Effects of different scion-rootstock combinations on vigor, tree size, yield and fruit quality of three Iranian cultivars of pomegranate. Abstract-Introduction. Probably because pomegranate trees are established in orchards as own-rooted plants, there are no studies regarding scion-rootstock combination effects on growth, tree size, yield and fruit quality of this fruit tree. Thus, the main aims of our experiment were to study the effects of some pomegranate rootstocks on growth and yield characteristics of Iranian commercial cultivars used as scions. Materials and methods. Our research was carried out between the 1999 and 2007 growing seasons at a collection of 760 pomegranate cultivars in the Yazd Province of Iran. Rootstocks were provided via clonal propagation using stem cuttings similar in height, diameter and age (2 years old) from '

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Strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) are very susceptible to salinity. In order to investigate the interactive effects of paclobutrazol (PP 333) and salinity on flowering, yield and fruit quality of strawberry plants, three levels of NaCl [0, 5, 10 mM] were incorporated into the nutrient solution and four levels of PP 333 [0, 10, 20, 30 mg/L] were sprayed on the plants. PP 333 application caused reduction in inflorescence length, but increased inflorescence and flower number. Salinity reduced number of achenes per fruit. However a foliar application of 10 mg/L of PP 333 reduced the effect of salinity at 10 mM NaCl salinity and significantly increased the number of achenes per fruit. PP 333 at 30 mg/L completely overcame any negative effects of 10 mM NaCl salinity on fruit yield while increasing fruit total soluble solids (TSS). The highest level of PP 333 (30 mg/L) resulted in reduced titratable acidity (TA) on salt-treated (5, 10 mM) plants. The ratio of TSS/TA tended to increase with increased application rates of PP 333. Salinity resulted in reduced vitamin C, but applications of 20 mg/L of PP 333 significantly increased vitamin C in both levels of salinity (5, 10 mM).

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Strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) are very susceptible to salinity. To investigate the interactive effects of paclobutrazol (PP 333) and salinity on gas exchange and growth factors of the plant, 3 levels of NaCl [0, 5, 10 mM] were incorporated into the nutrient solution, and 4 levels of PP 333 [0, 10, 20, 30 mg/L] were applied by means of foliar sprays. Increased levels of salinity and PP 333 resulted in reduced leaf area. The highest level of PP 333 resulted in reduced shoot dry weight. Foliar application of 20 mg/L of PP 333 mitigated detrimental effects of salinity on root dry weight and total plant dry weight. PP 333 also mitigated negative effects of increased salinity on photosynthetic rate (A), water use efficiency, relative water content and chlorophyll content. Increased salinity and PP 333 caused reductions in stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), number of runners and petiole length. Specific leaf weight was increased by both salinity and PP 333 .