مجله علوم باغبانی ایران
سال پنجاه و یکم شماره 3 (پاییز 1399)

Mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb) plant is one of the most important sources of cherry clonal and seed base rootstock production in Iran. Obtaining seed-borne viruse-free (Prune dwarf virus, Plum pox virus, Prunus necrotic ringspot virus) sources for selected mahaleb rootstocks (NB5176, NBVP1, NBVP2), For this purpose, the viral infection status of genotypes was initially studied in orchard using ELISA serological method. Then the meristem tips were cultured in vitro and 6 months later, transferred to MS medium containing 0.5mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA, DKW contacting 0.5 mg/l BAP and WMP contacting 0.3 mg/l pectin. After the initial proliferation stage, the plantlets were heat-treated and then health status of the remained plantlets was studied using RT-PCR. Then the healthy plants were rooted and transferred to pots. Based on ELISA result, some genotypes were probably infected to PNRSV and PDV. The highest shoot tip establishment was recorded as 42.5% by NBPV1. No genotype was proliferated in MS and WPM, so only DKW was apropriate for proliferation. For plantlet rooting, 1/2DKW and modified QL containing 1.5 mg/l IBA were appropriate. NBVP2 was the best in all rooting media. Most of plantlets from three genotypes toleratedin-vitro thermotherapy condition and were free of PNRSV, PDV, PPV based on RT-PCR result. The healthy plants were transferred to pots and could be cultured in an isolated orchard to obtain healthy mahaleb seeds.

Choosing suitable feed sources remove the problems of salinity from the plant. For this purpose, an experiment as factorial was conducted in a RCBD with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili during 2015-16. The first factor was humic acid (HA) application at four levels: (0, 2.5, 5 and 7 kgha-1), the second factor was salinity at four levels: (0, 60, 120 and 180mM NaCl) and the third factor was two-years old almond rootstocks seedling at two levels (GF677 and GN15). Results showed that with increasing salinity, root/stem dry weight increased, especially in GF677, Na+ and Cl– and SI increased, especially in GN15 and SLA, K+ and N, leaf osmotic potential, gs, Pn and T were decreased, especially in GN15. Carbohydrates increased to 120mM NaCl, especially in GF677 and then decreased. GF677 with an increase in HA up to 5 kgha-1, in the salinity of 180mM NaCl, with the highest root/stem dry weight and SLA, the lowest Na+ and Cl-and the highest K+and N of leaf had the highest leaf osmotic potential (-1.9MPa) and carbohydrate (86.92 mg gFW-1) compared to other rootstocks. The highest gs (0.53 mmol m-2s-1) and Pn (18.73 μmolCO2 m-2s-1) were found in GF677, 2.5 kgha-1 HA and 0 mM NaCl. With increasing HA, in these conditions, the SI decreased, especially in GF677. Therefore, GF677 was evaluated as the most tolerant rootstock for salinity and 2.5 and 5 kgha-1HA was evaluated as the most appropriate levels for affecting almond rootstocks.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of proline on some physiological and biochemicalcharacteristics of two cultivars of impatiens under salinity stress. The experiment was a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was two cultivars of impatiens (Accent Premium Salmon and Tempo Orange), the second factor was foliar application of proline (0 as control, 5 and 10 mM were applied weekly) and the third factor was salinity stress at four levels (0 as control, 20. 40 and 60 mM sodium chloride were applied as irrigation (90% field capacity) every three day). The results showed that increasing salinity stress significantly reduced fresh and dry weight of leaf, stem, root and total plant, time of flower opening, flower diameter, number of flower, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content and catalase activity, and while significantly increased proline content, activity of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes in both cultivars of impatiens. Exogenous application of 5 and 10 mM proline have mitigated salinity stress effects and caused a significant increase in all of the studied characteristics. The highest activity of catalase and proline content was observed in Salmon cultivar, whereas the highest activity of ascorbate enzyme was observed in Tampo cultivar. In general, the results of this study indicated that all levels of salinity stress had negative effects on growth and yield of both impatiens cultivars, but proline application especially at a concentration of 10 mM reduced the effects of salinity stress and increased plant toleranceto stress.

