فهرست مطالب محمدعلی جواهری

Arsenic is toxic to plants and accumulates in minute quantities within the majority of species. The amount of arsenic absorbed by a plant is contingent upon its source and solubility (Gonzalez et al., 2021). Arsenic mobility and availability are strongly influenced by soil type, pH, and the use of chemical fertilizers such as phosphorus and potassium. Arsenic and phosphorus share chemical similarities and compete for carrier and membrane carrier absorption (Taati et al., 2021). Basil was chosen for this study due to its rapid growth and ability to absorb contaminants such as heavy metals.This study's objective was to use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to reduce the toxicity of arsenic and optimize basil growth in arsenic-contaminated soils. The effects of varying concentrations of arsenic, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as their interactions, on arsenic toxicity, crop growth, phosphorus and potassium uptake, and arsenic accumulation in two basil cultivars were investigated.

This study was conducted in the greenhouse of the University of Zabol during the winter of 2013 and the spring of 2014. Two seed cultivars, Keshkeni Luvelou and landrace of Zabol, constituted the first factor, while types of fertilizers, including 50, 150, and 250 mg of phosphorus and potassium per kg of soil for triple superphosphate and potassium sulfate, constituted the second factor. Arsenic sulfate was added to all containers at a constant rate of 15 mg per kilogram of soil. Plant height, number of lateral branches, number of leaves, fresh weight of shoots, and arsenic concentration in plant shoots were measured. The number of leaves per plant, the number of lateral branches per plant, the height of the plant, the diameter of the main stem, the length of the roots, and the fresh weight of the plant were also measured. After harvesting the plants, they were separated into shoots and roots, dried, and weighed. To measure the heavy metal arsenic, plant samples were dried and ground using the dry digestion method. The arsenic concentration in the extract was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results indicated a 1 percent level of significance for cultivar effects on plant height, number of leaves per plant, number and length of lateral branches, fresh weight, and leaf area. In all growth-related characteristics, the local cultivar differed significantly from the modified cultivar. The addition of arsenic decreased plant growth and increased arsenic concentration in plant organs. The study of the relationship between phosphorus and arsenic revealed that in both cultivars studied, the concentration of arsenic in the shoot decreased as the amount of phosphorus increased. In the interaction between arsenic and potassium, the most arsenic was found in the aerial portion at the lowest potassium concentration. The landrace of Zabol grew better than the modified cultivar due to its adaptation to the local environment. The results of the control treatment on both cultivars revealed that only the addition of arsenic at a concentration of 15 mg/kg soil can inhibit plant growth in comparison to other fertilizer applications. This could be due to the absence of heavy metal contamination in the region, as studies have shown that arsenic can cause stress in plants and inhibit their growth. It can be said that the interaction of phosphorus and potassium with arsenic in other treatments mitigates the negative effect of arsenic on the landrace, whereas the modified cultivar exhibited a type of growth stimulation.

By acting on arsenic absorption, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can reduce the concentration of this substance in plant food, thereby reducing the risk of toxicity. In the interaction between phosphorus and arsenic, as the amount of phosphorus used increased, the concentration of arsenic in the plant's shoots decreased, indicating competition for absorption. At low phosphorus and potassium levels, soil arsenic uptake increased. Landrace of Zabol was superior to breeding cultivar in the majority of vegetative traits, which can be explained by the greater compatibility of breeding cultivar with regional conditions. Landrace of Zabol absorbed less arsenic in the control treatment; however, arsenic had a significantly negative effect on the growth of this cultivar compared to other treatments. In contrast to the landrace, in the control treatment of Keshkeni Luvelou, low concentrations of arsenic stimulated plant vegetative growth.

Planting date is one of the most influential factors in determining sugar beet yield and quality. Due to its effect on the length of plant growth period, i.e. the number of growth days received by the plant, planting date has a significant impact on crop yield and is one of the most influential and decisive factors in agricultural production. The selection of the harvest date is one of the pillars of vintage quality and sugar yield in sugar beets. However, it is difficult to define the harvest date and, more precisely, the maturity date of beet roots in a precise and absolute manner. Indeed, there are various stages and degrees of maturity based on environmental and climatic conditions such as temperature, precipitation, latitude, and others. Because sugar beet lacks a distinct physiological ripening stage, similar to cereals. Due to the effect of farm management, particularly the application of planting and harvesting dates, on the yield and quality of sugar beet, it is necessary to plan carefully in order to determine the optimal planting and harvesting dates for this crop in each region. Due to the risk of autumn frost and the necessity of transport planning to the sugar factory, farm management is crucial. On the basis of this information, the first harvest date should be determined, which has a suitable and acceptable yield of white sugar, and the product should be harvested and transported to the sugar factory as soon as possible.

