نشریه روابط خاک و گیاه
پیاپی 30 (تابستان 1396)

One of the signs of climate change is variation of the amount of greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere. It is expected that addition of carbon dioxide could affect on radiation-energy balance and thus change global climate. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CO2 enrichment on leaf characteristics and change in pigments of two varieties of Eustoma grandiflorum cut flower under hydroponic conditions. The experiment was carried out as split plots, based on completely randomized design with three replications, in Research Greenhouse of College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Treatments consisted of three concentrations of carbon dioxide (380 as control, 750 and 1050 mg/L) as main plot and two cultivars of lisianthus cut flower (Yodel White and GCREC-Blue) as subplot. Results of analysis of variance showed that only the simple effect of CO2 treatment was significant on number of leaves, carbohydrate, and carotenoids at 5% probability level and on other traits at 1% probability level. Interaction effect of cultivar and CO2 was only significant on anthocyanin content (p

Chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) is one of the Leguminosae family members that has symbiotic ability with Mesorhizobium ciceri bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. To evaluate the effect of AM fungi (Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices) and Mesorhizobium ciceri bacteria at three soil moisture levels [28% (field capacity), 15% (-5 bar suction) and 9% (-10 bar suction)] on nutrients concentration of roots, areal parts of chickpea and post-harvest soil, a greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted, arranged as a completely randomized design, in sterilized soil. Results showed that moisture content had significant effect on potassium (K) concentration of roots, areal parts and post-harvest soil; the highest positive effect of moisture was at field capacity level. Rhizobium bacteria had significant effect on concentration of K and nitrogen (N) of the roots, phosphorus (P) of the areal parts, and post-harvest iron (Fe) concentration in the soil. AM fungi had significant effect on root P concentration of the roots; the highest effect was related to Glomus mosseae. Interaction of moisture and AM fungi was significant on concentration of root P and areal parts manganese (Mn); the highest effect was related to Glomus mosseae treatment at field capacity moisture level. Interaction of moisture and rhizobium bacteria was significant on concentration of root N and P, and areal parts Mn and Fe; the highest effect was related to rhizobium treatment at field capacity moistute level. Interaction of AM fungi and rhizobium bacteria was significant on root P concentration; the highest effect was related to rhizobium and Glomus mosseae treatment. The highest root N concentration was related to combination of AM fungi and inoculation with rhizobium treatment at field capacity moisture level.

This research was performed to evaluate the effects of foliar application of nano-silicon (NSi), as a quasi-essential element, on yield, flower quality, vase life and infestation percentage of gerbera by greenhouse whitefly. Treatments were preharvest foliar application of different levels of NSi (0, 50 and100 mg/L) on gerbera 'Stanza' in a soilless system (to eliminate the effects of soil's Si) as a completely randomized design with three replications. Based on the results, activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase and peroxidase and also flower quality such as flower diameter, stem height and longevity were significantly affected by NSi. Accordingly, NSi at 100 mg/L concentration showed the highest effect, compared with control (without NSi). However, yield or number of harvested flowers per plant were not affected significantly by NSi treatments. Also, whitefly infestation of isolated pots under NSi treatments showed less contamination percentage to whitefly egg, nymph, pupa and adult by 89, 99, 98 and 96%, respectively, as compared to control. Based on the significant and positive effects of NSi on flower quality and also whitefly control, further experiments could be recommended for comparison of NSi with other Si sources and chemical pesticides, and possible replacement of chemical fertilizers with Si-based fertilizers, particularly under soilless conditions.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate some biochemical characteristics and mineral elements of commercial strawberry cultivars available in Iran. Daughter plants of Selva, Queen Eliza, Paross, Aromas and Kurdestan cultivars were planted in Dcember 2014 in greenhouse with soilless culture system. Fruits of these cultivars were harvested at the commercial stage of maturity and some of their biochemical characteristics and mineral elements were measured. Results showed significant difference between cultivars for all the studied traits. The highest soluble solids (9.16 ºBrix) and titrable acid (1.04 %) was measured in Paros and Queen Eliza cultivars. Aromas and Queen Eliza had the highest amount of vitamin C (81.96 mg/100 g FW) and electrical conductivity (4.94), respectively. Also, the highest pH and flavor index (TSS/TA) were observed in Kurdestan cultivar. Queen Eliza and Paross cultivars had the highest concentration of potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus. The highest amount of calcium and Manganese was measured in Kurdestan cultivars. Although we cannot recommend a cultivar which has large amounts of biochemical compounds and mineral elements, but according to this research, Kurdestan cultivar could be recommended in terms of flavor index, calcium, magnesium and manganese and Queen Eliza cultivar in terms of titrable acid and content of iron, magnesium and potassium.

In order to study the effect of salicylic acid (SA) and humic acid (HA) on vegetative properties and quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tomato cv. Goldi, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications was conducted in a commercial greenhouse in Yasouj, Iran. The first factor was SA at four concentrations (0, 300, 600 and 900 mg/L) and the second factor was HA at four concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15 g/L). Results showed that application of SA and HA has significant effect on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of tomato cv. Goldi. The highest number of flowers (44.17) and fruits (21.2) was obtained in plants treated with 600 mg/L SA 15 g/L HA and the lowest number of flowers (27.9) and fruits (13) was obtained in untreated plants. The highest yield (2583 g) was obtained in plants treated with 600 mg/L SA 15 g/L HA, as compared to untreated plants (1799 g). Application of SA and HA increased total soluble solid and total acidity. The highest amount of vitamin C (11.60 mg/100 cc juice) was obtained in plants treated with 600 mg/L SA 10 g/L HA, as compared to untreated plants (7.26 mg/100 cc juice). In general, application of 600 mg/L SA 10-15 g/L HA, to improve quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tomato cv. Goldi in greenhouse culture, is recommended.

