مجله علوم گیاهان زراعی ایران
سال پنجاه و یکم شماره 4 (زمستان 1399)

Water use efficiency Increasing is an effective way to optimal water use and to achieve sustainable production in a water deficit crisis. In this regard, the effect of drought stress through four irrigation regimes (after 80 (control), 110, 140 and 170 millimeter evaporation) on four sorghum varieties (Sepideh, Kimia, Payam and KGS32) was studied in the summer of 2016 and 2017 in Khorramabad, Iran. Results showed that the morphological characteristics of plant such as plant height and grain yield components decreased with increasing drought stress. Maximum number of grain per head (2286.9 seeds) from Sepideh and maximum thousand-kernel weight (23.8 g) were obtained from Payam variety in the first year under normal irrigation conditions. The highest grain yield was obtained under normal irrigation conditions with an average of 8230.5 kg ha-1 and the lowest grain yield was obtained from irrigation after 170 mm evaporation with an average of 3917.5 kg ha-1. The highest water use efficiency for grain yield (1.55 kg m-3) was obtained from Sepideh variety in the after 110 millimeter evaporation irrigation regime. Totally, Sapieh variety at after 110 millimeter evaporation irrigation regime saves irrigation water, while producing optimal economic performance and is recommended for temperate region of Khorramabad and similar areas.

Little mallow is a common weed in wheat fields of Khuzestan province, which is often controlled by tribenuron-methyl and 2,4-D+MCPA, from acetolactae synthase inhibitors and synthetic auxin herbicides. Recently, there have been some reports about poor control of this plant with these herbicides, especially in wheat fields of Southern Khuzestan. Therefore, due to the lack of research on the occurance of mallow resistance to the mentioned herbicides and to estimate the resistance level among the mallow populations, little mallow seeds were collected from wheat fields in southern Khuzestan and whole plant assays were carried out in the pot. Dose-response results revealed that the resistance factor (RF) based on fresh weight for resistant (R) populations to tribenuron-methyl, and 2,4-D+MCPA were 2.05-10.11 and 2.51-3.09 fold higher than susceptible (S) plant, respectively. Similarly, the resistance factor (RF) based on survival plants for resistant (R) populations to tribenuron-methyl, and 2, 4-D+MCPA were 2.14-34.93 and 1.99-2.91 fold higher than susceptible (S) plant, respectively. The E population, however, was not significantly different from S population in response to tribenuron-methyl.

This research was carried out to investigate the relationship between agronomic traits and yield using 132 spring wheat genotypes in alpha-lattice design with two replications at the Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad-e-Kavos. Variance analysis showed that genotypes were significantly different for all traits. The grain yield had very high correlation with the biomass, grain filling duration, seed filling rate, 1000-seed weight, spike weight, Grain weight per spike, days to heading and days to maturity at 1% of probability level. Grain yield was considered as a dependent trait. Biomass, 1000-grain weight and spike length, number and weight were entered into the regression model, respectively. The results showed that in breeding programs with the aim of increasing grain yield, selection should be based on biomass, 1000-grain weight, number and weight of spikes and days to heading. The cluster analysis was performed using the traits introduced into the regression model and traits with high correlation with the performance. Results of cluster analysis showed that genotypes 10, 12, 16, 20, 22, 25, 31, 38, 53, 54, 67, 70, 72, 87, 96, 97, 98, 112 and 123 were in group 4. Genotypes in group 4 were superior to other groups in terms of grain yield, 1000-grain weight, spike weight, grain weight per spike, days to heading and seed filling rate. It is suggested that the genotypes in group 4 should be tested in several years and locations and the best genotype(s) should be introduced.