To determine the effect of planting and harvesting dates on root yield and certain quality characteristics of sugar beet in the Bardsir region of Kerman province, a split -plot randomized complete block experiment with four replications was conducted. The main factor was the sowing date, which was applied at two levels: The first sowing date was April 21 and the second was June 5. The sub-factor was the harvesting date, which began on August 23 and occurred in nine stages with a 15-day interval in the relevant plots.

The results revealed that the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth harvesting dates in the first sowing date produced the highest root yield, and only in these four treatments the root yield reached more than 50 tons per hectare. The treatments of three first, second, and third harvest dates on the first sowing date and three fifth, sixth, and seventh harvest dates on the second sowing date produced the most nitrogen in the roots. The greatest amount of root molasses sugar was found in the first and second harvest dates on the second sowing date; in these treatments, the amount of root molasses sugar exceeded 5.8%. Also, the greatest amount of gross sugar was assigned to the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth harvests on the date of first sowing, and the amount of gross sugar in these five treatments exceeded 18%. In addition, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth harvest dates had the highest white sugar yield on the first planting date. Due to the risk of autumn frosts and, on the other hand, transport planning to the sugar factory and farm management, it is necessary to harvest immediately if the desired white sugar yield is achieved.

According to the findings of this study, delay in planting sugar beet increased root impurities and decreased root sugar yield and percentage. Also, with the delay in harvesting for both planting dates, root impurities decreased and the proportion of crude sugar increased, resulting in a greater disparity between molasses and crude sugar and an increase in pure sugar. Due to the risk of autumn frosts and the need to transport the crop to the sugar factory, it is recommended that beet growers in this region plant on May 1 and harvest on November 15.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L) is an expensive and highly valuable plant recognized globally for its many medicinal properties and low water demand. Hence, the development of saffron farms in semiarid regions has received much attention as it increases water use efficiency (WUE) in such water-deficient areas. Considering the different factors involved in saffron growth and yield, the geographical information system (GIS) is the best and most cost-effective method to identify areas potentially favorable to saffron cultivation. The current study aimed at zoning the land area favorable to saffron cultivation in Kerman Province was conducted over the period 2017-2019. The required daily data were collected from 13 synoptic stations recorded during the years 1998 to 2016, which were subjected to the homogeneity test before the relevant GIS information layers including altitude, slope, frost, rainfall, absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, and probability of temperatures below 5º Celsius in November were prepared. Subsequently, the relevant variograms were drawn. Also, the slope map was extracted using the digital elevation model. Finally, weights were assigned to the above layers using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, and the final zoning map was prepared in ArcMap. The map thus prepared revealed that the southern and eastern stretches of the province were not suitable for saffron cultivation while the more favorable areas were located at the foothills in Baft, Bardsir, Zarand, and Shahrbabak towns. Moreover, Kahnuj, Manojan, southern parts of Jiroft, eastern stretches of Bam, and southern stretches of Baft, accounting for around 59% of the total provincial land area, were recognized as unfavorable to saffron cultivation. The remaining lands of the total provincial area were classified as follows: 15% relatively suitable, 16% suitable, and about 10% highly suitable for saffron cultivation.

Orzuiyeh city (one of Kerman province's warm regions) is known as the center of wheat production in Kerman province. Wheat is one of the main crops in the region, which plays an important role in providing food for the people and the economy of the region. The high area under wheat cultivation in this city is the most important source of income for farmers. Wheat is primarily sown in Orzuiyeh for bread production using the Chamran cultivar and durum wheat production using the Yavaros cultivar. Due to the introduction of new cultivars, additional cultivars must be introduced to farmers if they outperform conventional cultivars.

