مجله علوم باغبانی ایران
سال پنجاه و سوم شماره 4 (زمستان 1401)

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of 14 populations of five species of Rumex, including R. chalepensis, R. kandavanicus, R. pulcher, R. crispus and R. tuberosus from Ardabil and Khorasan Razavi provinces using morphological traits. The studied traits included leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves per plant, aerial fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, phenol and antioxidants. Studies of morphological and phytochemical traits on farm and greenhouses showed that the highest coefficient variation for morphological traits related to aerial fresh and dry weight and number of leaves per plant, while the lowest coefficient variation related to the leaf length. In addition, the highest coefficient variation related to chlorophyll b and phenol and the lowest related to chlorophyll a. Also, the results of mean comparison of morphological traits under farm and greenhouse conditions showed that there was a significant difference between different species of Rumex and different populations within each species in the farm, however, there was a significant difference between different species in the greenhouse only in leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves per plant, aerial fresh and dry weight, phenol and antioxidants. In general, phenol and antioxidants were higher in R. crispus than in other species, however, R. tuberosus showed lower values ​​in all morphological and phytochemical traits compared to other species.

Tomato yellow leaf viral disease (TYLCV) is one of the most damaging agents that causes very high yield losses worldwide and has spread to most parts of Iran. Numerous strategies have been developed to combat this disease, but these methods have been practically ineffective. In order to investigate the role of transmission and combination of TY-2 and TY-1/3 gene loci in a number of sensitive and desirable line, the present study was performed.Results showed that the lines containing the two TY-2 and TY-1/3 gene loci experienced less damage regarding chlorophyll content and total protein content. In the study of proline content and PAL gene expression, it was observed that lines containing two gene loci showed lower levels of proline and gene expression. Also, in order to detect viral infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers, it indicated that the virus genome does not replicate in the lines containing both gene loci. In general, the results of this study indicate the high role of the presence and pyramiding of two gene sites TY-2 and TY-1/3 in order to create resistance in tomato against TYLCV and lead to a reduction in damage against this virus.

In Iran, Sweet cherry is one of the most important horticultural products in temperate regions. So it is necessary to use micropropagation methods to accelerate its reproduction. This study was conducted as factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with two cultivars (Adli and Takdaned), and browning reduction treatments in four levels (dark, cold, dark and cold, antioxidant (100 mg/l ascorbic acid and 150 mg/l citric acid)) and proliferation growth regulators BAP at concentrations of (0, 1 and 2 mg/l) and IBA (0 and 0.01mg/l) and rooting stage treatments consisted of NAA (0 and 1 mg/l) and IBA (0 and 2 mg/l).The results showed that there was significant difference between treatments. The highest and lowest levels of browning were in cold treatment and antioxidan treatment, respectively. The highest number of shoots for Takdaneh (5.6) and for Adli (5) cultivars were 5.6 and 5, respectively. The highest rooting percentage was obtained for Takdaneh (78.73%) and Adli (69. 4%). In general, for Adli and Takdaneh cultivars in vitro propagation, MS culture medium containing 2 mg/L BAP and 0.01 mg/L IBA in the proliferation stage and 2 mg/L IBA in the rooting stage is recommended.

This experiment was performed to determine the content of some bioactive compounds and flavonoids of Atriplex patula L. at different phenological stages. Three phonological stages, including vegetative (eight-leaf), flowering and seed production stages, were considered as three treatments of experiment. Some biochemical parameters and also rutin and quercetin were measured at different growth stages. The results showed that the highest (2.06 mg g-1) and lowest (0.88 mg g-1) total chlorophyll content was observed at seed production and vegetative stages, respectively. Also, the highest chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’ and carotenoids contents were observed in the seed production and vegetative stages, respectively. The highest amount of total phenols (132.76 mg gallic acid 100g-1 FW), total tannin (0.057 mg tannic acid 100g-1 FW) and antioxidant capacity (50.28%) were found at flowering stage, while the lowest amount of total phenols (92.24 mg gallic acid 100g-1 FW), total tannin (0.041 mg tannic acid 100g-1 FW) and antioxidant capacity (16.95%) were observed at vegetative stage. The highest and lowest (88.05 and 35.95 mg rutin 100g-1 FW) amount of total flavonoid was found at seed production and vegetative stages. The highest and lowest quercetin levels were observed in seed production and vegetative stages (0.05 and 0.01 mg g-1 dry weight), respectively. Also, the highest and lowest (2.11 and 1.85 mg g-1 dry weight) amount of rutin were found in the seed production and vegetative stages. Due to the high amount of some biochemical compounds in Atriplex patula, the medicinal potential of this plant can be used in the future.

