Effect of application of agronomic research findings on increasing grain yield in dryland bread wheat in East Azarbayjan*

In order to study the effect of agronomic research findings on increasing grain yield in farmer fields, a study was carried out in 150 farmers’ fields in East Azarbaijanin in 2004-2005 cropping season. Fields in Maragheh, Mianeh, Hashtrood, Charoimagh, Sarab and Ahar regions were surveyed. There were 77 questions related to the crop planting, soil fertility management and harvesting and 14 questions were designed for recommended research findings. Farmers’ answers were collected. These data were analyzed by SPSS software using t- test and stepwise regression analysis. The results indicated that differences between application of recommended research findings by Dryland Agriculture Research Institute)DARI) with common farmer management practices, except using fertilizers, were significant (P<0.01). In addition, regression analysis showed that fertilizer placement, stubble management, date of planting, depth of planting, secondary tillage system and fertilizer significantly increased grain yield. The differences in grain yield were 20.69, 16.44, 18.18, 16.61, 13.17, and 9.99 percent, respectively. It can be concluded that application of research findings by farmers through technology transfer procedures can increase dryland bread wheat grain yield.