The yield of 11 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. Durum) cultivars (Chamran, Shoosh, Parsi, Sivand, Sirvan, Chamran-2, Shabrang, Aflak, Behrang, Baharan, and Mehregan) was evaluated in the hot zone Orzuiyeh in this experiment. The cultivars were compared on yield and performance components over a two-year period using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each cultivar was planted in six 6-meter lines with a line spacing of 20 cm and the distance between replicates was considered one meter. The amount of fertilizer used was done according to the experiments and according to the needs of the farm soil based on the recommendations of the soil and water department. The first irrigation was done immediately after planting by sprinkling method and according to the custom of the field. Operations and weed control were performed manually (weeding) in the same way on all plots. After physiological maturation of cultivars, harvest was performed in each plot from four middle lines and after removing half a meter from both sides of each line. Grain yield for each treatment was calculated based on the total area of plot harvest and after threshing. Then, based on the obtained data, the analysis of variance of the data was performed in the year. After Bartlett test results, composite analysis of variance was performed by SAS software and mean comparison was performed by LSD method and the results were interpreted.

There was a positive correlation between grain yield, 1000- Grain weight, and Grain per spike. Shabrang, for example, had a higher Grain density per spike and 1000- Grain weight. Additionally, the 1000- Grain weight correlated negatively and statistically significantly with the number of Grains per spike and spike length. At the 1% level, there was also a positive and significant correlation between the number of Grains per spike and the spike length. Additionally, Shabrang cultivar produced the most grain per hectare (8.04 tons), while Chamran cultivar produced the least grain per hectare (6.32 tons). A thousand Behrang cultivar Grains weighed 46 g. Shabrang cultivars typically had 57 se Grains per spike, while Behrang cultivars typically had 39 Grains per spike. Parsi, Shoosh, and Sirvan cultivars, on the other hand, had the longest spikes at 10.7 and 10.4 cm, respectively, while Behrang cultivar had the shortest spikes at an average of 8.1 cm. The Parsi and Aflak cultivars grew to the greatest heights of 101.3 and 99.3 cm, respectively, while the Behrang and Baharan cultivars grew to the smallest heights of 92 and 91.6 cm, respectively.

The Durum Shabrang cultivar should be used in place of the conventional Durum (Yavaros) cultivars, according to the findings of this study. Additionally, Mehregan and Parsi bread wheat cultivars are recommended for use in the Orzuiyeh region in place of Chamran bread wheat cultivars.

In recent years shortage of water and necessity of forage production have led to a tendency towards low-input plants such as Kochia. Kochia, that plant that, in addition to drought and salinity tolerance, have the potential to produce forage in less favorable environmental conditions. To evaluate forage yield and quality of Kochia as affected by drought stress, plant density and harvesting stage a field experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 at the Jupar agricultural research rtation of Kerman. The experiment was carried out as split plot factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought stress at three levels; irrigation at 50%, 70% and 90% depletion of soil available moisture were assigned to main plots and two planting density; 33.3 and 16.6 plant m-2 and two harvesting stages; vegetative growth stage (55 days after emergence) and flowering stage as factorial were randomized in sub plots. In irrigation at 50% and 90% soil available moisture depletion dry forage yield was 7.15 and 6.45 ton ha-1, respectively, however, this difference was not significant. Harvesting at the flowering stage with production of 31.30 ton ha-1 of fresh forage and 8.96 ton ha-1 of dry forage was significantly superior in comparison with other treatments. The highest amount of forage protein (10.94%), and the lowest amount of NDF (%50.6) and ADF (%33.8) were obtained in the severe drought stress (90% depletion of soil available moisture). Harvesting at the flowering stage had lower protein and higher NDF than vegetative growth stage. The results of this study indicated that it is possible to produce 4.5 ton ha-1 of dry forage by harvesting at vegetative growth stage and 8.5 t ha-1 of dry forage at the flowering stage by application of irrigation at 70% to 90% soil available moisture depletion.