Barberry is one of the most important horticultural crops that has a privileged position among horticultural products due to its unique medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the fruit of some wild barberry genotypes in Shahroud to introduce the superior genotypes. 27 barberry genotypes were selected from three regions of Shahroud (Nekarman, Olang and Dehkhair), and sampling from each genotype was done in three replications. Morphological traits including fruit width and length, fruit weight, fruit tail length, seed width and length, seeds weight, number of seeds per fruit, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, as well as total phenol and flavonoid, anthocyanins content and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the genotypes in terms of the evaluated traits. The highest length, width and weight of fruit, seed length and width, seeds weight, seeds number per fruit, leaf length and width, petiole and cluster length were observed in Olang 1 (OL1) genotype. Fruit weight in the studied genotypes, varied from 0.09 in Nekarman 5 (NK5) to 0.28 g in OL2 and 0.27 g in OL1 genotypes. The highest amount of phenol (75 mg/g FW), flavonoids (37.2 mg/100 g FW) and antioxidant activity (38%) were recorded in OL3 genotype. Genotypes collected from Neckarman region had considrable anthocyanins content. According to the results, the highest (109%) and lowest (6.10%) amount of phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for chroma index and cluster length, respectively.

Mutation induction is an important method for generating genetic diversity. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) has unique medicinal uses due to its high content of beneficial antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. In this study, the genetic diversity of 24 mutant lines of fourth-generation (M4) purslane obtained from dimethyl sulfate treatment together with the control was investigated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. The differences among the lines were significant in traits including plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem dry weight, and leaf chlorophyll in the 30-day-old plant. The principal coordinates and cluster analyses divided the lines into two separate clusters. The lines in cluster 1 had a significant advantage over the lines in cluster 2 for most traits such as stem fresh weight, leaf fresh weight, and number of capsules per plant. The number of leaves was significantly correlated with stem fresh weight, leaf fresh weight, plant fresh weight, number of capsules per plant and the ratio of plant dry weight to plant fresh weight. In sequential path analysis, stem fresh weight in the first order was the only trait affecting number of capsules per plant, and in the second-order, leaf fresh weight and plant height were the most important traits that had an effect on number of capsules per plant through the direct effect of stem fresh weight. L18 mutant line had a significant advantage over the control in some agronomic traits such as plant height, leaf length and number of capsules per plant, that can be used for future research, especially for cultivation, commercialization and extensive planting for uses as vegetables, oil extraction, and medicinal applications.

In order to evaluate the nutritional status of kiwi vineyards (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) in Guilan province by multiple diagnosis (CND) method, 40 vineyards in two years (2018-2019) were surveyed. The leaf samples from the dominant variety (Hayward), from 30 vines and 10 leaves in four different geographical directions, (total of 100 leaves) in each vineyard were collected in August. The vines have been over ten years old in the east (Roodsar) and west (Talesh) of Gilan province. Then concentrations of nutrients B, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca, K, P and N were determined In this study, using the cumulative function model of variance ratio of (Fic (Vx) nutrients, multiple detection method and solving the equations of the third degree cumulative function related to nutrients, the average yield of 37.5 (ton/ ha) was determined as a separator between high and low yield groups. The results showed that there is a significant difference between high and low yield orchards in terms of nutrient concentrations. From the mean numbers of nutrients for the high-yield population, the desired concentrations of the 10 elements were obtained, including nitrogen 2.64 ± 0.28%, phosphorus 0.26±0.06% , potassium 1.62 ±0.58 %, magnesium 0.31 ± 0.08%, calcium 2.33 ±0.26 %, manganese 71 ± 0.0047 mg/kg, copper 14 ± 0.001 mg/kg, iron 173±0.00330 mg/kg, zinc 28±0.0006 mg/kg and boron 55±0.0029 mg/kg. According to the resulting norms, the frequency of elements deficiency of boron, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and potassium was more than 50%, respectively.

