محمدحسین قرینه

Safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a medicinal and industrial plant that has many uses in the field of medicinal uses, and its main use is for the oil seeds of plant.

With the aim of determining the effect of different levels of boron fertilizer on the yield and quality of safflower varieties, an experiment was conducted during the crop year 2017-2018 in a research farm in Shoushtar city.

This research was carried out as factorial in the form of randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was the safflower variety in three levels (Isfahan, Goldasht, Sofeh) and the second factor was the boron fertilizer content in five levels (zero, two, four, six and eight kilograms per hectare).

The results showed that the variety factor had a significant effect on the leaf area index, the number of pods per square meter, the number of seeds per pod, the weight of 1000 seeds, seed yield, harvest index, oil yield and boron concentration in the whole plant. The amounts of boron fertilizer also showed a significant effect on leaf area index, number of pods per square meter, weight of 1000 seeds, seed yield, harvest index, oil yield and boron concentration in the whole plant. Isfahan variety had the highest seed yield with an average of 1110.4 kg per hectare and the highest oil yield with an average of 267.59 kg per hectare. Also, among the levels of boron fertilizer, the level of four kilograms of boron per hectare had the highest seed yield and oil yield, respectively, with averages of 1148.67 and 280.73 kg per hectare. Grain yield increased with boron application, and levels of two, four and six kilograms did not have a significant difference with each other. But the higher consumption of this element up to the level of eight kilograms per hectare caused a decrease in grain yield.

The use of micronutrient element boron increased the yield of safflower seeds and oil by increasing the yield components, especially the number of seeds per square meter and thousand seed weight. The significant effect of application of boron element on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of safflower shows that in order to reduce the environmental effects caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers, the use of micronutrient elements as an efficient management solution in the production of crops is suitable.

The goals of intercropping are to increase support and reduce competition among plants and to make optimal use of available resources to achieve higher yields. This experiment was conducted at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research (Arak) as a factorial design in a randomized complete block design. The experimental factors included intercropping ratios of two plants, Stevia and Iranian borscht, using the replacement method (25% stevia + 75% borage, 50% stevia + 50% borage, 75% stevia + 25% borage, pure stevia and pure borage) and wheat stubble mulch, including no mulch application (control), mulch coverage on the furrows (three tons per hectare), and mulch coverage on the furrows and ridges (six tons per hectare). Results indicated that morphological traits, including plant height and number of stevia stems, were significant. In contrast, primary stem diameter, leaf greenness index, and leaf area index were significant. A significant interactive impact was observed between the mulch and hybrid cultivation on Stevia glycosides and fatty acids of Iranian borage. Stevioside glycoside is significant at a 1% level, and the highest level of stevioside (3.74%) was observed in a cultivation ratio of 75% stevia and 25% Iranian borage with mulch within furrows. The highest level of gamma-linolenic unsaturated fatty acids (3.8%) was obtained by consumption of mulch in furrow with ridge coverage. The lowest level of palmitic saturated fatty acids (9.94%), and stearic acid (4.05%) were observed in a cultivation ratio of 75% stevia and 25% Iranian borage with mulch within furrow and ridge coverage.

Salinity stress is one of the important damaging factors for seed germination which interrupts the uptake of some nutrients by lowering soil water potential and causing ion toxicity due to salt accumulation inside the seeds. Since hyssop seeds are sensitive to salinity stress in the early stages of seed germination, it is necessary to investigate seed enhancement methods to improve seed germination in this species under saline conditions. In this research, the effects of seed priming using iron were studied on hyssop seed germination characteristics under salinity stress conditions.

This research was conducted as two separate factorial experiments in complete random design with three replications. The treatments included five levels of iron nano-chelate and micro-chelate (zero, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg /l) and six levels of salinity (zero, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM) and two priming durations. It included 12 and 24-hours.

The results showed that with the increase in salinity, the germination characteristics declined so at 200 mM of salinity, seedling growth declined significantly and ceased completely at 250 mM level. Application of iron micro-chelate under non-stress conditions did not have any positive effect on hyssop germination, and the use of distilled water for 12 hours worked better than iron nano-chelate. No significant difference was observed among the different concentrations in micro-iron treatment. Application of nano and micro chelate at 100 and 150 mM salinity stress had a stronger effect so that nano iron chelate concentrations of 200 mg/L for 12 hours and 100 and 200 mg per liter concentrations of iron micro chelate had the highest germination, seedling growth, and seed germination in 24 hours. The amount of soluble protein and peroxidase and catalase activity increased at 50 mg/L salinity but decreased at higher salinities. Also, pretreatment of seeds with an iron micro-chelate and nano iron chelate concentration of 200 mg/liter intensified this process.

The results of this study showed that seed germination of hyssop is highly declined due to salinity stress, so the seedlings were unable to grow at a salinity concentration of 200 mg/L. Moreover, germination does not occur at 250 mg/liter salinity. Also, seed pretreatment of this plant is not justifiable under non-stress and mild stress conditions, and pretreatment with iron chelate had negative effects and was ineffective at best. However, iron chelate application at high salinity levels- especially in the nanoscale with a concentration of 200 mg/liter for 12 hours- is effective in reducing the effect of salinity.

