Effect of substrate and cultivar on growth characteristic of strawberry in soilless culture system

The investigation was carried out for evaluation effect of substrate and cultivar on growth characteristic of strawberry in soilless culture system. Experimental treatment consisted of three strawberry cultivars (Camarosa, Mrak and Selva) and six growing media (rice hull, sycamore pruning waste, cocopeat + perlite (50:50), vermicomposts + perlite + coco peat (5:45:50), (15:40:45) and (25:35:40). Measured factors were dry and fresh weight of root and shoot, runner number, petiole length, leaf area, total biomass and root/shoot ratio. Measured physical and chemical characteristics of different substrate consisted of pH, EC, porosity, bulk density, particle density, % organic material and % inorganic material. Results show that these cultivars responded differently to different substrates under this investigation. Furthermore, these substrates had significant effects on cultivars. Camarosa cultivar had the highest of leaf area, length of petiole, runner number and total biomass. Mrak cultivar was the highest of yield. Adding vermicompost to substrates was effected in most of traits.Keywords: Substrate, vermicompost, strawberry, growth characteristics, cultiva

Interaction Effect of CO2 Enrichment and Nutritional Conditions on Physiological Characteristics, Essential Oil and Yield of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.)

Carbon dioxide enrichment and nutritional improvement can increase photosynthesis and growth of different crops. The aim of the present study was to assess interaction effects of CO2 enrichment and fertilizer on physiological characteristics and lemon balm essential oil. Experimental units were composed of CO2 at 380, 700, and 1050 ppm with and without manure and N fertilizer application. A continuous increasing trend of individual plant leaf area, total dry weight accumulation and relative growth ratio were recorded with CO2 enrichment. When CO2 was elevated from 380 to 1050 ppm, the values of height (24.3%), SPAD reading (2.7%), essential oil yield (26.3%) and final yield (65.3%) were increased, unlike, stomatal conductance (35.2%) and essential oil percentage (53%) were decreased. The highest and the lowest values (except for oil percentage) were obtained under N and no fertilizer application, respectively. Except for SPAD, interaction between CO2 enrichment and each fertilizer on all measured characteristics had a significant effect, so that CO2 effect was intensified by applying each fertilizer. Therefore, it can be concluded that when temperature increase caused by rising CO2 is not considered or there is not a limitation for resources, CO2 enrichment will improve lemon balm biomass and essential oil yield

Study of Dormancy Type and Effect of Different Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination of Bladder-Senna (Colutea bohsei Boiss.) in Laboratory Conditions

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the existence and type of the dormancy and effects of different dormancy breaking treatments on seed germination of Colutea buhsei Boiss. (Fabaceae) as one of the Iran native plants, arid-land and ornamental shrub with ability of usage in the urban landscape design. The experiment was performed with 15 treatments and 3 replications in a completely randomized design. Seeds were subjected to different treatments including various levels of GA3, concentrated (98%) H2SO4, cold stratification (CS), soaking with tab water, floating in hot water (100�C) followed by continual cooling for 24 hr in the same water and combined treatments. Afterwards seeds were sown in laboratory conditions to determine the factors� effects on germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), root and shoot length of Colutea bohsei seeds. All of these treatments, except for GA3 (250 and 500 ppm), increased the percentage and rate of the seed germination. Maximum germination percentage (66.25%) and rate (14.9 seeds per day) in 7 days was obtained at concentrated (98%) H2SO4 (15 min). Maximum root and shoot length was observed at concentrated (98%) H2SO4 (15 min) plus GA3 (100 ppm, 24 hr). Use of GA3 (100 ppm) in 24 hr after H2SO4 increased the germination rate and shoot length but this additive effect was not significant

Growth Response of Aboveground and Belowground of Eustoma grandiflorum to Elevated Co2 in Hydroponic Culture

