m. kafi

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an annual plant from Cucurbitaceae family and has a very high diversity in Iran and the world. The Khatooni variety is a melon variety widely cultivated in Khorasan Razavi Province, north-east of Iran. The growth and yield of agricultural crops are affected by environmental stresses. Drought stress is one of the most critical environmental stresses that limit crop production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Salicylic acid has diverse physiological roles in plants, including improving plant growth and photosynthesis. Some researches have indicated that watermelon growth and yield may increase by applying salicylic acid under drought stress conditions. Another criterion for improvement in using water resources is the use of superabsorbent polymers. Bentonite has the ability to absorb water and minerals and prevent the leaching of minerals in the soil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of salicylic acid and bentonite and investigate their interaction in mitigating drought stress and increase the quality and yield of melon.

In order to investigate the effect of bentonite superabsorbent and salicylic acid on Khatooni melon under drought stress conditions, a split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications was performed in two years. Irrigation factor was applied at 3 levels: 100, 80 or 60% of water requirement. Foliar spraying of salicylic acid was done at 70 or 100 ppm when the fruits had a diameter of 10 cm, and repeated after 20 days. Bentonite was applied at two levels (0 and 0.15% by weight per ha). Bentonite was mixed with the upper 30 cm of the soil depth. In each experimental unit, the distance between plants was 70 cm on each row and the rows distanced 3 m apart.  In order to prevent water penetration between adjacent plots a 6 m distance was considered between experimental units, i.e. plots. Stem length, leaf area, chlorophyll content, relative water content, total soluble solids, and fruit yield were measured. Minitab software was used for statistical analysis. Comparison of means was performed using Duncan's multiple range test at a 5% probability level, and Excel software was used to draw the graphs.                                                         

A decreasing trend in stem length with increasing drought stress was observed in the studied treatments (Table 2). Mean comparison of triple interaction effects showed that the application of bentonite and salicylic acid in different irrigation treatments increased stem length (Table 2). The lowest stem length (194.36 cm) was obtained in the presence of 60% water requirement, absence of bentonite and salicylic acid, indicating a 31.2% decrease compared to the control (in the presence of 100% water requirement, absence of bentonite and salicylic acid). The highest stem length (346.89 cm) was recorded in the presence of 100% water requirement, bentonite application, and 100 ppm of salicylic acid, i.e. a 22.7% increase in stem length compared to the control. With increasing drought stress, leaf area decreased, so that in severe stress (60% water requirement) and moderate stress (80% water requirement) conditions, leaf area decreased by 28.47% and 23.76%, respectively, compared to the control. Results showed that with increasing drought stress, the content of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll significantly decreased. The lowest amount of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll was recorded in the presence of 60% water requirement and absence of salicylic acid, i.e. 26.0, 36.6 and 28.6% decreases, respectively, compared to the control (in the presence of 100% water requirement and absence of salicylic acid). With increasing drought stress, the relative leaf water content decreased significantly. In each irrigation treatment by bentonite application and salicylic acid, the relative leaf water content increased. The highest (88.19%) and the lowest (75.95%) relative leaf water content was recorded in the combined treatment of 100% water requirement, bentonite and 100 ppm of salicylic acid and the combined treatment of 60% water requirement, without bentonite and salicylic acid, respectively. With increasing drought stress, the amount of total soluble solids increased. No significant difference was observed between 80% and 60% water requirement treatments. However, the highest amount of total soluble solids was recorded when the melon plants were exposed to the 60% water requirement treatment. The results showed that with increasing drought stress, fruit yield decreased significantly. Under each of the irrigation treatments fruit yield increased significantly in the presence of bentonite and salicylic acid, particularly 100 ppm salicylic acid.

Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that under water deficit conditions, using bentonite and salicylic acid are capable to mitigate the effects of drought stress on melon plants, mainly through reducing water consumption, leading to increased fruit yield and quality.

Nowadays, the cultivation of plants adapted to adverse conditions, such as drought and salinity, in the country has been considered. Meanwhile, Kochia scoparia, one of the forgotten plants, due to its classification in the group of halophytes, has specific characteristics suitable for cultivation in low-water and saline areas (Salehi, Kafi, & Kiani, 2012). This plant is known as an important annual forage crop, and its grains also have high nutritional value and oil, which can be considered for future industrial applications (Salehi et al., 2012). Studies on the salinity tolerance of the Kochia plant have shown that it is suitable for cultivation in saline areas, and in terms of quantity and quality, can compete with conventional forage plants. The use of natural organic materials, such as humic acid, has received more attention. These materials, as part of soil organic matter, are influenced by physical, chemical, and microbiological changes in biological molecules (Sabzevari & Khazaei, 2009; Dong, Córdova-Kreylos, Yang, Yuan, & Scow, 2009). Additionally, nitrogen is the most important element needed for plant growth and development. It is also a key component in many biological compounds, including proteins, nucleic acids, some hormones, and chlorophyll. Nitrogen plays an essential role in photosynthetic processes and the final function of plants (Kaur, Gupta, & Kaur, 2002; Taiz, Zeiger, Møller, & Murphy, 2015). As a result of this research, a combination of nitrogen and humic acid can be used as nutritional resources in salt stress conditions.

This experiment was conducted in the form of split plots based on the randomized complete block design with three replications in the Saline Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the 2015 growth season. The main plot included drought stress with a four-week interruption of irrigation at three levels of control (irrigation until the end of the growing season), after establishment (50 days after planting), the beginning of flowering (71 days after planting) and late flowering (82 days after planting) The subplot was included nitrogen application at three levels of zero, 100 and 200 kg.ha-1 from urea fertilizer source. The optimum level of humic acid (2 per thousand) was done as seed at the time of planting for all treatments.

The results showed that the drought stress during vegetative and reproductive growth stages had a negative effect on the Kochia plant. However, its effect in the early stages of vegetative growth (after establishment) was greater than the stress at the end of the season (late flowering). Drought stress has a negative effect on Kochia grain yield by reducing the concentration of chlorophyll a, altering the chlorophyll a to b ratio, decreasing carotenoid concentration, and affecting relative leaf water content. However, seed treatments of humic acid and its combination with 100 kg.ha-1 nitrogen level by increasing the concentration of total phenol, soluble carbohydrate concentration, and DPPH free radical scavenging capacity improved photosynthetic pigments and finally kochia grain yield. In general, the most suitable treatment for use in drought stress and saline water source conditions was the combined method of sowing humic acid seeds with 100 kg.ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer.

In general, the occurrence of drought stress in vegetative and reproductive growth stages had a negative effect on the kochia plant. However, its effect in the early stages of vegetative growth (after establishment) was greater than the stress at the end of the season (late flowering). The most suitable treatment was using the combined method of seed of humic acid with 100 kg.ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer.

