سید محمد علوی سینی

Drought is one of the major limitation on food production worldwide (Hu et al., 2020), which is a growing problem caused by an increasing world population. In wheat cultivation in the Mediterranean climate, mainly the stages of flowering and grain filling are exposed with drought stress. Drought stress reduces the yield of wheat in all growth stages, but its negative effect on grain yield is very severe in the stages of flowering and grain filling. Terminal drought and moisture stress are the main factors of wheat yield reduction under rainfed condition compared to irrigation conditions in Iran. Therefore, one solution to increase the yield is the breeding under drought stress conditions. Due to the low heritability of yield and the complex mechanisms of drought tolerance, little progress has been made in wheat grain yield under drought conditions. Therefore, the grain yield of wheat should be improved indirectly through improving the traits that greatly affect grain yield. Therefore, it seems necessary to identify the quantity and quality of relationships between different traits and grain yield under rainfed conditions. The use of multivariate statistical methods such as path analysis and canonical correlation analysis can help to identify important and effective traits in determining seed yield. This research was carried out with the aim of finding effective agronomical traits on yield and investigating the relationship between these traits and physiological traits under rainfed conditions.

In order to determine the effective trait on wheat grain yield under rainfed conditions and investigate the relationship between agronomic and physiological traits, an experiment was conducted with 21 lines along with Baran, Hashtroud and Sardari cultivars as control in the form of a randomized complete blocks design in four replications during two years at Khodabande Rainfed Research Station. Plant height (PLH), Day to Heading (DHE), Day to physiological maturity (DMA) at the same time as peduncle yellowing, 1000 grain weight and yield after physiological maturity were measured. To determine the variability between the studied genotypes, descriptive parameters and compound variance analysis were performed based on the expected of mean square, the effects of year and replication was randomly considered and the effect of genotype as a fixed effect using SAS (9.4) software. Simple correlation analysis, path analysis and canonical correlation analysis were used to determine the relationship between traits and to determine effective traits.

ANOVA showed significant difference between genotypes in terms of all studied traits. Simple correlation analysis showed 19 significant correlation and other correlation were not significant. There is a positive and significant correlation between grain yield and Photosynthesis rate, height and 1000-grain weight, but the relationship between day to heading and grain yield was negative and significant. Path analysis revealed that day-to-heading and day-to-maturity traits with -1.05 and 0.84 had the most direct and negative direct effects on grain yield, respectively. Canonical correlation analysis also showed a significant canonical correlation (r = 0.74) between the set of physiological traits and agronomic traits. According to the results of this study, it was found that agronomic traits of day to heading, day to maturity and height are effective in determining grain yield under dryland conditions.

The investigation of the relationship between traits also showed that selection for physiological traits such as transpiration rate and lower stomatal conductance led to selection of genotypes with high height, low day to heading and shorter growth period and finally higher yield under rainfed conditions.Therefore, genotypes with shorter growth periods that can escape terminal-season stresses and lose less water by closing stomata are suitable for high yields under rainfed conditions.

As one of the most important plants of the cereal family, wheat plays a very important role in world food security. The problem of food security in the world is facing a serious challenge due to severe climate changes and a lack of supplementary irrigation resources. Understanding the responses of plants to drought is the main part of the development of stress-resistant cultivars. The relative performance of genotypes under drought stress conditions and optimal conditions is one of the necessary and preliminary points in choosing the optimal genotypes for dry conditions. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the relationships between indicators and determining the best indicators of drought tolerance, as well as selecting the best wheat lines suitable for cold and rainy regions for future breeding programs.

In order to identify the relationships between drought tolerance indices and determine the best index as well as select the best lines for future breeding programs, 144 wheat lines in the form of Alpha Lattice design in two replications and in two conditions of rain and supplementary irrigation in The rain research station of Zanjan Agricultural Research Center were investigated. Different tolerance and sensitivity indices including relative stress index (RSI), stress sensitivity index (SSI), stress resistance index (SRI), performance index (YI), performance stability index (YSI), relative reduction index (RR), Abiotic Stress Index (ATI), Tolerance Index (TOL), Mean Production Index (MP), Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), Stress Sensitivity Percentage Index (SSPI), Harmonic Mean (HM) ), the index of product of stress and non-stress environment (SNPI) and yield loss ratio (PRR) were calculated.

The results of combined variance analysis showed that the effect of wet and rainy environment on the performance of lines was significant at the level of 1%. Also, the lines showed a significant difference in grain yield at the level of 1%. Drought stress decreased the grain yield of most lines in dry conditions. Line 82 had the highest yield in potential (2876 kg/ha) and rainfed (2000 kg/ha) conditions. Line 21 also had the lowest performance in two conditions (rainfed 825 and supplementary irrigation 1113 kg/ha respectively). Correlation results showed that grain yield in supplementary irrigation conditions had a positive and significant correlation with MP (0.56), GMP (0.56), HM (0.56), YI (0.55) and TOL (0.56) indicators. had 0.53). In the conditions of stress, MP (0.54), GMP (0.54), HM (0.54), and YI (0.53) indicators had the highest correlation with performance. Based on the first two selected components resulting from the decomposition into main components, which justified 91.35% of the changes, lines 90 and 102 were selected, which were also confirmed based on the three-dimensional diagram. The results of the cluster analysis of the lines also placed them in four groups, and lines such as 90, 131, 102 and 132 were also included in the group with high performance in both conditions. According to the results of this study, it is suggested to use the indicators of stress resistance, harmonic mean, geometric mean, and performance stability, which have the most significant positive correlation with performance in wet and dry conditions, in the selection of lines; Also, screening should be done based on the results of analysis into principal components and biplot and clustering using several indicators.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an aromatic, annual herbaceous plant from the Apiaceae family. Cumin is one of the tolerant medicinal plants to water deficit conditions with a short growth period, which can produce acceptable and economic yield under water deficit conditions. This plant is currently the second most used spice in the world after pepper (Pepper nigrum), suggesting its high importance. This experiment aimed to evaluate ecotypes, planting dates, and relationships between ecotypes and planting dates and to identify high-yield cumin stable ecotypes using AMMI and GGE bi-plot methods.

