baratali fakheri

Cd stress, as one of the most significant abiotic stresses, negatively affects the growth and performance of maize. In this study, the diversity and relationship between yield and various agromorphological characteristics of maize lines in 95 genotypes were investigated using a RCBD with three replications under two conditions: non-stress and Cd stress, in a pot experiment conducted in an open area at the Agricultural Research Station of Jiroft during two cropping years. Under stress conditions, a cadmium chloride solution with a concentration of 30 mg.L−1 was applied at two stages of plant growth (at the six-leaf stage and the appearance of the first male flowers). In both conditions, the results revealed a positive and significant correlation between grain yield with grain number per main ear, 1000-grain weight, the grain number per row, and ear wood weight. In principal component analysis, the first nine and eight principal components were identified under both non-stress and stress conditions, explaining 79.26% and 76.42% of the total diversity of genotypes, respectively. In both conditions, the first component was identified as the phenology component, while the second and third components were recognized as the yield component, yield components, and the dimensional component, and plant type. The present study showed that yield traits, yield components, and phenological characteristics are key indicators for demonstrating the diversity and differentiation among different maize genotypes under Cd stress. This diversity can be utilized in maize breeding programs to enhance tolerance to Cd stress and achieve other breeding purposes such as earliness.

Maize is a fast-growing plant that absorbs a lot of nutrients from the soil, indicating the need for the availability of various nutrients, including micronutrients, during its growth and development. Zinc is one of the most important micronutrient elements for this plant, which has many roles. Zinc deficiency is one of the global problems for grain production, and the genotype of the plant has a major effect on the absorption of zinc from the soil or the use of zinc inside the plant. Investigations have shown that the accumulation of micronutrients in seeds is genetically controlled. Knowledge on genetic diversity, in addition to preserving the genetic reserves of plants, also helps to use them effectively and better in plant breeding programs. Study of genetic diversity is a process that reveal any difference or similarity among species, populations or individuals using special statistical methods and models on molecular or morphological traits.

In this research, 95 maize inbre lines were assessed under optimum and zinc deficiency conditions using α-lattic design with two replications in Zabol Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, during 2 successive crop years (2020 and 2021). The investigated lines were obtained from Razi University of Kermanshah, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center and Seed and Plant Improvement Institute. Zinc treatment was applied before the beginning of the reproductive stage at the stage of 4, 6 and 10 leaf stages. Zinc fertilizer was added to the ground along with water in the early hours of the day (due to low air temperature). For each genotype in each experimental unit, five plants were randomly selected and the desired traits were measured. The number of 29 traits, including phenological, morphological and yield-related traits were measured. Combined analysis of variance of the studied traits in both environments was performed using SAS 9.4 software. Stepwise regression was performed using the "olsrr" package based on Pearson's correlation coefficient; calculated using the "corrplot" package in R software. Also, in order to more accurately interpret the results of correlation and stepwise regression, path analysis was performed on the traits entered into the final regression model in PATH 2 software. Hierarchical clustering by Ward's method on standardized data was conducted by "cluster and factoexta" packages. Factor analysis were conducted in R software by means of the "FactoMineR" package.

The results showed that there is a significant statistical difference among the studied lines in terms of all the investigated traits. Based on step-by-step regression and path analysis, the number of seeds in the cob and the weight of 100 seeds were determined as important traits affecting economic yield under optimum and zinc deficiency conditions. By cluster analysis, the studied lines were classified into 5 and 4 clusters, respectively, in terms of the investigated traits under zinc deficiency and optimal (normal) conditions. Based on mean comparison of investigated traits in clusters of the hierarchical method, 11 lines in the first cluster (Ma001, Ma023, Ma039, Ma043, Ma044, Ma057, Ma062, Ma065, Ma100, Ma112, Ma117) were identified as sensitive genotypes to zinc deficiency conditions. Thirty lines with the highest values for most of studied traits including Ma004, Ma006, Ma015, Ma017, Ma018, Ma019, Ma020, Ma021, Ma027, Ma030, Ma031, Ma032, Ma035, Ma038, Ma049, Ma055, Ma064, Ma072, Ma075, Ma096, Ma098, Ma104, Ma105, Ma107, Ma108, Ma111, Ma114, Ma123, G703, Simon in the fourth cluster were identified as tolerant genotypes to zinc deficiency conditions. The results of principal component analysis confirmed the results of cluster analysis. In optimum conditions, the first seven components and in zinc deficiency conditions, the first eight components had eigenvalues greater than one, which in total explained 79.77% and 78.99% of proportion of total variance, respectively.

The results showed that there is a wide diversity among the studied lines in terms of traits related to the seed yield in both optimum and zinc deficiency conditions, which is valuable for the exploitation of these lines in order to developing tolerant lines to withstand zinc deficiency stress. In this regard, in order to obtain hybrids tolerant to zinc deficiency with higher economic performance, it is suggested to cross tolerant lines in this research to benefit from the phenomena of transgressive segregation and heterosis.

This study was conducted using the emergy analysis approach in wheat production systems in order to plan and manage the major challenges facing the Sistan region's wheat production. All inputs for wheat production, the most important crop in the region, were assessed in this study. These inputs include renewable inputs, such as sunlight, wind, and rain; nonrenewable inputs, such as soil erosion; and purchased inputs and services, such as machinery, fossil fuels, electricity, labor, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and chemical fertilizers. According to the results of the study, the total emergy production of wheat was 1.061016 sej ha-1. The irrigation water consumed the most energy at 28.96%, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers at 20.75 and 16.5%, respectively. The emergy yield ratio index was 1.41, the emergy investment ratio index was 2.4, the environmental loading ratio was 2.41, and the emergy sustainability index was 0.585, which indicates the average sustainability and environmental load of this system relative to other researchers' reports. By increasing input efficiency by optimizing the consumption of irrigation water, nitrogen fertilizer, and phosphorus fertilizer, this production system can be made more sustainable and less taxing on the environment.

