مجله به زراعی کشاورزی
سال هفدهم شماره 4 (زمستان 1394)

The aim of present research was to study the effect of harvesting time and fruit tissue on the content of some flavonoids of different varieties of orange. The experiment was done based on the split plot design with completely randomized design in three replications. In this research the main factor was texture of the fruit (epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp) and secondary factors were matured fruits of four different varieties (Thomson navel, Washington navel, Sanguine and lebani) and seven different harvesting times. Results showed that harvesting time had significant effect on all measured parameters. In which, the highest dry weight as well as total soluble solid (11.81 percent) were observed in the samples harvested in the sixth harvest time. In this stage, the highest hesperidin content (219.1 mg/ml) was observed in endocarp section. In contrast to that, the highest amount of naringin (435.3 mg/l) was observed in third stage in epicarp section without significant difference with fifth (endocarp) and sixth (mesocarp) harvest time. Among used varieties, the highest amount of both hesperidin and naringin was observed in Thomson navel fruit in sixth stage.

To determine the effects of drought stress and foliar application of zinc and iron on some biochemical parameters of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), a greenhouse experiment was carried out at Graduate University of Advanced Technology of Kerman, Iran during 2011-2012. The experiment was conducted in factoriel design based on randomized completely block with three replications. Three levels of water deficit 70 (well- watered), 50 and 30 (moderate and severe stress) percent of field capacity with treatments of Zn, Fe, Zn (5/1000) and non-foliar application (water) were used. Results show positive effects of iron and zinc foliar application under drouth stress on some biochemical parameters of cumin. Maximum quantities of total protein and proline (4.12 and 364.52 mg/gr Fw) and maximum quantities of soluble sugar (5.62 mg/gr Dw) were observed in severe stress with Zn treatment. Also zinc and iron foliar application decresed malondealdohide (9.16 and 5.06 µM/gr Fw) in moderate and severe stress conditions in cumin leaf, respectively. Drought stress and foliar application increased enzymes activities. Maximum quantities of enzymes activities (catalase: 28.51, gayacol peroxidase: 284.75 and superoxid dismutase: 50.99 U/mg protein) in leaves were observed in severe stress with Zn treatment too. According to our results, iron and zinc foliar application improves biochemical parameters in cumin under drouth stress.

In order to determine the effects of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on thinning intensive and fruit qualitative and anti-oxidant characteristics in two peach cultivars, an experiment was conducted in Research Station in Agriculture at the University of Tabriz in 2013 The experiment was arranged as factorial based on randomized complete block design in three replications in 'Anjiry maleki' and 'Kosary' cultivars. Treatments in four levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 ppm) after 14 days from full bloom when fruitlet diameter was 8-12 mm on selected branch was applied. Results showed that all treatments, caused effective thinning fruit in each two cultivars while in 'Kosary' cultivar abscission percentage was higher than 'Anjiry maleki'. All hormone concentrations were caused increasing length, diameter, vitamin C, pH, total solution soiled (TSS) in two cultivars. Amount of the fruit firmness was not significantly between control and hormone levels. For the both studied cultivars, the highest antioxidant activity belonged to NAA treatment in 40 mg/L concentration. Although, the NAA treatment in different concentrations had no significant effect on total phenol and flavonoid contents of fruit juice, it was improved fruit quality and thinning intensive in two peach cultivars.

In order to study the effect of municipal solid waste application with or without chemical fertilizer on the concentration of heavy metals in soil and rice plant, an experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design in three replications and fourteen treatments in Research Station of Sari Agricultural and Natural Resources University in 2009 and 2010. The treatments included control treatment, chemical fertilizer, 15, 30 and 45 ton/ha municipal solid waste compost and chemical fertilizer at three levels (25, 50 and 75 percent). Results indicated that applying compost for two years showed no significant effect on any of the available heavy metals in soil. However, significant increases were observed for Lead (Pb2) in root, and Pb2, Cd2, Nicle and Cobalt in shoot and Cadmium (Cd2) in grain. Meanwhile, the highest amount of heavy metals was concentrated in 45 t/ha of municipal solid waste 75 percent chemical fertilizer treatment. Thus, using municipal solid waste compost, the amount of the heavy metals increased in soil and rice plant but their concentrations were below their toxicity limit.