Highlights:

1- The role of the iron element was investigated by seed pretreatment method to alleviate the negative effects of salinity stress on hyssop seed germination characteristics.
2- The nanotechnology used in the production of iron fertilizer and its effect on improving the germination characteristics of hyssop under salinity stress were investigated.

One of the factors affecting the growth and development of crops is the cultivation pattern, which affects the distribution of plants in the field, distances between plants, the use of growth sources such as light, water and soil nutrients, and competition between plants. These factors affect the growth and yield of crops. Also, using compost fertilizer has beneficial effects on physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil and has positive effects on grain yield and yield components of crop plants. This study designed and carried out with aim to study the effect of planting method and sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on yield and yield components of corn and some soil properties in Ahwaz weather conditions at Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan.

In order to investigate the effect of planting method and sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on yield and yield components of corn (hybrid of single cross 703) and some soil properties, a field experiment using a split-plot arrangement accomplished based on the randomized complete block design with four replications in Mian-Ab region of Shooshtar on 2018. Experimental factors were include four planting method (single row on ridges, on watermark, in furrows and on flat ground) as a main factor in main plots and four amounts of sugarcane residues compost (0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1) as a sub factor in sub-plots. Each sub-plot had 6 planting rows with a length of 3 meters and a width of 4.5 meters (with an area of 13.5 square meters). The seeds were planted manually at a depth of 3 cm at 2nd August 2017 with a density of 66000 per ha (the distance between ridges and furrows was 75 cm and the distance between the plants was 18 cm). In this experiment row number per ear, grains per row, thousand grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, soil nitrogen percent and soil organic matter percent were measured.

The analysis of variance showed that the effect of plant method, sugarcane residue compost and their interaction were significant on the traits of row number per ear, grain number per row, thousand grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, soil nitrogen percent and soil organic matter percent. The comparison of mean showed that the maximum amount of corn traits were obtained in furrow planting and using 30 t ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest amounts were observed in ridge planting and non-use of sugarcane residue compost. So that, mean comparison of grain yield under the interaction of planting method and sugarcane residue compost showed that the highest grain yield (6497 kg ha-1) was in furrow planting and 30 t ha- of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest grain yield (3870 kg ha-1) was in ridge planting and non-use of sugarcane residue compost. Examination of correlation coefficients between the measured traits showed that grain yield had a more positive and significant correlation with biological yield, harvest index and 1000-grain weight. Also, biological yield had a more positive and significant correlation with grain yield, 1000-seed weight and number of rows per ear.

In general, the findings of this experiment demonstrated that the furrow cultivation method resulted in the highest values for the measured traits (excluding soil nitrogen and soil organic matter percentage). Moreover, across all cultivation methods, an increase in the application of sugarcane residues compost fertilizer, as well as the availability of water and nutrients for the plants, led to an increase in the magnitude of these traits. The maximum values were achieved at a compost fertilizer rate of 30 t ha-1. Based on the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that cultivating corn using the furrow method and applying 20 to 30 t ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost can significantly enhance corn grain yield in the Shooshtar region.

An experiment is conducted to evaluate effect of Bacillus and Pseudomonas on Quantitative and Qualitative Yield and malting efficiency of different Barley cultivars in rainfed conditions in a farm of Ilam Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center in 2017 and 2018. The experiment is factorial according to randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Three cultivars (namely, Behrokh, Grace, and Sararoud1 as first and seed inoculated with growth-promoting bacteria) and Fertilizer at eight levels (including the control, complete fertilizer (Field recommendation), Pseudomonas bacteria, Bacillus bacteria, combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria, Pseudomonas bacteria + half fertilizer, Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer and combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer) are considered second factor. The results show that all the studied traits (with the exception of malting efficiency) addition main effect, are significantly affected by year interaction in cultivar in fertilizer treatment, but malting efficiency is influenced by interaction cultivar in fertilizer treatments. Heights number of seeds per spike, number of spikes per m-2, and grain yield are recorded by a combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer under garis cultivar with means 31, 390 and 5294 kg/h in 2018 and 35, 400 and 6222 kg/h respectively. Maximum malting efficiency (95.5 %) has also been observed in the combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer under Behrokh.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of growth-promoting rhizobacteria and chemichal fertilizer; on yield and malting efficiency of different barley cultivars in rainfed conditions in 2018 and 2019. A faceorial experiment was conducted on a randomized complete blocks desibn (RCBD) with four replications in Ilam province.  Three cultivars: Behrokh, Grace, and Sararoud as first and eight levels of seed insemination with growth-promoting bacteria and Fertilizer (including control, i.e., seed without bacterial insemination and without fertilizer, complete fertilizer Pseudomonas bacteria, Bacillus bacteria, combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria, Pseudomonas bacteria + half fertilizer Urea, Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer and combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer) were second factor. The results of the combined analysis of variance showed that all the studied traits (except malting efficiency) significantly affected by main effects and interaction of year×cultivar×fertilizer treatment. But malting efficiency influenced by interaction of cultivar×fertilizer treatments. Number of seeds per spike, number of spikes per area unit and grain yield in combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer, had the highest mean in garis cultivar in the two years. Additionally, maximum malting efficiency (95.5 %) was observed in the combination of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria + half fertilizer in Behrokh. The highest amount of grain protein in the first year was observed in bacterial combination + half fertilizer in Saravard cultivar (14.6%) and in the second year was observed in the Pseudomonas + half fertilizer in Saravard cultivar (14.3%).

