University of Tabriz Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding 2008-5168 16 1 2026 02 01 Genotype × trait biplot analysis of genetic diversity and trait associations in some fenugreek landraces 1 17 21227 10.22034/jppb.2025.68980.1380 EN Naser Sabaghnia Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, 5518779842, Maragheh, Iran. Mahdi Mohebodini Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Asghar Ebadi Department of Plant Science, Moghan College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Fatemah Mohammadzadeh Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Karim Farmanpour-Kalalagh Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2025 09 03 Objective: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), as an economically and culturally significant legume, is valued for its diverse uses in food, medicine, and sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity among 26 fenugreek landraces collected from diverse agroecological zones in Iran. Methods: The landraces were evaluated under field conditions using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Morphological traits, including plant height, number of lateral branches, leaf dimensions, pods per plant, and shoot biomass, were recorded alongside physiological traits such as chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b content. Data analysis involved a genotype-by-trait biplot approach based on principal component analysis to visualize genotype × trait interactions and to identify traits contributing most significantly to yield and biomass. Results: The two components explained 66% of the total phenotypic variance, revealing additive and crossover associations among landraces and traits. Key positive trait associations included shoot biomass with plant height, chlorophyll-a with chlorophyll-b, lateral leaf width with lateral leaf area, and a cluster of branching and pod number traits. Genotype-specific patterns highlighted the superiority of genotype 6 (Sarab) and genotype 8 (Tabriz-II) for the shoot biomass and middle leaf area. In contrast, genotype 9 (Tehran-II) excelled in branching and pod production. These landraces also exhibited high stability and representativeness in multivariate trait space, positioning them as promising candidates for breeding programs and commercial release. Conclusion: This study confirms that middle leaf area, number of lateral branches, lateral leaf length, pods per plant, and plant height are critical discriminative and representative traits for fenugreek improvement. The integration of morphological and physiological traits in a multivariate framework provides a robust basis for indirect selection and ideotype development. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of considering genotype × trait interactions to prevent misleading selection decisions.

https://breeding.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21227_613fd7d82e06d0d41750a3e3b62517b9.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding 2008-5168 16 1 2026 02 01 Effect of putrescine coating and cinnamon essential oil on the quality improvement of Washington Navel orange fruit 19 40 21234 10.22034/jppb.2025.69442.1387 EN Amin Mohebi Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Rasool Etemadipoor Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Mehrdad Babarabie Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Complex, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Journal Article 2025 10 01 Objective: Agricultural losses in fruits and vegetables during postharvest operations, storage, transportation, processing, and packaging are one of the main contributors to food waste. Washington Navel orange is one of the main varieties of oranges and an important economic citrus fruit worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects of putrescine polyamine and cinnamon essential oil on the postharvest life and quality of Washington Navel oranges. Methods: This experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors were: Cinnamon essential oil at the concentrations of 150 and 300 mg/L, putrescine at the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.5 mM, and three storage times (0, 30, and 60 days. On the first day of the experiment, the following characteristics were measured in this study: Ion leakage, fruit firmness, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid content. In addition, after 30 and 60 days, the decay percentage, physiological weight loss, fruit firmness, Results: The results of this study showed that treatment with cinnamon essential oil and putrescine reduced weight loss and softening, slowed decay rate, and preserved total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH in the oranges. Additionally, the tested treatments, by maintaining phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, increased the antioxidant capacity of the plants. The results showed that both putrescine treatments at three concentrations and cinnamon essential oil treatments at two concentrations had a positive impact on the storage life and postharvest quality of the oranges during a 60-day storage period, compared to the control treatment. Conclusion: Among the treatments evaluated, the putrescine with the concentration of 1.5 mM and cinnamon essential oil with the concentration of 300 mg/L proved most effective. These findings demonstrate that natural and bio-based compounds can mitigate quality loss in oranges when the cold-chain control is limited.