The effect of salinity stress on the quantity and quality of crop production highlights the importance of managing and reducing the damage caused by this stress factor in agriculture. Increasing soil salinity and decreasing fertility of arable lands is one of the major problems in saline areas. Cultivation of salt-tolerant crops which can increase soil fertility could be effective in the sustainable production of these lands. Studying photosynthesis and its related factors could provide appropriate physiological views in understanding plant behavior against salinity stress. The present study was conducted to assess the salinity tolerance of chickpea genotypes for cultivation in saline areas.

To evaluate the effects of salinity stress on photosynthetic criteria and yield of chickpeas, an experiment was conducted in 2018 at the research farm of the faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. The experiment was arranged as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental factors consisted of salinity levels (0.5 and 8 dS.m-1) as the main plot and chickpea genotype (17 kabuli-type genotypes) as the subplot. Seeds were provided from the Mashhad chickpea collection of the Center for Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Seeds were planted on March 11th and complementary irrigation was done in three growth stages of pre-flowering, flowering, and pod-filling. Sodium chloride was used to prepare saline solutions and the irrigation water rate was measured by water meter. Photosynthetic criteria including photosynthesis rate, evapotranspiration, stomatal conductance, and resistance and concentration of photosynthetic pigments were measured in the 50% flowering stage.

Results indicated that the lowest and highest reduction in the concentration of chlorophyll a was found in MCC65 (6%) and MCC83 (3.3 times increase), respectively. Increasing salinity level increased the concentration of chlorophyll b in MCC65 and MCC139, the ratio of chlorophyll a/b in MCC92, MCC139, and MCC776, carotenoids concentration in MCC77, MCC92, MCC313, and MCC679 and total pigments in MCCMCC77, MCC92, MCC298, and MCC679. Increasing salinity levels led to higher evapotranspiration in 14 genotypes except for MCC65, MCC95, and MCC298 in which 37, 54, and 63% decrease of this parameter was observed. Increasing salinity level increased photosynthesis rate in 7 genotypes of MCC12, MCC65, MCC72, MCC92, MCC95, MCC679 and MCC776 among which MCC95 and MCC679 showed the highest percentage increase (61 and 53%, respectively). The highest increase in sub-stomatal CO2 (51, 49, and 40 ppm) with increasing salinity levels, was found in MCC485, MCC776, and MCC313, respectively. An increase of 28 and 8% in stomatal conductance was found in MCC65 and MCC95. Stomatal resistance was only reduced in MCC77, MCC420, and MCC29. Higher salinity levels also led to 3.4 times, 67, 14, and 13% increase in instantaneous water use efficiency in MCC95, MCC65, MCC92, and MCC298, respectively. Biomass and seed yield declined in all genotypes by salinity. The highest seed yield was observed in MCC65, MCC77, MCC92, and MCC95 with 142, 148, 167, and 166 g.m-2 respectively in saline conditions. There was a negative significant correlation between seed yield and evapotranspiration (r=-0.43**), and stomatal resistance (r=-0.38**), and a significant positive correlation between seed yield and biomass (r=0.61**) and photosynthesis (r=0.24**) and stomatal conductance (0.36**).

In general, the results of this experiment indicated the diversity among chickpea genotypes for salinity tolerance caused by saline irrigation water. Studying some photosynthetic criteria in 17 kabuli-type chickpea genotypes under salinity stress showed high diversity in physiological responses of chickpeas to salinity stress which could be used in the selection and breeding of salt-tolerant cultivars. MCC65, MCC77, MCC92, and MCC95 were superior in most studied criteria in saline conditions and even performed, unlike the declining trend of the other genotypes. It seems that these genotypes could produce reasonable seed yield in salinity levels up to 8dS.m-1.

The Turfgrass industry in saline soil is expanding, making it important to use salinity-tolerant turfgrasses. In this experiment, the effect of salinity stress on some biochemical content in salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant tall fescue was evaluated. The Sanandaj and Daran populations with commercial tall fescue (TF) were evaluated as salt-tolerant tall fescues and the Sanajan population was used as salt-sensitive TF. Five salinity levels of irrigation water (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 mM NaCl) were applied to turfgrasses to identify the tolerance mechanisms in tolerant tall fescue under salinity stress. Results showed that salinity affected all turfgrasses in proline, chlorophyll, 1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, as well as sodium and potassium in their shoots. Sanajan population in 90, 135, and 180 mM salinity had the lowest chlorophyll content among all turfgrasses. Salt stress leads to an increase in the activity of proline compared to the control at the first stage (for evaluating osmotic stress) of measurement. In the second stage (to evaluate ionic stress), at concentrations of 135 and 180 mM NaCl, maximum proline was recorded in Daran and Sanandaj populations, respectively. The interaction effect of salinity and TF was significant for DPPH activity. The Na+/ K+ ratio in the Sanajan population was the highest at all salinity levels. In conclusion, the growth and antioxidant capacity of Festuca arundinaceae populations differ in their response to NaCl treatments. In salt-tolerant TF, proline and antioxidant activity increased with increasing NaCl. These may be a mechanism to protect tolerant TF in salt stress, leading to lower accumulated Na+ in tolerant TF, high K+ uptake, and high chlorophyll content. Based on these results, proline content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, chlorophyll contents, and potassium content could use to distinguish tolerant TF from sensitive TF.

 As urbanization and population density increase, numerous issues arise in society, including a heightened risk of contagious diseases among the population, putting society at risk and in crisis. The purpose of this study was to identify preventive factors for individuals in the community to avoid attending urban parks during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to evaluate the capacity of these places to promote public health and their functionality during the pandemic.
 Using library resources and semi-structured in-depth interviews, the research data questionnaire was obtained and for sampling and determination of sample size, simple random sampling method and Cochran formula related to unknown statistical population with error level of 0.05 were used, respectively. Then, in order to analyze the data, the first question which was prioritized was 4-1 points from the first to the fourth priority and the mean score was calculated and the same process was implemented for the second part questions, respectively. After collecting the questionnaires, the data were extracted and the frequency of each of the options in the questions was determined, then to investigate the first part question which was related to the barriers to the presence of people in urban parks during the pandemic period and should be prioritized, i.e. assigning numbers 1 to 4 based on the participants' opinions, the priority was 4 points for priority 1 score 4, priority 2 points. 3, priority 3 points 2 and priority 4 points 1 selected, After averaging the relevant score, comparing them with each other, the most important barriers were mentioned in the results section, respectively. Also, in order to investigate the questions of the second part, the first question was related to the capacity of urban parks to promote public health in pandemic conditions and should have been answered as a single choice for the very significant option of score 4, the significant option of score 3, the average score option 2 and the low-score option 1, and after the average of the relevant points and comparing it with the average capacity of the park was selected. Some of the general health promotion during pandemic were identified and mentioned in the results section.
The study revealed that the most significant barrier to people's presence in urban parks was the absence of health warning signs, with an average score of 3.1. Additionally, the capacity of urban parks to enhance public health received a very significant average score of 3.3. However, the performance of these parks during the COVID-19 pandemic was rated as poor, with an average score of 1.4. Other barriers identified to people's presence in parks include:- Non-conformity of urban parks design with pandemic conditions
- Inappropriate layout of furniture in urban parks
- Inappropriate shape, material and type of furniture in urban parks in terms of public health
Also, the overall results of urban parks capacity in increasing public health and performance of these places during covid-19 pandemic are as follows:In relation to the capacity of urban parks in order to increase public health in comparison with other urban uses, the results of the survey of the received data are that out of 230 people in the study, 99 people evaluated the capacity of these places as very significant (43%), 103 significant (45%), 21 moderate (9%) and 7 (3%).
In relation to how the current urban parks play a role in covid-19 pandemic compared to other urban uses, the results of the data survey are as such that out of 230 people present in the research, 5 people performed this Places were assessed as excellent (2%), 11 were good (5%), 53 were moderate (23%) and 156 were weak (70%).
Overall, it can be concluded that urban parks have the potential to significantly promote public health, but during the pandemic period, their effectiveness was limited due to various barriers. It is recommended that designers, urban planners, and health professionals work together to create multi-functional designs that address existing barriers as much as possible. This would enable people to attend urban parks during the pandemic with less concern and potentially reduce the negative consequences of pandemic outbreaks and quarantine.

