نشریه پژوهشهای زراعی ایران
سال بیستم شماره 2 (پیاپی 66، تابستان 1401)

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual plant belong to Fabaceae and is one of the traditional medicinal plants worldwide. It can provide seed and protein suitable for human's nutrition as well as animals. Water scarcity is a key threat in twenty-first century. On average, 40% of the world land surface are drylands, while this surface area is 90% in Iran. Supplying water requirement of Fenugreek through irrigation is an important factor affecting its growth and yield.

The experiment was conducted as split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture of shahed university, Iran, in 2014 and 2016. The main-plot was three levels of drought stress, included severe drought stress (20% field capacity), moderate drought stress (40% field capacity), mild drought stress (60% field capacity) and non-drought stress (80% field capacity) as control. Sub plots were nine Fenugreek ecotypes including Neyshabur, Shirvan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Roudsar, Isfahan, Hamadan, Ardestan and Shiraz. At maturity, and the plants were harvested from the soil surface and the plant height and number of lateral branches, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield and aboveground biological yield were measured in the lab. Statistical analysis carried out using SPSS version 16 software. Significant difference was set at p ≤ 0.05 by using Duncan’s multiple range test.

Results of stepwise regression showed that the traits including biomass, harvest index, branch length and number of pods per plant explained 96.7% of grain yield variation, respectively. Factor analysis for morphologic, yield and component yield traits showed the first three independent factors explained 93.48% of total variance in all genotypes. Days to maturity with 36.47% of total variance had the highest amount in the first factor, while, number of seeds per plant and seed yield with 29.74% and 27.07% of total variance were ranked as second and third factors, respectively. Cluster analysis by Ward’s minimum variance, clustered ecotypes into three groups including 1- Isfahan, Ardestan, Hamedan and Shiraz 2- Mashhad and Tabriz 3- Shirvan, Rudsar and Neyshabur. The results showed that, the plant height, Internode length, number of pod and seed per plant, 1000 seed weight, biological and seed yield and harvest index significantly affected by drought stress and ecotypes. The highest plant height, number of pods, 1000 seed weight, biomass, seed yield and harvest index was recorded in Shirvan ecotype while, the longest day to maturity and height of first pod were observed in Neyshabur ecotype at 80% FC. The highest plant height, the first formed pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield and harvest index in Shirvan ecotype were observed in the 40% FC.ConclusionDrought stress reduced all studied traits in all Fenugreek ecotypes in this experiment. For seed yield, the performance of shirvan ecotype was the best compare to other ectypes in control and mild and moderate stress condition. The highest distance of the first pod from the soil surface in the control condition was observed in the Neyshabur ecotype but in the moderate stress condition in Shirvan ecotype, this trait is important for the mechanized cultivation. Based on the results, there is a reliable variation amongst different Iranian Fenugreek ecotypes and they could use for breeding programs against drought stress. It also seems that Shirvan ecotype of Fenugreek can be considered for stable seed and biomass production under moderate drought stress and normal conditions.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an annual and autotetraploid plant of the Solanaceae family that uses its underground tuber. In 2019, among West Asian countries, Turkey and Azerbaijan had a higher level of potato cultivation than Iran.  Nitrogen consumption management in potato cultivation is one of the factors affecting the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the tuber yield produced. Some researchers consider potato yield it consists of three components the number of stems per square meter, the number of tubers per stem, and the weight of tubers per plant. One of the problems with the overuse of nitrogen fertilizers is the accumulation of nitrate in the tubers. The amount of nitrate allowed depends on the diet of the person. Some studies show that from 93 mg per day of nitrate consumed per day for an adult, 33% to potatoes, 21% to green leafy vegetables, 15% to other vegetables, 8.5% to beverages, 4.2% to Meat products account for 2.1% to various grains, 1.6% to bread and 5.1% to other items.

