Search

‘Piarom’ date (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the semi-arid and commercially important cultivars in Iran. In Ahvaz region of Iran, most of the date cultivars, including ‘Piarom’, turn sour and fall prematurely, during the rutab stage, due to high moisture content, leading to a major yield reduction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate different methods of artificial ripening of ‘Piarom’ dates in the khalal and rutab stages. The treatments included immersing the ‘Piarom’ fruit in acetic acid (1% and 2%) and NaCl (1%and 2%) solutions and freezing treatments for three times of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Harvesting of Khalal was done at three different times from the beginning of Khalal stage and once every two weeks. Fruit receiving an acidic acid application at 2% in all immersion and harvest treatments had the highest speed and percentage of transformation of khalal to rutab. Crop with a 2% acidic acid immersing treatment at the first and third harvests had the highest desirable fruit-finish. The highest percentage of desirable dates in the first and second harvests was related to 72- and 24-hours freezing treatments, respectively. By delaying the harvesting time, the moisture content of the khalals decreased significantly. The moisture content percentage of fruit obtained from chemical and physical treatments was higher than that of natural dates. There was no significant difference among different harvesting times regarding soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and percentage of reducing sugar of khalal fruit. In general, the SSC of artificially ripened fruit was lower than that of natural ‘Piarom’ dates. During all three harvest times, the TA level of date fruit obtained from chemical treatments was significantly affected by the treatments. In all three harvests, there was no significant difference among chemical treatments regarding of reducing sugars percentage. In all three harvests, the reducing sugar content of frozen fruit was lower than that of natural dates. According to the study, acetic acid at 2% was more successful than other treatments if it did not have a bad effect on the taste and aroma of the fruit. Thus, we suggest that the impact of other acid-containing compounds, but without the poor taste of acidic acid, such as acid extracts from other fruit be experimented for the ripening of ‘Piarom’ date in the future.

The competitive global fruit market mandates production of apples with high quality attributes, particularly fruit color. Harpin Protein (Messenger®) is shown to trigger resistance to blue mold in apples, but limited information can be found on the effect of this compound on fruit quality. In this study, the impact of Harpin protein on quality attributes of four apple cultivars was studied. “Red Spur Delicious” apple fruit from trees receiving Harpin protein had significantly (about 23%) better color, earlier ethylene evolution, and higher respiration than those from untreated control trees, while their firmness was not adversely affected. Application of Harpin protein on “Red Chief Delicious” apple improved fruit color and increased fruit size in two locations, and advanced starch degradation pattern in one orchard but reduced fruit firmness in one location. Harpin protein tended (but not significantly) to improve fruit color in “Jonathan” and “Early Spur Rome” but reduced fruit size in “Jonathan” apples. Messenger® increased fruit percentage dry weight and Fe but decreased fruit Ca, Mg, K, and Zn. Improving apple fruit color by Harpin protein could have major impacts on apple industry and warrants further study.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the oldest fruit trees that is native to Iran and resistant to hot warm and dry climate. Excessive fruit on the tree reduces fruit size and produces fruit...

