مجله به زراعی کشاورزی
سال بیست و چهارم شماره 2 (تابستان 1401)

In order to study the effect of foliar and soil application of Zinc on grain weight and some biochemical traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under soil salinity, an experiment has been conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research greenhouse of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2018-2019. Experimental factors include soil salinity levels [control and salinity of 30, 60, and 90 mM] and four methods of zinc application [no zinc as control, soil application zinc as ZnSO4, foliar application nano zinc oxide, and combination of soil and foliar application of zinc]. Results show that both application of ZnSo4 and foliar application nano Zn oxide under 90 mM soil salinity condition increase the catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity, anthocyanin, proline, and soluble sugars content by 20.24%, 17.68%, 13.16%, 32.88%, and 14.08%, respectively, in comparison with no application of zinc under 90 mM soil salinity condition. Also, both soil application of ZnSo4 and foliar application of nano Zn oxide under non-salinity condition decrease hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content in comparison with no application of Zinc under 90 mM soil salinity. Both soil application ZnSo4 and foliar application nano Zn oxide under non-salinity condition has had the highest grain weight (1.016 g per plant), compared to the application of this treatment combination at other salinity levels. It seems that both application of ZnSo4 and nano Zn oxide can increase weight yield of wheat under salinity condition due to their ability in improving biochemical traits.

In order to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of wheat (Triticum asetivum L.) Morvareed cultivar, an experiment has been carried out with three main treatments including surface drip irrigation (TS), subsurface drip irrigation (TSS), and Furrow irrigation (F), as well as three submain treatments containing irrigation levels 50% (I1), 75% (I2), and 100% (I3) of the plant water requirement. It has taken place in the research farm of Ardebil Agricultural Research and Training Center in Moghan region during 2016-2017. The experiment is conducted as split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Results show that the highest 1000-grain weight, harvest index and number of tillers per unit area are obtained with 0.05 kg, 42% and 448.56 in I3 and protein content with 9.56% in I1, respectively. Also, the highest grain yield (7122.33 kg ha-1) is obtained from the TS with irrigation level of I3 (no significant difference between I3 and I1). Meanwhile, the highest water productivity based on grain yield with 1.81 kg m-3 is obtained from the treatment of F with I1. The lowest grain yield with 2866.67 kg ha-1 and water productivity based on grain yield with 1.05 kg m-3 belongs to F with irrigation levels of I1 and I3, respectively. Therefore, the surface drip (TS) with 75% (I2) and 100% (I3) of crop water requirement in conditions of water deficiency and no-water-deficiency, respectively, can be considered as optimum methods for wheat production in the Moghan region.

The aim of this research is to study the pattern of dry matter partitioning to different above-ground plant parts during anthesis, two weeks after anthesis, and physiologic maturity among wheat cultivars and to investigate its possible relationship with grain yield. Eighteen well-watered wheat cultivars have been grown at research farm of Moghan College of Agriculture and Natural Resources based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014-2015 growing season. At anthesis, total dry matter accumulated in the plant, range from 1.95 (Sumay3) to 3.33 g (Alvand). At this time, depending on the cultivar, dry matter partitioned to the stem which differ from 31% to 41%, vary from 37% to 50% in the leaves, and from 16% to 27% in the spike. From anthesis to two weeks post-anthesis, dry weight of stem and spike increase, while those of leaves, generally, remain constant. The highest (1.52 g) and the lowest (0.52 g) increases in the weight of stem and spike have been observed in the case of Shirodi and Sardari, respectively. During two post-anthesis weeks to physiologic maturity, the spike has been dominant; however, the cultivar differences in the amount of allocated photoassimilates to the spike as well as stem reserves remobilization change the pattern of dry matter partitioning among wheat population again. At anthesis, there has been no clear association between cultivar height and spike weight. At physiologic maturity, however, dwarf cultivar generally has had higher weight and proportion of the spike. These results show that the pattern of dry matter partitioning is varied depending on the plant developmental stages and cultivars. Therefore, partitioning pattern of a cultivar observed at one growth stage is not necessarily similar in other growth stages. At physiologic maturity, Crossed Alborz and Pishtaz are superior with respect to dry matter partitioning and yield performance. Analysis of correlation reveals that leaves dry weight at anthesis, stem dry weight at two weeks after anthesis, and partitioned photoassimiltes to the grain are correlated positively with square grain yield. Therefore, these traits deserve further attentions in wheat programs dealing with increased grain yield.

