نشریه دانش کشاورزی و تولید پایدار
سال سی و یکم شماره 3 (پاییز 1400)

Iintercropping can be considered as one of the ways to increasing the yield and production stability per unit area. So, this experiment in order to investigate yield components and yield as well as competition indices in triticale and winter vetch intercropping under different tillage systems done.

The experiment was conducted as a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Bu-Ali Sina University. Three tillage levels (conventional, reduced and no tillage) were set as main plot and five planting patterns) sole cropping of winter wetch (M) and triticale (T) and intercropping of 50T+50M, 67T+33M and 33T+67M) were considered as sub plot.

Results showed that tillage and planting pattern had a significant effect on number of spikes per m-2, number of seeds per spike, 1000-seed weight and biological and grain yield in triticale. Also, such significant impact was recorded for the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight and biological and grain yield in winter vetch. The highest grain yield for triticale and winter vetch was relvealed at sole cropping under conventional tillage. Highest LER (1.30) and RCC (4.60) were obtained from 50T+50M treatment. The positive values of the aggressivity and the higher values of the competition ratios in 50T+50M treatment for triticale indicates the competitive superiority of triticale over winter vetch or better using of inputs in intercropping. Actual yield loss and intercropping advantage were positive in triticale and winter vetch.

Therefore, by estimating the competitive indices in order to evaluate the ststuse of the two species in the intercropping, it was determined that in the different intercropping treatments, therewas no actual yeild loss which shows the superiority of intercropping over the sole cultivation of the two species. So, planting patterns of 50T+50M in addition to creating biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability, causes maximum productivity of the land.

The study was conducted to investigate the agronomic characteristics of two cultivars of chickpea in Intercropping with Dragon’s Head to determine the appropriate pattern of Intercropping. 

Here, the yield of two Chickpea cultivars in intercropping with Dragon’s head was evaluated. The research was conducted at the research station of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included solid planting of Azad, Arman Chickpea, and Dragon’s head and also intercropping 40-80% ratio of Dragon’s head with the optimum density of Arman Chickpea and 40-80% ratio of Dragon’s head with the optimum density of Azad Chickpea. 

The results showed that in the treatment of Arman Chickpea solid planting biological yield, harvest index, grain yield, and 100-seed weight were the highest rate. In contrast, intercropping treatment of 80% ratio of Dragon’s head with optimum density of Azad Chickpea showed the lowest values. Land equality ratio was greater than 1 for all treatments except for intercropping treatments of 80% ratio Dragon’s head with optimum density of Azad Chickpea and Arman Chickpea. The highest and the lowest land equality ratio was observed in the intercropping treatment of 40% Dragon’s head with optimum density of Azad Chickpea and 80% Dragon’s head with optimum density of Azad Chickpea and Arman Chickpea, respectively. The highest relative value was observed in the intercropping treatment of 60% Dragon’s head with optimum density of Azad Chickpea and the lowest was observed in the intercropping treatment of 80% Dragon’s head with optimum density of Azad Chickpea. 

According to the results, intercropping of 40% Dragon’s head with the optimum density of Chickpea in both cultivars is the best intercropping treatment.

In order to using sustainable agricultural methods and entering new species for increasing biodiversity, a field experiment performed to evaluate the effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) with application of biofertilizer on the essential oil productivity, essential oil yield and ecological indices. 

  A field experiment was carried out as split split plot based on the randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and three replication at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2019 growing season. The main factor was different planting patterns including thyme sole culture, soybean sole culture, intercropping of one row soybean+ one row thyme (1:1) and intercropping of two rows of soybean+ one row thyme (2:1). The sub plot and sub- sub plot factor were inoculation and non-inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and harvest time (first harvest and second harvest), respectively. 