Total crop load has an inverse relationship with fruit size, while larger fruit size is often demanded by the peach and nectarine markets. Hand-thinning is extremely expensive, and thus, crop load adjustment, using blossom thinners is a crucial practice to ensure production of commercially acceptable fruit size and yield efficiency in stone fruit. In this study, the influence of branched secondary alcohol ethoxylate (Tergitol TMN-6) and/or ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), Crocker Fish Oil (FO), and a mixture of calcium polysulfides and thiosulfate (lime sulfur) on fruit set and quality attributes in peaches (Prunus persica) and nectarines (P. persica var. nectarina) were studied. All blossom thinners reduced fruit set in “Summer Lady” peach in both 2016 and 2017. Fruit sets in “Summer Lady” peach trees with a double application of Tergitol TMN-6 at the rate of 7.5 or 10 mL ·Lˉ1, each rate applied at 40% and 80% bloom, were lower than those receiving the same rates of this chemical only at 80% bloom, but they were similar to those receiving a single Tergitol TMN-6 spray at 15 mL·Lˉ1 at 80% or 100% bloom. “Summer Lady” peach trees receiving FO at 20 mL·Lˉ1 plus lime sulfur at 25 mL·Lˉ1, once at 40% bloom and again at 80% bloom had lower fruit set as compared to Untreated Control but the fruit set was higher than those with any Tergitol-TMN-6 spray. Tergitol TMN-6 at 12 m·Lˉ1 at 100% bloom or 10 mL·Lˉ1 all stages of bloom reduced fruit set in “Zee Lady” and “Snow Giant” peaches. In “Snow Giant” peach, trees receiving Tergitol TMN-6 at all concentrations and blossom stages had significantly higher fruit weight as compared to the trees of Un-treated Control. Applications of Tergitol TMN-6 at all concentrations at 80% bloom reduced fruit set in “Red Globe” and “Elberta” peaches in Utah. ATS and FO slightly reduced fruit set in peaches but they were less effective than Tergitol TMN-6 in all cases. Overall, it is concluded that efficacy of blossom thinners depends on the rate of thinners, temperature, cultivar and stage of bloom development.

The use of well-feathered nursery trees on dwarfing rootstocks is crucial for establishing high-density apple orchards to ensure early production. Training trees to develop a tall spindle canopy architecture has gained popularity in high-density orchards during the past decade. However, commercially produced nursery trees often lack feathers or are unevenly branched, making initial training decisions difficult and delaying precocious fruiting. In this project, we studied the vegetative meristem activation response to partial scoring or partial girdling of the bark cambium above the bud, with and without application of 500 ppm Promalin (gibberellin4+7 + benzyladenine), tip removal of the tree leader at the silver tip stage on April 23, 2019, Promalin spray at 500 ppm at post-bloom stage on May 7, 2019, and nitrogen (N) as UAN-32 (32% N) application at five levels (60, 80, 100, 120, or 140 g actual N/tree) on June 20, 2019, in newly planted un-feathered or unevenly branched “Aztec Fuji” trees on Budagovsky 9 (Bud 9) in southwest Idaho, USA. Grower’s Short Cut trees received a heading cut to the leader at 60 cm above the ground and resulted in the emergence of 5 - 6 strong branches near the heading cut. These trees had larger trunk cross-sectional areas than scored or girdled trees. Scoring or girdling, with or without Promalin, significantly improved branching by increasing the number of branches and bourse shoots. In many cases, the effects of partial scoring, with or without Promalin, were similar to those of bark girdling which is a more risky and time-consuming process. Branches induced by scoring and girdling had sharper crotch angles relative to the vertical leader. Spraying Promalin during the post-bloom stage at 500 ppm was not as effective as scoring or girdling to initiate branches. Additional N rates or removal of the leader tip did not significantly impact branch induction.

The history of Persian gardens goes back to a few millennia before the emergence of Islam in Iran (Persia). Designs of Persian gardens have influenced and are used extensively in the gardens of Al-Andalus in Spain, Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal in India, and many gardens in the United States and other countries around the globe. Bagh in the Persian language (Farsi) means garden and the word Baghdad (the capital city of Iraq) is rooted from the words bagh and daad (meaning “the garden of justice”). Pasargadae, the ancient Persian capital city, is the earliest example of Persian garden design known in human civilization as chahar bagh or 4-fold garden design. Bagh-e-Eram, or Garden of Eden or Eram Garden, is one the most attractive Persian gardens and is located in Shiraz, Iran. There are numerous other urban ancient gardens in Iran, including Bagh-e-Shahzadeh (Shazdeh), meaning “The Prince’s Garden” in Mahan, Golestan National Park near the Caspian Sea; Bagh-e-Fin in Kashan; Bagh-e-El-Goli in Tabriz; and Bagh-e-Golshan in Tabas. The design of each Persian garden is influenced by climate, art, beliefs, poetry, literature, and romance of the country and the region where the garden is located. In addition, each garden may have a gene bank of fruits, flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Although countless gardens were destroyed in the hands of invaders throughout the centuries, Persians have attempted either to rebuild or build new gardens generation after generation, each of which has become a favorite destination to tourists from around the world.