Introduction: One of the climate change sign is variation in greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere by humans. It is expected that addition of carbon dioxide could effect the energy balance and global climate. Climate change is effective on agricultural productions. It is clear that different plants have different responses to Co2 variation. These responses are consisting of yield, growth characteristic and variation in root/shoot ratio of plants. On the other hand, using growing media are expanding for plants because of their advantages such as plants nutrient control, reducing the incidence of diseases and pests and increasing the quantity and quality rather than soil cultivation. Properties of various materials as substrates influence directly or indirectly on plant growth and crop production., Hydroponic method can be considered as one of the important methods to optimize water use in agriculture, especially in many countries are located in arid and semi-arid regions that have water crisis. Lisianthus is one of the most beautiful flowers with folded petals in white, blue and purple. I-ts scientific name is Eustoma grandiflorum from the family of Gentianaceae and native to North America. It has variety of annual, biennial or short-lived perennial. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Co2 enrichment on growth response of aboveground and belowground of Eustoma grandiflorum under increasing of Co2 greenhouse gases in hydroponic culture. Materials and Methods: The experiment was done as a split-plot based on completely randomized experimental design with three replications at greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The treatments were consists of three concentrations of carbon dioxide (380 as controls, 750 and 1050 ppm) as main plots and two cultivars Yodel white and GCREC-blue as subplots. Some characteristic such as plant height, internode length, root volume, root area, root and shoot dry weight were measured. Data were analyzed by JMP software Version 8 using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant differences between means were determined by using LSD test at P < 0.05. Results and Discussion: The results of analysis of variance indicated that the effect of Co2 treatment was significant (

The effects of substrate and cultivar in quality of strawberry

The investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of substrate and cultivar on biochemical characteristics of strawberry in soilless culture system. The experiment was conducted in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete design with four replications. Experimental treatments consisted of three strawberry cultivars (Camarosa, Mrak, and Selva) and six substrates (Rice hull, Sycamore pruning waste, Cocopeat + Perlite (50:50), Vermicomposts + Perlite + Cocopeat (5:45:50), (15:40:45), (25:35:40). Results of this experiment showed that the highest percentage of malformed fruits was observed in Selva cultivar in Rice hull (48.46%) and Camarosa cultivar in vermicompost + perlite + cocopeat (25:35:40) (48.46%), the highest of total anthocyanin content in Camarosa in vermicompost + perlite + cocopeat (15:40:45) (222.65 mg/100g), the highest of antioxidant in Camarosa and Mrak cultivars in substrates of Sycamore pruning waste and cocopeat + perlite (50:50) respectively (58.76% and 62% respectively), the highest of TSS in Selva in vermicompost + perlite + cocopeat (5:45:50) (8.66), the highest of Vitamin C in Selva in vermicompost + perlite + cocopeat (15:40:45) (108.05 mg/ 100cc), the highest of TA in Camarosa in vermicompost + perlite + cocopeat (5:45:50) (2.87 mg/100g). Response of each cultivar was different in each substrate. Therefore, the substrate affects on quality of fruit in strawberry and suitable choice of substrate is caused to production of desirable fruit

Study the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on replacement corms and flower characteristics of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