The results demonstrated that the highest dry yield of thyme (634.5 g.m-2) was achieved in the sole culture of plants with application of AMF. Also, the highest essential oil yield of thyme (9.45 g.m-2) was observed in the first harvest and intercropping ratio of 1:1. In addition, the essential oil yield and essential oil yield of thyme with AMF inoculation increased by 30.86 and 11.95% compared with control. Moreover, the highest ecological indices (LER, AHER, ATER and LUE) and monetary indices (IA, MAI and SPI) were achieved in the intercropping ratio of 1:1 with AMF application. 

The intercropping ratio of 1 row soybean+ 1 row thyme along with biofertilizer could be suggested to farmers for enhancing economic income and land use efficiency.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fenugreek planting as a living mutch on the phenology, grain quality and yield of sunflower cultivars and to determine the most appropriate time for planting of sunflower. 

This experiment was done in 2016-17 growth season at Razi University. The experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design. First factor was the sowing fenugreek at four levels (control (without living mulch), 15 days before sowing of sunflower, simultaneous sowing with sunflower, 15 days after sowing of sunflower) and the second factor was three sunflower cultivars (Progress, Farrokh, Lakomka). 

Planting of fenugreek as living mulch pre-sunflower led to a decrease in the quantitative and qualitative yield of sunflower. In 15 days before sunflower condition, grain, oil and protein yields of sunflower,were 38.5%, 37.9% and 43.6% lower than control treatment, respectively. In addition, the phenological stages of sunflower growth was delayed in pre-sunflower sowing conditions. So that the occurrence of staring, flowering, head formation and physiological maturity were 69.8, 21.8, 24.5 and 82.6 days, respectively (4.4, 1.1, 1 and 3 day) more than control conditions. However, planting of living mulch simultaneous and 15 days after sunflower had a positive effect on the quantitative and qualitative yield of sunflower grains. Grain, oil and protein yields of sunflower were 39.4%, 36.4% and 43.3% higher than control, respectively. These values were 25.5%, 26.7% and 23.5% after sunflower planting, respectively. Flowering and head formation stages in simultaneous planting conditions were 20.8 and 47.1 °C (0.7 and 1.4 days, respectively) and in post-sunflower sowing conditions were 42.3 and 122.6, respectively. Day growth rates were lower (1.8 and 4.6 days) than control conditions. Among sunflower cultivars, the occurrence of different phenological stages was higher for Progress cultivar than for Farrokh and Lakomka cultivars. Farrokh had the highest oil content (36%). The highest grain yield (3426 kg.ha-1), oil yield (1203 kg.ha-1) and protein yield (536 kg.ha-1) were allocated to Lacomka cultivar. 

It seems that competition between fenugreek plants and young sunflower plants seems to lead to poor vegetative growth and delay the time of phenological growth stages of sunflower by early sowing of mulch. These results confirm the importance of selecting the appropriate cultivar and minimizing competition by choosing the optimal planting time of living mulch, which gives the pottage-assisted effect a competitive advantage.

Cover crops have a high ability to help sustainable agriculture. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of using white radish and oat cover crops as monoculture or mixed on improvement of some soil properties and potato yield. 

A field experiment in the form of randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Field of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2017 and 2018. Experimental treatments included of oat (Avena sativa L.) and white radish (Raphanus sativus L.) monoculture or their intercropping with 50% seed from each other and control (no cover crop) in 2017 and subsequently potato planting in 2018. 

The results showed that the highest biomass of cover crops was obtained from monoculture of white radish treatment (466.1 g. m-2). The highest biomass of weeds was obtained from control treatment (353.6 g. m-2). Monoculture and intercropping of oats and white radish did not have a statistically significant difference in terms of weed biomass reduction. Most of the measured soil properties, except for soil organic carbon, were affected by cover crops. Potato yield in monoculture and intercropping of cover crops did not have a statistically significant difference, but compared to the control treatment without cultivation of cover crops, monoculture of oats, white radish and their intercropping 31.45, 24.55% and 20.56% respectively, increased potato yield. 

The results of this experiment showed the positive effect of winter cover crops as monoculture and intercropping on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil as well as potato yield.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different nutrition systems and cover crops on morphological traits, yield, yield components and competitive indices of sesame in competition with weeds.  