Indiscriminate harvest of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) from their natural habitats affects availability and endangers existence of these plants. Therefore, approaches for promoting cultivation must be sought for the maintenance of these plants and the improvement of livelihood in local communities. Understanding factors affecting cultivation of MAPs is of paramount importance, particularly in developing countries, but research on this issue is scarce. This study aimed at identifying and prioritizing driving and inhibiting factors affecting cultivation of MAPs in Rasht, Iran, using the Delphi method. Multiple-response techniques were used to analyze the content (effective factors), using properly designed questionnaires. Data were analyzed using conventional techniques such as means, variation ratios, Shannon entropy, and triangular fuzzy numbers. Crucial factors promoting the cultivation of MAPs in the region were: (1) the identification of important native medicinal species compatible with the ecological conditions of the province, (2) the establishment of facilities for processing MAPs, and (3) providing experimental spaces for the domestication of wild medicinal species. On the other hand, the most important factors inhibiting the cultivation of these plants in the region were: (1) the lack of information that would motivate cultivation of medicinal plants, (2) the lack of herbal medicine companies in the province area, and (3) the lack of coordination between research centers and environment agencies in the context of decision making. Values of Kendall’s W were found to be 0.203 for the driving factors and 0.219 for the inhibiting factors, implying agreement of the experts, so that an additional round of Delphi was not required. Findings shed light on factors that could help policy-makers at national and international level to promote the cultivation of MAPs, thus linking regular quantity of MAPs for the pharmaceutical industry and ensuring livelihood and socioeconomic development of the local communities as well as conservation of the natural resource base.

World overpopulation, scarcity of water and finite arable land mandate a more efficient use of these natural resources. To remain sustainable, modern-day apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit production utilizes high-density orchards on semi-dwarfing, precocious rootstocks. Nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the use of size-controlling practices such as trunk girdling in these modern orchard systems. The impact of two rootstocks, two tree architecture (training) systems, and three levels of girdling (in spring) on chlorophyll index (CI), proline, chlorophyll content (Chl; a, b, a + b), carotenoids, anthocyanin, yield, fruit weight and leaf nitrogen (N) in “Aztec Fuji” were studied in 2015 and 2016. Trees on “Bud 9” had up to 5% higher chlorophyll indices in leaves on side branches than those on “Nic 29” at each sampling time in 2015 and 2016. However, trees on “Nic 29” had up to 5.5% chlorophyll index in terminal branches, 14% higher Chl b, 54% higher leaf proline in 2015, up to 5% higher leaf nitrogen (N) in 2015 and 2016, 82% higher yields in 2015, and up to 7% higher fruit weight in 2015 and 2016 than those on “Bud 9”. Trees trained into a central leader (CL) architecture had up to 6% higher chlorophyll index and 4% higher leaf N in terminal branches 2015 and 2016, 43% more terminal leaf proline content in 2015, but 13% less yield in 2016 than those with a tall spindle training (TS). Terminal leaves from trees receiving a bark girdling in 2015 (BG15) had up to 6.5% lower leaf N, 7% less chlorophyll index, and between 27% to 56% lower proline content than those from the ungirdled check and score girdled treatment in 2015 (SG15). Also, trees with BG15 and a bark girdling in both 2015 and 2016 (BG1516) treatments had significantly less leaf N concentration than all other treatments or the ungirdled check. Trees that were score girdled in 2015 and repeat score girdled in 2016 (SG1516) had 21% higher yield and 12% higher fruit weight than those that were ungirdled.

The impacts of cambium disconnection in ‘Aztec Fuji’ apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) trees on two rootstocks, each with either tall spindle (TS) or central leader with four lower main scaff...

