پژوهشنامه اصلاح گیاهان زراعی
پیاپی 42 (تابستان 1401)

 Nepetaceae genus (Nepeta L.) is a medicinal and valuable Essence species that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. More than 250 species of this genus reported in the world but you can find 67 species of them in Iran. The present study conducted to provide a quick and efficient method for callus induction and plantlet regeneration of this medicinal plant with using seeds as an explant.

  For evaluation of callus induction, seeds of this plant cultured in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D and BA in 5 levels (0, 1,2,3,4 mg. l-1). For regeneration of calli, we used MS medium supplemented with IBA and BAP in 3 levels (0, 1, 2 mg.l-1). In order to optimization of rooting, 1/2MS, MS without Charcoal and 1/2MS with charcoal media that all of them supplemented with 3 levels of IBA (0, 1, 2 mg. l-1) were used.

After 10 days of culture, the callus were indued. The results showed BAP and BAP × 2,4-D didn't have significant effects on calli inducton, calli volume and regenerable calli. In regeneration treatments interaction between growth regulators couldn’t affect but BAP alone affect the explants regeneration. Different concentration of IBA in MS medium affect the rooting of explants and we tried to find the best medium for this purpose.  

 Explants in all treatments were produced Callus but The largest callus (18.4 with Hooker and Nabors scale) and highest regenerable callus percentage (63%) were showed on the MS medium supplemented with 1mg/l 2, 4-D. The highest percentage of callus regeneration and seedling emergence (88.9%) were showed in the MS medium supplemented with 2 mg.l-1 IBA .The highest percentage of rooting (100%) were showed in 1/2 MS containing 1mg.l-1 IBA Despite of some research about difficulties of  the hardening off this plant,  in this research over than 80% of plantlets be survive in greenhouse.

Drought stress is one of the most important environmental stresses that has limited the production of wheat and has significantly reduced the production efficiency of this plant in arid and semi-arid regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of 15 spring wheat genotypes to drought stress and to introduce the best genotypes for cultivation in areas with water shortage.

In order to study of genetic diversity in advanced spring wheat genotypes based on some morphological, physiological and agronomic traits, 15 spring wheat genotypes by using randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications under two non-stress and water-deficit stress conditions were examined at research field of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Iran during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 crop years. The morphological, physiological and yield component were assayed.

Based on results of the combined variance analysis, the interaction effects of genotype, irrigation conditions and year were significant for most of the studied traits, except chlorophyll index, carotenoid and chlorophyll b, that indicating the different reactions of genotypes under two non-stress and water-deficit stress conditions. Also, the interaction effects of genotype and water conditions were significant on studied characters except of spike number, spike length and carotenoid. Under water deficit stress the genotypes of URBWYT4, URBWYT1 and ERWYT4 showed the highest seed yield, and URBWYT3, Gonbad, Karim, and Morvarid showed the maximum seed yield in normal condition. Cluster analysis using Ward method based on studied traits with standardized data led to the allocation of genotypes in two separate clusters in both non-stress and water-deficit stress conditions. Also the results of the discrimination function analysis confirmed the genotypes grouping of cluster analysis. According to cluster analysis the genotypes of ERWYT1, URBWYT3, URBWYT5, URBWYT4, ERWYT5, URBWYT1, URBWYT2, ERWYT4 and ERWYT2 in non-stress condition and Morvarid, ERWYT1، ERWYT2، URBWYT2، ERWYT3 and URBWYT4 under water-deficit stress were elite genotypes.

according to obtained results the two genotypes of Morvarid and ERWYT3 can be introduced as the best genotypes for both studied conditions.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important agricultural products in the world. It is one of the crops that have provided the connection between the two sectors of agriculture and industry and it plays a very valuable role in the economies of countries. The objectives of this study were to investigate the diversity of agronomic and morphological traits, to identify the traits affecting the seedcotton yield and finally the grouping of tetraploid cotton cultivars in the country.

40 different cotton genotypes including commercial, imported and hybrid cultivars were cultivated and studied in the farm of Kashmar Agricultural Research Station in 2016-2017 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The traits of number of open and closed bolls, crown diameter, first harvest yield, second harvest yield, total yield, and boll weight, number of bolls, number and length of vegetative and reproductive branches, plant height and early maturity of the crop were measured.