The stability of the grain yield of seven cumin ecotypes (Bardascan, Birjand, Taibad, Davarzan, Ferdos, Salehabad, and Nehbandan) was investigated in an experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in four planting dates (November 6, December 6, January 5, and February 5) at the research farm of the Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center during 2020-2021 crop year. The seeds were planted by hand on the rows at a depth of 1 cm with a distance of 5 cm from each other. The distance between the rows was 20 cm. Seeds were irrigated with the drip method, and weeds were controlled by hand. The plants were harvested after physiological maturity, and the grains were separated from other organs and recorded as the grain yield of each plot. The yield stability of the ecotypes was analyzed using the AMMI model, and the first and second interaction components of AMMI (IPCA1 & IPCA2) were used as stability parameters for the ecotypes and the planting dates (environments). The GGE bi-plot method was used to analyze the obtained data, interpret the ecotype and planting date interaction, and determine mega-environments.

The results of compound variance analysis showed significant effects of the environment (planting date), ecotype, and the interaction of planting date × ecotype. Due to the significance of the environmental effect and the justification of 80% of the variation by this effect, as well as the significance of the planting date × ecotype, stability analysis of grain yield was conducted for ecotypes in different planting dates. The results of AMMI analysis showed that the two components, IPCA1 (AMMI 1) and IPCA2 (AMMI 2), included 93.56% of the total variance of the genotype × environment interaction. The AMMI stability value (ASV) was used for the simultaneous use of all components. The ASV statistic indicated that the Nehbandan ecotype with the lowest value (1.91) was the most stable ecotype, and the Ferdos and Salehabad ecotypes with the highest ASV value were the most unstable ecotypes. The results of the GGE biplot method revealed that the first and second principal components accounted for 93% of the total variation related to the ecotype and planting date interaction, which indicated the validity of the GGE-biplot analysis. Based on GGE biplot results, planting dates of November 6 and December 6 were in the same megaenvironment and produced the highest grain yield. Similarly, the two planting dates of January 5 and February 5 were in the same megaenvironment and produced the lowest grain yield. The graphs showed that the Ferdos ecotype had high special adaptability with the planting dates of November 6 and December 6, and the Birjand and Davarzen ecotypes had high special  adaptability with the planting dates of January 5 and February 5. The Taibad, Salehabad, and Nehbandan ecotypes had no special compatibility with the studied planting dates. Ferdos and Birjand ecotypes had a higher average grain yield than the other ecotypes, but they were placed in the group of ecotypes with low stability due to their distance from the AEC line. The Nehbandan was the most stable ecotype due to its adjacency to the AEC line, but it produced a low grain yield. In addition, the results of the GGE bi-plot showed that the Birjand was the closest ecotype to the ideal genotype hence it was considered the most desirable ecotype. Bardascan, Ferdos, and Daverzan ecotypes were the ecotypes in the next ranks in terms of desirability, and Salehabad and Taibad ecotypes were identified as undesirable ecotypes due to their greatest distance from the ideal genotype.

The results of compound variance analysis showed significant effects of the environment (planting date), ecotype, and the planting date × ecotype interaction effect. The biplot results of AMMI analysis showed that the Nehbandan ecotype was the most stable and Ferdos and Salehabad ecotypes were the most unstable ecotypes. This was also confirmed through the ASV. The results of the GGE bi-plot indicated that the planting dates of November 6 December 6 with the highest average grain yields were located in a mega-environment, and the two January 5 and February 5 planting dates, with the lowest average grain yields, were also located in the same mega-environment. This can indicate the determination of the time range of the planting date to obtain an acceptable yield, although the yield decreased with a delay in planting. Finally, the figure showed that the Nehbandan was the most stable ecotype with below the average yield, and Birjand was the most ideal ecotype. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Birjand ecotype cultivation not only produces a high yield but also has high relative stability.

Drought is recognized as one of the most common and challenging environmental stresses in agriculture worldwide (Hu et al., 2020) and the production of this plant Reduces by 21%. Annual production of 13.7 million tons with a cultivated area of 5.8 million hectares in Iran shows the importance of this plant. Of this level, 67% is related to rainfed cultivation and the rest to irrigated cultivation. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the traits and determine their relationship with wheat grain yield using multivariate methods (Alavi-Siney and Saba, 2015). In most of these studies, the relationship between traits and grain yield has been discussed, but there has been no discussion about the selection of superior genotypes. Therefore, a method is needed to be able to select the desired genotypes according to all of studied traits. The Selection Index for Ideal Genotype (SIIG) is one of the methods that in addition to selecting the ideal genotype that can determine the distance between genotypes. In this method, it is possible to identify genotypes with the desired characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate different wheat genotypes under rainfed conditions and determine the best genotypes in terms of yield and early maturity through SIIG selective method.