This research was carried out in the research farm of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 2016 as a randomized complete block design with three replications and eight treatments. Experimental treatments include: 1- sesame + soybean cover crop + without fertilizer, 2- sesame + millet cover crop + without fertilizer, 3- sesame + soybean cover crop + vermicompost, 4- sesame + millet cover crop + vermicompost, 5- sesame + soybean cover crop + chemical fertilizer, 6- sesame + millet cover crop + chemical fertilizer, 7- sesame + without weeding + without fertilizer (control) 8- sesame + weeding + chemical fertilizer (control). Also, two treatments of monoculture of sesame were considered as control (weed infestation and weed free). The traits studied in this experiment include weed density and weed biomass, competitive indices, yield and yield components, as well as morphological traits of sesame. 

The results of weed sampling in three stages (10- leaf, seed dough and harvesting time) showed that the highest weeds density and biomass was in control with weed infestation and then in soybean cover crop with chemical fertilizer application. The results showed that fertilizer resources and cover crops had a significant effect on the grain yield, number of capsules per plant, seed number per capsule, 1000 seed weight, biological yield, as well as competition index (CI), so that the highest and lowest grain yields were observed in the treatment of millet with organic fertilizer (1630.22 kg.ha-1) and millet without fertilizer (413.33 kg.ha-1), respectively. The highest number of capsules per plant (41) was observed in weed control and the highest number of seeds per capsule (64.33 and 63.66) and 1000-seeds weight (2.56 and 2.53 g) in two treatments of weed control and millet cover crop with organic fertilizer application, respectively. Also, the highest rate of competition index (4.38%) was observed in millet cover crop with organic fertilizer, which showed significant effect of treatments on this index in sesame. 

The result of this experiment showed that millet cover crop, with decreasing weed density and biomass, increased sesame yield significantly. Furthermore, the use of organic fertilizers comparison to chemical fertilizers improves the properties of the soil and, also, the use of these fertilizers with the appropriate cover crops is a suitable strategy for sustainable agriculture in order to achieve greater yield and higher quality of the sesame. So, use of millet cover crop as well as organic fertilizer is recommended to improve sesame yield and proper weed management.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an approach to study the environmental impacts of product production or activities that are calculated based on two indicators of resource consumption and emissions.One of the inputs using limitations in agriculture is environmental emissions of various pollutants that have negative effects on the environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental impacts for irrigated wheat production in Ardabil provience. 

This analysis considered the entire system which was required to produce one ton of wheat grain. For this purpose, a functional unit was assumed based on ISO14040 methods.The primary data were gathered using the questioners and face to face interview with 100 irrigated wheat producers in Ardabil Province in 2018. The environmental impacts were classified into seven impact categories including global warming, acidification, terrestrial eutrophication, depletion of fossil resources, depletion of phosphate, potassium resource depletion and water resource depletion by using LCA methodology. 

The values for climate change (global warming), acidification and eutrophication, phosphate resource depletion, potassium resource depletion and water resource depletion were estimated at 0.075, 0.178, 0.401, 0.36, 0.628, 0.040, and 0.353, respectively. As a result, among environmental effect categories (EcoX) the highest environmental impacts were observed in the eutrophication categories; among the resource depletion categories (RDI), the depletion of phosphate resources had the greatest negative environmental impact for irrigated wheat production. 

It seems that the management of optimal use of chemical fertilizers, specially nitrogen fertilizer and replacing them with a variety of organic fertilizers and using the bio-fertilizers can reduce the negative environmental impacts of irrigated wheat producers in terms of terrestrial eutrophication and phosphorus fertilizers groups in Ardabil Province.

Piriformospora indica is an endophytic fungus, which transfers several benefits to hosts including enhance plant growth and induce tolerance to abiotic stress as heavy metals stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of P. indica on some morphophysiological parameters of radish (Raphanus sativus) under normal conditions and heavy metal stress. 

This experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of Agricultural Faculty of Malayer University. The experimental factors included four heavy metals (zinc, nickel, lead and control) and three fungal inoculums (inoculated with spores and mycelium and non-inoculated). Shoot dry weight, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, total soluble carbohydrate, protein and proline contents were investigated parameters. 

The results showed that the heavy metal stress significantly decreased dry weight, RWC, chlorophyll, total soluble carbohydrate, protein and proline contents; whereas inoculation with fungual spore and mycelium affected parameters such as proline, total soluble carbohydrate and protein and mitigated the adverse effect of heavy metal stress. Heavy metal stress with increasing electrolyte leakage causes membrane instability, whereas inoculation with P. indica especially spore decreased lipid peroxidation. 

Using biotic methods can play an important role in counteracting with toxic effect of heavy metals. Based on these results and because P. indica can be propagated axenically on various medium, it can be concluded that this endophytic fungus serves as a promising approach to clean soil contaminated with heavy metal ions.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an herbaceous spring-annual plant and a pseudocereal, belonging to the Chenopodiaceae, and have high nutritional value. Studies have shown that the use of organic fertilizers such as vermicompost can reduce the negative effects of salinity stress on plants and improve their growth and yield. 

This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement with three replications in a sterile sandy loam soil under greenhouse conditions. Experimental factors included vermicompost levels of 0 and 2%, and sodium chloride salinity levels of 1.06 (soil initial electrical conductivity), 5, 10, 20 and 30 dS.m-1.

The results showed that the interaction between salinity and vermicompost was significant (p≤0.05) on all measured traits. The fresh and dry weight of roots decreased in the presence and absence of vermicompost with increasing salinity. At different salinity levels (except for 30 dS.m-1), vermicompost treatment increased roots fresh and dry weight. The negative effect of salinity on fresh and dry weight of shoots was less than roots and a significant decrease occurred at 30 dS.m-1. Chlorophyll index decreased with increasing salinity but it increased significantly at all salinity levels in vermicompost treated plants. Vermicompost treatment showed a positive effect on stomatal conductance at salinity levels of ≤10 dS.m-1. Electrolytes leakage decreased in vermicompost treated plants at salinity levels of ≤10 dS.m-1.

The vermicompost application had a positive effect on the biomass production, growth status and yield of quinoa under salinity stress.

In order to study the effect of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria and Mycorrhizae Fungi application as seed coinoculation on three late maturity maize single cross hybrids seed germinability and seedling vigour a laboratory research conducted. 

Experiment conducted as 18 treatments (3 single crosses × 6 seed inoculations) two factorial based on complet randomized blocks design by four rplications. Studied Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria were Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum lipoferum, Azospirillum brasilence and Pseudomonas fluorescens and studied arbascular mycorrhizae fungi were Funneliformis mosseae and Simiglomus hoi. Also studied late maturity maize single cross hybrids were SC700, SC704 and a new promising late maturity maize single cross hybrid B73×K18. Effect of coinoculation of seeds by studied Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria and Mycorrhizae Fungi on germination ability and seedling vigour of studied late maturity maize single cross hybrids evaluated by germinability, mean germination time, coefficient of velocity of germination, mean daily germination, daily germination speed, seedling length, primary shoot length, primary root length, seedling dry weight, primary shoot dry weight, primary root dry weight and  seedling vigour Index measurement.  

The results revealed that except of mean daily germination and coefficient of velocity of germination, other studied traits affected by intractions of hybrids and coinoculation. Likewise,  revealed that application of an inoculant of  three bacteria combination and Glomus mossae have highest growth promoting effect on germinability and traits related to seedling vigour of all hybrieds and Azotobacter chroococcum and Azotobacter chroococcum+ Pseudomonas fluorescens and Glomus mossae seed co inoculation by those bacteria  have most growth promoting effect respectively. Also, revealed that studied characters of SC704 more than other hybrids affected by growth promoting effect of studied bacteria and mycorhizae and respectively B73×K18 and SC700 affected by studied Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and mycorhizae fungi stimulating effect and studied characters have high correlation among them. 

