m. mahdieh

This research presents the application of phytoremediation to remove ammonia from effluent possessing high ammonium content and alkalinity in one of the most complex refineries in Iran. The objective of this research was to find new methods to protect and preserve water resources. At first, the algae distribution was investigated. After purifying the samples, Chlorella Vulgaris was selected as resistant algae in the areas that experienced ammonia shocks. A 10-liter container and an airlift photobioreactor with similar laboratory conditions were developed to control biomass production. Experiments were conducted over 20 days and maximum biomass production occurred in the first 16-17 days. Cell density was expressed as dry cell weight in ammonia concentration from 10 mg/L to 500 mg/L. It was also observed that when the Nitrogen content of the culture medium was less than 50 mg/L, ammonia was completely removed in both methods. At a concentration of 10 mg/L, total ammonia in both methods was removed in the first week. At 50 mg/L to 100 mg/L concentrations, about 94% of ammonia was removed in the glass container and about 95% in the bioreactor. In these concentrations, with high ammonia content, the final cell density, and absorption power were significantly low and this was evident at 500 mg/L. Prevention of water evaporation and biomass settling, better control of some vital parameters including pH, temperature, light, and energy intensity, effective mass and heat transfer, and carbon dioxide concentration led to better efficiency of the airlift photobioreactor. A noteworthy point in this result was the extraordinary performance of Chlorella Vulgaris in removing toxic pollutants such as ammonia and possibly using it in the biological systems of sanitary, refineries, and petrochemicals.

Lentil cultivar Sepehr was first introduced as FLIP 2005-53L line through LIDTN-L-08 ICARDA international nursery and was evaluated in Gachsaran and Maragheh stations in 2007-2008 cropping season. FLIP 2005-53L line in the cropping seasons 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 was evaluated in the preliminary and advanced yield trials in Gachsaran and Khorramabad research stations. After evaluating the results of advanced experiments, this line was selected to participate in the national uniform regional yield trial (2010-2013) in Gachsaran, Khorramabad, Gonbad and Moghan research stations. Stability analysis of genotypes grain yield in this experiment showed that this line had the lowest contribution in the interaction of genotype × environment using different statistical methods and also it had the lowest mean rank values ​​for non-parametric stability parameters as well as 19% increases in the grain yield (with grain yield of 1166 kgha-1) ‌ compared to the control cultivar Gachsaran (with grain yield of 978 kgha-1) and therefore can be considered as "one of the most stable genotypes" with high grain yield. FLIP 2005-53L line with average grain yield of 1902 kgha-1 in farmers field in the research-extension trials, had a 15% advantage of grain yield over control cultivar Gachsaran with grain yield of 1651 kgha-1. In addition to high grain yield, good yield stability, high resistance to fusarium disease, desirable 100-seed weight (4.2 g) and suitable plant type and plant height for machine harvesting were other reasons for releasing Sepehr cultivar. Sepehr cultivar is suitable for cultivation in subtropical regions of the country including Khuzestan, Fars, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Ardabil (Moghan) and Ilam provinces.

Cold stress is one of the main limiting factors for autumn planting of chickpea. The probability of presence of cold tolerant genes is considered to be higher in accessions originating from cold and highlands areas due to natural selection process. With this purpose, 812 Desi chickpea accessions of the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran (NPGBI) originated from cold and high altitude regions (altitude more than 1200 m) were screened for cold tolerance. The experiment was set up as augmented design and carried out in dryland agricultural research station in Maragheh, Iran, in 2018-19 cropping season. The reaction of these accessions to the natural cold temperatures in the region was investigated in comparison to tolerant cultivars (Saeed and Saral), and susceptible line (ILC533). Accessions were scored based on the percentage of frost resistance ratio (FRR). Considerable variation was observed among accessions, while the average FRR was estimated 30% and 50% in Saeed and Saral cultivars, respectively, and ILC533 was completely killed by frost. Frost resistance ratio ranged between 0 and 70 percent in NPGBI Desi chickpea accessions. In total, 114 accessions could survive natural cold temperatures and completed their life cycle. The accessions number KC215724, KC215443, KC215712, KC215905, KC215911, KC216223, KC215458, KC215468 and KC215856 showed 60% FRR, and accession number KC215724 obtained 70% FRR, and were more cold tolerant than the other accessions. Therefore, these accessions can be used for being selected and released as new cold tolerant cultivars as well as in chickpea breeding programs for target environments.