In this study, 24 bread wheat genotypes (21 lines and Baran, Sadra, Hashtrood cultivars) were carried out in a randomized complete blocks design with four replications at the rainfed research station of Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center located in Khodabandeh for three years. In this experiment, 5 morpho-phenological traits were measured as follows. Plant height (PLH), days to heading (DHE), days to maturity (DMA), 1000-seed weight (TGW) and grain yield (YLD) were measured after physiological maturation. Analysis of variance, comparison of mean traits by LSD method and matrix of phenotypic correlation coefficients were performed using SAS software (9.4). SPSS software (21) was used to group the genotypes by cluster analysis through Ward method. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to investigate the differences between clusters and compare the mean between clusters using SPSS software (21). In order to study the genetic diversity and integration of morpho-phenological traits, SIIG method was used (Zali et al., 2015).

The results of analysis of variance showed a significant difference between the genotypes, indicating sufficient diversity in terms of the studied traits. The matrix of correlation coefficients showed a positive and significant relationship between1000 grain weight, grain yield and SIIG index. In addition, a negative and significant relationship was observed between days to heading with 1000 grain weight, grain yield and SIIG index. Grouping of genotypes using cluster analysis and multivariate analysis of variance showed that genotypes 4, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23 have the highest value in terms of most traits, especially grain yield. Grouping of genotypes based on SIIG index also placed 7 genotypes (6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 23) in the top group. Comparison of the two methods showed that 5 genotypes are common in the last two methods, which indicates the high efficiency of these methods in selecting the best. The advantage of SIIG method over other methods is the grouping of genotypes based on the desirability of traits; for example, the low average of genotypes in days to heading and days to maturity traits are desirable, which in this method is considered. This is not considered in multivariate analyzes such as cluster analysis. Therefore selected genotypes through the SIIG index as superior genotypes during three years of experiment are recommended for use in rainfed breeding programs.

According to the ranking based on SIIG index and comparison with control cultivars, genotypes No. 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 23 can be recommended as superior genotypes for use in breeding programs under rainfed conditions.

Capsicum is a plant sensitive to temperature fluctuations at day and night, and temperature changes strongly affect the quality of the fruit. Identification of tolerant genotypes to temperature fluctuations that naturally produce parthenocarp and marketable fruit is important for use in breeding programs and the production of hybrids with appropriate fruit weight and size and high marketability.

In order to evaluate the reaction of the lines related to three populations of sweet pepper (A: red fruit, B: orange fruit and C: yellow fruit) obtained from five generations of self-polination (by generation management by single-seed bulk method), a greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three different temperature conditions including optimal day and night temperature (day temperature 25± 2 and night temperature 20 ± 2 °C), low night temperature (day temperature 25± 2 and night temperature 11± 2 °C) and high day temperature (day temperature 40± 2 and night temperature 20 ± 2 °C). For this purpose, 100 lines from each population were planted in three separate greenhouses with the mentioned temperatures. Percentage of seedless fruit lines per population or Parthenocarp fruits (including seedless fruits that had at least 50% by weight of seeded and natural fruits and other seedless fruits that were deformed and small in size (knot) were removed), height Plant, day to ripening and number of fruit lobes per 100 lines of each population were measured in three different temperature conditions. Due to the fact that the lines within each population were different from the other population lines, so the data analysis was performed as a complex sequential-factorial design. Also, due to the importance of fruit characteristics in seedless fruit lines and seeded fruits, analysis of variance of these lines in a completely randomized design (15 treatments in 3 replications) using SAS v software 9.2 was performed and the comparison of the mean of the evaluated traits was performed using Duncan's multiple range test at 5% probability level.
 