The increasing scarcity of land and water for agriculture mandates an efficient use of these natural resources. Establishment of high-density orchards with the use of a size-controlling rootstock, in combination with a suitable canopy architecture, is an efficient method for fruit production. However, less attention has been paid to the use of size-controlling practices such as trunk girdling in these modern orchard systems. The impacts of two rootstocks, two tree architectures, and three levels of bark cambium cuts (girdling or scoring) on growth, yield, fruit quality attributes at harvest, and leaf nitrogen (N) in ‘Aztec Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) were studied in 2015 and 2016. Trees on Nic 29 had larger canopies, higher yields, and larger fruit, but lower fruit color, sunburn, and firmness than those on Bud 9. Trees with a tall spindle (TS) architecture had higher yield in 2016, higher fruit soluble solids and firmness in 2015, higher fruit russet in 2016, but shorter terminal growth in both 2015 and 2016 and lower leaf N in 2015 than did those with a central leader (CL) training system. Trees receiving a bark girdling in 2015 (BG15) or score girdling in 2015 and 2016 (SG1516) had significantly higher yield than trees on nongirdled trees (NOGD) in 2016. Bark girdling or score girdling in 2015 (BG15 or SG15) increased fruit weight (size), color, and firmness at harvest in the same year, although differences for score girdling were not always significant. However, BG15 or SG15 did not have a “carryover” effect and did not affect fruit size, color, or firmness at harvest in 2016. When bark scoring was repeated in 2016 (SG1516), fruit size was increased in 2016. On the basis of the results of this 2-year study, it appears that bark girdling in one year is sufficient to increase fruit size of the current year and the yield in the following year. If larger fruit size is the critical objective of fruit production, annual score girdling needs to be practiced. However, a further long-term study is needed to monitor the carryover effects of cambium girdling and scoring on tree performance and fruit quality attributes in the subsequent years.

In a long-term study between 2008 and 2011, the use of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), when a precise crop coefficient value (Kc) was used, provided a reliable irrigation scheduling for determination of water requirement for ‘Autumn Rose Fuji’ apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh) fully mature trees. Water use, yield, and fruit quality attributes at harvest were examined under various irrigation and nitrogen (N) systems that were scheduled using ETc. Trees with a full sprinkler (FS) system received ≈39% to 41% more water than those with a full drip (FD) system during the period of 2008–11 growing seasons. On average, mature trees with an FS system received 5927.6 L (944 mm), whereas those with an FD system received 3610.3 L of water per tree (554.9 mm) per growing season over the period of 2008 through 2011. Fruit from trees with FS and FD were larger, whereas those with 50% FS were smaller than those from all other treatments. Trees with 50% FS treatment received a higher volume of water but had smaller fruit size than those with 50% FD or 65% FD. Averaging values over 4 years revealed that applications of any form of deficit irrigation (DI), either by microjet irrigation or drip, increased fruit soluble solids concentration (SSC) and firmness but decreased water core at harvest. Considering yield, and quality attributes in this study, a well-calculated ETc-based FD irrigation system is recommended over any other irrigation regime. If application of deficit water is mandated, application of 65% FD is preferred over 50% FS, as trees with 65% FD treatment received less water while had larger fruit than those of 50% FS. Trees receiving 80 g N/tree had lower fruit color and russet than those receiving 40 g N/tree. However, other yield and quality attributes were unaffected by the rate of N fertigation.

Medicinal plants (MDPs) play a critical role in the healthcare provision of much of the world’s population, with undoubtedly increasing demand both in the number of species and in the volume of plant material being traded, but what drives demand for MDPs is not well understood. This study was conducted to evaluate factors affecting the demand for MDPs in the area of Rasht in northern Iran. A questionnaire was used as the primary means of data collection from consumers who were familiar with MDPs. The mean scores of identified favouring and disfavouring factors along with the bootstrapping confidence interval and Shannon’s entropy were used for ranking consumers’ attitudes. The main promoters of the demand were: the low complication by the consumption of MDPs, the consumers’ recommendation to others about the use of MDPs, and the lower prices of MDPs than common chemical medicines. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the main promoters could be grouped into three factors related to i) health benefits and availability of MDPs, ii) effectiveness and suitability of MDPs, and iii) price and tradition. On the other hand, the lack of insurance coverage of MDPs consumers, the lack of proper processing and packaging of MDPs, and the lack of adequate information about MDPs use by the authorities were the most important inhibiting factors of consumers’ demand for MDPs. Factor analysis revealed that the main deterrents could be grouped into four factors related to i) limited support of MDPs, ii) poor access to processed MDPs, iii) lack of alternatives and spatial limitations, and iv) uncertainty and lack of confidence. The data provide a useful snapshot of the factors affecting the demand for MDPs in Rasht of northern Iran. The information sheds some light on what drives the acceptance of MDPs by the consumers and provides interesting policy insights into the development of production concerning the sector of MDPs in northern Iran. Methodologically, the study could constitute a base for the formation of a theory for the demand of MDPs in future research.

