فصلنامه فرآیند و کارکرد گیاهی
سال سیزدهم شماره 1 (پیاپی 60، فروردین و اردیبهشت 1403)

Tea (Camellia sinensis) belongs to the Theaceae family and is an evergreen shrub indigenous to China and India. The plant leaves contain different kinds of important flavonoids and, hence, indicate many biological activities. To study the effects of UV-B radiation on the flavonoid content of tea plants, a greenhouse experiment was performed in a completely randomized design. In this regard, first, tea seedlings were purchased from the Fashalem Research Institute and then kept in greenhouse conditions. Then the UV treatment at 5 levels was performed, and the plants were harvested to determine the total flavonoids content using spectrophotometry and certain flavonoid levels by the thin layer chromatography (TLC) method in all the treated groups. The results showed that flavonoids levels decreased at the beginning of UV treatment and then increased at 12 KJ/m2S of UV treatment. On the other hand, the relative chlorophyll content and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II were reduced in the UV-treated tea plants at doses higher than 9 KJ/m2S. It was concluded that although cultivation of tea plants in habitats with high UV index tends to result in a considerable reduction in photosynthetic parameters and plant yield, it can cause an elevation in the flavonoids content and pharmacological potential of the tea plant.

Snapdragon flower is one of the beautiful ornamental plants that are also cultivated for medicinal purposes. The use of chemical fertilizers and their negative effects on human health have led to the advancement of the use of biological and organic fertilizers in agricultural products. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the application of fertilizers and mycorrhizal traits of two varieties of snapdragon flower in 2021–2022 in the greenhouse of Agriculture Research at the Research Institute of Zabol. The experiment was conducted in a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The investigated factors included the varieties (yellow and red flowers) and fertilizer treatment (Glomus intraradices, Glomus mossaea, supermycoplus and control). The results of this study showed the effect of variety was significant on all phonological traits, except in the time of four-leaf formation. Fertilizer treatment also had a significant effect on all phenology traits, while the interaction of variety and fertilizer treatment was significant only on two phenology traits: time of first leaf formation and four-leaf formation time. The red variety led to the occurrence of phonological traits earlier than the yellow one, in most of the phonological traits. The results showed that the yellow variety was superior to the red variety in all the physiological traits except for the phenol of the leaf and the flavonoid of the flower. Supermycoplus was better than the control and the mycorrhizal fungi, in the traits of: The phenolic, flavonoid and DPPH of the leaves and the flavonoid of the root, among the fertilizer treatments. In general, the use of biofertilizers and mycorrhizal fungi is recommended due to their positive effects on the physiological traits of snapdragon flowers.

Nowadays, due to climate change and a decrease in rainfall, the production of agricultural products in many regions, especially arid and semi-arid regions, has faced problems. For this purpose, to study the effect of potassium silicate (Si) and L-cysteine (Cys) foliar spray on water use efficiency, fruit yield and quality of Physalis (Physalis peruviana L.) under water deficit conditions, a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in the Research field of the University of Zanjan during 2022. Experimental treatments consisted of three different irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100% ETc) as the main plot and a foliar spray of potassium silicate (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg L-1) and L-cysteine amino (0, 20 and 40 mg L-1) as a subplot. The results showed that water deficit stress increased total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and protein contents, and decreased vitamin C content, fruit number and yield. Application of Si, especially at 1000 and 1500 mg l-1 and Cys improved carotenoids, TSS, TA, vitamin C and fruit protein contents, and fruit yield under irrigation 100 ETc% and water deficit stress conditions. The highest fruit yield was obtained with the application of 20 and 40 mg L-1 Cys under irrigation of 100 and 75 ETc%. Also, the highest value of WUE was observed in plants treated with 20 and 40 mg L-1 Cys under deficit irrigation of 75 ETc% and 1000 mg L-1 Si under deficit irrigation of 50 ETc%, respectively. Therefore, the application of 1000 mg L-1 of potassium silicate and 40 mg L-1 of cysteine is suggested to increase the quality and yield of the physalis under the irrigation 100 Etc% and water deficit stress conditions.