The present study conducted in 2018-2019 in Kabootarabad Agricultural Research Station of Isfahan. The effect of N application and nitrogen splitting on the tuber yield and nitrate accumulation of potato tubers in this study investigated. For this purpose, the split plots tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications in which three nitrogen levels (90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) of the main plots and two nitrogen splitting methods (three and four stages) formed the sub-plots. At harvest time, two meters of the middle rows of each plot used to estimate the yield. Tubers with less than 35 mm in diameter considered non-marketable yield. To measure tuber nitrate, the prepared samples placed in paper bags and sent to the laboratory of Soil and Water Research Department of Isfahan Agricultural Research Center. After washing, the samples grated and after drying in an oven (temperature 65 °C) and grinding in a shaker (shaker), the amount of nitrate determined by spectrophotometry. All soil and plant tests performed in the laboratory. SAS software used to analyze the data and Duncan's multiple range test (at 5% probability level) used to compare the means.

The effect of nitrogen interaction and its splitting on total yield and efficiency of nitrogen utilization at the level of one per cent and on the characteristics of marketable yield, non-marketable yield, tuber nitrate, number and weight of tubers at the level of five per cent was significant. With the consumption of 180 and 270 kg N ha-1 by the four-step splitting method, the non-marketable yield was equal to 11.2 and 14.43% of the total tuber yield, respectively. With the consumption of 270 kg N ha-1 and three stages of nitrogen splitting, the amount of nitrate in the tuber reached 197 mg kg-1 of fresh weight of the tuber. In both three- and four-stage nitrogen splitting methods, nitrogen application efficiency reduced to one third by consuming 270 kg N  ha-1 compared to 90 kg N ha-1 treatment. Therefore, the use of nitrogen fertilizers in excess of the recommended amounts can, in addition to economic losses, be associated with a decrease in fertilizer use efficiency and an increase in tuber nitrate beyond the allowable limit.

The results showed that nitrogen splitting is a correct management approach when it recommended based on the amount of nitrogen consumption (in this study 180 kg ha-1). The use of excess nitrogen, even in splitting, not only did not increase economic yield but in some treatments (three-stage splitting of 270 kg N ha-1) was associated with an increase in tuber nitrate beyond the allowable limit (170 mg kg-1 tuber fresh weight). In the amount of nitrogen application more than the recommended fertilizer, in both methods of nitrogen splitting, the efficiency of fertilizer application decreased. So that in the treatment of 270 kg N ha-1 compared to the treatment of 90 kg N ha-1, the efficiency of fertilizer application reached one third.

Drought stress is one of the most important factors in reducing crop production in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In recent years, the use of growth stimulants to prevent the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and induce tolerance to environmental stresses has increased in order to achieve the goals of sustainable agriculture. Unlike chemical fertilizers, these compounds with the least adverse environmental effects are involved in increasing crop yields and conserving natural resources. The use of growth stimulants is one of the promising ways to overcome drought stress. Based on reports expressing the positive effects of growth stimulants drought tolerance, the present study was designed to investigate the moderating effect of growth stimulants at different irrigation intervals on improving yield, yield components and nutrient concentration in wheat.

The experiment was performed as a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. This research was conducted during the growing seasons of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center (Darab Agricultural Research station). The main factor includes different irrigation intervals at two levels (irrigation after 70 and 140 mm of cumulative evaporation from Class A evaporation pan) and the secondary factor includes the use of growth stimulants at seven levels (control, soil application of humic acid, foliar spray of amino acids, fulvic acids and seaweed extract, seed inoculation of Azotobacter and the combination of growth stimulants). The amount of irrigation water required in irrigation treatments was determined based on soil moisture supply at the depth of root development to reach the field capacity. Soil moisture was measured by weight method and through soil sampling in the middle of each plot to determine the evacuated moisture after reaching the desired cumulative evaporation. Foliar application of amino acids, fulvic acids and seaweed extract was performed at the concentration of 5 kg m-3of water in two stages of tillering and complete emergence of spike. Humic acid fertilizer at a rate of 5 kg.ha-1 was applied in the early stages of growth with the second irrigation. Seed Azotobacter inoculum was used at a rate of 1.5%. Finally, the concentration of nutrients in straw and grain, straw and grain dry weight, biological yield, harvest index and yield components were measured. Analysis of data variances was performed using SAS software version 9.1. Bartlett test was performed on all studied traits.