Malva sylvestris, commonly known as the common mallow, is a flowering plant species in the genus Malva. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and has been introduced to other parts of the world. The plant has been known since ancient times and is considered the "type-species" for the genus. The leaves are edible and the plant (and seeds) are used as herbal remedies. Malva sylvestris is either a perennial or biennial plant. It spreads readily from seed and can self-seed prolifically. The seeds resemble small wheels or discs. The plant is known to be susceptible to a virus called Malva vein clearing potyvirus, which is transmitted by aphids. It also contains compounds such as malvin, malonylmalvin, and the naphthoquinone malvone A. The aim of this article is to evaluate the various (nine) ecotypes of Iranian Malva sylvestris L. by analyzing their morphological and physiological characteristics. By employing a step-by-step regression approach, the study seeks to identify significant traits that differentiate these ecotypes. The research intends to enhance understanding of the adaptive strategies of Malva sylvestris in diverse environmental conditions. Ultimately, the findings aim to contribute valuable insights for conservation efforts and the potential use of these ecotypes in horticulture and agriculture. This comprehensive evaluation will also provide a foundation for future studies on the species' ecological adaptability. In this study, 9 ecotypes of Malva sylvestris were collected in 2017 from different habitats in Iran (Mashhad, Torbat-e Heydariyeh, Fariman, Zabol, Zarand, Jiroft, Rudbar, Bandar Abbas and Khorramdasht) (Table 1) and identified in the Herbarium of Torbat-e Heydariyeh University. They were then cultivated in a completely randomized design with three replications in late February 2018 in the greenhouse of the Agricultural Research Institute of the University of Zabol and evaluated in May 2019. The seeds of each ecotype were planted in 5-liter pots (after germination and thinning, five plants of each ecotype were kept in each pot) in a growing medium consisting of an equal mixture of agricultural soil, coco peat, perlite, and well-rotted animal manure. Irrigation was calculated based on the temperature conditions in Sistan and the greenhouse, as well as the field capacity of the pot mixture, and was carried out regularly until flowering. At full flowering, the stem diameter and length of three plants from each pot were randomly measured and their means were considered for each treatment. At this stage, the number of flowers with seeds and the number of leaves of each plant were counted. Fresh and dry weights of root, stem and whole plant were measured with a digital scale (0.01 g accuracy). For dry weight measurement, fresh samples were placed in an oven at 70°C for 48 hours. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents were determined. The absorbance of the samples for chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids was measured at wavelengths of 663, 645 and 470 nm, respectively, using a spectrophotometer. Proline, soluble carbohydrates, and protein were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to calculate simple correlation coefficients between morphological traits. Statistical analysis of traits was performed using SAS Ver. 9 and Excel software, and means were compared by Duncan's method at 1% and 5% probability levels. The highest stem diameter (9.58 mm), root length (61.22 cm), root weight (18.86 g), root dry weight (4.84 g), and proline content (0.614) belonged to Mashhad ecotype. The number of leaves had a negative and significant correlation with the fresh weight of the plant, while it had a positive and significant correlation with plant height and shoot dry weight. Other traits did not show a significant correlation with the number of leaves per plant. The highest correlation was observed between morphological traits between fresh weight and leaf dry weight (P<0.01) and in phytochemical traits between carotenoid and chlorophyll b (P<0.05). Based on stepwise regression in the presented models, root weight and plant dry weight had the most positive effect on root length, but stem diameter and plant weight had the most negative effect. Chlorophyll b had the most negative and direct effect on proline yield, but chlorophyll a, carotenoids, carbohydrates, and total protein had the most positive effects, respectively. The variance analysis results indicated significant differences among the various ecotypes of Malva sylvestris regarding morphological and phytochemical traits (P<0.01) (Tables 2 and 3). Mean comparisons revealed that the Mashhad ecotype excelled in stem diameter, root length, and fresh and dry root weight, while the Rudbar ecotype showed the highest fresh weight in aerial parts. The Bandar Abbas ecotype had superior fresh and dry weights of aerial parts, leaf count, flower count, and seed count, and the Torbat-e Heydariyeh ecotype was notable for flower and seed counts per plant (Table 4). The tallest stem (40.55 cm) was recorded in the Jiroft ecotype, while the shortest (1.81 cm) was from Mashhad. The greatest stem diameter (9.58 mm) belonged to the Mashhad ecotype, and the smallest (3.54 mm) was found in Zabol. Root length also varied, with the Mashhad ecotype having the longest (61.22 cm) and Rudbar the shortest (9.55 cm) (Table 4). The highest fresh and dry root weights were observed in the Mashhad ecotype, while the Jiroft ecotype had the lowest. In the results of step-wise correlation and regression analysis of the medicinal plant Malva sylvestris L., the highest positive regression coefficients for yield were related to the traits of proline content, root fresh weight, and plant dry weight, which indicates their more fundamental role in increasing yield and their potential for improvement. Overall, the present study showed that root-related traits had an important effect on the final yield in the Mashhad population of Malva sylvestris L., and the Mashhad ecotype also showed the most desirable performance in terms of the evaluated traits. Due to its high performance in these traits, the Mashhad ecotype is recommended for researchers, universities, and private sectors involved in the cultivation and domestication of medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants produce bioactive compounds with high antioxidant value. Due to the importance of Withania coagulans</em> in the pharmaceutical industry and also due to the cutting of this shrub species and its use in the pharmaceutical industry using traditional methods, the risk of extinction of this valuable species will increase, so we should look for the method - to be alternatives to increase the production of secondary metabolites of this plant. Using elicitors as a technique in vitro increases plant production of effective compounds (secondary metabolites). It has been reported that fungal stimulants are also used to induce the production or increase of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Therefore, in this study, the effect of cellulase elicitor on the growth index and biochemical and physiological traits of Withania coagulans</em> (Stocks) Dunal) was investigated in cell suspension culture.

Seeds of Withania coagulans</em> were collected from the Mehrestan region of Saravan city, and after disinfection, they were cultivated in ½ MS medium to produce explant. Production explants were cultured in an MS culture medium containing auxin and cytokinin hormones (2mg/l 2, 4, D, and 0.5 mg/l Kinetin) to produce callus. Three sub-cultures of production called into MS culture medium containing transfer previous regulating hormones were done. Investigated treatments include six elicitor treatments: 1: Control 2: Elicitor with a concentration of 200 μg/ml and 24 hours of exposure to the Elicitor, 3: Elicitor with a concentration of 200 μg/ml and 48 hours of exposure to the Elicitor, 4: Elicitor with a concentration of 200 μg/ml and 72 hours of exposure Elicitor, 5: Elicitor with a concentration of 7.5 μg/ml and 14 days of exposure to the Elicitor and 6: Elicitor with a concentration of 10 μg/ml and 14 days of exposure to the cellulase elicitor in a completely randomized design with three replications in the central laboratory of the university of Zabol was applied. Investigated traits were: callus growth index, antioxidant activity, proline content, soluble carbohydrates, malondialdehyde, total alkaloid, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenol oxidase).

The effect of different cellulase treatments on all traits was significant except polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity. In general, different elicitor treatments improved all the measured traits except the content of total carbohydrates. However, the increase in the trait depended on the concentration and period of exposure to the Elicitor. So, in most of the measured traits, the elicitor treatment with a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml and a period of 14 days caused an increase in all treatments. All cellulase elicitor treatments increased the antioxidant activity of Withania coagulans</em> cells in cell suspension culture. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the sixth and fifth treatments and the lowest in the second and first treatments (control). The addition of Elicitor in the early stage of cell growth in cell suspension culture (eighth day) despite the lower concentrations of Elicitor (7.5 and 10 μg/ml) leads to a further increase in callus growth, antioxidant activity, Proline, and total alkaloid increased then the addition of Elicitor in exponential phase, despite the high concentration of Elicitor (200 μg/ml). A higher concentration of elicitors causes a hypersensitive response, which leads to cell death; hence, an optimal Elicitor level is required to induce growth.