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Sugarecane residue compost,Trichoderma Fungi and Bacillus bacteria inoculation on some agronomic characteristics and yield of quinoa, which is valuable in terms of nutritional value and tolerance to adverse environmental conditions.

The experiment was conducted as factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during 2019-2020 growing season. Experimental factors included amount of sugarcane residue compost at five levels (zero, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t.ha-1) and biofertilizer at three levels (no inoculation, Trichoderma asperelloides and Bacillus subtilis inoculation).

Results :

The highest biological yield (5152 kg.ha-1) was obtained from Trichoderma inoculation treatment and the lowest (4234 kg.ha-1) from non-inoculation treatment. The highest grain yield (1908 kg.ha-1) was related to Trichoderma treatment. Inoculation of Trichoderma and Bacillus increased grain yield by 27% and 19% compared to no inoculation, respectively. Maximum grain yield was obtained from treatments of 20 and 30 t.ha-1, respectively.

Considering that the best treatments of this experiment in most traits were 20 and 30 tons of sugarcane residue compost per hectare, to reduce the cost, it is recommended to use 20 tons of this organic fertilizer to achieve maximum quinoa grain yield. Inoculation of Trichoderma and Bacillus bacteria, especially Trichoderma, is also recommended to improve the growth and yield of quinoa.

Drought stress, reduces physiologic and qualitative traits of triticale. Also, using compost fertilizer has beneficial effects on physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil and reducing the negative effect of environmental stresses like drought stress on physiologic and qualitative traits of crop plants. This study designed and carried out with aim to study the effect of sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on physiologic and qualitative traits of triticale under drought stress conditions in Ahwaz weather conditions in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan.

In order to investigate the effect of sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on physiologic and qualitative traits of triticale under drought stress conditions, a field experiment using a split-plot arrangement accomplished in a randomized complete block design with four replicates in the research farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during 2018-2019 growing season. Experimental factors include four levels of drought stress (complete irrigation, drought stress from spike emergence stage, drought stress from pollination stage and drought stress from milky-dough stage) in main plots and five amounts of sugarcane residues compost fertilizer (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1) in sub-plots.

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress, sugarcane residue compost fertilizer and their interaction on the most of measured traits (SPAD, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, relative water content, cell membrane stability, canopy temperature, redistribution, grain protein, grain Fe and grain Zn) were significant. Mean comparison of above measured traits in interaction effects of drought stress and sugarcane residue compost fertilizer showed that drought stress decreased these traits and the maximum amount of these traits was obtained in full irrigation and the lowest amount was observed in drought stress from spike emergence to complete maturity. Also, in different drought stress levels, with increasing the amount of sugarcane residue compost fertilizer, the amount of traits increased and reached a maximum at the level of 40 t ha-1. Therefore, the maximum amount of these traits was under full irrigation and 40 t.ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest amount of them was obtained in drought stress from spike emergence and non-use of sugarcane residue compost.

Generally, drought stress from irrigation cut off decreased physiologic and qualitative traits of triticale. Also, in different drought stress levels with increasing the amount of sugarcane residue compost fertilizer, the amount of above traits increased. Therfore using sugarcane residues compost fertilizer decreased the negative impact of drought stress from spike emergence conditions on physiologic and qualitative traits of triticale between 6 to 46 percent.

In order to investigate the combined effects of temperature and salinity stress on seed germination properties of ziziphus (Ramlik), a factorial experiment conducted at seed technology laboratory of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan in 2019. The experiment was arranged as complete block design with three raplications. First factor was salinity (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mM) and second factor was temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 oC). Results of the experiment revealed that there was no seed germination in 5 oC, 10 oC at all salinity treatments. Seed germination and seedling growth were declined at all temperature treatments bythe increase in salinity concentrations. Salinity tolerance threshold of Ramlik at 25 OC was 173 mM but as temperature increased to 35 oC, it declined to 150 mM. The highest seed germination properties of Ramlik were observed at 25 oC. An increase in salinity led to a lower seed germination rate. As Ramlik seeds were capable to complete their germination at

Triticale is a commercial cereal with a vast potential to feed human and animal. This plant can be cultivated in poor soils that are not suitable for wheat production. In irrigation cutoff stress conditions, reduces growth and yield and yield components of triticale. One of the most important ways to reduce the negative effect of drought stress on plant is using compost fertilizer in the soil. Using compost fertilizer in agricultural soils lead to increase nutrient elements and conserving the soil water. Generally, compost fertilizer of sugarcane residues, improves moisture storage and physical and chemical conditions of the soil. So that sugarcane residue compost fertilizer contributes to preserving the moisture storage of the soil and to supply the nutrients required by the plant. In this study, the most important aim is to study the effect of sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on triticale yield and yield components under irrigation cutoff stress condition in Mollasani region, Ahwaz, Kuzestan province.

