Journal of Research on Crop Ecophysiology
Volume:19 Issue: 1, Winter 2024

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main crops which occupies an important part in agricultural production and water shortages, drought stress and low precipitation happen regularly during wheat growing periods in semi-arid and arid regions, which can significantly alter physiological processes such as respiration and photosynthesis as well as wheat production. Water deficit is widely reported for global wheat production, and it is the main constrains influencing wheat production in semiarid regions of Iran. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) can bring the most benefits to winter wheat crop to reduce plant height, increase stem thickness, reduces the risk of lodging, making managing and harvesting a tall winter wheat crop easier. Gibberelic acid can elongate plant cells and encourage cell division. In this trial, the highest number of days from seed plantation until seed germination, seed plantation until double ridge stage, seed plantation until terminal spikelet stage, seed plantation until swelling of stem stage, seed plantation until flowering stage, seed plantation until grain filling stage, and seed plantation until grain ripening stage was obtained in interaction between 120 mm evaporation from pan class A and control treatment (water treatment), and the minimum data also was belonged to interaction between 80 mm evaporation from pan class A and superoxide dismutase in both Abarkuh and Faragheh experimental research stations. Different stages of winter wheat showed different sensitivity to water deficit at various different growth periods. Water shortage is the major limiting parameter which can negatively influence plant growth and development of wheat plants.

Carthamus tinctorius L. (2n = 2x = 24), commonly known as safflower, is widely cultivated. The genetic map of safflower (C. tinctorius) constructed using RAPD, SRAP and EST-SSR markers. An F2 population of 117 progenies derived from a cross between cultivated C. tinctorius L. and a wild accession from C. oxyacanthus species was used to generate the map during 2015-2016. A total of 101 markers, including 49 RAPD, 40 SRAP and 22 EST-SSR were identified and used for genetic linkage group analysis. The linkage map consisted of 9 major linkage groups. The map covered a total length of 1760.9 cM with an average marker density of 31.4 cM between two adjacent markers. In the safflower map, 56 markers (41 RAPD, 14 SRAP and 1 EST-SSR) were linked. Construction of linkage map is an important first step towards detecting genes controlling agronomically important traits and can show the location of genetic loci along the chromosomes.

This research investigates the effects of foliar spraying of biological stimulants on the growth characteristics and antioxidant capacity of lavender in Najafabad City in 2024. The treatments evaluated included seaweed (1, 2, and 3 ml/L), amino acids (1, 3, and 5 ml/L), and Crecer organic fertilizer (5, 10, and 15 ml/L), conducted in three replicates alongside a control treatment. The measured traits included the number, length, fresh weight, and dry weight of flowering stems, as well as the antioxidant capacity of the pure flowers. The results indicate that foliar spraying with biological stimulants significantly improved vegetative traits and antioxidant capacity compared to the control treatment. The highest number of flowering stems (359 stems) was observed with the seaweed treatment at 3 ml/L. The longest flowering stems (27.70 cm) were associated with the Crecer organic fertilizer at 10 ml/L. Additionally, the highest fresh weight (0.067 g) and dry weight (0.027 g) were recorded for the amino acid treatment at 1 ml/L. The control treatment exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity at 71.92%, closely followed by the amino acid treatment at 3 ml/L, which showed an antioxidant capacity of 71.81%. In contrast, the control treatment recorded the lowest values for vegetative traits, while the seaweed treatment at 1 ml/L exhibited the lowest antioxidant capacity at 42.14%. In conclusion, the application of biological stimulants positively influenced vegetative traits, particularly highlighting the amino acid treatment at 3 ml/L in enhancing antioxidant capacity

The processing of agricultural products or processing activities is crucial in developing the fruit and vegetable industry, increasing the marketability of fresh produce, and reducing post-harvest waste. This study evaluated the effect of different processing and drying methods (Such as salting, canning, infrared, and hot air) on the quality characteristics of A. bisporus mushroom. The maximum shrinkage ratio was achieved through the infrared treatment, with a value of 6.66 mm, while the lowest was obtained in the salting treatment, with a value of 1.17 mm. The highest fat content was observed in hot air treatment at 5.33%, while the lowest amount was obtained in the canning and salting treatments at 0.66% and 1%, respectively. The highest browning index was reported in the canning treatment, while the lowest was in the infrared and hot air treatments. The highest color change was found in the canning treatment, with a value of 21.45, while the lowest rate was observed in the infrared and hot air treatments, with values of 6.63 and 10.22, respectively. The highest color index of L* was observed in the control, infrared, and hot air treatments. However, the lowest amount was illustrated in the canning treatment. The highest color index of a* was observed in the canning treatment, with a rate of 12.93, while the lowest was found in the infrared, hot air, and control treatments. The highest color index of b* was observed in the salting and canning treatments. On the contrary, the lowest amount was indicated through the control, infrared, and hot air treatments. In general, the study results revealed that the infrared and hot air treatments significantly impacted the improvement of the color indices. Also, the canning treatment preserved the fat content and prevented its excessive oxidation in the A. bisporus mushrooms.

Capsicum annuum L. from the Solanaceae family is one of the most important and widely consumed vegetables in the world due to its valuable nutritional content. This study investigates the effects of growth-promoting treatments on certain growth characteristics and vitamin C content in the Nirvin pepper cultivar. The treatments included wood vinegar (1.25- 2.5– 3.33 ml per liter), biochar (100–200-300 g per plant), gibberellic acid (25–50-75 ml per liter), Crecer organic fertilizer (2.5–5-7.5 ml per liter), humic acid (150– 200- 250 mg per liter), fulvic acid (5– 6.5- 8 g per liter), and a mixture of fulvic acid + humic acid (5- 6.5- 8 g and 150– 200- 250 mg per liter, respectively). These were applied in 84 plots (each with two plants), using a randomized complete block design with three replications, alongside a control treatment (distilled water spray). The results showed that growth regulators significantly influenced the number of flowers, fruit diameter, pedicel length, and vitamin C content in bell peppers. The best results in terms of overall physiological traits and vitamin C content were achieved with applying fulvic acid and gibberellic acid. Although other treatments also showed a significant positive effect, leading to an increase in most traits compared to the control, they indicated a clear and substantial impact on growth characteristics and vitamin C content in bell peppers. Therefore, the use of growth regulators is recommended to enhance the quantity and vitamin C content of bell peppers.