Additive intercropping series of sunflower and basil have been laid out under salty and fresh water irrigation management with the aim of achieving the highest yield and intercropping advantage as a result of intercropping the two plants. An experiment has been performed at Zabol University during two cropping years (2018 and 2019). Fresh water (ECe = 3.9 dS.m-1) and saline water (ECe = 1.1 dS.m-1) have been taken from the Hirmand River and a local well, respectively. The irrigation water regimes are fresh water, salt water, and an alternating usage of salty and fresh irrigation water. In addition, five types of intercropping patterns are considered the sub-factors (100% sunflower (4 plants/m2), 100% basil (80 plants/m2), 100% sunflower+ 50% basil, 50% sunflower + 100% basil and 100% sunflower + 100% basil. The results show that the interaction between intercropping patterns and different irrigation regimes has had a significant effect on 1000 seed weight, seed yield, harvest index, oil yield of sunflower, dry weight, and essential oil yield of basil plants. In response to all irrigation regimes, the highest value of total land equivalent ratio (1.37-1.45) and intercropping advantage (0.29 - 0.48) has occurred as a result of cultivating 50% sunflower + 100% basil, thereby appearing as a good model of intercropping. The results show that intercropping patterns can be effective in modulating the negative effects of saline irrigation water on plant yield.

In order to investigate the effect of planting pattern and nitrogen and megafol on grain yield, yield components, and seed protein of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under rainfed conditions, a factorial experiment has been conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Gonbad Kavous University farm during growth season of 2017-2018. The planting pattern is in three levels of 30×11, 45×7.4, and 60×5.5 cm (30 plants. m-2) and the factor of use of fertilizers in five levels of non-consumption and consumption of 50 and 100 kg nitrogen and one and two liters of megafol per hectare. The results show that the highest seed yield is related to 30×11 and 45×7.4 and the lowest is related to 60×5.5 cm. Seed per plant and seed yield in application of 100 and 50 kg N ha-1 has been higher than others. The highest and the lowest protein percentage of seeds is related to 60×5.5 and 30×11 cm. 1000-seed weight in application of 100 and 50 kg N ha-1 and 2 liters of megafol has been more than other treatments. The harvest index in application of fertilizer is the maximum and in treatment of non-application of fertilizer is the minimum. In addition, because of more effect of nitrogen on seed yield compared to megafol and non-significant differences between consumption of 100 and 50 kg N ha-1, it seems that consumption of 50 kg N ha-1 and planting pattern of 30×11 is the most appropriate advice for planting of rainfed chickpea in Gonbad Kavous condition.

Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) test is performed by Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute (SPCRI) or its legal representative according to articles 17-24 of second part of the executive regulations of the law on Registration of Plant Varieties. In this regard, in order to value for cultivation and use test of two imported chickpea cultivars (Araz and Goksu), an experiment is conducted based on complete randomized block design in three replications and four locations (Oshnavieh, Moghan, Saral and Kamyaran) during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Results show that the amount of chickpea seed yield in Oshnavieh location (temperate cold rejoin) is significantly higher than other studied locations (3365.5 kg.ha-1). Due to the significant interaction of cultivar × location on seed yield, different cultivars have had the highest yield in different locations. The highest 100 seed weight has belonged to Araz (39.11 gr), Goksu (37.04 gr), and Saeed (36.22 gr) cultivars. Goksu has had the highest height of first pod (21.59 cm), followed by Hashem (20.13 cm), Araz (19.43 cm), Saeed (19.02 cm) and Mansour (18.08 cm). Goksu, Mansour and Saeed cultivars has had longest physiological maturity period. The physiological maturity period in Araz and Areman cultivars is significantly shorter than other studied cultivars. Araz and Goksu cultivars are considered two suitable chickpea germplasm for cultivation in Iran due to their appropriate yield, higher 100 seed weight and higher first pod height.

The row spacing and planting density are important factors in yield of red bean. In this regard the effects of plant density and weed control methods on grain protein yield of red bean have been studied via a field study as a factorial based on complete randomized blocks design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station of Khoy during 2018. Plant density is at three levels (20, 25, and 30 plants per m2) and weed control methods are at four levels (lack of control, selective herbicide (Bentazon), general herbicide (paraquat), and manual control). Results show that the interaction effect of plant density and weed control methods has been significant on the number of lateral branches, number of pods per plant, 100-grain weight, grain yield, harvest index, and grain protein yield, though without any significant effect on the number of grain per pod. The highest number of pods per plant (26) is obtained at the density of 20 plants per m2 and manual weeding. The highest seed yield and seed protein yield, 3391 and 841 kg ha-1 belong to the density of 30 plants per m2 and manual weeding, respectively. The interference of weeds can also affect crop production quality by altering the grains composition such as protein. It can be achieved to optimum yield in red bean by increasing the competitive ability of the crop through the selection of optimal density (30 plants per m2) in combination with manual weeding.