Narcissus, with a unique fragrance, is one of the most beautiful and oldest ornamental plants in Iran and all over the world. Considering the development of nanotechnology applications in various sciences and the increasing role of nanotechnology in the field of plant breeding, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of nano compounds on the morphological and physiological characteristics of narcissus in field cultivation in Behbahan city. In the present study, the effect of foliar spraying of plants with distilled water (control), silicon, nanosilicon, chitosan, nanochitosan and nanochitosan-nanosilicon on the performance of narcissus was studied in the form of a randomized complete block design. The 14-day-old plants were sprayed once every five days for a month. The results showed that the silicon, nanosilicon, chitosan, nanochitosan and nanochitosan-nanosilicon treatments improved the morphological characteristics of the plants by an average of 32% flowering percentage, 9% rate of flowering, 8% flower diameter, 9% flower fresh weight and 26% the number of flowers per flowering stem compared to control plants. According to the physiological aspect, an increase was achieved in the chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, water soluble carbohydrates and proteins contents, and catalase activity in the leaves of plants under silicon, nanosilicon, chitosan, nanochitosan and nanochitosan-nanosilicon treatments, while the hydrogen peroxide content decreased. The most effective treatment was nanochitosan-nanosilicon, which increased chlorophyll a (33%), chlorophyll b (58%), carotenoids (11%), soluble sugars (49%), proteins (14%), and catalase enzyme activity (42%), compared to control plants. Foliar spraying of plants had no effect on the amount of malondialdehyde, total antioxidant activity based on the FRAP method, and the proline content. Silicon, nanosilicon, chitosan, nanochitosan and nanochitosan-nanosilicon treatments increased the amounts of phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins in the petals and leaves of plants. An increase of 22 and 20% phenol, 57 and 52% flavonoids, and 10 and 13% anthocyanins was observed in petals and leaves, respectively, under nanochitosan-nanosilica treatment. Based on the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and the absence of peroxidation of membrane lipids, it can be concluded that the treatments improved the growth and flowering process of narcissus due to an improvement in the physiological performance of plants without causing stress, and the most effective treatment was foliar spraying with nanochitosan-nanosilicon.

In order to study the effects of mycorrhiza, vermicompost and putrescine on the morpho-physiological characteristics of triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) under salinity stress, an experimental as factorial was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabil, during 2021–2022. The experimental factors were included salinity in three levels (no salinity as a control, 60 and 120 mM salinity from NaCl), biofertilizers in four levels (no application of biofertilizers as a control, application of vermicompost, Mycorrhiza, both applications of vermicompost and Mycorrhiza), and foliar application of putrescine (foliar application with water as a control, foliar application of 0.4 and 0.8 mM). The results showed that minimum of leaf electrical conductivity and minimum fluorescence were observed in the application of mycorrhiza with vermicompost and foliar application of 0.8 mM putrescine under no salinity conditions. Also, this treatment combination increased chlorophyll index (40.75%), relative water content (37.7%), stomatal conductance (43.85%), variable fluorescence (120.21%), maximum fluorescence (45.46%), quantum yield (51.37%), and grain yield (38.7%) in comparison with the no application of biofertilizers and putrescine under the highest salinity level (120 mM). Based on the results, the application of biofertilizers (mycorrhiza and vermicompost) and putrescine can increase the grain yield of triticale under salinity stress due to improving chlorophyll fluorescence indices and other physiological traits.

Treatment of seeds with biostimulants is an important technology to deal with heat stress during planting and improve yield, which all starts with seed germination. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the effect of seaweed and amino acid-derived biostimulants, on the improvement of heat stress in the seed germination stage of cool-season plants (lettuce). The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, with treatments repeated three times. For this purpose, seeds were pretreated for 2 hours in an aqueous solution of 0.5 g/L Algabon® and 2 g/L Bonamid®. Then, the seeds were incubated in the dark for 72 hours at 28°C (control) and 35°C (heat stress). In cool-season seedlings (lettuce), pre-treatment with biostimulants Algabon and Bonamid led to an increase in indicators of germination percentage, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, and also the activity of beta-amylase, protease and the amount of soluble sugars under heat stress (temperature of 35°C). The results showed that heat stress has created conditions of oxidative stress (production of H2O2) in the seeds of cool-season plants, although pre-treatment of cool-season seeds with Algabon and Bonamid led to a decrease in H2O2 production under heat stress. On the other hand, the pre-treatment of the lettuce seeds with Algabon has increased the ability of the seeds to increase the scavenging of free radicals produced during heat stress. In general, it seems that the pre-treatment of seeds with Algabon by producing some compatible osmolyte compounds and stimulating the activity of enzymes involved in germination increases the germination performance and makes the seeds of lettuce resistant to thermal stress.

One of the limitations of keeping, marketing, and exporting capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) is its rapid ripening after harvesting and microbial spoilage, which reduces the quality properties and spoilage of this product. These challenges have been effectively mitigated by using post-harvest techniques. Edible coating treatments can be used after harvesting different fruits. The purpose of this experiment is to use chitosan at four levels (zero, 0.5, 1, and 2%) over time (zero, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) with four repetitions on the quality after harvesting bell peppers. The variety of California Wonder is a factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized design. The results showed that a 2% concentration of chitosan prevented weight loss in 28 days. At the end of the experiment, a 2% chitosan treatment compared to the control caused a decrease in TSS by 42.2%. The highest amount of chlorophyll a was observed in the chitosan treatment compared to the control in 28 days. The most significant increase in chlorophyll b in sweet pepper, with a concentration of 2% at zero time, was 113.33% compared to the control. The carotenoid content of sweet pepper showed a significant increase of 97.14% compared to time 0 in the control at the time of 28 days. The results of the average comparison showed that chitosan with a concentration of 0.5, 1, and 2, respectively, in 28 days caused a decrease in ion leakage by 8.56, 9, and 9.57, respectively, compared to the control in 28 days. The results showed that different concentrations of Chitosan and especially the concentration of 2% compared to the control, maintained the quality after harvesting and delayed the aging of bell pepper fruit. According to the results of this research, it is recommended to use this edible coating as an application to increase the shelf life of bell peppers.

