The aim of this research was to determine the effect of selenium forms (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) at (2, 4, 8, and 16 mg/l) levels on the phytochemical attributes of Echium amoenum (Vipers bugloss) as factorial randomized complete block design. Selenium sources were added in four steps: 2 true leaves stage, 10 leaves, 2 weeks, and 1 week before flowering. The traits were evaluated in different stages of flowering (beginning, full flowering, and end of flowering). Results showed that selenium sources significantly affected the qualitative characteristics of the E. amoenum. The highest photosynthetic pigments were obtained by 4 mg/l sodium selenite at beginning of flowering. When the plants were sprayed with 4 mg/l sodium selenate and harvested at beginning of flowering, higher total alkaloid contents in leaves and petals were observed compared to the other treatments. When the plants were sprayed with 8 mg/l sodium selenate and harvested at end of flowering, higher total phenols and flavonoids contents, soluble sugars content were observed compared to the other treatments. Moreover, foliar application of selenium sources significantly increased the content of this element in the petals. Sodium selenate was more effective than sodium selenite in increasing the content of this element. Generally, the results showed selenium sources significantly improved phytochemical properties of E. amoenum. Manuscript profile

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) belongs to the mint family, which contains essential oils and phenolic compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Iron, potassium, and zinc are essential nutrients for plants. The use of nano-chelates is effective on vegetative characteristics essential oils percentages of medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to investigate foliar application effects of nano-chelates levels on morphophysiological and phytochemical traits of basil. This experiment was performed as a completely randomized statistical design with 10 treatments including nano-chelates of iron, potassium, and zinc (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/l). Non-foliar treatment with nano-chelates was used as a control treatment. The results showed that foliar application of different levels of nano-chelates had a significant effect on traits such as shoot fresh weight, total chlorophyll, flavonoids, amount of iron, potassium, and zinc at the level of 1%. Also, there was a significant impact on traits such as shoot and root dry weight, root fresh weight, phenol, vitamin C and essential oil percentage at 5% level. The highest fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, vitamin C, phenol, and zinc was observed in Zn nano-chelate treatment. The highest content of total chlorophyll, flavonoids, iron content, and essential oil content in Fe nano-chelate treatment and the highest amount of potassium was in the treatment of K nano-chelate. Foliar application of different levels of nano-chelates in basil improved quantitative qualitative and nutritional contents. Nano-chelate fertilizers affected the percentage of compounds and the amount of essential oil compounds except methyl chavicol. Manuscript profile

To investigate the effect of ascorbic acid and chitosanon the postharvest life of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were grouped in ascorbic acid (0, 1.5, and 3 mM) and chitosan (0, 0.25, and 0.5%) levels and their interaction. At the end of the experiment, the nutritional value including Vitamin C, total soluble solids, total acidity, Phenol and antioxidant activity in button mushroom were recorded. The results stated that the maximum levels of all traits were obtained in response to use ‘1.5 mM ascorbic acid + 0.5% chitosan. The minimum percentage of weight loss was observed at 3 mM ascorbic acid + 0.25% chitosan at 12th days and maximum value belongs to control treatment. Delaying of senescence and increasing of the nutritional value of button mushrooms in response to the association of these materials with molecules and prevention of their breakdown. The highest shelf life equivalent to 14.6 days was in 5‘1.5 mM ascorbic acid + 0.25% chitosan’ treatment that caused an increase of 8 days in comparison with control. It can be said that the application of treatments in the post-harvest stage has more influence on the nutritional value and durability of button mushroom. Manuscript profile