13 bread wheat cultivars, including Alvand, Back Cross Roshan, Pishtaz, Arg, Tiger, Sirvan, Flamenco, Omid, Orum, Heydari, Mihan, Chamran 2 and Natasha varieties, were evaluated for two years in a completely randomized block design with three replications in the research center of Kerman agricultural education. After running the Bartlett test, composite analysis of variance was performed by SAS software and Duncan's mean comparison was performed at the 5% level, and then the results were interpreted. The results showed that Heidari, Alvand, Orum and Arg cultivars had the highest grain yield with average yields of 6300, 6263, 5546 and 5257 kg / ha, respectively. Also, Chamran 2, Sirvan and Tiger cultivars with average yields of 4488, 4566 and 4668 kg / ha had the lowest grain yields. On the other hand, Omid and Pishtaz cultivars with a weight of 44.24 and 44.04 gr per thousand seeds had the highest, while Flamenco and Tiger cultivars with a weight of 37.49 and 36.73 gr had the lowest weight of a thousand seeds, respectively. Chamran 2 cultivar with 39.83 had the lowest number of seeds per spike. Omid cultivar with 107 cm had the highest plant height and Mihan and Tiger cultivars had the lowest plant height with 81.00 and 79.83 cm, respectively. According to the results of this study (especially in terms of yield and dwarfness), Heydari and Mihan cultivars should be used to replace conventional and old cultivars in Kerman province's cold areas.

Water scarcity is of most important limiting factor of sugar beet production in arid and semi-arid world, like Iran. Due to the lack of autumn cultivation of sugar beet in Kerman province, using Agro-climate zoning, concerning various affecting factors on the growth of sugar beets is of the best and lowest-cost method for identification of prone areas for this crop species. In this study, using long-term weather data, occurrence probability of threshold temperatures and developmental stage were calculated. Due to influence of altitude on temperature variables, three-dimensional gradient equations were used for mapping of these factors in geographical information system. The results showed that in the South and east parts of Kerman province, the optimum planting date is the late of October and first days of November. But for the southern of Baft city, first half of October is suitable for planting. For a large parts of the cities of Rafsanjan, Sirjan, Zarand and Bardsir, appropriate planting date was obtained on second half of September. For southern of Kerman province, mid-May is determined of harvest date. Due to temperature limitations, length of growth seasons in these regions are less than central parts. However, these regions have more GDD and appropriate growth days than central parts. It seems that the southern regions of the province, including the cities of Manoujan, Jiroft, Arzuiyeh and Anbarabad with less than 30% probability of vernalisation risk and stemming are quite perfect for sugar beet autumn cultivation.

The new durum wheat cultivar Aran (DW-91-6) was initially introduced as a breeding line through 41th International Durum Yield Nursery (IDYN) received from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CYMMIT) and was evaluated in two research stations of Khorramabad and Darab in warm agro-climate zone of Iran. In this step, Aran was selected for the further studies based on its high grain yield (6398 kgha-1). This line had average grain yield of 7183 kgha-1 in the regional preliminary yield trial in 2010-2011 cropping season. Line DW-91-6 had average grain yield of 7172 kgha-1 in the advanced yield trial compared to Behrang check cultivar with grain yield of 7068 kgha-1 in 2011-2012 cropping season and was selected for the further evaluations. In the regional elite yield trial conducted in four stations of Ahvaz, Darab, Dezful and Khorramabad in 2012-13 and 2013-14, this line with 7660 kgha-1 had 9% higher yield than Behrang check cultivar with grain yield of 7021 kgha-1 and was selected as superior line based on its grain yield and yield stability. Aran also has high quality of semolina, high protein content (13.6%) and high percentage of wet gluten (30%). The results of on-farm trials showed that this cultivar exhibited a 24% to 26% higher grain than Yavarus as a local check inKerman as well as a 17% higher grain yield compared to Behrang as a local check in Khoozestan. In total, based on its high grain yield, yield stability, quality of semolina and its good level of resistance to yellow and leaf rust diseases, line DW-91-6 was released as a new durum wheat cultivar with the name “Aran” for warm agro-climate zone of Iran.

To determine resistance of four species forage crops to drought stress an experiment was conducted for two years (2016-2017) in Kerman – Iran. In this study a randomized complete block design arranged in a split plot experiment with four replications was used. Drought stress treatments consisted of normal, moderate and severes drought levels (80, 130 and 180 mm cumulative pan evaporation respectively) were assigned to main plots and four forage plant types (maize, kochia, millet and sorghum) to subplots. Results indicated that with increasing of drought stress, leaf relative water content decreased but MDA (malondialdehyde) content increased. Among the four forage plants under study, kochia had the lowest MDA content. Chlorophyll a under moderate and severe drought stresses decreased by 16.3% and 20.7% respectively, as compared to normal drought. Kochia, in both years and under all levels of drought stresses, had the highest sodium percent in shoots. Sorghum had the highest amount of potassium content in shoot, as compared to other plants under severe and moderate levels of drought stresses. Sorghum produced the highest the forage yield at all levels of drought stresses and it produced highest fresh and dry (101241 kg.ha-1 and 30181 kg.ha-1) respectively under normal irrigation. Increasing drought stress resulted in the reduction of forage yield of all plant under study but yield reduction in kochia was lower than the yield of other plants. Millet and kochia with %11.9 and %9.82 crude protein contents respectively produced higher crude protein contents in this respect. Based on the results of this study, sorghum produced highest forage yield, millet good quality forage and kochia was the most tolerant plant to drought stress condition.