The use of biodegradable films and edible coatings with antimicrobial properties as a suitable alternative to synthetic preservatives is important in order to maintain food security and prevent capital wastage. In this respect, the effect of pre-harvest chitosan spraying (at three concentrations of 0, 2 and 3%) and post-harvest immerging in Aloe vera gel (25 and 33%) on the quality and shelf life of ‘Asgari’ grape fruit in five different times (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after harvest) at 4 °C was evaluated. The results showed that berries treated with chitosan and Aloe vera gel contained higher content of vitamin C, soluble solids, Total flavonoids content, peroxidase activity and shelf life and lower content of malondealdehide (MDA) than the control, as well as, polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity and weight loss percentage were lower in fruits treated with chitosan and aloe vera gel.The highest amount of vitamin C, soluble solids and peroxidase activity in all five measurements belonged to the combined treatments of chitosan 2% and Aloe gel 25% and the highest flavonoid content and fruit shelf life was observed in the treatment of chitosan 3% with Aloe gel 25%. In all five measurements, it was observed that 2% chitosan treatment with 25% Aloe gel had the lowest weight loss, polyphenol oxidase activity and MDA.

Tomato is an interesting vegetable crop and numerous genetic studies have been conducted to increase the efficiency of tomato breeding strategies. Yield is an economically important trait and therefore improving yield is the main focus in breeding projects. The selecting efficient breeding strategy needs comprehensive information about the genetic controlling of interested traits. The aim of this study was to determine genetic parameters for yield and yield component tomato through generation mean analysis. Generation mean analysis was conducted using six basic generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, BC2) derived from a cross between two lines (M110 and P110) of tomato. M110 and P110 have a determinate and indeterminate growth habit respectively. Results showed that a simple additive dominance model was adequate to explain variability among traits of interest. Non-additive gene effects were predominant for all characters in this study. Broad sense heritability was calculated at over 50% for all traits while narrow sense heritability was less than 50%. Therefore, direct selection for these traits might not be useful, and recurrent selection procedures could increase the frequency of favorable alleles in breeding populations to enable the selection and development of genotypes with superior plants.