In order to investigate the effect of sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on growth, yield and yield components of triticale under drought stress conditions, a field experiment using a split-plot arrangement accomplished in a randomized complete block design with four replicates in the research farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan (in 31º N, 48º E, 35 Km north-east of Ahwaz, and 20 m above the sea level) during 2018-2019 growing season. Experimental factors include four levels of drought stress (complete irrigation, irrigation cutoff from spike emergence to physiological maturity, irrigation cutoff from pollination stage to physiological maturity and irrigation cutoff from milky-dough stage to physiological maturity) as a main factor in main plots and five amounts of sugarcane residues compost (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1) as a sub factor in sub-plots.

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress, sugarcane residue compost and their interaction on the measured traits were significant. Mean comparison showed that the maximum amount of triticale traits was obtained in full irrigation and the lowest amount was observed in drought stress from spike emergence to physiological maturity. Also, with increasing the amount of sugarcane residue compost, the amount of traits increased and reached a maximum at the level of 40 t ha-1. Mean comparison of grain yield under the interaction of drought stress and sugarcane residue compost showed that the highest grain yield (4288 kg ha-1) was under full irrigation and 40 t.ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest grain yield (1134 kg ha-1) was obtained in drought stress from spike emergence to physiological maturity and non-use of sugarcane residue compost. In the conditions of drought stress caused by the interruption of irrigation, the vegetative and reproductive growth of the plant is reduced, which causes a decrease in yield components and ultimately leads to a decrease in seed yield. On the other hand, the use of compost fertilizer reduces the effect of stress by preserving water and providing nutrients needed for plant growth and leads to an increase in seed yield.

Generally, the results showed that drought stress conditions decreased growth, grain yield and yield components of triticale but using sugarcane residues compost fertilizer decreased the negative impact of drought stress conditions on measured traits. Also, in areas with irrigation shortage or lack of rainfall at the beginning of flowering stage, 40 tons per hectare of sugarcane residues compost fertilizer is recommended for maintaining grain yield.

In order to investigate the effect of planting method and sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on morphological and physiological traits and grain yield of corn, a field experiment using a split-plot arrangement was accomplished in a randomized complete block design with four replicates in Mian-Ab, Shooshtar, south-west Iran in summer 2018. Experimental factors included four planting methods (on ridges, on watermark, in furrows, and on flat ground) as main factor in main plots and four amounts of sugarcane residues compost (0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha-1) in sub-plots. Results showed that the effects of planting method, sugarcane residue compost, and their interaction were significant on the leaf area index, plant height, ear height, SPAD, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, grains/ear, thousand grain weight and grain yield. Mean comparison showed that the maximum amount of the examined corn traits was obtained in furrow planting and using 30 t ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest amounts were observed in ridge planting and absence of sugarcane residue compost. The highest grain yield (6497 kg ha-1) was achieved in furrow planting and presence of 30 t ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest grain yield (3870 kg ha-1) was in ridge planting and absence of sugarcane residue compost. In general, it seems that furrow planting by providing better growth conditions and consumption of sugarcane residues compost fertilizer due perhaps to improvement in soil nutrient availability and moisture storage capacity increase the growth and grain yield of corn in Shooshtar region.

The plant chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is of very important medicinal properties due to its content of active compounds such as chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol as well as alpha-bisabolol A. Considering the relevance of chamomile in various pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and hygienic industries, organic nutrition and improved absorption of mineral elements would play an important role in the raise of plant yield and essence quality. Therefore, the use of biofertilizers such as mycorrhizal-like fungi is regarded as an important issue in reduction of chemical fertilizer application and maintain crop health and the environment in nowadays agriculture (Abbaszadeh et al., 2006; Jamshidi et al., 2011). The use of the natural mineral, zeolite is one of new strategies in agricultural development for Increasing water and nutrient use efficacy, where it improves plant growth through its capacity for water preservation and supply of nutritional materials (Ahmed et al., 2010)

To study the effect of the application of the fungus Serendipita indica and the natural zeolite (Clinoptilolite) on the quantitative and qualitative yield of the German chamomile cv. Presov, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replicates was performed in the experimental field of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during 2006-2007. The experimental factors included the fungus with two levels (either inoculation/ no inoculation) and zeolite with four levels of the application rates (tonnes per hectare): Z1 (0), Z2 (5), Z3 (10) and Z4 (15). After crop harvest performed omitting the marginal effect in a border-band of 50 cm width per plot surroundings, the traits of the number of secondary branches, the number of flowers per plant, biological yield, essence percentage, essence yield, the rate of phenolics, and flavonoids as well as the rate of antioxidant activity were determined.

The inoculation with the fungus and the lower levels of zeolite led to increased number of secondary branches and of flowers per plant. The highest rate of biological yield was obtained with 10 tonnes of zeolite per hectare, which was not statistically a significant difference from other levels of zeolite application but still meaningfully different from that in control. With the effect of fungus, the highest essence percentage was obtained with the zeolite application level of 10 tonnes per hectare, while no-inoculation of the fungus generally led to a lower essence percentage. Additionally, higher percentage of essence could be produced with lower rates of zeolite thanks to fungal inoculation. The highest rate of essence yield was yielded as the result of the inoculation of S. indica. Furthermore, the application of zeolite led to increased essence yield, so that the lowest rate of essence yield resulted in the treatment of no zeolite application. The rate of flavonoids, as well as phenolics were higher when the fungus was inoculated than in the absence of its inoculation.