Saffron is a vulnerable crop to weed competition because of its short canopy and narrow leaves. So weeds are the major problem in saffron production. Weeds are mainly controlled by hand or mechanically in saffron fields, these traditional methods are effective and environmental friendly but they are expensive and time consuming.These traditional methods are effective and environmental friendly, however they are expensive and time consuming. The number of suitable herbicide for weed control in saffron fields are limited. The importance of herbicide as alternatives method for weed control was recognized long ago. Herbicide treated mulch (HTM) is the combination of physical (mulch) and chemical (herbicide) weed control methods. This experiment was conducted to investigate the possibility of using mulch and herbicide treated mulch (HTM) to increase the efficiency of herbicides in saffron weeds management. The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of herbicides alone and in combination with mulch on weed control and also determine the influence of herbicide placement (on soil surface, under mulch or herbicide-treated mulch) on weed control and phytotoxicity of saffron.

 Field experiments were conducted during the growing seasons of 2016 and 2017 in Khorasan Razavi, Iran. Two field of 4-year-old saffron that had not received herbicide applications for at least two years in two different climates were chosen. The treatments consist of trifluralin (EC48%) at 1200 g i.a.ha-1, pendimethalin (EC33%) at 1485 g i.a.ha-1 and metribuzin (WP70%) at 525 g i.a.ha-1 were applied in three method 1) Directly to soil: herbicides were applied before crust crushing directly in soil. 2) Under the mulch: herbicides were sprayed with an electric knapsack sprayer after crust crushing directly in soil, then the soil surface was covered with a layer of wood chips mulch with a depth of 3 cm. 3) Herbicide treated mulch: mulch of wood chips were pretreated with herbicides by placing the mulch on a plastic sheet at the depth of 3 cm above and herbicide was sprayed on top of the mulch and evenly mixed and allowed to dry for 48 hours before applying them to field. The non-treated control with and without mulch and also treatment of hand weeding was included for comparison.

 There was no severe phytotoxicity to saffron after treatments application according to EWRC, slight injuries observed in all plots ranging from 1 (No damage) to 2 (Very little damage including slightly yellowing). Metribuzin herbicide induced more phytotoxicity symptoms on saffron compared to two other herbicides, but it was better to weeds control and increasing saffron yield. Treatment of metribuzin mixed with mulch in both fields after hand weeding were the best treatment to decreasing of weeds dry weight and improvement of yield components of saffron. Treatment of metribuzin mixed with mulch compared with control caused 85% and 87% reduction of weed dry weight in both fields, also this treatment compared with control increased dry weight stigma to 2.5 times and 2 times. It seems that after metribuzin, pendimethalin herbicide has better efficiency for use in saffron fields. Although, treatment of mulch without herbicide, is not prevented weed growth, but had more effective on increasing of saffron yield compared to weedy check, especially in field 1(region of Kashmar). Therefore, the use of mulch in warm and dry areas has better effect on saffron yield improvement. Considering that the cultivation of saffron is carried in semi-arid regions of Iran such as Khorasan, the correct application of plant residues in semi-arid regions can have a direct effect on the amount of organic matter in the soil, which leads to an increase in flower yield. Generally the pre-mixed mulch with herbicide, in addition to improving the herbicide efficiency, increased saffron yield. This results indicate that the proper combination of herbicides with mulch layer as thin as 3 cm can provide acceptable weed control. According to the result, one suggested way to weed management in saffron could be the combination of herbicide (Metribuzin) with mulch.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual plant belong to Fabaceae and is one of the traditional medicinal plants worldwide. It can provide seed and protein suitable for human's nutrition as well as animals. Water scarcity is a key threat in twenty-first century. On average, 40% of the world land surface are drylands, while this surface area is 90% in Iran. Supplying water requirement of Fenugreek through irrigation is an important factor affecting its growth and yield.

The experiment was conducted as split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture of shahed university, Iran, in 2014 and 2016. The main-plot was three levels of drought stress, included severe drought stress (20% field capacity), moderate drought stress (40% field capacity), mild drought stress (60% field capacity) and non-drought stress (80% field capacity) as control. Sub plots were nine Fenugreek ecotypes including Neyshabur, Shirvan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Roudsar, Isfahan, Hamadan, Ardestan and Shiraz. At maturity, and the plants were harvested from the soil surface and the plant height and number of lateral branches, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield and aboveground biological yield were measured in the lab. Statistical analysis carried out using SPSS version 16 software. Significant difference was set at p ≤ 0.05 by using Duncan’s multiple range test.

