m. aghaalikhani

In order to study the effect of nitrogen rate and cutting numbers on forage quantitative and qualitative characters of field amaranth (Amaranthus hypocondriacus L.) a field experiment was conducted at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, on 2019 growing season. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied in five rates (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg.ha-1) and cutting has two strategies: single harvest (at the beginning of grain filling) and double-cutting (at the beginning of flowering and the beginning of the grain filling). Forage yield and qualitative traits (crude protein, acid detergent fiber, crude fiber and cell wall) were measured at both cutting strategy. The results showed that nitrogen rate had significant effect on quantitative traits and crude protein, and also the effect of cutting on all traits was significant except for LAI and cell wall. Cutting×nitrogen interaction was not significant for any traits, except for dry leaf/stem ratio. Mean comparison showed that 200 kg.ha-1 nitrogen treatment and single-cutting harvest had the highest dry forage yield of 27490 and 27120 kg.ha-1, respectively. Although the highest crude protein percentage was obtained in 400 kg.N.ha-1 treatment and were in same statistical group with 200 kg N.ha-1. Also two- cutting harvest with 15% crude protein was better than single-cutting harvest.

To investigate the effect of delayed sowing on seed and oil yields of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes, a field experiment was carried out at the research field station of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 cropping seasons. The experimental design was split plot arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications. Optimal sowing dates (02 October) and delayed sowing date (01 November) were assigned to the main plots, and 17 rapeseed genotypes [French (eight), Iranian (five), Hungarian (two) and German (two)] were randomized in sub-plots. Combined analysis of variance showed that all main and interactions effects were significant on all studied traits (except the main effect of year on seed oil content). Plant developmental stages experienced different environmental conditions due to delayed sowing and led to decreases in seed yield and yield components, seed oil yield and biological yield. The highest seed yield in optimal sowing date belonged to Garou (in the first year) and HL2012 (in the second year) genotypes with an average of 5240 and 5805 kg ha-1, respectively. However, Okapi (in the first year) and Garou (in the second year) had the lowest seed yield in delayed sowing date with an average of 3624 and 2702 kg ha-1, respectively. Lauren (in the first year) and Darko genotypes (in the second year) had the lowest grain yield reduction (%) in delayed sowing date which accounted for 21.5% and 35.9%, respectively.

Drought stress is one of the environmental factors influencing crops growth, development, and production. Two field experiments were performed in Karaj, Iran, to evaluate the drought tolerance indices of 17 winter rapeseed genotypes in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing seasons. The factorial arrangement of treatments was set up as RCBD with three replications. To identify drought tolerant genotypes, several indices were used based on grain yield under normal and deficit irrigation conditions. Yield results showed that cultivars Artist (504.325 g m-2) and L72 (391.525 g m-2) were the superior treatments under normal and deficit irrigation conditions, respectively. According to correlation results, 3-D graphs were drawn based on Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP) and grain yield under normal irrigation and deficit irrigation to categorize the winter rapeseed genotypes in both years. In the first year, Zorica and Lauren were in group A, while in the second year; Mercure, SW102, L72, and HL3721 were in group A. Therefore, they had superior performance and stable grain yield under both irrigation conditions. Biplot diagram showed Lauren (first year) and Mercure (second year) were superior regardless of stress conditions. Altogether, under normal irrigation, Artist genotype, and under stress condition, Mercure, L72 and HL3721 genotypes could be used for cultivation.