https://breeding.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21234_5d08694b296e51d923a62a25f45a4494.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding 2008-5168 16 1 2026 02 01 Yield and chemical constituents of Dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. et Mey) as influenced by planting date and spacing 41 53 21275 10.22034/jppb.2026.68945.1377 EN Vida Fattahi Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Alireza Pirzad Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Saeedeh Rahimzadeh Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Journal Article 2025 09 01 Objective: Agricultural strategic decisions, like planting dates and spacings, have direct impacts on sustainable crop production. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different planting dates and spacing on grain yield and chemical constituents of dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. et Mey). Methods: A split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out to study the influence of planting dates (March 18, April 2, and April 18) and spacing (20×3, 20×5, and 30×2 cm inter- and intra-row spacing) on L. iberica at Urmia University, Iran, in 2018. Seeds of dragon's head were provided by the Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Organization, Urmia, Iran. Seeds were sown on three specified planting dates by hand at a depth of 2 cm in plots of 150×200 cm. Then, they were covered with a thin layer of soil. Results: The maximum grain yield (520 kg/ha), grain oil percentage (31.84%), and grain oil yield (165 kg/ha) were obtained from the March 18 planting date with 30×2 cm spacing. Also, the highest biomass (3796 kg/ha), essential oil percentage and yield (0.34% and 13.17 kg/ha, respectively), mucilage percentage and yield (15.30% and 70 kg/ha, respectively) were observed on the March 18 planting date. The maximum percentage of grain nutrients (NPK) was obtained from the earliest planting date and the planting spacing of 20×5 cm. The highest percentage of total unsaturated fatty acids against the lowest saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic acid) belonged to March 18. However, the highest percentage of some of the important compounds in the L. iberica essential oil, including thymol, caryophyllene oxide, and phytol, was obtained on April 18. Conclusion: Early planting on March 18 was a better date for L. iberica, which gave a higher grain yield than other planting dates. Mutually, late sowing reduced the nutrient uptake, biomass, and some quality traits. Also, spacing of 30×2 cm with lower plant density showed better results in terms of plant quality.

https://breeding.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21275_378f4d8cda7a1d7a31ad57b734159df2.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding 2008-5168 16 1 2026 02 01 Enhancement of antioxidant defense and alleviation of oxidative stress in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) using rice bran-coated urea under heat conditions 55 73 21278 10.22034/jppb.2026.70780.1403 EN Shurooq Abbas Department of Plant Eco-Physiology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Sirous Hassannejad Department of Plant Eco-Physiology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Soheila Porheidar Ghafarbi Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO), Maragheh, Iran. 0000-0003-0789-2534 Journal Article 2025 12 18 Objective: Heat stress triggers overproduction of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage and crop yield loss. This study investigated the efficacy of rice bran-coated urea in modulating the antioxidant defense system and mitigating oxidative membrane damage in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) under field heat stress. Methods: A two-year field experiment evaluated uncoated urea, rice bran-coated urea, gypsum-coated urea, and cement-coated urea at four nitrogen rates (0, 60, 80, and 120 kg urea ha-¹) under optimal (spring) and heat stress (summer) conditions. The experiment was a split-plot factorial design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plot factor was the planting season (spring and summer seasons). Sub-plot factors were the factorial combination of coating type and urea-N rate. The coating factor included uncoated urea (UCU, control), rice bran-coated urea (RBCU), gypsum-coated urea (GCU), and cement-coated urea (CCU). The urea fertilizers were 0, 60, 80, or 120 kg urea ha⁻¹. At the flowering stage, the catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity, total soluble phenol content, total soluble protein content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured on the youngest fully expanded leaves. Grain yield was measured at physiological maturity from a 2-m² area in the central two rows of each plot. Results: Across years, RBCU at 80 kg urea ha-¹ provided the most consistent balance between antioxidant protection and yield performance under summer heat stress. Under summer heat, RBCU significantly enhanced the enzymatic antioxidant shield, increasing CAT and POD activity, compared to the stressed uncoated urea control. It also elevated non-enzymatic defense by increasing total soluble phenols under summer heat compared with uncoated urea. This coordinated upregulation was associated with a significant containment of oxidative damage. While heat stress increased malondialdehyde content, RBCU at 80 kg urea ha-¹ resulted in lower MDA compared with the excessive 120 kg urea ha-¹ treatment. Concurrently, RBCU improved the total soluble protein content under stress. This physiological resilience was associated with improved agronomic performance; RBCU at 80 kg urea ha-¹ increased grain yield compared with the unfertilized control and outperformed uncoated urea under summer conditions. Conclusion: RBCU-mediated nitrogen synchronization improved redox balance and limited lipid peroxidation under field heat stress, supporting both physiological stability and yield maintenance in proso millet.

