Journal of Plant Production Research
Year:2021 | Volume:28 | Issue:2|Papers Count:13

Background and Objectives: The use of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi has positive effect on soil fertility, crop production, increasing of carbon sequestration, reduction of greenhouse gas sublimation, improvement of nutrient utilization efficiency, stimulation of soil microorganism growth, production of growth promoting hormones, as well as increasing of plant tolerance to environmental stress. However, their effects depend on soil characteristics, plant species and the type of raw material used in the production of biochar. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of biochar (derived from residues of essential oil extraction of Satureja khuzistanica) and mycorrhizal fungi (native and non-native) and their interactions on growth, biomass and some morphological and biochemical characteristics of two parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cultivars in greenhouse conditions. Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in the greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University. The first factor was parsley cultivars (Crispum and Neapolitanum). Application of biochar at three levels (0, 3 and 6 percent of soil weight) was used as the second factor. While, application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in three levels (control, native mycorrhiza and non-native mycorrhiza) was consider as the third factor. Plant height, plant width, leaf number, leaf length and width, petiole length and diameter, crown diameter, distance between leaflets, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, root length and volume, electrolyte leakage, relative water content as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and mycorrhizal colonization were measured. The data obtained from the experiment was analyzed using Minitab software. Mean comparison was done using LSD test method at 0. 05. Results: The results showed that biochar application up to 3% increased plant height, plant width, leaf length and width, leaf number, petiole diameter, root volume, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, content of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, and colonization rates in both parsley cultivars. However, application of higher amount of biochar had no positive effect on these traits. Maximum of plant height (31. 49 cm), plant width (47. 60 cm), leaf length (18. 68 cm), leaf width (19. 23 cm) and petiole diameter (0. 080 mm) was observed in the treatment of mycorrhizal (non-native) fertilizer which had no significant difference with the native mycorrhizal. However, application of non-native mycorrhizal fertilizer increased growth and biomass of parsley in compare to the sterilized control soil treatment. In comparison between cultivars, Crispum showed higher growth and biomass. In general, the highest shoot dry weight and total chlorophyll b content (62. 02 g, 11: 40, 18. 43 mg/g fresh weight, respectively) belonged to Crispum cultivar under native mycorrhizal with 3% biochar application. The highest fresh and dry weights of root (70. 74 and 18. 68 gr, respectively) were observed in Neapolitanum cultivar using native mycorrhiza and biochar 3%. Conclusion: In this study, the biochar application up to 3% increased the growth and biomass of parsley cultivars. However, no significant differences were observed between the native and non-native mycorrhizal treatments. It can be concluded that the application of common mycorrhizal fertilizers in non-sterilized soils will not affect the growth and yield of parsley. Therefore, the production of mycorrhizal fertilizers from native mycorrhizal fungi in each region is recommended for effective use. Overall, the Crispum cultivar showed higher growth and yield, so its cultivation is recommended.

Background and Objectives: Few studies have been conducted on the age of mother plants and their effects on seed germination traits. Maternal plants of different ages, owing to morphological and phytochemical differences, have different effects on phytochemical and seed germination traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and phytochemical differences of different ages of Kochia prostrata maternal shrubs and their effects on the characteristics of their seed germination traits. Investigating the depth of seed dormancy at different ages and the impacts of prechilling on breaking seed dormancy have been other goals of this study. Materials and Methods: In the study population, five plants from each age group were randomly selected and morphological traits including their height and canopy cover were measured. Then, the mentioned shrubs were cut from the collar section and their age was determined in the laboratory. The maternal plants of K. prostrata were divided into three categories based on diameter: young, mature, and old. During the seed collecting season, 10 plants from each age group were randomly selected based on collar diameter and canopy cover; furthermore, in order to determine the average seed production per plant and 1000-seed weight, their