Salinity stress is among the abiotic stresses that restrict citrus growth. In this regard, the appropriate suitable solutions to improve growth characteristics and antioxidant responses under salt stress conditions can be useful. The present pot research was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of the University of Hormozgan during 1401. The used sour orange plants were six-month-old seedlings (height about 60 cm) that were healthy and disease-free. Experimental treatments included water salinity (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 dS/m) and potassium phosphite (KPhi((0, 1.5, and 3 g/l). The results revealed that the salinity of 6 dS/m compared to the salinity of 1.5 dS/m led to a decrease in leaf number, stem length and root volume (44.09, 11.4 and 37.5%, respectively) and increased ion leakage and malondialdehyde (9.23 and 41.7%, respectively). Application of potassium phosphite (KPhi( (1.5 g/l) compared to the salinity of 6 dS/m increased leaf number, stem length, root volume and root length (43.5%, 34.4%, 67.2% and 27.3%, respectively). In addition, increased protein content and activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonialyase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbic peroxidase increased (33.9, 94.4, 6.24, 22.8, 73.7 and 94.4%, respectively). Potassium phosphite (KPhi( decreased ion leakage and malondialdehyde (28.6% and 24.13%, respectively). Finally, this study showed that potassium phosphite (KPhi( (1.5 g/l) stimulates the antioxidant system, neutralizes oxygen free radicals, improves growth characteristics and moderates the harmful effects of salinity stress in sour orange seedlings.

Identifying different habitats and evaluating the effect of environmental factors on the performance of active ingredients in medicinal plants is a basic help to maintain the genetic diversity of these plants. This research was done in three habitats in Isfahan province during 2017–2020. The aerial parts of Tanacetum lingulatum Boiss. Bornm were harvested at the full flowering stage and transferred to the laboratory of the Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured by the Follin-Ciocalteu reagent and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by measuring the reduction of radical capacity with the help of DPPH. The essential oil from T. lingulatum plants was extracted by water distillation using Clevinger and analyzed by GC/MS. According to the results, the amounts of total phenol and flavonoids, the antioxidant activity and the essential oil content were only affected by population treatment. The maximum content of total flavonoids (0.289 mg QE/g dry weight), the antioxidant activity (53.67%), and the essential oil content (0.15% v/w) were related to the Kooh Sefid habitat. Compared to the other two habitats, the Kooh Sefid region has the lowest altitude above sea level, the lowest average annual temperature and soil acidity, and the highest soil organic carbon and annual rainfall. The highest amount of total phenol was obtained from the Lashtar habitat (0.051 mg GAE/g dry weight). The most important compounds identified in the essential oils were cis-sabienene hydrate (12–24%), camphene (3–15%), n-decanal (11–24%), dihydro-linalool (1–9%), cis-β-terpineol (7-9 %), nerol oxide (1–16%), and cis-pinocarveol (8–20%). Variation observed in the examined traits in different habitats can be caused by differences in ecological characteristics. Finally, the Kooh Sefid population can be one of the target habitats for preserving the genetic diversity of the T. lingulatum medicinal plant due to having more essential oil and antioxidant activity.

In order to investigate the biochemical respnces and performance of two vetch cultivars to tillage and salicylic acid in dry conditions, two vetch cultivars of Maragheh and Gachsaran were sprayed at four levels of salicylic acid 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM, were investigated as a split plot in the form of randomized complete block design with four replications in three environments including conventional tillage (ploughing with reversible plow and disc), low tillage (protection plowing with chisel packer) and no tillage. The results showed that the highest amount of proline in shoot was without significant difference from the low tillage method in Maragheh variety with the application of zero, 0.5 and 0.1 mM salicylic acid (5.8 mg/g fresh weight), and the lowest was obtained from conventional tillage method in Gachsaran cultivar with application of 0.5 and 0.1 mM salicylic acid (3.4 mg/g fresh weight). The highest amount of shoot peroxidase from the low tillage method in Maragheh and Gachsaran cultivars (without significant difference, 152 and 151 micrograms of protein per minute, respectively) and the lowest was obtained from the conventional tillage method in Maragheh cultivar without the use of salicylic acid (133 micrograms of protein per minute). The highest amount of raw seed protein from conventional tillage method in Maragheh variety with application of zero and 0.1 mM salicylic acid (29.2%) and the lowest amount was achieved from low tillage method in Gachsaran variety without application of salicylic acid (25.7%). The trend of changes in seed yield and shoot proline under the influence of salicylic acid showed that by increasing salicylic acid application up to 1.5 mM, these two traits increased by 10.5% and decreased by 12.3% compared to the control treatment. In total, the results showed that the reactions of biochemical traits to tillage, salicylic acid and variety were different, but the method of low tillage in Maragheh cultivar with foliar spraying of 1.5 mM salicylic acid by creating favorable conditions for growth caused a decrease in proline content and increased grain yield.