Damages caused by spring frosts are the most critical factor in reducing apricot production. The selection of cultivars tolerant to spring frost has been regarded as the most straightforward strategy to reduce late spring frost damages. To select frost-tolerant genotypes with suitable fruit quality, 1000 hybrids resulting from hybridization between two genotypes, Noori_Dirras×Rajabali, were evaluated for two years, 2020 and 2021, in the Agricultural Research Station of Bastam Shahroud. Phenological and pomological traits as well as spring frost tolerance were recorded naturally. Frost tolerance was determined by counting the number of healthy and damaged flowers or fruits on three random branches in each tree after the onset of frost. The last critical damaging temperatures in the first and second years occurred at -5 and -4 °C, respectively. Hybrids No. 7-74 with 60% and No. 12-64 with 41% tolerance of spring frost were identified as the most tolerant hybrids in the first and second years, respectively. Evaluation of the fruit of 51 tolerant genotypes in the second year showed that there was a great variety in the most traits among the offsprings. Ranges of 45 days to ripening, 37 g fruit weight, 13 ◦Brix total soluble solids, and 1.933 kg/cm2 fruit firmness were observed among the hybrids. A comparison of the two-year frost tolerance mean of hybrids showed that 10 hybrids, 7-74, 10-65, 11-43, 12-11, 12-31, 12-47, 12-64, 13-29 and 14-16 were superior compared to the commercial tolerant genotype (Jahangiri) and could be candidates for propagation and adaptation experiments to achieve frost-tolerant cultivar with good fruit quality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the maturation time of rice husk compost and its effect on some substrate quality characteristics and growth indices of marigold flowers in greenhouse conditions. In this study, the time to produce complete compost was 90 days and sampling was done at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days. The bulk density indices, C/N, EC, pH and elements N, P and K were measured to quantitatively compare the compost properties. The results showed that compared to the available standard values, 90-day rice husk compost (RHC90) has better quality characteristics and is more stable than 60-day rice husk compost (RHC60). To evaluate the maturity of RHC60 and RHC90 with control in marigold planting, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 3 different substrates and 6 replications. The substrate consistsed of soil, sand and perlite and organic matter in equal proportions and control without organic matter. RHC60 substrate treatment showed the highest results on Marigold characteristics including leaf area, number of leaves, stem length, root volume and plant dry and wet weight,,while RHC9 0 treatment responded better for chlorophyll, mean leaf diameter and flower head diameter.  RHC90 treatment showed better yield in the plant and is therefore recommended as marigold substrate. RHC60 treatment is recommended in landscapes by considering its effects on reducing the production time and increasing yield and economic efficiency and also the appearance of flowers and the need for landscapes.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) is one of the most popular ornamental bulbous plants in Iran and the world. Hyacinth bulbs are propagated by daughter bulbs. Storage conditions after harvest of daughter bulbs are important on next growth quality and development rate of them to become as a mother's bulbs. The present study was designed and conducted to investigate the effect of temperature, storage period and also size of daughter bulbs on growth of first generation of daughter bulbs after cultivation in three separate experiments. Results indicated that the highest fresh weight of bulblet (3.70 g) obtained in 3 cm bulblets with 8 weeks storage period at 4°C. Also, in storage at 10°C, the highest fresh weight of bulblet (4.50 g) was observed by interaction between 10 weeks storage period and 3 cm bulblets. The highest fresh weight of bulblet (3.24 g) was obtained in 3 cm bulblets with 10 weeks storage period at 20°C. Finally, results of this study indicated that storage period of the first generation of daughter bulbs can be decreased by reducing the storage temperature.

Nitrate uptake in plants is very important due to environmental concerns and the quality of agricultural products. On the other hand, photosynthetic efficiency is considered as the principal indicator of plant growth and yield, therefore the ability to sustain crop stability in different environmental conditions is crucial. In this study, some physiological characteristics and nitrate accumulation were investigated using γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and calcium lactate in lettuce of Dimayo cultivar. For this purpose, GABA solutions with three concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1.5 mg/l) and calcium lactate with three concentrations (0, 1 and 2 %) and their interaction were used, as foliar spraying during two times including after seedling transplant and two weeks later. This factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design in the greenhouse. GABA treatment of 1.5 mg/l + calcium lactate 2% showed the highest yield, total chlorophyll and relative water content. However, the highest ion leakage and nitrate accumulation were obtained in the leaves of control plants. Also, the lowest amount of nitrate accumulation was measured in GABA treatment with a concentration of 1.5 mg/l, which reduced the amount of nitrate accumulation compared to control plants by four times.

Cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the best fresh fruits, which has a special place and importance in the Iranian fruit industry. Considering the rich germplasm of the Cerasus subgenus in Iran, knowledge of the genetic potential of this subgenus is important for identifying gene reservoirs and developing effective strategies for germplasm conservation. In this study, the seedling of some genotypes in the Cerasus subgenus P. avium, P. microcarpa, and P. incana species was assayed in full and without irrigation conditions performing physiological analysis in response to stress. From a genomic point of view, the genetic diversity of these genotypes seedlings was assessed using simple-sequence repeat markers (SSR). Morphologically, P. microcarpa species showed lower leaf area, height, and diameter compared to P. incana and mainly P. avium. Photosynthesis in seedlings decreased during drought stress, but this decrease was more in Avi-Ala 11 (5,500 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1) compared to Inc-Kho (10,760 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1) and Mic-Kor 3 (10,340 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1). Our results show that both P. microcarpa and P. incana species can be considered drought-resistant rootstock in cherries and a possible genetic source for drought breeders. The results of this research can also help to determine the relationship between phenotypic and genotypic data for the identification of molecular markers associated with drought tolerance.