Salinity is the main limiting environmental factor on plant growth and production. Therefore, finding salinity tolerant cultivars result to increase crop yield and production. However, a factorial experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in hydroponic culture. Two salinity levels (0 and 100mM NaCl) were considered the first factor and 26 greenhouse pepper cultivars was the second. Results showed a significant difference for all studied characteristics. Salt stress decreased all characteristics except to total dry matter percent and sodium concentration. The increase in sodium content accompanied with the decrease in potassium, calcium content and growth indices. Results showed a significant negative correlation between sodium with vegetative indices, potassium to sodium ratio, calcium to sodium ratio in all cultivars. Overall, ‘Paramo’, ‘Efests’ and ‘SPADI’ were known as the most tolerant pepper cultivars. According to finding of this study, the characteristics such as shoot sodium content and stress tolerance index can be used for screening salinity tolerance in pepper cultivars.

This research was conducted to study the effect of PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) on mini-tuber yield and absorption of nutrients in the greenhouse ofSeed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute in 2012. Minituber derived from tissue culture of two potato cultivars (‘Agria’ and ‘Sante’) which were inoculated with 116 and 173 strains of Pseudomonas and two species of Bacillus (B. megaterium and B. Subtilis) all along with control treatments as separately and in mixture with each other. A pot experiment was conducted using factorial based on randomized complete design with four replications. After tuber-filling stage nutrient elements percentage was assayed. After harvesting, minitubers were separated and total yield in standard size was determined. Inoculation of PGPRs had a significant effect on yield and nutrient elements. The rate of absorption of nutrients and minituber production of two varieties showed a significant difference. Mean Comparison of traits showed that dual inoculation of two types of bacterial treatments had the most influence on the absorption of nutrients as well as the number minituber in standard size compared to the control (non-inoculated).‘Sante’ cultivarproduced the highest number of minituber compared with cv. ‘Agria’.According to the results, dual and separate inoculation of potatoes with PGPR not only intensify the synergy effects through growth and developments of roots, but also increase the nutrients absorption which cause enhancement of the tuberization and yield.

In this study, calcium chloride (CaCl2) and two organic calcium compounds namely Calcicat and Folical were applied at four different spray programs including All-, Early-, Mid- and Late-season spray at the Abhar region in Zanjan were compared in 2012. Some qualitative characteristics of ‘Fuji’ apple fruit such as peel color and anthocyanin, internal ethylene concentration, total phenolic content and percentage of internal browning incidence were studied at harvest and during storage. The color indices namely L*¡ C*and h °were influenced by the calcium solution spray. Folical increased the L* index compared to control. Fruits which received calcium solutions had higher h° index and lower C* index than control. The anthocyanin content of fruit peel was influenced only by spray timing, at harvest. Late season spray resulted in less anthocyanin accumulation compared to other programs. Total phenolic content of the peel and pulp was affected by calcium compounds and spray programs in differently ways. There was not a clear trend in phenolic compounds change during storage; meanwhile, total phenolics decreased in the fruits peel and pulp. Calcium application decreased internal ethylene concentration. All calcium treatments significantly decreased the internal browning; however, it was not observed insprayed fruits by early season Folical and midseason Calcicat.

Citrus often were encountered with periodic droughts. For this reason, drought effect on six-month-old seedlings of Poncirus (PT) (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.),Troyer citrange (TC) (Citrus sinensis Osbec. × Poncirus trifoliata Raf.),Citrumello (CR) (Citrus paradisi M. × Citrus sinensis Osbec.),Sour orange (SO) (Citrus aurantium L.),andCleopatra mandarin (CM) (Citrus reshni L.) were tested on 2014 in Ramsar Citrus Research Institute. This research was conducted as factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. The factors included commercial Citrus rootstocks and two level of irrigation. The results showed that maximum quantities of proline, total soluble sugars, malondialdehyde and carotenoid and minimum quantities of total, b and a chlorophyll were observed in drought stress. Maximum accumulation of proline (ordered 306.41 and 281.65 µmol/gdw) and total soluble sugars (ordered 233.79 and 137.9 mg/gdw) and minimum accumulation of malondialdehyde (ordered 179.21 and 204.1 µmol/gdw) were observed in SO and CM rootstocks under drought stress. Decreasing amount of total and chlorophyll a in CM and chl b in SO rootstock was more than other rootstocks and decreasing amount of total and b, a chlorophyll in CR was least. Furthermore, increasing amount of carotenoid in SO and CM was most and the least amounts in PT was observed. On the basis of the study, trifoliate rootstocks as Poncirus, Troyer citrange and Citrumello tolerate as much as drought.