This research was conducted to optimize in vitro micropropagation of Begonia rex as an important ornamental pot plant. In vitro callogenesis and regeneration of three cultivars of B. rex (Jurassic, Silver dollar and Silver king) were carried out starting from leaf segments as explants. Eight Murashige and Skoog′s media consisted of four plant growth regulators, including α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine (BA), 3-Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and Thidiazuron (TDZ). After four weeks, callogenesis and regeneration started. After eight weeks of proliferation, the explants were transferred to MS culture medium supplemented with 0.05 mg/l gibberellic acid. The highest direct regeneration percent occurred in the medium containing 0.5 mg/L BA + 0.2 mg/L TDZ. Callogenesis, regeneration and root formation occurred in all treatments. The highest number of leaves was observed in the culture medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA + 1 mg/L BA in the Jurassic cultivar. Medium fortified with 0.2 mg/L NAA + 0.2 mg/L BA and 1 mg/L IBA + 1 mg/L BA was selected as the best medium for increasing the fresh weight and proliferation of cv. Jurassic. The highest amounts of chlorophyll a and b were obtained in 0.5 mg/l BA + 0.2 mg/l TDZ and 1 mg/l of IBA + 1 mg/l of BA treatments in ‘Jurassic’ and ‘Silver dollar’ cultivars. The survival rate of transplanted plant lets was about 100%. Generally, the combination of 1 mg/l IBA with 1 mg/l BA could be introduced as an effective and useful treatment in the micropropagation of studied three cultivars of Begonia rex.

This experiment aims to investigate the effect of foliar spraying of polyamines on growth traits, root characteristics, physiological traits and seed yield and yield components of the Camelina plant at different levels of salinity stress, a pot factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design was done in 2021 at Payam Noor University. The first factor was the salinity stress with Urmia lake water at three levels (0, 15 and 30 dS/m) and the second factor was foliar spraying polyamines at four levels (spermine, spermidine, putrescine and control (spraying with water)). The results showed that the salinity stress of 30 and 15 ds/m in comparison with the control decreased root diameter (16 and 4 percent), root dry weight (39 and 17 percent), root volume (43 and 31 percent), relative leaf water content (60 and 23 percent), chlorophyll a concentration (57 and 13 percent), chlorophyll b concentration (61 and 21 percent), the number of capsules per plant (52 and 25 percent), the weight of 100 seeds (30 and 5 percent), seed yield (52 and 10 percent), and biological yield (38 and 10 percent), respectively. But salinity stress at 30 and 15 ds/m increased leaf temperature (12 and 6%), carotenoid concentration (56 and 46%), and leaf proline concentration (44 and 40%), respectively. Foliar spraying with spermine, spermidine and putrescine in comparison with no foliar spraying, enhanced the number of capsules per plant (26, 23 and 24%), weight of 100 seeds (28, 17 and 12%) and seed yield (38, 8 and 21 percent), respectively. On the other hand, it reduced the effects of salinity stress. Therefore, it seems that the Camelina plant can tolerate salinity up to 15 dS/m. Foliar spraying with polyamines can be a good approach to improving the tolerance, growth and yield of Camelina under salinity stress conditions.

In this study, the effects of drought stress and paclobutrazol on Anethum graveolans L. were investigated. The experiment was carried out as a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications in a greenhouse. Some growth and biochemical characteristics of dill under drought stress (irrigation-based) at three levels (30%, 50% and 70% field capacity) and paclobutrazol at two concentrations (20 and 40 mg/L) were investigated. Drought stress caused a significant reduction in the fresh and dry weight and length of both stem and root, as well as the contents of photosynthetic pigments and proteins, whereas this stress induced reduced sugar and proline content and catalase activity. Although fresh and dry weight and length of stem decreased in plants treated with paclobutrazol, paclobutrazol treatment significantly increased the root growth parameters and the contents of pigments and proteins in relation to drought stress and paclobutrazol treatment. In plants treated with paclobutrazol, the content of sugars, proline and catalase activity were significantly higher compared to non-treated plants and controls (P≤0/05). Moreover, the patterns of protein expression were different. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed a protein with a molecular weight of 11 KD under severe stress conditions and treatment with 40 mg/L paclobutrazol. This protein probably has a major role in dill resistance to drought and the stress amelioration effect of paclobutrazol.

