Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Effects of silicon on antioxidant activity and the decrease of bending in cut gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) flowers 201 216 FA Javad Sadeghi Feragheh Shahid bahonar University javadsadeghi8791@gmail.com N Homayoun Farahmand Shiraz University homayoun.farahmand@gmail.com Y Fatemeh Nasibi Shahid Bahonar University nasibi2002@gmail.com N Rooholah Abdolshahi Shahid Bahonar University abdoshahi@gmail.com N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.201 The cut flower industry is economically important across the world. Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) is one of the most popular cut flowers in Iran and worldwide and the improvement of its postharvest life is very important. Stem bending during the early stage of vase life is a critical problem in many cultivars of this flower. In this research, silicon as an antioxidant compound was used at 500 and 1000 micromolar concentrations, and the effects on some oxidative characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activity, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and polyphenol oxidase activity in three colors (Rosalin, Stanza, and Apollo) of cut gerbera flower were investigated. Histological studies also were performed by hand sections and light microscopy. Silicon application prolonged the vase life in all three cultivars of gerbera. The lowest vase life (6 days) was measured in the control treatment and the highest vase life (17.33 days) was gained in Rosalin using 1000 µM silicon.  Meanwhile, a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and PAL was detected, while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased. It seems that silicon improved the quality of gerbera cut flowers by scavenging free radical oxygen, preserving cell membrane integrity, decreasing PPO activity, and increasing the vascular and supporting tissue.   Gerbera, Postharvest quality, Vase life http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-235-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-235-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 The importance of woody cuts for ornamental horticulture industry 217 240 FA Fatemeh Aghebati Shahid Bahonar University f.aghebati1375@gmail.com N Homayoun Farahmand Shiraz University homayoun.farahmand@gmail.com Y Vahid Reza Saffari Deparment of Horticulture. College of Agriculture. Shahid Bahonar University safariv@uk.ac.ir N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.217 Highly urbanized modern lifestyle, has put human under severe psychological pressures. To overcome these depressions, plants are necessary in the home and workscape and ornamental horticulture plays an important role in this regard. In addition to cut flowers, as a specific and mainly herbaceous group of ornamental plants, the stem of some trees, shrubs, and woody vines are used for flower arrangement goals, and the technical term “woody cutsˮ is used for them. Woody cuts are an important group of ornamental plans forming a considerable section of production, export, and sale of flower and ornamental industry worldwide, hence, 25-30% of the cut flower market. Flowering stems, bare stems, foliage, buds, fruits, and bark of these plants have wide use for innovative designs in floral arrangements and flower baskets. Meanwhile, in addition to the use of woody cuts for garden and landscape design, their pruned parts could be used for cut flower markets, as well. Considering the reasonable diversity of woody cuts, they are available in all seasons and for any normal or special market. Some species of Salix, Eucalyptus, Cornus, Ilex, Syringa, Buddleja, Forsythia, Myrtus, Magnolia, Viburnum, Rosa, Callicarpa and Cottinus are among the most important woody cuts. In this article, the importance of the cultivation of woody cuts is reviewed.     Colorful stems, Flower arrangement, Foliage plants, Vase life http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-241-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-241-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 The effect of paclobutrazol and cycocel on growth and flowering characteristics of geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) 241 254 FA Seid Mostafa Sadeghi Islamic Azad University mostafa.sadeghi2858@gmail.com N Elham Danaee Islamic Azad University dr.edanaee@yahoo.com Y 0000-0003-2494-2011 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.241 In ornamental plants, especially geraniums, controlling vegetative growth, reducing plant height and increasing plant density is of great importance. Cycocel and paclobutrazol are chemical substances that are widely used in reducing the growth of a large number of plants. Because these compounds absorb free radicals, they delay the aging of flowers and reduce oxidative stress in the plant, thus having a positive effect on flower longevity. The effect of foliar application of cycocel and paclobutrazol on vegetative growth and flowering indicators of geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse. The treatments included the foliar application of cycocel (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg l-1) and paclobutrazol (50, 75, and 100 mg l-1), which were applied at the 6-8 leaf stage, the results showed that all treatments had a significant effect on the measured variables. The highest fresh (66.87 g) and dry weight of the aerial part (9.8 g), catalase (2.77 unit enzyme g -1 FW of petal), and peroxidase activity (14.34 unit enzyme g-1 FW of petal) in the 1500 mg l-1 foliar application of cycocel and the highest total chlorophyll content of leaf (12.71 mg g-1 FW), anthocyanin (2.91 mg l -1), protein (51.12 µg g-1 FW of petal), superoxide dismutase activity (2.75 unit enzyme g-1 FW of petal) and flower longevity on plant (20.92 days) in the 1000 mg l-1 foliar application of cycocel were observed. The highest index of