According to the results of descriptive statistics, the number of open and closed bolls, seedcotton yield, early maturity and boll weight had the highest range and coefficient of variation which showed the phenotypic variation of these traits in the studied genotypes. Cluster analysis in terms of the studied traits divided the genotypes into three main groups. In order to check the accuracy of cluster analysis grouping, the detection function was used. The results of the detection function also showed that the genotypes were correctly grouped and the success rate of the detection function in identifying the groups was high that 89.3, 100 and 71.4 percent of the genotypes were properly grouped in their groups, respectively. Also, based on the results of the canonical detection function, the most important traits affecting the seedcotton yield of cotton genotypes were early maturity, number of closed bolls and boll weight. Both cluster analysis and detection function methods were divided the studied genotypes into three separate groups. In a way the results of the detection function showed that the genotypes were correctly grouped in the cluster analysis method. The genotypes of group 1 that included 28 genotypes, had the lowest average of plant height and along with group 2, it also had the lowest average number of closed bolls. Also, the genotypes of the first group and the second group had the highest mean of seedcotton yield and early maturity. On the other hand, the second group, which included 5 genotypes, had the lowest mean of the traits boll weight and percentage of fibers.

Based on the total results, the selection of the first group of genotypes for breeding programs to increase its seedcotton yield through boll weight, early maturity and fibre percentage traits can help us to achieve this goal.

 Abiotic stresses, especially drought, have a negative effect on crop growth and production. Plants display a variety of hysiological and biochemical responses both at the cellular and whole organism level upon sensing drought stress. Drought tolerance levels and antioxidant protection mechanisms were evaluated for 41 mutant genotypes seedlings (M3) induced of the ethyl methanesulfonate on Hashemi rice cultivar.

Drought was imposed in hydroponic culture with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) at the level of -10 bar using factorial experiment as completely randomized design. In this experiment the morphological characteristics of relative humidity content, electrolyte leakage, proline and antioxidant enzymes were investigated.

 All the studied genotypes showed apparent decreases in growth characteristics under drought stress. Based on different morpho- physiological parameters, two genotypes M29 and M122 were identified as promising drought tolerant mutant genotypes. They exhibited the maximum increase in root length without any significant changes in its root weight and root volume compared with the parent under stress and also showed better performance for various physiological parameters such as relative water content, cell membrane stability and proline content upon water stress under hydroponic conditions. Concomitantly, the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase in the drought-tolerant mutant genotypes increased markedly during drought stress, while decreased by drought stress in the drought sensitive mutant genotypes. Also, M31 and M106 mutant genotypes were introduced as the most susceptible genotype with minimum performance at stress level.

 In this study it was found, proline accumulation, increase of root biomass, increase of membrane stability and antioxidant enzymes such as POX, APX and CAT during water stress are contributing to drought tolerance conditions and could be used in screening for drought tolerance. The mutant genotypes identified in this study will be useful for further dissection of water stress tolerance in rice.

Salinity stress is one of most important factors limiting the growth and production of plants in arid and semi-arid regions of the world such as Iran.

In order to evaluate the response of some bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) ecotypes to salinity stress at germination stage an experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in the laboratories of Faculty of Agriculture at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2019. Eight bitter vetch ecotypes were evaluated at four salinity levels (30, 50, 70 and 90 mM of NaCl). Shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, germination percentage, germination rate and seed vigor index were measured.

The results of variance analysis showed significant effects of salinity and ecotype on the most evaluated traits. According to the results of mean comparison of the studied traits, with increasing salinity from the 30 mM to 50, 70 and 90 mM, all traits showed significant decrease. Principle components analysis based on the evaluated traits for salinity stress showed 76.7, 82.5, 88.6 and 89.5 percentages of the changes by the first and second components, respectively, at the 30, 50, 70 and 90 mM NaCl. Cluster analysis based on the measured traits at 30, 50, 70 and 90 mM levels classified the studied ecotypes in separate groups.

Regarding to byplot and cluster analysis, Dashbolagh ecotype in terms of tolerance to stress in different levels of salinity were superior to other ecotypes in this experiment and could be used in breeding programs.

Improving the quality of bread wheat is an important issue. It has attracted the attention of many researchers over the years, and in recent decades, various methods have been developed to evaluate this goal. One of the most important goals in wheat breeding programs is to improve the quality of wheat bakery. Waxy proteins that responsible for the expression of GBSS enzyme in wheat that control the ratio of amylose to amylopectin in starch, These proteins in hexaploid wheat are controlled by three genes, Wx-D1, Wx-B1, Wx-A1 and those have a key role in quality of wheat flour. The goal of this study was to investigate the nucleotide diversity of Wx-B1 gene in wild and crop cultivars and also to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between wheat and their ancestors based on waxy genes.

In the present study, the phylogenetic relationships of the waxy B gene in 34 samples including 4 species of Aegilops genus and 28 cultivars of wheat and 2 species of wild wheat were evaluated using PCR and sequencing techniques  in Ilam university.