Enriching potatoes with selenium is important considering the role that this plant has in the agricultural economy, feeding people and then improving the health of society. A greenhouse investigation was performed to examine the influence of selenium applied on the quality and quantity of potatoes at the Nutrition Research Center, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences during 2021 using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Experimental treatments included control, foliar application of 15 gr/ha sodium selenite, foliar application of 30 gr/ha sodium selenite, soil applied of 3 kg/ha sodium selenite, foliar application of 15 gr/ha sodium selenite + soil applied of 3 kg/ha sodium selenite, as well as foliar application of 30 gr/ha sodium selenite + soil applied of 3 kg/ha sodium selenite. The results showed that foliar application of different concentrations and soil application of 3 kg/ha sodium selenite enhanced the selenium concentrations of potatoes; however, the most positive effects of sodium selenite were when selenium foliar application was applied with its soil application. It was found that the isoleysine amino acid content was not affected by sodium selenite applied; in contrast, foliar application and soil application of sodium selenite increased the concentration of glycine amino acid. The amount of soluble sugar and starch in potato tubers compared to the control increased under treatment with sodium selenite; however, the positive effects of foliar application of sodium selenite were high when applied to the soil. Sodium selenite reduced the nitrate content in potato tubers compared to the non-use of sodium selenite; in contrast, sodium selenite applied increased the nitrate-reductase enzyme activity, and the positive effects of foliar application of sodium selenite were high when applied with its soil applied. As well as the application of sodium selenite, which enhanced the potato tuber yield, the number of tubers improved compared to the non-use of this treatment. In conclusion, the soil application and foliar application of sodium selenite have a positive effect on the quantity and quality of potatoes as well as enrichment of selenium in potatoes; however, the positive effects of foliar application of sodium selenite were high when applied with its soil applied.

The present study was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications to investigate the effect of elicitors on the morpho-physiological characters and essential oil quantity and quality of Satureja bachtiarica. Three irrigation regimes (3, 6, 9 day interval) in main plots and foliar application of organic (chitosan, salicylic acid, phenylalanine) and alcoholic elicitors (ethanol, methanol, acetone) with control level (without any spraying) in sub plots were done. According to obtained results, applied elicitors significantly influenced the morpho-physiological and phytochemical characters of S.bachtiarica. In two years, the highest chlorophyll content (1.37-1.41 mg.g-1FW) and total phenol content (2.34-2.51 mg.g-1FW) were obtained in chitosan (0.25 mg.l-1), ethanol (10 %) and phenylalanine (1 mg.l-1) treatments by irrigation regimes 3 and 6 day interval, respectively. The highest essential oil contents (1.61-1.59%) were obtained from the plants treated by chitosan (0.25 mg.l-1) and phenylalanine (1g.l-1) by irrigation regime 3 day interval. The most important chemical compounds that determine the quality of S.bachtiarica essential oil included alcoholic monoterpenes such as P-cymene (35.4-20.1 %), gamma-terpinene (17.74-6.71 %), Carvacrol (36.54-22.14 %), Alpha-terpinene (2.56-0.65 %), Germacrene-D (2.01-0.65 %) and Thymol (1.45-0.54 %) made the most components of essential oil plants. Foliar application of chitosan (0.25 mg.l-1), ethanol (10 %) and phenylalanine (1g.l-1) significantly increased the monoterpene alcohols compounds in essential oils of S.bachtiarica. Generally, the application of chitosan at 0.25 gr.l-1 can be a good strategy to improve morpho-physiological characters and essential oil quantity and quality of S.bachtiarica in same climate.

This research was conducted with the objective of cultivating two strawberry cultivars under soilless conditions in an open field and examining the influence of varying electrical conductivity (EC) levels in the nutrient solution. The experiment employed a factorial design based on a randomized complete block design with four replications, considering two cultivars (Albion and Aromas) and three EC levels: 0.65, 1.3, and 1.95 (dS/m). Throughout the experiment, we assessed a range of developmental, qualitative, and biochemical traits of strawberries under the various treatment conditions. The results indicated that the majority of the traits examined were significantly affected by both the cultivar type and the concentration of the nutrient solution (EC). Notably, the Aromas variety exhibited the highest fruit yield per plant, recording 314.01 grams. Furthermore, among the different EC levels tested, 1.3 (dS/m) demonstrated superior effects on the growth, biochemical composition, and performance indicators of both strawberry cultivars. An increase in EC from 1.3 to 1.9 (dS/m) resulted in decreased values for several indicators, including leaf surface area (75% reduction), leaf dry weight (31.5% reduction), fruit shelf life (19% reduction), chlorophyll index (9% reduction), relative leaf juice content (14% reduction), vitamin C content (4% reduction), and a substantial 28% reduction in anthocyanin content. Conversely, ion leakage, dissolved solids, and proline content increased by 10%, 21%, and 24%, respectively, at the highest nutrient solution concentration (EC: 1.9 dS/m) compared to the concentration of 1.3 (dS/m). In conclusion, the results of this experiment highlight the significance of maintaining an EC concentration of 1.3 (dS/m) as the optimal nutrient solution concentration for soilless cultivation in an open field. This concentration substantially influenced both the yield and quality of strawberries produced in this particular agricultural system.