In order to study the effects of planting date and cultivar on yield, protein percentage and physiological growth indices of Mungbean an experiment was conducted in Agriculture and Natural Resource Research Center of Tehran province in 2011-12. Four mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] cultivars (‘Parto’, ‘Gohar’, ‘Mehr’ and a promising line ‘NM-94’) were sown at 3 dates with 30 days intervals starting from 21 April to 22 June to identify the suitable variety(s) and optimum sowing date for getting maximum yield of mungbean. The design was a split-plot replicated three times with sowing date as main plots and cultivar as sub-plots. Promising line ‘NM-94’ was ranked first in terms of seed yield (1797.4 kg ha-1) followed in order of ‘Gohar’ (1674.8 kg ha-1). The highest seed yield (1678.2 kg ha-1) was obtained from 22 June sowing date. Delayed sowing caused to decrease of growth period length from 92.9 (for 22 April) to 82.6 (for 22 June) that it resulted to a significant decrease of vegetative growth indices such as plant height and biological yield. The maximum LAI and CGR were obtained at a longer time and had more value for earlier sowing dates. The growth period length decreased for the last sowing date, but early entering to flowering stage increased grain filling portion from total growth period. Sowing date had not a significant effect on protein percentage, but this effect was significant for varieties. ‘NM-94’ line and 22 June were the best choices for south east region of Tehran province.

In order to investigation nitrogen use efficiency in intercropping of maize and soybean an experiment was conducted with split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2012 in Bojnourd (North Khorasan). Nitrogen fertilizer rate was as a main factor at three levels (control, 50 percent lower than recommended N rate, recommended N) and five mixing ratio treatments were (0:100, 50:50, 66:33, 100:0 and 100:25 corn and soybean) as subplots within the main plots. Results indicated that nitrogen and intercropping system had significant effect on yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Nitrogen fertilizer increased nitrogen use efficiency, economical yield and land equivalent ratio. The highest nitrogen use efficiency, economical yield and land equivalent ratio were obtained in mixture of 50:50 corn and soybean under nitrogen recommended rate that 131, 16 and 21 percent higher than sole cropping, respectively. Therefore, intercrops could be used for more efficient use of N on a per land area basis.

The current research was carried out according to a completely randomized design with three replications to study the effect of drought stress on growth parameters, essential oil constituents and yield of lavender at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2012. Five levels of water deficit stress including D1 (100 percent FC, control), D2 (85 percent FC), D3 (70 percent FC), D4 (55 percent FC) and D5 (40 percent FC) were investigated during four months. Results indicated that drought stress motivated a significant influence in all of the growth parameters and essential oil yield and percent (P

In order to investigate the effect of planting density (50, 75 and 100 cm inter-row distance) and vermicompost (0, 5, 10 and 15 t.ha-1) on growth, qualitative and quantitative criteria of gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L., Solanaceae), an experiment was conducted as factorial based on complete randomized block design with three replications in University of Tehran, in 2013. Criteria such as leaf area, collar diameter, number of lateral branches per plant, plant height, fruit number and weight per plant, weight and diameter per fruit, calyx weight, total fruit yield, fruit marketable percentage, total marketable yield, plant dry weight and quality criteria such as pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, antioxidant activity and fruit color indices were evaluated. Results showed that treatments significantly affected most measured growth and yield criteria in which application of 15 t.ha-1 vermicompost increased them compared to control (non-vermicompost application) in which fruit weight per plant, total fruit yield and marketable percentage were increased 37.31, 37.82 and 11.52 percent, respectively. Also, inter-row distance of 100 cm performed better for plant growth and yield criteria. Interaction effect of 100 cm planting density and 15 t.ha-1 vermicompost caused the highest number of fruit per plant and marketable yield. The highest amount of TA and antioxidant activity obtained by application of 15 and 10 t.ha-1 vermicompost, respectively and vitamin C, TA and TSS were increased in planting distance of 50, 75 and 75 cm inter-row distance, respectively.