membrane stability (78.17 %) was also in the 500 mg l-1 cycocel, and the highest root length (43.85 cm) and the lowest plant height (20.59 cm) belonged to the 100 mg l-1 paclobutrazol foliar application, while the highest plant height (26.78 cm) belonged to control. In general, foliar application with growth retarders, especially cycocel at 1000 mg l-1, is recommended to improve the growth characteristics, and flowering, and increase the marketability of Pelargonium hortorum. Enzyme, Flower longevity, Geranium, Protein http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-271-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-271-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Morpho-physiological changes in alstroemeria ʿFrostyʾ cut flowers treated with sodium nitroprusside and thymol 255 278 FA Atiyeh Oraee Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad atiyeh.oraee@alumni.um.ac.ir N mahmoud shoor Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad shoor@um.ac.ir Y Toktam Oraee Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad oraee.toktam@yahoo.com N mahboobe miri Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad s.m.miri2922@gmail.com N mahdieh eisaei Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mahdieh.eisaei@gmail.com N simin Atarazadeh Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad attaranzadeh@gmail.com N Samane khoshangosht Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad samanekhoshangosht@gmail.com N narges harati Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad harati70e@gmail.com N seyed ali Assaran Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad aliassaran12@gmail.com N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.255 Increasing the marketability of cut flowers is very important from an economic point of view and alstroemeria cut flowers are considered as one of the most important cut flowers in Iran and worldwide. To investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (0, 50, and 100 μM) and thymol (0, 50, and 100 mg L -1) on the morpho-physiological traits of alstroemeria, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design. The longest vase life (16.3 days) was observed in the treatment with 100 µM sodium nitroprusside with or without thymol. In the treatments without sodium nitroprusside, no changes were observed in flower longevity with increasing thymol concentration. The interaction effects of sodium nitroprusside and thymol on relative fresh weight on days 5, 7, 9, and 13 and solution uptake were significant in all days. For the treatments with 50 and 100 µM sodium nitroprusside along with 50 mg L-1 thymol, there was an upward trend in solution absorption and relative fresh weight until the fifth day and a downward trend thereafter. The lowest value for relative fresh weight and solution absorption was observed in the control treatment. The highest values of chlorophyll a (0.16 mg L-1), chlorophyll b (0.078 mg L-1), and total chlorophyll (0.238 mg L-1) were observed in the 100 µM sodium nitroprusside and 50 mg L-1 thymol treatments. In the treatments with 100 μM sodium nitroprusside without or with thymol, the lowest amount of bacteria (3.51-62.3 log10 CFU/ml) and the highest amount of this indicator (3.88 log10 CFU/ml) was detected in the control treatment. No significant difference in dry weight was observed in the treatments without sodium nitroprusside and 50 μM sodium nitroprusside with increasing thymol concentration, but the highest amount of dry weight was observed in the treatment with 100 μM sodium nitroprusside and 50 mg L-1 thymol. The results of this experiment suggested the use of 100 μM sodium nitroprusside with or without thymol to extend vase life and reduce chlorophyll degradation in alstroemeria cut flowers. Preservative solution, Nitric oxide, Essential oils, Cut flowers http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-279-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-279-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Potassium silicate and mycorrhizal fungi effect on morphological traits of Matthiola incana under drought stress 279 296 EN Alireza Sharifian nahal_parisan@yahoo.com N Abbas Mirzakhani a.mirzakhani@areeo.ac.ir Y Shahab Khaghani shahab.khaghani@gmail.com N fazel fazeli kakhki sf_fazali@yahoo.com N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.279 The effects of foliar application of potassium silicate and inoculation with mycorrhiza on alleviating the effects of drought stress on Matthiola incana plants were explored in a split-split-plot experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications in Perndis Greenhouse Complex during 2019-2020. The main plot was assigned to drought stress at three levels (25%, 50%, and 70% FC), and the sub-plot was assigned to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) at two levels (0 and 200 g of fungi per pot), and the sub-sub-plot was assigned to potassium silicate (PS) at three levels (0, 200, and 400 ppm). The results showed that at moderate drought stress (50% FC), stem dry weight was increased by about 20% compared to the control. The maximum root length (13.9 cm), which was about 53% higher than that of the control, was recorded in AMF-inoculated plants exposed to moderate drought stress and sprayed with 400 ppm SP. The results also showed that the foliar application of 400 ppm PS in the absence of AMF inoculation was related to 46% higher leaf dry weight than the treatments of 0 ppm SP with no AMF inoculation. The highest number of flowers in all drought stress levels was obtained from the application of the higher levels of PS. The maximum root dry weight was observed in AMF-inoculated plants exposed to moderate drought stress and treated with 400 ppm SP. Proline content was reduced by the application of 200 g of AMF and 400 ppm of PS at moderate and severe (25% FC) drought stress levels. In general, at moderate and severe drought