JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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In this study the effects of four quince harvesting times (at 10 - day intervals), in 2 years on fruit quality during cold storage for 5 months at 0˚C and 85% Relative Humidity were investigated. Fruits were picked from orchards in Flavargan region of Isfahan. Every month, pH, sugar content, acidity, TSS, tissue firmness of fruits were determined. Variance analysis shows that the effect of year on TSS, sugar content, and pectin was siginificant (α =1%) as well as on tissue firmness (α =5%). Harvesting time effect was only significanrt on sugar content while storage time showed a significant effect on TSS, Sugar content and acidity of fruits. Year and harvesting time interaction effect on sugar content and TSS was significant ( α=1%). Year and storage time interaction effect on pH, pectin and tissue firmness was significant while no significant effect on measured parameter was observed for harvesting time and storage time interaction. Simultaneous effect of year, Storage time and harvesting time on pH, pectin and tissue firmness was significant ( α=1%). Meanwhile average analysis by Duncan test showed that different harvesting times had no significant effect on measured parameters except on fruit sugar content. Acidty , pH., and TSS values were changing significantly durig storage. Sugar content of 4th and 5th months of storage was maximum. Pectin content, acidity and tissue firmness showed the maximum level at the first harvesting time while pH was maximum at the 2nd harvesting time. It was concluded that 4th harvesting time (181 days after flowering period) and 5 months of cold storage are the optimum conditions to keep the quality quince.

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A total of 25 advanced rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties were evaluated under cold weather conditions using Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with four replications in Dr. Nakhjavani Agricultural Research Station, 35 km North-East of Urmia the capital of West Azerbaijan province in 2000-2001. The results showed significant differences among the varieties (P ≥ 0.01) for all the phenological stages including days to germination, days to rosette completion, days to initiation of stem elongation, days to flowering initiation, pod formation stage and days to maturity. The spring varieties Sarigol (PF7045/91), Hyola 42 and SYN1 and autumnal varieties Alice, Eurol, Fornax, VDH 8003-98, Consul, Licord and Zarfam (Regent× Cobra), showed early maturity. On the other hand, Mohican, Olara, Colvert, L-1 and Akamar were late mature varieties. In fact, the most prolific varieties, DP.94.8, Zarfam (Regent ×Cobra) Cocktail, Consul and SLM046 (control variety) had the highest ability survive in the cold conditions and they completed their rosette stage sooner than the other varieties. There was positive and significant correlation between duration of pod formation stage and seed yield. Maturity date of varieties was positively and significantly correlated with harvest index, number of seed per pod, days to germination, days to rosette completion, days to stem elongation, days to flowering, and days to pod formation. Negative and significant correlations were found between days to maturity and duration of flowering and pod formation stages. It can be concluded that delay in initiation or completion of each growth stages could delay maturity of the rapeseed varieties.

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Production of halophytes using saline waters and soils, and feeding livestock with them, is one of the most sustainable ways of desert ecosystems conservation and food production for people living in these areas. A field experiment was conducted at Salinity Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2007 to evaluate the effect of planting density and harvesting time on oil and protein yield of Kochia. Treatments were arranged as a split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Planting density (10, 20, 30 and 40 plants m-2) as assigned to main plots and two dates of harvesting (after 50% flowering and full maturity) constituted the sub-plots. Plant density had a significant effect on grain yield, mean seed weight, harvest index, oil yield, oil content and protein yield at maturity stage. Forage and protein yield were also affected by plant density at the harvest date of 50% flowering. Total dry matter, protein yield and percentage differed significantly between the two harvest dates. The greatest grain yield (2590 kg ha-1) and oil yield (357.7 kg ha-1) were achieved from 20 plants m-2, whereas those from 10 plants m-2 were minimal. Maximum protein yield (3390 Kg ha-1) was obtained from the planting density of 30 plants m-2 at 50% flowering stage. Based on the results of this study, the best qualitative yields for Kochia could be obtained from a planting density of 30 plants m-2 after 50% flowering but one may recommend planting Kochia at 20 plants m-2 for a high grain or oil production.

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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of paclobatrazol and cycocel on some quantitative and qualitative traits of zinnia. Seedlings were transplanted on Horticulture Department Farm , College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology. The experiment was carried out in the framework of randomized complete block with 3 replications. Triats which were studied included plant height, leaf and flower number, lateral shoot number, flower diameter, lateral shoot lenght, leaf chlorophyl content, the period of the flowering, root fresh and dry weight, leaf area, root number, diameter and length, root and shoot carbohydrate. Results showed that cycocel at 1000 and 2000 ppm reduced height. Cycocel 2000ppm caused most lateral shoot and flower number and the lowest lateral shoot length. The lowest root fresh and dry weight, root number and length and shoot carbohydrate were obtained by cycoel 2000 ppm. Paclobutrazel at 30ppm resulted in the most leaf chlorophyl content. There were no significant differences between treatments related to the period of the flowering, flower diameter, leaf number and area, root diameter and carbohydrate.