In the present study, the effect of foliar spraying of strigolactone (0, 5, and 10 μM) on the physiological and biochemical responses of Thymus daenensis Celak plant under drought stress (90, 60 and 30% of field capacity (FC)) was examined in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications in the Agriculture and Resources Campus Natural Sciences of Tehran University, Karaj. This study provided compelling evidence of increased drought stress tolerance in the Thymus daenensis Celak plant when treated with exogenous strigolactone at the flowering stage. Plants exposed to drought stress exhibited a significant decline in growth and development, as evidenced by shoot growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Drought stress led to a strong increase in hydrogen peroxide (212%) and malondialdehyde (151%), and these changes were strongly linked to growth retardation. The highest value of total phenol (56.49 mg GA.g-1 DW), flavonoid (96.24 mg Q.g-1 DW), proline (4.147 μmol g-1), superoxide dismutase (24.26-unit mg-1 protein), catalase (44.5-unit mg-1 protein), and peroxidase (26.9 unit mg-1 protein) enzymes activity as well as the highest amount of essential oil (0.48% by volume/weight) and the highest amount of thymol (1.93%) in Foliar spraying of 10 micromolar strigolactones under irrigation conditions of 30% of the agricultural capacity of Thymus daenensis Celak were obtained with Foliar spraying of 10 micromolar strigolactones under deficit irrigation 30% EFTc. In conclusion, strigolactone reduced the negative effects of deficit irrigation on Thymus daenensis Celak by improving water relations, increasing photosynthetic pigments, increasing secondary metabolites, osmotic adjustment, and enhancing antioxidant enzymes activities that regulated the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the role of strigolactone in the mechanism of tolerance to drought stress in Thymus daenensis Celak. Also, based on the results of this research, strigolactone can be used as an efficient biological elicitor to improve quantitative and qualitative yield in thyme. It is recommended that these compounds be used as the best option for achieving sustainable agricultural goals and reducing environmental risks.

It is important to reduce the height of ornamental plants in order to produce short plants. One of the height control methods is the use of growth inhibitors. In order to investigate the effect of sumagic (uniconazole) on the growth and biochemical characteristics of daffodil, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was sumagic (5 and 10 mg L-1, as foliar spraying and bulb immersion application), and the second factor was two genotypes of narcissus native to Iran (Shahla Shomal and Porpar Shomal). According to the results of the experiment, the highest number of flowers was obtained in the Porpar genotype and in the treatment of sumagic 5 and 10 mg L-1. The height of the flowering stem was the lowest in the treatment of sumagic 10 mg L-1 in immersion application, which showed a decrease of 37.64% compared to the control. Also, the lowest leaf length and the highest root length were observed in the treatment of sumagic 10 mg L-1 in immersion application. The highest amount of chlorophyll was obtained in the treatment of 5 mg L-1 sumagic immersion, and the highest amount of carotenoid was obtained in the Porpar genotype with 10 mg L-1 foliage spraying. The phenol content was at the maximum in the control and was not significantly different from the 10 mg L-1 sumagic. The highest percentage of nitrogen was obtained in sumagic at 10 mg L-1 immersion. The highest percentage of phosphorus was obtained with the application of 5 mg L-1 sumagic. The results of the present study showed that the use of sumagic can reduce the height of the daffodil plant and improve its physiological and biochemical characteristics.

Shelf life and maintenance of quality after harvest of ornamental plants are very important. The present experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized statistical design to investigate the effect of different levels of gibberellin and thymol essential oil on flower life and postharvest quality of Alstroemeria flowers (Alstroemeria L. Inticancha Dark Purple). Experimental treatments included different levels of gibberellin (zero, 25, 50, and 100 mg L-1) and different levels of thymol essential oil (zero, 50, and 100 mg L-1). The highest vase life was observed in the treatment with 50 mg L-1 gibberellin and thymol (15 days), this treatment also caused an increase in the relative fresh weight and absorption of the solution in Alstroemeria flowers, while the lowest vase life, relative fresh weight and absorption of the solution were recorded in the control. The relative fresh weight showed an upward trend in the treatments with 50 mg L-1 gibberellin and thymol and 100 mg L-1 gibberellin and 50 mg L-1 thymol until the third day, after which a downward trend was observed. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the yellowing of the leaves and the electrolyte loss of the leaves. The most favorable appearance quality (least yellowing) was observed in the treatments with 50 mg L-1 gibberellin and thymol or without thymol. The treatments with 25 mg L-1 gibberellin and 100 mg L-1 thymol and 50 mg L-1 gibberellin and thymol or without thymol reduced the bacteria at the stem end. In carbohydrate analysis, these indices showed an upward trend with increasing thymol concentration in the treatments without gibberellin, while a downward trend was observed with increasing gibberellin concentration along with the thymol treatment of 100 mg L-1. Finally, the results of this experiment suggest the use of 50 mg L-1 gibberellin with 50 mg L-1 thymol or without thymol to increase postharvest longevity and reduce the yellowing of leaves.