The current study tries to evaluate the effect of auxin foliar application in two safflower cultivars under drought stress condition, using a factorial split plot experiment with randomized complete block design in two years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019). It has been conducted at research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Research Institute in Karaj and evaluates irrigation at two levels including normal irrigation (control) and interruption of irrigation from the beginning of grain filling stage (drought) in the main plots and cultivars of Padideh and Goldasht and auxin foliar application in two levels of non-foliar application of distilled water (control) and foliar application of auxin (indole acetic acid) in one step (mid-flowering) at a concentration of 3000 mg.l-1 (30 ppm) in sub-plots as a factorial. In the auxin foliar application and non-foliar application (control) in both normal irrigation and drought stress treatments, the highest total number of heads per plant in Goldasht cultivar have been 26.3 and 24.3 respectively, and the highest grain number per plant observed in Goldasht cultivar have been at 708 and 592, respectively. Auxin foliar application and irrigation has had no significant effect on the grain oil percentage. Goldasht cultivar demonstrates a higher grain yield compared to Padideh cultivar due to lower head temperature, higher soluble carbohydrate concentration, number of heads, and 1000-grain weight. Generally, results show that the effect of the studied treatments is affected by the year and despite the positive effect of auxin foliar application on some yield components at both irrigation levels, foliar application of auxin at middle of flowering stage has no significant effect on grain yield.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) reduce the effects of drought stress by altering some root properties and absorbing nutrients and water in plants. In order to evaluate the effect of AMF on some characteristics of spring safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.-cv. Sofeh) under water-deficit condition, this experiment has been carried out at research farm of the Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz in 2018. The experiment is done as a split plot in a completely randomized blocks design with three replications. The results show that the highest petal yield under non-water stress is 281.6 kg/ha and the lowest stress from flowering stage to 197.3 kg/ha. In the control, the highest content of seed oil is 30.65% related to the seed inoculated with AMF. The highest oil yield is obtained from the condition without stress with 1098.9 kg/ha, also in seed inoculated with fungus of 1107.8 kg/ha. The highest seed yield (4884.4 kg/ha) is obtained in the condition without water stress and inoculation of seeds and soil with AMF. In general, water stress leads to reduced yield and inoculation with AMF, especially inoculation of seeds and soil, yield of plants under water stress due to the positive effect on growth improve nutrition and water uptake. Plants inoculated with AMF display improved growth, yield and oil content under water stress conditions than non-inoculated plants.

The present study tries to estimate the yield gap of irrigated canola in Iran as the first step for planning sustainable improvement of production. It has been performed in the modeling laboratory of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2017-2019. The protocol provided by the GYGA project is used for detection of climatic zones as well as major weather stations in canola production regions to estimate the yield gap. The actual yield of the irrigated canola in its major production regions is between 1184 to 2358 kg ha-1. The range of potential yield is estimated between and 3823 and 6520 kg ha-1. The highest potential yields belongs to Hamedan and Lorestan provinces and the lowest value to Khuzestan Plain. The range of the yield gap in its major production regions in the country is 2480 to 4365 kg ha-1, i.e. 53% to 77% of gap and with an average, 3276 kg ha-1 equal to 65% of the gap. With respect to the exploitable yield as the target yield, the exploitable yield is between 1544 and 3208 kg ha-1, with an average of 2261 kg ha-1. The magnitude of this gap indicates that the potentials of canola production in Iran are not exploited properly. Analyzing the reasons and methods of amendment the present yield gap and adoption of efficient management methods to achieve higher yields is crucial with regard to food security and economic.

This study investigates the effects of different tillage systems (no-tillage, minimum and conventional), fertilizers (no fertilizer, vermicompost (V), urea (U) and combined urea and vermicompost (VU) and irrigation regimes on various quantitative and qualitative traits of rapeseed, as well as soil nitrate leaching (NL). Field trials have been conducted between 2017 and 2019 in the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands with no significant difference observed for seed and oil yield between the minimum and conventional till systems. However, the no-till system vs. minimum and conventional till decrease these traits by 22% and 21.5%. The combined application of vermicompost and urea under optimal irrigation conditions boosts oil yield by 24%, compared to the control) of rapeseed. Furthermore, across all tillage types, the highest NL is observed where urea was applied. When compared with urea, V and UV treatments decrease the NL by 67% and 50% in no-till plots, 50% and 36% in minimum till plots, and 49% and 34% in conventional till plots, respectively. Deficit irrigation also reduces linoleic acid by 7.6%. In addition, the highest levels of oleic acid (63.9%) and linoleic acid (20.7%) are observed under residual tillage system with combined fertilizer application and the residual tillage system with vermicompost application, respectively The findings indicate that minimum till in combination with VU treatments supports reduced NL over conventional till and urea fertilization practices, while improving rapeseed quantitative and qualitative traits.

In order to investigate the effects of chemical and integrated weed management on yield and yield components of grain maize and weed population, the study has been conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2018-19 in Shavar Research Center in Shavar region of Shousha city. Treatments include unweeded (control), hand weeding, 1.5 liters of atrazine, 1 liter of atrazine + straw mulch, 175 g of ultima, 150 g of ultima + straw mulch, 1.5 liter 2,4-D + MCPA, 1 liter 2,4-D + MCPA + straw mulch, 1.5 liters cruise, and 1 liter of cruise + straw mulch. Results show that the highest grain yield has been obtained in hand weeding treatment as well as 1 liter of cruise + straw mulch by 14.4 and 13.2 t ha-1, respectively. The highest biological yield is recorded in hand weeding treatment (31.5 t ha-1). In case of harvest index, 1.5 liters of cruise show the highest value (55.7%), followed by 1.5 liters of 2,4-D + MCPA and 1.5 liters of atrazine by 53.6% and 47.7%, respectively. In terms of weed population dynamics, hand weeding, and 1 liter of cruise + straw mulch cause the greatest decrease in weed population and dry weight which reduce crop competition and increase productivity. In general, based on the results, the adoption of integrated approaches (chemical + cultural + mechanical) can make a significant contribution to increasing corn yield and reducing environmental pollution.