The results showed that under optimal temperature conditions, all lines had good growth and no parthenocarpic plants were observed in the evaluated populations, but day and night temperature fluctuations outside the optimal temperature range caused significant changes in plant growth, fruit development. And seeds were formed. The effect of high day temperature on the evaluated characteristics was less than low night temperature. With a sharp drop in night temperature, population A produced the highest percentage of seedless fruit plants. The percentage of parthenocarp lines of populations B and C were significantly lower than population A at low night and daytime temperatures. Population C was less affected by adverse day and night temperatures than the other two populations. Fruit size, fruit weight and fruit shape index, which are the most important determinants of fruit marketing, were strongly affected by day and night temperature fluctuations. In all three populations evaluated, fruit length was significantly negatively affected by low night temperature more than high day temperature, which resulted in distortion of fruit shape index. Fruit shape index, which is the result of the ratio of length to diameter of fruit, in marketable fruits is 1-1.02. As the fruit length increases and the fruit diameter remains constant or decreases, the shape index increases from 1.02, and as the fruit diameter increases with decreasing fruit length, which is usually achieved under cold stress conditions, this number decreases below one. Based on the results, the three populations evaluated had different fruit lengths under optimal temperature conditions, which, with the proportion of fruit diameter to length, the fruit shape index was normal and produced marketable fruits. By decreasing the night temperature below the optimum growth temperature, fruit length decreased sharply in the three evaluated populations, and this decrease was greater in seedless fruits. According to Table 2, the highest percentage of fruit length reduction at low night temperature was observed in population A and in seedless fruits. In this temperature condition, fruit length decreased by 43% in seedless fruits and 17.5% in seeded fruits. The lowest decrease in fruit length at low night temperature was related to population C. Fruit length in seeded and non-seeded fruits of this population decreased by 12 and 24%, respectively. However, the percentage of fruit reduction in the total populations evaluated was 13.90 and 33.69% on average in seeded and seedless fruits, respectively. Although the length of the fruit was less affected by the high temperature during the day than the low temperature at night, but the trend of fruit length changes in these temperature conditions was similar to the low temperature at night. The average decrease in fruit length in the total population in seeded and seedless fruits was 10.41 and 31.52%, respectively, with population C having the least and population A having the most effect from unfavorable daytime temperature. Fruit weight was also affected by the unfavorable temperature of day and night, but the negative effect of low night temperature on fruit weight was more than the unfavorable temperature of the day. According to the results, the percentage of fruit weight loss in seeded and seedless fruits at low temperature at night was 21.19 and 50.06%, respectively, and at high temperature at day, 15.98 and 50.12%. As the results show, seedless fruits had the same effect of unfavorable temperature day and night and showed the highest percentage of weight loss. Also, fruit weight in population C showed the least effect of adverse temperature day and night and no significant difference was observed between populations B and A. Expression is associated with undesirable traits that can be due to the coherence of traits or pleiotropic effects of parthenocarpic genes or physiological or molecular changes. Although in population C the number of lines with Parthenocarp fruit was 1%, but Parthenocarp fruits consisting of size and shape index are more suitable than the other two populations. The C population also showed a low percentage of Knot fruits as well as slight differences in fruit weight and shape at low temperature at night and high temperature at day. Based on the results, the three populations evaluated have different potentials in terms of reacting to adverse low temperatures at night and high temperatures during the day, and this potential can be used in future research and breeding programs to produce hybrids that tolerate temperature fluctuations.

In order to investigate the relationship between agronomic and physiological characteristics of wheat genotypes, a research was conducted with 24 genotypes based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 crop seasons under dryland conditions. Photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, mesophyll conductance, days to heading, days to physiological maturity, plant height, 1000-kernel weight and grain yield were measured during the growing season. Simple correlation analysis showed significant relationship between yield and physiological traits during the two years of the experiment, Also, canonical correlation analysis between physiological traits and agronomic traits showed a significant canonical correlation in the first year (r = 0.64) and the second year (r = 0.64). Correlation of traits with their canonical variables and the opposite canonical variables during two years of experiment showed that all physiological traits have a positive and significant relationship with each other and their canonical variables. The relationship between days to heading with the agronomic and physiological traits was negative and significant over the two years of experiment, but the results showed a positive and significant relationship between grain yield with the agronomic and physiological traits during the two years of the experiment. Also, in the second year of the experiment, the relationship between plant height and the agronomic and physiological traits was assessed as positive and significant. Therefore, genotypes with a shorter growth period and a longer grain-filling period can be recommended for obtaining maximum grain yield under dryland conditions.

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients in crop production, but its efficiency in urea fertilizer is low, especially in paddy fields. Nitrogen yield can be increased by reducing the dissolution of urea in the soil. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of polymer-coated urea fertilizer on growth and yield of rice cv.Tarom Hashemi. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two locations. Experimental treatments included T0: control, T1: two splits of ordinary urea (OU), T2: coated urea (CU), T3: OU (30%)+CU (70%)(use after transplanting) and T4: OU (30%)+CU (70%). CU was used at the time of transplanting and OU at heading. The results showed that the location effect was significant only on tiller number and head number/heap. However, the type of urea fertilizer and application method significantly affected tiller number, head number, plant height, grain number, straw yield, grain yield, Harvest Index, and N recovery. Average of the maximum numbers of tillers (24.5) and heads (20.33) in T3 treatment in the two sites showed, respectively, 52% and 47.5% increase compared to the control treatment. Average grain yields in T3 treatment in the two fields were 43.1%, 17%, 18.1%, and 18.1% higher than, respectively, the control treatments, T1, T2, and T4. For Tarom Hashemi cultivar, while application of polymer CU mixed with OU was effective in increasing nitrogen recycling and reducing its losses in both places, the effectiveness of this treatment in the field with loamy sand soil was more. Therefore, this can be the most appropriate method of fertilizer application in these soils.

Most of the Produced fodder in Iran is provided by alfalfa and corn. These two forage products have a relatively high water requirement. Among cereal forage plants, sorghum is a great plant due to its high production capacity, adaptation to different climatic conditions and different uses. Iran, with an average rainfall of 240 mm per year, is classified as arid and semi-arid regions. One of the most fundamental issues of the country is water and irrigation. Food security concerns are a major threat due to climate change and water scarcity, hence replacing plants with high water use efficiency is essential. this experiment was carried out for 1(investigate the possibility of cultivating sorghum as a substitute for common forage plants in drought stress conditions in the south of Kerman province and 2) also to determine the most suitable sorghum cultivar under the different Irrigation levels in terms of forage characteristics in Jiroft region.