Cellulase elicitor improved the growth index and antioxidant potential of Withania coagulans </em>through physiological and biochemical traits. According to the obtained results, the use of cellulase elicitor can be considered an important strategy to increase the growth, effective compounds, and antioxidant properties of Withania coagulans</em> for commercial production.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop belonging to the Pedaliaceae family with high quality yield, which can be said to have originated in some developing countries in the world due to the need for labor, and high rural harvest. Sesame is an edible plant that contains odorless oil. In addition, it is also a good source of protein and fat for humans and pets.Crops are grown underwater in dry and semi-arid regions where water pressure is great. Furthermore, it is sensitive to the dry season, mainly in the vegetative stage in all growing districts, and its production potential is low in semi-arid areas due to water stress. Since much of Iran's land is located in arid and semi-arid areas, this has led breeders to enhance water or drought tolerance traits, which is one of the main goals of the program crop improvement. However, genotype × environment interaction poses a major challenge in studying quantitative traits because it reduces yield stability across different environments and also complicates the interpretation of genetic experiments, and makes prediction difficult. A stable genotype has performance that remains constant or little changed regardless of any changes in environmental conditions. Several stability analyzes have been proposed to determine the linear relationship between genotype and environment performance. Among these, Eberhart and Russell (1966) proposed a method in which the environmental index is the average performance of all inputs in an environment. Therefore, further research into sesame's genetic differences and breeding is needed to progress and stabilize its yield under different environments. These findings may be applicable in detecting how sesame genetic resources may be used to develop novel cultivars suited to dry settings or enhance remaining cultivars. In this regard to analyze genotype × environment interaction and determine the grain yield stability of 104 sesame genotypes in the tropics and subtropical climates of Iran, an alpha lattice design with two replications during 2019 in two stations, including Kerman and Jiroft were evaluated under two conditions, normal irrigation, and drought stress at the end of the season (irrigation interruption in 50% of flowering). Then, the univariate statistics of regression coefficient (bi), mean squares of deviation from regression (Sdi2), Shukla’sstability variance (σi2), Wricke’s ecovalence (Wi2), Environmental variance (Si2), determination coefficient values (R2) and coefficient of variability (C.V) were used to evaluate the stability of the grain yield of genotypes. Combined analysis of variance showed that the effects of genotype, environment × genotype and genotype × environment linear on grain yield were significant, suggesting that genotypes differ in response to changes in environment. In order to study the interactions of genotype × environment more precisely and to determine genotypes with stable and high yields, different stability parameters were calculated for each genotype. Calculating stability parameters showed that genotypes G14, G19, G42, G80, G46, G69, G44, and G43 were recognized as genotypes with stable yield and suitable adaptation, respectively. Different parametric and non-parametric stabilization procedures can be proposed to select drought-tolerant genotypes under different environmental conditions; these procedures can be used to identify the best genotypes under drought conditions. Therefore, yield stability analysis can be used in combination with parametric and non-parametric methods to evaluate and identify drought-tolerant genotypes. In this research, the studied genotypes indicated various environmental responses and proved a high genetic ability to adapt to water-deficient stress conditions. According to the findings of this research, the genotypes Jiroft local cultivar, Dezful local cultivar, TN78-84, SG90154-137, JL18 (82), SG90154-71, TN78-369, and, Halil had the best at adapting to environments with water stress. Therefore, according to the above analysis results, these genotypes can be introduced to low-water areas of Iran.

Studying the genetic system that controls important agricultural traits is one of the most important prerequisites for choosing a suitable breeding method. The most genetic diversity of a plant species can be seen in its native genotypes and wild species. Investigating heritability, how genes work, and determining an effective breeding method to improve physiological traits, especially in conditions of moisture stress, is very importance. Drought stress is one of the most important factors that reduce the yield of plants, considering that the safflower plant is mostly grown in semi-arid and dry areas, nowadays much attention has been paid to the production of drought-tolerant varieties. Safflower is a one-year plant from the chicory family as an oil and fodder plant with various uses that can be cultivated under drought and normal stress conditions.

Therefore, in order to investigate the mode of gene action for some quantitatively important traits in safflower, a cross was made between two cultivars of Goldasht (resistant to drought stress) and American (sensitive to drought stress). And after self-fertilization of F1 plants and crossing them with both parents, F2, BC1.1 and BC1.2 generations were obtained. And the parents along with the F1, F2, BC1.1 and BC1.2 generations resulting from the cross were tested under moisture stress conditions in the research farm of the Research Institute of Plant Production Technology of Shahid Bahnar University in 2021-2022. The experiment was conducted in the form of split plots in the form of a randomized complete block design with two replications Moisture stress was applied at the stage of 10% tillering and until the stage of full maturity. The examined traits were 8 traits, including height, number of sub-branches, main stem diameter, number of bolls, single plant yield, photosynthesis, number of days to 50% flowering and SPAD were noted.

The results of analysis of variance showed that the mean square of the generations for all the traits in this crossing is significant, so the best genetic model was investigated for each studied trait. The interaction effect of generation and location (irrigation conditions) was significant for the studied traits. To check the appropriate genetic model, Meter and Jakens method and individual scale test (A, B, C and D) were used. The results of the above tests indicate the existence of additive and dominant effects, as well as epistasis effects (additive × additive, additive × dominant, and dominant × dominant) also played a role in the genetic control of most traits. In normal irrigation conditions, most of the traits except Spad, number of bolls and diameter of chi-square and their individual scale test were not significant and were affected by the three-parameter additive-dominance model. Also, in the conditions of moisture stress, most of the traits were significant in the control of inheritance, except for the main diameter of chi-square and scale test (A, B, C, and D), and additive effects, dominance and epistasis had an important role in their control. The existence of dominance × dominance effects compared to the parameter of additive effects in the boll number trait indicates the high importance of non-additive genetic effects (epistasis) and complex inheritance of this trait. Also, selection in the early generations for the above trait will not be successful. The additive effects played the most important role in controlling the inheritance of the main diameter trait under moisture stress conditions. Therefore, it will be useful to modify this attribute from the selection method. Also, additive effects play the most important role in controlling the inheritance of the number of sub-branches in normal conditions (no stress). But in the conditions of moisture stress, the mentioned trait was affected by the additive × additive epistasis. Therefore, one cannot hope for the success of selection in the early generations of diverging populations.

The genetic control model of all studied traits under both stress and non-stress conditions were not similar in terms of presence and absence of non-allelic interactions and were affected by stress.

Heavy metals especially cadmium (Cd), with potential toxicity and injurious effects for plants and humans, are one of the most important abiotic stresses for crop plants such as maize which lead to a considerable reduction in the crops production in developing countries including Iran. Therefore, assessing genetic diversity for Cd stress tolerance, as one of the basic principles of plant adaptation to abiotic stresses, is very important. In this regard, the present study was carried out to evaluate the genetic diversity of maize pure lines and hybrids based on important agronomic traits associated with grain yield under non-stress and Cd stress environmental conditions. The results of this research can be useful for maize breeders in identifying suitable parental genotypes for maize breeding programs to develop high-yielding and Cd stress-tolerant genotypes in regions contaminated to this heavy metal.

In this study, 95 maize genotypes comprising pure lines and hybrids, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications under two non-stress and Cd stress conditions. The experiment was performed in a pot experiment in an open area of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station of Jiroft, Kerman province, Iran, in two cropping seasons, 2020-21 and 2021-22. Under Cd stress conditions, cadmium chloride solution (CdCl2.2H2O) with a concentration of 30 mg.L−1 was applied at two important stages of maize plant growth, including six-leaf stage (Code 16 in Zadoks scale) and the appearance of first male flowers (Code 50 in Zadoks scale). The measured traits included 24 different phenological, morphological, and agronomic traits. Grouping of maize genotypes in term of the studied traits was performed using cluster analysis based on Ward’s minimum variance method, and discriminant function analysis was used to confirm and validate the results of cluster analysis.

The results of this study indicated that there was an extensive genetic diversity among the studied maize genotypes for most of the studied traits, especially for grain yield and its components under non-stress and Cd stress conditions. Cluster analysis grouped the maize genotypes into four separate clusters with accuracy probabilities of 91.6% and 97.9% under non-stress and Cd stress conditions, respectively. Comparison of means between these four groups showed that under non-stress conditions, 41 and 24 genotypes in the third and fourth groups were the high yielding genotypes of this experiment, respectively. Under Cd stress conditions, 49 genotypes with the higher grain yield and yield components in the second and third groups (such as Ma002, Ma003, Ma004, Ma005, and Ma007) were identified as Cd-tolerant genotypes. These genotypes mainly showed short to medium phenological periods. Also, 11 genotypes (Ma001, Ma008, Ma030, Ma033, Ma036, Ma039, Ma042, Ma045, Ma072, and Ma089), indicated the lowest means for important agronomic traits including yield and its components under both non-stress and Cd-stress conditions. These genotypes were unable to tolerate Cd stress under the conditions of this experiment and were identified as sensitive genotypes.