Based on this research results application of studied Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and mycorhizae fungi as seed coinoculation had considerable effect on studied late maturity maize single cross hybrids seed germination enhancement and seedling improvement. Therefore, application of them as commercial biofertilizer maybe possible through seed coating for maize cultivation development.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of biofertilizer application and drought stress on yield and yield components of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds. 

The experiment was carried out in the lands of Gomand village of Khajeh section of Harris city of East Azerbaijan province, located 15 km east of Tabriz, in a factorial manner in the main design of random complete blocks.Experimental factors were included irrigation in four levels (normal irrigation as control, water shortage at grain filling stage, water shortage at flowering stage and without irrigation) and biofertilizer at eight levels (no inoculation as control, inoculation with Azotobacter, Azosprilium, Mycorrhiza, both application of Azotobacter and Azosprilium, Azotobacter and Mycorrhiza, Azosprilium and Mycorrhiza, Azotobacter and Azosprilium and Mycorrhiza). 

The 100 grain weight, plant height seed per pod, pods per plant, protein percent, harvest index, pod length were significantly affected by different irrigations and biofertilizers treatments. The water stress caused to reduce of yield and yield components. The water stress caused to reduce of plant height seed per pod, pods plant, protein percent, harvest index, pod length and increased 100 grain weight. The application individually and combination of biofertilizer caused to increase of 100 grain weight, plant height seed per pod, pods plant, protein percent, harvest index, pod length. 

The results of this study showed that the highest level yield was achieved by applications of Azotobacter, Azosprilium and Mycorrhiza at planting in the complete irrigation conditions.

The study was performed to evaluate the animal manures effects on growth and development of sage biomass to achieve optimal essential oil yield. 

The experiment was conducted as a split plot design in time and in the form of randomized complete block with three replications in 2018 and 2019. Experimental treatments include poultry manure levels (low, medium and high: 2222, 3174, 5555 kg.ha-1, respectively), sheep manure levels (low, medium and high: 3788, 5411, 9470 kg.ha-1, respectively),, and cow manure levels (low, medium and high: 4310, 6157, 10775 kg.ha-1, respectively), chemical fertilizer, control that were compared in two cuttings. Measured traits included photosynthetic pigments, leaf area index, aerial dry weight, essential oil content and essential oil yield. 

The main effects of fertilizer and cutting on all studied traits (except carotenoids, essential oil content, respectively) were significant. Chlorophylls content, aerial dry weight and essential oil yield were significantly influenced by the fertilizer treatment × cutting interaction. In the first cutting, the highest level of chlorophylls was observed in plots receiving high level of poultry manure. In the second cutting, plots receiving high level of poultry manure had the highest aerial dry weight (2953 kg.ha-1) and this treatment had the highest essential oil yield without significant difference with chemical fertilizer treatment. 

In general, high level application of poultry manure can produce dry matter yield as well as essential oil production equivalent to chemical fertilizer treatment. Therefore, considering the optimal agronomic efficiency of poultry manure and its residual effects in the agroecosytem, it is recommended for the production of sage.

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of weed interference and non-interference in different densities of alfalfa on yield, nutritional value and some morphological traits of alfalfa as a forage crop. 

The experiment was performed as factorial and based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in two cuttings during 2018-2019 crop years. The experimental treatments were weed interference and non-interference in two levels (hand weeding and non-hand weeding) and plant density in four levels (20, 40, 60 and 80 stems per square meter). 

Weeds identified in this Alfalfa field included: Carthamus tinctorius, Centaurea cyanus, Ceratocephalus falcatus, Convolvulus arvensis, Cuscuta sp., Cynodon dactylon, Descurainia sophia, Euphorbia maculate, Poa bulbous, Hordeum morinim, Lactuca scariola, Rumex acetosella, Salvia sclarea, Sisymbrium irio, Sorghum halepense, Taraxacum officinalis, Tragopogon graminifolius, Vaccaria hispanica. The results of each harvest in the third year of established alfalfa showed that the presence of weeds caused a decrease in the quantity and quality of alfalfa forage plant. 