In order to identify the most suitable cultivar resistant to drought sorghum, an experiment was carried out as strip plot design based on randomized completely block design with three replications in 2019-2020. Vertical plots were drought stress levels (irrigation after 90, 130, 180 and 220 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan). Horizontal factors were sorghum genotypes (Speedfeed, Pegah, KFKFS18 and KFKFS2. Each experimental plot consisted of four planting lines. Plant density was 220,000 plants per hectare. The planting date was April 17th. The first irrigation was done after measuring soil moisture and calculating moisture deficiency. Irrigation was done uniformly every 5-7 days until the 4-leaf stage. The time of application of stress was after 4 to 6 leaf stage and ensuring complete establishment of plants. Early cultivars such as Speedfed were harvested based on the beginning of flowering and late cultivars were harvested based on 150 cm plant height by cutting from 10 to 15 cm above the soil surface. In each row, all plants were harvested from two middle lines of each plot and the fresh weight of leaves and stems was immediately measured. Water use efficiency in kilograms per cubic meter was calculated from the ratio of dry forage yield in kilograms per hectare per water consumption in cubic meters per hectare. Finally, combined analysis of variance of data was performed using SAS statistical software version 9. The means were compared using the LSD test at the level of 5% probability.

Combined analysis of variance showed that the interaction effect of irrigation regimes and cultivars was significant on fresh forage yield, leaf and stem fresh and dry weight, plant height and leaf area. Mean comparison of simple effects were studied only for dry forage yield and water use efficiency. The results showed that Speedfeed cultivar had the highest fresh forage yield (298.42 tons.ha-1) at the 90 mm level irrigation. Lowest forage yield (142.49 tons.ha-1) resulted from the combination of KFS18 and irrigation after 220 mm evaporation. Highest dry forage yield was obtained at 90 mm irrigation level (46.22 tons.ha-1). Lowest dry forage yield (39.70 tons.ha-1) was related to the irrigation after 220 mm evaporation from the surface of evaporation pan. Speedfeed and KFS18 had the highest and lowest dry forage yield (41.69 and 31.17 tons.ha-1), respectively. The highest and lowest water use efficiency were related to Speedfed and KFS18 (4.08 and 3.68 Kg.m-3), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between 90 mm (4.76 Kg.m-3) and 220 mm (4.49 Kg.m-3) levels of irrigation.

According to the results of the experiment, speedfeed cultivar with irrigation after 130 mm evaporation from the surface of evaporation pan can be suggested for forage production in southern Kerman province.

The quality and quantity of saffron are affected by several factors, including climatic and environmental conditions. In order to investigate the effects of corm transfer date and weight on qualitative characteristics and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was carried out as a split factorial in time based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in two harvests at the Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (Sfandagheh station) in 2017-2018. Experimental treatments were three corm transfer dates (4 June, 5 August and 5 September) and four corm weights (6-8, 8-10, 10-12 and 12-20 g). Crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal contents, flower number and dried stigma yield were measured. The results showed that the effect of corm transfer date and weight and their interaction were significant on the all traits during two years. A separate analysis of the studied factors in two years showed that in the first year, the effect of corm transfer date was significant on taste, aroma, number of flowers and saffron yield but not significant on its pigment content. Effect of corm weight and interaction of corm weight and transfer date were significant on all quality and yield traits of saffron. The results in second year showed that the effect of corm transfer date and weight and their interaction were significant on color and flavor, but for flower traits and yield, only the effect of corm transfer date was significant. Qualitative traits were affected by the corm size and its transfer date. 12-20 g corms had the highest safranal, picrocrocin and crocin content compared to other weight groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that, for the production of high-yield and quality saffron (premium saffron), it is recommended to use large mother corms (above 10 grams) and cultivation in June.

In order to determine the most appropriate planting distance and cultivar and also to find the most effective traits in watermelon yield at different planting densities, this study was conducted as split plots in three replications for two cropping years 2016-2017 in Jiroft. Plant spacing (40, 50, 60 and 70 cm) and four watermelon cultivars (Patangra, Favorite, CrimsonPS and CrimsonG-53 were divided into main and sub-plots, respectively. There was a significant effect on the studied traits except the thickness of the fruit skin, so that the number of fruits and yield decreased significantly with increasing plant distance on the planting line; The highest values of these traits were 0.99 and 23.82 tons.hectare-1 at a distance of 40 cm, respectively. But the quality and appearance of the fruit at a distance of 70 cm had its highest value. Increasing the culture distance from 40 to 70 cm increased the amount of soluble solids by 12%. The studied cultivars were significantly different in all traits except Brix. CrimsonPS and CrimsonG cultivars had the highest yields during the two years of testing at 22.50 and 20.76 tons per hectare, respectively. CrimsonPS cultivar was relatively superior to other cultivars in terms of most of the studied traits, and this ultimately led to the highest yield per unit area. Path analysis showed that in different cultivation densities, fruit number and single fruit weight had the greatest effect on fruit yield; These two traits were selected as the most important traits in determining fruit yield.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) belongs to the Liliaceae family and has more than 800 species around the world (Fritsch et al., 2010). This plant after onion is the second and most consumed alium genus, which has high nutritional value due to its minerals. Asexual propagation of garlic during the centuries may resulte in a genetic restriction. However, the study of ecotypes shows that phenotypic variation is significant in size, color, leaf length, growth habits and agronomic traits such as stress and drought tolerance. In according to Iran was the most important exporting country at the world in the past, the study of ecotypes to meet the demands of domestic markets as well as the export of this product is a necessity. Due to the fact that in south of Kerman province for cultivation and production of garlic from different ecotypes of the country, incompatibility of some ecotypes has caused a lot of problems for the farmers of the region. On the other hand, different planting dates (September to December) it is common in this region where the best ecotypes and planting dates have a great importance for obtaining high yield and can be of great help to the farmers of the region.