Identification of salinity tolerant chickpea genotypes, in order to increase soil fertility in saline conditions, can be effective on crop yield stability. This experiment was conducted in hydroponic conditions as a completely randomized design with three replications to evaluate salinity tolerance of 210 Kabuli-type chickpea genotypes during seedling stage at salinity level of 12 dS m-1 NaCl. Results indicated that 57 genotypes showed survival rate of 76-100%, of which 26 genotypes were in post-flowering stage. Plant height and number of lateral branches per plant decreased as survival rate decreased. Percentage of remained leaves was not affected in the survival range of 100-51%, while it decreased in lower survivals (<50%) range. Decreases in membrane stability index were about 8, 19 and 26% in survival ranges of 51-75, 26-50 and 0-25%, respectively compared to survival range of 76-100%. Significant increase in shoot Na+ concentration was only found in survival range of 0-25%. 30, 60 percentage and 1.20 fold increase in K+ concentration and 0.47, 1.12 and 2.78 fold increases in biomass was found in survival ranges of 26-50, 51-75 and 76-100% as compared to survival of 0-25%. Generally, considerable variations were found among chickpea genotypes according to salinity tolerance which could be used in breeding programs of improving salt tolerance in chickpea.

This study was conducted to investigate the response of yield and some biochemical characteristics of quinoa to planting date, drought stress and salicylic acid as split-split-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental station of the Agricultural Faculty of Bardsir, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2018. The experimental treatments were planting date (April 5, 5 May 5 and June 5) as the main plots, irrigation levels (90, 60 and 30% of filed capacity) as subplots and foliar application (salicylic acid 1 mM and water) as sub-subplots. The results showed that grain yield for May (653.91 kg ha-1) planting date was significantly higher than April (578.7 kg ha-1) and June (460.8 kg ha-1). Decrease in consumed water to 60% of FC had no significant effect on grain yield, but the trait value in 30% of FC was significantly lower than other irrigation levels. Grain yield was significantly increased by foliar application of salicylic acid than water application only at severe drought stress. The highest oil (4.08%) and vitamin C (3.93 mg.g-1) contents were related to May planting date and non-stressed condition. Relationship of grain yield with grain antioxidant activity and carbohydrate was negative. Proline, MDA and APX values were significantly increased by drought stress, but salicylic acid could decrease the traits.Generally, the results indicated that May planting date is the most suitable planting date for quinoa in Bardsir regions and similar climates. The plant has a considerable tolerance in water stress condition based on the antioxidant defense mechanism. Salicylic acid could mitigate the negative impacts of drought stress in limited irrigation levels.

Abstract To study the effects of biofertilizers and foliar application of iron oxide nanoparticles on grain yield and some physiological characteristics of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), an experiment was carried out as factorial in randomized complete block design with three replications at the growing season of 2017, in Agricultural College of Shahrood University of Technology. Treatments consisted of foliar application of iron oxide nanoparticles at three levels (control, 1.5 and 3 g/L water) as the first factor and biofertilizers at five levels (mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae and two types of growth promoting rhizobacteria including Azospirillum and Azotobacter solution with control) as the second factor. Results showed that the highest grain yield was obtained from inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices .The interaction of foliar application of iron oxide nanoparticles and biofertilizers had a significant effect on antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, ascorbat peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase as well as total, “a” and “b” chlorophylls. The highest activity of catalase, ascorbat peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes were in 3 g/L water Iron oxide nanoparticles treatment of and non-use of biofertilizers. The highest amount of chlorophyll “a” was obtained from 3 g/L water treatment, with Glomus intraradices and chlorophyll “b” from the combination of two concentrations of iron nano oxide with two mycorrhizal fungi. It seems that among the treatments studied, Glomus intraradices had the highest effect on grain yield of the black cumin and application of 3 g iron nano oxide /L of water was highly effective in the photosynthetic pigmentation increasing and antioxidant enzymes activity.