To evaluate forage yield and quality as well as water productivity of kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad), millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit stress conditions, a field experiment was carried-out as split plot arrangements in randomized complete block design with four replications in two years (2016-2017) in Kerman, Iran. Three irrigation regimes including; optimal irrigation, mild and severe stress levels based on 80, 130 and 180 mm cumulative pan evaporation, respectively, were assigned to main plots and four plant species; kochia, millet, sorghum and maize were randomized in subplots. Sorghum had the highest forage yield in all irrigation regimes. Sorghum in optimal irrigation had 101241 kg ha-1 of fresh forage and 30181 kg ha-1 dry forage. With increasing drought stress severity, yield reduction was lower in kochia than other plant species. The highest water productivity obtained under mild drought stress. The highest water productivity in optimal, mild and severe drought stress levels belonged to sorghum with 3.17, 2.97 and 2.8 kg m-3, respectively. Millet had the highest (11.8%) and sorghum the lowest (8.9%) crude protein in dry forage. Based on the results of this research, sorghum had the highest forage yield and water productivity, and kochia was the most tolerant plant for drought stress conditions. Considering the importance of quantity and quality of forage for livestocks, it is suggested that intercropping of sorghum and millet will be considered as a research priority in future.

Today, application of anti-oxidant and plant growth regulators has been proposed to reducing the negative impacts of drought stress. Ascorbic acid and sodium nitroprusside are the substances that make plants resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the effect of drought stress, ascorbic acid and sodium nitroprusside foliar sprays were examined on the qualitative characteristics in summer squash plants. The experimental design was a split plot factorial with two irrigation regimes; irrigation at 75% FC and irrigation at 25% FC, as the main treatments, and combination of sodium nitroprusside at three levels of 0, 50 and M and ascorbic acid at three levels of 0, 10 and 20 mM at flowering stage as subplot that were applied with three replications. The experiment was conducted in 2011 at the Zabol University research farm in Zabol, south Iran. Deficit irrigation reduced seed oil content and chlorophyll a. Also delay irrigation decreased relative water content of leaves. Ascorbic acid spraying increased, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, protein and oil contents of leaves, but leaf relative water content decreased with the use of ascorbic acid. The concomitant use of 20 mM of ascorbic acid and 100 M of sodium nitroprusside achieved the greatest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, protein and oil contents and relative water content of leaves.

Sugar beet planting under autumn season has significant importance owing to higher water use efficiency especially in semiarid regions. In Kerman, sugar beet is only sown in spring, therefore it is important to evaluate the feasibility of autumn-sown sugar beet planting. Using geographic information system (GIS) combined with various factors influencing sugar beet growth is the best and economic method for identification of prone areas for autumn-sown sugar beet planting. The aim of this study was climatic zoning of Kerman region for autumn-sown sugar beet planting. Meteorological data including temperature and rainfall were collected. Then, cumulative thermal units, biomass productivity index, vernalization times, freezing, rainfall, and day length of each meteorological station were determined and their map was drawn. After weighting maps using hierarchical method, the final map was developed with ARC-GIS software. Results showed that sugar beet plants are susceptible to bolting in Baft, Bardsir and Shahr Babak cities; however in southern parts of the province, sugar beet plants could not receive required vernalization temperature. Less than 50 mm precipitation during the growing season may decrease the feasibility of sugar beet planting in these areas. Although, most of the lands with more than 200 mm precipitation are endanger of freezing, inadequate GDD reception, and vernalization occurrence. Based on final zoning map, 19.42% of the lands including Kahnooj, Manoujan, Anbar Abad, southern part of Jiroft, East of Bam, and south of Baft are classified as prone areas. Remained areas were regarded as proper (22.67%), medium (21.76%), and improper (36.15%) for autumn-sown sugar beet planting. In conclusion, autumn-sown sugar beet planting can be performed in most parts of the province.