In order to study the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on replacement cormsand flowercharacteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted in a factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications in a farm at Zaveh, Iran in the growing season of 2013-2014 The experimental treatments were all combination of six types of organic fertilizers (Sheep manure (10 t.ha-1), cow manure (30 t.ha-1), vermi compost (6 t.ha-1), hen manure (5 t.ha-1), urban compost (9 t.ha-1) and control and using and not using chemical fertilizer (Nitrogen (100 kg.ha-1)+Phosphate (80 kg.ha-1)). The studied criteria included: total weight  of cormper square meter, average number of buds per corm, diameter of corm and number of replacement cormsin each weight categories (0.1-4g,4.1-8g, 8.1-12g,12.1-16g and more than16.1g), number of flowers, fresh weight offlowers,stigmaandstyle dry weight per square meter, and harvest index of stigma. The results showed that the simple and interaction effects of  using and not using chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers on all studied criteria were significant. Control+chemical fertilizer and hen manure+without chemical fertilizer treatments produced the highest and lowest total corm number (228 and 177 corm per in m2), respectively. The highest and lowest total corm weight (1876 and 1623 g.m-2, respectively), average single corm weight (10.94 and 7.75 g.m-2, respectively), average corm diameter (3 and 2.72 cm, respectively) and average number of buds (8 and 1.33 bud per corm, respectively) were obtained in hen manure+without chemical fertilizer and control+chemical fertilizer treatments, respectively. Control+chemical fertilizer produced the highest replacement corms at the weights of 0.1-4 (12.64%) and 4.1-8g (10.31%) categories. The highest percentage of number of replacement corms at 8.1-12 (16.77%), 12.1-16 (18.10%), and more than 16.1g (31.38%) weight categories were shown in the hen manure+ without chemical fertilizer treatment. Hen manure+without chemical fertilizer and control+ chemical fertilizer treatments produced the highest and lowest number of flowers (142 and 56 flower per square meter, respectively), fresh flower weight (50.20 and 17.60 g.m-2, respectively), stigma dry weight (0.405 and 0.169 g.m-2, respectively), style dry weight (0.685and 0.080 g.m-2, respectively), harvest index of stigma (0.0082, 0.0011, respectively), respectively. The results showed that flower yield in the second year was directly affected by the weight of replacement corms which were produced in the first year. Overall, the results of the present study revealed that the application of organic fertilizer compared with chemical fertilizers had superior effect on replacement corms and yield criteria of saffron

Visual Quality and Morphological Responses of Rosemary Plants to UV-B Radiation and Salinity Stress

In order to understand the effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and salinity stress on visual quality and morphological parameters, one-year-old seedlings of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) were grown under three UV-B levels (0, 4.32, 6.05 kJ m-2 d-1) and four salinity regimes (Control, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl) under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that, enhanced UV-B radiation increased visual quality, growth index, plant biomass, shoot/root ratio, number of branches and leaves, leaf fresh and dry weight, leaf area index, specific leaf area, leaf thickness. UV-B radiation had no significant effect on root length, however, shoot height, length of axillary shoots, length of inter node, leaf area, leaf length and width and concentration of chlorophyll b were negatively impacted by UV-B radiation. On the other hand, salinity caused significant decrease in plant biomass, root length, shoot height, shoot/root ratio, length of axillary shoots, length of inter node, number of branches and leaf area, leaf area index, leaf length and width, leaf fresh and dry weight, specific leaf area and concentration of Photosynthetic pigments. But, number leaves and leaf thickness significantly increased under NaCl salinity treatments. Visual quality and growth index were hardly affected by increasing salinity until 100 mM, but declined clearly at 150 mM NaCl salinity. Interaction between UV-B irradiation and salinity showed that, pre-treatment with UV-B irradiation alleviated harmful effects of NaCl and improved visual quality rosemary plants

Physiological and Biochemical Changes Induced by UV-B Radiation in Rosemary Plants Grown Under Salinity Stress