total seeds were collected separately in plastic bags. The leaves and twigs were sampled by the age of maternal shrubs. Seed germination experiments were performed as a completely randomized factorial design in 3 replications. The first factor was the seeds of different age groups (young, mature and old) and the second factor was the prechilling in-2 degrees Celsius. Phytochemical and germination traits of treated and untreated seeds including starch, total sugar, alpha-amylase enzyme activity, germination percentage, germination rate, percentage of normal seedlings, root length, stem length, seed vigor and amount of gibberellin and abscisic acid hormones were measured. The amount of gibberellin and abscisic acid in plant organs (leaves and twigs) was also measured by age groups of maternal shrubs. Results: The results showed that the mature shrubs, with the appropriate height and canopy cover, had the maximum seed production per plant (13. 02 g) and had a significant difference with other groups (P<0. 01). Also, the 1000-seed weight of this age group (2. 11 g) had a significant difference with young shrubs (P<0. 01). Mature shrubs had the highest amount of free gibberellin hormone (15. 82 mg/l) and the highest amount of abscisic acid (10. 82 mg/l) marked a significant difference (P<0. 01). Higher levels of abscisic acid in the mature plants indicated greater compatibility with arid and semi-arid environments. Seeds of mature plants with 0. 726 mg/l gibberellin showed a significant difference with seeds of young shrubs (1. 97 mg/l) (P<0. 01), but the amount of internal abscisic acid in the seeds did not differ significantly. The ratio of gibberellin to abscisic acid in seeds of mature shrubs (0. 383) was not statistically different from the ratio in seeds of young shrubs (0. 726) (P<0. 01), but was lower, indicating deeper dormancy in the seeds of the mature age group. Prechilling treatment had the greatest effect on the seeds of mature plants, so the amount of free and bond gibberellin increased to 12. 01 and 8. 99 mg/l, respectively, and the ratio of gibberellin to abscisic acid increased to 9. 41. This has led to broken seed dormancy, increased activity of alpha-amylase enzyme and decomposition of starch into simple carbohydrates, increased percentage of normal seedlings, increased root length and seed vigor, which is most noticeable in seeds of mature plants. Conclusion: Different age groups of K. prostrata differ in phytochemical and morphological characteristics which affect the germination and phytochemical characteristics of their seeds and controls and regulates the mechanism of dormancy in seeds.

Background and Objectives: Cotton as one of important crop products in Iran has special role and needs to increase its production to achieve self-sufficiency. The correct methods of crop management, including planting date are in order to determine the most appropriate growth conditions to increase yield and maximize productivity of the growing environment. Planting date of cotton is very important due to environmental limitations and coincides the sensitive period of cotton with severe summer heat and cultivation of two crops and early and late cold at the beginning and end of the season. The objective of this study was to obtain the best planting date in view of cotton high yield and increasing of water use efficiency. Materials and Methods: In this study, 35 year (1984-2018) statistical data of Hashem Abad meteorological synoptic station of Gorgan (precipitation, maximum and minimum temperatures, daily radiation) entered into the weather and product calibration model (SSM-Crop) and defines 11 planting date scenarios in the weather and product calibration model (SSM-Crop) (13 and 23 April, 3, 13 and 23 May, 2, 12 and 22 June, 2, 11 and 22 July) was evaluated cotton yield changes and water use efficiency as well as its statistical characteristics during different years with different climatic conditions. Results: The results of predicted yield and water use efficiency in climate and crop model (SSM-Crop) showed that by delaying in cotton planting date, average cotton yield decreased but based on t-test student results, there was no significant difference on cotton yield at the level of 5% in planting dates of related to scenarios of 23 April, 3 and 13 May. There was an increasing trend for average water use efficiency from 13 April to 23 May scenarios and then, from the 23 May to the 22 July scenario, was decreasing trend so that the highest and the lowest values were 10. 07 and 1. 75, related to 23 May to the 22 July scenario, respectively. Conclusion: Cotton is a plant that planting date can play an effective role in yield and water use efficiency, but the best planting date regarding to calibrated climate and crop model was obtained from 5 May to 21 May. Delaying in planting date was not recommended so farmers, due to reduction in average cotton yield and water use efficiency. Because of delaying and cultivation of two crops during year in most farming fields of Gorgan. Transplanting method can be recommended for obtaining of higher yield and optimum use of water in cotton.