Water stress is one of the factors whish reduces the amount of nutrient uptake, greatly. In order to study the effect of foliar application of iron and manganese on yield and yield components of the mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Parto) under water deficit stress, an experiment was conducted as a complete randomized block design with split plot arrangement in three replications. Main plots were three levels of irrigation stoppings (With out stopping irrigation, with one irrigation turn stopping at each of the primary growth and the production stages, respectively) and submain plots were combination of foliar iron and manganese applications. The levels of foliar application were no foliar application (as control), water foliar application,iron sulfate 1%, iron sulfate 1.5%, manganese sulfate 0.5%, manganese sulfate 1%,iron sulfate 1%+manganese sulfate 0.5% and iron sulfate 1.5%+manganese sulfate 1%. The results showed that the treatment of water deficit stress at the vegetative and production stages had a significant effect on yield and yield components of the varieties of the mung bean. The hightest effect of water stress was related to the production stage. The combined foliar application of the iron and manganese significantly increased the grain yield, number of the pods per plant, grain weight, plant height, leaf area index, and grain iron and manganese content. However, drought stress reduced the studied traits, but foliar application of iron and manganese resulted in plant resistance that caused delay in appearance of the water stress in plant and thus improved the production performance.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is considered as the queen of oilseeds for its high oil quality. Sesame oil is rich in micronutrients, antioxidants and essential amino acids as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has been well documented that agronomic practices such as time and rate of planting will have a direct effect on sesame grain yield, oil content and quality. Therefore determining the optimum plant density is very important in sesame production.
Material and In the current experiment, the effect of different planting densities (20, 40 and 60 Plants per m2) was investigated on agronomic traits of six sesame cultivars (Halil, Dashtestan 2, Darab 1, Oltan, Yellow White and Naz Tak Shakhe). The field experiment was carried out as factorial layout based on randomised complete block design with three replicates in research farm of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, in 2016. Each experimental plot consisted of four adjacent rows, 5 m in length and 0.3 m apart. To achieve the above-mentioned planting densities, sesame seeds were sown 16, 8 and 5 cm apart on each row on 6th June. If required, the seedlings were thinned at 2-3 leaf stage. The crop was irrigated according to the conventional schedule for the region. Weeds were manually removed throughout the growing season. At physiological maturity stage, two middle rows of each plot were harvested for determination of yield and yield components. Data analysis was performed using SAS 9.1 and means were compared by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at the 5% probability level. The results showed that all measured traits except 1000-seed weight and harvest index significantly affected by planting density. Also, the interaction between planting density and cultivar was significant on the number of capsules per plant, seed yield, harvest index and oil concentration. At planting densities of 20 and 40 plants per m2, the maximum grain yield were related to Dashtestan 2 cultivar. At planting densities of 60 plants per m2, Naz Tak Shakhe was found to be the best cultivar regarding grain yield. Although the increase in planting density from 20 to 40 plants per m2, could increase grain yield in all cultivars, the highest grain yield was related to Naz Tak Shakhe cultivar. Furthermore, increase in planting density up to 60 plants per m2, caused severe grain yield loss in all cultivars except Naz Tak Shakhe cultivar which showed 18% increase in grain yield. In general, it can be concluded that cultivars characteristics could be considered as essential parameters to determine the optimum planting density. Therefore, if the plant density is adjusted in such a way that plants could be able to use the environment and agronomic inputs factors with the minimum intra-specific competition, maximum economic yield will be obtained

In order to study the effect of different resources of farmyard manure, compost and biofertilizers on grain yield and quality of canola (Talaieh cultivar), an experiment was conducted at Kurdistan region in 2008 and 2009 growing season. Experimental units were arranged in split-split plots design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. Main plots consisted of two locations with difference in soil texture (L1): Agricultural Research Center of Sanandaj and (L2): Islamic Azad University of Sanandaj, as location levels. Also, five strategies for obtaining the base fertilizer requirement including (N1): farmyard manure; (N2): compost; (N3): chemical fertilizers; (N4): farm yard manure + compost and (N5): farm yard manure + compost + chemical fertilizers were considered in split plots. Four levels of biofertilizers were (B1): Bacillus lentus and Pseudomonas putida; (B2): Trichoderma harzianum; (B3): Bacillus lentus and Pseudomonas putida & Trichoderma harzianum; and (B4): control. Results showed that location, different resources of fertilizer and interactions of them have a significant effect on grain yield. The highest grain yield (4660 kg/ha) was obtained from treatment, that farmyard manure, compost and biofertilizers were co application in clay loam soil (Gerizeh station). Location, basal fertilizers and biofertilizers have a significant effect on N, S and N/S of canola seed. Co application of compost and farmyard manure produced highest percent of olieic acid (61.5 %) and linoleic acid (22.9%). Co application of compost and farmyard manure has a significant increase in oleic acid and linoleic acid. Finally, L1N5B3 treatment, that compost, farmyard manure and biofertilizers were co application in Gerizeh station in compare to other treatments, selected as a best treatment of experiment.

