Research Laboratories of the Department of Horticultural Science and Engineering
Fruit Tree Physiology and Breeding Laboratory
Supervisor
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Key Equipment
Mehdi Naseri Related Specializations: Fruit Trees (Master's), Production and Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Plants (Ph.D.), Breeding and Biotechnology of Horticultural Plants (Ph.D.).
​​​​​​​ Description: This laboratory is the primary center for research in the physiology and breeding of horticultural plants. Students and researchers in this laboratory work on topics such as the physiology of fruit growth and development, responses to environmental stresses (drought, salinity, cold), and the genetic improvement of horticultural plants to enhance quality and resistance traits.
  • ​​​​​​​ Investigation of the physiological mechanisms of growth and development in fruit trees such as grapes and strawberries.
  • Development of rootstocks resistant to abiotic stresses (such as drought and salinity).
  • Study of the mechanism of action of plant growth regulators.
  • Analysis of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems under abiotic stress conditions.
  •  Firmness tester for evaluating fruit quality. 
  • Refrigerated and standard centrifuges for sample separation. * -70°C freezers for storing biological samples.
  • Titrator for chemical analysis.
  • Shaker incubator for microbial and plant cultures.
  • Spectrophotometer for measuring biochemical compounds.
  • Physiological measurement tools such as chlorophyll meters and EC meters.
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Refrigerated Centrifuge

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Spectrophotometer

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Laboratory Interior

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Horticultural Biotechnology Laboratory
Supervisor
Applications​​​​​​​ 
Key Equipment
Mehdi Naseri
Related Specializations: Fruit Trees (Master's), Vegetables (Master's), Greenhouse Production (Master's).
​​​​​​​Description: This laboratory is utilized for research in the production of horticultural crops, particularly vegetables and greenhouse products. The focus of this laboratory is on optimizing cultivation conditions and evaluating product quality.
  • ​​​​​​​ Identification of genes associated with resistance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity).
  • Production of transgenic plants resistant to pests and diseases.
  • Development of tissue culture protocols for ornamental plants and endangered species.
  • Investigation of the expression of genes related to medicinal metabolites in plants.
  • Tissue culture hoods for plant propagation.
  • Growth chambers with temperature and humidity control.
  • Refrigerated centrifuge for sample preparation.
  • PCR machine for genetic analysis.
  • Electrophoresis for DNA and protein separation.
  • Laminar flow hoods for sterile tissue culture.
  • Gene gun and Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer systems.
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Penetrometer (Firmness Tester)

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Refrigerated Centrifuge

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Laboratory Interior

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Medicinal Plants Laboratory
Supervisor
Applications​​​​​​​ 
Key Equipment
Mehdi Naseri
Related Specializations: Medicinal Plants (Master's).
Description: This laboratory is designed to support research related to the physiology, breeding, and production of medicinal plants. Given the rich diversity of medicinal plants in Kurdistan, this laboratory plays a crucial role in the identification and sustainable production of these plants.
  • ​​​​​​​ Identification and extraction of primary and secondary metabolites from native medicinal plants.
  • Optimization of propagation methods for medicinal plants with low water requirements.
  • Investigation of the bioactive effects of medicinal plants for pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.
  • Development of cultivation protocols for medicinal plants under controlled conditions.
  • Clevenger apparatus for the extraction of essential oils from medicinal plants.
  • Specialized freezers for storing plant samples.
  • Chromatography systems for the analysis of secondary metabolites.
  • Precision instruments for the evaluation of bioactive compounds.
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Laboratory Interior

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Rotary Evaporator ​​​​​​​

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Postharvest Physiology and Technology Laboratory
Supervisor
Applications​​​​​​​ 
Key Equipment
مهدی ناصری
Related Specializations: Production and Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Plants (Ph.D.), Fruit Trees (Master's), Vegetables (Master's), Greenhouse Production (Master's).
Description: This laboratory is designed for research in postharvest physiology and storage technologies for horticultural products. Its focus is on reducing waste, improving quality, and extending the shelf-life of horticultural commodities such as fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers.
  • ​​​​​​​ Investigation of the postharvest behavior of native Kurdistan fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, grapes, quince, and pomegranates.
  • Optimization of storage conditions (temperature, humidity, controlled atmosphere) to increase shelf-life.
  • Testing of edible coatings and pre- and post-harvest treatments to reduce losses.
  • Study of biochemical and quality changes in products during the storage period.
  • Development of nanotechnology-based packaging technologies to improve storability.
  • Cold storage rooms with temperature and humidity control to simulate storage conditions.
  • Quality analysis devices such as a refractometer (for measuring sugar content), texture analyzer (for assessing firmness), and colorimeter.
  • Gas chromatography systems for the analysis of volatile compounds.
  • Equipment for applying edible coatings (such as aloe vera gel) to extend shelf-life.
  • Instruments for measuring respiration and ethylene production in produce.
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Penetrometer (Firmness Tester)

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Digital Refractometer

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Penetrometer (Firmness Tester)

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