Influence of NaCl salinity on growth analysis of strawberry cv. Camarosa

In order to study of salinity effect on growth analysis of strawberry, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2010. This study was carried out RCBD design with 4 replications to determine the influence of salinity (30, 60, 90 Mmol and control with distilled water) on strawberry growth analysis. Results indicated that relative growth rate (RGR), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and dry matter accumulation were decreased with increasing salinity. The lowest RGR, CGR and LAR were observed in 90 Mmol NaCl salinity. Results also indicated that maximum dry matter accumulations were observed in 1050, 1200 and 1400 degree days in 30, 60 and 90 Mmol NaCl salinity, respectively. Water salinity more than 30 Mmol NaCl L-1 will decreased fresh fruit yield more than 50 percent in hydroponics strawberry production. Dry mass partitioning in NaCl-stressed plants was in favor of crown and petioles and at expense of root, stem and leaf whereas leaf, stem and root DM progressively declined with an increase in salinity

Preharvest foliar application of methyl jasmonate,salicylic acid and potassium sulfate on improving the quality of pomegranate fruit

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Using jasmonates and salicylates to reduce losses within the fruit supply chain

The fresh produce industry is constantly growing, due to increasing consumer demand. The shelf-life of some fruit, however, is relatively short, limited by microbial contamination or visual, textural and nutritional quality loss. Thus, techniques for reducing undesired microbial contamination, spoilage and decay, as well as maintaining product’s visual, textural and nutritional quality are in high demand at all steps within the supply chain. The postharvest use of signalling molecules, i.e. jasmonates and salicylates seems to have unexplored potential. The focus of this review is on the effects of treatment with jasmonates and salicylates on the fresh produce quality, defined by decay incidence and severity, chilling injury, maintenance of texture, visual quality, taste and aroma, and nutritional content. Postharvest treatments with jasmonates and salicylates have the ability to reduce decay by increasing fruit resistance to diseases and reducing chilling injury in numerous products. These treatments also possess the ability to improve other quality characteristics, i.e. appearance, texture maintenance and nutritional content. Furthermore, they can easily be combined with other treatments, e.g. heat treatment, ultrasound treatment. A good understanding of all the benefits and limitations related to the postharvest use of jasmonates and salicylates is needed, and relevant information has been reviewed in this paper

Pre-harvest application of GABA and CaO delays senescence and maintains of physicochemical characteristics of fresh ‘‘Ahmad Aghaei’’ pistachio during cold storage

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of preharvest application of calcium oxide 1% (CaO), gamma-aminobutyric acid 20 mM (GABA), and the combined treatment of CaO and GABA on shelf life and quality of fresh pistachio in cold storage (at 4 ± 1 °C with 85 ± 5% RH) for 75 d. Post-harvest quality and biochemical characteristics of fruits were measured during 0, 25, 50, and 75 d of storage. The investigation results showed that with the increase in storage time, the hull and kernel firmness (63% and 75%, respectively) and kernel lipid (55%) decreased in treated fruits. Still, the phenolic compounds (45%) and antioxidant activity (10%) of the kernel, hull malondialdehyde (66%), and kernel and hull anthocyanin (71%) increased. Fruits treated with CaO 1% (contained the most kernel lipids and flavonoids and the lowest hull), kernel anthocyanin, and kernel carotenoids. As a result, CaO + GABA pre-harvest treatment was recognized as the best treatment by maintaining antioxidant properties, better overall acceptance, and a higher percentage of healthy fruits during storage. However, applying the treatment before harvesting in the orchard takes a lot of time, but water does not accumulate in the pistachio hull, and the treatment is better absorbed

Causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in schools for visually handicapped children in Iran

Aims: This survey was conducted on children in schools for the blind in Tehran (from 2002 to 2003) to determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness and to identify preventable and treatable conditions. Methods: The study was performed on 362 students at different grades in three schools for the blind. Patient sex, age, family history of blindness or low vision, visual acuity, causes of blindness, and treatable and preventable conditions were studied. Results: Of the 362 cases, 210 (58%) were boys and 152 (42%) were girls. Mean age was 13.5 (SD 4) years. Severe visual loss was seen in 80.9%. Retinal diseases were the most common cause for low vision (51%); cataract, optic nerve atrophy, corneal and anterior segment diseases, glaucoma, anophthalmia, and globe malformations were other major causes of blindness. Treatable aetiologies and positive family history of blindness were seen in 25.7% and 36% of the patients, respectively. The incidence of preventable diseases, excluding familial disorders, was low. Conclusion: In addition to the prevention and treatment of some conditions, premarital genetic counselling and family planning control in families with inherited diseases could decrease the number of blind children in the future in Iran

Genetic structure analysis and genetic fingerprinting of pomegranate cultivars (Punica granatum L.) by using SCoT molecular markers

Genetic diversity and genetic relatedness among 50 genotypes from eight countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Lebanon, India, Yemen, and the United States located in two continents of Asia and the America, were assessed using SCoT markers. A total of 213 bands were produced; 100% of them were polymorphic; the average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.39. The mean Nei's gene diversity and Shannon's index were 0.33 and 0.49, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance suggested significant genetic differences within pomegranate populations. 99% of variance occurs within the populations, whereas 1% of the variation was recorded among the populations of pomegranate. Cluster analysis using SCoT markers able to group genotypes based on their geographical origins. Based on cluster analysis, the genotypes studied were divided into two main groups. The first group included most Asian genotypes, while American genotypes along with some Asian genotypes were in the second group. In the first group, Iranian genotypes were grouped with genotypes from Afghanistan and India. In the second group, the genotypes belonging to the America were in the same group as most of the genotypes of Turkmenistan. According to the present study, SCoT markers can be used to evaluate genetic diversity, identification and DNA fingerprinting pomegranate genotypes of different origins. This information can be used in breeding programs and the management of pomegranate collections