Sequences alignment results of Wx-B-seq1 and Wx-B-seq2 genes showed there are very high conserved regions between crop and wild wheat, although in some regions there is single nucleotide diversity between crop and wild wheat. The results of similarity matrix of Wx-B-seq1 showed the highest distance was related to Sardari cultivar and the lowest distance was related to Aegilops.umbellulata sample. The similarity matrix of the Wx-B-seq2 gene showed this gene did not change much in crop cultivars except Shahi cultivar, while the two wild wheat samples T.boeticum and T.dicoccooides showed a very large genetic distance compared to the crop cultivars. The results of the substitution matrix estimation based on the maximum likelihood method for Wx-B-seq1 and Wx-B-seq2 genes showed the highest and lowest contributions of nucleotide substitution are purine and pyrimidine, respectively. Also, UPGMA clustering results for Wx-B-seq1 and Wx-B-seq2 genes divided the samples into two and three main groups, respectively.

The overall results show that the diversity observed in wild samples and The ancestors of crop wheat can be a good candidate for further studies to determine whether these changes will lead to protein content or not.

 Foxtail millet, as a multi-purpose crop, enjoys nutritious and remedial properties. This research was aimed at identifying diversity and the investigated based on 14 agronomic traits in a wide range of foxtail millet germplasms (134 genotypes).

 In this research a total of 134 seeds of foxtail millet genotypes corresponding to a wide range of foxtail millet germplasms were procured by Research and Technology Institute of Plant Production (RTIPP) affiliated to the Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. This experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with three replications under normal condition in 2017. Agronomic traits include: seed germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves per plant, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, number of tillers, panicle length, seed yield, number of plants per line, forage yield, seed weight of superior plant, 1000-seed weight , Harvest index and biological yield were measured  and the data were then analyzed.

 Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the differences between the studied genotypes were significant for all traits except for flag leaf width and the number of plants on the line was significant. According to the phenotypic correlation coefficients, the seed and forage yields had positive and significant correlations with all investigated traits except for the flag leaf width.
Also, the seed yield had the highest correlations with forage and biological yields (0.97 and 0.94, respectively). Then, principal components analysis showed that the first four main principal components could justify explained more than 75.62% of the total variance of the traits, and the first to fourth components explained 49.89, 9.87, 8.32, and 7.54% of the total variance, respectively. Based on the cluster analysis, all genotypes were categorized into four groups. Compared to other groups, the first group of genotypes had superior seed and forage yields.

 In general, genotypes had significant differences in terms of the investigated traits. These results indicated the presence of a wide range of diversity in the investigated germplasm of foxtail millet. Besides, the common genotypes held in the first group (G160, G68, G15, G23, G72, G73, G39, G170, G57, G122) had significant superiority in terms of seed and forage yields under condition.Therefore, they can be considered and used for future studies of plant breeding as superior genotypes in breeding and selection programs in order to increase the forage and grain yield of fox tail millet.

Evaluation of the effects of different environments on grain yield of sunflower hybrids (Helianthus annuus L) and determination of superior and stable genotypes in different places is considered as a model for stability and adaptation to the environment.

In order to investigate the interaction of yield stability on 12 sunflower hybrids, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in five regions (Karaj, Birjand, Firooz-Abad, Kashmar and Arak).

The evaluation of variance analysis in 1% probability indicated that the genotypes effect was significant for kernel yield. Also, the data collected from mean value showed that genotype Zaria is the most desirable genotype and genotype Progress the most undesirable. According to AMMI method variance analysis environment effect, genotype effect and genotype × environment interaction in 1% and 5% probability level was significant and the first two factors have covered more than 80% of data variance totally (IPC1= 52.4%, IPC2= 27.9%). AMMI1 model clarified due to having the least first main factor in interaction, genotype Zaria have known as the stable genotype. AMMI2 model shows that genotypes Zargol and Master in Arak, genotypes SHF81-90 and Zaria in Kashmar, genotypes Gabur, Favorite, Record and Progress in Birjand, genotypes Armaverski, Azargol, Lakumka in Karaj and Firooz-Abad have specific adaptation. Based on stability parameters (environmental variances, coefficient of variation, wrick's ecovalance, Shukla variances, regression coefficient, Eberhart and Russell) genotype Zargol recognized as the stable genotype and genotype SHF81-90 as the unstable.

Genotypes Zaria and Zargol identified as the most stable genotypes and genotype SHF81-90 as the unstable genotype generally. The result of stability parameters correlation describes that environmental variance and coefficient values parameters have positive and significant correlation with Eberhart and Russell, Shukla variance and Wricke's ecovalence parameters.

