نشریه پژوهشهای زراعی ایران
سال دوازدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 34، تابستان 1393)

In order to evaluate water capture and use efficiency and also productivity in sole and intercropping of three crops Rapeseed, Bean and Corn, an experiment was conducted in Mashhad in the growing season of 2007-2008. In this investigation six treatments including three sole cropping of the three crops (rapeseed sown in 22 September 2007, bean and corn in 29 April 2008) and three intercropping including double cropping (simultaneous sowing of corn and bean in 29 April 2008), two stage-relay intercropping of rapeseed, corn and bean (rapeseed in 22 September 2007, bean and corn in 29 April 2008) and finally three stage-relay intercropping of rapeseed, corn and bean (rapeseed sown in 22 September 2007, bean in 8 April 2008 and corn in 29 April 2008) were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Results showed that in general, cropping combination affected water capture and use efficiency and also water productivity (p≤0.01). Among intercropping treatments, two stage-relay intercropping showed the highest capture efficiency (0.43), three stage-relay intercropping had the highest water use and productivity in terms of biological yields (1.82 and 0.73 g/m2/mm, respectively) and double cropping showed the highest water use efficiency and productivity in terms of seed yield (0.43 and 0.17 g/m2/mm, respectively). Among sole cropping treatments, rapeseed showed the highest capture efficiency (0.26), use efficiency and productivity in terms of biological yields (6.82 and 1.75 g/m2/mm, respectively) and corn showed the highest use efficiency and productivity in terms of seed yield (1.5 and 0.35 g/m2/mm, respectively). In general, two stage-relay intercropping for capture efficiency, sole cropping of rapeseed for use efficiency and productivity in terms of biological yield, and sole cropping of corn for use efficiency and productivity in terms of seed yield were superior than others. However, it seems that such combinations of crops for different reasons may not perform satisfactory results because of shading effect of rapeseed on young seedlings of corn and bean. Therefore, the design of these experiments should be altered in such a way to achieve in shortest overlapping of the growth of rapeseed with companion crops.

In order to investigate the germination characteristics and cardinals temperatures of Echium amoenum, a laboratory experiment was conducted in Faculty of Agriculture Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2009. The layout of experiment was a completely randomized design with 6 replications. Treatments consisted of 8 constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 oC). The characteristics such as percentage of seed germination, rate of seed germination, dry weight of radicle and plumule and plumule, radicle length were recorded. The seeds of Echium amoenum were monitored for variability in germination criteria based on two regression models namely: Five- parameters Beta (FPB) and Intersected-Lines (ISL) models. The effect of temperature on germination percentage and germination rate, dry weight of radicle and plumule, and plumule, radicle length were significant. The highest germination percentage and germination rate were obtained in 25 0C. Based on the regression between germination rate and temperature in Echium amoenum, the cardinal temperatures (Tbase, Topt and Tmax) were: 4.99-5.66, 23-29.23 and 39.12-40.36 0C. The results showed that the Five-parameters Beta model was estimated better than Intersected-Lines model in terms of cardinal temperature.

Agrobiodiversity is an issue that has been considered for the last decade. There are few reports on diversity of orchard species in Iran and some available reports have not mentioned the relevant indices and analysis results. In the current study, based upon data collected from 29 provinces of Iran along with 23 counties of Khorasan provinces, a comprehensive analysis was made and different diversity indices such as Shanon- Weaver, Evenness index, Margalof richness index as well as two dominance indices including Sympson and Berger-Parker were calculated. The results indicated that Kerman, Fars and Khorasan provinces cover 40% of orchard areas in the country. Species richness in all provinces was relatively high but the evenness index was not so (average evenness for all provinces is 0.55). Therefore, in some provinces such as Boshehr and Kerman, species dominance is observed due to Date and Pistachio, respectively. Also, Stone fruits among Khorasan orchards provided the highest richness and diversity. The highest area of orchards in Khorasan are belonged to nuts including Pistachio, Almond, Walnut and Oleaster. Kashmar district has the highest orchards area in Khorasan province. According to the Shanon-Weaver index, the highest and lowest diversity were observed at Nahbandan- Birjand and Fariman counties. Results also indicated that the Berger-Parker dominance index is highest at Fariman and Shirvan districts of Khorasan because of apple and grape species dominance.