In this research, the effect of foliar application of potassium sulfate (0, 1500 and 3000 mg/l) and gibberellic acid (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg/l) on yield and its components and qualitative and antioxidant capacity of ‘Bidaneh Sefid’ grapevine were investigated. This study was conducted factorially based on randomized complete block design in a vineyard at Malayer town. Vines were sprayed during three stages including of a week before bloom, two and four weeks after bloom. Based on results, the content of berry TSS, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity was found to be highest in K2SO4 at 3000 mg/L in combination with GA3 at 30 ppm treatment. Also, the highest berry total phenol and flavonoid content were related to 3000 mg/L K2SO4 treated- vines in combined to GA3 at 60 and 90 mg/l, respectively. Moreover, the highest berry sucrose and glucose content were related to those vines treated with 3th levels of K2SO4 and 2th levels of GA3 combination treatment. Foliar application of K2SO4 improved berry resveratrol and viniferin concentration in GA3-treated vines and berry stilbenes increased with increased K2SO4 doses. The highest activity of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase antioxidant enzymes were observed in vines treated with K2SO4 at 3000 mg/l in combination with GA3 at 90 mg/l. Totally, foliar application of K2SO4 especially at 3000 mg/l in combination with moderate doses of GA3 improved the yield, accumulated dry matter, increased the sugar content and the antioxidant capacity of the grape berries.

Given the increasing consumption of nuts as a healthy snack, it is very important to find a way to maintain the qualitative properties of the products during the nourishing process. Plum is one of the most important dry matter in the world, which is traditionally peeled and dried in Iran. The experiment was done as a factorial based on completely randomized design with four replications. The first factor was the method of peeling in nine levels (immersion in brine (15, 11, 8 hours), boiling water (45, 30, 10 seconds) and steam (90, 70, 60 seconds)), and the second factor was the type of drying in three levels (traditional, industrial cabinets and solar inactive cabinets). The results showed that the maximum amount of pH (3.36) was obtained from 30 seconds boiling treatment and solar inactivated cabin dryer. The lowest browning rate (36.07%) belonged to peeling with brine for 15 hours and traditional drying. The highest antioxidant capacity (63.93%) was obtained from peeling with brine for 15 hours and industrial cabinets. The highest content of phenolic compounds (0.12 mg/g dry weight) was ontained in the treatment of peeling with brine for 15 hours and industrial cabinets. The highest total anthocyanin (0.46 mg/100 ml extraction) was ontained in boiling water for 45 seconds.Peeling with brine for 15 hours and industrial cabinets recommended to improve the biochemical properties of dried plums.

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stresses that have effect on growth and physiological aspect of grape. In this research effect of manganese sulfate on the morpho-physiological traits and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in Thompson seedless and Rotabi grape cultivars under invitro at drought stress was evaluated. The manganese sulfate treatment was carried out across three levels, including MS without manganese (0 mg/L), MS with a standard manganese concentration (16.9 mg/L) and MS with twice the standard manganese concentration (33.8 mg/L), and the drought stress treatment was performed across four levels using 0, 3, 9 and 12% (w/v) solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 in two grape cultivars, namely seedless Thompson and Rotabi. The meristems of shoottip were used as explants. All growth parameters, including plant height, stem dry weight, leaf area, leaf number and relative water content (RWC) were reduced under the impact of drought. However, manganese sulfate treatment caused a significant increase in all these parameters at all concentrations. The highest amounts of superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was observed in 33.8 mg/L MnSO4 under drought stress with 12% PEG in the Rotabi cultivar (65.4 Umin-1g-1FW). The results of this research suggest that manganese sulfate treatment under invitro condition can improve water stress tolerance in both grapevines seedless Thompson and Rotabi cultivars.