Rice is one of the most important food products in the world. Soil salinity reduces the yield and quality of rice. For the development of new cultivars and the cultivation of rice in saline environments, screening rice cultivars to identify salinity-tolerant cultivars is crucial. In this study, the morphophysiological characteristics of 42 rice genotypes were examined in split plots using a completely randomized design with three replications in hydroponic conditions, with NONA BOKARA representing as a tolerant control and IR29 as a sensitive control to salinity in the seedling stage at two levels of 0 and 100 mM salinity (from the source of NaCl, CaCl2, and Na2SO4). The variance analysis results revealed that the effect of rice genotypes, salinity, and their interaction on all traits studied was significant at the 1% level of probability. Additionally, the findings of this study demonstrated that under salt stress, the root and stem length, fresh and dried weight of the stem and root, the electrolyte leakage content, biomass, and chlorophyll content were all drastically decreased. But under salt stress, the proline content increased. Moreover, the results of the correlation study revealed a significant and positive correlation between biomass features and both shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight. According to the results of the principal component analysis, the biomass, shoot fresh and dry weight, shoot length, and root weight had the largest positive effects on the first component. The results of cluster analysis showed that 12 genotypes, along with NONA BOKARA were included in the tolerant cluster, which can be used in breeding programs to develop salinity-tolerant cultivars.

Heavy metals are one of the most important environmental problems and have caused many concerns due to their carcinogenic properties, non-renewability and biological accumulation. Considering the expansion of lands contaminated with heavy metals and the inevitable cultivation of strategic grains such as wheat in these lands and the fact that according to research wheat accumulates more cadmium than other grains, therefore the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of plasma Atmospheric cold and cadmium were on the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes, proline and the amount of protein and soluble sugars on two cultivars Karim and Gonbad. This experiment was carried out in a factorial form in a completely randomized design with four replications in the greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University. Factors included wheat cultivars (susceptible cultivar Gombad and resistant cultivar Karim), atmospheric cold plasma at three levels (control, 60 and 120 seconds) and treatment with cadmium metal at four levels (control, 50, 100 and 150 µM). The results showed that the amount of soluble sugar, protein, methionine amino acid concentration, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, and root length were affected by the cultivar × plasma × cadmium interaction. The results of the comparison of three-way effects showed that Gombad wheat cultivar had the highest amount of methionine amino acid in plasma 60 and cadmium 150 with an average of 0.22 (nanmol/g). In general, it can be concluded from the results that the stress caused by the increase of cadmium and plasma concentration on the physiological processes of wheat is different and both cultivars use different mechanisms to deal with cadmium stress. Kareem and Gonbad wheat cultivars spend all their energy in the synthesis of factors involved in the defense mechanism in order to adapt and bear more in order to deal with the development and accumulation of toxic concentrations of this heavy metal in stress conditions. The results of the evaluation of cultivars showed that with the increase in the concentration of cadmium chloride, the amount of catalase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase decreased and the amount of soluble sugar, total protein, lysine and methionine increased. Also, in Gonbad variety, with the increase in the concentration of cadmium chloride, the amount of total protein, polyphenol oxidase enzyme, superoxide dismutase enzyme and ascorbate-peroxidase decreased, which shows the effects of cadmium toxicity and the production of oxygen free radicals. As a result, it follows oxidative damage and growth reduction, and the amount of soluble sugar of catalase enzyme, the amount of lysine and methionine increased. Also, Karim cultivar is more tolerant to cadmium stress than Gonbad cultivar. Therefore, this research showed that cadmium treatment at 150 micromolar in the presence of cold plasma was able to stimulate the defense mechanisms of the plant and make the plant bear the stress.

The hyssop belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is used in traditional medicine and in the pharmaceutical and food industries. It has antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antispasmodic activities and is used effectively in the treatment of cough, bronchitis, severe asthma and other respiratory diseases. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of 2,4-D (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/liter) on callusing, growth and production of secondary metabolites of the studied hyssop plant. The results showed that the use of different concentrations of 2,4-D had a significant effect on the percentage of callusing, seedling and root length, seedling fresh weight, number and ​​leaf surface area, content of rosmarinic acid, folic acid, quercetin, luteolin, flavonoid and antioxidant activity. In general, the highest percentage of callusing (97.40%) was achieved with the application of 3 mg/L 2,4-D. The maximum seedling length (8.92 cm), root length (1.66 cm), seedling fresh weight (0.15 g), leaf surface area (1.44 cm2), and number of leaves (21.80) 2,4-D were obtained under the control condition. The maximum amount of rosmarinic acid (0.64 μg/g dry weight) and luteolin (2.42 μg/g dry weight) was observed in the presence of 2 mg/L 2,4-D. The maximum contents of folic acid (36.65 μg/g dry weight), quercetin (1.72 μg/g dry weight), and flavonoid (2.48 mg quercetin/g dry extract) were obtained with application of 1 mg/L 2,4-D.Also, the maximum antioxidant activity (3.98 μg/mL) was obtained by adding 4 mg/L 2,4-D.