Results of stepwise regression showed that the traits including biomass, harvest index, branch length and number of pods per plant explained 96.7% of grain yield variation, respectively. Factor analysis for morphologic, yield and component yield traits showed the first three independent factors explained 93.48% of total variance in all genotypes. Days to maturity with 36.47% of total variance had the highest amount in the first factor, while, number of seeds per plant and seed yield with 29.74% and 27.07% of total variance were ranked as second and third factors, respectively. Cluster analysis by Ward’s minimum variance, clustered ecotypes into three groups including 1- Isfahan, Ardestan, Hamedan and Shiraz 2- Mashhad and Tabriz 3- Shirvan, Rudsar and Neyshabur. The results showed that, the plant height, Internode length, number of pod and seed per plant, 1000 seed weight, biological and seed yield and harvest index significantly affected by drought stress and ecotypes. The highest plant height, number of pods, 1000 seed weight, biomass, seed yield and harvest index was recorded in Shirvan ecotype while, the longest day to maturity and height of first pod were observed in Neyshabur ecotype at 80% FC. The highest plant height, the first formed pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield and harvest index in Shirvan ecotype were observed in the 40% FC.ConclusionDrought stress reduced all studied traits in all Fenugreek ecotypes in this experiment. For seed yield, the performance of shirvan ecotype was the best compare to other ectypes in control and mild and moderate stress condition. The highest distance of the first pod from the soil surface in the control condition was observed in the Neyshabur ecotype but in the moderate stress condition in Shirvan ecotype, this trait is important for the mechanized cultivation. Based on the results, there is a reliable variation amongst different Iranian Fenugreek ecotypes and they could use for breeding programs against drought stress. It also seems that Shirvan ecotype of Fenugreek can be considered for stable seed and biomass production under moderate drought stress and normal conditions.

Potato ranks the first with respect to the amount of energy production per unit area. It is cultivated in about 19.5 million hectares throughout the world and its annual production is about 375 million tons. Iran ranks the third in Asia and 12th in the world in potato production and produces around 4.5 million tons of potato annually. Potato is a sensitive crop to water deficiency and its water requirement is higher compared to many other crops. Due to ever decreasing of water available for agriculture sector and reduced precipitations in recent years deficit irrigation, which results to more efficient use of available water, can be considered as a clever water management strategy in potato production. In this study the effect of deficit irrigation on water use efficiency (WUE) and percent tuber dry matter of 10 potato cultivars were investigated to identify the best performed cultivar (s) under this condition.

A two years study was conducted in a split plot experiment based on complete block design with three replications in Ardabil in 2013 and 2014. The main plot was three levels of irrigation (complete irrigation and irrigation with 80% and 60% of required water) and the subplot consisted of 10 potato cultivars including: Khavaran, Savalan, Luca, Satina, Santae, Marfona, Ceasar, Agria, Aula and Draga. Each plot consisted of 6 rows of 4.5 m long (27 m2). Required water conveyed to the plots through tape line equipped with a measurer gauge. At harvest 7.5 m2 of each plot (excluding the borders) was hand harvested and transferred to the laboratory, where marketable tubers (tubers with at least 35 mm or more in size) were separated and weighted and data were transformed to ton.ha-1. To determine percent dry matter of tubers, a 300 g tuber sample was taken from each plot, chopped to one cm pieces and oven dried at 750C for 48 hours until a constant weight was obtained and then the dry matter was measured.

The analysis of variance result of WUE revealed that there were significant differences between years, irrigation treatments and cultivars. Also, the interactions of irrigation × year and irrigation × cultivar were significant. Water use efficiency were higher in both mild and severe water deficit conditions compared to complete irrigation and there were significant differences among potato cultivars in all three irrigation regimes. Under severe water deficit condition the highest and the lowest WUE were found in cultivars Satina and Marfona respectively (5.88 and 2.24 kg.m-3) and the lowest and the highest percent reduction of WUE were also observed in cultivars Satrina (+50%) and Marfona (-29%), respectively. The effect of water treatment on percent tuber dry matter was not significant. However, significant differences were observed among the potato cultivars in this regard. The highest and the lowest mean percent tuber dry matter were observed in cultivars Savalan (23.6%) and Draga (18%), respectively.

Based on the results obtained in this study it can be concluded that deficit irrigation results in increased WUE especially in cultivar Satina, but has no effect on percent tuber dry matter. Therefore, in regions with severe water limitation cultivar Satina, that has the highest WUE, can be recommended. In regions where enough water is available and higher dry matter is demanded specially by processing industries cultivar Savalan is recommended based on its higher dry matter.

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers devastates soil fertility and causes different types of environmental pollution. Therefore, using adequate eco-friendly fertilizers in agriculture enhances productivity but has no adverse effect on nature. Recently, there has been reported that beneficial soil microbes produce some volatile organic compounds, which are beneficial to plants. The amendment of these microbes with locally available organic materials and nanoparticles is currently used to formulate biofertilizers for increasing plant productivity. These bacteria are naturally present in soils, but their population decreases for a long time because of long-term environmental stress, improper use of chemical agents, and the absence of a suitable host plant. Adding these bacteria to the soil, before or during the growing season, increases the growth and production of agricultural products. Since available water is the main growth limiting factor in chickpea cultivation, it is useful to improve nutrition, especially using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, for accelerating the growth and development of plants at the end of the season.
In order to evaluate the effect of bio-nutrition and seed priming on growth and yield of chickpea genotypes (MCC463, MCC741, ILC8617, ILC72, FLIP02-51C) an experiment was carried in split plots based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in 2019. Experimental factors included nutritional treatments as the main plots and chickpea genotypes as the subplots. Nutritional treatments were 1- seed priming with the use of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacteria (P + BF), 2- free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacteria before sowing (BF), 3- seed priming with the application of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacteria with foliar application of amino acid, potassium and silicon during growth stages (P + BF + F), 4- application of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacteria before planting with foliar application of amino acid, potassium and silicon during growth stages (BF + F), and 5- control (without biological and chemical fertilizers). Free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacteria were sprayed five liters per hectare on the soil surface before planting with 107 CFU per ml and mixed with soil. Foliar application with amino acid (1:1000) was done in two stages (before flowering and 50% flowering stage), and foliar application with potassium (1:1000) and silicon (1.5:1000) was carried out in the 50% flowering stage.
Results showed that the highest concentration of chlorophyll a was obtained for BF and MCC463 with an increase of 3.1 times greater than control. The highest concentration of chlorophyll b was obtained for BF + F and FLIP02-51. The highest green area index was recorded for MCC741 in P + BF. The highest number of pods per plant in MCC463 and FLIP02-51 was observed in BF + F, with 88 and 30% more than the control, respectively. The highest biomass produced was obtained for ILC8617 and BF + F, by 24% higher than the control. ILC72 and MCC463 showed the highest grain yield in P + BF + F treatment, which increased grain yield by 35% and 4% (320 and 50 kg/ha), respectively, with respect to control. MCC741under BF treatment showed a doubled (810 kg/ha) grain yield relative to control. The highest grain yield for P + BF was found in ILC8617 and increased by 28% (340 kg/ha) as compared to control. In this genotype, grain yield in BF + F was also significantly greater than that in the control by 22%, (270 kg/ha). FLIP02-51 grain yield in BF increased by 12% (170 kg/ha) as compared with the control.
In terms of seed yield, ILC72 and MCC463 were more responsive to P + BF + F and ILC8617 and FLIP02-51 in the BF and ILC8617 in P + BF with respect to other treatments. It seems that despite the positive effect of biofertilizer, genetic characteristics of genotypes are influential in plant growth and yield; therefore, it is necessary to select the appropriate genotype for each region so as to make the most utilization of the nutrients and achieve high yield.