Background and Objectives: Periwinkle is a plant that is highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry because of its alkaloids. Among the 130 known alkaloids in the genus, Vinblastine and Vincristine alkaloids have particular importance due to their anti-tumor properties. Since periwinkle is the only source of these compounds, it has a special place among medicinal plants. Due to the low content of indole terpenoids alkaloids in periwinkle and the importance of these compounds in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the high economic value of some of its secondary metabolites, six different prewinkle cultivars were studied for morphological and biochemical traits. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in factorial design based on completely randomized with three replications in field and laboratory of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Treatments included 6 cultivars (Icy Pink, Lilac, Polka Dot, Apricot, Purple, Red Bright) and two organs (leaf and root). The measured factors included fresh and dry weight of roots and leaves, number of lateral stem and root, root length, stem length and amount of vinblastine, vincristine and ajmalicine alkaloids. Alkaloids content were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The results showed that the measured parameters had significant effect on morphological and phytochemical properties at 1% probabality level. The highest stem diameter (0. 533 cm), root diameter (0. 610 cm) and stem length (45. 99 cm) were observed in Purple cultivar. The highest amount of vinblastine was observed in the leaves of Purple (1. 7 mg/100g DW) and the lowest level (0. 02 mg/100g DW) was measured in the root of Icy Pink. Also the highest amount of ajmalicine and vincristine were measured in leaves of Apricot cultivar (1. 89 and 3. 61 mg/100gDW, respectively). However, there were no ajmalicine alkaloid in the root of Apricot and Red Bright cultivars as well as the leaves of Lilac cultivar. Conclusion: Different cultivars of periwinkle have significant differences in the amount of indole terpenoids alkaloids. Although different cultivars of a plant are a subset of the same species, however, the observed differences in different cultivars are controversial. Due to secondary metabolites originate from the primary metabolites of the plant, it is observed that different cultivars of a plant produce different amounts of an alkaloid under the same conditions. This issue can be great importance especially considering the economic value of some alkaloids of this plant. By recommending superior cultivar cultivation in the production of indole terpenoids alkaloids can greatly enhance their production efficiency.

Background and Objectives: Freezing stress is a serious threat to the sustainable production of crops that affects plant development and causes a series of morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes. Freezing damage to hazelnut flowers is one of the most limiting factors of its planting in the world. This research was conducted to evaluate the response of some Iranian hazelnut cultivars to freezing stress at flowering time, also to find the relationship between flowering time, the germination rate of pollen, the amount of proline amino acid and hydrogen peroxide enzyme with the degree of susceptibility and tolerance of local hazelnut cultivars against freezing stress. Materials and Methods: Eight Iranian hazelnut cultivars including Asle Gharebagh, Tabestaneh, Jonoube Gharebagh, Khandan, Rasmi, Gerde Eshkaverat, Mish Pestan and Nakhon Rood were selected due to the relative superiority of their quantitative and qualitative traits compared to other cultivars. Four trees from each cultivar were chosen and the emergence time of male and female flowers, emergence time of red stigma and flowering type were recorded. The pollen germination rate in media containing 10 and 15% sucrose was examined. In order to evaluation of freezing effect, unopened male and fertilized female flowers of eight hazelnut cultivars were exposed to 10 levels of freezing treatment and after 24 hours, the freezing damage was evaluated and based on the type and the amount of morphological changes was scored. The activity of hydrogen peroxide enzyme and proline amino acid was measured before and after freezing treatment. The factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was performed. The data analyzed using SAS software and Duncan‘ s multiple range test were applied to test for significant differences between the treatments. Results: The male and female flowers appeared on July-September. Tabestaneh and Mish Pestan cultivars had the highest germination rate of pollen in media containing 10 and 15% sucrose. Also, Rasmi, Tabestaneh and Mish Pestan cultivars were showed the highest yield. Morphological assessments were indicated that the starting of freezing of fertilized female flowers and unopened male flowers occurred at-3 ° C and-5 ° C, respectively; and complete freezing and tissue destruction of fertilized female flowers and unopened male flowers were observed at-5 ° C and-11 ° C, respectively. In this regard, the male flowers of Mish Pestan cultivar and the female flowers of Tabestaneh cultivar had the highest resistance to freezing stress. The results revealed that there was no significant relationship between the activity of hydrogen peroxide and the coldness. Also, the tolerant cultivars had a lower content of this enzyme compared to the control. Our results revealed that the percentage of the freezing damage depends on the proline content of hazelnut flowers. Mish Pestan and Tabestaneh cultivars had the highest proline content. Conclusion: According to our results, Mish Pestan and Tabestaneh cultivars, those had the highest yield and tolerance against freezing stress, are recommended to cultivate in regions with a high risk of spring freezing that the temperature at the emergence time of male and female flowers are not below-9 and-3 ° C, respectively.