In order to investigate the effect of sodium nitroprusside pretreatment on the improvement of physiological and biochemical characteristics of soybean seed cv. Williams under the influence of accelerated aging, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2023. Experimental treatments included accelerated aging treatment at three levels (control, 24 and 48 hours) and sodium nitroprusside at three levels (control, 100 and 200 ppm). The results showed that aging reduced growth indices including Germination Percentage (GP), Allometric Coefficient (AC), Radicle length (RL), Plumule length (PL) and seedling length (SL), Radicle and Plumule Fresh Weight (RFW and PFW), Radicle and Plumule Dry Weight (RDW and PDW), Seed Weight Vigor Index (SWVI) and Seed Length Vigor Index (SLVI), but seed pretreatment with different levels of sodium Nitroprusside, especially the level of 200 ppm, improved these traits. Pretreatment with sodium nitroprusside decreased the amount of malondialdehyde, so the highest content of malondialdehyde (10.36 μmol/g) observed in the control treatment (priming with distilled water). Glutathione reductase enzyme activity increased by 25% in pretreatment with sodium nitroprusside 200. The activity of the lipase enzyme and protein content with pretreatment sodium nitroprusside 200 ppm and without aging was increased by about 63 and 66%, respectively. The results showed that seed treatment with sodium nitroprusside 200 ppm is the most effective method to improve soybean seed growth indicators, and by stimulating antioxidant enzymes and neutralizing free radicals, it can reduce the harmful effects of aging on some traits in soybean seedlings and improve seedling growth.

In order to investigate the effect of soil application of sheep manure biochar and humic acid foliar application on the yield and concentration of some nutrient elements in the aerial parts of the summer savory plant, two-factor factorial research was conducted based on a completely randomized design and three replications in greenhouse conditions. The factors used included three levels of biochar (0, 1 and 2% by weight) and three levels of humic acid spraying (0, 200 and 400 mg.L-1 in three stages). The results showed that the main effect of biochar and humic acid application on the fresh and dry weight of the shoot, fresh and dry weight of the root, stem diameter, carbohydrate, chlorophyll fluorescence, amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of the shoot was positive and significant. The interaction effects of biochar and humic acid were significant on all measured traits except root dry weight, stem diameter and carbohydrates. So that the highest wet weight (50.9 grams per pot) and dry weight of shoot (5.4 grams per pot), root wet weight (27.17 grams per pot), chlorophyll fluorescence (0.944), nitrogen amount (3.62%), phosphorus (0.383%), and potassium (4.03%) of aerial parts in the treatment of 400 mg.L-1 of humic acid + 2 percent of biochar and the least mentioned traits were observed in the control treatment (no application of biochar and humic acid). The results also showed that the highest root dry weight (0.787 g per pot) and carbohydrates (4.253 mg.g-1) due to the use of 400 mg.-l humic acid and the largest stem diameter (0.461 cm) were observed in the 2% biochar treatment. According to the obtained results, it can be said that the soil application of biochar and humic acid foliar spraying is recommended to increase the yield and concentration of summer savory nutrients. But since the research was done in greenhouse conditions, it is better to evaluate and approve the results of this research before making any fertilizer recommendations in field conditions.

Storability of medicinal plants plays an important role in the quantity and quality of their compounds. In order to investigate the effect of low irrigation and storability treatment on the quantitative and qualitative yield of S. Khuzestanica and S. bachtiarica essential oils, a completely random design with three replications was carried out at the Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. Low irrigation treatments (16.6, 33 and 50 L/m2) were applied. Some agronomic traits and yields of essential oils and constituents of essential oils were investigated. Also, dried plants have been stored for two years, and the effect of storability on their essential oil has been investigated. According to the results, the low irrigation treatment had a significant effect on all traits except for the percentage of essential oil. The average of traits for S. khuzistanica were obtained for essential oil at 3.62%, dry matter at 1995 kg/ha, and the yield of essential oil at 71 L/ha. By reducing water (50 to 16.6 L/m2), The most important composition of the essential oil was carvacrol (95%), and treatments had no significant effect on the changing process of essential oil composition. The percentage of essential oil at harvesting compared to stored dried plants decreased (3.6 to 2.2 percent in S. khuzistanica and 2.3 to 0.8 percent in S. bachtiarica). The percentage of carvacrol in the essential oil of the stored dried plant in S. khuzistanica was 95%, and the percentage of carvacrol and p- cymen in S. bachtiarica were 41% and 34.6%, respectively.