The results showed that the highest concentration of macro and micro nutrients in grain and straw were obtained in the combined treatment of growth stimulants. After this treatment, a significant increase in the concentration of nutrients was observed in the individual consumption of growth stimulants. Combination treatment of growth stimulants increased wheat biological yield by 18% compared to the control. Also, at a lower level, individual application of growth stimulants improved the biological yield compared to the control. The combination of growth stimulants and subsequently the individual application of these compounds improved the yield components of wheat. In the first and second year, irrigation after 140 mm of cumulative evaporation reduced the biological yield by 14 and 25% compared to 70 mm of cumulative evaporation, respectively. Also, irrigation after 140 mm of cumulative evaporation reduced the dry weight of straw, grain yield and harvest index compared to 70 mm of cumulative evaporation. In general, the results showed that the uptake of some nutrients was affected by the 140 mm cumulative evaporation treatment from the evaporation pan. However, in the second year of planting, due to the presence of frequent rains before flowering, the treatment of 140 mm of cumulative evaporation from the evaporation pan had less effect on nutrient uptake.

Overall, the use of a combination of growth stimulants was effective in increasing grain yield, biological yield and yield components of wheat. The results of this study showed that the growth stimulants to some extent caused drought tolerance by improving nutrients uptake. Therefore, the combination of growth stimulants in both normal irrigation and drought stress conditions can be used to improve nutrient uptake and wheat grain yield.

One vital area of research about medicinal plants is to study the different environmental conditions affecting the quality of these plants. Also in the research of medicinal plants, it is necessary to investigate and find the optimal conditions to produce the plants with the highest possible yield. Knowing the proper planting date of medicinal plants for each region can be effective in increasing the yield. Cultivation date is one of the main factors in determining the yield of black seed. Accordingly, in different regions, different times have been suggested for the cultivation of this plant. On the other hand, due to the environmental problems caused by the use of chemical fertilizers, the use of organic fertilizers can be used as a solution to increase the yield of medicinal plants. Therefore, vermicomposting can increase yield by improving the condition of the soil bed.

The factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications in the field of Fasa in 2021. The first factor includes six planting dates (3 February, 19 February, 5 March, 21 March, 4 April and 21 April) and the second factor includes vermicomposting at three levels (control, no fertilizer and vermicomposting 5 and 10 tons Per hectare). The Vertebrate application of vermicomposting was used. At the end of the growth period, nutrient concentrations, physiological traits and grain yield and yield components were measured.

The results showed that acceleration or delay in planting reduced the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus in black seed. Delay in planting may have reduced nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by reducing root growth and nutrient uptake. Also, the highest nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of leaves was observed in the use of 5 and 10 tons of vermicompost fertilizer. At different planting dates, the use of vermicompost reduced ion leakage and increased the relative leaf water content and chlorophyll content. Consumption of vermicompost due to improved absorption of nutrients such as nitrogen has led to more synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Therefore, considering the key role of elements such as nitrogen in the structure of chlorophyll, it seems that the supply of this element is the main reason for the increase in leaf chlorophyll in this study. Also, 10 tons of vermicompost increased the grain yield on planting dates of 19 February and 5 March by 13.2% and 17.8%, respectively, compared to the control. Production of higher yield at the vermicompost level compared to the control is due to the absorption of more nutrients as well as the improvement of photosynthetic pigments and the relative content of leaf water. Early sowing on 3 February and delay in sowing on 4 April and 21 April caused a significant decrease in harvest index and 1000-seed weight.

Late planting shortens the vegetative growth period, the plant enters the reproductive stage earlier and the plant is faced with a lack of photosynthetic resources. Also, the grain filling period is faced with drought stress and heat at the end of the season, and this end stress on grain weight causes a severe reduction in yield. On the other hand, vermicompost has been able to provide the plant with nutrients in an acceptable amount and has the right conditions for growth and increase yield. Therefore, vermicompost has increased the growth of black seed by providing a suitable growth environment. In total, the planting date is 19 February to 21 March and the use of vermicompost fertilizer 10 tons per hectare for planting black seed is recommended. Therefore, the use of vermicompost to increase the production of seed yield in Nigella sativa can be an interesting perspective in the production of this plant for industrial and pharmaceutical applications.