Enzymatic browning is one of the most important reactions that occur in fruits and vegetables, and usually resulting in negative effects on postharvest quality. In order to study the role of some important compounds on apple fruit browning and their changes during the storage, a completely randomized experimental design was conducted in Horticulture Research Center of Tehran University, on Fuji apple trees. In this study, changes of fruit browning, polyphenol oxidase activity, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation during 180 days of storage in 5 time intervals were analyzed. According to the results, total antioxidant capacityand polyphenol oxidase activity did not have significant changes during the first 90 days of storage, but both decreased significantly after 135 days. At the end of 180 days of storage, the lowest enzyme activity was recorded. Total phenolic contents in throughout the storage showed no significant changes. Lipids peroxidation after 90 days of storage increased significantly. Fruit tissue browning in the mid-storage decreased, but after 135 days increased significantly. It can be stated that possibly in the Fuji apple browning, total phenolic content as the enzyme activity is important and in addition to these two factors, lipid peroxidation index is very important in this process too.

In this research, the effect of different concentrations of micro- and nanoparticles of silicon dioxide (20, 40, 60 and 80 milligrams per liter) and two methods of foliar and root application on some growth and yield characteristics of strawberry (cv. Camarosa) were investigated. This research was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications at Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan. Growth characteristics including leaf number, leaf area, petiole length and diameter, plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of aerial parts, fresh and dry weight of root, amount of silicon in aerial parts and yield components including fresh weight of fruit, fruit volume, fruit number and yield were measured. The highest number of leaves, leaf area, plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of canopy, fresh and dry weight of root were observed in root application of 60 mg L-1 of nano-silicon with 24.33 leaf, 210.09 cm2, 31.66 cm, 49.70 cm, 70.33 and 13.04 g, 39.22 and 4.43 g amounts, respectively, which showed significant differences with control treatment. Among all treatments, the highest yield (233.23 g fruit per plant) was observed in root application treatment of 60 mg L-1 nano-silicon, which was significantly different with all the treatments of foliar application of micro-silicon and control (no application of silicon).

Fire blight, the most important disease of pear tree causes necrosis by an oxidative stress in tissues. Therefore, identification of resistant cultivars and mechanisms of resistance to the oxidative stress of disease, that are mainly related to the chloroplasts, are important in breeding programs of this tree.  In order to study the role of chloroplasts in this interaction, expression of chloroplastic gene psbA that are under control of oxidation/reduction (redox), was evaluated in susceptible (Williams) and resistant (Harrow Sweet) cultivars during 48 h post inoculation by Erwinia amylovora in in vitro condition. In addition, expression of this gene was studied at presence of glutaraldehyde and rotenone as the inhibitors of the electron transport chain of chloroplast and mitochondria, respectively. The results showed higher necrosis progress rate in the in vitroshootlets of susceptible cultivar. Expression of psbA gene at presence of inhibitors in both presence and absence of E. amylovora was higher in cultivars Harrow Sweet. According to the results, the higher resistance level of cultivars Harrow Sweet to the disease could be due to the higher rapid responses and reaction of the chloroplasts of this cultivar in comparison to the cultivar Williams.

Teucrium chamaedrys L. belongs to Lamiaceae family and besides its usage as a ground cover plant in landscape, it has medicinal properties as well. This greenhouse study was carried out in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications to evaluate the effects of mycorrhizal fungi (non-inoculated, inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae, inoculated with Rhizophagus intraradices) on morphophysiological responses of T. chamaedrys L. under salinity stress (0, 60 and 120 mM NaCl). Under salinity conditions, application of mycorrhizal fungi increased root growth, chlorophyll, proline and phosphorus content and reduced electrolyte leakage and sodium content. The highest dry weight of root (44.53 g) was observed in 60 mM salinity using F. mosseae. In 120 mM salinty treatment, applicatin of F. mosseae caused 12.7 percent increas inleaf dry weight compared to non-inoculated plants. The highest sodium content (11.97 mg /g) was detected in 120 mM salinity treatment without inoculation. Non-stressed plants that inoculated with F. mosseae showed the maximum amount of phosphorus (23.98 mg /g). There was no significant difference between F. mosseae and R. intraradices treatments in chlorophyll, proline and ion leakage in all salinity levels. The results clarify that application of both F. mosseae and R. intraradices were beneficial for T. chamaedrys tolerance to salinity stress and this effect was more pronounced with F. mosseae.