Background and Objectives: Long term exposure of tissue culture plants to unusual environmental conditions during in vitro production (e. g. high relative humidity, low CO2 concentration during the photoperiod, high ethylene concentration and restricted air movement) induce poor development of leaves (e. g. thin epicuticular wax formation) and disturb normal function of stomata, which result in high fatality of plantlets after transfer to ex vitro conditions. Osmotic adjustment can improve stomatal response. Therefore the objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of salinity especially moderate salinity stress on reducing uncontrollable water loss in micropropagated walnut explants during ex vitro desiccation. Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. To study the effects of salinity stress, three different concentrations of NaCl (0, 5 and 10 ds. m-1) were used. After stress period, stomatal morphology, transpiration rate, RWC, morphological (e. g. shoot length, specific leaf area, salt injury index, leaf mass area and leaf succulence) and physiological traits (e. g. chlorophyll content, osmotic potential (ψ s), proline and glycinebetaine content) were evaluated in micropropagated walnut explants. Results: According to the results of the present experiment, low concentration of salinity (5 ds. m-1 NaCl) caused a decrease in transpiration rate and an increase in RWC of the leaves of walnut explants during desiccation. Some stomatal traits such as stomata length and width, pore length and pore aperture were improved and led to the closure of the stomata. Salt injury index, proline and glycine betaine increased with increasing salinity stress and osmotic potential (ψ s) in the leaves of plants that were grown in salty medium were significantly reduced. Although no significant differences were observed in shoot length, salt stress reduced specific leaf area (SLA), chlorophyll content and increased LMA and LS in 5 and 10 ds. m-1 NaCl concentrations when compared with the control plants. Conclusion: Due to the role of salinity stress in osmotic adjustment, low concentrations of salinity can increase ex vitro water conservation capacity of in-vitro plants during transplantation and acclimatization through changes in stomatal morphology and improvement of water relations. According to the results of this study, 5 ds. m-1 concentration of NaCl, had less stressful effect on micropropagated shoots of walnut and reduced transpiration and increased RWC when compared with 10 ds. m-1 concentration of salinity. In conclusion, moderate salinity stress increased water conservation capacity and decreased water loss during desiccation of in-vitro explants of Persian walnut, which can have a positive effect on in vitro adaptation of walnut plantlets before transfer to ex vitro condition.

Background and Objectives: Gleditsia caspica is one of the valuable forest species of Iran, which due to some of its unique features such as low-expectation, resistance to harsh environmental conditions, tolerance to polluted air and ability to symbiosis with some soil microorganisms, makes it a valuable plant and could be cultivated as a landscape plant. However, saplings are sensitive to drought and one of the main causes of damage to saplings after cultivation is lack of ability of adaptation to drought. In order to investigate the effect of mycorrhiza fungi on improvement growth of Gleditsia caspica saplings under drought stress, this experiment was performed Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried out as factorial based on completely randomized desigen. After scarification, Gleditsia caspica seeds were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae fungi and then cultivated. For fungi colonization, saplings were kept in stress-free conditions for one year. Treatments were included drought stress (well-watered and withholding water) and mycorrhiza (inoculation and uninoculated with Glomus moseae). Drought treatment was stopped when 80% of saplings showed signs of leaf wilting (leaf rolling) at daydawn. Characteristics including RWC, electrolyte leakage, root and aboveground dry biomass, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid content, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, proline content and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Results: Results showed that drought stress significantly reduced growth indices such as RWC (25. 1%), cell membrane stability index (16. 7%), content of chlorophyll a (46. 1%) and b (47. 8) and percentage of aboveground (8. 7%) and root (12. 4%) dry biomass. Inoculation of Caspian locust seeds with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improved cell membrane stability index (10. 1%), RWC (9%), percentage of root dry biomass (6. 2%), chlorophyll a and b content (53. 5% and 50%, respectively), total phenol content (50. 7%), total flavonoid content (43. 3%) and total antioxidant capacity (82%) compared to uninoculated saplings. Also, percentage of aboveground dry biomass and total carotenoid content in inoculated saplings were higher and the proline content decreased than uninoculated saplings under both drought and normal irrigation conditions. Conclusion: Increased in aboveground dry biomass and carotenoid content and decreased in proline content under severe drought stress in inoculated saplings compared to non-inoculated saplings was may be due to reduction of drought stress effects caused by mycorrhiza. Therefore, inoculation of Gleditsia caspica saplings with mycorrhiza fungi before planting in urban landscape is recommended.