The potential of Jiroft region has resulted in progressive development of greenhouse culture. In sustainable agricultural systems, organic manures have special role in increasing yield and soil fertility. To investigate the quantitative and qualitative responses of greenhouse cucumber to sources and levels of organic manures and their effect on some soil properties in Jiroft region, a factorial experiment was conducted, based on completely randomized blocks design, with four organic manure levels (10, 20, 30 and 40 ton/ha), four organic manure sources (municipal solid waste compost, cattle, poultry, and sheep) and three replications. One month after the start of fruit harvest, leaf sampling was performed and concentration of nutrient elements was analyzed. Soil samples were taken from each plot after the fruit harvest and bulk density, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and concentration of available nutrients were determined. Results showed that concentration of nitrogen, potassium, zinc and copper in leaves was not significantly affected by sources and levels of organic manures. Poultry manure significantly increased leaf-phosphorous concentration compared to other manure sources. The highest concentration of iron was observed in sheep manure and compost treatments and the highest concentration of manganese was observed in compost treatment. Based on the yield results, using 20 ton/ha of poultry manure is recommendable for production of greenhouse cucumber in the Jiroft region.

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important pests of tomato greenhouses in Jiroft and chemical control is the only way to control this pest. To reduce the use of chemical pesticides and produce healthy crops, studying safer control methods such as application of kaolin powder is very important. In this study, the effect of kaolin clay, made in Iran (Sepidan(R)), on the control of Bemisia tabaci was investigated in a RCBD with 8 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments were kaolin clay at 3% and 5% concentrations with 2 and 3 times application (10 days intervals), acetamipride spraying at 0.05% concentration with 2 and 3 times application (10 days intervals) and control (water spraying) with 2 and 3 times application (10 days intervals). Results showed that acetamipride treatments on the first day with 80 2.07 % and 85.22 2.95 % and on the third day with 74.52 2.48 % and 77.05 4.32 % had the highest efficiency and they had no significant difference with efficiency of kaolin clay at 5% concentration with 3 times application on the first day (71.02 3.9 % ) and third day after treatment (65.5 3.78 %). Also it was revealed that there was no significant difference between average yields of treatments.

This research was performed to investigate the effect of different substrates and humic acid on quantitative and qualitative traits of cut Rose (Rosa hybrida cv. Angelina) in soilless culture. A factorial experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The first factor was humic acid (HA) at 4 concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 gr/L) and the second factor was six different combinations of substrate (1- Vermicompost Cocopeat, 2- Vermicompost Perlite 3- Vermicompost Zeolite, 4- Zeolite Cocopeat, 5- Sawdust Cocopeat, and 6- Zeolite Sawdust, as 50:50 ratio). Traits such as stem length and diameter, flower-bud diameter, fresh and dry weights of stem, chlorophyll index, and potassium and phosphorus content were measured. Results showed that application of HA and type of substrate was significantly effective (P

Production of medicinal crops in soilless culture systems and controlled environments provides an opportunity for increasing the quantity and quality of primary materials of medicinal plants. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design was carried out with four culture systems (aeroponics, nutrient film technique, classic hydroponics and soil) and three different nitrogen sources (nitrate, ammonium nitrate and ammonium) and three replications. Results indicated that vegetative traits such as plant height, stem and root diameter, number of lateral branches and leaf area were affected by culture system and source of nitrogen. Plants grown in aeroponics fed by ammonium nitrate had the highest plant height and root and stem diameter. The results also showed that nitrogen source and culture system had significant effect on root dry and fresh weight, shoot dry and fresh weight and root yield per hectare. Maximum and minimum of these parameters were observed in plants fed with ammonium nitrate in aeroponics and ammonium in aeroponics system, respectively. According to the results, ammonium nitrate is recommended as the most proper nitrogen source for production of licorice in aeroponics system.

In order to investigate the effects of spent mushroom compost and grafting on growth and yield of greenhouse tomato cv. Synda, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 5 replications was carried out in Greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2012. Tomato plants as scion, grafted on Synda and rootstocks of Yedi and Kingkong, and none-grafted plants (as control) were transplanted in beds containing different rates of spent mushroom compost (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent). The base substrate consisted of two parts field soil and one part sand. At the end of the experiment, number of leaves, plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf area, stomatal conductance, number of days to flowering, number of fruits, average fruit weight and yield were determined. Results indicated that plants grown on beds containing 60% spent mushroom compost had the highest value for traits such as number of leaves, leaf area, plant height and chlorophyll content. Increasing the percentage of spent mushroom compost in the substrate increased number of fruits per plant, but decreased mean weight of fruits. Grafting of Synda tomato plants on Yedi and Kingkong rootstock improved some of the vegetative characteristics. Plant grafted on Kingkong rootstock had higher plant height and leaf area. While, plants grafted on Yedi rootstock had higher leaf dry weight. The highest fruit yield (956.61 and 953. 85 gr per plant) was obtained by self-grafted and 30% spent mushroom compost and plants grafted on Yedi rootstock grown on beds containing 45% spent mushroom compost. In general, using suitable rootstocks and application of spent mushroom compost in the substrate can increase vegetative growth and yield of tomato plants cv. Synda via extending photosynthetic areas of the plants.