Increasing yield in Rice requires the knowledge of appropriate management methods such as planting date and introduction of new cultivars. This experiment has been carried out at Gorgan Research Station in 2020. It has been done as two separate experiments in a randomized complete block design (normal seeding date and late seeding date), each experiment including seven cultivars (Tarom hashemi, Fajr, Neda, Shiroudi, Tisa, Anam, and Binam) with three replications. Results show that the effects of seeding date have been significant on all studied traits (days to anthesis, days to maturity, high plant, number of tillers, Filled grain number, unfilled grain number, grain yield, biomass, water productivity, and harvest index). On the spring planting date, the highest grain yield has been observed in Neda and Shiroodi cultivars with 9023.3 and 8675.5 kg ha-1, respectively. Also, on the spring planting date, the highest water use productivity has belonged to Neda and Shiroodi cultivars with one and 0.98 kg.m-3, respectively. On the date of late planting, the highest water use productivity has occurred in Tisa and Binam cultivars at 0.74 and 0.63 kg.m-3, respectively. Due to grain yield and water use efficiency on spring planting date, Neda and Shiroodi cultivars and in late cultivation of Tisa and Binam cultivars can be introduced to farmers.

Some medicinal plants have an important role in production of fodder with high quality. While reducing the production costs, they protect the environment, water, and soil resources. On the other hand, mixed cultivation and application of organic and biological fertilizers or proper combination of these two with chemical fertilizers can be considered a solution to increase crop yield in sustainable agriculture. For this purpose, in order to investigate the effects of different treatments of fertilizer and ratios of mixed cultivation of Chicory and annual Medic, a factorial experiment has been conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field located in Behbahan city in 2019-2020 growing season. The first factor has been different fertilizer sources (Chemical, Organic, and Integrated) in three levels: chemical fertilizer, vermicompost fertilizer and combined fertilizer (nitroxin biofertilizer + fertile phosphate 2 + 50% chemical fertilizer) and the second factor has been five intercropping patterns including: sole chicory (SC), sole annual medic (SM), one row of chicory: one row of annual medic (C1M1), one row of chicory: two rows of annual medic (C1M2) and two rows of chicory: one row of annual medic (C2M1). The studied traits are forage yield of chicory and annual medic and quality characteristics of forage including percentage and yield of crude protein, percentage of ash, crude fiber, dry matter digestibility, calcium, and phosphorus content of forage. The results show that the highest dry forage yields of chicory and medic (4.04 and 4.63 t/ ha, respectively) are obtained in monoculture and chemical fertilizer treatment. Mixed cultivation ratios and application of combined fertilizers and vermicompost improve crude protein and ash of medic and crude fiber of chicory forage without reducing any other quality traits. Evaluation of land equivalent ratio show the superiority of all mixed ratios over monoculture of these plants. Finally, mixed cultivation treatments C1M1 and C2M1 with a land equivalent ratio of 1.3 and a total yield of 5.44 and 4.95 tons per hectare and the application of combined fertilizer are recognized as superior treatments.

Satellite images have a high capability for estimating the area under agricultural crops. The aim of this study was to identify the area under dominant crops such as in Shushtar Province using Landsat 8 satellite images during the growing season during 2019. With Maximum Probability technique and Support Vector Machine in the first approach and using NDVI index in the second approach, crops in different growing seasons and according to their calendar, a cropping pattern map was drawn. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the results, the generated maps with reference data were examined. Agricultural Jihad statistics of Khuzestan were also used. The results showed that Kappa coefficient and overall accuracy were calculated as 90% and 80% in the Maximum Probability technique, 92% and 90% in the Support Vector Machine and 95% and 93% in the NDVI, respectively. Based on the results, the cultivation area of wheat, barley, rice, and corn, in the Maximum Probability technique, in comparison with the statistics of Agricultural Jihad, had an error of 12.6, 16.4, 8.7 and 6.6%, respectively and in the Support Vector Machine had an error of 10.1, 8.3, 5.1 and 7.2%, respectively. However, using the NDVI index as the best approach for estimating the cultivation area in this region, in comparison with the statistics of Agricultural Jihad, has an error of 2.4, 1.5, 4.3 and 4.6%, respectively, which indicates the high capability of vegetation indices to estimate the Cultivation Area, According to their phenological stage.