Drought is undoubtedly one of the most important environmental stresses limiting the productivity of crop plants around the world. An optimal partitioning of dry matter between root and shoot, therefore is of crucial importance for crop yield under drought stress. Deficit irrigation strategy and planting crops with low water requirements and low expectations, for example, Kochia is very important under drought stress. Kochia is a salt- and drought-tolerant species that can be grown on drought soils, yielding fodder in quantities approaching that produced by alfalfa. The aim of this greenhouse study was investigating root and shoot growth of Kochia under drought stress conditions.

To study the effects of drought stress on root and shoot growth of kochia, a pot experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with three replications in University of Ferdowsi in 2013. There were 9 treatments included control (no stress) (NS-NS=100% field capacity (FC)), moderate drought stress (70% FC) during the vegetative phase (MS-NS), severe drought stress (30% FC) during the vegetative phase (SS-NS), moderate drought stress during the reproductive phase (NS-MS), severe drought stress during the reproductive phase (NS-SS), moderate drought stress during the vegetative phase and severe drought stress during the reproductive phase (MS-SS), severe drought stress during the vegetative phase and moderate drought stress during the reproductive phase (SS-MS), moderate drought stress during total growth period (MS-MS) and severe drought stress during total growth period (SS-SS). At the beginning of anthesis, plant height and branch number were recorded. Then plants were harvested and leaves, stems, and roots were separated. The fresh weight of the organs was recorded. Root volume was measured. Leaf area measured using a leaf area meter (LI-COR model) and root area was measured by Atkinson method. Then, leaves, stems, and roots dried in an oven at 75°C for 48 hours until mass reached and dry weight was recorded. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LSD test were performed using SAS ver. 9.1 software.

Results showed that the highest and lowest plant height, leaf area, leaf, stem and total fresh and dry weight observed in control and severe drought stress during growth period, respectively. Significance of traits related to plant aerial parts due to morphological changes of root plants, which is actually a plant response to drought stress. Also, effect of drought stress was significant on root length, area and volume, fresh and dry weight, root length ratio to plant height. The highest and lowest of these traits were observed in control and severe drought stress during growth period, respectively. Drought stress thereby mostly reduced plant height and increased at least root length, leading to higher root/shoot ratio. Most importantly, the length of root was greater in the moderate drought-treated plants than the control plants at the end of the drought and recovery periods. Number of lateral branches and root dry weight/shoot dry weight ratio did not differ significantly with control. Generally, root and shoot growth under drought stress conditions is reduced that the amount of reduction depends on the growth stage of the plant, intensity and duration of the stress.

Finally, this study showed that the maximum amount of Kochia forage was obtained when the water is 100% FC to increase the number and size of the cells and, consequently, increase the yield. However, Kochia forage decreased 19% by decreasing 30% of irrigation water in treatments of moderate stress during total growth period in compared to the control plants. In addition to saving water, more land can be cultivated.

Urovagina is defined as the accumulation of urine in the anterior part of the vagina in cows. Urovagina in many cases may result in different types of uterine infections and these, in turn, cause in repeat breeding syndrome and infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate surgical correction of urovagina using modified McKinnon and cerclage of the vestibulovaginal junction techniques in dairy cows. Briefly, in the modified McKinnon technique, right and left sides of the vagina were joined medially and a large mucosa-lined tunnel was created. In the second method, vestibulovaginal junction under the vaginal wall cranial to the urethral opening was closed by creating the vestibulovaginal cerclage. The feasibility, possible side effects, success in management of post-operated cows and pregnancy rates were assessed. Twenty-three cows with urovagina were treated surgically using either a modified McKinnon (n=11) or cerclage of the vestibulovaginal junction technique (n=12). All cows were artificially inseminated after two administrations of a prostaglandin F2α analogue 14 days apart. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by palpation per rectum 40–50 days following insemination. The mean numbers of inseminations before the urovagina diagnosis and after the treatments were 4.75± 3.1 and 3.09± 1.37 versus 1.25± 0.4 and 1.7± 0.67 (p<0.05) in cows treated with the modified McKinnon and cerclage of the vestibulovaginal junction techniques, respectively. The results of the present study revealed that both surgical techniques can be used successfully for the management of cases of urovagina in dairy cows.

Many experiments have shown that Silicon (Si) can reduce the effect of both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants caused by plant diseases, pest damage, salinity, drought, heavy metal toxicity, nutrient imbalance, water logging, high radiation, high temperature, wounding, and freezing. It has been indicated that silicon has a beneficial role in plant nutrition such as enhancement in absorbing nitrogen, phosphor, potassium and zinc. Beneficial results of silicon application on plant growth and physiology made farmers and researches to use silicon as a fertilizer. Silicon fertilizers are applied as slag, compost, rice straw, calcium and sodium silicates in both foliar and soil applications. Potato is not considered as a Si-accumulating but studies have implied that Si supply may alleviate damaging effects that result from drought and also reduce stem lodging and increase tuber yield  increased leaf area, specific leaf area, and pigment concentration (chlorophyll a and carotenoids) as well as photosynthesis and transpiration rates of well watered potato plants.

This experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications, in department of agronomy, Ferdowsi university of Mashhad, Iran, in 2015. In this research, the effects of four different silicon compounds (Nano-silica, sodium silicate, hydrophilic Bentonite (Nano-clay), and Bentonite), in two concentrations (1000 ppm and 2000 ppm) on the growth characteristics of potato Minitubers (Solanum tuberosum Var. Agria) plants and production under three different soil texture (clay loam, loam and sandy loam), were investigated. In order to determine the best treatment in each soil, variance analysis was done along with cluster analysis, stepwise multi regression analysis and path analysis, and the results of all analysis were compared. Resultsand

Due to the lack of development of plants in clay loam soil, the comparison between treatments was done only in loam soils and sandy loam soils. The results showed that despite the lack of leaf and stem development in silicon treated plants, the Minituber characteristics improved compared to the control, which resulted in an increase in the ratio of Minituber dry weight to shoot dry weight. based on plant performance, Cluster analysis for loam soil categorized silicate treatments in 3 groups: first (control, Bentonite (2000 ppm), Nano-silica (2000 ppm)), second (Nano-clay (1000 ppm), Bentonite (1000 ppm), Nano-silica (1000 ppm)) and third (Nano-clay (1000 ppm), Sodium Silicate (1000 ppm), Sodium Silicate (2000 ppm)). In loam sand soil this grouping was in four groups: first (control, Bentonite (1000 ppm), Nano-clay (1000 ppm)), second (Nano-clay (2000 ppm), Nano-silica (2000 ppm), Nano-silica (1000 ppm)), third (Bentonite (2000 ppm), Sodium Silicate (2000 ppm)) and forth (Sodium Silicate (1000 ppm)). Path analysis showed in loam soil three traits (leaf dry weight, total plant Minituber volume, total plant Minituber dry weight) have the most direct and indirect effect on Minituber fresh weight (as potato yield. In loam sand soil four traits (mean Minituber diameter, leaf area, total plant Minituber volume, total plant Minituber dry weight) were indicated to have the most direct and indirect effect on Minituber fresh weight (as potato yield).