Potato is one of the most valuable food products. Indeed, no product has the capacity to produce energy per unit area compared with it. Potato has been an important part of the diet in most countries, especially in developing countries. Conventional cropping systems emphasize short-term goals such as high profitability and yield, and their maintenance costs are maximized due to the use of external inputs such as fertilizers and chemical pesticides, so with no use of external inputs, yield is greatly reduced. On the other hand, sustainable farming systems are systems that rely on low-energy inputs and small amounts of chemicals for long-term production stability and environmental adaptation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different cropping system management on yield, yield components and weed diversity in potato cultivation.

This experiment was conducted during the two years of 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 in the farm of Ran-Firoozkooh Cooperation Ltd., located at 10 km east of city of Firoozkooh city. The experiment was conducted as split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. In this research, various agricultural management assigned to the main plots and weeding and no-weeding operations were allocated to the sub plots. Cropping systems include the high input, medium input, low input and ecological. At the early June, the potato seed tubers were planted in plots of 15 × 6 m (with a distance of 70 cm between the rows, 22 cm on the rows) in all cropping systems. At the end of the growing season (Oct, 1) potato tubers were harvested. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.1 and figures were prepared using MS-EXCEL software.

Mean comparisons showed that the highest single tuber weight (87.6 g) obtained from high input system, which was 26% higher than the low input system. The results also indicated that the weight of single tuber was increased with increasing weed control, so that the highest rate of this trait was obtained from weeding treatments. In the ecological system, the yield of the tuber in the weed control treatment was significantly different than the weedy treatment. The highest amount of tuber yield was resulted in the high input system and in weeding treatment which was significantly higher than the ecological system and the weedy treatment. In the high input system, more access to nutrients (NPK) resulting in improved yield and growth component. The phosphorus used in the high input system has different roles such as cell division, fertilization and development of reproductive organs. This can improve root and tuber development and increase water absorption and nutritional elements. Another reason for the increased yield in medium and high-input cropping systems could be assigned to the reduction of weed density in these systems. Means comparison showed that the nitrogen content of tuber in the high input system was 1.34%, which was higher than the low input system by 13%. The highest level of this trait was obtained in weeding. Plants grown in the high-input system stored more of nitrogen in their tissues due to the higher input of nitrogen fertilizer. Dzida and Jarosz (2006) reported that in a greenhouse experiment, the application of nitrogen fertilizer had a positive effect on nitrogen accumulation in the shoots of savory (Satureja hortensis). On the other hand, Derakhshan et al. (2018) stated that increasing nitrogen fertilizer is not only not beneficial to the crop, but also complicates the weed problem, in which case weeds absorb nutrients faster and more than the crop. There was a negative correlation between increasing the use of inputs and Shannon-Wiener index, so that ecological system (1.32), which was without the use of inputs, had the highest rate of this index and the lowest one was observed in the high input system (0.87). The main reason for the loss of biodiversity in conventional farms compared with low and ecological systems seems to be the intensification of agricultural operations, which is associated with excessive consumption of inputs, including herbicides.

In general, the results of this study showed that with increasing input, yield and yield components of potatoes increased. The results also showed that the highest amount of nitrogen was observed in tubers, potato shoots and also in weed tissues in the high input system and therefore it can be suggested that more use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in more nitrogen storage in different plant tissues. On the other hand, with the decrease in the input in ecological and low-input systems, the amount of Shannon-Wiener diversity index increased so that the highest amount of this index was observed in ecological and low-input systems. Considering the reduction of environmental pollution in ecological systems, it seems that such systems are environmentally friendly and if such services can be valued, the ecological system will be more superior compared with the conventional ones.

It is well accepted that application of chemical fertilizers contaminates the water and soil resources and reduces the quality of agricultural and medicinal products, which subsequently creates serious environmental issues. Currently, to improve soil fertility and have sustainable production, bio-fertilizers as an alternative to the chemical fertilizers have been widely applied. Product quality and production sustainability are very important parameters for medicinal products. In agricultural system, weeds are an inevitable part of the process which can negatively affect the production of the medicinal plant. Weeds can compete with medicinal plant for water, nutrient, light, space, and carbon dioxide access, which subsequently reduces quantitative and qualitative yields of the plant and increases crop yield losses. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different fertilizer sources on biochemical traits of basil plant in control and non-control conditions with weeds.

