Problem statement: The Genotype by Trait (GT) biplot can be used to compare cultivars on the basis of multiple traits and to identify cultivars that are particularly good in certain traits and therefore can be candidates for parents in plant breeding program. Approach: The objective of this study was to evaluate the maize hybrids based on Genotype by Traits (GT) biplot to examine its usefulness in visualizing maize trait relationship and its application in hybrids comparison. Results: Correlation coefficient between phenological-agronomic traits showed that there is a strong positive relationship between all of the measured traits, except Anthesis-Silking Interval (ASI). This pattern approximately repeated during three years. Also, correlation coefficient between grain yield components reveals a positive or negative relation between measured traits. These results reflect the complexity of the correlation among the grain yield components. The genotype by trait comparison indicated that KSC 700 had greater value for rows number per ear and kernel depth whereas OSSK 602 and ZP 684 had greater value for thousand kernel weight and grain number per row. Conclusion: Results indicate that the pattern of the polygon view traits varied across three years. Consequently, GT biplot describes the interrelationships among traits and it was used to identifying hybrids that are good for some particular traits

Eggs are one of the most nutritious products on a daily basis. The objective of present research is to investigate the impact of coatings on improving storage time and internal quality of eggs. Coating treatments included control (C), coated with chickpea protein isolate (CPI), coated with PI containing Satureja hortensis (CPISH), coated with PI containing Satureja mutica (CPISM). Internal quality was assessed by air cell depth, shell strength, weight loss, haugh unit, yolk and albumen pH, yolk index, microbial evaluation and scanning electron microscope. The weight loss increased during storage and its highest value was 6.12%. Edible coatings (CPI, CPISH, CPISM) preserved internal quality according to the haugh unit, yolk index and pH over 4 weeks (20 °C) compared with C. Haugh unit (5.04), yolk index (0.31), albumen (9.51) and yolk pH (7.04) were detected in C after 7 weeks. CPISH and CPISM protected shell is observed by scanning electron microscope and these coatings affected the internal quality and were appropriate alternatives to extend storage.

Introduction. Dairy products are an important part of the diet. Kashk is a traditional Iranian dairy product rich in protein. However, kashk has a high water content and is a good medium for the growth of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract of caper fruit (Capparis spinosa L.) on reducing the microbial burden of kashk. Study objects and methods. The study objects were three kashk samples. The control sample was kashk without caper extract. Two experimental samples included kashk with 0.211 and kashk with 0.350 mg/mL of ethanolic caper extract. All the samples were tested for pH, sensory and antioxidant properties, colorimetric parameters, and microbial population. The experiments were performed on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of storage. Results and discussion. The results showed all the samples had pH within the standard values during the entire shelf life (3.96 to 4.53). The samples with 0.350 mg/mL of the caper extract had the lowest EC50 (12.05 μg/mL), i.e. the highest antioxidant activity. The increased concentration of the extract and storage time resulted in a decrease in L* and increase in b*, while did not impact a*. Staphylococcus aureus population increased more rapidly than Clostridium botulinum during the storage time, and the overall sensory acceptability of the kashk samples on days 0 and 7 received the highest score. Conclusion. The kashk samples containing 0.350 mg/mL of caper extract had an improved antimicrobial, antioxidant and antifungal properties and can be produced and consumed as a new functional product.

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Adapted maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids should be identified and chosen based on multi-environment trials analysing several traits. The objectives of this study were to identify mega-environments and suitable adapted maize hybrids based on both mean grain yield and grain yield stability and were to evaluate the 14 maize hybrids based on several desirable traits. Biplot analysis determined one mega-environment and two sectors that consist of one location in each sector for maize in Iran. The mega-environment included Kerman (KRM), Kermanshah (KSH), Moghan (MGN), Dezfol A (DZF A), Karaj (KRJ), Darab (DRB), Dezfol B (DZF B), Shiraz B (SHZ B), and Esfahan (ESF), where hybrid OSSK 602 was the best performing hybrid. The first sector included Khoramabad (KHM) where BC 678 was the best hybrid, and the second sector included Shiraz A (SHZ A) where ZP 599 was the hybrid with the highest performance. OSSK 602 was the best hybrid among all of the studied hybrids followed by ZP 677 and ZP 684. The genotype × trait biplot indicated that ZP 677 and OSSK 602 had greater thousand-kernel weight and grain number, whereas ZP 684 had longer day to maturity and larger cob diameter. KSC 700, KSC 704, and BC 678 had higher ear height and more days to tasseling than other hybrids. The genotype × trait biplot graphically displayed the interrelationships among traits and it was used in identifying hybrids that are good for some particular traits.