Search

The genetic variability of Froriepia subpinata Ledeb. Bail., an endangered Iranian endemic species, has been estimated with a total of 52 accessions using 20 markers including ISSR and IRAP. The results showed the polymorphic band produced by primers was 82.3%. The best mean values of genetic diversity parameters observed in ISSRs markers, being UBC873, UBC811, and UBC873 the best primers tested. The similarity range among accessions was 34.45% to 93.3%. The cluster analysis classified the accessions into five main groups that in totally, accessions with similarity in region generally were clustered in the same group. Overall, present study could provide elementary information for formulation of conservation strategies and invaluable elementary genetic information for next breeding or designing conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seed is imported to Iran. A breeding program is needed locally to select elite lines. Factor analysis is a useful tool for investigating variable relationships for complex factors because it allows investigation of concepts that are not easily measured directly by collapsing a large number of variables into a few interpretable underlying factors. Forty genotypes, representing hybrids of commercial cucumber, cv. Negeen, and lines B10 and B12, developed locally, were used in the experiment at Rasht, Iran. Factor analysis, based on principal component analysis and varimax rotation, indicated the factors yield, major yield contributing factors, fruit quality, fruit firmness, and vegetative factors accounted for 66.5% of total variation. Genotypes positioned near the commercial cultivar in scatter diagrams were acceptable because they had high yield, and major yield contributing factors, and good fruit quality. If gynociouse and parthenocarpic lines are not available germplasm can be selected from progenies of commercial hybrids and local lines with a simple factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Froriepia subpinnata is an endemic endangered medicinal plant growing indigenous to Caspian coast forest in the north of Iran. This research was done to obtain primary information on morphological and phytochemical variation for the next step of domesticating and breeding of this plant. Twenty-three morphological traits measured indicated high variation among 52 accessions. There was a significant positive correlation between leaf dimension, plant height, and attributes related to biomass data. The range of phytochemical attributes analyzed was for total phenols (355.6-941.3 mg GAE 100 -1 FW), total flavonoids (204.33-540.74 mg CAT 100 g-1 FW), total carotenoids (1.52 to 3.15 µg 100g-1 FW) and antioxidant capacity (31.36-81.82 DPPH%.). The HPLC analysis results showed that chlorogenic acid was the dominant phenolic compound generally found in this plant. Total carotenoids had no significant correlation with other biochemical traits, while the rest exhibited a linear relationship with each other. UPGMA cluster based on combined data of morphological and biochemical traits showed 3 distinct groups with high inter and intra-regional variations. Also, these information were combined with molecular data to separate environment and genetic effects. The high level of variation of phytochemical and morphological traits among and within populations could be a useful tool for future breeding and selection programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of the effects of nutrients element and irrigation levels on production of Lily (Lilium LA Hybrid Fangio) can lead to optimal uses of nutrients and water. Plant growth is strongly correlated with the amount of irrigation and fertilization. In this regard, a greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different nutrient solution viz. high concentration of elements (S1), medium concentration of elements (S2), and high concentration of elements (S3) under different irrigation regimes (100, 90, 80 and 70% of field capacity (FC) in soilless culture. In wellwatered treatments (100% FC), S3 enhanced the vase life by 17% compared to S1. The maximum leaf number was observed in the interaction of S3 and 90% FC, whereas its minimum was found in the interaction of S1 and 70% FC. Under 70% FC, S3 increased the leaf length by 6% in comparison with S1. Leaf width was altered by simultaneous use of nutrient solution and irrigation, ranging from S2 and 80% FC (13.3 mm) to S1 and 70% FC (9 mm). In S3, 70% FC decreased the bud length by 9% relative to 100% FC. The days until flowering varied from the interaction of S2 and 70% FC (4.1 days) to S1 and 100% FC (6 days). Under S1 treatments, 70% FC decreased the flower number by 18% compared to 100% FC. The highest weight of daughter bulb was observed in interaction of S2 and 80% FC. In contrast, the lowest weight of daughter bulb was found in S2 and 