This experiment was split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replicates and was conducted at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran. The treatments consisted of competition between plants and weeds (weedy and weed free) as the main factor and sub factors were fertilizer sources as: 1- control (no fertilizer), 2- NPK fertilizer (urea fertilizer (100 kg ha-1) + triple super triphosphate (100 kg ha-1) + potassium sulfate (80 kg ha-1)), 3- humic acid (15 l ha-1), 4- animal manure (20 ton ha-1), 5- NPK fertilizer (urea fertilizer (50 kg ha-1) + triple super triphosphate (50 kg ha-1) + potassium sulfate (40 kg ha-1)) + humic acid (7.5 l ha-1), 6- NPK fertilizer (urea fertilizer (50 kg ha-1) + triple super triphosphate (50 kg ha-1) + potassium sulfate (40 kg ha-1)) + animal manure (10 ton ha-1), 7- animal manure (10 ton ha-1) + humic acid (7.5 l ha-1) and 8- spraying macro and micro elements. The predominant weeds identified in the field included velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), sorghum (Sorghum halepense), euphorbia (Euphorbia maculate) and wild melon (Cucumis melo. Var. Agrestis).

The results showed that the biochemical traits such as total phenol, total flavonoid and antioxidant activities had significant increment in weed infestation compared to weed free condition. Based on the results, the highest total fresh weight in the first harvest (11527 kg ha-1) and second harvest (15077 kg ha-1) belonged to chemical fertilizer + humic acid treatment. Animal manure + humic acid treatment had the highest (P < 0.05) total dry weight in the first harvest (1822.3 kg ha-1) and second harvest (2426.01 kg ha-1) compared to other treatments. According to the results, weed interference reduced (P < 0.05) the total fresh and dry weight of plant compared to weed control, where the total fresh and dry weight in the first harvest was decreased up to 50.31% and 42.29%, respectively and in the second harvest, up to 48.69% and 49.58%, respectively. Weeds density and biomass were affected by treatments, the highest weed density and biomass was observed by chemical treatments at the first and second stages of sampling, (49.33 and 36 plant.m-2, and 188.25 and 155.25 g.m-2, respectively).

Based on the results of current study, the integrated application of organic fertilizers had a positive effect on the production and biochemical traits in basil. Overall, the application of organic fertilizers reduces production costs and environmental pollution that can cause by the use of chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizer also reduces weed dry weight which consequently decreases the damage caused by herbicides. Therefore, it can be suggested that organic fertilizers can be applied to produce healthy and sustainable products.

Considering the conditions of Iran in terms of water resources, high consumption of nitrogen fertilizer and low consumption of potassium fertilizer, less water use in rice cultivation and balance in chemical fertilizer consumption will play very important role in saving and wasting water. Rice production should increase in the coming years due to population growth, and this is possible due to the use of improved cultivars and agricultural management. Water is the most important factor for sustainable production in many agricultural products. About 75% of the rice produced (50% of the total rice fields in the world) is irrigated. Mineral nutrition includes; Supply, absorption and consumption of nutrients are essential for the growth and yield of crops. Non-use of nitrogen in rice plant at the beginning of tillering reduces plant height and non-use of nitrogen in full clustering stage reduces 1000-seed weight.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different irrigation methods and nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on yield, yield components, water use efficiency and nitrogen consumption efficiency of Gilaneh rice cultivar in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 cropping years. The shredded load was performed based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Rasht. The size of the experimental units was nine square meters (dimensions of the main plot were 3 × 3 m, the sub-plot was 3 × 1 m and the sub-plot was 1 × 1 m). Accordingly, experimental treatments include irrigation at two levels of permanent flooding and irrigation interval of once every 10 days as the main factor, nitrogen fertilizer at three levels of 0, 60 and 120 kg.ha-1 as a secondary factor and potassium fertilizer at three levels. Zero, 80 and 160 kg.ha-1 were sub-factors. To determine the grain yield by observing the margin effect (removal of two rows) in each plot in the physiological maturation stage was taken and grain yield was calculated based on 14% moisture.

