مجله تولید و فرآوری محصولات زراعی و باغی
سال یازدهم شماره 4 (زمستان 1400)

Selection of high yielding genotypes is very important in sunflower. Thus, 24 new sunflower hybrids along with Golsa cultivar were evaluated in a simple lattice design (5×5) with two replications in the Agriculture Research Station of Gorgan, north of Iran, during 2020. The genotype by yield × trait (GYT) biplot method was used in order to study the relationships between different traits and to select the new hybrids of sunflower based on yield-trait combinations. The result of polygon view of GYT biplot indicated that G19 was the best genotype in terms of the combination of seed yield with traits such as stem diameter, head diameter, seed number per head, thousand seed weight, early maturity and leaf number. Similarity, G5 also was superior genotype in terms of the combination of seed yield with a number of traits, including plant height, head height from ground level, leaf length, leaf width and petiole length. Based on average tester coordinate (ATC) view of GYT biplot, the genotypes G19 and G5 in terms of all positive yield-trait combinations were recognized as the best genotypes and genotypes G24, G23 and G25 as the weakest genotypes. A significant positive correlation was observed between seed number per head, thousand seed weight and early maturity in combination with seed yield. Moreover, these traits had high broad sense heritability. Therefore, it seems that traits such as seed number per head, thousand seed weight and early maturity could be used as suitable selection criterions for increasing seed yield in sunflower.Selection of high yielding genotypes is very important in sunflower. Thus, 24 new sunflower hybrids along with Golsa cultivar were evaluated in a simple lattice design (5×5) with two replications in the Agriculture Research Station of Gorgan, north of Iran, during 2020. The genotype by yield × trait (GYT) biplot method was used in order to study the relationships between different traits and to select the new hybrids of sunflower based on yield-trait combinations. The result of polygon view of GYT biplot indicated that G19 was the best genotype in terms of the combination of seed yield with traits such as stem diameter, head diameter, seed number per head, thousand seed weight, early maturity and leaf number. Similarity, G5 also was superior genotype in terms of the combination of seed yield with a number of traits, including plant height, head height from ground level, leaf length, leaf width and petiole length. Based on average tester coordinate (ATC) view of GYT biplot, the genotypes G19 and G5 in terms of all positive yield-trait combinations were recognized as the best genotypes and genotypes G24, G23 and G25 as the weakest genotypes. A significant positive correlation was observed between seed number per head, thousand seed weight and early maturity in combination with seed yield. Moreover, these traits had high broad sense heritability. Therefore, it seems that traits such as seed number per head, thousand seed weight and early maturity could be used as suitable selection criterions for increasing seed yield in sunflower.

In order to investigate the effect of zeolite on growth indices, yield and grain yield components and protein of lentil in dryland and supplementary irrigation conditions, a field study was conducted in Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. The experiment was performed as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor included three levels of irrigation (rainfed, one stage of supplementary irrigation and two stages of supplementary irrigation) and the second factor included the application of three levels of zeolite (0, 10 and 20 tons ha-1). The results showed that supplementary irrigation increased the grain yield. Application of zeolite moderated the effect of drought stress. Zeolite improved grain yield, this improvement occurred under both supplementary irrigation and rainfed conditions. Though, the interaction of supplementary irrigation and zeolite on yield and yield components was not statistically significant. Supplementary irrigation and zeolite had a significant effect on growth indices and improved growth indices during the growing season. The highest grain yield (1741 kg ha-1) was obtained when supplementary irrigation was applied at two stages. Application of 20 tons ha-1 of zeolite increased grain yield by 50% compared to the control. Therefore, according to the findings of the present study, in conditions of water restriction, application of 20 tons ha-1 of zeolite may benefit lentil cultivation in Shahrekord, Iran.