The present study led to the identification of 40 tolerant maize genotypes to Cd stress (such as Ma003, Ma005, Ma007, Ma013, Ma014, and Ma015). These genotypes in addition to exhibiting desirable yield and yield components under non-stress environment, also showed suitable yield under Cd stress conditions. Therefore, by carefully selecting the parents among Cd-tolerant genotypes and carrying out targeted crosses between them, it is possible to obtain suitable hybrids for cultivation in Cd-stressed environments by exploiting genetic phenomena such as transgressive segregation and heterosis.

Salinity is one of the main obstacles to increasing crop yield. The most severe problems in soil salinity occur in arid and semiarid regions. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is widely planting in the arid and semiarid regions. It is the fourth most important cereal crop worldwide, and it has a long history as a model for genetic studies. It is the most salt tolerant cereal. Salt tolerance in crop plants is a genetic and physiological complex trait and is controlled by several quantitative trait loci. Both genetic diversity and the adaptation to a broad spectrum of micro-ecological conditions including water availability, temperature, soil type and altitude have strongly influenced the development of salt tolerance in barley.

In order to identify genomic regions controlling the agro-morphological characteristics and markers linked to them under normal and salinity stress conditions, an experiment with 136 double haploid lines of barley and their parents (Nure and Tremois) was conducted based on alpha lattice design with two replications at the Agricultural Research Center of Zabol, during 2020-2021 crop year. Agronomic traits were including tiller number per plant, spike number per plant, grain number per spike, awn length, internode length, node number, plant height, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. The combined analysis of variance, correlation coefficients between the traits and descriptive statistics calculated for normal and salt stress conditions. The data were analyses by the SAS (ver. 9.2) statistical software. QTL analysis was conducted by composite interval mapping (CIM) method using QTL Cartographer v2.5 for each of the normal and stress conditions and their averages separately (with threshold value (LOD) 2.5, minimum distance 2 cM between QTL).

The combined analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for all studied traits. This indicates high levels of genetic diversity in this population. Since the population is double haploid lines, therefore, the diversity observed in this population is often caused by additive effects. Maximum correlations were observed between grain yield with tiller number, as well as spike number per plant. The high correlation between the traits may be due to the similar loci controlling QTLs or due to their linkage. According to the table of descriptive statistics, the studied double haploids are representative of all the possible double haploids resulting from the crossing of Tremois and Nure, and the studied traits are controlled by the additive effects of genes. In total, 24 QTL loci were identified for the studied traits: 9 QTLs were obtained under normal conditions, 8 QTLs were identified under stress conditions, and 7 QTLs were identified in the average of the two conditions. These QTLs explained 8 to 16% of the phenotypic variance (R2). The LOD value ranged of 2.5 - 5.04. The highest and lowest LOD values were related to QTLs of number of seeds per spike on chromosome 2H and number of nodes under stress conditions. Regarding marker-assisted selection, the stability of QTLs across different environments and genetic backgrounds is of utmost importance. Out of the 24 identified QTLs, only the QTL associated with the thousand seed weight trait (Qtgw1H) demonstrated stability, making it suitable for marker selection. The markers identified for this trait not only exhibit close linkage with the gene responsible for the thousand seed weight trait but also possess high heritability and are easily detectable. The markers associated with stable QTLs can be utilized in future studies.

Based on the findings of this research, significant statistical differences were observed among all genotypes. Transgressive segregation, both high and low, was evident across all traits. Two traits, namely the number of tillers per plant and the number of spikes per plant, exhibited QTLs at the same location, indicating a linkage and correlation between these traits. Among the 7 major QTLs identified in this study, the most prominent one was associated with the number of spikes per plant (Qng2Hma) on chromosome 2H, linked with marker E42M38_235-2H, which accounted for 16% of the phenotypic variance. Only one QTL (Qtgw1H) for 1000-grain weight, linked with marker WMC1E8, was identified as a stable QTL. These genomic regions, once validated across various genetic backgrounds and environments for salinity tolerance in barley, can be utilized in marker-assisted breeding.

Rosemary is one of the most useful medicinal plants among different categories of plants due to its many medicinal properties. Nanoparticles as one of the non-bio-stresses by using their electrochemical properties cause interference in the biosynthetic pathway of compounds in plants. This research was conducted in the form of a completely random basic design with three replications in the agricultural greenhouses of Zanjan University in 2017–2018. Also, gold nanoparticles were produced by the chemical reduction method in the laboratory of Zabul University, and then their effect on the increase or decrease of compounds in rosemary plant oil was investigated in two time intervals of harvesting: 24 hours, 48 hours, and the control group. Rosemary plant cuttings with lengths of 10–12 cm and a diameter of half a centimeter were rooted in small containers containing light, washed soil, and ionolite, and permitted at night temperatures of 10–17 degrees and 21–23 degrees during the day. Then the rooted cuttings were transferred to 5 -liter pots containing a combination of fertile agricultural soil and sand. The Chemical reduction method (sodium citrate) was used to extract nanoparticles (Leopold and Lendl, 2003). The gold nanoparticle mixture that had changed color (blue) was subjected to the absorption spectrum of the spectrophotometric device, and the results obtained from the output of the device were checked based on which the maximum absorption rate of the gold nanoparticle with a diameter of 13 nm is equal to the wavelength of 520 nm and for the gold nanoparticle with a diameter of 52 nm is equal to 533 nm. The samples were sent to Beam Gostar Taban (2016–2021) after extraction by the chemical reduction method for diffraction electron microscopy (SEM) investigations and the authenticity of the presence of gold nanoparticles in the obtained samples. The gold nanoparticle treatment with a concentration of 30 ppm was sprayed on the plant in two different time periods (24 hours and 48 hours) and in the control group (without any treatment group) when the cuttings were fully established in terms of rooting and leafing. After that, their aerial parts were harvested at specified intervals and dried at room temperature for mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis. About 400 microliters of effective substance were spectrometered by the device (N Agilent 6890 Agilent technology USA), which was equipped with an ion trap system. The leaf sample of the plant, which was dehydrated at room temperature, was placed in the Cloninger device on a heater for 3 hours at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. A Water solvent was used in this research. In this study, gold nanoparticles were extracted based on the chemical reduction method, and the synthesis of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by electron microscope diffraction (SEM) and spectrophotometric analyses. The results obtained in this study showed significant changes in the compounds obtained by mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in rosemary oil, each of which has unique medicinal properties. Changes in secondary metabolites increase the plant's antioxidant defenses, which can be important in adapting to stresses. Verbonone is an effective compound in rosemary oil that, in this study, had a significant increase under the treatment of gold nanoparticles. In general, investigations conducted on the expression of oily compounds in rosemary showed that gold nanoparticle treatment did not have a significant effect on all the compounds in rosemary oil, but it was able to significantly increase a number of important compounds. The composition of verbena, which has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial role, showed a significant increase in the oily compounds of the rosemary plant. Considering the changes in the important oil compounds of the rosemary plant, it may be possible to induce the maximum production of these compounds and mass production of nanoparticles in the future.

The first step in breeding programs is to use the genetic diversity among existing populations, cultivars and lines. Maize is used as a model plant to study the genetics of various traits. Compared to other crops, maize has a high demand for zinc (Zn) and is known as an indicator of zinc deficiency in the soil. In terms of climatic conditions, Iran is located in a arid and semi-arid region, and there is a lack of micronutrients specially Zn in this region. Lack of nutrients such as Zn is one of the important abiotic stresses that affects the growth and development of plants including maize. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of a number of corn lines under normal and zinc deficiency conditions.