Water shortage is a critical issue worldwide, and it may adversely impact non-food landscape plants. Thus, the impact of two levels of evapotranspiration-based (ETc) water stresses and two biostimulants consisting of abscisic acid (s-ABA) and Glycine betaine (GB) and their combined applications on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under climatic and soil conditions of the Intermountain West, USA were studied. Clippings with 50% ETc had higher percentage dry weight but lower fresh weight and chlorophyll index (CI) than those with 75% ETc. Performance rating of plots with 75% ETc was significantly higher (better) than those receiving the 50% ETc treatment. Clippings with the 75% ETc treatment had higher concentrations of nitrogen (N), nitrate, phosphorous (P), sulphur (S), potassium (K), sodium (Na), and copper (Cu) than those with the 50% ETc treatment. Considering all mineral nutrient values, chlorophyll indices, and performance ratings, we conclude that application of 75% ETc is sufficient for ...

This study was conducted to evaluate the influences of foliar spray of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and their combination on the fruit red skin color and quality attributes of ‘Red Delicious’ apple...

Adaptability and feasibility of table grape (Vitis vinifera or Vitis labrusca), asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), and quince (Cydonia oblonga) production under the high desert conditions of southwest Idaho in the Intermountain West region of the United States were studied. ‘Alborz’ table grape was harvested between 1 and 15 Sept. and with proper thinning, this cultivar had outstanding clusters and berries and could be a successful table grape for planting at commercial scales in warmer spots under conditions of this study. ‘Kashishi’ and ‘Autumn Royal’ were late-season cultivars and had large berries with excellent quality. ‘Ralli’, also called ‘Anahita’ in the Intermountain West, had attractive clusters and berry color, but was sensitive to frost and had poor production. ‘Princess’ grape was harvested between 5 and 30 Sept. and had poor fruit set, but berries had outstanding flavor. ‘Niitaka’ asian pear had the largest and firmest fruit with the lowest soluble solids concentration (SSC) among all tested asian pears. ‘Semi Dwarf Shinko’ asian pear had larger fruit than ‘Kikusui’ and ‘20th Century’ but smaller than ‘Niitaka’. However, ‘Kikusui’ and ‘20th Century’ had excellent fruit flavor and quality. Thus, ‘Kikusui’, ‘20th Century’, and ‘Niitaka’ asian pears can be chosen for planting under condition of this study. ‘Aromantnaya’ and ‘Rich’ quinces matured earlier and had lower fruit firmness than other cultivars. These cultivars can be planted for early market. Based on this study, ‘Van Deman’ can be chosen for fresh consumption if sweet cultivars are in demand by the market. However, ‘Rich’ and ‘Smyrna’ quinces can be chosen if fruit with large size and bright yellow color is preferred.

These days, achieving an optimal model and defining a comprehensive map for energy supply have become necessary in Iran. Considering a holistic approach and drawing a desired state in the different aspects of sustainability, including technical, economic and environmental criteria, this study introduces an optimal model in order to achieve cost-effective and environment-friendly energy resources under various 100 to 500-year scenarios using a genetic algorithm. Results determined the appropriate portfolio of energy resources in each mentioned period. According to the results, the share of fossil fuels to supply energy is higher than the other resources and the relative impact of financial indicator is more substantial than the environmental indicator in short-run, while this trend is rapidly changing toward renewable energy resources; so that a share of 63 percents of fossil fuels in the 100-year period has changed to the share of 62 percents of renewable energies during the 500-year period. Also estimating the harvest of each of the energy resources from there source capacity over a year showed that, along with increasing the length of various scenarios, the use of renewable and environment-friendly resources is recommended nearly full capacity utilization.