Background and Objectives: Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. ) is one of the most important medicinal plants belong to the Rhamnaceae family. It is important in the pharmaceutical industry. Genetic diversity of different species of Z. jujuba in Iran in 2007 and 2006 classified the sex of 19 species by simultaneous analysis of morphological traits and molecular methods. The main purpose of this study is DNA barcoding of different ecotypes of Z. jujuba in South Khorasan, Iran using two chloroplast genes (rbcL and matK). Materials and Methods: The 25 numbers of the ecotypes of this species from 6 different provinces of Iran were planted in South Khorasan, were assessed. Two close relatives of the same family (Sangoisorba sp., Rosa sp. ) were also used as external groups. Purification (protein and polysaccharide refining) was performed using the manual method. The gel was then stained with ethidium bromide and the DNA quality was estimated using the agarose gel electrophoresis results. The chloroplast genes from the DNA extracted were amplified using the PCR technique. All sequences obtained from forward and reverse reading in this study to produce the final sequence using appropriate software were assembled. Results: The DNA barcode of each species was performed for fast, accurate and automatic identification of the species and all the sequences obtained from this study were sent to the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) and submitted. The results show that there is the greatest genetic distance between jujube ecotypes and two samples from the outgroup and no significant genetic diversity between different jujube ecotypes and morphological differences are due to ecological conditions. However, the analysis of gene combination data provided more informational insights than the separate analysis of sequence data. According to the results, the highest diversity was observed in the ecotypes of South Khorasan. Conclusion: The results of pairwise distance and haplotype networks showed the most variety among different ecotypes belonged to the different areas of South Khorasan province. Also, Soth Khorasan can be considered as the origin of this species in Iran. Previous studies have fully confirmed the results of this study. However, given the economic importance of jujube plants in the world, Iran and especially South Khorasan, it is recommended to use more samples and more genes, especially nuclear genes, to study more closely the genetic similarities and differences of these ecotypes.

Background and Objectives: Excessive salinity of the soil reduces the production of agricultural products, including vegetable crops, which especially are sensitive in the vegetative parts. Choosing the right cultivar for areas with high salinity is the first management strategies for the production of high quality products. Spinach is in the group of moderately sensitive plants to salinity stress, although there are differences between various cultivars. Therefore, the present study was designed and conducted to evaluate the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of two spinach cultivars, under salinity stress and to determine the most tolerant cultivar to salinity and suitable for cultivation in saline areas. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out factorial with two factors including three levels of stress in a completely randomized design with four replications at research farm of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2018. The factors included salinity stress (at four levels 0, 10, 20, 30 mM NaCl) and cultivar (‘ Barg-Pahn-e-Varamin’ and ‘ NARITA’ F1 hybrid). After 45 days from the beginning of salinity treatments, plants were harvested and the parameters were measured. Characteristics such as fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, leaf area, leaf number, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid), total chlorophyll, SPAD index, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence index (Fv/Fm ratio) and photosynthesis efficiency index (PI). Results: The results of this study showed that the growth characteristics of both spinach cultivars such as leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry root weights, fresh and dry shoot weight, decreased under salinity stress conditions. With increasing salinity levels, leaf area of both cultivars decreased but the leaf area of Iranian cultivar was higher than the hybrid cultivar. The results also showed that the amount of photosynthetic pigments in the Iranian cultivar was higher than the hybrid cultivar in salinity conditions. In general, total chlorophyll content decreased under salinity stress, but the amount of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll content were higher in the Iranian cultivar. Photosynthetic indices such as photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (Tr) and chlorophyll fluorescence index (Fv/Fm ratio) decreased under salinity stress, which was different in both Iranian and hybrid cultivars. Further reduction of these parameters in stress conditions in Iranian cultivar was less than the hybrid cultivar. Conclusion: Growth characteristics such as leaf area, leaf number, fresh and dry root weight, fresh and dry shoot weight of two spinach cultivars decreased in salinity conditions. The amount of photosynthetic pigments in the Iranian cultivar was higher than in the hybrid cultivar and decreased in both cultivars under salinity stress. Photosynthetic indices also decreased under salinity stress, although changes in photosynthetic indices in both cultivars were approximately the same, but the value of these parameters were higher in Iranian cultivar. In general, salinity stress reduced the growth and photosynthetic parameters of both Iranian and spinach hybrids, but the reduction in growth characteristics in the "Barg pahn-e Varamin" cultivar was lower than the hybrid cultivar. Therefore, it seems that the Iranian cultivar is more tolerant to salinity stress than the hybrid cultivar, and this difference in cultivars to salinity stress can be attributed to their genetic differences.