To assess the genetic diversity of 95 maize lines using agro-morphological traits, an experiment was carried out in alpha lattice design in two replications under two normal (use of zinc sulfate fertilizer) and zinc deficiency (no use of zinc sulfate fertilizer) conditions in Zabol Agricultural Research Center during two years. The studied maize lines were obtained from Razi University of Kermanshah, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, and Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) in the form of research project No. 94/101/T.T. approved by Biotechnology Institute of Urmia University. Twenty-nine traits were measured and recorded. Combined analysis of variance of the studied traits under normal and zinc (Zn) deficiency conditions were performed using SAS ver. 9.4 software. Other statistical analyzes including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, forward stepwise regression and factor analysis method were done using R software by pastecs, corrplot, olsrr, and psych packages, respectively.

The results of this study revealed high phenotypic variation among the studied maize lines for all investigated traits under both normal and zinc (Zn) deficiency stress conditions. The results of analysis of variance confirmed the presence of high phenotypic diversity among maize lines. All traits were affected by environment, and a statistically significant difference was observed between two environments for the all measured traits in maize lines. Genotype × environment interaction was also significant for most of the studied traits. Descriptive statistics showed a considerable diversity among the lines, and the highest diversity in both normal and zinc deficiency conditions was observed for yield per unit area, economic yield, and number of grains per cob. In correlation analysis, weight of five cobs, number of grains per cob, and 100-grain weight showed a positive and significant correlation with economic yield in both normal and zinc deficiency conditions. Therefore, these three can be introduced as important traits in the initial selection of zinc deficiency tolerant lines. In factor analysis of morphological traits using the parallel analysis method, four hidden and independent factors were determined under both normal and zinc deficiency conditions, which explained 63% and 57% of the total variation of the lines, respectively. Based on the results of the factor analysis, the traits number of days to tasseling, number of days to pollen emergence, number of days to cob emergence, plant height, ear diameter and width, number of grains per cob, economic yield, yield per unit area, and harvest index with high degree of commonality under both normal and zinc deficiency conditions, can be suggested as key traits for the selection of zinc deficiency tolerant lines.

The results of this research showed that there is a high genetic diversity among the studied maize lines in terms of morphological traits under both normal and zinc deficiency stress conditions. It makes it possible to use these lines in breeding programs as a valuable genic source to improve the performance of lines and produce improved lines under normal and zinc deficiency conditions.

Covered smut disease caused by the biotrophic fungus, Ustilago hordei (Pers.) Lagerh., is one of the significant limiting factors in barley cultivation. This disease is present in all barley cultivation regions, and if seeds of sensitive cultivars are planted without the use of fungicides, it can become a serious problem. Moreover, this disease adversely affects grain quality by contamination of healthy seeds with teliospores. The contamination level in the farms of Karaj and Zabol in 1990-1992 ranged from zero to 90%. Considering the importance of organic agriculture and the public demand for production systems with reduced chemicals inputs, planting improved seeds with genetic resistance is the most effective and economical approach to control this disease. This research was conducted to assess the sensitivity of barley cultivars to the covered smut disease and to evaluate the effect of this disease on the phenological, physiological, and agronomic characteristics of barley cultivars.

 In this study, 148 spring barley varieties from common commercial varieties from European countries along with Oxin and Zehak cultivars from Iran were investigated. This experiment was conducted in field conditions using an alpha lattice design with two replications under two environmental conditions, disinfection of seeds with fungicide and disease stress by inoculation of the covered smut pathogen, in the Zehak Agricultural Research Station, Sistan and Blouchestan province, Iran, in 2021-22 growing season. To induce the stress of covered smut disease, the seeds of the studied cultivars were artificially contaminated. The measured traits in this experiment included phenological, morphological, physiological, and agronomic traits, as well as spike infection percentage after maturity. To perform statistical analyses, the normal distribution of the collected data was firstly tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and then combined analysis of variance was conducted. Comparison of means, simple correlation coefficients between traits, principal component analysis, and heritability of the studied traits were conducted.

The results showed that the accurence rate of covered smut disease among the studied cultivars under disease inoculation conditions varied from 0% to 26.48% with the average of 3.51%. The genotype × environment interaction for all studied traits including days to tillering, tiller number per plant, plant height, flag leaf length and width, flag leaf sheath length, peduncle length, spike length, number of nodes, internode distance, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, water-soluble carbohydrate concentration, and disease infection percentage, was significant at 1% probability level, except for phenological traits including days to germination, days to tillering, days to heading, as well as canopy temperature. The heritability rate of resistance to covered smut disease was 97.89%. Also, a negative and significant correlation was observed between the percentage of disease infection with plant height, flag leaf sheath length, peduncle length, spike length at the 1% probability level, and with biological yield at the 5% probability level.

The results of this research showed that there was a significant genetic diversity among the evaluated cultivars and the studied cultivars exhibited diverse reactions to different environmental conditions. Due to the significant impact of covered smut disease or loose smut disease on spike-related traits during the maturity stage, therefore it is challenging to differentiate resistant cultivars from susceptible ones in other stages and traits, and the selection of resistant cultivars requires waiting until the end of the cropping season.

Carum copticum is as an herbal medicine from the family Apiaceae with compounds such as thymol, cement, alpha-pinene, gametropin, betapinene, micron, and carvacrol in the treatment of angina, kidney stones, asthma, rheumatism, influenza that used as a strong disinfectant and boost digestion. In this study, expression of beta-amyrin acid synthase (beta-Amirinsanthase) under different treatments of silver nanoparticles (0, 30, 60, 90 ppm), chitosan (0, 100, 150, 200 ppm) and populations (Sistan and Pakistan) was investigated. Solubility was carried out in the quaternary stage at 48 hours and 72 hours. The results of analysis of variance showed that the application of chitosan eclipses and silver nanoparticles caused a change in the beta-amyrein gene expression pattern. The highest expression, 48 hours after treatment, was observed with just about 150 ppm of chitosan. By increasing chitosan concentration, a significant decrease occurred in the expression of the gene for 72 hours while treatment with 90 ppm of silver nanoparticles in 48 hour after treatment has the most gene expression. In the effects of chitosan (150ppm) and silver nanoparticles (90ppm) based on 48 hours after treatment was observed the most gene expression for both populations. Overall, the results of this study showed that chitosan and silver nanoparticle elicitors had a positive effect on beta-amyrein gene expression, but the highest expression was obtained in Pakistan population at 48 hours intervals.

 Due to the fact that colon inflammation is one of the most common diseases in the country, the interest in using herbal medicines to cure intestinal inflammation is increasing day by day.

 In the present research, we aimed to identify the target molecules in the immune system by analyzing the transcriptome of these diseases and using the virtual screening technique to search for plant compounds that have antagonistic capabilities for these receptors. Also, by using this in vitro culture, check and confirm the anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds.

 The population study includes 200 human transcriptome runs, about 60 thousand compounds related to medicinal plants, and in vitro experiments with at least three experimental replicates and three technical replicates. In this study, the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of aqueous extracts of rosemary and nettle medicinal plants were investigated as a promising source of cancer treatment against the AGS cell line derived from gastric cancer (AGS-Cell-DGC). IC50 of the extracts was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were measured.

 The MTT test on the survival percentage of AGS cell line (90%) derived from gastric cancer showed that the highest amount of live cells was observed in control, and the lowest amount was observed in the simultaneous combination of rosemary and nettle extract and then nettle (100%). The highest expression of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) gene occurred in the control, and the lowest expression occurred in the simultaneous combination of nettle and rosemary extracts. The highest expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene occurred in the control, and the lowest expression occurred in the simultaneous combination of nettle and rosemary extracts.

 The results showed that the highest amount of live cells was observed in the control, and the lowest amount was observed in the simultaneous combination of rosemary and nettle extract and then nettle (100%) alone. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this research.