The results obtained in two cuttings in the third year of established alfalfa showed that the weeds caused quantitative and qualitative reduction in alfalfa. Alfalfa in the second cutting had better growth compared to the first cutting, so that the plant produced the highest fresh and dry yield in the second cutting. Weed non-interference increased the levels of superior morphological traits of alfalfa, such as fresh and dry yield, plant height, and number of leaves per plant, number of main-stem nodes, leaf area and percentage of vegetation cover as well as increased the nutritional value of alfalfa in terms of nutrient elements, proteins and factors such as ADF, Ash, CF, NDF.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drought stress on morphophysiological characteristics of ten native black seed stands in climatic conditions of Zanjan.

A split plot experiment based on completely randomized block with three replications was conducted in the field during the summer, 2018. Experimental treatments were Examined through the main factors including 70% stress and control (without stress) levels and sub factors including ten indigenous populations of black seed including Jiroft, Shiraz, Hamedan, Tehran, Kerman, Kordestan, Hormozgan, Shahrekord, Rasht and Arak.

Examination of the traits showed a significant difference between the conditions of non-stress and low water stress, which caused the highest number of lateral branches in the absence of water stress. Drought stress significantly reduced the number of capsules and grain yield. The weight of one thousand grains did not show a significant difference in the conditions of non-stress and low water stress. The highest oil content was obtained in shahrekord under drought stress treatment. Also, the highest seed yield, number of capsules, belonged to Kordestan indigenous landrace.

In general, based on the results of drought stress, it decreased grain yield and oil percentage, but the percentage of essential oil in drought stress increased. However, it was proved that these changes depend on genotype.

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming on the grain yield and its related traits of linseed under post flowering water deficit in Razi University during the 2015-2016 years. 

A factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran was used. Three factors including: two cultivars (Indian and Hungarian), seed pre-treatment factor in eight levels including five seed bacteria inoculations (Bacillus sp., Bacillus megatrium, Bacillus amyloliqueufaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas geniculata), Hydro priming, KNO3 and control treatment and 3) Stop watering after flowering and control were evaluated. 

The results showed that, in control treatment, grain yield of Indian and Hungarian cultivars (1536 and 1497 kg.ha-1 respectively) had not significant difference, but biomass yield of Hungarian cultivar (6129 kg.ha-1) was significantly higher than of Indian cultivar (4575 kg.ha-1). Water deficit caused significant reduction in grain yield, biological yield, the number of pod per plant, the number of grain per plant, thousands grain weight, the number of empty pod per plant, plant height, the number of main branches and the number of subsidiary branches in two evaluated cultivars. Seed priming treatments not only significantly mitigated water deficit effect on grain yield and its components but also in control treatment, increased these traits significantly. Bacillus megatrium and Bacillus amyloliqueufaciens had the best positive effect on evaluated traits.

It seems that use of appropriate and indigenous strains of plant growth promoting bacteria can be one of the suitable strategies for increasing the productivity of crops under drought stress conditions.

In recent years, healthy and sustainable production of agricultural products, especially medicinal plants, has received more attention. This research was done in order to evaluate the effect of humic acid spraying and different levels of spend mushroom compost (SMC) on growth and yield of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.).

In this research a split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2015-2016 growing seasons, in University of Gonabad, Iran. The main plots included Humic acid (application and non-application) and the sub plots contained different levels of spend mushroom compost (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 t.ha-1).

The results showed that effect of humic acid spraying, different levels of SMC and their interaction effects was significant on the most of studied traits. Effect of all different levels of SMC on seed yield in conditions of humic acid spraying was exacerbated, so that seed yield in simultaneous application of humic acid and 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 t.ha-1 levels of SMC, 40, 46, 37, 19 and 17% was more than sole application of this fertilizer, respectively. The highest and lowest height of lowest and highest panicle from ground level, obtained in treatment of simultaneous application of humic acid and 80t.ha-1 SMC and treatment of non application of humic acid and non application of SMC, respectively.