In order to achieve the best ecotypes and planting dates, as well as to estimate the genetic diversity and heritability of traits, an experiment was carried out for two years at the Agricultural Research Center of Kerman Province. The experiment was a factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Five planting dates and six garlic ecotypes included experiment factors. Traits of flowering percentage, number of coating layers, number of cloves, clove weight, onion weight, onion diameter; dry matter content and yield were measured during growth season. Analysis of variance and mean comparison carried out with using SAS software. Correlation matrix and cluster analysis based on Ward’s method conducted with use of SPSS software. Finally, for the ranking of ecotypes based on all traits, use of Arunachalam and Bandyopadhyay (1984) method.

The results of compound analysis indicated that different planting dates differed in terms of most of the traits, in terms of dry matter and number of coating layers, and it was also determined that the effect of ecotype on all traits was significant, so that Ecotypes of Mazandaran and Guilan had the highest yield. Sandhu et al. (2015) reported a significant difference between ecotypes in terms of all traits. It was also found that the percentage of flowering, number of clove, clove weight, onion weight and yield were affected by the interaction of planting date in ecotype so that the highest yield was related to Jiroft and Shahdad ecotypes in the planting date of September 15. Among the ecotypes studied in this experiment, Gilan and Mazandaran ecotypes had flowering and flowering in other ecotypes was zero. Flowering is a genetic trait and this trait varies among ecotypes. The desirable characteristics of ecotypes related to the south of the country were non-flowering, which shows the superiority of these ecotypes to the ecotypes of Gilan and Mazandaran, although the ecotypes of Gilan and Mazandaran were superior in terms of yield. High broadscence heritability, high genetic and phenotypic coefficients of variation for flowering percentage, number of cloves, clove weight and onion weight were observed, indicating that these traits are more influenced by genetics and the probability of observing traits is higher in the next generation with the same quality. The cluster analysis divided the ecotypes into three groups. This indicates the genetic similartiy of each group ecotype.

Finally, the ranking based on Arunachalam and Bandiopadia (1984) showed that the most suitable ecotype among the studied ecotypes is the Jiroft ecotype so that there is no delay in its cultivation.

In order to investigate the relationship between quantitative traits and ISSR markers, an experiments were carried out under farm and laboratory conditions at Zanjan University. In this experiment, 20 primers of ISSR marker were used and the agronomic traits (including flower number, fresh weight of Stigma, fresh weight of flower, dry weight of Stigma, dry weight of flower, stigma length, saffron yield, corm number, feresh and dry weight of corm, number of leaf, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf dry weight, biomass, harvest index), physiological traits (transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis) and secondary metabolites (picocrocin, Safranal and Crocin) were measured during the growing season. Three primers of total did not amplified. 17 ISSR primers amplified 133 loci among 20 saffron ecotypes, with an average of 7.82 loci per primer. The highest number of alleles were for the I-8 primer (15 alleles).

In order to investigate planting date and corm weight Effects on flower characters and saffron(Crocus sativus L.) yield, an experiment as a factorial was carried out based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in research station of South Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center at Sfadagheh during 2017-2018 growing season Two factors, planting date (Jun, August and September) and corm size (6-8, 8-10, 10-12 and >12g) were evaluated in this experiment. Related traits with flower and Stigma and cormwere measured during growing season. Results showed that planting date have significant effect on all of traits except of dry weight of stigma. Also, the effects of corm weight and interaction of planting date×corm weight were significant on all of traits. So, the highest number of flower and the stigma yield were observed in the planting date of June and the corm weight more than 12 g. Therefore, for achieving high saffron yield, it is recommended planting date of June and the use of corms with more than12 g. Investigating the characteristics of the doughtercorms in the first year of the experiment showed that all studied traits were influenced by the planting date and the effect of the corm weight was not significant on the characteristics of the number of doughter corm over 6 g, the average weight of the doughter corm more and less than 6 g. According to the results of the traits related to the doughter corm, it can be anticipated that in the following year there is no difference in yield and its components among the different levels of maternal corm. Results in the second year showed that yield and yield components were only affected by the planting date and the corm weight had the same effect on them. The planting date of June 5th was the highest in the second year. According to the results and low price of saffron in June, in Southern Kerman foothill areas, cultivation of saffron should be done on June 5th. Since in the first year of the experiment, the yield don't achieved even from great mothernal corm, and given the fact that the mother corms of different weights in the second year have the same role in determining the stigma yield, in order to reduce the production costs, the 6 -8 g recommended for cultivation.

To evaluation of genetic parameters of rooting traits in 50 doubled haploid barley lines, a factorial experiment based on CRD was carried out at the agronomy lab of the Zanjan University. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for all rooting traits:material transfering speed, germination percent, angle, diameter, fresh and dry weight, surface area, cumulative length, the length of the longest root and the hairy root length. The calculated narrow sense heritability was medium for all studied rooting traits except dry root weight (15.11 and 23.40 in normal and stress conditions). Based on the genotypic correlations, it was found that there were positive and highly significant association normal and salt stress conditions, especialy between trait the length of the longest root and traits cumulative root length, root surface and fresh dry root weight. Since, the length of the longest root and cumulative root length and root surface offered as suitable traits for evaluating and selecting the genotypes in breeding programms.

Salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting agricultural production. Barley is one of the most tolerant species among glycophyte plants to salt stress. High tolerance of barley to salinity stress is related to its rapid phonological growth and development. Understanding of growth and development of different organs of plant, especially root, is important for optimal management of halophytes (Chen et al., 2008). Root systems can exhibit enormous plasticity on the level of biomass, morphology, and or physiology in response to different environmental parameters such as water and nutrient availability. Because root system traits, such as water uptake rates per surface area, are defined by the properties of individual root segments detailed studies about the abundance, morphology, anatomy, and physiology of individual roots are needed (Rewald et al., 2012). Root length can be the most important characteristics because many researchers believe that the root length per unit volume of soil is the best feature to calculate water uptake by the plant (White and Kirkegaard, 2010). The root diameter reduces in salt stress conditions. It varies in different species (Eshel and Beeckman, 2013). Grouping of accessions by multivariate methods in would be of practical value to wheat breeders in that representative accessions may be chosen from different clusters for breeding purpose and it also helps to define strategies for further collection of germ plasm (Alavi siney et al., 2013).
The objectives of this study were to evaluate effect of NaCl salinity on seedling root traits in doubled haploid barley, grouping, ranking and selecting of superior genotypes based on studied traits.
In order to investigate the effect of NaCl salinity on seedling root traits in doubled haploid barley, a study was carried out as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications in the green house of Zanjan University in 2012. Fifty doubled haploid lines were studied in zero (control) and 150 mM salinity levels. Traits of the root area, root angle, cumulative root length, length of the longest root, diameter root were measured with daily imaging of the seedling. Data were analyzed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with using SPSS (21). Cluster analysis and Aronachalam and Bandyopadhyay(1984) were used for grouping and ranking the doubled haploid lines respectively.
Results and DiscussionThe results of the variance analysis showed significant differences between lines and interaction of line × salinity for all of traits. The significant differences among lines for the studied traits refer to the presence of considerable variation among lines and give a chance to plant breeders for betterment of these characters through breeding. The significant interaction between lines and Salinity shows a lines specific adaptation to different salinity. Therefore, this diversity can successfully be used for improvement of barley yield. However, the correct selection of doubled haploid lines can be considered as one of the crucial factors in farm management and economic barley production. Generally, salinity was decreased root length and cumulative root length. In four lines did not decrease the root length under salt stress and in three lines didn’t show reduced cumulative root length under salt stress. The root angle, in all lines except the six lines, under Stress-free conditions was greater than the stress condition. Root area showed a downtrend in stress conditions than under normal condition those five lines are not obeyed of the law. The effect of salinity on root diameter did not show similar results among the lines. Using cluster analysis and Arunachalam and Bandyopadhyay (1984) method, barley doubled haploid lines were divided two groups based on studied traits both normal and salinity conditions. Genotypes with 2, 29 and 69 code were selected as superior genotypes in both of conditions.
ConclusionThe results of experiment showed that the root traits are affected by salt stress. Since, it is necessary, we know about the relationship between root traits such as, area and length of root and their relationship with salt stress. Salt stress decreased amount of root area, cumulative length, length of longest root and root angle. Tolerance to salinity is related to all of traits involved in salt tolerance. The root absorbs water and nutrients to the extensive role that it can play a major role in salinity tolerance. Cluster analysis based on the studied traits in both conditions (normal and stress) divided genotypes in two groups and multivariate analysis of variance confirmed these results. Arunachalam and Bandyopadhyay showed genotypes number 2, 29 and 62 were superior genotypes in both conditions. Therefore, these genotypes can be used in both of condition.

In order to investigate the effective traits on yield of saffron ecotypes, a study was carried out as a split plot in time based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Zanjan University during the growing seasons of 2013-2015. Eighteen saffron ecotypes were studied in this experiment. The traits of number of flowers, fresh weight of flowers, fresh weight of stigma, dry weight of flowers, dry weight of stigma, stigma length and dry stigma yield of saffron were measured. The results indicated that there were significant differences among all studied traits of ecotypes except for stigma length. The correlation matrix revealed that the number of flower and dry weight of stigma had a positive and highly significant correlation with dry stigma yield (r= 0.99 and 0.70, respectively). Analysis of stepwise regression and path analysis showed that the traits of number of flowers, dry weight of stigma and dry weight of flowers were the most effective traits on dry stigma yield. Therefore, these traits can be used to achieve a higher stigma yield.

To investigate the yield and correlation between agronomic traits and yield, seven rice cultivars (Fajr, Sahel, Cadoos, Shafagh, Nemat, Neda and Domsiah) were studied using RCBD design with 4 replications at Sangdivar village, Kalat Nader (2010-2011). Based on ANOVA, significant differences were observed among the studied genotypes. Also it was observed that the number of fertile tiller, plant height, number of seeds per panicle and weight of 1000 grains had significant and positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with grain yield, while other traits had no significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with yield. According to compare mean and correlations matrix, and due to higher number of fertile tiller, plant height, number of seeds per panicle and weight of 1000 grains, Fajr and Nemat cultivars had better yield than those in other cultivars. As well, path analysis verified positive and direct effects of 1000 grains weight and plant height on yield. So selection of superior genotype concerning yield can be indirectly performed through mentioned traits.