To investigate the effects of row spacing and nitrogen application rate on growth and yield of quinoa, a split plot experiment has been conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Sabzevar during 2018. The studied factors include row spacing at three levels (25, 50, and 75 cm) and nitrogen application rate at four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha-1). Results show that the highest content of photosynthetic pigments, panicle length, number of seeds per plant, and biological yield belong to 150 kg N ha-1 treatment. However, the 100 kg N ha-1 treatment has had the highest number of panicles per plant (19.24) and 1000-seed weight (3.51 g). More row spacing has resulted in more chlorophyll contents, plant height, number of panicles, panicle length, and number of seeds per plant, but less 1000-seed weight, seed yield, and biological yield. The decrease in seed yield by increasing the row spacing to 50 and 75 cm has been 18.62 and 50.14%, respectively. The highest seed yield (6644.5 kg ha-1) has been produced via application of 150 kg N ha-1 at a row spacing of 25 cm. With increasing row spacing, nitrogen requirement to produce maximum seed yield declines. Thus, the highest seed yield in 75, 50, and 25 cm rows spacing are produced with the application of 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha-1, respectively. According to the results, the application of 150 kg N ha-1 and row spacing of 25 cm is recommended for planting quinoa, Sajama genotype.

In order to evaluate the yield components, seed yield, and oil content of Camelina doubled haploid lines, an experiment has been conducted based on a randomized complete block design with 40 doubled haploid lines (as treatments) and three replications in the research farm of College of Aburaihan- the University of Tehran, Pakdasht during 2020. Since the yield characteristics and oil content of Camelina lines are unknown in the Iranian climate, the study investigates seed yield components, as well as oil yield and oil content of 40 Camelina lines. The results show a very significant difference between Camelina lines in terms of yield components, which ultimately leads to significant differences in grain yield, thus affecting the grain oil yield. Although none of the lines has had absolute superiority in all components of grain yield, in terms of final grain yield, line of 134 with 3178 and line of 110 with 3120 kg/ha are identified as superior lines. Therefore, according to the purpose of this study, in order to select the best Camelina line with maximum grain and oil yield, 134 and 110 lines are introduced and recommended as superior and promising lines that are compatible with the climatic conditions of the Pakdasht region.

Thanks to its palatability and high digestibility, chicory plays an effective role in increasing domestic animals’ products. In order to study the effect of sowing data and nitrogen fertilizer levels on some characteristics of chichory (Cichorium intybus L.), an experiment has been conducted in a split plot design, using randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan in 2016-2017. The factors include four sowing data (22 October, 5 November, 21 November, and 5 December) as the main plots and four levels of nitrogen (zero (non-application), 75, 150, and 225 kg / ha) as subplots. Results show that the sowing dates have only affected chlorophyll meter index, dry matter digestibility, and digestible energy, whereas nitrogen has had a significant effect on all studied traits. Increasing the application of nitrogen to 225 kg / ha increases plant height, chlorophyll meter index, leaf area, and branch number, not to mention both fresh and dry weights of the plant. The treatment of 225 kg / ha nitrogen raises the fresh weight of shoots and the percentage of forage protein by 66.35% and 6.44%, respectively, compared to non-application. But in these two traits, no significant difference has been observed among nitrogen application levels in different planting dates.  In this study, late planting date led to better conditions for most physiological, morphological yield, and quality characteristics. Accordingly, it is turned out that October 22 till November 5 sowing date with 150 kg ha-1 fertilizer has been the best treatment for chicory cultivation in Ahvaz.

Mycorrhiza is a common group of microorganisms that can establish symbiotic relations with plants. To evaluate symbiosis and compatibility between a collection of chicory seeds and mycorrhizal fungi, through inoculation, a factorial experiment is set up in a randomized complete block design. Two batches of chicory seed (Ardabil and Fars) are inoculated by two species of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices) with the control group of the seeds not being inoculated at all. Three replicates have been arranged in a greenhouse. The research aims at examining how the two species of mycorrhizal fungi affect several plant traits and the amounts of phytochemical compounds (i.e. phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll), fresh and dry weights of roots and root length. It also deals with chicory roots’ ability to absorb several elements. Results show that seed batch and mycorrhizal fungi have significant impacts on vegetative traits, chlorophyll content, phenol, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in plants. The highest amounts of total phenol production (3.77 mg/g fresh weight), total flavonoids (1.21 mg/g fresh weight), antioxidant activity (5.23 mg/g fresh weight), root growth and chlorophyll content are observed in the Ardabil batch when treated with G. intraradices. The lowest amounts of these values are recorded in the Fars batch where no mycorrhizal inoculation has been applied. The two batches of seeds grow into plants with different growth rates and phytochemical compositions. The growth parameters of plants improve in the case of mycorrhizal inoculation. The effects of G. intraradices are more efficient than those of G. mosseae in symbiosis with chicory plants. Based on the results of the present study and considering the compatibility of mycorrhiza with the environment, the use of these fungi can substantially increase the yield of various plants, especially medicinal plants.