To study the effects of wheat and canola residue management and tillage methods on maize yield and some soil properties, two separate experiments were carried out over three years (2009-2011) in Experimental Research Station of Orzoiyeh in Kerman, Iran. In each experiment randomized complete block design arranged in a split plot was used with four replications. Tillage methods (conventional and minimum tillage) were compared in the main plots and crop residue (residue rentention, residue removal and residue burning) were compared in the sub plots. In maize planted under canola bed, in conventional tillage, grain yield (14.4%) and plant height (7%) was more than minimum tillage. In maize planted under wheat bed, grain yield of maize was higher in conventinal tillage in the first and second years, but there was not any significant difference between two tillage methods in the third year. In comparison between wheat residue treatments, residues retention had the highest maize grain yield. The moisture content stored in the soil was highest in treatment of minimum tillage along with residue retention of wheat. In both experiments, residue rentention increased significantly soil organic matter and residue burning increased soil phosphorus and potassium. Grain protein of maize was higher in minimum tillage than conventional tillage, but crop residue management has not significant effect on grain protein content. Based on the results of this study, residue retention in soil can be recommended, but to determine minimum tillage positive effects in soil, long term experiments should carried out.

In Orzoiyeh region, water deficit is the most important environmental stress limiting plant growth and production. A field experiment was conducted over two years 2010-2011 in Orzoiyeh Research Station to determine the most suitable of planting date and hybrid for winter cultivation of corn . This study was conducted as a split- plot in randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plots were planting date with four levels ( 3 February, 17 February, 2 March, 18 March) and sub plots were four different corn hybrids (TWC 600, TWC 647, SC 704, SC 720). Results showed that there weren’t any significant difference between planting dates for grain yield and yield components, but planting in 18 March had the highest plant height and ear diameter. Between corn hybrids, SC 720 produced highest grain yield (10.48 t ha-1). Grain yield in SC720 hybrid was 2.02 t ha-1 higher than control (SC 704). SC720 hybrid had the highest amounts of ear diameter and number row per ear than others. Based on these results, can be concluded that in Orzoiyeh region, cultivation of corn in the range of 3 February to 18 March is possible, but 18 march is the best planting date. As well as SC 720 as a new hybrid can be introduced in this region.

To calculate the threshold spring, daily and hourly temperatures during the day and in different years was calculated for each station. In order to determine the best method of interpolation, regression models, inverse distance weighting, kriging and co-kriging were evaluated. The data analysis and zoning of each layer was performed using SPSS 10.2 ARC GIS. The Results showed suitable planting date for southern part of the Khorasan Razavi Province, in Bardaskan, and in the western part of Sabzevar in this province were determined to be from 27 September to 7 October. This planting date was also recommended for the southern, eastern, and western parts of the South Khorasan Province; and suitable harvesting date for the southern parts of these provinces was from 5 May to 5 June. Because of their temperature limitations, these regions have shorter growing seasons compared to the central areas; nevertheless, they enjoy a larger number of days that are suitable for crop growth, and a greater number of growing degree-days, compared to the central areas. Zoning results showed sugar beet vernalization took place in many of the studied regions, while most regions in the southwestern part of the South Khorasan Province did not receive the total growing degree-days for vernalization and sugar beet plants were not vernalized. In these areas autumn sugar beet cultivation could be recommended only for resistant varieties to bolting.

Autumn sugar beet sowing has priority to its spring sowing in terms of economic productivity and water use efficiency. In Khorasan Razavi and Khorasan-e-Jonobi provinces, sugar beet is only sown in spring. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of autumn sugar beet sowing in these regions. Using geographical information systems is the best and inexpensive way to identify suitable areas for the crop sowing. Therefore, climatic information such as temperature and rainfall were collected. Then, cumulative thermal units, biomass productivity index, vernalization time, freez risk, rainfall occurrence and day length were estimated for each station. The computed values of climatic parameters were all converted to point data in ArcGIS environment. Results showed that in most of the Khorasan Razavi regions and central regions of Khorasan-e-Jonobi, there is a risk of bolting. In southwestern Khorasan-e-Jonobi, the total hours needed for sugar beet vernalization is less than the required time. However, less than 50 mm rainfall in this area is another limitation for sugar beet autumn sowing. Also, in areas with more than 190 mm rainfall, there is a risk of freezing, lack of optimal growing degree days (GDD), and vernalization. Based on final zoning map, 4.90% of the lands in these provinces were most favorable, 16.74% as favorable, 47.98% as medium, and 30.38% were not favorable for autumn sugar beet sowing.