To determine the best method and time of priming on seedling characteristics of Echinacea purpurea seed in vitro and pot conditions, two separated experiments were carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia, Iran. Both of experiments were factorial experiments on a randomize design. Treatments contain methods of priming (Hardening, hydrothermal, hydro priming, KCl2, CaNo3, NaCl, KNo3 and control) and time of priming (3 and 6 h). Results of the variance analysis indicated that there were significant differences between priming methods both in vitro and pot conditions. But it is not reported any differences between priming times in vitro condition. However, with the increasing length of priming time in pot condition, positive effects of priming methods on germination components were more. Point of interest in this study was that all priming methods didn’t improve germination components. NaCl priming in vitro and hydro thermal priming in pot condition reduced rate and percentage of germination as compared to control. However, in total, the different methods of priming had positive effects on germination characteristics of Echinacea Purpurea seed. Hardening and KCl2 priming at 6 h had the positive highest effects on rate and percentage of germination and seed vigor. Therefore, these methods can be used to increase quality and vigor of Echinacea Purpurea seed and subsequently increase plant tolerance to unfavorable environmental conditions as well as uniformity and seedling emergence.

This study was conducted to investigate the associations between physiological and agronomical traits of different bread wheat genotypes in dryland conditions. 20 genotypes (including 18 lines and 2 cultivars) were investigated in one experiment using randomized complete block design with four replicates in dryland conditions during 2006- 2007. Traits measurements were carried out at the anthesis and physiological ripening stages. In this experiment 16 agronomical traits and 10 physiological traits were measured. According to the results of canonical correlation analysis، it can be concluded that selection for agronomical traits including lower height and percentage of leaf dry matter as well as higher percentage of spike and stem dry matter، spike length، 1000- grain weight and yield would result in the selection of effective physiological traits such as، higher chlorophyll content index، leaf area، specific leaf dry weight، relative water content and photosynthetic water use efficiency and lower stomatal conductance under dr land conditions.

Study of physiological traits and the relationship between these traits and grain yield in drought stress conditions can be useful to identify effective physiological traits involving in resistance to drought stress. In order to study these traits، parameters such as gas exchange، water status، flag leaf characteristics، chlorophyll content index، grain yield and thousand grain weight were measured in twenty bread wheat genotypes (18 lines، together with Sardari and Azar 2 cultivars). The experiment was conducted in rainfed condition at Agricultural Research Station of Gheidar، Zanjan، Iran. Mean comparisons showed that line No. 4 and cultivar Azar 2 had the highest grain yield among the genotypes. Genotypes having lower internal CO2 concentration and higher thousand grain weight، produced higher yield. Decrease in photosynthesis was mainly due to non-stomatal limitations، and high grain yield was not related to leaf relative water content. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis based on measured traits classified genotypes into three separate clusters. Based on the overall results of present study، genotypes No. 2، 4، 8، 10، 13، 17، 6 and 18 were superior than the others under rainfed condition.

This study carried out for investigation of pre-anthesis and post-anthesis assimilates translocation from shoot to grain and Contribution of these traits in bread wheat yield in rainfed condition as well as relationship between these traits with bread wheat yield and their drought resistance. Seven genotype were investigated in one experiment using of randomized complete blocks design with four replicates in rainfed condition during 2006- 2007 years. Sampling were carried out in anthesis stage، 14 day after anthesis and physiological ripening. Grain yield، Biomass، Harvest index، Remobilization، Retranslocaton and Redistribution Percent and contribution of pre-anthesis and post-anthesis reserved assimilates in shoot to grain was determined. According to main resource of yield suppling، Postanthesis current photosynthesis in grain yield computed. Results showed that there is significant and positive phenotypic correlation between yield with Biomass، harvest index and current photosynthesis while there was significant and Negetive phenotypic correlation between yield with Remobilization and Redistribution. Based on factor analysis، tow first factor explained 83. 5% of total variance. First factor was explained by Current photosynthesis، biomass، Dry matter amount of shoot during physiological maturity and grain yield and Higher photosynthesis that was mean reduction of redistribution. As well as cluster analysis is based on ward method and placed genotypes in three separate cluster.

This study was performed to investigate the photosynthetic partitioning pattern of materials to aerial parts of bread wheat in dryland conditions. It was as well to study its relationship with bread wheat resistance and grain yield in drought conditions. Seven genotypes including two cultivars (Azar2, Sardari) and five lines were investigated in a field experiment through a randomized complete block design with four replicates and in rainfed conditions during the 2 years of 2006 and 2007. Samplings were carried out in anthesis as well as in physiological ripening stages. Results showed that there are significant and positive phenotypic correlations between yield and most of the traits except percent of dry matter partitioning to stem during anthesis. As well no phenotypic relationships were observed between grain yield and percent of dry matter partitioning to leaf. Results also showed that the amount of spike dry matter in anthesis, biomass and harvest index had a positive and significant, phenotypic correlation with grain yield. Therefore, these traits can be employed in the selection of genotypes with high yields as the effective traits.