To evaluate the yield and yield components of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and legumes, harvest index of sugarcane and land equivalent ratio in intercropping of sugarcane and legumes, experiments were conducted as randomized complete block design with 14 treatments and four replications during 2016-2017 at two locations (Dehkhoda Sugarcane Agro-industry Co. and Emam Khomeini) in Khuzestan province. The treatments were pure sugarcane, pure soybean (Glycine max L.), pure cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), pure soybean stand + rhizobium, pure cowpea stand  + rhizobium, pure sugarcane stand + mycorrhizal, intercropping of sugarcane with cowpea, intercropping of sugarcane with soybean, intercropping of sugarcane with cowpea + rhizobium, intercropping of sugarcane with soybean + rhizobium, intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and cowpea, intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and soybean, intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and soybean + rhizobium and intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and cowpea + rhizobium. Combined analysis of variance showed that different treatments had significant effects on yield and harvest index of sugarcane, land equivalent ratio (LER), cowpea seed yield, number of pods in cowpea and soybean, weight of 1000- grain of cowpea, length of pod of cowpea and soybean and number of nodules and dry weight in cowpea root. Different locations also had a significant effect on yield and harvest index of sugarcane, cowpea seed yield, number of pods in cowpea, weight of 1000- grain of cowpea and soybean, length of pod of cowpea, number of nodules and dry weight in cowpea root and harvest index of soybea. LER in all treatments was higher than one, indicating the beneficial effects of intercropping. The best results were obtained in sugarcane (inoculated with fungi) and cowpea (inoculated with Rhizobium).

Drought stress due to water scarcity is one of the most important factors reducing bean yield. To investigate the effect of irrigation cuting off and nitrogen fertilizer on the yield of pinto bean, a split-plot design was used in a randomized complete block design with four replications in the research farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources Campus of University of Tehran, Karaj, in 2018. The experimental treatments were irrigation at four levels: full irrigation (control), irrigation cut off at vegetative stage (V4), irrigation cut off at flowering stage (R1) and irrigation cut off in grain filling stage (R5) in main plots and nitrogen fertilizer application at three levels: without fertilizer, 70 kg and 140 kg of nitrogen per hectare in sub plots. Results showed that irrigation treatments significantly reduced plant height, pod / plant number, grain / pod, 100-seed weight, grain yield and harvest index. Nitrogen fertilizer application had significant effect on all traits except number of pods per pod. The average reduction in pinto bean yield was 12% at vegetative growth stage (V4), 17% at flowering stage (R1) and 49% at irrigation stage (R5). The highest increase in bean yield was 17%, observed in 70 kg N ha-1 and 9% obtained from 140 kg N ha1 compared to no fertilizer application. Therefore, it is recommended that 70 kg N ha-1 can reduce damages to pinto bean seed yield caused by irrigation cuting off in Karaj & similar regions climate conditions.

Stipagrostis pennata is one of the most important desert species to cover desert areas as well as to bind the sand which unfortunately cannot produce the best quality seed for its survival. This research was conducted to callus induction and experimental treatments included two types of explants (stem and seed), four various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) consists of 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg /L and five levels of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) consists of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg /L were applied to the Murashing and Skoog basal media. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. Results showed a significant interaction effect among explants, auxin and cytokinin on the traits related to callus induction. Seed explant showed the maximum of callus induction percentage (100%) in medium containing 3 mg/l 2,4-D with both 0.4 or 0.2 mg/l of BAP. The highest percentage of callus induction in stem node explant (60%) was obtained in 3 mg/l 2,4-D with 0.4 mg/l BAP treatment. For the surface and fresh weight of callus in both explants and the volume of callus in seed explant, 3 mg/l 2,4-D with 0.4 mg/l BAP was recognized as the best treatments. Stem node explant in the of 2 mg/l 2,4-D with 0.1 mg/l BAP treatment showed the highest volume of callus. In general, the use of seed explant in mg/l 2,4-D and 0.4 mg/l BAP treatment can be introduced as an optimized protocol.