Considering the results of this research, the beneficial impacts of zeolite, as well as the mycorrhiza-like fungus application are notable as an organic nutritional system in the provision of most nutrients required by the medicinal plant chamomile, and as the consequence its increase of essence percentage and yield. Moreover, the advantages of the substituent nutritional system can environmentally be considerable compared to traditional agricultural systems.

To evaluate the effect of Corn and Cowpea living mulch planting pattern on forage yield and weeds suppression after harvesting of corn, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications in Shush during 2019 growing season. Experimental treatments were included single-row corn on furrow, double-row corn on furrow, single-row corn in furrow, single-row corn on furrow+ single-row cowpea in furrow, single-row corn on furrow+ double-row cowpea in furrow, double-row corn on furrow+ single-row cowpea in furrow, double-row corn on furrow+ double-row cowpea in furrow, single-row cornin furrow+ single-row cowpea on furrow; single-row cornin furrow+ double-row cowpea on furrow. According to results, the best treatment in terms of corn forage yield and weed control after harvesting was single-row cornin furrow+ double-row cowpea on furrow pattern. The highest corn forage yield (30998 kg.ha-1), the lowest weed dry matter (26/3 g.m-2) and the highest weed smothering efficiency index (85%) gained from this planting pattern. Based on the results, application of single-row cornin furrow+ double-row cowpea on furrow planting pattern can be recommended to increase corn forage yield and weed control.

Salinity is one of the main limiting factors for seed germination and seedling growth. The use of nutrients in priming treatment is known as an effective way to improve seed yield In this regard, a factorial experiment was conducted in the Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, based on randomize complete design with three replications. Priming treatment with nano and micro magnesium was performed at five concentrations zero, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg /litr, sepcratly. The durations of 12 and 24 hour were used for seed priming and salinity stress levels were zero, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mM made with sodium chloride. The results showed that increasing salinity stress declined hyssop seeds resistance and reduced the germination characteristics of this plant. Priming with 400 mg/litr magnesium microclate produced the highest germination percentage of 89.3%, average germination time of 5.9, seed vigor of 27.2 and root length of 24 mm. The highest germination rate (0.461 per day) and shoot length (18 mm) were observed in control and 400 mg/litr of nano-chelate, respectively. Results showed that nutrient seed priming with micochelate effectively alleviated salinity stress effects and improved seed germination properties compared to nanochelate magnesium. The optimum seed priming treatment obtained from 400 mg/litr micro chelate magnesium for 12 hours.

The German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is an annual herb from the Asteraceae family. This plant has many medicinal uses. Chamazulene, α-bisabolone oxide A and b-farnesene are part of essential oil components of German chamomile. Chamomile causes the chamomile essential oil to turn blue color. Chamazulene is the most important part of chamomile essential oil. Chamazulene has many therapeutic properties, including lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides and generally having a high anti-concentration effect of lipoprotein (Hyperlipidemia) in the blood. Most plants are more vulnerable in the early stages of growth. Within a region with adverse climatic conditions, microclimate can make more survival possible for the plants. In very warm and dry areas, in furrow sowing condition, seeds sowing in the bed of furrow in the different geographical orientations causes the formation of microclimates, especially in short plants and at the germination and seedling stages. For example, salt accumulation on the ridge and reducing soil salt in the bed of furrowimprove growth conditionsand on the other hand, shading the ridge on the furrow, by reducing the time of sunlight shining on the furrow bed reduces soil temperature and evapotranspiration in early stages of seedling growth. The geographical orientations of the sowing can affect the shading period time of the ridgeon bedfurrow.

Under low irrigation and saline-sodic soil condition (At a depth of 0 to 30 cm, with an average electrical conductivity of 7.7 dS.m-1, pH 7.7, silty clay soil texture, 1% organic matter and with an altitude of 22 meters above sea level), a field experiment conducted in a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (North East of Ahvaz, 2016-2017). The experimental treatments were included the geographical orientations of sowing rows (control (nonlinear flat sowing) and orientations of sowing rows in the North-South, East-West, North East-South West, North West-South East) and chamomile landraces (Ahvaz, Isfahan, and Shiraz).The traits that were studied included: plant height, diameter of main stem, light extinction coefficient, capitule diameter, dry weight of 10 inflorescences, number of flowers per plant, number of stems per plant, dry inflorescence yield, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield, biological yield, percentage of chamazulene, α-Bisabolone oxide A and b-Farnesene in essential oil .