Phylogenetic relationships were assessed in 10 different species of the Yarrow(Achillea spp.) originated from geographically different regions of Iran, using three different DNA markers namely ITS 4 and MatK 390. Both of them (MatK 390 and ITS 4) were amplified among all the 10 species, and the resultant amplicons were sequenced for further analyses. Phylogenetic tree of MatK 390 based on maximum likelihood could successfully place all the 10 species of the genus Achillea in a major cluster and outgroups (i.e., Tanacetum vulgare and T. parthenium) in the second major group. Taking phylogenetic tree of ITS 4 into account, all 9 out of 10 species of the genus Achillea were grouped into the first main cluster, while all four outgroups (i.e., T. vulgare, T. millefolium, T. macrophyllum, and Cotula cinerea) together with the one species of the genus Achillea (A. alepica) were placed in the second group. Altogether, the results of the current study demonstrated that both MatK 390 and ITS 4 are qualified enough to be utilized as a powerful DNA barcoding system and subsequently phylogenetics analysis in different species of the genus Achillea originated from geographically several regions of Iran.

In order to determine the inheritance mode and estimation of genetic parameters of important traits associated with fruit in cantaloupe the generations of P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 obtained from the cross Ginsen Makuwa × Samsoori were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field experiment. Generation mean analysis showed that flesh green color index, flesh brightness index, fruit width, fruit weight, flesh thickness and seed cavity diameter are controlled by additive, dominance and epistasis effects. The higher additive affect (a) in fruit length and flesh crispy index implying that selection will be effective for improvement of these traits in early generations. Higher dominant effect (d) for mean fruit weight, flesh green color index, flesh brightness index, fruit width, fruit shape index, sugar content and seed cavity diameter showed that hybrid development is a suitable way for improving them. High narrow-sene heritability estimates (0.78) were found for fruit shape index. The results of this study showed that it is possible to select desirable plants from segregating populations and selfing them to produce suitable lines for future generations that have the desirable traits of both parents. The best plants were selected in the segrigating generations and their seeds were collected in order to continue the breeding program.

Investigation of the interactions of genotype× environment and integration of the effects of adaptation parameters are major problems in the decisions of plant breeding researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation and provide a strategy for the integration of sustainability parameters using non-parametric methods. For this purpose, one hundred genotypes and olive cultivars collected from all over Iran, in Tarom climate, were planted in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2006 and studied during six crop years from 2011 to 2016. To study the interaction effects of genotype and environment, four methods of De Kroon/Van der Laan, Bredenkamp, Hildebrand and Kubinger were used and to determine the compatibility, nonparametric methods of Nassar & Huhn and Thennarasu were used. The effects of stability and yield criteria were carried using the "adjusted of Selection Index of Ideal Genotype" (ASIIG) and the resulting plot. Accordingly, Koroneiki and Conservalia cultivars were the best cultivars for stability and yield index and QG12, BN8 and BASH genotypes were ranked last in terms of stability and yield.