In order to evaluation the effects of different soil fertility systems on chickpea seed quality, field experiments were carried out in Sanandaj Agriculture Research Station of Iran in 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. Experimental units were arranged in split-split plots based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. Green manure levels considered main plots, base fertilizer compounds were considered subplots and blends of biofertilizers were considered sub-sub plots. Results showed that green manure increased seed nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese contents. Also green manure had a significant effect on grain yield, protein percentage and crude fiber. Application of organic fertilizers increased seed nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium contents. On the other hand, base fertilizers had a significant effect on chickpea seed sugars, starch and protein contents. Biofertilizers also had significant effects on seed quality traits. Interaction between green manure and basal fertilizers had a significant effect on grain yield, nitrogen, and magnesium and iron contact of seeds. The highest sugar, protein, starch and mineral elements contents were obtained from combined application of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and Trichoderma fungus. Simultaneous application of compost, farmyard manure and chemical fertilizer resulted in the highest seed nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, ciceritol, total sugar and protein contents. Thus in addition to improve seed quality, simultaneous application of chemical fertilizer, farmyard manure and compost increased grain yield and can reduce chemical fertilizers usage and can be useful on biological and ecological aspects.

The agriculture sector has been affected by severe drought in recent years, making development of a drought warning system for agriculture crucial. Such a system can be a useful tool for policy makers and investors. This research develops a model for agricultural drought risk assessment using statistical and intelligent methods. Kermanshah province, a major rain-fed region of Iran, was selected as the study area. The model is specific to rain-fed wheat and was updated during the different phonological stages of the growing season. The inputs are a combination of the PDSI, Z-index, CMI, SPI and EDI drought indices which were selected using genetic algorithm and artificial neural networking techniques. The results show that the Z-index better predicts possible losses. The general performance of the model increased toward the end of the growing season, especially after the third stage, when the significance level of the relation reaches 1% and the results become more reliable. Furthermore, linkage of the model to the geographical information system makes it more capable of spatial analysis and more suitable for presentation of the final results.

In order to study the effect of various amounts of nitrogen (N) and Iranian natural zeolite on the quantitative and qualitative forage yield of winter canola (Brassica napus L.) in light soil, a field experiment was conducted on research farm of Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, during 2006-2007. Treatments were arranged in the form of RCBD with 3 replications. The experimental treatments were based on factorial various levels of zeolite (0, 3, 6 and 9 t.ha-1) and nitrogen (90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) in urea form. Seeds of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Okapi) were sown on October 2, and fresh forage was harvested at the time of silique formation (170 DAP). Results showed that the effect of N and zeolite on forage quantitative attributes including biomass, leaf and stem dry weight and leaf area index were statistically significant. In addition, forage qualitative traits including crude protein percentage and calcium percentage in plant mass were significantly affected by N and zeolite. Increasing application of N fertilizer caused increase in N leaching, and with increasing zeolite application, N leaching reduced. The interaction of two factors for all parameters was not significant. The most increasing effects on forage yield and quality were gained using 270 kg N ha-1 in combination with 9 t. Zeolite ha-1. More detailed studies are strongly recommended to investigate the effects of integrated application of chemical fertilizer and natural zeolite.

In order to evaluate the effects of plant densities (10, 13, 20 and 40 plant/m2 ) on the yield and yield components of two cultivars (Partow, Gohar) and a line (VC-1973A) of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] a field experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) of Karaj in Summer 1998. This research carried out in a factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications. The results indicated that VC-1973A line had the highest grain yield. This line has superiority to other cultivars, due to the early and uniformity of seed maturity and easy mechanized harvest. Plant density has a significant effect (p<0.01) on the grain yield, in such a way that the densities of 20 and 10 plant/m2 outyielded the highest (2221 kg/ha) and lowest (1650 kg/ha) grain yield respectively. Among the yield components, only the number of pods per plant indicated a significant difference due to the plant density. Correlation coefficient between attributes indicated that the plant height and height of first pod internode had a positive correlation with the plant density, while the correlation of the plant density with harvest index (HI), branch number and pod number per plant was negative. More over it seems that the pod number per plant is the most important components of mungbean’s yield, because it has a high (r = 0.88) and significant (p<0.01) correlation with the grain yield.