Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality in Cantaloupe Plant (Cucumis melo Var. Cantaloupensis cv. Shahpasandi)

Plant growth regulators may leave positive effects on different plants. A factorial experiment using RCBD was conducted to study the impact of brassinosteroied (Br) and ethephon on growth and development of cantaloupe (Shahpasandi) in 2014, in Kerman University Research Station, Kerman, Iran. Three levels of Br (0, 0.5 and 0.75 mM) as seed soaking and two levels of ethphon (0 and 250 mg/l) as foliar spray at 4- and 20-leaf stage were used. Br was effective on all examined traits with the exception of leaf relative water content, leaf dry weight and fruit quality. Br at 0.75 mM was most effective, producing the highest amount of leaf area (200 cm2/plant), fruit weight per plant (2.9 kg) and total fruit yield per hectare (50 tons). Relative to control, Br increased fruit reducing sugars concentration, leaf soluble protein contents, leaf chlorophyll concentration, and fruit number by 50%, 21%, 23.8% and 42%, respectively. Ethephon treatment applied at 20-leaf stage increased fruit reducing sugar concentration, leaf chlorophyll, and fruit number by 52%, 19.1% and 14.8%, respectively. Interactive effects of the two factors was significant for chlorophyll a and carotenoids concentrations. However, Br at 0.75 mM level and ethephon applied at 20-leaf stage were more effective than other treatments but Br at 0.75 mM increased the fruit yield by 41%.                  &nbsp

Mutations in Thalassemia Carrier Couples: The Importance of Prenatal Diagnostic Tests

Background: Thalassemia carrier couples play an important role in increasing thalassemia patients. The study of thalassemia genotypes in carrier couples is also effective in improving genetic counseling for them. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thalassemia mutations and genotypes in couples. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 241 couples who were suspected of thalassemia from April 2018 to March 2020 in Lorestan province. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS software 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Online tools such as www.ithanet.eu/db/ithagenes and http://globin.bx.psu.edu/hbvar/menu.html were also used to match patients' mutations with known cases. Results: IVSII-1 (G>A), CD36-37 (-T), IVSI-110 (G>A), —Med, and alpha(3.7 )were the most common mutations in the beta and alpha genes, respectively. IVSII-1 (G>A) 130/13 (26.1), CD36-37 (-T) beta 0/beta (21.1), and IVSI-110 (G>A) beta 0/beta (10.3) genotypes were the most common in women. The frequency of these genotypes in men were 24.8, 28.6, and 12.8, respectively. Among alpha thalassemia carriers, the alpha(3.7)alpha/alpha alpha genotype had the highest frequency among women (3.7) and men (5.3). Alpha and beta-thalassemia were 15 and 13 times higher in related women and 18 and 9 times higher in related men than non-related ones, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, 12.8 of fetuses were thalassemia major, 31.9 beta thalassemia minor, and 10.3 normal. Conclusions: Thalassemia screening in related couples plays an important role in reducing thalassemia major infants