As water is the most restrictive factor in national agricultural production, it is necessary to take decreased water consumption and increased water us efficiency in crop production into consideration. Nowadays, spring sugar beet production areas are concentrated in the region with water limitation and hence, the increase in spring production area contradicts the principle of water and soil conservation. Using new regions for autumn sugar beet sowing allows the increase in warm and semi-warm beet production areas. To develop sugar beet production in Province of Kerman and to find new climates, the study was conducted in Jiroft area in strip split split plots based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications during 2007-2008. Three sowing dates (September 6, October 7 and November 6), five cultivars (Rasoul, Monatuna, 9597, SBSI002 and SBSI003) and three harvesting dates (April 4, May 5 and June 5) were evaluated. Results showed significant effects of sowing and harvesting dates on white sugar yield. The effects of sowing date variations were greater than those of harvesting date so that growth period shortened by two months (due to delayed sowing date) decreased white sugar yield by 72.5% whereas and growth period prolonged by the same amount (due to delayed harvesting date) increased the white sugar yield by 55.1%. The highest white sugar yield (13.71 ton.ha-1) was obtained by early sowing (September 6) of SBSI002 and harvesting in May 5(with 240 days growth period). Considering favorable agro-climatic conditions in Jiroft region belonging to warm zone of Province of Kerman, it seems that the region has the potential for fall cultivation of sugar beet.

In order to study the effects of plant density and irrigation periods on growth indices of Safflower (Carthamus tinctoeius) (Mohally Esfahan) an experiment conducted in Kerman in 2005. completely randomized blocks design in four replicates split plotly. The experimental designe was included irrigation period (I1= 7، I2= 12، I3=17 every days) and plant density (D1=20، D2=30، D3=40 in each square). The results showed that during every 17 day irrigation period، The plant got to tubudding. Flowering and ripening period sooner than the other irrigation periods. The most leaf growth index (3. 21، 3. 17 was during). The first irrigation period (every 7 days) and the first plant density (20 plants in each squar metre). Also crop growth rate (CGR) increased (7. 9، 784) during the treatment of first irrigation period and the first density. The most ratio growth rate (RGR) was during the first density and the first irrigation period (37 days of planting). As a whole the results showed with increasing irrigation period and plant density in each square metre، leaf erea index and plant growth rate reduced، because of the plant، respiration increasing، internal and outernal competition.

In order to evaluate the effects of planting date, genotype and Azetobacter on wheat, the experiment was conducted in Bardsir Agricultural Research station in 1358. Planting date was mentioned as main factor in three levels (15th of Mehr, 5th of Aban and 25th of Aban), Azetobacter in three levels and three different genotype of wheat including, C80-2, C80-4 and Alvand (control) were treated as Split factoriel in RCBD with three replication. The measured traits at harvesting time was, mean on spikelet per spike, plant height, Spike length, Number of tiller, straw weight, 1000 grain weight, grain protein, and grain yield. There is significant difference among different planting dates, also the interaction of Genotype× azetobactor was significant for yield, the highest yield was belonged to Alvand with inoculation with Azetobacter white C80-4 had showed the lowest yield without inculation. The interaetion of planting date × Genotype C80-2 was the best the in the 5th Aban white this line had the lowest yield on 25th Aban. At the whole experiment Alvand showed the highest yield with inoculation, at 5th Aban as planting date, while C80-4 had the lowest in 25 of Abab and without inoculation. According to the result of this research, Azetobacter as an useful biological fertilizer would be advisable, due to facilating the Application and Economic benefit, For the farmers. Also it is advised to the farmers for planting Alvand as a good variety, and also planting in 5th of Aban because of escape of temperature stress.