Yield of hybrid cultivars is 20 to 30% higher than conventional cultivars. On the other hand, the most important challenge for hybrid breeders, especially in Iran, is the selection of parental genotypes that have fertility restorer genes and ultimately lead to heterosis.

The present study was performed by evaluating the morphological traits of 19 rice genotypes and the linked of three SSR molecular primers related to Rf3 and Rf4 genes. These genotypes were planted in 2019 in the research farm of Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Tabarestan in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Quantitative and agronomic traits, especially paddy yield, were evaluated. DNA extraction was performed by CTAP method with modification from leaf samples. Three SSR markers linked with two major RF3 genes including RM490 and RM 3148 markers and RF4 gene linked with RM171 marker were used to identify fertility restorer genes in rice.

The results of comparing the mean of rice genotypes showed that P15-6 genotype with 118.33 was the earliest and all foreign genotypes with a maturity of 150 days were the latest. The highest yield of genotypes (above 700 g / m2) is related to Neda genotypes, IR 86403-5-5-2-1-1-1-1-1-1R, P15-6, P12-5-3-3-2- 2-1, P12-5-3-3-2-1-1 and P8-7-2-1-4-2-1-1, which due to the number of fertile tiller, the number of fertile panicle, 1000-seed weight and panicle fertility has been high. In the results of cluster analysis, parental cultivars were divided into three groups: in the first group (medium yield, long cluster length, high number of full seeds, and long grain length) the Jelodar cultivar, in the second group (maximum cluster fertility, 1000-seed weight and high paddy yield) Neda cultivar along with four other lines and all foreign cultivars are in the third group (late, short grain length and high grain density). Principal component analysis divided the studied traits into four main components with eigenvalues ​​above one, which in total explained 82.61% of the data changes, which these four components are more valuable and express the relationship between the traits. In total, the band pattern of three markers showed that IR 68078-15-2-1-2-2-R, IR65622-151-1-2-2-2-R and NSIC RC434 genotypes had fertility restorer genes.

Summary of all 3 SSR markers showed that genotypes P9-7-1-1-1, P11-6-2-1-1-1, P14-1 and P15-2 with two markers RM3148, RM490, have Rf3 gene and haven’t Rf4 genes and the reason that some genotypes have been identified as Rf gene with RM3148 marker but not detected with RM490 marker may be due to crossover between the desired gene and marker, so genotypes with fertility restorer gene are fertility restorer lines and can be used in hybrid rice program.

NFXL1 and NFXL2 proteins have NF-X1 type zinc fingers domains, DNA binding, and PHD finger motifs, which potentially mediate its protein interactions. NF-X genes play an important role in response to defense signaling using plant hormones.

In this study, 12 NF-X genes were selected in barley, maize and wheat. The gene structures, duplication patterns, phylogenetic tree, developmental of the 12 NF-X transcription factors in nine species were analyzed to further investigate the functions of these factors. In the present study, a comparative analysis was performed to identify orthologs and paralogues of NF-X in the genomes of maize, barley and wheat.

The phylogenetic tree of NF-X from H.vulgare and Z.mays revealed two groups based on their homology and the exon numbers of NF-X genes, ranging from 1 to 13. According to the synteny analysis, NF-X genes of barley, maize and wheat revealed high similarity, which TaNFXL1.2 with HvNFXL1; HvNFXL2 with TaNFXL1.3, TaNFXL2, TaNFXL2.1; TaNFXL1 with TaNFXL1.1, TaNFXL1.3; ZmNFXL1 with ZmNFXL1.1 genes revealed similarity more than %90. Prediction cis-elements showed that NF-YB; NF-YA; NF-YC, bHLH, myb/SANT, WRKY, Dof, and Trihelix had maximum frequency in the promoter region of NF-X genes.  The HvNF-X2, ZmNF-X2 and TaNF-X2 genes had the highest number of cis-elements. Analysis of NF-X genes showed that tandem duplication and segmental duplication play an important role in the development of barley, maize and wheat genomes. NF-X gene expression analysis showed that these genes were up-regulated in almost all developmental stages. However, the number of tandem and segmental duplication showed that these factors are major factors in the evolution of NF-X genes. Since this is the first study to compare NF-X genes in three species, our findings could be considered as useful source for future NF-X genes studies in comparative studies among different plant species.