According to the results of this research, it seems application of ecological inputs such as humic acid and optimum amounts of SMC while improve growth and yield of castor medicinal plant, as an ecofriendly approach for development of sustainable agriculture and ecosystem health can be considered.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual and C4 plant that belongs to the family of Portulacaceae. The plant is drought- and salt-tolerant which contains high amounts of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins. Nitrogen is the key element in soil fertility and crop production. Attention to the soil quality and health has increased in recent years, especially for sustainable production of medicinal crops. So that, for production of healthy food in industrialized countries, using natural and on-farm inputs has been considered. One of the practical ways to achieve this goal is organic and biofertilizers. Given the importance of Purslane as a medicinal plant and due to the fact that there is not detailed information about the nitrogen requirement for this plant, this study was conducted to effect of organic, biological and chemical fertilizers on yield,  N and P use efficiency Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) in Birjand, Iran 

In order to investigate the effect of organic, biological and chemical fertilizers on the yield and yield components of purslane seed, an experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications in Birjand University Research Farm in crop years 2015-2016 and 2017- 2018. Experimental treatments were based on a combination of four sources of nitrogen supply: cow manure, vermicompost, fertilizer (NPK) and control (without any fertilizer application), and four types of biofertilizer including: nitroxin (including azotobacter and azospirillum), mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices), Biosulfur (including thiobacillus with sulfur) and control (without any fertilizer). The traits studied in this experiment included: biomass yield, grain yield, nitrogen and phosphorus biomass percentage, nitrogen and phosphorus biomass content, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency, seed based nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency, agronomic efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus based They were. 

The results showed that the effect of nitrogen sources on all studied traits (except physiological grain nitrogen efficiency) was significant. The highest grain yield (1959.99 kg.ha-1) and biomass yield (9782.43 kg.ha-1) were obtained from NPK treatment with no significant difference with cow manure. Also, the most nitrogen efficiency indices were obtained from NPK treatment. However, no significant difference was observed between agronomic efficiency of grain and cow manure. The highest phosphorus content and biomass phosphorus content were obtained from NPK treatment. However, with the use of organic and chemical fertilizers, the efficiency of phosphorus use decreased. The effect of biofertilizers on most of the studied traits (except biomass P percent) was not significant. Interaction of nitrogen sources and biofertilizers was significant on most of the studied traits (except grain yield, agronomic efficiency of N and P). 

Based on the results of this experiment, considering the environmental effects and increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use for sustainable production of purslane seed in Birjand region can be used as fertilizer replacement (NPK).

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the sustainability of the two autumn and spring potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) farming ecosystems. 

The study was conducted by questionnaire in Golestan Province during the period of 2017-2018. The number of samples was determined by Cochran formula. Accordingly, 120 and 60 farms were selected for autumn and spring cultivation, respectively. After determining the most important inputs and output for farms, the greenhouse effect and economic indices were determined in two farming ecosystems. 

Global warming potential and carbon efficiency were 3913.94 CO2e .ha−1 and 13.46 in autumn farming ecosystem and 1857.15 CO2e .ha−1 and 17.32 in spring farming ecosystems, respectively. In autumn and spring potato farming ecosystems, gross value of production indices were 1896 and 1158 $. ha-1; gross return indices were 518.21 and 18.34 $. ha-1, net return indices were 58.95 and -287.83 $. ha-1, benefit to cost ratio indices were 1.03 and 0.8 and productivity indices were 17.20 and 13.35 kg. $-1, respectively. 

The environmental sustainability of the spring potato farming ecosystem was higher than the autumn and the economic sustainability of the autumn potato farming ecosystem was much higher than the spring. It is recommended to continue the autumn cultivating as long as the input consumption management is improved. In the spring potato farming ecosystem, it is advisable to replace potato with products such as beans and squash because of good production potential and higher selling price in the region.

The present study was conducted to analyze the problems of organic agriculture from the perspective of the staff experts of the Agricultural Jihad Organization in West Azerbaijan Province. 