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that has been significantly affecting the plant growth and yield The continuous increase in salinity in arable land due to poor cultivation practices and climate change have devastating global effects, and it is estimated that about 50% of arable land will be lost by the middle of the 21st century. To date, about 1,125 million hectares of agricultural lands have already been seriously affected by salinity, thus it is considered a serious threat to agriculture. Salt stress also leads to increasing the level of ROS which results in oxidative stress, which in turn affects the plants both at cellular and metabolic levels . The plants overcome the oxidative damage through activation of antioxidants through enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Moreover, the ROS, such as superoxide radicals ( O−2O2− ), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and small amounts of transition metals, also increases the concentration of OH−. Therefore, plants carry out detoxification to avoid the oxidative damage where these antioxidant enzymes play an important role. A study reported that the antioxidant enzymes positively correlate with the plant tolerance in drought and salt stress. Moreover, the higher antioxidant activities can help improving death in plants. Assessing the tolerance of crops to environmental stresses is an important factor in selecting them for cultivation in different conditions.

 In this regard evaluation and identification of wheat genotypes tolerant to salinity stress using stress tolerance indices and changes in some biochemical parameters, Experimental In completely randomized block design, with repeated three times. Factors included salinity at three levels (zero (control), 9 dS and 12 dS) and 20 genotypes of native Iranian wheat. The traits measured in this design include stress tolerance indices, protein, proline, lipoxygenase (LOX), polyethylene (TBARM), chlorophyll and carotenoids.

The results of this experiment showed that with increasing salinity stress, the amount of lipoxygenase, TBARM and carotenoids increased in all genotypes, but with increasing salinity level from 9 to 12 ds had a decreasing trend in some genotypes, however, in some genotypes, the salinity level increased with increasing salinity. Also, with increasing salinity stress, the amount of protein and proline concentration in a number of genotypes to a salinity level of 9 dS increased, but some genotypes showed a significant decrease with increasing salinity from 9 to 12 dS. Correlation analysis between indices and mean yield under normal and salinity conditions showed that all four indices are suitable for screening genotypes. Due to these indices and high yield in both environments as well as the results of biochemical properties evaluation, the best salinity tolerant genotypes were G2, G11, G86, G109, G209 and G151 genotypes.

The differences between the studied genotypes in terms of the studied traits indicate the diversity between them. The results showed that genotypes of had higher relative resistance to salinity stress than other genotypes and also the results of this study showed that the highest yield under normal conditions and salinity stress and also belong to these genotypes. High levels of proline and protein, photosynthetic capacity and LOX enzyme and low fat peroxidation also confirm this claim. Reduction malondialdehyde degradation biomarker reduced the damaging effects of oxidative stress due to salinity stress in these genotypesAlthough LOX levels were high in these genotypes, they still had good stability in salinity conditions, indicating the flexibility of these genotypes to salinity stress.Based on the obtained results and the protective role that genotypes had against salinity stress, it is speculated that these genotypes have an inherently high capacity to purify and eliminate reactive oxygen species under environmental stresses.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is known as the fourth most important grain crop in the world. Drought stress is also one of the main factors that reduce the growth and yield of barley, and grain yield is directly related to the morphological characteristics of the flag leaf.. In order to identify the main and epistatic genomic regions and investigate their interaction with the environment for morphological traits related to flag leaf, including length, width, area, and flag leaf sheath length, an experiment was conducted with 136 doubled haploid lines of barley along with their parents 'Nure' and 'Tremois' using an alpha lattice design with two replications under normal and drought stress conditions at the Zabol Agricultural Research Station, Iran, in 2015-16 growing season. The genetic map of the target population comprised 543 markers (including DArT, SSR, SNP, and AFLP markers) for the QTL analysis. In this study, single-locus and two-locus QTL analyses were performed using the composite interval mapping (CIM) and mixed-model based composite interval mapping (MCIM) methods, respectively. Based on a single-locus analysis, five QTLs were identified, including three putative QTLs, Q1FLW-1H.SZ, Q1SHFLL-1H.NZ and Q2SHFLL-1H.NZ at bPb-6343-bPb-8081, bPb-1419-bPb-9180, and bPb-9108-bPb-6343 marker intervals, and two suggestive QTLs, on chromosomes 1H and 5H for the traits of flag leaf width (FLW, cm) and flag leaf sheath length (SHFLL, cm). Based on a two-locus analysis, eight additive (M-QTL) QTLs and 15 pairs of epistatic effects (E-QTL) were detected for different traits, among which two pairs of epistatic QTLs for the FLW trait showed significant QTL × environment interactions (AAEI). All detected M-QTLs for flag-leaf-related traits across two environments, without additive × environment interactions (AEI), were identified as stable QTLs, and the highest number of stable QTLs was associated with chromosome 1H. In this study, drought stress-tolerant QTLs were identified in all barley chromosomes except chromosome 2H. Most of the QTLs associated with the investigated traits in the Nure/Tremois population in the present study have not been reported previously and, therefore, are novel. The stable and putative QTLs controlling flag-leaf-related traits in this study, along with the markers linked to these QTLs, can be utilized in marker-assisted selection (MAS) and gene pyramiding breeding programs after confirmation and validation in different environmental conditions and genetic backgrounds to create high-yielding and drought-tolerant barley cultivars. Additionally, these findings will accelerate the understanding of the genetic relationships among spike-related traits at the molecular level.

Karela (also known as Bitter melon or bitter gourd) is a tropical annual plant of the Cucurbitaceae family with the scientific name Momordica charantia. Due to the plant's complex chemical structure, industrial production of many of its useful compounds is not feasible. Therefore, propagation using in vitro culture technology is an efficient method for increasing these valuable compounds by optimizing various factors and compounds in the culture medium. Various factors, including plant hormones, genotype, and temperature, as well as the plants' response to in-vitro activities, as well as the response of plant cells and tissues to hormonal balance during cultivation and propagation, influence the success of in vitro organogenesis. In general, the control of differentiation processes depends on the presence of auxin and cytokinin, as well as their equilibrium and interaction, which results in the production of aerial parts and roots. Traditional medicine recognizes karela as a distinctive and valuable plant due to the presence of its valuable constituents. Using various techniques such as gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometer, some of these compounds have been measured, identified, and introduced in extracts of cell suspension, root, leaf, and fruit.

In order to study the micropropagation of Karela plant, certified seeds were obtained from the DURGA company in Chandigarh (India) and transferred to the University of Zabol's tissue culture laboratory. The seeds were washed with running water and a few drops of liquid dish soap for 15 minutes before being rinsed three times with distilled water. under a laminar airflow hood, seeds were immersed in 70% ethanol for 60 seconds, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride for 240 seconds, and then rinsed in distilled water. Calluses obtained from the optimal combination were transferred to culture medium containing varying concentrations of BAP (1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/L). The cultures were incubated at 28°C with 2000 to 2500 lux of light and a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle.In order to determine the secondary metabolites, plant extract, cell suspension, roots, leaves, and fruits were ground with liquid nitrogen and subjected separately to ethanol (96%) and distilled water for 72 hours. Using GC-MS, the Compounds of ethanolic extracts from control samples and tissue culture treatments were identified (Agilent, USA). On the basis of the results-obtained curve, the presence of secondary compounds in various plant parts was determined. The experiment was conducted using a completely random design with three replications, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software. The F test was used to analyze variance, and the Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare means at a 5% probability level.

