cv. Seffid). The experiment was performed as factorial in a completely randomized design with 4 replications. First, stock solution of 6% w/v aquous extract was prepared, and then diluted solutions (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) were obtained. The results indicated that there were allelopathic effects in beebalm and fennel plants. Effect of aqueous extract of different plant parts on germination traits of maize and chickpea was not similar. Concentration of aqueous extracts was effective on germination traits such as percentage and rate of germination, length of radical and hypocotyls and time to end of germination. Higher levels of this concentration inhibited more of these studied traits. The degree of allelopathic effects of different parts of bee balm and fennel can be classified in order of decreasing inhibition as: stem, leaf, flower and root; between the two medicinal plants, fennel indicated more allelopathic effects on germination traits.

Grape, having considerable sources of phenolic substances, such as anthocyanin and flonoids, is an important fruit. On the other hand, the amount of these substances and antioxidant activity in fruits of grape cultivars varies in different growing conditions. Antioxidants are the first line of body defense against free radicals and are critical for human health. To determine antioxidant activity, phenol content, anthocyanin, brix, pH and some morphological characteristics (berry fresh weight, number of seeds and berry skin weight) of 12 grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars grown in Fars Province, Iran, including Samarghandi, Yaghuti, Rishbaba and Rajabi (Zarghan region), Asali, Siah Shiraz, Rishbaba and Askari (Maymand region) and Keshmeshi Bavanat, Askari, Siah Shiraz and Rishbaba (Saadatshahr) an experiment was designed and carried out in College of Agriculture, Shiraz University in 2009. The results showed that Siah Shiraz (from Maymand and Saadatshahr) had the highest antioxidant activity (75.42 and 70.24%, respectively). Siah Shiraz cultivar (in Maymand) had the greatest amount of phenol (174.33 mg/kg) and anthocyanin (498.74 mg/kg) and Rishbaba and Askari (from Saadatshahr) and Asali (from Maymand) had the lowest antioxidant activity (15.09, 16.68 and 19.56%, respectively). The lowest amount of phenol (29.56 mg/kg) was observed in Rishbaba berries (Saadatshahr region). Keshmeshi cultivar (from Saadatshahr) had the lowest amount of anthocyanin (14.94 mg/kg). Also, A high correlation existed between antioxidant activity and anthocyanin (r2 = 0.68) as well as phenol (r2 = 0.49). Based on the results of this research, it was concluded that colored grapes, such as Siah Shiraz, have a lot of antioxidant activity and other than environmental conditions, the genotype is also effective in the amount of these substances.

In this research, which was carried out as two experiments (in the field and greenhouse) at Research Farm of College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, in 2009-2010 growing season, the effects of different levels of nitrogen, plant density and cycocel application on yield and yield components of autumn-grown oilseed rape (Talaye cultivar) were investigated. The field experiment was designed as split-split plot based on completely randomized blocks design. Treatments included nitrogen level (80, 140, 200 and 260 kg/ha) as the main plot, plant density (70 and 90 plants/m2) as sub-plot and cycocel rate (0, 1.4 and 2.8 L/ha) as sub- subplot. The greenhouse experiment, which was arranged as a factorial based on complete randomized design, included nitrogen level (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) and cycocel rate (0, 1.4 and 2.8 L/ha). Results showed that the highest seed yield was achieved at 200 kg N/ha, 2.8 L/ha cycocel and plant density of 90 plants/m2 (533.17, 533.96 and 521.6 g/m2, respectively). Application of 2.8 L/ha cycocel was associated with increased number of siliques per plant and final plants dry weight. Increasing plant density from 70 to 90 plants/m2 was associated with decreased number of siliques per plant, plant dry weight and number of seeds per silique. It appears that application of 200 kg N/ha, 2.8 L/ha cycocel and plant density of 90 plants/m2 could be recommended for maximum grain yield of autumn-grown rapeseed cv. Talaye, in agroclimatic conditions similar to this research.

Potassium (K) has a special place in improving the quality of agricultural products. To evaluate the effect of K concentration in nutrient solution on lycopene content, vitamin C and qualitative characteristics of cherry tomato in NaCl salinity conditions, an experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications at university of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, in 2010. Treatments consisted of four concentrations of K (0.2, 2, 7 and 14 mM) in nutrient solution with 60 mM NaCl concentration. A nutrient solution treatment without salinity was considered as control. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse, in a hydroponic system. The results indicated that increasing of K concentration increased lycopene content in fruit. Lycopene content in control treatment showed significant difference (P<0.01) in comparison with salinity treatments. With increasing the K concentration (except at 14 mM concentration), vitamin C content was increased, but indicated no statistically significant difference. Vitamin C content in saline conditions was more than control treatment, but showed no significant difference. Adding potassium concentration in nutrient solution improved yield and enhanced quality parameters such as percentage of dry matter, soluble solids and electrical conductivity of fruit extract. Since in saline conditions, the qualitative characteristics of tomato at 7 mM concentration were in the best situation, therefore using this concentration is recommended.