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize NF-X genes in nine species via in silico genome-wide analysis approach. HvNFX1, HvNF-X2, and ZmNFXL1.1 genes showed that gene expression in all development stages. The gene structure in most proteins in each group was similar, which validated the NF-X transcription factors phylogenetic classification.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important nutritional products in the world. Despite efforts to improve the quality of wheat, its micronutrient level is still below the optimal level for human nutrition. Zinc (Zn) deficiency in particular is a widespread problem of human nutrition in countries that rely heavily on cereal-based diets. Hence, the current investigation was performed to investigate the expression pattern of genes encoding transcription factors bZIP56, WRKY1 and NAM-B1 under Zn deficiency conditions in bread wheat.

In this investigation, two Zn-efficient (Hamoon) and –inefficient (Hirmand) bread wheat cultivars were planted under Zn deficiency (0) and adequacy (5 mg Zn / kg soil) conditions and the relative expression of the above-mentioned genes was measured in root and leaf of the cultivars in Zn deficiency conditions at two growth stages: one month after germination (vegetative stage) and 30% of heading (reproductive stage) using real time PCR technique.

The results reveled the highest expression of bZIP56 (more than 77-fold) and WRKY1 (more than 20-fold) in roots of Zn-efficient (Hamoon) cultivar at vegetative stage. Also, the expression of these genes in the leaves of Hamoon at vegetative stage was considerably increased compared to control plants. The highest expression of NAM-B1 (more than 54-fold) was observed in the leaves of Zn-inefficient (Hirmand) cultivar at reproductive stage. The expression of this gene in the roots and leaves of Zn-efficient (Hamoon) cultivar was also enhanced remarkably at both reproductive and vegetative stages, compared to control plants.

In conclusion, regarding the enhanced expression of the three studied genes at vegetative stage in the roots of Zn-efficient cultivar, they are probably involved in the activation of the transcription of the genes involved in Zn uptake in the roots under Zn deficiency conditions. Therefore, these genes could be used in the seed quality improvement and biofortification breeding programs of bread wheat for producing Zn-efficient cultivars.

Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting plant growth. Salicylic acid is a phenolic compound produced by plants that plays an important role in regulating various plant processes. Research has shown that external application of salicylic acid can increase plant tolerance to some abiotic stresses such as osmotic stress, drought, salinity, ozone and ultraviolet rays. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of drought stress and foliar application of salicylic acid on some physiological and biochemical parameters in bean genotypes.

To investigate the effect of salicylic acid on the physiological and biochemical trait of bean genotypes under drought stress, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replicates was performed at 2020 in the research greenhouse of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran in Karaj. The treatments included two genotyps of common bean (167drought tolerant and Naz drought sensitive), two levels of drought stress, 80% of field capacity (as control), and 40% of field capacity (severe drought stress) as well as two concentrations of salicylic acid 0, 1 mM. After applying the treatments, various physiological and biochemical traits were evaluated.

The results showed that drought stress significantly reduced ion leakage and significantly increased ion leakage, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in both genotypes. These changes under drought stress were far greater in Naz genotype than in genotype 167. Foliar application of salicylic acid reduced the amount of malondialdehyde, ion leakage and hydrogen peroxide and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, proline and relative content at all drought levels. The reduction of these changes in leaf foliar application by salicylic acid in Naz genotype was much greater than genotype 167.

The results showed that that foliar application of salicylic acid was able to maintain the leaf water status (relative leaf water content), maintain cell membrane stability (by reducing ion and malondialdehyde leakage), increase the amount of compatible solutions (proline) as well as increasing the Antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase) in both bean genotypes and thus, reduce the negative effects of drought stress and make the plant more resistant. Therefore, the foliar application of 1 mM salicylic acid can be used to reduce the destructive effects of drought stress on bean genotypes.

Pod distortion anomaly (PDA) is a particular type of growth along with flower and pod abnormality in that soybean plants remain green long after pod maturation which caused significantly yield reduction. To identification of proteins that involved in soybean pod distortion anomaly incidence, the proteins expression profiles of PDA and non-PDA soybean cultivars viz. Katul and Gorgan 3 were compared via proteomics and bioinformatics approaches.

Therefore, leaf samples of two cultivars were collected at flowering growth stage and subjected to protein extraction using TCA/acetone extraction method. Protein separation and comparative analysis was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and nESI-LC-MS/MS mass spectrometery, respectively.

The 2-DE analysis revealed that 5 out of 155 protein spots in Katul and 11 out of 143 protein spots in Gorgan 3 had significantly different expression levels in PDA and non-PDA plants. The differential analysis of significantly expressed spots by nESI-LC-MS/MS showed that most of these protein had already been discovered to regulate cellular activities as diverse as energy production, metabolism, signal transduction, gene transcription and translation as well as protein destination and storage.

Taken together, it is possible that 14-3-3 like protein, OEE2, ribulose 1, 5 bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunite and NACA proteins are among the most important regulators of  pod distortion anomaly incidence.