Experimental factors had no significant effect on dry weight of 10 inflorescences and capitule diameter. The lowest light extinction coefficient was observed in nonlinear flat sowing. The landraces had no significant effect on main stem diameter but the effect of geographical orientations of sowing rows were significant. The lowest and highest diameter of main stem were obtained from nonlinear flat sowing, respectively. The main effect of geographical orientations of sowing rows and interaction of populations and geographical orientations of sowing rows on number of stems per plant were significant. The highest number of stems per plant (15.2) was obtained from Shiraz landrace and northwest-southeast geographical orientation but the lowest number of stems per plant was in Shiraz landrace and nonlinear flat sowing (8.7). In both the highest and the lowest number of stems per plant, the landrace of Shiraz was common, this indicates a high effect of geographical orientations of sowing rows on this trait. The highest and the lowest of number of flowers per plant was observed in Isfahan landrace in north-south orientation (78.5) and Shiraz landrace and nonlinear flat sowing (49.5), respectively. The highest number of flowers per plant, dry inflorescence yield, and the highest biological yield were obtained from Isfahan landrace in the north-south, north-south and north west-south east orientations, respectively. The highest essential oil percentage was obtained from the Isfahan landrace (East-West orientation). The lowest and highest yield of essential oil was observed in Isfahan landrace and in nonlinear flat sowing and east-west direction, respectively, which increased by 221%. Isfahan landrace received different signals due to different climatic conditions (Ahwaz) compared to the main region (Isfahan) and this increased the percentage and yield of essential oil even more than native landrace (Ahwaz population). The highest percentage of chamazulene, b-Farnesene, and α-bisabolone oxide were shown in the Ahwaz (north-south), Shiraz (south west-north east) and Isfahan (north to south) landraces, respectively.

Isfahan non-native landrace had higher biological yield (northwest-southeast orientation) and essential oil percentage (east-west orientation) and essential oil yield (east-west orientation) than Shiraz and Ahwaz native landraces. Generally, row sowing in the furrow and in a suitable geographical orientation can be a low-cost method to increase crop productivity.

Dehydration and deficiency of nitrogen fertilizer are important factors in reducing the quantitative and qualitative yield of wheat. The use of appropriate cultivars and some agricultural operations can help reduce the damage of these factors. In order to investigate the effect of irrigation cut and different amonts of nitrogen fertilizer on some quantitative, qualitative characteristics and redistribution rate of photosynthetic materials stored in durum wheat plant, the present experiment was carried out in a statistical form of split -split plots in a randomized complete blocks design in three replications in Ramhormoz during 2013-14 cropping year. Experimental factors include three levels of irrigation cut in the spike stage, at the beginning of the seeding stage and full irrigation in the main plots, four levels of nitrogen (zero, 60, 120 and 180 kilogram per hectare of pure nitrogen from the urea source) in the subplots and two durum wheat cultivars Yavaros and Behrang were in the sub-sub plots. The results showed that irrigation cut and nitrogen fertilizer content treatments had a significant effect on quantitative, qualitative and redistribution rate traits of photosynthetic materials and there was also a significant difference between investigated wheat cultivars in terms of growth response to irrigation cut and nitrogen fertilizer content. The highest grain yield (3587.3587 kilogram per hectare), harvesting index and redistribution of total shoot (0.96 gram per plant) in Behrang cultivar with consumption of 180 kilogram per hectare of nitrogen fertilizer in full irrigation was obtained. In general, it can be said that reducing the effects of irrigation cut by balanced selection of nitrogen fertilizer and the correct choice of cultivar (Yavarus) can be a good opportunity to make optimal use of low irrigation techniques to combat water shortage.

A better understanding of factors affecting competition between wheat and weeds can facilitate the development of more effective crop management methods. In order to quantification wheat- Avena ludoviciana Duriu competition in response to nitrogen and Othello OD herbicide. A field experiment in 2018-19 was conducted as split plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Nitrogen fertilizer in included five levels of 0, 80, 160, 240 and Unconventional consumption 320 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen fertilizer was considered as the main plot and the herbicide dose of Othello OD herbicide in five levels of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 times the recommended dose (The recommended dose of herbicide is 1.6 L ha-1) was considered as the sub plot. The results showed the dose required for 50% reduction of weed biomass in non-fertilized conditions, was equal to 75% of the recommended herbicide was used. That with increasing nitrogen fertilizer consumption led to lower herbicide dose. So that by consumption 320 kg N ha-1 reached 37% of the recommended dosage of this herbicide. Also, to achieve about 700 g m-2 of wheat biomass, using 185 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer plus 85% of the recommended herbicide dose, or applying 320 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and 65% of the recommended dose of herbicide.

High degree of evaporation from soil surface (due to high temperature of environment and low relative humidity), poor soil organic content and instability of soil structure are considered indicators of arid regions of Iran. It seems that in a regional management, conservation of plant residues with irrigation operations in the absence of a negative effect on yield can be used as a way to improve the above-mentioned conditions. The management of plant residues has been interesting to researchers in recent decades due to its various effects on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. On the other hand, protective tillage can help to maintain more soil moisture, reduce erosion and less use of agricultural machinery, thereby achieving sustainable agriculture and reducing costs. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of application of wheat residues and green manure along with different tillage systems on corn.

This experiment was conducted in Shush, Khuzestan Province in 2015-2016, as strip-plot in randomized complete block design with three replications. The main treatment consisted of conventional and minimum tillage methods. The sub-plot treatment applied mulches such as wheat residue, two types of green manure (mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)) and control (no fertilizer application). The characteristics in this research included grain yield, biological yield, number of rows in corn, number of kernels per row, 100 grains weight, and weed growth indices (density, variety and dry weight in two stages: 4 to 6 leaf and maturity of corn).