The art and science of horticulture and horticultural crops are integral parts of Iranian’s rich and ancient culture and modern economy. Many deciduous fruit, flowers, and vegetables are native to Iran (Persia), and from there, they were distributed to the rest of the world through the Silk Road established by the Achaemenid, the Royal Pars Dynasty. Variations in climate and presence of numerous mountains, lakes, rivers, and natural springs have created a unique country capable of producing all types of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Apples and other deciduous fruits are commercially produced in mountain ranges of Alborz and Zagrous and in many central provinces of Iran. The Caspian Sea area in the north of Iran is one of the most unique regions in the world where mild Mediterranean climate meshed with the adjacent Alborz mountain ranges has created a home to numerous species of edible horticultural plants, ranging from tea to cherries and pomegranates. Pistachio, olive, citrus, banana, and date are produced in Kerman, Fars, and Khuzestan regions. However, the Iranian horticultural industry faces many challenges, including global and regional political issues. Although some attempt has been made to preserve invaluable germplasm, a large number of native fruits, vegetables, and flowers are becoming extinct. Postharvest transportation and storage of horticultural crops is one of the most important issues facing Iranian horticulture. The future of horticulture in Iran can potentially be bright, and horticultural products have the potential to replace the oil income after reserves disappear, particularly if peace prevails in the region.

Tree architectures play a critical role in the productivity of high-density orchards, but limited information is available in this subject. We studied effects of three branch configurations on tree growth, yield components, fruit quality and leaf mineral nutrients in ‘Aztec Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Bork.) in a single row upright high-density system under southwest Idaho, USA conditions over 2012-2016. This study revealed that trees trained into a Tall Spindle (TS) had larger trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) than those with an Overlapped Arm (OA) system. Trees trained into a TS had higher number of fruit and yield per tree, three years after planting in 2012, than those with a Tipping Arm (TA) or OA system. However, in 2013, trees with a TA system had higher yield than those with a TS or OA configuration due to trees’ biennial bearing habit and higher spur formation in trees with a TA system. Trees receiving a TA training had lower biennial bearing index between all consecutive years. Trees with an OA training had smaller fruit than those with either a TA or TS training in all years between 2012-2016. Training systems did not have any effect on fruit color, soluble solids concentration, or starch degradation pattern at harvest. However, fruit from trees with an OA training had higher firmness and lower water core than those from trees with a TS or TA training. Leaves from trees receiving a TA training had greater leaf area, fresh weight, and potassium (K) and magnesium (Mn) concentrations than those with other trainings. Leaves from trees receiving an OA training had higher leaf iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) than those with a TS training. In this study, we concluded that training trees into a TA configuration rather than an OA system is recommended if the management and operation of apple production mandate the use of an “upright wall” structure to facilitate mechanical harvesting.

Urban horticulture describes economically viable horticultural production activities conducted in a city or suburb. It is a growing segment of horticulture in the United States as well as in developing countries, where the enormous growth of megalopolis is not backed by a simultaneous increase of farmland or agricultural productivity. Today, urban horticulture includes food sovereignty in underprivileged neighborhoods, increased availability of vegetables and fruits in big cities, healthy and diverse diets, improved food safety, low transportation costs, efficient resource use, and the mitigation of environmental impacts of horticultural production such as the emission of greenhouse gases. The workshop “Urban horticulture: From local initiatives to global success stories,” held at the 2018 American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) conference in Washington, DC, featured present and historical success stories of urban horticulture from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the United States.

Fruit thinning in stone fruit is an essential but costly cultural practice. Excessive fruit load can lead to lower fruit quality and tree and branch breakage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar gibberrelic acid (GA3) sprays at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L−1 on fruit set and fruit quality of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Shadoo) during the following season. Applications were made in mid May and mid June at about 6 and 10 weeks after full bloom. The results showed that application of GA3 at 50 or 100 mg L−1 sprayed at mid May effectively impacted several quality attributes, including fruit weight, length, and diameter. Based on this study, application of GA could have a major potential for thinning apricots at commercial scales.