Water stress particularly during the end of crop growing season causes a great yield loss in the production of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in Iran. Researchers emphasize on the use of stable and water stress tolerant genotypes to alleviate the impact of water stress on the crop yield.

In order to identify high yielding and stable oil brassica genotypes under drought stress a total of 24 genotypes from three brassica species of Brassica napus, B. rapa and B. juncea, were studied in two moisture conditions (normal and drought stress) in a randomized complete block design for two years in one location; seed and plant improvement institute. Each genotype was planted in a 6-square meter plot and irrigated at different plant growth stages including planting time, seedling establishment, stem elongation, flowering and seed filling. To apply water stress, irrigation was not implemented at seed filling stage. At full maturity, two middle rows of each plot were harvested and seed yield were measured. Following simple and combined data analyzing of variance, univariate statistics, regression coefficient, deviation from regression parameter, Shukla’s stability variance, and Wricke’s ecovalence were used to evaluate the grain yield stability of genotypes. Finally, GGE-biplot analysis was used to better interpret the interaction of genotype with environment.

The results showed that seed yield is largely influenced by environmental factors. Based on all stability parameters and biplot analysis, genotypes no. 4, 6, 8 and 10 from B. napus with mean yield of 2725, 2820, 3079 and 2729 kg/ha had higher yield than total mean, lower Wricke’s ecovalence and Shukla’s stability variance, regression coefficient equivalent to one and low deviation from regression parameter, therefore, selected as the most stable genotypes. Furthermore, genotypes no. 3 and 17 form B. napus and no. 23 (BP.18) from B. juncea with mean yield of 2660 and 2751 kg/ha showed moderate yield stability. In terms of mean yield in whole environments, line no. 23 from B. juncea with 2958 kg/ha ranked third after line no. 8 and 16 from B. napus with mean yield of 3079 and 3071 kg/ha.

Although line no. 8 from B. napus has a high yield and stability, the results of this study also implies that line no. 23 from B. juncea relatively has a good stability and performance under water stress and normal condition. Species B. juncea generally has some good agronomic characteristics such as resistance to drought, seed shattering, and pests and have early maturity that could be introduced to regions with drought stress condition.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important crops belonging to the Solanaceae family. The fruit fleshiness is one of the important traits affecting the quality of tomato fruit which quantitatively inherited. Pectin esterase 1 (PE1) and polygalacturonase (PG) are two important genes involved in fruit fleshiness of tomato. Given the important role of these genes in tomato fruit quality, the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding regions of these genes may be necessary to produce functional markers associated with fruit firmness.

In this study, 96 genotypes from 12 populations collected from different regions of West Azerbaijan Province (Iran) and Turkey were grown in the research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University. To identify SNPs in PE1 and PG genes, specific primers were designed using FastPCR software to amplify fragments of coding regions of these genes in 96 tomato genotypes. Pst1 and TruI enzymes were used to digest the amplified fragments of the two genes. Due to the lack of polymorphisms in the digested patterns of the enzymes used, four individuals from different populations were selected and their amplified fragments were purified and sequenced. After the retrieval of the sequenced fragments, SNPs were identified using multiple alignments of the sequences of the each gene using Clustal Omega.

Four SNPs were identified in PE1, of which 75% was transition with a frequency of 50% A/G, 25% T/C, and 25% of the mutations were transversion (C/A). In PG gene, six SNPs were identified, 66.7% of which was transition with a frequency of 33.3% A/G and 33.3% T/C, while 32.3% of mutations was transversion with a frequency of 16.16 16% T/A and 16.16% G/C.

In general, the results of the present study showed that the mean number of SNPs per 100 bp of exons of PE1 and PG is 1.22 and 0.41, respectively. Also, the frequency of SNPs in PG gene was less than that of PE1. The low number of SNPs observed in the exons of both genes indicates the conserved status of the coding regions of these genes during tomato evolution. Also, identified SNPs in the current investigation could be used in tomato breeding programs for production of functional markers associated with fruit firmness.

Soil salinity is one of the most important factors reducing plant yield and affects many physiological and metabolic activities of plants, thereby reducing their growth and yield. Food management plays an important role in reducing salinity stress in various environmental conditions. Calcium and sulfur are important elements to increase plant resistance to salinity.

To investigate the effect of different levels of calcium polysulfide (control (0), 15, 20, 25 and 30 liters per hectare) at different salinity levels (1, 2, 3 and 4 dS/m) on soil nutrients and some growth attributes of Ocimum basilicum (Genovese cultivar), an experiment was conducted based on factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse at Qaemshahr in 2018. Measurement traits in this experiment included plant height, lateral branch length, number of lateral branches, number of leaf, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of aerial parts and some soil elements (percentage of organic matter, electrical conductivity of soil, phosphorus, potassium and absorbable sulfur, calcium, Magnesium, sodium and chlorine soluble).