Investigating the effect of applying silicate treatments in different concentrations on Minituber wet weight (as Minituber yield) by cluster analysis and path analysis showed that in both soils, Bentonite (2000 ppm) had the most effect on traits responsible for Minituber wet weight changes.

To study freezing tolerance (-13, -15 and -18°C) of 40 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes, a factorial experiment in completely randomized design was carried out at the Research Center of Plant Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran, in 2017-2018. Significant differences observed between genotypes for survival percentage after freezing stress and chlorophyll a, carotenoids, anthocyanins, soluble carbohydrates, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), phenol, protein, DPPH, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase before freezing stress. Stepwise regression analysis showed that chlorophyll b had the most positive effect and protein, and MDA had the most negative effect on survival percentage. Cluster analysis grouped genotypes into five clusters. For most of the studied traits, genotypes in clusters 4 and 5 were greater than average of all genotypes as well as genotypes in other clusters. In clusters 4, anthocyanins, protein, MDA, phenol, proline, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase contents were higher than other clusters. Survival percentage, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, total pigments, and DPPH of cluster 5 were higher than the other clusters. Principal component analysis showed that MLC469, MLC458, MLC409, MLC74, MLC84, MLC169, MLC394, MLC95, MLC17, MLC163 and MLC303 for antioxidant capacity and metabolites, and MLC70, MLC410, MLC47, MLC31, MLC91, MLC8, MLC286, MLC407, MLC472, MLC61, MLC83 and MLC334 for photosynthetic pigment capacity were more suitable than the other genotypes. It can be concluded that these attributes are very important in predicting, before cold stress, the effect of cold stress on survival percentage of lentil genotypes.

Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds, and these plants are thought to be safe to human beings and the environment compared to the synthetic medicines for the treatment of many diseases. The active principles of the plants are generally secondary metabolites. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an herbaceous and annual medicinal plant belonging to Apiaceae family which is planted in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Persian shallot (Allium altissimum Regel.) is another medicinal, industrial and perennial plant that has underground bulbs. It is one of the most important Allium species in Iran, which normally grows in semi-cold to very cold highlands. In the last decade, agricultural production, which is mainly based on the application of chemical inputs, is causing environmental impacts. The use of ecological farming approaches, enhancing yield and quality, they will be effective. Intercropping allows for improved resource use efficiency such as light, water and nutrients and beneficial interactions between the companion plants. It works to decrease the spread of plant diseases by reducing the quantity of susceptible host plants. Other benefits of intercropping include optimal use of resources, stabilization of yield, weed control, improved soil fertility, and higher economic returns. This study has evaluated the effect of intercropping ratios as replacement series of cumin and Persian shallot on agronomic criteria such as yield components, yield, harvest index, dry matter accumulation and land equivalent ratio.

This experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during growing season of 2014-2015. Intercropping ratios as replacement series such as 80% cumin+20% Persian shallot, 60% cumin+40% Persian shallot, 50% cumin+50% Persian shallot, 40% cumin+60% Persian shallot, 20% cumin+80% Persian shallot and their pure culture were considered as treatments. Plant density for Persian shallot bulbs and cumin seeds were considered as 10 bulbs.m-2 and 120 plants.m-2, respectively. Studied traits were umbel numbers per plant, seed numbers per umbel, 1000-seed weight, biological yield and seed yield of cumin and daughter bulb diameter, mother bulb diameter, fresh weight of daughter bulb, fresh weight of mother bulb, biological yield, fresh yield of bulb, dry weight of bulb of Persian shallot and land equivalent ratio (LER).The LER was computed through the following equation:Where, Yij: Yield of cumin under intercropping conditions, Yji: Yield of Persian shallot under intercropping conditions, Yii: Yield of cumin under sole crop conditions and Yjj: Yield of Persian shallot under sole crop conditions. The treatments were run as an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if significant differences existed among means. Multiple comparison tests were conducted for significant effects using the LSD test.

The results showed that the effect of intercropping ratios was significant (p≤0.05) on yield and yield components of cumin and Persian shallot. By decreasing intercropping ratios of Persian shallot improved its criteria. Diameter of mother bulb and production of daughter bulb in intercropping ratios were increased up to 52 and 68% compared to sole culture, respectively. Studied traits of cumin were improved by changing in planting ratios from intercropping to its pure culture. The maximum amounts of dry bulb weight were related to pure culture (82.9 g.m-2) and 20% cumin+80% Persian shallot (85.3 g.m-2). The highest seed yield of cumin was observed in pure culture with 115 g.m-2. The highest and the lowest LER were computed in 50% cumin+50% Persian shallot (1.49) and 80% cumin+20% Persian shallot (1.15).

Intercropping of Persian shallot and cumin had significantly effect on their yield and yield components. The results confirmed the better use of resources especially for radiation and water of these plants in intercropping ratios. In general, it seems that intercropping may be suitable cropping approach for sustainable production of medicinal plants. Acknowledgement This research was funded by Vice Chancellor for Research of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, which is hereby acknowledged.

Garlic is a medicinal and cool season plant, but there is not much information on its level of cold tolerance. Khorasan province is one of the suitable areas for growing garlic. The conventional planting date of garlic in this region takes place between 6 October and 5 December. Available evidences shows that garlic plants have been affected by cold stress due to inappropriate planting date. Some researchers have recommended the use of controlled freezing tests as a suitable approach to assess cold tolerance of plants. In this regard, it is stated that LT50su in wheat had the highest correlation with field survival index when the crown was exposed to cold stress. The present experiment was conducted to study cold tolerance and understanding the most critical growth stages of garlic ecotypes to cold stress under controlled conditions.

This experiment was conducted as a factorial based on completely randomized design with four replications in Agricultural Faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2012. The experimental factors included two levels of planting date (18 September and 21 October), garlic ecotype in four levels (Bojnurd, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Neyshabur and Khaf) and eight levels of freezing temperature (0, -3, -6, -9, -12, -15, -18 and -21°C). Plants that grown in outside conditions and acclimated to cold temperatures were transferred to the thermogradient freezer to apply cold stress. Survival percentage, Lethal Temperature 50% mortality according to the survival percentage (LT50su), plant height, leaf area, reduced leaf area temperature 50 (RLAT50), dry weight and reduced dry matter temperature 50 (RDMT50) were determined at three weeks after applying the stress.