Background and Objectives: Aeluropus is one of the native halophytes of Iran that can absorb, transfer and excrete salt through the saline glands. Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in the effluents of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, surface, and groundwater and due to estrogenic activity, it increases testicular and breast cancer. Grass species are suitable for phytoremediation because of their root system. This study was conducted to investigate the morphophysiological response of Iranian native Aeluropus littoralis to BPA in symbiosis with mycorrhizal. Materials and Methods: This experiment was carried outas a factorial experiment in a completely randomized block design with 48 pots. Treatments included 4 concentrations of BPA (0, 5, 10, and 15 ppm), 2 levels of mycorrhizal inoculation (non-mycorrhizal plants, and plants inoculated with glomus mosseae) and 3 repeats (2 plants per repeat). The seeds were placed in a transplant culture tray containing a mixture of sand, vermiculite, and soil (1: 1: 1) and irrigated 1 month. In the next step, the seedlings were transferred to another pot (bucket 4) to perform mycorrhizal fungal treatments, so that 5 g of mycorrhiza was added to the soil of each pot, and then the BPA pollutant was treated with irrigation water for two months. Results: The results showed that the effect of BPA was different depending on the concentration. Leaf area, number of stems, number of leaves and height increased at a concentration of 5 ppm and this concentration did not show a significant difference with 10 ppm treatment, but with increasing concentration to 15 ppm, a decreasing effect on these traits was observed. As the BPA concentration increased to10 ppm, the root dry weight, root area, and root volume increased. Root length, chlorophyll concentration, ion leakage up to 5 ppm did not differ significantly, and at higher concentrations the root length and chlorophyll concentration decreased and ion leakage increased. Root wet weight and RWC increased with increasing contamination to a concentration of 10 ppm, but decreased at concentrations of 10 and 15 ppm. As the concentration of BPA increased, the percentage of BPA soil uptake by the plant decreased and the cumulative amount of BPA (leaf and root) increased. With a threefold increase in the concentration of the contaminant, leaf bisphenol A doubled. The effects of mycorrhiza on all non-height traits were significant. Plants inoculated with mycorrhiza had lower ionic leakage than non-inoculated plants, and the rest of the traits evaluated in inoculated plants increased. Conclusion: In plants inoculated with mycorrhiza, the BPA in the leaves and the absorption of BPA from the soil were 30% and 40% higher, than the non-inoculated plants respectively. The inoculated plants were able to absorb more BPA. Aeluropus can absorb up to 80 percent of the soil's BPA and excrete it through its salt glands through its transfer to the shoots, indicating this plant's high compatibility and resistance to BPA contaminants.