The results showed that the highest shoot dry weight to 27.2 gram per plant was obtained in 1 dS/m salinity with 30 lit/ha calcium polysulfide treatment. Salinity caused a significant decrease in shoot dry weight and other vegetative traits such as number of branches, leaf area and plant height that in these traits, the highest decrease was observed in the absence of calcium polysulfide. However, application of calcium polysulfide at most salinity levels had a positive effect on these traits. Although the maximum effect of calcium polysulfide on leaf area and shoot dry weight was related to 2 dS/m salinity, but the highest effect of calcium polysulfide was observed on plant height, leaf number per plant and stem length at 4 dS/m salinity. With the application of calcium polysulfide, the amount of potassium, zinc, iron and copper in the soil solution decreased, while the amount of calcium, manganese and chlorine in the soil solution increased. Salinity had a negative effect on the amount of phosphorus, zinc and sulphur in the soil, but it did not affect the solubility of other elements.

The results showed that the application of calcium polysulfide can partially reduce the effect of salinity at different salinity levels on the growth attributes of basil.

Identification of high-yield genotypes with adaptation to a wide range of environments is one of the major goals in crop breeding programs.

 In order to evaluate the yield stability of advanced lentil genotypes, 14 advanced genotypes along with two local cultivars (Gachsaran and Sepehr), were evaluated in four regions of Gachsaran, Khorramabad, Moghan and Ilam, during two cropping years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. In order to evaluate the yield stability and genotype*environment interaction, the model of “additive main effects and multiplicative interactions” (AMMI) was used.

The results of AMMI analysis of variance showed very significant interaction between genotype and environment. The first two main components of the AMMI model accounted for nearly 70% of GE interaction. ASV statistic in AMMI model showed that genotypes 9, 8, 1 and 12 showed the lowest amount of ASV and therefore the highest stability. Among these genotypes, only genotype 9 , had higher yield than the superior control cultivar (Sepehr). AMMI 1 (PC1 and yield) and AMMI 2 (PC1 and PC2) biplot diagrams showed that genotypes 9 and 10 were identified as genotypes with higher yield and stability (copmared to Sepehr cultivar). Accordingly, genotypes 11 and 5 were the most unstable genotypes. High-yield genotype 11 lacked general adaptation and showed private adaptation to environment 1 and 2 that they belong to Gachsaran region. Genotype 5 showed private adaptation to Khorramabad region. Genotypes 12 and 8 showed lower than average yield despite suitable stability. Based on the biplot diagram of the first two main components, environments 8 and 7 (Ilam) along with 2 and 4 had the largest share in its GE interaction.

Overall, G9 and G10 genotypes due to higher grain yield and stability were determined as superior genotypes.

Due to the spread of droughts and fodder shortages in the country, it is necessary to introduce new cultivars of forage sorghum. Investigating the genotype-environment interaction to select the superior genotype is one of the most important steps of breeding programs. In these programs, evaluating the compatibility of different genotypes to various environmental conditions is important.

Ten promising lines of forage sorghum were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications at seven regions of Iran (Boroujerd, Zabol, Sanandaj, Shiraz, Karaj, Gorgan, and Yazd) for two years (2018-2019). The AMMI method was used to evaluate the yield stability and compatibility of genotypes.

The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the effects of year, place, year × place, genotype, year × genotype, place × genotype, and year × place × genotype on the fresh and dry forage yield were significant (p≤0.01). The significant interaction of environment × genotype indicates different reactions of genotypes in different environments. The results of AMMI analysis showed that the six main components of the interaction of environment × genotype were significant for fresh and dry forage yields (p≤0.01). For fresh forage yield, the first main component of interaction (IPCA1) had the largest contribution (26.6%) in the expression of genotype-environment interaction and the second to seventh main components were in the next ranks of importance with 18.4, 17, 15.7, 10.5, 7.5 and 4.3%, respectively. For dry forage yield, the first main component of interaction (IPCA1) had the largest contribution (21.8%) in the expression of genotype-environment interaction and the second to seventh main components were in the next ranks of importance with 19.8, 14.7, 14, 11.1, 10.1 and 8.5%, respectively. In total, the cumulative contribution of the seven main components was 98% for fresh forage yield and 97% for dry forage yield. In terms of fresh forage yield, the KFS10, KFS12, and KFS17 lines had the lowest IPCA1 values, which are introduced as stable lines with high general compatibility. In terms of AMMI stability value (ASV) for fresh forage yield, the KFS10 line was determined as the most stable line. In terms of dry forage yield, the KFS2, KFS3, KFS9, and KFS17 lines had the lowest IPCA1 values, which are introduced as stable lines with high general compatibility. The KFS2 line had the lowest amount of ASV in terms of dry forage yield.