This study was applied in terms of purpose and in terms of how to collect descriptive-survey information. The statistical population was 470 staff experts of the Agricultural Jihad Organization of West Azerbaijan Province. The number of samples was calculated using Krejcie Morgan table of 217 people who were selected using simple random sampling. In order to analyze the data, exploratory factor analysis technique based on principal component analysis method was used. In order to determine the appropriateness of the data collected in the field of factor analysis, KMO coefficient and Bartlett statistic were used and the value of KMO coefficient was 0.840, which indicates the appropriateness of the correlations between the data for analysis. Is a factor and Bartlett test was used to ensure the appropriateness of the data for factor analysis.The value of Bartlett statistic was 2193.097 which was significant at the one percent level. Therefore, the data were suitable for factor analysis. 

The ranking of barriers to organic production from the perspective of experts showed that the variables of lack of proper marketing of organic products, uncertainty about the performance of organic products, the need for more management and maintenance than conventional agriculture, the focus of certification and consulting companies in large cities And the lack of access to them in the cities were the most important obstacles. 

The results of the study showed that barriers to the production of organic products from the perspective of experts of the Agricultural Jihad of West Azerbaijan Province were divided into five groups according to exploratory factor analysis, which are: motivational barriers, management, economic, educational-extension, supportive barriers. These factors explained 54.51% of the total variance of barriers to the production of ergative crops.

Application of organic fertilizer, reduced plant density in nursery and adjusted water deficit are needed in the system of rice intensification (SRI). The present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of some attributes of this system in term of the yield and yield components of rice cv. ‘Tarom Hashemi’. 

The present research was conducted in a split split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2018. The main plots included the irrigation method in two levels (flooding and deficit irrigation regimes), the sub plots were fertilizer types at three levels (control, chemical and vermicompost fertilizers) and sub sub plots were seedling density in nursery at three levels (100, 200 and 300 gram of seed per square meter). 

According to the results of variance analysis and significant interaction between factors, application of SRI (vermicompost + 200 g seed.m-2) improved paddy yield (4613.40 kg.ha-1) nearly similar to chemical fertilizer throughout improving plant characteristics such as number of tillers per square meter and fertile tiller. The results also, showed that biological yield in SRI treatment (vermicompost + 200 g seed per square meter) with average of 12335.60 kg.ha-1 was not statistically different from chemical fertilizer + 200 g seed per square meter. Furthermore, using adjusted water deficit irrigation decreased the paddy yield by only four percentage as compared to the conventional irrigation. 

In general, to avoid environmental problems caused by overusing of chemical fertilizer and, to reduce seed density in nursery and to improve water productivity, SRI i.e. integration of vermicompost fertilizer + 200 g seed per square meter + adjusted water deficit irrigation could be recommended.

One of the main factors of sustainable agriculture is organic fertilizers. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of vermicompost and urea fertilizer on quantitative and qualitative yield of sesame in field conditions.

The experiment was carried out in factorial arrangement base on randomized complete block design with three replications in the Agricultural Research, Training Center and Natural Resources of Golestan Province. Experimental factors included vermicompost at four levels (zero, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t.ha-1) and second factor was urea fertilizer at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha-1).

The results showed that vermicompost and urea fertilizer had a significant effect on all measured traits. The highest plant height, biological yield, number of capsules per plant and grain yield (1601 kg.ha-1) were recorded from the application of 150 kg/ha of urea and 7.5 t.ha-1 of vermicompost. The oil yield was increased by concomitant use of vermicompost and urea fertilizer. The percentage of oil decreased by increasing urea level and increased with increasing vermicompost amount. The highest oil percentage was recorded by application 7.5 t.ha-1 of vermicompost. With increasing levels of urea and vermicompost, harvest index was increased. There was a positive and significant correlation between yield and biomass (r = 8,850 **) and number of capsules per plant (r = 0.745 **).

Considering the role of organic fertilizers in the stability and preservation of soil specificity to achieve maximum productivity, the combined use of urea and vermicompost is recommended to increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of sesame.