Plant Propagation
Amir Saadatfar; Effat Ahmadi Mousavi; Iraj Tavassolian
Abstract
Purpose: Ferula assafoetida (L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with many applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It has been endangered due to overharvesting from natural habitat and long period of seed dormancy. Knowledge of seed germination behavior leads ...
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Purpose: Ferula assafoetida (L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with many applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It has been endangered due to overharvesting from natural habitat and long period of seed dormancy. Knowledge of seed germination behavior leads to the development of its conservation and cultivation. Research methods: We conducted this research as a factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate seed germination in response to low temperature, plant growth regulators (kinetin, gibberellin, carrageenan as plant bio-stimulant) and TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). The germination percentage and rate, mean germination time, and radicle elongation were measured. Findings: The results showed that the cold (4 °C), GA3, carrageenan, kinetin and TiO2 NPs increased seeds germination rate and percentage. Maximum seed germination percentage (86% or 23% more than control) and minimum mean germination time (26 days or 12.6 days shorter than control) obtained with seeds pretreated by kinetin soaking and TiO2 NPs treatment at 4 °C. Furthermore, most treatments produced healthier and stronger radicles compared to the control which is vital for better establishment and growth. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: The price and demand of asafoetida products have been increased dramatically. The most important constrain to hinder reliable supply of the products is the shortage of plant or difficulty to access its products. Here, we showed the cost effective and environmentally friendly methods to provide high seeds germination with vigorous roots.
Plant Nutrition
Farid Moradinezhad; Mina Mohammadian Moghaddam; Mehdi Khayyat
Abstract
Purpose: The effect of foliar application of gibberellic acid and boric acid on bioactive compounds and quality of pomegranate fruit cv. Shishe-Kab was investigated. Research Method: This was accomplished through the field and laboratory experiments at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, ...
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Purpose: The effect of foliar application of gibberellic acid and boric acid on bioactive compounds and quality of pomegranate fruit cv. Shishe-Kab was investigated. Research Method: This was accomplished through the field and laboratory experiments at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran, during 2017 and 2018 seasons. Gibberellic acid (50 and 150 mg L-1) and Boric acid (200 and 600 mg L-1) were applied three times at one-month interval; late in May, June, and July during growth and developmental stages of fruits. The experiment was set in a completely randomized block design. Fruits were harvested at full maturity stage late in October, and physicochemical properties were evaluated. Findings: Results showed that anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity significantly decreased while fruit firmness, ascorbic acid content, and fruit cracking increased in gibberellic acid treatments. Application of 50 mg L-1 gibberellic acid significantly increased total soluble solids content and maturity index, but decreased titratable acidity in the fruits.However, foliar application of gibberellic acid and boric acid did not have significant effects on the pH and phenolic compounds of the fruit. Research limitations: Inability to examine different pomegranate cultivars in the investigation was a limitation. Originality/Value: Pre-harvest foliar use of gibberellic acid and boric acid showed positive and negative effects on postharvest quality attributes of Shishe-Kab pomegranate. Thus, further studies need for practical application.