In this experiment, we investigated impacts of various LED light qualities, including 100% red, 100% blue, 70% red + 30% blue, and 100% white with the same light intensity 75±5 µmol m-2 s-1 for 30 days on the growth and mineral element concentrations in grafted onto ‘Maxifort’ rootstock and non-grafted tomato seedlings. Photoperiod, temperature, and relative humidity of the growth chamber were maintained at 16 h, 25/21±2 °C (day/night), and 95%, respectively. Results showed that the maximum of plant height was obtained in non-grafted seedlings under 100% R light. The maximum of stem diameter was obtained under 100% B and 70% R:30 %B treatments. The maximum of root fresh weight was obtained under 100% W and 70 % R:30 %B treatments, while the maximum of root dry weight was obtained under 70 % R:30 % B light treatment. The maximum of leaf area, shoot and total dry weight were obtained in non-grafted seedlings under 70 % R:30 % B light treatment. In addition, non-grafted seedlings under 100% R treatment had the highest P concentration. The maximum of K was obtained in grafted seedlings under 100% B, 100% R and 70 % R:30 %B light treatments and non-grafted seedlings under 100% W and 70 % R:30 % B light treatments. Grafted seedlings under 100% B had the highest Ca concentration. In addition, the maximum of Mg was obtained in non-grafted seedlings under 100% W treatment. Collectively, our results showed that combination of 70% red and 30% blue light and as well as the use of a powerful rootstock like ‘Maxifort’ could promotes plant growth and mineral element concentrations for tomato seedlings.

Iris species are known to be a rich source of isoflavonoids. Iris germanica L. is one of the most important species of bearded irises which is known as Irsa in traditional medicine. In this study, the amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the waste obtained during the essential oil extraction process of 34 samples of German iris rhizomes (6 parent samples, 27 hybrid samples and 1 commercial sample) were evaluated. Iris samples were collected from the Ornamental Plants Research Center (OPRC) in Mahallat city and commercial sample were purchased from the market. After extracting the EO, samplings were carried out using the extract in balloon. The phenol content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method, flavonoid by Aluminum-chloride method and antioxidant activity with DPPH and FRAP assay. The results of variance analysis showed that all measured factors were affected by the type of hybrid, which was significant in all factors (P<0.01). The results of mean comparison showed that samples with purple and violet flower colors had the highest amount of phenol and flavonoid, followed by the highest level of antioxidant activity. In other words, the highest amount of flavonoid (113.22 mg QUE/g DW plant) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) (817.73 mg TBHQ/gDW plant) was observed in sample P6 (purple parent) and the highest amount of phenol content (261.31 mg GAE/g DW plant) was observed in sample P3 (violet parent). In general, the water residues from the Iris EO extraction can be used as a suitable and cheap source for obtaining natural antioxidants.

The formation of a flowering stem in Lilium requires the production of commercial bulblet and its breaking dormancy. Three experiments, each as a completely randomized design based on a factorial experiment, were conducted. The first was to evaluate the effects of cultivar and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (100 mg/L) on bulblet production rate in scales. In the second, with the aim of investigating the effect of medium culture and bulblet size on bulblet size-changing percentage, bulblets were classified into three sizes according to circumference and weight, then cultivated in two peat:perlite (70:30) and sandy medium. Six commercial hybrids were used in these two experiments. In the third, the effect of bulblet size, chilling, heating, and gibberellic acid on dormancy breaking of the top three cultivars were investigated. In the first experiment, NAA did not have a positive effect on bulblet production, and the highest production rate (4.1 bulblets per scale) was seen in not treated scales with NAA in ‘pinnacle’. According to the results of the second, the largest bulblet and peat:perlite medium showed the best results. The highest bulblet circumference-changing percentage (99.7%) and the highest weight-changing percentage (180.56%) were obtained in the largest size of ‘Pinnacle’ bulblet in peat:perlite medium. According to the results of the third, more than 60% of gibberellic acid-treated bulblets in ‘Pinnacle’ and ‘Eyeliner’ flowered, and the largest bud (8.57 cm) produced by the largest bulblet in ‘Pinnacle’. Therefore, ‘Pinnacle’ and ‘Eyeliner’ were introduced as suitable cultivars for production and gibberellic acid as a chilling replacement for dormancy breaking.