Introduction. Iranian almond germplasm is regarded as one of the most diverse and valuable genetics resources for almond improvement. Materials and methods. In the present study, 155 almond genotypes were evaluated to determine the overall degree of variation and to detect superior trees. The variation was observed for traits related to phenology, morphology, yield and fruit quality. Results and discussion. Nut and kernel traits contributed most of the total variation but there were also significant differences in flowering and ripening times. The majority of important correlations were determined between the characteristics representing nut size and kernel size. Cluster and principal component analyses confirmed considerable diversity in the studied germplasm. Conclusion. Genotypes MSh11, MSh100, MSh97, MSh24 and MSh126 were the best trees in terms of flowering season, consistently high fruit set, large nut and kernel size, and low percentage of double kernels. Furthermore, genotypes MSh9 and MSh110 were very late flowering and could be useful in breeding to improve flowering season of almond.

‘Fuji’ apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh) has gained popularity in the past decades, but poor color of this apple mandates introduction of new strains. To pursue this objective, long-term effects of five ‘Fuji’ apple strains, consisting of ‘Autumn Rose’, ‘Desert Rose’, ‘Myra’, ‘September Wonder’, and ‘Top Export’ on RN 29 rootstock on fruit yield (in 7 years) and harvest time quality attributes (in 6 years) under climate conditions of southwest Idaho were studied during 2004–10. Fruit of ‘September Wonder Fuji’ trees were larger than those of other strains in 5 of 6 years. The type or pattern of peel color among the “low-coloring” and “high-coloring” strains varied widely. Fruits of ‘Autumn Rose Fuji’, ‘Myra Fuji’, and ‘Top Export Fuji’ always had less but ‘September Wonder Fuji’ and ‘Desert Rose Fuji’ had more red color. Fruit of ‘September Wonder Fuji’ had lower firmness but higher starch degradation pattern (SDP) than those of other strains every year as a result of the earlier maturity of this strain. Fruit of ‘Top Export Fuji’ had the lowest SDP among all strains. Fruit of ‘Autumn Rose Fuji’ tended to have lower soluble solids concentration in 3 of 6 years of this study. Considering all yield and quality attributes at harvest, ‘September Wonder’ was a great choice for an early-maturing and ‘Desert Rose’ was suitable for a late-maturing ‘Fuji’ strain. ‘Myra Fuji’ was particularly desirable for its attractive pink color that resembles bagged ‘Fuji’ without the expensive cost of labor associated with bagging.

A wide range of Boron-containing compounds is available in the world market, with different formulations and efficiencies. Among these compounds, nano-chelated products are becoming popular, although there is only limited information on their efficiency. Thus, this study considers the effects of boron nano-chelated fertilizer and boric acid foliar sprays on fruit and oil yield in olive cv. ‘Zard’. Their quality attributes were studied during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018. Fertilizers were used at the concentration of 105 (B1) and 158.8 (B2) mg boric acid, 200 (nano-B1) and 300 (nano-B2) mg nano-chelated boron, corresponding to 180 mg (B1 and nano-B1) and 270 mg (B2 and nano-B2) pure boron per liter. Spraying with water was considered as the control (B0). Fruit characteristics were affected mainly by nano treatments and fruit yield efficiency increased by the use of nano-B2. In spite of the heavy fruit weight and yield, the nano-B2 caused a lower amount of oil accumulation in fruits. A high oil percentage was achieved by the treatment of boron (B2) which resulted in a low crop load. Traits such as oil yield, free fatty acids, antioxidant activity and total phenol content were improved by the application of nano-B2 fertilizer. Fatty acid composition was affected by B1 foliar application. Generally, the data obtained from this study showed that nano-B2 could provide beneficial effects on the growth, fruit and oil yield rather than on oil percentage. The main fatty acid composition was influenced more by boric acid treatments.