The phonological stage in which the abotic stress occurs is effective in determining the content of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. This research deals with the effects of imposing drought stress at different phenological stages on growth and some physiological and phytochemical responses of Nepeta crispa L as a split plot design in Bu-Ali Sina University during 2019. Drought stress at three levels, including mild, moderate, and severe stress (with 80%, 60%, and 40% of field capacity, respectively) has been applied at two phenological stages (seedling establishment stage with 6 true leaves and pre-flowering stages). Results from statistical analysis show that drought stress has had a significant effect on all evaluated growth traits and phytochemical parameters of the plant including proline content, relative water content (RWC) of leaves, total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, antioxidant activities, and phenolic acids. Imposing drought stress at both phenological stages reduce plant growth, decreasing chlorophyll content and RWC. However, production of phenolic compounds and phenolic acids (including rosmarinic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids) at high level and accumulation of proline through imposing drought stress reduce the adverse effects of stress and increase the medicinal properties of the Nepeta crispa. Also, the effect of drought stress imposing at pre-flowering stage has been greater than its application in the seedling establishment stage. According to the results, it is recommended to impose moderate drought stress at pre-flowering stage to increase biosynthesis of some phytochemical compounds in Nepeta crispa medicinal plants.

This paper aims at evaluating the effects of putrescine and 24-epibrasinolide on altering the activity of antioxidant enzymes to tolerate drought stress in basil. The plan has been implemented as factorial split plot layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the cropping years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University. Experimental treatments include drought stress at three levels (40, 80, and 120 mm evaporation from Class A evaporation pan) as the main plots, putrescine foliar application at three levels (0, 0.5, and 2 (mM) and 24- Epibrassinolid foliar application at three levels (0, 0.5, and 2 μM) as subplots. Results show that the highest amount of proline in 120 mm occurs during the first year of the experiment and the use of putricin (2 mM) and 24-epibrasinolide (0.5 μM) also cause a further increase in proline. The highest amount of catalase has been observed in the 120 mm evaporation treatment and the application of 2 mM putrescine. The interaction of drought stress, putrescine, and 24-epiprasinolide also show that the highest levels of ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase belong to the treatment of 120 mM where the highest concentrations of putrescine (2 mM) and 24-epibrasinolide (2 μM) is observed. Under optimal irrigation conditions (40 mm), the combined application of lower concentrations of putrescine (0.5 mM) and epibrasinolide (0.5 μM) and under drought stress conditions (80 and 120 mm), higher concentrations of these two substances (2 mM putrescine and 2 μM epibrasinolide) increase the enzyme guaiacol peroxidase. Multiple interactions of year, drought stress, putrescine, and 24-epibrasinolide have had a significant effect on total flavonoids and essential oil percentage of basil. In both experimental years, application of 2 mM putrescine and 2 μM 24-epibrasinolide at all levels of drought stress 120 mm cause a further increase in these two traits which has been greater in the first year than the second one. Concomitant use of 2 mM putrescine and 2 μM epibracinolide due to increased proline synthesis and antioxidant enzymes is the best treatment to reduce the effects of drought stress in basil, indicating a synergistic relation between the two. The substance boosts the growth of basil, increasing the percentage of its essence.

One of the most important goals of cultivating medicinal plants is to improve their essential oil content, which will be affected by environmental factors such as water deficit stress and nutritional stress conditions. In this regard, a three-year split plot study has been done as a randomized complete block design with three replications in Urmia University at the 2014-2017 cropping years. The main factors include irrigation regimes in three levels (normal irrigation, supplementary irrigation, and rainfed conditions), and the sub-factor at six levels include fertilizer resources {biofertilizer (Azotobaror 1 + Phosphate-Barvar 2), complete chemical fertilizer and complete Nano fertilizer with and without vermicompost. Sampling and analysis of traits are performed in the cropping year 2016-2017 (third year of planting). Compared to normal irrigation, the results show that supplementary irrigation and rainfed treatments while reducing the concentration of nitrogen (14.94% and 7.72%), phosphorus (31.20% and 37.71%), potassium (11.58% and 9.14%), copper (14.27% and 28.96%), and total dry weight (33.22% and 56.14%), increase the concentration of iron (8.08% and 66.05%), zinc (16.82% and 7.16%), and essential oil yield (25.32% and 37.11%) of thyme, respectively. Combined application of nano fertilizer with vermicompost under normal irrigation conditions, and application of nano fertilizer in supplementary and rainfed irrigation conditions has improved essential oil yield by 2.7%, 3.39%, and 3.78%, respectively. In general, the improvement of essential oil yield in water deficit stress, during the application of nano fertilizer, indicates the efficiency of this fertilizer in providing nutrients and achieving sustainable agricultural goals.