The results of this study showed that the highest grain yield of 5198 kg.ha-1 in flooding treatment, application of 120 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer and 80 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer and the lowest yield in 10 days irrigation cycle and no use of two types Potassium and nitrogen fertilizers equivalent to 887 kg.ha-1 were obtained. Increasing the irrigation distance reduced the number of spikes per square meter, number of seeds per spike, 1000-seed weight and paddy yield. The highest nitrogen crop yield (45.8 kg.kg-1) was recorded in both irrigation regimes at 160 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer with 60 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer. By increasing the irrigation cycle, treatments of 60 kg.ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer along with 160 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer equivalent to 0.764 kg.m-3 in the first year and equivalent to 0.775 kg.m-3 in the second year increased water use efficiency. With increasing irrigation frequency, 1000-seed weight was reduced in all three levels of nitrogen fertilizer, which was significant only in one level of nitrogen fertilizer. The maximum weight of 1000 seeds per hectare with consumption of 80 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer and 60 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer was equal to 23.31 g. Increasing the irrigation cycle in all three levels of potassium fertilizer reduced the number of full grains in the panicle

Nitrogen and potassium fertilizer application, in addition to optimizing fertilizer application, increased the yield and yield components of Gilaneh rice. Irrigation period of 10 days and non-application of two types of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers, the lowest grain yield and consumption of 80 kg.ha-1 of potassium fertilizer and 120 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer in flooded conditions recorded the highest grain yield.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) has a special rank among oilseeds due to its outstanding agronomic characteristics. Planting date is an important factor that affects grain yield, oil content and fatty acid composition. Delay in rapeseed planting reduces vegetative growth period and produces plants with less biomass, and reduces yield components and grain yield due to the exposure of the reproductive stage to high temperatures. Proper nutrition of the plant is one of the important factors in improving the quantity and quality of the product. Silicon is not considered an essential element for excellent plants. However, silicon has an effect on improving plant growth, biomass, seed yield and quality, photosynthesis and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Zinc also regulates plant growth and activates many enzymes. This element is necessary for the synthesis of chlorophyll and the formation of carbohydrates.

In order to conduct this research, a field experiment was conducted as a split-factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Qhaemshahr Agricultural Research Station (Qarakheil) during 2017-18. Planting dates as the main plot at two levels (normal planting [7 October] and delayed planting [22 October]), silicon fertilizer sources at three levels (control [no consumption], calcium silicate, nano-Si) and zinc fertilizer sources at three levels (control [no consumption], zinc sulfate, nano-Zn) were considered as sub-plots. Calcium silicate and zinc sulfate (200 kg ha-1) were added to the soil before rapeseed planting. Silica and zinc nanoparticles (50 mg l-1) were sprayed in two stages of flowering and pod formation. The soil of the test site had clay loamy texture with pH 7.5, organic matter 3.2%, total nitrogen 0.16%, absorbable P 15.7 mg kg-1 and absorbable K 101 mg kg-1. The average annual rainfall at the test site was 745 mm. Data were analyzed by Mstat-C statistical software and the means were compared with LSD test at a probability level of 5%.

Plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 1000-seed weight, grain yield, seed oil, grain silica and grain zinc were the studied traits that other than grain silica (non-significant) other traits decreased with delay in planting. The present study showed that for each day of delay in planting, 39.15 kg ha-1 of grain yield was reduced. With the delay of planting from 7 October to 22 October, the total grain yield decreased by 22.03% due to the decrease in the number of pods per plant, 1000-seed weight and number of seeds per pod. Seed oil also decreased by 3.3% with a delay in planting. Number of pods per plant (10.30 and 12.11%), grain yield (11.15 and 12.43%), and grain silica (9.63 and 11.57%) increased with the use of calcium silicate and nano-silica, respectively, compared to the control. The number of seeds in pods (14.85 and 13.01%) and grain zinc (21.47 and 26.57%) also increased with the use of zinc sulfate and nano-zinc, respectively, compared to the control. Nano-zinc increased the number of pods per plant, 1000-seed weight and grain yield compared to the control (18.66, 15.64 and 20.50%, respectively). The maximum number of seeds per pod was obtained in normal planting date with calcium silicate (49.8 seeds) and the maximum seed oil was obtained under the combined treatments of nano-silica and zinc sulfate (47.3%) and nano-silica and nano-zinc (47.5%).

In general, the results of the current study showed that the highest grain yield and grain silica concentration were obtained by application different sources of silica as well as nano-zinc foliar application. The maximum concentration of grain zinc was obtained by application different sources of zinc. The highest percentage of oil was recorded with the simultaneous application of nano-silica and different sources of zinc.