In the first planting date, the survival of Bojnurd and Torbat-e Heydarieh ecotypes decreased 20% and 26% at -15 °C compared with zero temperature, respectively, while two other ecotypes disappeared at this temperature. In the second planting date, Khaf and Bojnurd ecotypes had a good survival at -15 °C while Neyshabur and Torbat-e Heydarieh ecotypes disappeared 60 and 67% at this temperature, respectively. Since the growth stage has an effect on cold acclimation and stress tolerance, this response can be due to difference in the growth stage of plants. However, this reaction was different depending on the ecotypes. With changing planting date from September to October, LT50su decreased 9.6 and 6 °C in Khaf and Neysabur ecotypes, and increased 3.9 and 2 °C in Bojnurd and Torbat-e Heydarieh ecotypes, respectively. In the first planting date with decreasing temperature from zero to -18 °C, the maximum and minimum decrease in height (90 and 27%) were observed in Torbat-e Heydarieh and Bojnurd ecotypes, and Neyshabur and Khaf ecotypes disappeared at this temperature. Also, in the second planting date with decreasing temperature from zero to -15 °C, plant height decreased 47, 52 and 30% in Khaf, Torbat-e Heydarieh and Neyshabur ecotypes, respectively. However, plants height of Bojnurd ecotype decreased only 4% under similar conditions. In the first planting date Bojnurd and Torbat-e Heydarieh ecotypes had the lowest decrease in leaf area (about 3 and 17%, respectively) at 12 °C compared with zero temperature, while Khaf and Neyshabur ecotypes assigned to themselves the highest decrease in leaf area (about 85 and 58%, respectively). Also, in the second planting date leaf area of Bojnurd ecotype decreased 18% at -15 °C compared with zero temperature, while in similar conditions Torbat-e Heydarieh, Khaf and Neyshabur ecotypes had 56, 38 and 58% decrease in leaf area, respectively. The lowest decrease in dry matter percentage was observed in Neyshabur (23%) and Bojnurd (22%) ecotypes in the first and second planting date, respectively, following decreasing temperature to -12 °C. Studies have shown that plants with faster growth before the frost were more sensitive to cold temperatures and as a result, damaged more. So, it seems that increasing growth of Khaf and Neyshabur ecotypes and their progress towards more advanced growth stages reduced cold tolerance of these plants in the first planting date.
 

Freezing stress decreased survival percentage and recovery of garlic ecotypes. In the first planting date Bojnurd and Torbat-e Heydarieh ecotypes had a better survival percentage and Khaf and Neyshabur ecotypes had lower survival percentage while in the second planting date Khaf and Neyshabur ecotypes had higher survival percentage than Bojnurd and Torbat-e Heydarieh ecotypes. Also, results of LT50su indicated that Bojnurd and Khaf ecotypes had higher freezing tolerance in the first and second planting date, respectively. Different reactions of garlic ecotypes at various stages of stress may be due to their genetic characteristics and geographic origin. In terms of recovery (height, leaf area and dry weight), the plants of the second planting date had more height and dry matter, as well. Based on the RDMT50 and RLAT50, moreover, Bojnurd ecotype in both planting date and Khaf ecotype in the first planting date were recognized as most tolerant and sensitive ecotypes, respectively.

  Low precipitation, high temperature and high evaporation along with excessive consumption of water sources have led to reduced quantity and quality of water sources (e.g. water salinization) in arid and semi-arid regions which ultimately affect crop growth. Environmental stresses such as salinity, cause alterations in a wide range of physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes in plants. So, identification of plants which are less affected by salinity could be of great importance in breeding programs. Kochia (Bassia scoparia) is such a crop which its high tolerance to salinity has been reported in previous studies. Since photosynthesis is the most fundamental and intricate physiological process in all green plants determining plant yield under salinity stress, the aim of this study was evaluation of the effects of salinity on photosynthetic characteristics of kochia. In order to study photosynthetic characteristics of kochia under salinity conditions, an experiment was conducted as split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three masses of kochia including Birjand, Borujerd and Sabzevar were considered in main plots and three levels of salinity (5.2, 10.5 and 23.1 dS.m-1) as sub-plots. Photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, stomatal conductance, Sub-stomatal CO2 concentration and quantum yield of PSII were measured in the youngest fully expanded leaf for seven weeks started from thirty days after imposing stress. Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids and green area were measured at anthesis. Data were analyzed using Minitab 16 and means were compared by LSD test at a significance level of 0.05. Results indicated that photosynthesis and evapotranspiration was decreased over the time after salinity imposed. Photosynthesis and evapotranspiration in different masses and salinity levels was almost the same in the 8th week after imposing salinity stress. At the end of the growth season, photosynthesis and evapotranspiration indicated too much decrease in all salinity levels and reached to a same level. In the 4th week after salinity was imposed, the highest photosynthesis was observed in Birjand, Sabzevar and Borujerd, respectively. Reduction intensity of evapotranspiration in time was more in Birjand compared to Borujerd and Sabzevar masses. CO2 sub-stomatal CO2 showed a pronounced increase in all masses and a salinity levels in the 8th weeks after salinity imposed. Results of chlorophyll fluorescence indices in the salinity imposing period indicated an improvement of these indices and finally the increase in quantum yield of photosystem II. Stomatal conductance showed a decreasing trend during time and reached to the lowest level in the 11th week after imposing stress. The lowest mean of this parameter was belong to Sabzevar mass. Stomatal conductance did not vary much till tenth week after imposing salinity while it got a steep slope decreasing trend in the other two salinity levels in week seven. Decreasing trend of stomatal conductance was stronger in treatments of 10.5 and 23.1 dS.m-1 compared to 5.2dS.m-1. Leaf content of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and total pigments at anthesis were not affected by kochia masses and salinity levels. Interaction of salinity and mass indicated a lower green area in higher salinity levels. The highest and lowest green area was observed in Borujerd mass in salinity levels of 5.2 and 23.1 dS.m-1, respectively. Results of this experiment indicated that photosynthesis and quantum yield of PSII in kochia did not vary much as salinity intensity increased. Also, content of photosynthesis pigments was not affected by salinity stress. Generally, it could be concluded that photosynthesis system of kochia is capable to maintain its normal processes although being imposed to sever salinity stress and though could be used as a model crop in plant breeding programs

In order to evaluate the effect of hydropriming on germination and seedling growth of Chickpea cultivars under drought stress this study was conducted in two separate experiments. In the first experiment the effect of hydropriming on the germination of two chickpea cultivars ILC6266 and MCC510 were studied in physiology laboratory. The second experiment was conducted in research greenhouse in same location. Drought treatments were 70, 50 and 30 percent of field capacity. Analysis of variance showed that increasing the duration of soaking in water to 24 hours, the germination percentage and germination rate increased 8 % and 25 % respectively. Seed priming increased radicle and plumule length of both cultivars, but the MCC 510 has a length of radicle and plumule was higher than the ILC 6266. Also with increasing duration of hydro to 24 hours seed length vigor of MCC 510 and ILC 6266 was increased 41% and 52% compared control condition. Based on the results of glasshouse drought severely reduced germination percentage of both cultivars, although somewhat priming could reduce the damaging effects of water stress as a priming for 24 hours could caused 100% percentage of emergence in the MCC 510. Both cultivars under drought stress in seedling death was caused without priming but The hydropriming for 24 hours could increase 74 percent dry matter chickpea cultivars compared control condition. In conjunction with plant weight vigor also increase drought stress caused a significant reduction of both cultivars in all levels of hydropriming.

