Background & Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the bactericidal effect of three medicinal plant species, including Thymus vulgaris, Trachyspermum ammi, and Mentha aquatica on Erwinia carotovora growth. Experimental: This research was done in a factorial to completely randomized design with three concentrations, and three replicates on nutrient agar culture medium. Results &Discussion: Results of this study indicated that the essential oils from the studied plants were effective against Erwinia carotovora. At 300 ppm concentration, diameter of growth inhabitation was 43 mm. Results indicated the essential oil from T. ammi, especially at 300 and 400 ppm concentrations had the highest antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora with 43.00 and 46.67 mm diameter of growth inhabitation. In addition, there was no significant difference between 300 and 400 ppm concentrations of M. aquatica and at concentrations of 200, 300, and 400 ppm for T. vulgaris. Recommended applications/industries: The overall results indicated the essential oils, especially Trachyspermum ammi have antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora; it seems that the essential oils can be employed in manufacturing desirable bactericidal agents. Manuscript profile

ABDOLREZA EGHTEDARI NAEENI1*, ELHAM MOHRI ESFAHANI1, MOHSEN BEIGI HARCHEGANI2, MEHRDADJAFARPOUR1, MARYAM GOLABADI11- Faculty of Agriculture Engineering, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University,Isfahan, Iran2- Tiran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
Corresponding author Email: a.eghtedar@gmail.comReceived: 10 January 2014 Accepted: 25 April 2014ABSTRACT Abstract Evapotranspiration and plant water absorption reduce when exposed to water stress and this reduction results in an increase in leaf temperature. To determine the effect of water stress on leaf temperature and timing of irrigation using leaf temperature, a research was conducted on the Research and Education Greenhouse Production Center of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan). This study was conducted in controlled conditions and soilless culture of cucumber, tomato, pepper and strawberry. The index of difference between the temperature of air and leaf (ΔT= TAir –TLeaf ) showed leaf temperature which then could indicate the amount of water absorbed by the root therefore, transpiration rates were measured. With an acceptable coefficient of determination model, we concluded that this index (difference between the temperature of air and leaf) was dependent on the intake of water from the roots and leaf transpiration rate, so it can be used as an indicator to determine the time of irrigation. Abbreviation: VPD: Vapor Pressure Deficit, PAR: Photosynthetically Active Radiation, RH: Relative Humidity, ΔT = TAir –TLeaf. Manuscript profile

The Effect of Auxin and Oat in Combination with Casing Soil on Growth and Biochemical Components of Agaricus blazeiFatemeh Kaviani1, Mehrdad Jafarpour 2,3*1-Master of Agriculture student, Islamic Azad University of Isfahan (Khorasgan)2- Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan)3- Associate Professor, Edible and Medicinal Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan)*Corresponding author`s Email: jafarpour@khuisf.ac.irReceived: 8 March 2019 Accepted: 10 Janu 2020AbstractMushroom production using lignocellulosic waste is one of the most important recycling processes of agricultural and industrial residues, which, in addition to producing protein foods, will prevent environmental pollution. The present study was conducted in 2021 at the mushroom production center of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch in a completely randomized design with 18 casing soil treatments (casing soil, SMC, vermi SMC, oat, vermi oat, and IAA with different compositions) in 3 replications. The qualitative and quantitative properties of Agaricus blazei mushroom were evaluated. The results indicated that the highest number of fruiting bodies was observed in casing soil treatment + SMC (50:50%) and the highest stipe was in casing soil treatments + oat (70:30%) and casing soil 100. The maximum diameter of the mushroom cap was obtained in casing soil treatments100 and SMC 100 + IAA, and the largest diameter of the mushroom stipe was obtained in casing soil treatment 100. In addition, casing soil treatment + vermi SMC (50:50%) showed the highest amount of nitrogen, protein and the minimum time to first pin-head formation. The highest amount of iron was observed in SMC treatment 100% and the highest amount of zinc was in casing soil treatment + oat (70:30%). Among the investigated treatments, an acceptable yield can be obtained from the substrate containing casing soil + SMC (50:50%), casing soil + oat vermicompost (70:30%), and casing soil + oat (70:30%) indicated promising results in most of the studied traits. SMC has been very effective in the growth of mushroom spawn and stimulation of the mycelium phase due to its rich mineral elements and nutrients required by mushroom spawn. On the other hand, since SMC is one of the important wastes of the mushroom production industry, which is produced in a large volume annually, can be used as a casing soil composition again, which is important in this sense. Manuscript profile

Physicochemical Properties and Shelf Life of Button Mushroom under Essential Oils with Chitosan Coating TreatmentMarzieh Najafian-Jazi1 , Mehrdad Jafarpour2,3* Mehrnoosh Kahvaei4, Baktash Raeisi-Dehkordi5, Niloufar Alamarvdasht51-MSc in Horticulture, Islamic Azad University of Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch2- Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran3- Associate Professor, Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran4- Ph.D. Student, Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran5- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran*Corresponding author. E-mail: jafarpour@khuisf.ac.irReceived: 5 March 2020 Accepted: 22 May 2020AbstractAgaricus bisporus is the most produced mushroom in the world due to its unique taste and valuable nutritional properties. For this purpose, a study in the form of a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 3 repetitions was conducted, which includes (control) (chitosan 2%) (chitosan 2% + cinnamon essence 2%) (chitosan 2% + angelica essence with a concentration of 200 ppm) (chitosan 2% + cinnamon essence 2% + angelica essence with a concentration of 200 ppm). The properties of Agaricus bisporus were evaluated on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. The results indicated 7 and 14 days after storage, chitosan casing as well as chitosan essence + angelica and cinnamon essence increased the phenolic acid content compared to the control and zero days after storage. On the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after storage, chitosan + angelica treatment showed the highest weight loss. The lowest weight loss was observed 21 days after storage in control and chitosan treatment. The highest number of soluble solids was observed 7 days after storage in chitosan + angelica essence and chitosan + cinnamon essence. The highest color index L* was observed at zero days after storage in the control treatment. The highest color index a* was observed on the 14th day of storage in the chitosan + angelica + cinnamon treatment and on the 7th day of storage in the chitosan treatment. The lowest color index a* was obtained on the 14th day of storage in the chitosan + cinnamon treatment and on the 7th day of storage in the chitosan + angelica + cinnamon and chitosan + cinnamon treatments. The highest b* color index was observed in the control treatment at 21 days after storage. In general, treatments showed different results on biochemical properties and post-harvest shelf life of Agaricus bisporus. Manuscript profile