stress levels, some vegetative and reproductive traits were improved by the foliar application of 400 ppm PS and AMF inoculation. Flower number, Leaf number, Proline, Stem dry weight http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-244-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-244-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Biochemical changes in the leaves of Rosa damascena in response to different forms of silicon under salinity stress conditions 297 310 FA Mostsfa Khoshhal Department of Horticulture and Green Space, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources khoshhal.sarmast@gmail.com Y 0000-0002-1020-1856 Mina Khorami moghadam Department of Horticulture and Green Space, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources mkhorrami1357@gmail.com N 0000-0002-1020-4563 Sara Khorasani nejad Department of Horticulture and Green Space, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources skhorasaninezhad@gmail.com N 0000-0000-5555-2555 Azim Ghasemnejad Department of Horticulture and Green Space, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources ghasemnezhad@gau.ac.ir N 0000-0002-7866-5786 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.297 It is very important to provide effective solutions to control the salinity stress in ornamental plants due to the increase of unpredictable climate changes and salin soil in different parts of the earth. Therefore, the effects of salinity (combination of sodium chloride and calcium chloride 100, 200, and 500 mM) and silicon (250 mg L-1 nanosilicon and 250 mg L-1 potassium silicate) were investigated on Rosa damacena plants under controlled glass greenhouse condition as a completely randomized design. Some leaf physiological responses (ion leakage, relative water content), proline level and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were evaluated. The results showed that nanosilicon and potassium silicate prevented ion leakage caused by salinity compared to the control. Additionally, the relative water content was maintained to a large extent in response to silicon and nanosilicon. Silicon and nanosilicon also increased the proline content in the leaf, but this effect was more significant under salinity stress conditions, indicating a close relationship between salinity stress and silicon. In general, the resistance to salinity stress in Rosa × damascena appeared to be controlled by non-enzymatic mechanisms, as the application of silicon and nanosilicon under saline conditions had a synergistic effect in increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Antioxidant enzymes, salt, silicon, nano silicon http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-278-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-278-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Possibility of improving seed germination indices in petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) and zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) using priming techniques 311 326 FA Mehdi Falah Latif Hamudi University of Tabriz falah.mehdi.latif.hamudi@gmail.com N Mansour Matloobi University of Tabriz mmatloobi@gmail.com Y Alireza Motallebi Azar University of Tabriz motallebiazar@gmail.com N Mina Amani University of Tabriz mina76amani@yahoo.com N 0000-0003-4144-0929 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.311 The rapid flowering of bedding flowers, such as petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) and zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.), increases the uniformity of the seedbed and their simultaneous flowering. In this study, the effect of seed priming on the germination and vigor of petunia and zinnia seedlings has been investigated. A factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with two factors, the first factor, the plant species, and the second factor, three salts of potassium nitrate, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride along with control in the laboratory of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Qasim-ul-Akhra University of Babol, Iraq. The results showed that in both plants, halopriming treatment with 50 mM potassium nitrate and calcium chloride for 24 hours provided better results in terms of germination and seedling growth. Between the two treatments of potassium nitrate and calcium chloride, there was no significant difference in the characteristics of time to reach 50% germination, average germination time, germination index, final germination, and wet and dry weight of roots and shoots of petunia and dry weight of zinnia shoots. In general, the findings of this study will be important in understanding the direct physiological effect of halopriming in increasing seed germination and seedling establishment in petunia and zinnia and can provide detailed information about the potential effectiveness of priming with potassium nitrate and calcium chloride to the seed industry.   Germination index, Germination percentage, Halo-priming, Seed germination http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-282-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-282-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Investigating the hybridization of Lilium ledebourii Boiss with some commercial lilium cultivars and the possibility of in ovulo culture in their crosses 327 340 FA Younes Mahdavi Fikejvar Islamic Azad University mahdavi_nursery@yahoo.com N Pejman Azadi Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) azadip22@gmail.com Y Freshteh Nematolahi Islamic Azad University fnematollahi@yahoo.com N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.327 Susan-e-Chelcharagh (Lilium ledebourii) is a rare native plant in Iran, primarily found in the elevated terrains of the Alborz region. This study explores the potential for crossbreeding L. ledebourii with commercially available lily varieties. Initially, the study compares the