Background and Objectives: Kiwifruit is one of the main exportable agricultural crops which large amount of kiwifruit was annually export from Iran. Low percentage of winter bud break and mis-shaped fruits production is the main limiting factors for low productivity in Hayward Kiwifruits. Because the exportable fruits quantity was positively correlated with bud break percentage, flower number and normal fruits percentage. Therefore, the main objective of current study is to evaluate bud break and deformed incidence percentage in some kiwifruit orchards in Talesh and Rudsar in the West and East of Guilan province, respectively. Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in nine kiwifruit orchards in both east (Rudsar) and west (Talesh) of Guilan province. Three uniform vines with Hayward kiwifruit with four canes were selected in each orchard. Bud break percentage, flower number per winter bud, mis-shaped fruit percentage (flat and fan fruit percentage) and bud index for mis-shaped fruits was investigated. Results: The results of orthogonal test showed that there was a significant difference between two kiwifruit production site for bud break percentage, flower number per bud and mis-shapen fruits percentage (flat and double fruit percentage) and bud index for flat and fan fruits. Bud break percentage varied (45. 5-58. 76%) in Talesh orchad and (30. 7-45. 39%) in Rudsar. Furthermore, aberrant fruits percentage was (2. 04-5. 85%) in Talesh and (2. 1-5%) in Rudsar. There were significantly different in terms of the number of flowers per kiwi winter bud in different orchards. This value varied between (1. 81-2. 59) and in Rudsar (1. 78-1. 18). There was a significant difference between different vineyards in terms of cane diameter, average number of buds in cane, percentage of flowering buds, number of flowers in winter buds, percentage of flat and fan fruits. The incidence place of flat and fan fruits on the canes was the same independently to vineyards, but double fruit formation place was dependently to vineyard. The largest number of flat and fan shape fruits were found on node 2 and 3 of current season shoot, however, double and triple fruits incidence was found in node 1 and 2. Conclusion: Overall, the results showed that the place of fan and flat fruit on the cane, and percentage of mis-shape and multiple fruits in current season shoot was independent on vineyard and kiwifruit growing region. But bud break percentage, flower number in bud and total mis-shape fruits was completely dependent to kiwifruit growing region and vineyards.

Background and Objectives: Karelā (Momordica charantia L. ) is a tropical vegetable with high nutritional and medicinal value. This plant belongs to the cucurbitaceae family and has a valuable anti-diabetic effect. The use of elicitors in order to produce environmentally friendly biological products in conjunction with modern agriculture can increase the qualitative and quantitative growth of medicinal plants and reducing the effects of environmental stresses on these plants. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of abiotic elicitors, ethrel, carrageenan and brassinosteroid, on traits of karelā , hybrid baby doll variety. Materials and Methods: This research was performed as factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. This experiment included a simple study of the abiotic elicitors of brassinosteroid (0. 1, 0. 5, and 1 mM), carrageenan (200, 400, and 600 mg / L), ethrel (100, 300, and 600 μ M), and the control (no elicitation) on karelā , hybrid baby doll variety. There were 30 experimental units in a solid MS medium containing 3 percentage sucrose. Seedlings were transferred to the greenhouse at a stage of 4 to 6 leaves after a period of growth. The effect of these elicitors was evaluated on the morphological (leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, fruit length, fruit diameter, fresh and dry weight of fruit, and plant yield) and phytochemical traits (total phenol, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity, photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, and antidiabetic secondary metabolites momordicin and charantin) of Karelā . Results: The analysis of variance results showed that, there was a statistically significant difference (P˂ 0. 05) between experimental treatments on morphological and phytochemical traits of karelā . In this study, the highest leaf area (72. 52 cm), total chlorophyll (28. 9 mg/g FW), and total flavonoids (4. 99 mg Q/g DW) was measured from elicited plants with etherel. Maximum fruit length (35. 4 mm), carotenoids (1. 8 mg/g FW), total phenol (35. 17 mg G/g DW), antioxidant activity (79/31 percent), and momordicin (22. 64 μ g/g DW) was obtained from elicited plants with carrageenan. The highest fresh weight of fruits (23. 95 g), yield of fruits per plant (1305 g) and charantin content (58. 38 μ g/g DW) was obtained of elicited plants with brassinosteroid. Conclusion: The results of our experiment showed that elicitation with etherel led to an increase in morphological and phytochemical traits including leaf area, fruit length, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and total flavonoids. While the highest fruit yield, and charantin accumulation was obtained from brassinosteroids stimulation treatment. Carrageenan was more effective on total phenol, antioxidant activity, and momordicin than other treatments. The use of elicitor compounds such as etherel, carrageenan and brassinosteroid, is an important strategy to produce Karelā with high morphological and phytochemical yield.