The present study was conducted to determine the responsesof six winter hybrids of rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) to drought stress at different planting dates. A factorial split plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two years (2014-2015 and 2015-2016) in Karaj Research Field Station, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Experimental treatments included irrigation (normal and non-irrigation at flowering stage) and planting date in two levels including October 1 and November 1 in main plots, and Canola hybrids (Triangle, Brutus, Gabriella, Natali, Danob and Marathon) in sub plots. The results showed that the effects of planting date, irrigation and hybrids on plant height, stem diameter, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, grain yield and biological yield were significant. Planting delay caused 40% reduction in grain yield and 54% increase in seed number per pod. Also, non-irrigation at flowering stage decreased 25%, 30% and 24%, of number of pods per plant, number of grain per pod and grain yield, respectively. Natali hybrid had more yield than the other hybrids in both planting dates and therefore it is recommended to cultivate in Karaj weather conditions to achieve maximum yield. Lastly, October 1 date of cultivation of is proposed as the best date for cultivating in Karaj climate conditions for examined hybrids.

Intercropping is one of the most important components of sustainable agriculture. In the present study, the effects of intercropping and bio/organic fertilizers on yield of maize and pinto beans were investigated. A split plots experiment arranged in a completely randomized design was carried out with four replications. The experiment was performed in the research filed of Agricultural Faculty, University of Tehran, Iran, during 2017-2018. Four fertilizer systems, control, no fertilization, biofertilizer (Azotobacter chroococcum), organic fertilizer (vermicompost) and integrated fertilizer (Azotobacter + vermicompost) were the main plots and five cropping patterns, single cultivation of maize, single cultivation of pinto beans, replacement intercropping patterns of 50% mazie-50% pinto bean, and additive intercropping patterns of 60% maize-60% pinto beans and 80% maize-80% pinto beans were subplots. The results indicated that the highest grain yield of maize (245.8 g/plant) was observed in 50% mazie-50% pinto beans the replacement intercropping patterns under vermicompost fertilization and also, the highest grain yield of pinto beans (5.4 g/plant) was obtained by sole cropping of pinto beans and vermicompost application. Generally, the results demonstrated that the most land equivalent ratio (LER, 1.22) was obtained from 60% maize-60% pinto additive intercropping patterns, fertilized by vermicompost. Considering the aim of sustainable agriculture, which is elimination or reduction of chemical inputs application, it seems to be appropriate and reasonable using bio/organic fertilizers for additive/replacement intercropping patterns would be appropriate and reasonable.

To investigate the effects of hydropriming and foliar application of chitosan and humic acid on physiological and yield characteristics of borage, a factorial experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at Medicinal Plants Research center of Samian Ardabil in 2017. Treatments were seed priming in two levels (non-priming (control) and hydropriming for 48 hours), and foliar application in four levels (control, 0.5 g.L-1humic acid 1 g.L-1 chitosan and combination of humic acid and chitosan). Results showed that hydropriming significantly improved the grain yield (1.23 fold) and yield components of borage plants compared to control; may be through the increasing in the photosynthetic pigments content. Foliar application of humic acid, chitosan and combination of humic acid and chitosan, significantly increased the flower yield in the plants obtained from primed seeds. Although hydropriming increased the 1000-grain weight and grain yield, the foliar application caused a further increase these traits, so that, in the plants from primed seeds, the foliar application of humic acid and utilization of humic acid and chitosan were significantly increased the 1000-grain weight (1.22 fold) and biological yield (1.69fold) compared to control, respectively. These results indicate the synergistic effects of hydropriming and utilization of humic acid on borage growth and yield characteristics under field condition.

Tall festuca (Festuca arundinacea) is one of the most important crops and rangelands, with a high tolerance to different climatic conditions and its effective role in livestock feed and rangeland regeneration. In the present study, 36 populations of tall festuca from the Iranian Natural Resources Gene Bank were used that. Plant materials were evaluated in a randomized complete block design under two irrigation and rainfed conditions at Kheirabad Research Station, Zanjan, Iran, during 2005-2007. The results of the biplot method showed that the first component (as main effect of genotype or G) and second component (as genotype environment interaction effect or GE)  were 49% and 28%, respectively, and totally explained 77% of the total variation, that is showing relatively good reliability in explanation of G+GE variations. Results of the graphical method indicated that in all environments, the population G15 (Tavankash), G31 (Australia), G11 (Borujen), G25 (Occupied Palestine) and G35 (Ireland) had relatively high yield and stability. Also, according to the ideal genotype, the G35 (Ireland) and G25 (Occupied Palestine) populations were identified as the nearest populations to ideal hypothetical genotype which are the most compatible populations suggested for the environments.