cytogenetic profile of L. ledebourii with several commercial cultivars. Subsequently, the feasibility of hybridization between L. ledebourii and a subset of commercial lily cultivars were analyzed. The study also examines the viability of in ovulo culture in maternal genotypes of Brindisi and Paradero cultivars when cross-pollinated with L. ledebourii pollen. Moreover, the effects of different time intervals (10, 20, and 30 days after-pollination) and NAA concentrations (ranging from 0 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L) on ovule development within MS medium were considered. The findings reveal that L. ledebourii is a diploid plant with functional pistils and pollen grains. However, when used as the maternal parent in crossings with commercial cultivars, all pistils undergo abscission, preventing fruit set. Additionally, fruit set is conspicuously absent when L. ledebourii serves as the paternal parent in crosses with the Companion, Fangio, and Arvandrud cultivars, and fruit formation is transient in other examined cultivars, disappearing completely by the eighth week post-pollination. The results of the in ovulo culture assays highlight the significant influence of isolation time and NAA concentration on ovule viability and enlargement. Notably, in the Brindisi cultivar, ovule germination becomes apparent when isolated 30 days after-pollination and supplemented with 0.1 mg/L NAA. In conclusion, interspecies hybridization involving L. ledebourii as the pollinating parent and select commercial cultivars remains possible by skillfully managing pre- and post-fertilization barriers through using optimal cultural media. Flow cytometry, In ovulo culture, Ploidy level, Susan-e- Chelcheragh http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-259-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-259-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Determining a suitable growing media to improve the germination of Hippeastrum hybridum Hort. seeds 341 352 FA mohammad hossein azimi m.h.azimi58@gmail.com Y mohammad alh khalaj khalaj56@yahoo.com N anousheh yousefbeiki anousheh.y@gmail.com N Tayebeh Basaki N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.341 To investigate the effect of different culture media on seed germination and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Hippeastrum hybridum seedlings, 9 different culture media including: 1) 100% sand, 2) 100% fine perlite, 3) 50% sand + 50% fine perlite, 4) 50% sand + 50% cocopeat 5) 50% perlite + 50% cocopeat, 6) 33% sand + 33% cocopeat + 33% perlite, 7) 50% peat + 50% perlite, 8) 33% peat + 33% cocopeat + 33% perlite, 9) 50% peat + 50% sand. Then, 90 seeds of almost the same size were planted in three replicates and 30 seeds in each bed at the same time. The results showed that the highest germination rate from treatment 9 (50% peat moss + 50% sand) with 11.8 seeds per day, the best germination period related to treatment 8 (33% peat + 33% cocopit + 33% perlite) On 8.2 days, the maximum diameter and weight of bulb from treatment 2 (100% perlite) were obtained with an average of 0.62 cm and 0.27 gr, respectively. The maximum leaf width was obtained from treatments 2 (100% perlite) and 3 (50% sand + 50% perlite) with an average of 0.57 cm. The maximum root length was obtained from treatment 6 (33% sand + 33% cocopeat + 33% perlite) with an average of 4.66 cm. Sand, Perlit, Peat, Bulb http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-256-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-256-en.pdf

Iranian Society for Ornamental Plants Flower and Ornamental Plants 2676-5993 2676-5993 8 2 2023 10 1 Evaluation of the aesthetic attributes and germination parameters of Euphorbia hypericifolia, a native species, for incorporation into the landscape of Ahwaz city 353 370 FA Mahnaz zahiri Agricultral Sciennces and Natural Resource University of Khuzestan mahnaz1375.zahirii@gmail.com N Mohamadreza salehi salmi Agricultral Sciennces and Natural Resource University of Khuzestan salehi@asnrukh.ac.ir Y Kazem Negaresh Agricultral Sciennces and Natural Resource University of Khuzestan kazem.negaresh@gmail.com N Kamran Almasieh Agricultral Sciennces and Natural Resource University of Khuzestan kamran.almasieh@gmail.com N 10.61186/flowerjournal.8.2.353 The growth habit, abundant green foliage, and distinctive fragrant inflorescences of E. hypericifolia make it an excellent choice as an ornamental plant. One of the initial steps in introducing native plants to urban green spaces involves studying their propagation methods. In this study, E. hypericifolia was assessed to determine its suitability as a new ornamental species for the landscape of Ahvaz city. Various ornamental criteria and dormancy treatments were examined. The results indicated that E. hypericifolia possesses the necessary characteristics for urban green space utilization. In this research, the indicators such as the flower color, leaf shape and color, vegetative and reproductive organ beauty, flowering time, length of flowering period, plant height, degree of desirability of plant density, and cleanliness were highly favorable and aesthetically significant based on the results derived from the outcomes of the survey carried out by the specialists. This particular plant possesses the potential to be utilized in the creation of a winter and autumn urban landscape, contribute to green belts and urban forests, and be cultivated in forest parks. Additionally, the research revealed that heat treatment at 70 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes did not positively impact germination traits. Conversely, chemical and physical scarification treatments increased germination rates by 50% compared to the control and other methods. Breeding, Cover plant, Euphorbia, Germination http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-277-en.html http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-277-en.pdf