Zataria multiflora Boiss. belongs to Lamiaceae family, which grows wildly in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the present study, the aerial parts of this plant were collected at full flowering stage from six habitats in Hormozgan province including Roudkhane, Lavar-shaikh, Faryab, Tang-e-Zagh, Bashagard and Bandar-e-Khamir. After confirmation of scientific names of the species, the plant materials were dried at shade and at room temperature and the essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation. The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS techniques. Results showed that maximum and minimum essential oil contents (w/w%) obtained from Roudkhaneh (6.5%) and Bandar-e-khamir (3.9%) ecotypes, respectively. According to essential oil compound analysis, twenty-three components, representing 93.5 – 99.3% of the total components, were identified. Thymol, linalool, carvacrol and p-cymene were the major compounds in the studied ecotypes. Oxygenated monoterpens were the main group of constituents in all samples except Faryab (45.6-75.3%). Cluster analysis of chemical compounds divided the studied ecotypes into three groups. The first group, which was characterized by a high amount of carvacrol, included the ecotypes of Bandar-e-khamir and Bashagard; the second group, which contained a high amount of thymol, included three ecotypes of Tang-e-zagh, Faryab and Roudkhane, and the ecotype of Lavar-shaikh, which formed the third group, had the highest amount of linalool. The results showed that Z. multiflora ecotypes in the habitats of Hormozgan province have a high percentage of essential oil and phytochemical diversity and can be used in breeding programs.

In this study, the impacts of methyl jasmonate treatment applied by preharvest spray in combination with postharvest immersion on husk and aril antioxidant system of pomegranate fruit during storage at 4±0.5 °C and relative humidity of 90-95 percent, for 120 days during two years was investigated. Methyl jasmonate treatment at 0.2 mM displayed lower husk and aril H2O2 accumulation (36%) due to higher antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (34%), catalase (41%) and superoxide dismutase activity (26%), that evetually caused to higher membrane integrity in pomegranate fruit husk. Also, pomegranate fruit treated with methyl jasmonate at 0.2 mM displayed significantly lower husk and aril polyphenol oxidase enzymes activity (47%) than control fruits. Overall, methyl jasmonate treatment can be used as promising technology for maintaining nutraceutical properties of pomegranate fruit partially by promoting antioxidant system activity.

This research was conducted to compare the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of open-pollinated and hybrid short day onion cultivars in Khuzestan climatic conditions. The experiment was done in randomized complete block deign including 15 cultivars (10 hybrid and 5 open-pollinated) with four replications at Behbahan Agriculture Research Station for two years (2016-18). Seeds were sown in nursery in early October and seedling transplanted in early November. Bulbs were harvested when 50-80% of foliage top had fallen and collapse. Siroos cultivar (hybrid) produced the highest yield. The decrease yield of Seba and SV 4043 (hybrid cultivars) as well as Texas Early White, Texas Early Grano, and Sapidan (open-pollinated cultivars) were not significant as compared with Siroos. Group comparison of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics in open-pollinated and hybrid cultivars was performed using partitioning of treatment effects. The bolted plants were significantly higher in open –pollinated than hybrid cultivars. But the differences of the other characteristic were not significant in open –pollinated and hybrid cultivars. The price of open –pollinated seed, especially due to increase price of foreign exchange in recent years, is much less than hybrid seed. In addition, seed of open pollinated cultivars could be produced by growers. Therefore, planting of open pollinated cultivars namely Texas Early White, Texas Early Grano, and Sapidan are recommended for onion production in Khuzestan province.

In order to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on quantitative and qualitative traits of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss, a field experiment was conducted in the Research Field of Tarbiat Modares University during 2018 growing season. The experiment was performed at three replications in a completely randomized blocks design. The experimental treatments included eight nitrogen fertilizer amounts (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 kg Nitrogen/ha). Urea as nitrogen fertilizer and the seedling of Fereydun Shahr as ecotype were used. The results showed that the maximum height (29.63 cm) was obtained from the application of 136.6 kg N ha-1. The highest total fresh weight was observed with 2966 kg ha-1 from the application of 126.8 kg N ha-1. The highest stems and leaves fresh weight was produced by using 112.69 and 162.69 kgNha-1, respectively. Application of 112.69 and 126.5 kg N ha-1 had the highest total flavonoid (7.69 μmol/g of fresh leaf weight) and essential oil yield respectively. Because the purpose of cultivating medicinal plants to produce essential oil yields, therefore, the recommended amount of nitrogen to achieve maximum essential oil yield for D. kotschyi is 126.5 kg ha-1.