In order to study the canopy temperature effect on protein and soluble sugar, oil percentage and yield of soybean in different planting dates, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in Karaj and Moghan areas during 2012-13. The studied treatments were included cultivar (‘Williams’ and ‘L17’) and planting date (5th of May, 5th of June and 5th of July). Results showed that the soluble protein content was not affected by studied factors. The highest oil percentage (22.38%) in both areas was related to first planting date, also second and third planting dates with 18.8 and 17.72% respectively were arranged in the next levels. In Karaj area, the maximum rate of soluble sugar (73.17 mg/g grain) was obtained at third planting date but in Moghan area, it (72.12 mg/g grain) was observed at second planting date. Furthermore the highest yield (3679 kg/ha) was attained at second planting date in both areas while also third and first planting dates with 3160 and 3000 kg/ha were putted in the next levels. Results showed that although the oil percentage at 5th of May planting date was higher than the other planting dates, but the rate of yield and soluble sugar were decreased at this planting date, because of encountering the pod set and grain filling stages with higher temperature. So, in order to prohibition of this problem occurrence, it is suggested that soybean doesn’t plant in May and it be postponed until the mid of June.

In respect to drought crisis in the center of Iran, it needs valuable crops which adapt to such environments, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of drought stress on different castor ecotypes at two places (Isfahan and Shahrekord) in 2013. Experiment was carried out in split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications that four drought stress levels (non-stress equals 30, 45, 60 and 75 percent moisture depletion soil) as a main plot and six castor ecotypes (’Isfahan ‘, ’Ardesrtan ‘, ’Arak ‘, ’Naeen ‘, ’Yazd ‘ and ’Ahvaz‘) as a subplot in two mentioned places. The results from both experiments were analyzed by combined analysis. The measured traits were including plant height, leaf number per plant, LAI, capsule number per plant, seed number per plant, 100 seeds weight, grain yield, harvest index, oil percent and oil yield. The results showed that the highest seed yield and oil yield were related to ’Isfahan‘ ecotype in Isfahan region under control with 1388 and 673 kg/ha, respectively.

In this study, the effect of drought and different concentrations of silicon was examined on seed yield, essential oil percentage and physio-chemicals properties in fennel plant. The experimental design was a split plot with three irrigation regimes: irrigation at 100, 70 and 40 percent of FC comprising the main treatments, and five levels of silicon foliar sprays (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mM) as sub-treatments that were applied with three replications. The experiment was conducted in 2014 at the Zabol University research farm in Zabol, south Iran. Limited irrigation significantly decreased chlorophyll, carotenoids, leaf relative water content, while electrolyte leakage showed a 2 -fold increase over the control. In limited irrigation conditions 7.5 mM silicon increased relative water content, chlorophyll, antocianine, proline and soluble sugare by 38, 30, 38, 12 and 22 percent, respectively, while decreased electrolyte leakage by 28 perent over the control. These results suggested that silicon spraying by photosynthetic pigments and soluble osmolytes increasing could increase the ability of plants to drought stress, and in this way increased seed yield by 61 percent under severe stress conditions.

In order to study the effect of temperature and photoperiod (PP) on development rate of different vegetative and reproductive stages of canola, an experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad during 2005-2007. The experiment was a randomized complete block design arranged in a split-plot in two conditions, for example supplemental irrigation and rainfed. There were different regression equations between mean temperature and duration of development periods, i.e. a negative power equation for periods from planting to emergence and from emergence to beginning of budding, a quadratic equation for periods from beginning of budding to beginning of flowering and beginning of flowering to beginning of seed filling, and a negative linear equation for period from beginning of seed filling to physiological maturity. The decrease in seed filling period with increase in temperature was considerably higher in Hyola401 hybrid than RGS003 cultivar, indicating that the response of Hyola 401 development to temperature was more than RGS003. There was a positive linear relationship between mean PP from emergence to beginning of flowering with cumulative thermal time during this period, explaining 68 and 74 percent of the variation for Hyola401 and RGS003 cultivars, respectively, showing the positive effect of PP on canola development from emergence to beginning of flowering. Canola development was affected by PP and temperature during emergence to beginning of flowering, and temperature during beginning of flowering to physiological maturity.