Overall, the KFS18 line with high fresh and dry forage yields (121.1 and 32.04 t.ha-1, respectively), low IPCA1, and also optimal forage production in most environments (according to the Biplot model of AMMI) is recognized as a superior genotype.

Wheat is of great importance in the nutrition of human society, especially in third world countries. Stem rust or black rust is the most common, widespread and destructive wheat disease in Iran and around the world. The extent of damage of this disease, depending on its severity, can vary from reduced yields to complete destruction of farms. The development of genotypes with the black rust resistance gene is one of the most important strategies to combat this destructive disease, considering the importance of wheat in the nutrition of human society, especially in third world countries. Identifying sources of resistance to import them in breeding programs leads to the development of resistant genotypes.

89 bread wheat cultivars along with Morocco as susceptible control were studied with the aim of identifying stem rust resistance cultivars in the seedling stage to six races of the disease in randomized complete block design with two replications. All stages of plant assessment were carried out in the Cereal Research Department, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Alborz, Iran, in 2019. In the GGE Biplot graphics model, each disease races (PKTTF, PKSTC, PKSTF, PTRTF, TTTTF and PTTTF) were considered as an environment, Therefore, based on the singular value decomposition of cultivars' response to races, graphical analysis was performed.

PKTTF, PKSTC, PKSTF, PTRTF and TTTTF were classified into a group based on the degree of correlation between them and Pishtaz, Sivand, Adl, Pishgam, Niknezhad and Alvand cultivars had resistance to those races. PTTTF race was placed in the second group and Hamoon, Marvdasht, Zarrin, Gohar, Darab 2 and Sabalan cultivars showed resistance against this race. Pishtaz and Adl illustrated stable resistance reaction for all six studied races. The severity of virulence of the studied races confirmed the high pathogenicity of PTTTF on the investigated germplasm. The orders of pathogenicity of other races from highest to lowest were PKTTF, TTTTF, PTRTF, PKSTF and PKSTC.

The multivariate graphical GGE biplot method was effective in investigating the resistance of commercial wheat cultivars and provided valuable information on the identification of cultivars with genes resistant to black rust disease. By introducing these cultivars in breeding programs, an effective step can be taken to develop cultivars resistant to this disease and to deal with it genetically.

Waterlogging is a global phenomenon that drastically reduces the growth and survival of sugarcane, which leads to 15-45 % reduction in yield.

Three commercial varieties of sugarcane were evaluated to identify the most tolerant varieties to waterlogging stress. Factorial experiment in the basis of completely randomized design with two factors (the first factor related to waterlogging stress at three levels without stress, 7 days and 14 days of waterlogging and the second factor of commercial sugarcane varieties including three varieties CP48-103, CP69-1062 and CP73 21) was carried out in three replications under controlled greenhouse condition.

The results of mean comparison showed that waterlogging reduce the height of plants. the height of plants in different varieties decreased by 5.6% (CP73-21) to 16% (CP48-103). According to the comparison results, the most shoots weight decrease was related to CP48-103 variety. Fresh root weight was increased in stressed plants compared to the control. The interaction of stress and variety showed changes in fresh root weight under different levels of stress (at 5% probability level). Aerial roots were not formed in control plants, but in stressed plants by increasing duration of stress, growth and weight of aerial roots increased. The range of weight changes of aerial roots under stress for 7 days were between 2.3  to 5.7 g and under 14 days treatment, the range of changes was observed between 3.8 to 8.7 g. Leaf mortality were significantly affected by waterlogging stress and variety (at 1% probability level). 7 days stress caused 20% and 14 days stress caused 27% leaf mortality. Increase duration of stress caused the relative moisture content of leaves decreased and the highest decrease seen in 14 days. In 7 days and in 14 days stress, the RWC decreased by 3.2% and 3.5% respectively. The highest amount of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids was observed in the control treatment and the lowest in the 14 days treatment. The stomatal conductance showed a decrease by increase duration of stress. At 7 days stress, the highest reduction in stomatal conductance was 27.7% and the lowest reduction was 18.4%. In 14 days stress condition, stomatal conductance decreased by 41% to 52%.

The response of the three varieties to duration of waterlogging stress was different. CP69-1062 and CP73-21 varieties showed better adaptation to waterlogging stress compared to CP48-103.