This study aims at investigating the effect of organic, biological, and chemical fertilizers on some quantitative and qualitative traits of local mass of Iranshahr Isabgol, as a medicinal plant during 2018-2019 crop year in a randomized complete block design with 6 treatments and 4 replications in Iranshahr. Fertilizer treatments are no fertilizer application (control), Phosphate Barvar 2 biofertilizer, Phosphate Barvar 3 biofertilizer, Cow manure, Superphosphate triple, and Vermicompost. The results show that fertilizers’ effect on most traits have been significant at the 1% probabilify level. The effect of fertilizer treatments on plant Height and Carbohydrates has not been significant but it has been considerable on Inflation index and Greenness index at 5% probability level. Maximum number of tillers per plant, number of spikes, spike length, fresh weight of plant, swelling index, Carbohydrate, Seed Nitrogen, Seed Potassium, and Greenness index aree obtained under the influence of manure, and traits including root length, plant height, number of seeds per spike, dry weight Plant, 1000-seed weight, plant yield, yield per hectare, Mucilage, Protein, Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, and Total chlorophyll are obtained under the influence of vermicompost. Vermicompost treatment increases grain yield and total chlorophyll by 46.56% and 32.76%, respectively, compared to the control. Also, control and Phosphate Barvar 2 biofertilizer have had the highest swelling and the highest percentage of Seed Phosphorus, respectively. In general, it is concluded that vermicompost has a greater effect on most quantitative and qualitative traits of Isabgol, and its use is recommended.

In order to investigate the effects of foliar application of amino acids fertilization and mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Calendula officinalis L., a factorial layout has been conducted, based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the field of the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Takestan Branch during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 years. Experimental factors include three species of mycorrhiza fungi (control, Glomus mosseae, G.etunicatum and G.intradices) and Soren amino acid fertilizer levels (this commercial compound contains a variety of essential amino acids for the plant) include no foliar application and foliar application in two stages of stem and flowering. The results show that inoculation with mycorrhiza species has been significant for all studied traits in this test. Also, the effect of amino acid fertilizer has had a significant effect on all traits, except essential oil percentage and extract yield. Among the mycorrhizae used in this experiment, Glomus mosseae is able to be superior over other fungi in most traits. The highest seed yield is obtained from amino acid fertilizer and Glomus mosseae with 2343 kg / ha and the highest essential oil yield is in Glomus mosseae with 7.74 kg / ha. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the use of amino acid fertilizers with inoculation with mycorrhiza has a positive effect on the traits of marigold.

In order to investigate the effects of irrigation regimes and foliar silicon spraying on quantitative and physiological characteristics of borage (Borago officinalis), an experiment is conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014 at the University of Zabol research farm in Zahak. Treatments include irrigation regimes at three levels; (90%, 70%, and 50% FC) comprising the main-treatments and four levels of silicon sprying including spraying in the form of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM) as sub-treatments. The results indicate that the highest amount of proline is obtained from the interaction of irrigation regime with 50% of field capacity, without the use of silicon at the rate of 0.7847 mg.g-1. Based on the results of average comparison, the highest amount of chlorophyll a (15.919 mg/g fresh weight), chlorophyll b (7.14 mg/g fresh weight), from the interaction of irrigation regime 70% of field capacity and application of 2 mM silicon, as well as number of flowers per plant, total dry yield of plant (520 kg.ha-1) and biological yield (1187 520 kg.ha-1) Per hectare), 70% and 50% of field capacity and application of 6 mM silicon are obtained from the interaction effect of irrigation regime, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that silicon application mitigate drought stress impact and led to increasing drought tolerance of borage. Since flower and flowering branches of plant has economic value and application of 4 mM silicon acid is recommended to obtain the greatest flower yield under drought stress conditions.

Weed infestation in arable lands is much more than one species. Thus, it is important to pay attention to the interaction of multy species of weeds. To study the effect of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv) interference on yield and essential oil of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), an experiment has been done in Research field of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University during 2017. It has been arranged in a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications with the experimental factors being three densities of redroot pigweed (0, 4, and 8 plants m-2) and three densities of barnyardgrass (0, 4, and 8 plants m-2). The highest grain yield (2230 kg ha-1) and essential oil content (2 %) are obtained at weed free plots. The density of 8 redroot pigweed plants m-2 at simultaneous interference with 0, 4, and 8 barnyard grass m-2 reduce grain yield by 30.1%, 62.9%, and 75.7%, and essential oil content by 24.5%, 26.2%, and 29.5%, respectively, compared with weed free plots. The coefficient of redroot pigweed competitivity is predicted to be higher than barnyardgrass, and the interference of 14.5 barnyardgrass plants m-2 or 7.7 redroot pigweed plants m-2 decreases fennel grain yield by 50%.