Induction of callus from germinated seeds began after 10 days in MS medium containing various concentrations of 2,4-D (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mg/L), whereas no callus was induced in the absence of 2,4-D. There was a significant difference between these treatments in terms of callus production, with the highest callus induction occurring at 3 mg/L 2,4-D.Calluses obtained from the best concentration of 2,4-D were transferred to regeneration MS medium containing different concentrations of BAP and NAA (0.1mg/L). The results showed that the number of stems per callus increased with increasing amounts of BAP, up to 2 mg/L, and the highest number of stems per callus was obtained in the culture medium containing 2 mg/L BAP. Due to the inhibitory effects of this growth regulator on the regeneration process, The addition of BAP at concentrations greater than 2 mg/L decreased the rate of shoot regeneration.The evaluation of secondary metabolites revealed that the highest concentration of active substances (46 compounds) was found in the fruits of plants grown in tissue culture, which may be due to the physiological changes of the plant as well as the presence of numerous precursors in the in vitro culture medium. This issue can be caused by the ripening of the plant as well as the natural inherent process of transferring effective substances from other organs to the fruit in the fruit filling phase.

The use of 3 mg/L 2,4-D led to the highest percentage of callus formation, and 2 mg/L BAP led to the highest percentage of regeneration, according to the results. Among the various explants, including leaves, roots, and fruits, it was discovered that the fruit contained the greatest number of secondary metabolites and, due to its high performance, can serve as a significant source for extracting effective substances. In addition, the roots had the highest concentration of effective substances, making them a suitable platform for investigating the role of the compounds used in the culture medium on the type, concentration, and extraction of effective substances, and aiding in a proper understanding of the tissue culture and micropropagation effects on the over-expression and formation of secondary metabolites in karela plants.

Cytochrome P450s have essential roles in oxidative reactions during the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids.

This research was aimed to identify the gene CYP72A154 as a gene involved in the glycyrrhizin biosynthesis pathway in Iranian licorice.

CYP72A154 gene was isolated from Iranian licorice and cloned it into the PTG19-T vector. After confirmation of fragment length, the recombination plasmid was sent for sequencing. NCBI BLAST was used to analyze the nucleotide/ protein sequence homology between Glycyrrhiza glabra and other plants. The characterization of predicted amino acid sequences such as sequence homology, protein domains and functional sites, was performed using InterProscan. RT-PCR was performed to improve the relative expression this gene in the licorice root.

The query length was 314 aa, which after blasting in NCBI had about 78 to 80 % identity to the cytochrome P450 72A154 and 11-oxo-beta-amyrin 30-oxidase in species of G. glabra, G. uralensis and G. pallidiflora, as well as about 64 to 67 % with other species of the Fabaceae family. TMHMM analysis indicated the Exp number of AAs in TMHs was 22.11931, Exp number and first 60 AAs was 20.013. The results of RT-PCR revealed that the expression of this gene was comparable to the β-AS gene and CYP88D6, both being involved in the glycyrrhizin biosynthesis pathway.

According to bioinformatics analysis and RT-PCR, it can be stated that the desired fragment belongs to the CYP72A154 gene and is also involved in the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizin.

The world's population is increasing, and the area of suitable agricultural land is not enough to supply food. Considering the nutritional value of wheat and its role in the food supply, poor soils and salty waters must be used for agriculture to solve the problem of food shortage in the world, so the use of salty waters for irrigation is inevitable in these conditions. Recently, special attention has been paid to the use of growth-promoting bacteria to moderate the effects of salinity. Microbial inoculation is better than other methods to reduce salinity stress because it minimizes production costs and environmental damage. This research was performed to investigate the effect of B. amyloliquefaciens inoculation on proline content, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPx) activities, and protein expression in control and treatment plants. A factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of the School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, to investigate the effect of Bacillus bacteria (PGPR). The first factor was salinity levels (0 and 200 MM), the second factor was an application of bacteria (inoculated and non-inoculated), and the third factor was wheat genotypes (susceptible and resistant). The suspension containing Bacillus bacteria was injected into the soil during the application of salt stress. Twenty-four hours after salinity treatment, the leaves were sampled and used for all laboratory tests, such as measuring the activity of peroxidase enzymes, the amount of proline, and protein concentration. The data were analyzed using SAS software, and protein band pattern comparison was made by the SDS PAGE method. The results showed that using bacteria under salt stress increased the proline and catalase enzyme activity in both sensitive and resistant genotypes. Nevertheless, the peroxidase enzyme did not increase under stress conditions in the resistant cultivar. It also increased the amount of total protein in the susceptible variety. The effect of bacteria on the one Hundred-Seeds weight was not significant, but since the weight of one hundred seeds is one of the growth parameters that hardly changes, the slightest change in it can be effective, which was observed in this project. Finally, applying this bacterium caused changes in the pattern of protein bands in susceptible and resistant cultivars under salinity stress and non-stress conditions. These changes included the removal of the protein band or its higher expression in different stress conditions compared to normal conditions. The plant inoculation by bacteria and its use several times in the roots region of sensitive and resistant wheat has positively affected biochemical properties. Applying these types of bacteria without harming the environment can be a practical method to control salinity stress and maintain optimal yield in salt soils. Control the signals received by the bacteria from the plant and the effects of the bacteria on the growth of the plant by manipulating the bacteria. It can be used as a suitable alternative to the complex and time-consuming methods of gene transfer to the plant.

Cold is one of the most important and primitive factors limiting plant growth, especially tropical and subtropical plants. Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical plant that produces 70% of the total world's sugar. So its impact on the global economy is transparent and undeniable. The main problem with most sugarcane cultivars is their extreme sensitivity to cold, which reduces the yield, sugar content and quality of their syrup. The long-term meteorological statistics of Khuzestan province in the past years, show that temperatures below 0°C occur in the sugarcane cultivation and industries almost every year. This factor has a direct effect on reducing sugar production as well as reducing final income. Among the commercial varieties of sugarcane, “Saccharum officinarum var CP69-1062” cultivar has high yield and produces a lot of sugar, but its main problem is its sensitivity to cold and encountering with this stress, which may reduce the yield and content of sugar that can be extracted from it. In contrast, “Saccharum spontaneum” is a wild cultivar with high sucrose content and resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses such as cold stress. So, according to aforementioned, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of cold stress on morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of two sugarcane cultivars CP69-1062 (cold-sensitive) and S. spontaneum (cold-tolerant) under controlled conditions, to: (1) Reporting putative Cold-tolerance cultivars, Aiming to expand their production and use them in breeding programs such as backcross and producing new tolerant cultivars, (2) Reporting The most important traits affected under cold stress and (3) Reporting stable traits under normal and cold stress conditions.

The experiment was performed as factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in the tissue Culture and biotechnology Laboratory and Research Greenhouse of Khuzestan Sugarcane Development Research and Training Institute, and cold chamber in the 2019-2020 crop year. To apply cold stress, sugarcane seedlings were placed in cold chamber and exposed to 0°C and -4°C for 24 hours. After the end of the stress period, sampling and analysis were immediately performed. Finally, morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of stressed and control samples such as malondialdehyde content (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), leaf pigments, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), supraxide Dismutase (SOD), proline and total water soluble carbohydrates (Wsc) of the leaf were measured.

The first effects of cold stress were observed on photosynthesis pigments among all cultivars. However, the sensitive cultivar had a greater reduction compared to tolerant cultivar. Cold stress significantly increased electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content from 25 to -4°C in all cultivars, particularly in sensitive cultivar. Moreover, proline content and total water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) of leaf showed significant increased under cold stress, particularly in tolerant cultivar. Under cold stress, Catalase (CAT) activity significantly decreased compared to control temperature, which was accompanied with negative correlation with proline content. In addition, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was higher than control temperature in all cultivars, particularly in tolerant ones. The intensity of  these changes were less at -4°C due to intracellular freezing, ice crystals formation and the abolition of cellular metabolic activities. Phenotypicaly, at 0°C, the leaves of the tolerant cultivar showed little change in appearance in comparision with control temperature (25°C). On the other hand,  at -4°C the effects of seedling damage were clearly observed.