In order to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of Yaghooti grapes and transfer the technical knowledge of pruning to farmers the experiment was conducted in the Sistan region.  This research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four levels of balance pruning intensity including; control or local custom, 60+10, 40+10, and 20+10 considered as the first factor, and four levels of green pruning intensity including; control or local custom (G1), pruning of green branches from above eight leaves on the last cluster (G2), pruning of unproductive branches + green branches from above eight leaves on the last cluster (G3) and pruning of branches without fruit from the bottom + unproductive branches + green branches from above eight leaves on the last cluster (G4) considered as the second factor. The balance pruning 20+10 increased the relative water content (RWC), bearing coefficient and soluble solids (SS) by 9.8, 44.6 and 13% compared to the control, respectively; while the traits of leaf area, fruit juice acidity (FJA) and the number of days to maturity (NDM) decreased by 13.6, 12.8 and 17.3% compared to the control, respectively. In addition, pruning of G4 increased the RWC and SS by 11.2 and 12% compared to the control, respectively; but decreased the traits of leaf area, FJA and the NDM by 19.7, 5.3 and 19.2% compared to the control, respectively. Interaction of balance pruning 20+10 and G4 led to increase the bud break, cluster coloring and yield by 33, 38.6 and 14.2% compared to the control, respectively. In general, the results showed that balance pruning 20+10 along with pruning of G4 increased yield by 47.4% compared to the control.

Kumquat is one of the citrus fruits that has gradually become important in the world. The fruits of kumquat suffer from sunburn in intense sunlight. In order to reduce the adverse effects of solar radiation, in this experiment, treatments of kaolin (0, 3 and 5%) and salicylic acid (with concentrations of 0, 0.1 and 1 mM) were used as foliar spray on potted samples. The evaluated treatments included relative water content, gas exchange, biochemical characteristics of the leaves, antioxidant enzymes activity and concentrations of nutrients. The results showed that treatments had significant effects on the measured parameters. Kaolin increased stomatal conductance and net CO2 uptake by creating a thin coating on the plant and protecting it from environmental stresses and reducing plant temperature. Salicylic acid also had positive effects on the activities of antioxidant enzymes.The effects of treatments on the balance of plant nutrients were not very noticeable, although slight changes were observed in some cases. In general, the results of this experiment showed that the use of kaolin 5% and 1mM salicylic acid together can be considered as a cheap and effective treatment in kumquat and in order to protect the plant in high temperature and severe radiation conditions.

Ready-to-use pomegranate arils can be a good alternative to fresh fruits, but they have a short shelf life, so a safe and healthy method is needed to maintain the quality of these arils during storage. For this purpose, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of combined ozone treatment and Satureja khuzistanica extract on pomegranate arils of Malas Saveh cultivar during storage for 21 days in the cold storage at 4 °C. Factorial experiment with two factors of postharvest treatments (including seven treatments: 1) 1 ppm ozone; 2) 3 ppm ozone; 3) 1 ppm ozone + 0.5% S. khuzistanica extract; 4) 1 ppm ozone + 1% S. khuzistanica extract; 5) 3 ppm ozone + 0.5% S. khuzistanica extract; 6) 3 ppm ozone + 1% S. khuzistanica extract; and 7) control), and sampling time (zero (before storage), 7, 14 and 21 days after storing arils in cold storage) were performed with three repetitions. The results showed that the highest amount of titratable acid (TA) (1.15%), anthocyanin (126 ppm), total phenol (115.6 mg GAE g-1 FW), and vitamin C (30.5 mg 100 g FW) during the storage period was obtained from 1 ppm ozone treatment with 0.5% extract of S. khuzistanica. Also, pomegranate arils treated with 1 ppm ozone + 0.5% S. khuzistanica extract had the highest appearance quality, and the lowest population of mesophilic, and psychrophilic bacteria, yeasts and fungal infections. In general, the combined treatment of ozone 1 ppm + 0.5% S. khuzistanica extracts is recommended as a safe and healthy method for storing pomegranate arils in storage.