90% FC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.) yield quantity and quality can be improved. Estimates of combining ability are useful in determining breeding value of cucumber lines by suggesting the appropriate use in breeding to generate new hybrids with high yield and quality. The research was conducted to estimate general and specific combining ability and heterosis in seven inbred lines proposed for cucumber breeding according previous research. The highest early yield specific combining ability (SCA) and general combining ability (GCA) were related to lines B10 and B12 and crosses B12 × A0 and B10 × A4. Lines A11 and B12 had the highest positive and negative cull yield GCA and the crosses A0 × B10 and A0 × B12 had the highest negative cull yield SCA. Lines B10, A4, and B12 and crosses B12 × A0, B10 × A11, and B10 × A4 had the highest positive marketable yield GCA and SCA. Lines B10 and A4 and crosses B12 × A0, B10 × A11, and B10 × A4 had the highest positive total yield GCA and SCA. Lines B10, B12, and A11 and the B10 × A4 cross had the highest positive simple weight index (SWI) GCA and SCA. Lines B10 and A4 are proposed for high-yield hybrid production, and their hybrid next generation are suitable for selecting and releasing new high-yielding lines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previous research indicated that the pumpkin (Cucurbita moschataL.) interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ had the most positive and negative heterosis for plant yield and plant length, respectively. Due to its negative heterosis for plant length it is possible to culture this plant at a higher plant density. Growers have two options when increasing plant populations per unit area; either within-row or between-row spacing can be decreased. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of altering plant population by varying between-row and in-row spacing on yield of pumpkin interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ to increase yield by reducing vegetative growth and increasing reproductive. The interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ was established at 1, 2, or 3 m between rows and 0.5, 0.75, or 1 m within rows. There were differences between inter- and between-row distances and their interaction on all characteristics except carotenoids content. Increasing interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ plant population by varying both between-row and in-row spacing increased yield; the highest yield (98.4 t•ha−1) was with a spacing of 1 × 0.5 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiitake mushroom [Lentinus edodes(Berk.)] can have an important role in specialty agriculture where land is limited. This research was the first step to improve mushroom cultivation technology in Iran using locally available lignocellulosic materials as substrate and supplemental materials. Effects of lignocellulosic substrate and supplemental material on biological efficiency, spawn running period, average weight and number of fruiting bodies, and yield of shitake mushroom was determined. Lignocellulosic sources used were oak sawdust, maple sawdust, fir sawdust, and wheat straw, and supplemental materials added were wheat bran, rice bran, maize powder, and no supplemental material (control). The highest biological efficiency (92.35%) was obtained with oak as the lignocellulosic material. The highest fruiting body weight (33.51 g) was noted where rice bran was used as a supplement. Spawn running period was reduced 29.82% with oak sawdust compared to fir sawdust or wheat straw. The highest and lowest numbers of fruiting bodies were from oak sawdust and wheat straw, respectively. There were no differences in yield between rice bran and the control. Substrate had a more pronounced effect on shiitake mushroom culture than did supplemental materials. The best substrate was oak sawdust and the best supplemental material was wheat bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepoL.) has a bush-type habit and sweet gourd (C. moschataDuch.) has high levels of carotenoids. It may be that these high-quality traits may be expressed in an interspecific hybrid generated from these crops through heterosis breeding. The study was undertaken to examine standard heterosis and broad sense heritability in vegetative, fruit yield, yield components, and qualitative characteristics in hybrids from fruit-type groups inC. pepoandC. moschata. Highest and lowest broad sense heritability were for yield·ha−1(33.2%) and flesh thickness (25.5%). The highest standard heterosis in relation to the standardC. moschatavariety (MO6) was from the MO11×P25hybrid, the former fromC. moschataand the latter fromC. pepofor stem length of plants with theC. moschatafruit type. The highest standard heterosis in relation to the standardC. pepovariety (P1) was from the