The results showed that both sensitive (S. officinarum var CP69-1062) and tolerant (S. spontaneum) cultivars had different morphological, physiological and biochemical responses under cold stress compared to control temperature and to each other, that this case indicates different genomic structure, genetic capacity, and their other characteristics in cold tolerance. In addition, S. spontaneum cultivar had better and more efficient defense mechanism than commercial variety CP69-1062 and thus, was more tolerant to cold stress. Finally the set of these physiological and biochemical changes in both sensitive and tolerant cultivars, is to maintain survival and yield under cold stress.

Sahendian savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm) is one of the native species of Iran that contain valuable secondary metabolites. The high value of the active ingredients of Sahendian savory has caused the need for methods for rapid Therefore, in this study, an in vitro tissue culture method was optimized for Sahendian savory. First, explants were prepared from sterile seedlings. Plant growth regulators treatments used for callus induction in MS medium included 2,4-D at three levels with BA (Benzyl Adenine) at four levels or NAA at two levels with BA at five levels (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mgl-1). BA treatment was also used at five levels for shoot induction. Callus formation of explants showed different reactions under the influence of different hormonal compounds. The explants showed different callogenic reactions under the consequence of different plant growth regulators combinations. The combination of 1 mgl-1 2,4-D plus 1 mgl-1 BA and the combination of 0.5 mgl-1NAA with 0.5 mgl-1 BA showed the highest callus induction rate (100%). The calli produced were green and had a spherical and firm texture. Additionally, the highest number of regenerated shoots (3 shoots) from calli were related to concentrations of 4 and 5 mgl-1 BA. These results can be used as a simple and appropriate technique in the regeneration of Sahendian savory plants for in vitro micropropagation or gene transfer.

To improve a complex character such as grain yield with low heritability, indirect selection through other characters and selection index based on different effective traits were used. Grain yield has quantitative heritance and can be affected by environment severely; therefore selection for genetic improvement only based on yield may have low efficiency. But selection based on proper index can be one of the most effective methods for indirect selection of yield and yield components simultaneously.

In order to determine selection index for improvement of maize yield, 14 single cross maize hybrids (including 12 promising maize hybrids and KSC704 and KSC705 cultivars as control cultivars) were planted in two separate experiments (Saline stress and normal condition) based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replication in Khorasan Razavi agricultural and natural resources research and education center (TOROQ Station and Abbas Abad Station), Mashhad Iran on 2017-2018. In this study silage yield, Dry Forage yield, number of total leaves, Ear Diameter, Ear Length, Ear Height, Kernel depth, anthesis silking interval (ASI) and Plant Height appearance was measured randomly from 10 sample. Then some of morphological and phonological traits, yield and yield components were recorded.

The results of ANOVA showed significant differences between hybrids for many of measured traits in both conditions (P≤0.01). Thus, selection will be effective due to existence of enough variation. The results of correlation, multiple regression and principle component analysis were used for identification of traits that are more effective on grain yield. Selection indices were calculated based on results of stepwise regression considering to phenotype, genotypic and economic values. Based on stepwise regression results in normal condition, Plant Height, Number of Ear, Dry Forage Yield, Days to anthesis, Number of Leaves totally could explain 77.84 percent of gain yield variation, then these traits were used to calculate selection index. In Saline stress condition, Number of Ear, Ear Length, Days to anthesis, Number of Leaves, Plant height could explain 76.90 percent of grain yield variation that these traits were used to calculate of selection index. Smith-Hazel and Pesk-Baker selection indexes for dry silage yield performance, leaf total number, number of cob, plants length and days to pollination in non-stressed condition and number of cob, days to pollination, leaf total number and plants length were calculated under stressed situation. Moreover, relative efficiency of selection and expected gain of selection index using the Smith – Hazel index was higher than the Pesk – Baker index. The highest relative efficiency of selection under non-stressed condition was measured in index number 5 (Smith – Hazel 5) while in saline stressed condition it was achieved in index number 4 (Smith - Hazel 4).

In summary, by adjusting phenotype values in mentioned traits in index equivalent, the amount of each index was determined. Finally Based on grain yield and selection indices, 20 percent of the best genotypes were selected by each selection indices. The highest selection indices were obtained for the hybrids 1, 5, 2, 8 and 6 in normal condition and hybrids 13, 3, 4, 10 and 8 in saline condition.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are considered among the most important causes of mortality and morbidity. Helicobacter pylori infection has been proven to be highly associated with the development of a variety of gastric diseases such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and gastric cancer (GC). To date, the exact role of the virulence factors in gastric diseases and other diseases remains elusive and controversial.

The present study is a classic systematic review (expert opinion), in which articles published in English and Persian languages derived from Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Iranian databases, including Magiran, IranMede, and scientific information database (SID) without any time limitation were explored using standardized keywords of H. pylori, virulence factors, gastric cancer, a combination of the above words, and other synonymous keywords. Finally, the information and obtained results were collected and interpreted.

In total, 14 of the 172 articles reviewed had inclusion criteria with the approval of the responsible author. According to the results, the development of chronic bacterial inflammation due to pathogenic mechanisms and factors, especially the role of cagA and vacA genes in gastric cancer, remains an important medical problem.

Each of the H. pylori virulence factors can have a role in cancer development, and it appears that on-time H. pylori treatment is one of the best methods to prevent gastric cancer. Therefore, targeting Pathogenic factors of H. pylori to induce apoptosis and stimulate the immune system will be a promising, attractive, and helpful method for cancer prevention.

One of the most common and most critical mortality causes in modern society is gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most potent risk factors of gastric cancer. This bacterium can suppress the immune system by various pathogenic factors and mechanisms, lead to chronic inflammatory responses, and play a critical role in the induction of cancer. The first part of this article begins with a description of H. pylori carcinogenicity and in the next part, the roles of innate immunity pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokines, and inflammatory regulatory mechanisms in H. pylori infection are discussed. According to our current knowledge, screening and on-time diagnosis of the disease, timely treatment, and immediate eradication of H. pylori are the most critical ways to barricade gastric cancer progression. In the end, it is suggested that, considering the expensive costs of gastric cancer treatment, H. pylori diagnostic screening tests be done at least annually in middle-aged and at-risk people.

In order to investigate the effects of irrigation regimes and foliar silicon spraying on quantitative and physiological characteristics of borage (Borago officinalis), an experiment is conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014 at the University of Zabol research farm in Zahak. Treatments include irrigation regimes at three levels; (90%, 70%, and 50% FC) comprising the main-treatments and four levels of silicon sprying including spraying in the form of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM) as sub-treatments. The results indicate that the highest amount of proline is obtained from the interaction of irrigation regime with 50% of field capacity, without the use of silicon at the rate of 0.7847 mg.g-1. Based on the results of average comparison, the highest amount of chlorophyll a (15.919 mg/g fresh weight), chlorophyll b (7.14 mg/g fresh weight), from the interaction of irrigation regime 70% of field capacity and application of 2 mM silicon, as well as number of flowers per plant, total dry yield of plant (520 kg.ha-1) and biological yield (1187 520 kg.ha-1) Per hectare), 70% and 50% of field capacity and application of 6 mM silicon are obtained from the interaction effect of irrigation regime, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that silicon application mitigate drought stress impact and led to increasing drought tolerance of borage. Since flower and flowering branches of plant has economic value and application of 4 mM silicon acid is recommended to obtain the greatest flower yield under drought stress conditions.