Results

Maximum grain yield of corn was obtained in wheat residue (10399.27 kg ha-1). Also, there was no significant difference in plants treated with green manure of cowpea (10013.49 kg ha-1). The lowest economic yield was seen in control (7382 kg ha-1). Similar to grain yield, the highest biological yield of corn occurred with application of minimum tillage (16139.14 kg ha-1), wheat residue (17170.89) and cowpea green manure (16790.37 kg ha-1). Besides, the best treatment to reduce the number, variety and dry weight of weeds, was achieved with green manure in minimum tillage. Based on the results, the dominant weed of the field in conventional tillage in 4 to 6 leaf stage was physalis (Physalis alkekengi) while it was common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) in the minimum tillage. In maturation of corn, both in conventional tillage and minimum tillage, the dominant weed was physalis, which had the highest dry weight of weeds in every stage.

Based on the results of this research, application of wheat residues and cowpea green manure combined with minimum tillage can be a suitable way to increase corn yield and reduce weed diversity and biomass in sustainable agriculture.

Nowadays, triticale is considered as a high potential commercial crop in order to feed human and livestock. Regarding the fact that triticale is tolerant to inappropriate environmental conditions, it is an acceptable alternative for common wheat cultivation in inappropriate and low-fertile environments. Application of chemical fertilizers in cereal cultivation can lead to destruction of agro-ecosystems and cause environmental pollution.One of approach to solve this problem is use of sustainable agriculture principles in agroecosystems. One of these strategies is application of organic fertilizers such as humicacid. One of the important factors in the effectiveness of fertilizer is the application of concentration and time of consumption.Therefore, determination of the most suitable concentration and time of application of Humic Acid leaves in triticale is important. This experiment was conducted with the aim of determining the best concentration and time of foliar application of humic acids in order to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of triticale in Khuzestan.

The experiment was conducted at Research field of Agricultural sciences and Natural Resources University of khuzestan during 2017-2018. Experimental design was a split plot based on randomized complete block design with four replications.Treatments included time of spraying at four levels as main plot (tillering, Stemelongation, flag leaf, pollination) and concentration at four levels as sub plots (0, 200, 400 and 600 mg.lit-1). Traits included morphological characteristics, grain yield, yield components and qualitative characteristics were assessed in this experiment.

Results showed that the effect of spraying timewere significant on plant height, number of grain per spike and biological yield.The highest plant height (124.3 cm) was obtained from application of humic acid in stem elongation development stage and the highest biological yield (17438.33 kg.ha-1) wasgained from spraying of humic acid at flag leaf stage. Also, the interaction of time and concentrationwere significant on peduncle length, spike length, grain yield and harvest index. Highest grain yield (6796 kg.ha-1) was obtained from200 mg.lit-1 of Humic Acid application in flag leaf stage.

According to the results of this experiment, foliar application of 200 mg.lit-1 humic acid in the flag leaf stage is recommended to gain maximum grain yield in triticale cultivation.

the experiment was conducted at Research field of Agricultural sciences and Natural Resources University of khuzestan during 2017-2018. Experimental design was a split plot based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included time of spraying at four levels as main plot (tillering, Stem elongation, flag leaf, pollination) and concentration at four levels as sub plots (0, 200, 400 and 600 mg.lit-1). Traits included morphological characteristics, grain yield, yield components and qualitative characteristics were assessed in this experiment.

Results showed that the effect of spraying time were significant on plant height, number of grain per spike and biological yield. The highest plant height (124/3 cm) was obtained from application of humic acid in stem elongation development stage and the highest biological yield (17438.33 kg.ha-1) was gained from spraying of humic acid at flag leaf stage. Also, the interaction of time and concentration were significant on peduncle length, spike length, grain yield and harvest index. Highest grain yield (6796 kg.ha-1) was obtained from 200 mg.lit-1 of Humic Acid application in flag leaf stage.

Eventually, the findings of this study showed that application of organic fertilizer such as humic acid in triticale cultivation not only improve grain yield and crop quality but also reduces consumption of chemical fertilizers in agroecosystems. According to the results of this experiment, the use of 200 mg.lit-1 of humic acid in the flag leaf stage in triticale crops is recommended.

Medical pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. var. Styriaca) contains valuable edible oils and compounds that are used to prevent and treat prostate cancer. To evaluate the effects of vermicompost (no application, 5, and 10 t ha-1) as the main factor, biological nitrogen (no application and application of Barvar 1), and biological phosphorus (no application and application of Barvar 2) as sub-factors on the yield and yield components of medical pumpkin, an experiment was conducted as a split-factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Islam Abad-e-Gharb, Kermanshah province, in 2015. Studied traits included male to female flower ratio, number of fruits plant-1, number of seeds fruit-1, average dry fruit yield, stem length, number of days to flowering, seed yield, and seed oil yield and percentage. Vermicompost had a significant effect on the number of seeds fruit-1, dry fruit yield, and flowering date. The highest oil yield (30 kg ha-1) was obtained from the combination of bio-phosphorus application and non-application of vermicompost treatments, and the highest seed yield (195 kg ha-1) was obtained from the combination of bio-nitrogen, non-application of bio-phosphorus, and non-application of vermicompost treatments. A combination of non-application of bio-phosphorus and bio-nitrogen and application of 5 t ha-1 vermicompost treatments resulted in the least male to female flower ratio (39); however, the highest one (66) was obtained in the combination of non-application of bio-nitrogen, application of bio-phosphorus, and  10 t ha-1 vermicompost. In general, the highest seed and oil yield was obtained from a single application of bio-nitrogen and bio-phosphorus fertilizers, respectively.