In the recent years, the study of genotypic variation in terms of efficiency of mineral nutrient has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. Hence, to investigate the variation in the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) use efficiency in 6 important crop and weed species (durum wheat, common barley, naked barley, triticale, wild oat and canary grass), a pot experiment was conducted as a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with three replications in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences during 2016-17 growing season. This experiment was carried out under unfertilized and fertilized at optimum rate conditions. Concentrations of elements and dry matter were measured in stem elongation, anthesis and physiological maturity. The results of variance analysis showed a significant effect of experimental factors on efficiency (dry matter to nutrient content ratio), nutrient efficiency ratio (dry matter in control to fertilized treatment ratio) and nutrient harvest index (nutrient content in grain to total dry matter ratio). There was no significant interaction between experimental factors for the traits studied in three stages. The results also showed a significant decrease in traits as a result of fertilizer application. According to the results, evaluation of nutrients efficiency in early stages of growth is not sufficient for comparison or screening of genotypes and should be done in more advanced stages, especially maturity. Also, considering the substantial variation among studied genotypes in terms of nutrient efficiency, more detailed studies on genotypic variation seems to be useful for identifying traits related to mineral nutrient efficiency.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of salicylic acid and zinc applications on physiological, growth and menthol properties of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) under water stress conditions in 2019 at Varamin as a split plot factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment consisted of three factors, including water stress based on evaporation from Class A evaporation pan (50, 70 and 90 mm evaporation from Class A pan) as main plots and salicylic acid foliar application at two levels of 0 and 1 mM and zinc spraying at 0, 2 and 4 g/L in the sub plots. The highest amount of catalase (1.24 Units/mg proteins) was obtained under the application of 4 g Zn per L with salicylic acid and 50 mm evaporation from evaporation pan at. At all levels of drought stress, salicylic acid and zinc sulfate applications increased the catalase content. The main and interaction effects of all treatments except the interaction effects of salicylic acid on ascorbate peroxidase were significant. The results showed that the highest amount of ascorbate peroxidase (1.63 Units/mg protein) was obtained in the treatment of 4 g Zn/L with salicylic acid and in the 90 ml evaporation treatment the evaporation pan. The lowest value ​​(0.53 Units/mg protein) was obtained in the zero zinc and salicylic acid treatments at 50 mm evaporation from the evaporation pan. Zinc sulfate and salicylic acid consumption can be effective in the enzymes activity enhancement, especially catalase, where the highest catalase activity (1.24 unit / mg protein) was obtained in 4 g zinc per liter with salicylic acid and 50 ml evaporation in the evaporation pan, as well as increasing the amount of menthol, which is highly used in the pharmaceutical industry.

To identify bread wheat genotypes with higher grain yield and stability in saline regions of Iran, 17 elite genotypes along with three salinity tolerant control (Ofogh, Narin and Sistan) were evaluated in five regions including Birjand, Yazd, Zabol, Isfahan and Kerman, during two consecutive cropping seasons (2016-2018) under saline conditions. In all regions, the experiments were performed based on the randomized complete block with four replications. The result of combined analysis of variance indicated that the interactions of year×location×genotype were significant. To dissection of genotype-by-environment interaction (GE) and yield stability of genotypes, AMMI analysis and several parametric and non-parametric statistics were estimated. Based on AMMI2's biplot and stability statistics, G1, G2, G3, G6, G9, G10 and G20 genotypes were identified as the most stable genotypes. The results of correlation analysis showed that among all stability statistics, only ASV had a positive and significant association with grain yield. Taken together, our results revealed that G9 genotype had the highest grain yield (4.60 t. ha–1); hence, this genotype can be recommended as a high-yielding and stable genotype for cultivation in saline-prone regions of Iran.