This experiment was conducted in 2010 in order to study the effect of drought stress on proline, soluble carbohydrates, relative water content, concentration of potassium and sodium of leaf, electrolytes leakage from leaves and grain yield of spring rapeseed cultivars in Research Greenhouse of Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran. The experiment was factorial, based on completely randomized design with three replications. In this research, six genotypes of spring rapeseed (CR3189, CR3250, Kosa Kroko, Marnoo and Regent) and irrigation treatment at three levels (irrigation after 10, 40 and 70% depletion of soil moisture) were studied. Results showed that interaction of irrigation and genotype had significant effect on all traits, except potassium concentration. Comparison of average values of treatments showed that in all genotypes, the proline content, soluble carbohydrates, sodium concentration and electrolytes leakage from leaves were increased due to drought stress, but potassium concentration, relative water content and grain yield were decreased. Among the genotypes, at all three levels of irrigation, the maximum grain yield (0.86, 0.58 and 0.34 g/plant, respectively) was related to Kosa cultivar, which had less electrolyte leakage and sodium concentration, but higher proline content, potassium concentration and relative water content. Regent cultivar had the lowest potassium concentration, proline, relative water content and grain yield and also had the highest electrolytes leakage and sodium concentration. The lowest grain yield at 10% irrigation level (0.47 g/plant) was in CR3250 genotype and at 40% and 70% irrigation levels (0.33 and 0.19 g/plant, respectively) was observed in Regent genotype. Overall, based on the obtained results, Kosa and Regent cultivars were identified as tolerant and susceptible to drought stress, respectively.

One of the main problems in vineyards of Iran is sensitivity of grape cultivars to winter cold. Considering the rich genetic diversity of grape cultivars in Iran vineyards and severe cold winter in 2007, this situation was used as a natural treatment in order to identify cold tolerance and assess damages in 21 Iranian grape varieties and 8 European grape varieties in a factorial experiment, based on completely randomized blocks design with four replications and three plants per unit. In each plant, four branches (one year old) were selected and the number of healthy and damaged sprouts were counted. Then, statistical and cluster analysis was performed. Descriptive statistics (coefficient of variation of phenotypic traits) of the obtained data from assessment of grape cultivars was calculated. Using the correlation coefficient (Pearson r), bilateral relationship between traits was measured and the attributes which their selection could increase the efficiency were determined. The results indicated that grape cultivars were located in four groups of sensitive, semi-sensitive, semi-tolerant and completely tolerant. Ghermez Bidaneh, Fakhri, Siyah Gazvin, Khalili and Rish Baba cultivars showed the highest tolerance. Most of the European cultivars including Ruby Seedless, Superior, Fiesta, Black Seedless, Perlette, Flame Seedless, Tompson Seedless and Torkmanistan 4 were in semi-tolerant to susceptible groups. Tolerance threshold against winter cold was was 15 ±1 ◦C in normal varieties and 20 ±1 ◦C in tolerant cultivars. There was a significant phenotypic correlation between the studied traits.

To determine salinity-tolerant genotypes among the citrus germplasm present in Kotra collection, a greenhouse experiment was carried out as factorial, completely randomized design with three replications, at four levels of NaCl (0, 2, 4 and 6 dS/m) and 10 unknown genotypes, for 16 weeks. Cleopatra mandarin and Swingle Citromelo, as tolerant (control) and sensitive cultivars, respectively, were used. After 6 months of seedlings growth in pots containing equal amounts of perlite, sand and garden soil, the irrigation water, containing different concentrations of sodium chloride was applied every 5 days (considering climatic conditions and plant requirements). At the end of the experiment, concentration of chloride and sodium in leaf and root, chlorophyll a and b and total chlorophyll content and concentration of soluble sugars in leaves were measured. Results showed that salinity increased chloride and sodium concentration in root and leaf. The lowest level of accumulation of chloride in leaf was related to genotype g9 and Cleopatra mandarin. Potassium concentration and chlorophyll a and b content decreased with salinity, while the interaction of genotype and salinity did not show significant difference in these characteristics. Genotypes were different in content of soluble sugars, in response to salinity. Based on the results, genotype g9, because of the lowest increase in leaf chloride content and also the lower decrease in total chlorophyll content, in comparison with most of the studied genotypes, can be considered as a tolerant genotype to salinity stress, and could be utilized in breeding programs of rootstocks.

Apple is one of the important fruit in Iran. according to respiration and ethylene production behaviors, apple classified as a climacteric fruit. Therefore, any treatments, which can inhibit or prevent the action of ethylene, they can increase the postharvest life of horticultural production. 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP) is one of the chemical which is environmental save and use as a very small concentrations. In this experiment, the effects of 1-MCP at concentrations of 0 (as a control), 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 µl.l-1 were used in apple cv. "Golab Kohanz", a land race fruits which is cultivated from long times ago in Iran. After the 1-MCP treatment, they were moved to cold room at 2 ºC and RH of ca 90% for 60 days. Samples were removed from the cold room and analysis for physicochemical characteristics. "Golab Kohanz" apples treated with 1-MCP showed improved fruit firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and total soluble solid after 147 days at 2ºC, compared to the control non-treated fruits. Also, treatment with 1-MCP significantly reduced the incidence of superficial scald in "Golab Kohanze". In general, 1-MCP-treated apples delay ripening during storing in cold room and increased shelf life. Overall, the results indicate that 1-MCP has tremendous potential for maintaining apple quality during storage and post storage.