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The post -harvest techniques of medicinal plants such as drying, is very important in their production cycle. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different drying methods on some phytochemical traits of Chuchak in the spring of 2020 based on the completely randomized design with three replications. The chuchak samples were collected in the vegetative stage from the gardens of Noor city, Iran. The drying treatments were shade -drying at room temperature (25 ±3°C), sun -drying, oven -drying (45, 55 and 65°C), vacuum oven -drying (45, 55 and 65°C), microwave -drying (200, 500 and 800 watts), and fresh samples. The studied traits were moisture content based on fresh and dry weight, drying time and speed, ascorbic acid content, protein content, total carbohydrate content, total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. The results of the variance analysis showed the significant effect of drying methods on all studied properties of the samples (P ≤0.01). The mean comparison showed that the minimum drying time and the maximum speed drying were related to the microwave (800watts). The highest amount of ascorbic acid (385.72 µg/mg), protein (19.72%), total phenol (47.19 mg GA per 1 g dry matter), total flavonoids (50.96 mg quercetin per 1 g dry matter) as well as antioxidant activity (76.02%) was observed in the fresh plant and then in the oven -drying (55°C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates the effects of humic acid concentration, its application methods as well as nitrogen ratios on the morphological, yield and biochemical characteristics of strawberry cv. Paros, during 2014–2015 in Ardabil Province, Iran. The study has been conducted within the framework of a double split plot randomized complete block design with three replications and density of 10 plants per replications. Different nitrogen levels (50, 100 and 150 kg ha−1) were examined in the main plots while application methods of humic acid (foliar and soil) and its different concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg ha−1) were considered in the subplots and sub-sub plots, respectively. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the interaction effects of different concentrations of nitrogen, humic acid and its application methods are significant on most of the measured variables at 5% probability level. Mean comparisons showed that the highest values for the leaf area, fruit yield, chlorophyll a, carotenoids and titratable acidity are associated with the combined treatments of nitrogen and humic acid with concentrations of 100 kg ha−1 and 4 kg ha−1, respectively. In three-way interactions, the highest shoot and root biomass and total chlorophyll content were obtained from the application of 100 kg ha−1nitrogen and 4 kg ha−1 foliar humic acid, while the highest nitrogen and protein contents of leaf and root were achieved upon applying 2 kg ha−1 foliar humic acid and 150 kg ha−1 nitrogen. Moreover, the highest amounts of ascorbic acid and total soluble solids were found at a concentration level of 100 kg ha−1 nitrogen along with applying 2 and 6 kg ha−1 foliar and soil humic acids, respectively. Finally, the best results of most of the studied traits were observed at 100 kg ha−1 nitrogen and 4 kg ha−1 foliar humic acid application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is one of the most important factors limiting crop yield and foliar application of phytoprotectants is an important management strategy for increasing crop resistance to drought stress. This research was conducted at Rice Research Station of Tonekabon, Iran, in 2018 by using a split-plot based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Main plots were irrigation regimes [common irrigation (control), and irrigation withold from tillering stage (45 days after transplanting)] and subplots were foliar application of phytoprotectants (control, selenium, silicon, ascorbic acid, salicylic acid). The results showed that irrigation withold from tillering stage caused a 29.3% reduction in grain yield in the absence of foliar application. Drought stress decreased plant height, tiller number and 1000-grain weight by 15.5, 14.95 and 3.34%, respectively. Drought stress increased proline content by 115%. Also, in the irrigation withold from tillering stage, foliar application with selenium, silicon, ascorbic acid, and salicylic acid led to increase in floret fertility percentage and 1000-grain weight, thereby increasing the grain yield up to 32.6, 31.9, 35.3 and 33.3%, respectively, compared to no foliar application (control). In general, the results of this study showed that foliar application of phytoprotectants can reduce the adverse effects of drought stress and improve the grain yield of rice under drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three independent experiments on peach and nectarine cultivars and genotypes in Iran showed significant variations in growth, yield, and biochemical behaviors. • 'Henri' was found to have superior yield, tissue firmness, and total soluble solids. • Specific cultivars were found to have higher yield efficiency and nutrient levels compared to control cultivars, and the study recommends 'Flamino', 'Nectared', and 'Henri' as the best nectarine cultivars and 'Shasta', 'Sorkho-Sefid Mashhad', 'Suncrest', 'Fayette', and 'Shandabad-Hasteh-Joda' peaches as superior cultivars for specific locations. • These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate cultivars for optimal growth and yield and continued research in stone fruit breeding. Stone fruit breeders face a significant challenge in obtaining new and high-yielding cultivars, and utilizing unknown ones. Among stone fruit, peaches and nectarines are the most prominent fruits. To address this issue, three independent experiments were conducted on various peach and nectarine cultivars and genotypes at two locations in Iran during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed significant variations in growth, yield, and biochemical behaviors among the different genotypes and cultivars. 'Henri' was found to have superior yield, tissue firmness, and total soluble solids. Additionally, certain peach cultivars, such as 'Fayette', 'Sorkho-Sefid-Mashhad', and 'Shandabad', had higher yield efficiency than the control cultivar 'J.H. Hale'. Furthermore, 'PMsh-5′ had higher levels of ascorbic acid, antioxidant capacity, and carotenoids. 'Haj-Kazemi' had the tallest average tree height, trunk diameter, and crown of the tree in Golmakan, while 'Anjiri-Zaferani' had the highest levels of total soluble solids, flavor index, and pH. Based on these findings, 'Flamino', 'Nectared', and 'Henri' are recommended as the best nectarine cultivars in Mashhad due to their high pomological and phenological traits. 'Shasta', 'Sorkho-Sefid Mashhad', and 'Suncrest', as well as 'Fayette' and 'Shandabad-Hasteh-Joda' peaches, are recommended as superior cultivars for Mashhad and Golmakan, respectively. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate cultivars for optimal growth and yield and emphasizes the need for further research in stone fruit breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. We assessed whether cosupplementation of vitamins C and E has additive beneficial effects on reducing the kidney damage and attenuation of the arterial pressure elevation compared to administration of either vitamin C or vitamin E alone in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertension. Materials and Methods. Forty rats were divided into 4 study groups and 1 sham-operated group. Unilateral nephrectomy was carried out in the study groups and hypertension was induced by deoxycorticosterone injection and 1% sodium chloride and 0.2% potassium chloride added to the drinking water. Vitamins C and E (200 mg/kg/day) or combination of them were administered with DOCA-salt for 4 weeks in 3 study groups. The effects of DOCA and salt and treatment with vitamins were compared in terms of blood pressure, urinary protein excretion, antioxidant activity of the kidneys, and renal histological changes. Results. Four weeks of supplementations of vitamins C, vitamin E, and both in the DOCA-salt-treated rats had comparable significant effects in decreasing systolic blood pressure. Urinary protein excretion and histological damage did not significantly change with the combination therapy of vitamins C and E compared to the vitamin C or E alone. The renal levels of glutathione and ferric reducing/antioxidant power in combination therapy group were similar to the two other treatment groups and were significantly higher than non-treated group. Conclusions. Co-administration of vitamin C and E does not have an additive beneficial effect on reducing the kidney damage and hypertension compared to either vitamin C or E alone in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]