Due to the increasing need of the country to imported edible oil and rapeseed importance among oilseeds, efforts to increase its grain yield and oil content are of high importance. Therefore, recognizing the traits that increase grain yield of rapeseed has an important role in the success of breeding programs. Thus, sixteen rapeseed genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in three regions with different climatic conditions in Iran, including Karaj, Isfahan, and Hamadan in 2016-2017. Traits such as number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, grain yield, 1000-grain weight, plant height, height of the first branch, stem diameter, oil percent, number of days to flowering, number of days to the end of flowering, duration of flowering, and number of days to maturity were measured. Stepwise regression analysis showed that number of grain/pod, number of days to maturity and number of pods/plant (R2 = 97.7), number of pods/plant and number of days to maturity (R2 =78.4) and number of days to maturity and number of grains/pod (R2 = 45.5) accounted for total variations of grain yield in Karaj, Isfahan and Hamadan, respectively. The results showed that the number of days to maturity, number of pods/plant, number of grain/pods, stem diameter and plant height had the greatest positive effect on grain yield and oil content. Therefore, these traits can be used as suitable selection tools for increasing grain and oil yield in winter rapeseed breeding programs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diversity and predict the response to selection in different traits of 16 quinoa genotypes, which was done in a randomized complete block design in Karaj and Kermanshah. The genotypes had a statistically significant difference (p ≤0.01) for the majority of the traits, and they were distributed in four biplot regions. Genotypes 14, 15, and 16 had the highest, and genotypes 5 and 6 had the lowest grain yield and grain harvest index. While the main panicle diameter, grain harvest index, day to physiological maturity, day to main panicle color change, 1000-grain weight, and day to flowering had the highest positive alignment with yield component, day to ten leaf trait had a strong but negative connection with it.  The highest genetic distance was observed between the first and third clusters, which can be achieved by crossing the selected genotypes of these two clusters, to create the greatest genetic diversity in the dividing generations. Grain harvest index and diameter of the main panicle with the highest coefficient of genetic diversity, high heritability, and the highest genetic progression were identified as two desirable traits with a high selection response.  Positive selection for these two traits and negative selection for day to ten leaf traits are suggested in future breeding programs of this plant. In general, due to the limitation of direct selection to improve grain yield, also according to the significant correlation (r = 0.994***) between the new parameter of "percentage difference between phenotypic variation coefficient and genotypic variation coefficient" with broad-sense heritability, the use of this new genetic parameter to select desirable agro morphophysiological traits is recommended.

In order to investigate the effect of seed priming on yield, yield components and some quality characteristics of rainfed wheat Azar2 cultivar, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the Research Field of Kurdistan University, Sannandaj, Iran during two seasons (2018-2020). Priming treatments included control (nonprime), potassium chloride (1%), urea (2%), zinc sulfate (0.6%), calcium chloride (1.4%), vitasprin (1 g. l-1), cytokinin (50 ppm) and water (hydroprime). The results showed that in both years, priming of seeds with calcium chloride and water had positive effects on grain yield. In 2018-2019, calcium chloride priming increased the grain yield by 41% due mainly to increasing the number of spikes, biological yield and thousand kernel weight. In 2019-2020 grain yield increased by 10% due mainly to increasing thousand kernel weight. Also, in 2018-2019, seed priming with water increased grain yield by 27% due mainly to increasing the number of spikes and biological yield, and in 2019-2020 the 21% increase in grain yield was achieved by increasing biological yield and thousand kernel weight. Given the positive effects of hydropriming in both years and the high cost of using chemical compounds and nutrients for seed priming, hydropriming is proposed as a cost-effective method to increase grain yield of wheat in rainfed conditions.

In this study, 14 advanced chickpea genotypes selected from regional experiments with Adel and Azad, as control cultivars, were cultivated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in eight environments (Gonbad, Gachsaran, Ilam and Khorramabad in three, two, two and one years, respectively) in Iran during 2017-2020 growing seasons. Combined analysis of variance showed that environment, genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) explained 43.5, 19.8 and 36.7% of the total variation of grain yield, respectively. The first and second principal components accounted for 50.89% and 19.39% of variation, respectively. The polygonal view of biplot showed that genotypes G11, G14 and G9 were the most adaptable genotypes for environments E2, E3, E6, E7, E8, E4 and E5 and G8, G5 and G13 for E1. Based on average tester coordinate (ATC) view, genotypes G11, G5, G13 and G14 were the most stable and high-yielding genotypes. The GGE-biplot based on genotype-focused scaling showed that genotypes G11, G14, G8, G9 and G13, in the circles around the ideal genotype, were the most preferred genotypes. The priority index (PI) showed that in all environments and favourable environments (environments with higher than average grain yields), genotypes G11, G9, G16, G13 and G14 and in unfavourable environments (environments with lower than average grain yields), genotypes G11, G13, G14, G12 and G5 were superior genotypes. Based on different biplot views as well as priority index, genotypes G11, G14 and G5 had grain yields higher than average yield and yield of Adel and Azad cultivars. Further, given their grain yield stability in all environments they can be suitable candidates for introduction of new cultivars.

