Magnetic field improved germination parameters. The germination of Catharanthus roseus seeds is lost under salinity conditions. The effect of different strengths of magnetic field and exposure durations on the germination of C. roseus seeds under salinity conditions (19 mS cm-1) were investigated. The experiment was conducted with factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 magnetic field strengths (50, 100 and 150 mT) and 3 exposure durations (10, 20, and 30 minutes). It was found that exposure to magnetic field improved seed germination under salinity conditions, so that the highest germination percentages of (74.44 and 73.05%) were obtained from 20 and 30 minutes exposure to the 100 mT magnetic field, respectively, which resulted in 28% higher germination than control. Also, these treatments were found to be the best for germination rate and vigor indices I and II. The highest radicle length (2.37 cm) and plumule length (3.50 cm) were related to the 20 minutes exposure in 50 mT magnetic field and the 10 minutes exposure in the 100 mT magnetic field. The highest radicle dry weight of 0.24 g and plumule dry weight of 0.81 g was observed in treatment of 10 minute exposure to the100 mT magnetic field. Manuscript profile

The effect of potash biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer was studied on quantitative and qualitative traits of periwinkle in a factorial experiment based on a Randomized Complete Design with three replications, 48 experimental units, and two factors: (1) different methods of potash bio-fertilizer application at four levels of control (B0), seed inoculation (B1), root inoculation (B2) and seed inoculation × root inoculation (B3), and (2) different rates of potassium on fertigation at four levels of 0 (K0), 100 (K1), 200 (K2) and 300 mgL-1 (K3). It was found that the longest shelf life of 35.58 days was related to the treatment of root inoculation × 100 mgL-1 K. The highest number of auxiliary branches (3.66), number of leaves (42.88), plant fresh weight (17.69 g), number of flowers (4.46), and chlorophyll a (10.61 mg g-1 F.W.) were obtained from the treatment of seed inoculation × 300 mgL-1 K. The treatment of root inoculation × 200 mgL-1 K was the best treatment for plant potassium content (28.9 mgkg-1). The highest petal anthocyanin content amounted 178.04 mg 100 g-1 D.W. was observed in the treatment of ‘seed inoculation × root inoculation’ × 0 mg l-1 K. The best treatment of enhancing of qualitative and quantiative traits of periwinkle was seed inoculation × 300 mgL-1 K. Manuscript profile

The effects of savory, caraway, and rose extracts and 8-HQS were studied on the vase life of Alstroemeria cut flowers. The plant extracts at three levels (10, 20, and 40 %), 8-HQS at three levels (100, 200, and 300 mgl-1), and control (distilled water) with 3 % sucrose were continuously applied on the basis of a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. It was found that the treatments were more effective on sustaining vase life as compared to control. The application of 8-HQS at the rates of 200 and 300 mgl-1 resulted in the longest vase life of 19.83 and 19.66 days, respectively. Among plant extracts, 20 % savory showed the longest vase life (18 days). The highest solution uptake (1.81 mlg-1FW) was associated with the application of 20% savory extract. The treatments of 10, 20, and 40 % savory extract and 200 mgl-1 8-HQS were the most successful treatments in sustaining fresh weight. The lowest bacterial population in vase solution (3 Log10 CFU ml-1) was observed in the treatment of 200 mgl-1 8-HQS. The treatments of 20 % savory extract and 200 mgl-1 8-HQS had the lowest electrolyte leakages of 4.46 and 4.93 %. The treatments of 40 and 20 % savory extract were the most effective treatments in reducing MDA accumulation. Given these results, it is recommended to use savory extract as a natural, environment-friendly compound to improve post-harvest traits and extend the longevity of Alstroemeria cut flowers. Manuscript profile