P1× MO9hybrid, the former fromC. pepoand the latter fromC. moschatafor plant weight with the pumpkin fruit type. In plants with the zucchini fruit type the highest, and lowest, standard heterosis in relation to the standardC. pepovariety in this type (P25) was from the P5×MO3hybrid, the former fromC. pepoand the latter fromC. moschata, for fruit yield and plant weight, respectively. Specific crosses betweenC. pepoandC. moschataand some interspecific hybrids have superior yield and qualitative traits. Dominant variance is more important than additive variance there for hybridization for seed production. For yield, selection to generate a high recombinant line can probably be accomplished due to high heritability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Understanding the method of inheritance is valuable for breeding watermelon (Citrullus lanatusL.) cultivars with desired seed size. Local open-pollinated landrace were used to investigate inheritance of watermelon seed size. Seed length in 1000 seed was measured. Seed > 20 mm were used. Seed length of 1000 seed of the next generation was measured. Improvement of seed length in response to selection was used to calculate narrow-sense heritability. Mean seed length of landrace was 19.0 mm. Seed used to produce the next generation had a mean length of 20.46 mm. The next generation had a mean seed length of 17.6 mm, a decrease of 14%. Both selection differential and absolute magnitude response to selection was 1.4. Diversity between large seeds is not genetic but likely due to environment. Selection is not recommended for seed size improvement and hybridization may be more suitable for this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Slovenica is the property of Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most popular and versatile vegetables in the world, and organic production with a high yield and desirable quality is a target of many producers. The effect of four different fertilizers (chemical, municipal solid waste compost, cattle manure, and spent mushroom compost) on four commercial tomato cultivars (Redstone, Flat, Peto Pride and Chief) was assessed in this research. The highest yield was obtained with the Chief cultivar when fertilized with chemical fertilizer and the lowest value was obtained with Peto Pride fertilized with 20 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) of cow manure. The difference between the two classes of fertilizers (organic and chemical) was not very high so that organic fertilizers are competitive and may be a suitable replacement for chemical fertilizer. According to our results, to achieve maximum yields with organic fertilizers, 20 t/ha of spent mushroom compost can be recommended for the Redstone cultivar, 30 t/ha of cow manure for Flat, 300 t/ha of municipal solid waste compost for Peto Pride, and 300 t/ha of municipal solid waste compost or 20 t/ha of spent mushroom compost can be recommended for the Chief cultivar. These recommended organic fertilizing regimes achieved cultivar yields comparable to the chemical fertilizer treatments, achieving a yield of 98.4% for Redstone, 99.5% for Flat, 97.6% for Peto Pride, and 95.7% for Chief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic mulch increased minimum temperature of soil, accelerated plant height, early growth, early yield, and bring satisfactory weed control without any application of herbicides. This experiment was laid out on three-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during 2008-2010 at the National Rice Research Institute, Rasht, Iran using three kinds of mulches (Transparent and black PE and rice straw). Results showed that garlic total yield, bulb ash percent, TSS, vitamin C and flavonoids content were affected by mulching. Although mulching could improved some quality indices in garlic but no effect on forcing was observed. Due to two years experiment and interaction between year and mulches the usage of rice straw in rainy and cool season and plastic mulch in low rain fall and warm season recommended increasing garlic quality as second crop in rice field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison among two forms of half-diallel analysis was made. The different half-diallel techniques used were Griffing's model I, method 2 and 4. These methods of diallel analysis were found to be interrelated. However, as Griffing's model I, method 4 partitioned heterosis into different components as well as gave information about combining ability and this method had certainly some advantages over the other. The results further indicated using parental generations in the second Griffing method may cause biased estimate of the GCA and SCA variances. Thus, using the fourth Griffing method is more suitable than the other methods in providing time, cost, and facilities, and it is recommended as an applicable method.