https://breeding.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21278_e3168be876481c5fc34a9445554c36e9.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding 2008-5168 16 1 2026 02 01 Studying the effects of rootstock compatibility on fruit yield and biochemical characteristics of grafted Khatooni Iranian melon 75 92 21303 10.22034/jppb.2025.66737.1368 EN Maedeh Fereshtian Department of Botany, Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran. Reza Salehi Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Journal Article 2025 05 21 Objective: This experiment aimed to study the effects of compatible and incompatible rootstocks on yield and some physiological and biochemical characteristics of the Khatooni melon (Cucumis melo Gr Inodorus, accession Khatooni). Methods: The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research station of the Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran, in 2022. Seven different cucurbit rootstocks, along with the Khatooni melon as a control, were used in this research. Then, the diameter of the grafted zone, total yield, marketable yield, leaf area, leaf nitrogen concentration, fruit dry weight, root dry weight, total soluble solids, leaf and root total soluble sugars, sap flow, pH, and total acidity were measured. Results: The yield and other measured characteristics were affected by the rootstock type. The highest total and marketable melon yield was obtained in the Shintozwa rootstock, followed by the RoutPower and Nangwoo 01 rootstocks. These three rootstocks were also superior in terms of leaf area, leaf nitrogen concentration, and leaf total soluble sugars. The Nangwoo 01 rootstock had the highest sap accumulation in 24 hours (986 CC) and root dry weight. In the grafted seedlings, the first morphological sign of incompatibility appeared with an increase in the grafting zone diameter. The Marvel rootstock had a very large diameter (39.29 mm) and was regarded as a highly incompatible rootstock. This rootstock also had the lowest values for the melon yield and other measured traits. Therefore, the rootstock incompatibility had a negative effect on the melon yield and all physiological, morphological, and biochemical aspects of the Khatooni melon. Conclusion: The Marvel rootstock was identified as an incompatible rootstock, and the Shintozwa rootstock, followed by the RoutPower and Nangwoo rootstocks, were recognized and recommended as suitable

https://breeding.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21303_4290ff133e01c8264cd450c709901022.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding 2008-5168 16 1 2026 02 01 Effect of plant growth regulators and explants on organogenesis of soybean (Glycine max L.) 93 108 21309 10.22034/jppb.2026.69640.1391 EN Vahid Mehrizadeh Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Ebrahim Dorani Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Journal Article 2025 10 11 Objective: The soybean plant is one of the most important crops, and it is known as a rich source of vegetable oil and protein in the world. Despite its advantages, soybean production faces different challenges and requires genetic improvement. Soybean transformation provides an attractive advancement for soybean breeding programs, allowing the production of novel and genetically diverse plant materials. Therefore, developing an efficient plant regeneration protocol is necessary for the transformation programs. In this study, a simple, efficient, and repeatable protocol was developed for in vitro organogenesis of the Saman soybean cultivar. Methods: The soybean seeds were cultured on different strengths of MS medium (full and half-strength MS) in combination with different concentrations of BAP/Kin (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/L). After germination, cotyledon, hypocotyl, and primary leaf explants were cultured on the shoot induction media with different concentrations of BAP/Kin (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/L) in combination with IBA/NAA (0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/L) to evaluate their organogenesis potential. In the next step, for shoot elongation, all regenerated buds were transferred to two media (MS and ½ MS) in combination with BAP (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/L) and GA3 (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L). At the final stage, for root induction, the elongated shoots were cut and cultured in different strengths of the MS medium (full and half-strength MS) in combination with different concentrations of IAA, IBA, and NAA (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/L). All experiments were conducted as a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design. Results: The results showed that the highest percentage of seed germination (97.18%) was obtained in full-strength MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP. The maximum number of shoot induction per explant (7.1 shoots) was observed in the medium containing 1.5 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L IAA from the cotyledon explants. The maximum rate of shoot elongation (8.5 cm) was achieved in the half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L GA3 and 0.2 mg/L BAP. Also, the maximum number of roots was produced in the half-strength of MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L IBA. Finally, the rooted plantlets after acclimatization were transferred into the greenhouse for flowering and pod maturation. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used for gene transfer and genetic engineering research for the Saman cultivar and other soybean cultivars.

https://breeding.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21309_8c55a418d34cc34ff05685b0e1ce4648.pdf