To evaluate the effect of Zn sulfate foliar application on morphologic and quantitative characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars, a field experiment carried out in Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khouzestan, Iran, in a Factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with four replications, during 2012-2013. Treatments consisted of two spring safflower cultivars (Soffeh and Local of Esfahan) and time of foliar application of zinc sulfate (no spraying, spraying at the stem elongation, branching, flowering and grain filling), were considered. The results indicated that foliar application of zinc sulfate were significant effect on morphologic characteristics, number of head per plant and per square meter, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, biological yield and oil yield. Effect of cultivar on first branch height, number of secondry branch, head diameter, number of head per plant and per squar meter and number of grain per head was significant. Interaction of cultivar and foliar application has significant effect on grain oil contents. The spraying in the stem elongation and branching stage indicated maximum effect on morphologic characteristics. The maximum grain yield and yield components and oil yield were obtained in spraying in the branching stage. The spraying in the stem elongation stage increased biological yield. The highest amount of grain oil content was obtained in cultivar of Soffeh with spraying in the stem elongation stage. The experiment result indicated that local cultivar of Esfahan and spraying in the branching stage, had best morphological traits and yield of safflower in the climatic conditions of the experimental area.

In order to evaluate the effects of drought stress and methanol foliar application on some quantitative and qualitative traits of soybean (cv. Viliamz), a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design at the Faculty of Moghan Research Farm in 2011. Treatments were three levels of drought stress based on irrigation at depletion of 40, 55 and 70 percent of available soil moisture comprising the main-plot and four rates of methanol foliar application including non-methanol spraying (control), 7, 21 and 35 volumetric percentages as sub-plots that were applied with three replications. Drought stress significantly affected stem diameter, pod length, number of seed per pod, number of pod per plant, seed yield, HI, soluble carbohydrates, chlorophyll content, oil and protein percentage of seed. Drought stress increased soluble carbohydrates and oil percentage of seed and decreased other traits, so that irrigation at depletion of 70 percent of available soil moisture decreased seed yield by 33.87 percent. Methanol foliar application significantly affected number of pod per plant, seed yield, chlorophyll content, pod length, number of seed per pods, soluble carbohydrates and seed protein content. The greatest effect of methanol foliar application on studied traits obtained from 21 percent by volume of methanol and increased seed yield by 25.6 percent in comparison with the control and the highest seed yield for irrigation after 40 percent depletion of available moisture was obtained.

This experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan in Spring of 2012 to introduce an integrated weed management method in fennel. Treatments were type of herbicide (trifluralin and pendimethalin), application dose (recommend dose in other crop (R), 75 percent R, 50 percent R, and 0 percent R) and supplemental control (none, one hand-weeding at 50 day after planting (DAP) and, wheat straw mulch 2 kg m-2). A plot with whole season hand weeding was also included as check. The results showed that weed biomass loss, fennel yield and yield components significantly affected by weed control treatments. Pendimethalin provided better weeds control than trifluralin. Experimental results also showed that the use of herbicides resulted in reduced weed biomass but did not provide season long weed control without an additional supplemental control. Overall, the recommended dose of pendimethalin (1320 g ai ha-1) followed by one hand-weeding at 50 DAP produced consistently high yield (3561 kg ha-1) and weed biomass loss (92 percent).

In this study, the quantity and quality of essential oil (EO) of chamomile cv. ‘Bodegold’, Moldavian dragonhead cv. ‘SZK1’ and fennel cv. ‘Soroksari’ were evaluated in Shahrekord climate condition in Spring 2014, Shahrekord University. Chamomile’ flowers and dragonhead’ herb were harvested at full flowering stage. Fennel’ fruits were harvested at waxy and full-matured stages. The EO content of each sample was extracted using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and then was characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry methods. The EO content of chamomile, Moldavian dragonhead, fennel (waxy) and fennel (mature) was 0.69%, 0.35%, 4.9% and 4.4%, respectively. The main constituents detected in the chamomile EO were α-bisabolol oxide A (43.57%), β-Farnesene (24.09%) and α-bisabolol oxide B (10.34%). Geranyl acetate (27.29%), geranial (24.64%), neral (20.93%) and geraniol (18.54%) were the most abundant components of the EO in dragonhead. The main component of EO in fennel in waxy and mature stages was trans-anethole, but its content in maturity was higher than that in the waxy stage. In conclusion, chamomile, Moldavian dragonhead and fennel showed promising characteristics in terms of EO content and composition in Shahrekord climate condition.