Plants are exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation due to use of sunlight for photosynthesis. Additionally, salinity in soil or water influences the plant productivity and quality considerably. Moreover, when plants are simultaneously exposed to multiple stresses, one form of stress can affect the response to other stress. Particularly, it has been shown that they can benefit from dual tolerance as salinity and UV-B radiation are applied together. In order to understand the effects of UV-B radiation and salinity stress on some physiological and biochemical parameters, one-year-old cuttings of rosemary plants were grown under different levels of ultraviolet B radiation (0, 4.32 and 6.05 kJ m-2 d-1) and salinity stress (control, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl). The results showed that 4.32 kJ m-2 d-1 UV-B treatment significantly increased plant biomass up to 17.9% as compared to control. However, by increasing salinity to 150 mM, plant biomass significantly decreased up to 18.1%, as compared to control. Regardless of UV-B treatments, plants, grown under 100 mM salinity stress, had produced 2.8 times higher total phenolic compounds (TPC) and also have greater antioxidant activity (33.1%) in comparison to control. Both treatments, enhanced UV-B radiation and salinity stress, significantly increased the concentration of proline, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondealdehyde (MDA). In relation of total soluble sugar (TSS) and ion content, both treatments acted in an opposing manner. In turn, the enhanced UV-B radiation decreased concentration of TSS and the Na+ content in leaves, salinity stress increased the concentration of TSS, as well as the Na+ content in leaves and root. The plants grown under 150 mM salinity level accumulated 5.32 and 2.83 times higher Na+ ions in leaves and roots, respectively, than control. In addition, salinity significantly decreased the relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments and K+ content in leaves and roots. The interaction between UV-B irradiation and salinity showed that the UV-B radiation improved the K+ content in leaves, RWC and membrane stability and consequently resulted in a better tolerance of rosemary to salinity

Warm Stratification and Chemical Treatments Overcome the Dormancy and Promotes Germination of Colchicum kotschyi Boiss Seeds under in Vitro Condition

Colchicum kotschyi Boiss grows wildly in Iran. Propagation of this perennial geophyte plant takes a long time either by corm or seed. Seeds usually have a deep dormancy and take more than a year to germinate. Therefore in order to find out an effective method to shorten this period, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replicates was conducted to investigate the effects of warm stratification (no stratification and 8 weeks at 25oC) and different chemical priming treatments. Priming was done by: H2SO4 (0 and 50%) and GA3 at (0, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm) and KNO3 at (1 and 2%). Seeds were all cultured in a Potato Dextrose Agar media (1%) and put in a dark position for germination. The results showed that warm stratification priming alone, had a germination percentage of 28.7%. No germination was observed in control, H2SO4 and KNO3 treatments alone. Warm stratification along with GA3 significantly increased the germination percentage. Maximum germination percentage (70%) was obtained in warm stratification and GA3 (1000 ppm). It seems that the germination problem for most of the Colchicum kotschyi seeds is probably due to a kind of morphophysiological dormancy which is broken by warm stratification along with GA3

Callus induction and organogenesis capacity from lamina and petiole explants of Anthurium andreanum Linden (Casino and Antadra)

This paper describes a rapid and efficient protocol to propagate Anthurium andreanum Linden cultivars Casino and Antadra in presence of IBA, NAA, 2,4-D, KIN and BA through callus induction and organogenesis. Segments of lamina and petiole (micro-cuttings or explants) were cultured in MS basal medium with different concentrations of NAA (0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L) and BA (0.0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mg/L) to produce callus. After 65 days, the most callus production was observed in medium containing 0.5 mg/L NAA + 3 mg/L BA in dark conditions. Production of callus in younger explants grown in dark was better than that the older explants grown in light conditions. The development of shoots and plantlets was initiated later from calluses. NAA (0.0, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 mg/L), 2,4-D (0.00, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L), KIN (0.0 and 1.0 mg/L) and BA (0.0 and 1.0 mg/L) were used for shoot proliferation. The best proliferation of shoots per callus (22.83 shoots per cm of callus) was observed on medium supplemented with 0.01 mg/L NAA + 1 mg/L BA after 8 weeks in a 16/8 h light and dark cycle under a photoperiod of 50 μmol/m/s. Callus production and shoot proliferation were better in Antadra cv. than those of Casino. IBA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L), NAA (0.0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.25 mg/L) and KIN (0.0 and 0.2 mg/L) were applied for rooting of proliferated shoots. In root induction media, the largest number of root (11.50 roots per plantlets) was obtained on medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA + 0.2 mg/L KIN. Rooting was significantly higher in Casino cv. Regenerated plants were transferred to peat: perlite: sand (1:1:1) after hardening and they showed 96% of survival