Journal of Research on Crop Ecophysiology
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Winter 2017

Several studies in the temperate region have indicated that biofertilizer have the potential to improve soil properties but may also cause serious reduction in soil productivity. We studied the effects of biofertilizer and nutrient solution application on soil properties and yield of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) on four soil types of Chengdu, Hunan, Shannxi and Xiaotangshan, Beijing, China. Two profile pits were sited on each of the location of the soil unit and were described before soil samples collection from the genetic horizons of each pit for analysis of soil properties. Soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and CEC were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced with biofertilizer treated soils of Chengdu and Hunan and spinach performance was significant compared to nutrient solution treated soils. The growth of salt-sensitive spinach was very poor on Shannxi and Xiaotangshan soils with biofertilizer. Spinach height and dry matter yield after six weeks were significantly improved (p<0.05) on the biofertilizer treated soils of Chengdu and Hunan compared to Shannxi and Xiaotangshan soils and soil with nutrient solution. These results indicated that the application of biofertilizer and nutrient solution application should done with better understanding of soil properties because of its negative effects on soils and crops.

The effects of intercropping row ratio and rotation on forage yield and quality of oat and common vetch were studied to understand the possibility intercrop advantages. Oat and common vetch were intercropped twice a year for three years in the field of Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Science in Jilin Province, China. The oat to common vetch intercropping rates expressed as the ratio of the numbers of rows were 0:1, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 1:0. The intercropping advantage became significant over the years. In 2009 and 2010, intercrop sown at the row rate of 1:1, showed 97% and 23% of forage yield increase mono-cropped common vetch; and 42% and 54%  increase compare to mono-cropped oat, respectively. Nitrogen yield of the intercrop was 24% and 20% lower than mono-cropped common vetch in 2009 and 2010, but it was 79% and 93% higher than mono-cropped oat, respectively. Compared with mono-crop, intercropping presented positive effects on oat growth and dry matter accumulation, but negative effects on common vetch growth. Intercropping advantages exist when this positive effects surpluses the negative effects. Compared with continuous cropping, rotation has positive effects on oat. The effects of rotation on common vetch depended on soil nitrogen content. Higher soil N led to positive effects, while rotation on low soil N may inhibit common vetch growth. Intercropping oat with common vetch at row ratio of 1:1 under relatively low soil N content and rotation can produce the highest forage and N yield.

According to Flora Iranica, Heliobrychis section has 21 species. In this study, morphological and molecular cladistic analyses were performed for 29 Onobrychis taxa belong to Heliobrychis section. The result of morphological cladistic analysis indicate that the relationship of O. aucheri subsp. aucheri and O. aucheri subsp. psammophila were resolved (BP=52%), and O. aucheri subsp. teheranica was sister to them with 94% bootstrap support. In molecular cladistic analysis O. aucheri subsp. psammophila and O. aucheri subsp. teheranica were closest subspecies with high bootstrap support (BP=79%) but their relationships with O. aucheri subsp. aucheri were not resolved. In morphological and molecular cladistic analyses, there were no close relationships between O. menaotricha var. melanotricha and O. melanotricha var. villosa and each one formed sister group with other species. So contrast to Rechinger classification,O. melanotricha var. melanotricha and O. melanotricha var. villosa was raised to the rank of species as O. melanotricha and O. villosa.

The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of essential oils from flowers and leaves of Hyssopus officinalis L. from Esfahan province, Iran. The volatile compounds were investigated using Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry in flowering stage. Twenty nine and twenty seven compounds constituting 99.84% and 99.70 of the oil were identified in the essential oil of flowers and leaves of Hyssopus officinalis L. in flowering stage, respectively. Our results demonstrated that in the flowering stage of H. officinalis L. the major constituents grown in Isafahan of essential oil from the flowers and leaves respectively were Beta-pinene (23.38%– and 31.2%), trans-Pinocamphone (19.34% and, 15.5%), Cis-pinocamphone (27.49% and, 28.1%), myrcene (6.01% and, 6.0 %) and Sabinene (5.89% and, 6.4%).

Nitrogen fertility management is a key component in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Production To investigate the effects of manure fertilizer and chemical fertilizer (Urea) on potato yield and nitrate content (Arinda cultivar), an experiment was conducted in 2014-2015 at two regions of Khorsgan and Faridan, Isfahan, Iran. A split plot layout in a randomized complete block design with four replications was used in each location. Manure fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 ton/ha) considered as main plots, and chemical fertilizer (0, 175, 350 and 525 kg/ha Urea) was used as sub-plots. Increasing the N fertilizer application rate from 0 to 60 kg Urea per ha generally resulted in increase of fresh and dry tuber yields, percentage of large tubers, and increase nitrate content of tuber. In most cases, tuber yield was significantly different between treatment of 60 kg/ha Urea and the other tow treatments. The maximum dry tuber yield was obtained in Faridan region with application of 60 ton/ha manure fertilizer and 525 kg/ha Urea. The number tuber and fresh tuber yield in Faridan region was higher than those values in Khorasgan region. The results of this research suggested that the use of animal manure not only reduces the deleterious effects of chemical fertilizer, but also increases the yield and yield components of potato. Applying 60 ton/ha manure fertilizer along with chemical fertilizer is necessary to achieve the highest performance and to protect the soil from degradation.

One of the basic principles of sustainable agriculture is the use of organic fertilizers in agricultural ecosystems with the purpose of eliminating or substantially reducing the use of chemical inputs. To evaluate the effect of different amounts of vermicompost on some phonological and phytochemical traits of soybean, an experiment was conducted at Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Shahrekord in 2013. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design including vermicompost treatments (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ton.ha-1), chemical fertilizer based on soil testing analysis in the amount of 300 (kg.ha-1) (N.P.K: 20.20.20), and control (no fertilizer). The results showed that 40 ton.ha-1 vermicompost had a positive and significant effect on the soybean phonological stages, the content of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid. Significant reduction of the required GDD from planting to germination, flowering, and pod stage, but required GDD was observed from increased the pod stage to full maturity was significantly increased. In addition, the chlorophylls a and b content and carotenoid were increased in comparison with control treatment. It appears that due to the positive effects of organic fertilizers on soil physical and chemical properties and gradual releasing of the soil’s required elements along with the high capacity of the humidity perseverance, they can be appropriate alternatives for chemical fertilizers.