In order to evaluate of seed lots germination in early stages of germination test beginning as a rapid method to evaluate the seed vigour, seed samples from twenty seed lots of oilseed rape, from four varieties (Okapy, Hyola 401, Opera and Licord) produced in 1386 to 1390 was provided. Standard germination test carried out in Seed Research Laboratory and soil emergence of seed lots examined in the Research Greenhouse of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The results showed that the percentages of final germination and normal seedlings and mean germination time had a high correlation (r = 0.84, 0.89 and 0.82, respectively) with the soil emergence of the lots. Germinated percentages in the early days of the test had significant correlation with characteristics of germination and soil emergence of the seedlots. So that, the percentages of germinated seeds on days two and three, correlated with mean germination time (r= 0.97 and 0.92) and with normal seedlings (r = 0.88 and 0.81) and with soil emergence (r = 0.83 and 0.83) respectively. Therefore, the percentages of germinated seeds in the early stages of germination can be used as an alternative and rapid method to assess the final germination, normal seedlings, mean germination time hence seed vigour of oilseed rape.

In order to study the effects of different levels of salinity stress on Salvia leriifoliagermination indices, an experiment was conducted at physiology laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2014. The experiment was arranged based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were different levels of salinity including 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 mmol, prepared by mixing NaCl and CaCl2 in a 10:1 molar ratio. Evaluated indices were germination percentage and rate, seedling length, germination seedling reduction rate, seedling dry weight and vigor index. Four non-linear regression models (linear, polynomial, 2-piece segmented and Logestic) were compared to describe the germination characteristics in different levels of salinity. The 2-piece segmented model was selected as the best one to predict germination percentage and rate, seedling length, reduction in the rate of germination and vigor index with RMSE 3.22, 0.2, 0.25 and 0.4 and R2 0.99, 0.98, 0.99 and 0.99, and Logistic model was selected as the best model with RMSE 0.01 and R2 0.98 to predict seedling dry weight, respectively. The results showed that by increasing of salinity levels, germination percentage, germination speed, seedling length, dry weight of seedling and vigor index significantly decreased. But there were no significant differences in germination indices up to 90 mmol salinity. Germination of Salvia leriifolia seeds could tolerate up to 90 mmol salinity without any significant decrease in germination properties.

In order to determine cold tolerance of field grown Mentha (Mentha Piperita L.) under controlled conditions, using electrolyte leakage index, an experiment was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, based on a completely randomized design with four replications. Experimental factors included six freezing temperatures (Zero, -4, -8, -12, -16 and -20 °C), seven harvest ‎time (November, December, January, February, March, April and May) and ‎four Peppermint organs (leaves, Stems, Stolons and Rhizomes). So, field grown ‎and acclimated Pepermint was harvested from the faculty field every month. ‎After separating the Peppermint organs, they were subjected to freezing ‎temperatures. The membrane stability index was measured through ‎electrolyte leakage (EL) and also lethal temperature 50 ‎according to EL (LT50el) was determined. The results showed that electrolyte leakages were affected significantly by freezing temperature. By reduction of freezing temperature electrolyte leakages percentage increased. Among different organs of peppermint, stolon and leaf were the most cold tolerant and the most cold sensitive according to EL and LT50el, respectively. Also cold tolerance varied according to different harvest time in all organs. However, in May, all organs had lowest cold tolerance. Also leaves and stolons had the highest and the lowest LT50el, respectively. For all organs the highest LT50el‎ was observed in May. According to the high correlation between electrolyte leakages percent and LT50el (r = 0.96**), it seems that using this index for evaluation of freezing tolerance injury in Mentha piperita could be useful.

The role of root growth on increase of yield is an important subject that is considered by plant breeders. In order to investigate root growth of 18 barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes at seedling growth stage, two separate experiments were conducted in the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2012. A completely randomized design with three replications was used for each experiment. After seeds germination in petri dishes, some seeds were transferred into gel chamber. The rest of germinated seeds were put into distilled water by use of rolled filter paper. The genotypes were compared by total root length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root diameter. Results showed that C-87-10 had highest total root length with 283 mm total root length in filter paper and 226 mm in gel chamber. Nimruz cultivar in filter paper with 139.3 mm and Sahand cultivar in gel chamber with 39 mm, produced the lowest total root length. Also Yosef, DC-85-5, C-87-10 and Nosrat genotypes had highest root dry weight and Val-fajr, Sahand and Nimruz genotypes had lowest root dry weight. in first experiment DC-85-5 and Sahand cultivar produced highest and lowest leaf length and in second experiment C-87-19 and Sahand cultivar had highest and lowest total leaf area.

In many years plant growth strongly affected by late spring frost. In order to evaluate the effects of late frost on Black Seed plants, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was carried out in college of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and five Black Seed ecotypes (Birjsnd, Sabzewar, Ferdows, Gonabad and Neyshabour) after two months growth and hardening in natural environment, were exposed to seven temperatures (0, -1.5, -3, -4.5, -6, -7.5 and -9°C) in termogradient freezer. For determining cold stress damages, Lethal Temperature (LT) for 50% of plants according to the Electrolyte Leakage percentage (LT50el), LT for 50% of plants according to the Survival percentage (LT50su), LT for 50% of plants according to the plant necrose in Test Tube (LT50tt) and Reduced Dry Matter Temperature 50 (RDMT50) were measured. Ability of plants for recovery was recorded based on leaf number and leaf area, plant dry weight and cold damage percentage of leaves. According to the LT50tt, LT50su and RDMT50 Black Seed plants can tolerated cold stress in range between -5.7 to -9.0 °C and Sabzewar and Ferdows ecotypes had the most and the least cold tolerance, respectively. At the point of ability of plants for recovery, Ferdows ecotype had the least and Sabzewar and Neyshabour ecotypes had the best plant recovery. Moreover there were high correlations between LT50tt and LT50 based on electrolyte leakage, survival and RDMT50. Electrolyte leakage and visual scoring of cold damage in test tube are rapid methods, so for assessing cold tolerance in plants LT50el and LT50tt indeces may be useful.