The nutrient uptake, growth and yield of plants depend on nutrients availability in rhizosphere and also on amount of assimilates available in root as carbon skeleton and energy source. Any factor affecting nutrients availability or assimilate partitioning pattern can also affect uptake phenomenon and growth. In this study, the effects of number of flowers per node and nutrient solution concentration on growth pattern and yield of greenhouse cucumber plants were studied using a factorial experiment based on complete randomized block design. Factors consisted of: three levels of number of flowers per node (keeping one, two or three flowers per node) and 5 levels of electrical conductivity of nutrient solution (EC of 1.1, 1.5, 2.15, 2.78 and 3.32 dS/m). Results showed in addition to shoot growth, plants treated with 2.15 EC had higher nitrogen and phosphorous content. The highest yield was observed in plants treated with EC of 1.5 and 2.15 dS/m. Increasing number of flowers per node resulted in increasing in fruit yield in short term (80 days after transplanting) but, no significant differences were observed among treatments when the experiment proceeded (130 day after transplanting). Increase in number of flowers per node led to more allocation of assimilates to fruits, but probably due to low potential of sources this effect of number of flowers on yield has been physiologically controlled.

Gladiolus, is one of the most important cut flowers and known as the Queen of bulbous flower. The aim of this research was to produce superior genotypes through self- pollination of Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. Amsterdam, the experimental was randomized complete block design (RCBD). This research was conducted in Ornamental Plants Research Center in 2015 to 2018 (OPRC). Analysis of variance among genotypes showed that significant differences in all traits were conducted (except for cormlet weight). The oprc46 genotype was superior in the width and length of floret and diameter of bud. The oprc45 genotype was superior in terms of vase life, weight of corm, yield of corm and cormlet per plant. The highest number of cormlet (64n) was produced by oprc415 genotypes. The highest number of traits in parent was obtained for number of florets, length of peduncle, diameter of stem, length of spike and diameter of cormlet. Correlation coefficients show that the most positive and significant correlation between the yield of corm and cormlet per plant and weight of corm (r=+0.98). The results showed that the flower color in genotypes tendency to white. In most genotypes and parents, arrangement of flowers was one row and shape in front view was star-shaped. The results of grouping showed that classified into three groups and the parent group was separated another genotype. The results showed that major of the diversity in the traits was due to genetic factors and the effect of the environment on these traits was less.

Lycium depressum, a prickly shrub from Solanaceae family, is a native species from Iran with high salinity and drought tolerance ability. In this study, the establishments of an efficient micropropagation method for L. desressum was investigated. In the first experiment, the effects of benzylaminoporin (BAP) and thiadiazuron (TDZ) in combination with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were investigated. In the second experiment, the effect of various organic and inorganic compounds including myo-inositol, casein hydrolysate, proline, FeEDDHA, as well as calcium chloride on the improvement of proliferation and quality of in vitro regenerated shoots were evaluated. According to the results of these experiments, BAP at low concentration (0.5 mg / L) was regarded as the best treatment for in vitro proliferation of L. depressum. Moreover, the maximum leaf number was achieved in this treatment. In addition, increasing the concentration of myo-inositol to 200 mg/l in MS medium, enhanced shoot proliferation, leaf size and quality of regenerated shoots. The highest root number and length was obtained on full strength MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg/l IBA. Following rooting, the developed plantlets were hardened and established successfully in culture room with 95% survival rate. Overall, this experiment resulted in an efficient micropropagation protocol for L. depressum. The findings of this study can facilitate the path to more extensive research program on various aspects of domestication of this valuable medicinal and landscape species.