The pod drop and seed losses in rapeseed is one of the most important problems in the cultivation of this plant and determining the most appropriate harvesting time can greatly prevent this problem and subsequently reduce the grain yield reduction. Thus, the present research was conducted as a split-plot in time in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications during the crop year of 2019-2020 in the Research Station of the Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht. The main factor was rapeseed genotypes at 22 levels and the subfactor was harvesting time at three levels (including the amount of moisture between 30-40, 20-30, and 10-20% in the third grade of the lower stage of the original stem). The results of analysis of variance showed that in addition to the significance of yield-related traits in rapeseed lines, the interaction of lines in time was also significant, which shows the effect of harvesting time on rapeseed lines is different. In most of the lines, the highest and lowest grain yields were related to the first and second harvesting time, respectively. The highest grain yield was found for SRL-98-17 with a mean of 3662 kg ha-1. Number of siliques per line due to loss of pods decreased from the first to the third harvesting time. However, SRL98-9, SR-98-19, SRL-98-1 and SRL-98-11 had the lowest loss of grains. According to these results, it seems that the first harvesting time results in the highest grain yield, hastens the harvest of rapeseed by one week, and potentiates it as a suitable choice for inclusion in the rotation after a rice crop.

Water shortage seriously threatens crop growth and development especially in semi-arid areas. Association of plants with beneficial soil microorganisms is a strategy for plant adaptation to environmental stresses. In this study, the effect of seed inoculation of rapeseed genotypes with mycorrhiza-like fungus (Piriformospora indica) and growth-promoting bacterium (Arthrobacter siccitolerans) was investigated on some yield and physiological indices under non-stress and drought stress conditions. The results showed that the stress reduces grain yield (19.5%) and oil concentration (23%) while physiological attributes including activity of anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and malondialdehyde) and content of proline increased. Seed treatment with P. indica and A. siccitolerans under stress condition reduced the activity of enzymes and content of proline whereas improved grain and oil yields compared to the non-stress condition. Although the alleviation effect of bacteria and fungi on the studied traits was similar, the effect of fungi on proline content and oil yield became more noticeable. Also, under non-stress condition, the use of these microorganisms reduced the activity of enzymes and content of proline. It is noteworthy that due to the high variability of the proline content, it can also be introduced as an indicator of stress in biological treatments assessment. Overall, the results showed that despite the differences in the response of genotypes to treatments, the application of both microorganisms increases grain yield and oil yield under both non-stress and water stress conditions, and the biological treatments, particularly P. indica could be used to alleviate water stress effects on rapeseed genotypes.

Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which injures plants by limited water absorption and nutrient imbalance and limits crop growth. In order to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on physiological traits of quinoa at high salt concentrations, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete block with three replications in 2019. The first factor included 5 levels of salinity (100 (control), 200, 300, 400, 500 mM) and the second factor comprised of 4 levels of nitrogen fertilizer (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm). Traits that were measured included quantum yield, photosynthetic efficiency index, shoot dry weight, proline content, soluble sugar content, malondialdehyde content, catalase and peroxidase activity, shoot potassium and sodium content. Results showed that quantum yield, proline content and soluble carbohydrate were affected by salinity and nitrogen concentration. With increasing salinity levels from 100 to 500 mM, quantum yield, proline and soluble carbohydrate content increased, but with increasing nitrogen levels from 50 ppm to 200 ppm soluble carbohydrate and proline content decreased and increased, respectively. Shoot dry weight, malondialdehyde content, catalase and peroxidase activity, shoot sodium and potassium content were affected by the interaction of salinity and nitrogen levels. Results showed that at high levels of salinity and increasing nitrogen levels to 150 and 200 ppm, shoot dry weight and shoot potassium content decreased, also malondialdehyde, catalase, and peroxidase activity and shoot sodium content increased. According to these results, in low (100 and 200 mM) and medium (300 mM) salinity levels application of 200 ppm nitrogen and in high salinity (400 and 500 mM) levels application of 50 ppm nitrogen in nutrient solution of quinoa is reasonable.

The effects of the encapsulation of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil with chitosan on the shelf life and quality of pomegranate seeds were studied in an experiment based on a completely randomized design with eight treatments, including different ratios of chitosan to S. bachtiarica essential oil (control, 1:1–0.3, 1:1–0.6, 1:2–0.3, 1:2–0.6, 1:3–0.3, 1:3–0.6) and three replications. The results showed that the highest fruit extract pH was observed in the control treatment before the storage period. The post-storage control treatment exhibited the highest total soluble solids (TSS). The highest organic acid was obtained from the extract treated with the chitosan: essential oil ratio of 0.6-1 and from the control plants before the storage period. The post-storage control treatment had the lowest organic acid content. During the storage period, anthocyanin content was decreased significantly relative to the control treatment before the storage period. The chitosan:essential oil ratios of 3-0.3 and 3-0.6 brought about the highest antioxidant capacity. During the storage period, the application of chitosan:essential oil ratio of 2-0.6 increased phenol content compared to the control before the storage period. The highest weight loss was observed in the treatment of chitosan:essential oil ratio of 3-0.6. Overall, coating pomegranate seeds and selecting an appropriate concentration of S. bachtiarica for incorporation into the chitosan coating can contribute to preserving the shelf life, marketability, and nutritional quality of pomegranate seeds.