In order to increase the quality of agricultural products and improve healthy food production systems, application of organic fertilizers has become very important in agroecosystems. To investigate the effect of different concentrations and time of humic acid foliar application on the qualitative characteristics and shoot and grain micronutrients content of Triticale, an experiment was conducted at the Research Field of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during the 2017-2018 growing season. The experimental design was a split plot based on the randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included the time of foliar application at four levels (tillering, stem elongation, flag leaf, anthesis) in the main plot and spraying concentrations at four levels (0, 200, 400 and 600 mg L-1) in the sub plots. The results showed that the foliar application of humic acid at the flag leaf and anthesis stages had the greatest impact on the plant physiological traits. The highest chlorophyll b content, leaf area index and total chlorophyll (SPAD) were obtained from the application of 600 mg L-1 humic acid and the highest chlorophyll a content was gained from the spraying of 400 mg L-1. The maximum grain iron (40.44 mg kg-1) was related to the spraying of 200 mg L-1   of fertilizer at the tillering stage. The highest protein yield (745.65 kg ha-1) was obtained from the foliar application of 200 mg L-1 humic acid in the flag leaf stage. The highest amount of manganese (30.73 mg kg-1) was related to the application at the stem elongation stage and the concentration of 200 mg L-1. Based on the findings of this study, humic acid foliar application can increase the accumulation of micronutrients in plant and improve the qualitative traits of triticale.

In order to investigate the effects of sulfuric acid, humic acid and potassium nitrate foliar spraying on quantitative and qualitative of marigold a field trial was conducted in Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Iran in 2015-2016. This study was carried out using a split factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included potassium nitrate (N1=no application, N2=250 ppm and N3= 500 ppm) as the main factor, sulfuric acid (S1=no application and S2=5 L/ha) and humic acid (H1=no application and H2=16 kg/ha) as the second factor. Studied traits included capitol diameter, number of ray flowers in inflorescences, total number of inflorescences per m2, fresh and dry weight of inflorescences, harvest index, petal carotenoid concentrations, antioxidant activity and petal color quality (L*a*b parameters). The highest inflorescence dry weight (53 g m-2), fresh and dry weight of inflorescences (380 g m-2), total number of inflorescences per m2 (372), number of ray flowers in inflorescences (58) and harvest index (14%) were detected in N2S1, N2S2, N2S2, N2S1 and N1H2, respectively. The least antioxidant activity (0.048 mg ml-1) was obtained in S1H2. The highest a (5.23) and L (61.64) color parameters for yellow flowers and b (84.44) color parameter for orange flowers were found in N1S1H1, N3S2H2 and N2H2, respectively. In general, the best treatments for the two important traits of inflorescence dry matter yield and number of inflorescences per square meter were N2S1 and N2S2, respectively.

To investigate the effects of different sowing dates and irrigation regimes on agronomic traits and yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.) as a new plant, a field experiment was conducted at Haftkel, North East of Ahvaz, Iran. The experiment was conducted as split plot based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. Four sowing dates (31 October, 15 and 30 November and 15 December) considered as main plots and five irrigation levels (full-irrigation, once irrigation at sowing time, two irrigations at sowing and flowering stages and no irrigation conditions) were subplots. Results showed that period between flowering and maturity was shortened with the shortening of the growing season due to the late sowing dates. Dry matter accumulation increased in plant with an increasing the growing season or increased irrigation water. Water could increase plant height, stem diameter, number of ears per plant, number of grains per panicle, grain weight and grain yield and biological yield. The highest grain and biological yield of quinoa was found in sowing date of October 31. Quinoa planted at December 15 had the lowest plant high, the number of ears per plant, number of grain per panicle, seed weight and yield, compared to the other sowing dates.

In order to evaluate competition of wheat with wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) and wild oat (Avena ludoviciana Durieu) to nitrogen and herbicide, a field experiment was conducted as split plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Nitrogen fertilizer included in five levels of 0, 45, 90, 180 and 330 kg ha-1 of urea was considered as main plots and herbicide dose of Othello OD (mesosulfuron methyl + iodosulfuron methyl sodium + diflufenican + mefenpyr-diethyl) in six levels of (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 % the recommended dose (1.6 L ha-1 the recommended dose)) was considered as sub plots. The results showed that weed and wheat biomass response to herbicide doses were followed by response and sigmoid dosage models, which with increasing of nitrogen fertilizer application, those models were developed. Based on the prediction of the combined model, weed boimass with half of the recommend dose of Othello OD herbicide, and by applying 0, 45 ,90,180 ,230 and 330 kg ha-1 of nitrogen was estimated 105/69, 182/71, 212/61, 128/13, 60/70 and 10/60 g m-2, respectively. Also, 750 g m-2 of wheat biomass, was recorded by 265 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer with 0/80 L ha-1 herbicide dose, and/or by applying of 330 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and 0/72 L ha-1 herbicide dose.