Due to scarcity of water resources, its negative effects on agricultural yield, and the need to ensure food security, it is necessary to provide effective strategies to improve management and water productivity in this sector. Accordingly, the present experiment has been carried out as a factorial based on completely randomized design during spring of 2019 in the research greenhouse of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. The research factors include 3 irrigation levels Fc100, Fc75, and Fc50 (100%, 75%, and 50% field capacity) as the first factor and two superabsorbent levels S0 and S5 (0 and 5 gr/kg soil) as the second factor, performed with five replications. The results show that the maximum yield (40. 23 ton/ ha) and water productivity (10.36 kg/) belong to FC100S5 treatment, increasing by 5.71% and 47.6%, respectively, compared to the values recorded in similar level of irrigation and non-superabsorbent polymer. The maximum value of total chlorophyll (25.12 mg/ml) are observed in FC100S5 treatment, which in turn increase by 19.44%, compared to the control. The maximum value of vitamin c occurs in FC100S0 treatment, being 18.27% higher than minimum recorded value. Finally, the results show that the difference between irrigation water production of cherry tomato in FC100S0 and FC75S5 has not been not significant, despite 25% reduction in field capacity moisture at FC75S5. According to the results of this research, the quadratic production function is recommended as the optimal function to estimate the mentioned traits in terms of application and non- application of super absorbent.

To evaluate the effects of different application methods of humic acid and aminochelate (Foliar application and soil application) on growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus. L), an experiment has been conducted under greenhouse conditions with factorial design based on randomized complete block with three replications during two years (2018-2019) in Tehran agricultural a natural resources research and education center. The humic acid factors are as three levels (untreated, soil application, and foliar spray) and aminochelate factor are as three levels (untreated, soil application, and foliar spraying). The effects of humic acid, the effects of aminochelate, and their intraction on yield, number of fruits per plant, fruit dry matter, and leaf chlorophyll index have been significant. The highest fruit yield, number of fruits per plant, fruit dry matter, and leaf chlorophyll index are obtained from soil application of humic acid and aminocholate, being 57.4%, 58.6%, 56.4%, and 43.8%, more than the control, respectively. Also, the effects of humic acid, the effects of amino chelate, and their intraction have been significant on concentration of macronutrients in leaf. The highest concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium of the leaves are obtained from the application of humic acid and aminoclate in soil. Thus, the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium due to soil application of humic acid and aminolate increase by 44%, 51%, and 5%8, respectively. Based on the results, in order to achieve the maximum yield of greenhouse cucumber, the combined use of humic acid and aminocholate as soil application is recommended.

The present research tries to investigate the effect of potassium silicate and mycorrhizal fungus on heat stress tolerance of strawberries and evaluate the possibility of increasing plant tolerance to heat at research greenhouse in Sari Agriculture and Natural Resources University at 2019. It is in a completely randomized factorial design with three factors including two levels of mycorrhizal fungi (presence and absence of mycorrhizal fungi), three levels of potassium silicate (0, 50 and 100 mg.l-1) spray in heat stress (25 and 41 °C) with three replications. The results show that application of potassium silicate reduces the Photosynthtic active radiation (PAR) damage in strawberry leaves, which PAR of leaves bottom reduce three folds in comparison to the control, when the PARtop is 1133 umol.m2.s-1. In contrast, treatment of the plant with potassium silicate in the presence of mycorrhiza prevented increases transpiration and stomatal conductivity for water cooling the leaves during heat stress. Inoculation of the roots with mycorrhiza fungi leads to a wide network of hyphae in root uptake, improving water use efficiency by up to 72%, which in turn results in increaseed net photosynthesis. However, heat stress increases minimum fluorescence and reduces maximal quantum efficiency of photosystem II. But the simultaneous application of mycorrhiza and potassium silicate is able to improve this index to a good level (0.76). Finally, it has been found that high temperature stress affects many photosynthetic factors of strawberry plant that the use of potassium silicate in combination with mycorrhizal fungus, despite their separate use, to a large extent prevents heat damage to different parts of the plant.

One of the most important pathogens in plants such as pomegranate, are root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) which cause considerable damage to this important export product. Due to the importance of this subject, an study has been conducted between 2018 and 2019 in the Faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University. The treatments include organic fertilizer (40, 60, and 80 t/ha.), vermicompost (40 t/ha.) and Marygld product (200, 300 and 400 g/m2) with the study, itself, being in a completely random design on the dominant root-knot nematodes species, M. javanica under greenhouse conditions on pomegranate seedlings. The measurement indicators include gall index, the number of egg sacs, and the final population of egg and J2 larvae in the soil and the roots, as well as growth factors of pomegranate seedlings. Reproduction factor and the percentage of increase/decrease of root knot nematode population, have been calculated in each treatment compared to the initial population of the same treatment. Results show vermicompost (40 t/ha.) with 94.35% reduction in population of egg and larvae has had the highest effect on reducing the nematode population compared to other treatments. Marygld 400, 300, and 200 g/m2 treatments are ranked next, with a reduction of 93.47%, 91.21%, and 92.65% in nematode population, respectively followed by by nematode reduction of the composts of 80, 60, and 40 t/ha by 89.67%, 86.55%, and 86.81% respectively.