To study the effect of crop rotation and wheat residues management on grain yield, some agronomic characteristics of maize, and some properties of soil in second cropping system, an experiment was carried out in Experimental Research Farm of Orzoiyeh in Kerman Province for four cropping seasons (2000-2003). A split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design was used with four replications. Wheat residue management at four levels (retention residue, burning and retention of residue every other year, removing residue, burned residue) were assigned to main plots, and crop rotation with three levels (1- wheat- cotton, wheat- corn, 2- wheat- soybean, wheat- corn, 3- wheat- corn, wheat- corn) were randomized in sub-plots. Results showed that yield and yield components, kernel protein content, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and bulk density in soil were not affected by wheat residue management, but available potassium in soil was affected significantly. Grain yield in residue retention treatment was 1150 kg ha-1 higher than burning residue. Organic carbon in retention and burning residue treatments were %0.65 and %0.59, respectively. Burning wheat residue increased available Potassium (204.95 mg/kg) in soil when compared with residue retention (180.04 mg/kg) and removing residue (178.48 mg/kg) treatments. Yield and yield components were not affected by crop rotation, but cotton in rotation had the highest potassium, phosphorus and organic carbon in soil. Based on these results and considering low organic carbon in soil and high temperature in summer in Orzoiyeh region, retention of wheat residue and rotation of cotton and maize after harvesting wheat are recommended. It is also suggested that the effect of wheat residue and crop rotation on grain yield and soil properties should be studied for a period of at least ten years.

In order to study the effects of planting pattern on yield, some agronomic traits and water use efficiency of two corn hybrids an experiment was conducted in Orzoiyeh station during 2004-2005. The experiment was split plot in randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plot was planting pattern with five levels (1-planting two rows of corn on furrow 2-planting on row on furrow (normal planting)3-planting one row on furrow with alternate furrow irrigation 4-planting one row inside furrow, 5-planting one row inside furrow and change to normal planting in vegetative stage) and sub plot was hybrid with two levels (SC700,SC704).Based on results of this study planting one row on furrow with alternate irrigation had lowest grain yield (12.4 ton/ha) but it had highest water use efficiency. There were any significant difference between other treatments of planting pattern. Between hybrids there were a significant difference for yield, yield components, and water use efficiency. Hybrid of SC704 had higher grain yield and water use efficiency than another. Based on results, planting one row on furrow with alternate furrow irrigation recommended for increasing cultivated area of corn in Orzoiyeh region

In order to development of sugar beet fall sowing in Orzoiee area study of sowing and harvesting date on production of bolting and plant growth rate on sugar beet was done.In this research tolerance to bolt of DEZ and bR1 on 3 sowing dates: Sep.10th, Sep. 22nd and Oct 11st and 3 harvesting dates: Apr 3rd, May 4th and Jun. 4 th were investigated. The results showed that: DEZ variety produced less bolting compared to BR1.There were no difference among varieties in shoot dry weight and so rate of shoot to dry weight of root.The first sowing date had the most bolting but the third sowing date had the least bolting.The first sowing date had the least rate of shoot dry weight to root dry weight among the sowing dates, and the least rate of shoot dry weight to root was observed by the third sowing date.The lay delaying of sowing date, the plants growth rate was decreased, so that the first and the third sowing dates had the most and the least growth rate respectively.The plants which had the most growth rate, had the most root yield.The CGR of first sowing date after 245 days was become negative.But the CGR of sowing plant in the third sowing date till the harvesting time was not zero, this shows that the decade of plants growth was not completed in the third sowing date.

Sugar beet roots and attached soil are usually transferred to sugar factories for processing, then the roots are washed by pressurized water. Muddy water as waste flows in canal and is used to irrigate fields. The possibility of occurrence and fluctuations of the pathogenic organisms in waste were studied in 2005. The samples were collected from waste water once a week. Isolation of pathogens was done by a) citrus leaf baiting method and on PARPH selective medium, and common culture media such as PDA, CMA, MA, NA and WA, b) irrigation of sugar beet seedlings with waste water, c) bioassay with healthy sugar beet roots and d) cysts of nematode extracted from waste by sieves. Different pathogens were isolated from waste such as Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sp., Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Pythium aphanidermatum Pythium sp., Phytophthora cryptogea, Ph. drechsleri, Mucor sp. Rhizoctonia solani, Geotrichum sp., Erwinia carotovora and cysts of Heterodera schachtii. Pathogencity tests were done for each pathogen. At early periods of processing, recovered populations of Pythiaceae and Erwinia carotovora were high, and in the last weeks of processing period population of Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucor sp. and Geotrichum sp. Were in high levels. Populations of Alternaria alternata، Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp. were stable and cysts of Heterodera schachtii were variable during processing period. These pathogens were also isolated from fields of sugar beet irrigated with waste water.