To evaluate the effect of crop rotation on spatial dynamic of Fumaria vaillantti and Polygonum aviculare a study was conducted at the three farms with different rotation in the Astan Ghods Razavi filed that located at 10 kilometers southeast of Mashhad, Iran. The rotations were alfalfa- fallow- wheat, canola- fallow- wheat, and wheat- fallow- wheat. At the crosses of 7×7 m quadrangular grids network, discrete systematic sampling was performed using 0.5×0.5m quadrates at three stages including before chemical control, after chemical control, and before harvesting and density of weed species were recorded separately. In each three rotations Fumaria vaillantti and Polygonum aviculare were part of dominant species at second and third sampling stages, But at the first sampling stage dominant species were different. Polygonum aviculare was became dominant species at the third sampling stage, Mean while, the importance of Fumaria vaillantti were reduce. Bing winter Fumaria vaillantti and summer Polygonum aviculare can be the cause of this phenomenon. Variogram parameters survey show that the minimum and maximum of nugget effects for studied species was 0.17 and 1.001 respectively. The range of weeds in field varied between 2.8 – 93.5m. Nugget effect and range were downside at each three rotations and at during of first and second sampling, while nugget effect and range variations of Fumaria vaillantti were different depend on rotation type. The distribution maps of studied weed were drawn after applying varigram parameters in Kriging method that showed patchy and plow directed distribution. Our Results showed that crop rotation and cultural operation effects dynamism of the weeds, that Knowledge of these effects can be an opportunity for more effective weed control.

In most region of Khorasan, sesame ecotypes have been planted for many years, but there is little information about seed yield and yield components of them. Therefore a field experimental was conducted to investigation of yield parameters of 14 sesame ecotypes (MSC1, MSC2, MSC3, MSC4, MSC5, MSC6, MSC7, MSC8, MSC9, MSC10, MSC11, MSC12, MSC13 and MSC14) in randomized complete block design with three replications at experimental station, Collage of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2009. Results showed that there were significant difference (P

Decreasing yield and forage quality in saline water irrigating conditions, is one of the problems of forage production. Therefore, using the chemical fertilizers can be considered as a useful solution. This study was conducted to assess the effects of different levels of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers with saline water on physiological characteristics of Kochia, through a split plot factorial experiments with three replications. The main experimental units consisted of the levels of salinity of irrigating water, 5.2 and 16.5 dS m-1, and the subsidiary experimental units consisted of three nitrogen levels in form of 46%N (0, 100, 200 kg ha-1) and three phosphorus levels in form of triple super phosphate (0, 75, 150 kg ha-1), arranged in factorial form in experimental units. Results showed that the effect of salinity on studied physiological properties was not significant. Green area index (GAI) and membrane stability index (MSI) were significantly increased with using nitrogen fertilizers on 5.2 dS/m salinity level to control group, while phosphorus did not affect on them. In all properties, fertilizers application on 16.5 dS/m salinity level not only had no considerable effect on stress tolerance, but also increased the harmful effects of salinity. GAI had a high correlation (0.71) with dry forage yield related to the studied factors. Generally, 75 kg Triple Super Phosphate fertilizer from 100 kg Urea improved studied physiological properties without side effects.

Nowadays herbicide reduction and different approaches leading to this goal like split application have been brought to attention. Two green house experiments were carried out to investigate the efficiency of single and split application of mesosulfuron-methy+iodosulfuron methyl to control wild oat (Avena ludoviciana). The influence of applications intervals and the ratios of the two applications doses were studied. Analysis of the data performed based on two statistical approaches: comparison between ED90 of the treatments and joint action model. The study revealed that both single and split application efficacy decreased as application timing was delayed but this reduction was more highlighted at single spray. 75:25 ratio approximately at all application timing showed more activity to control wild oat. But considering joint action model, 50:50 ratio was the only rate that showed antagonism at late growth stages of wild oat (spray 7 and 14 days after 2 leaf stage). There was an additive reaction for both 50:50 and 75:25 ratios at early growth stage of wild oat (spray 3 days after 2 leaf stage). Totally it could be concluded that efficacy of split application of mesosulfuron-methy+iodosulfuron methyl was more potent than that of the single one.

In order to investigate the effects of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer on photosynthesis rate and some physiological characteristics in two barley cultivars, A pot experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design as a factorial experiment with three factors including water stress, nitrogen fertilizer and barley cultivars in three replications. Irrigation treatments conducted after anthesis at two levels of control (-3 bar) and drought stress (-13 bar). nitrogen fertilizer applied in control (non fertilizer application), first level (27 mg N/Kg-1 soil) and second level (54 mg N Kg-1 soil) in two barley cultivars differing in drought resistance (drought resistance Abidar and drought susceptible CB-74-2). The results showed that drought treatment decreased photosynthesis rate, Relative Water Content (RWC) and cell membrane stability under drought and heat stress, while drought treatment increased catalase and peroxidase activity. Nitrogen treatment showed positive effects on photosynthesis rate, SPAD, RWC and cell membrane stability under heat stress. Under irrigation treatment CB-74-2 showed the better performance in photosynthesis rate, RWC and enzymatic activity comprising to Abidar cultivar, while under drought stress condition the decreasing of photosynthesis, RWC and cell membrane stability under heat stress were slower in Abidar cultivar. This cultivar showed higher peroxidase activity under drought stress in contrast to irrigation treatment. Under both control and water stress condition, a positive and significantly correlation found between grain yield and SPAD.

In order to study the effects of water deficit stress and foliar application of chitosan in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a pot experiment was conducted in 2009. Experimental design was a randomized complete block in factorial arrangement with three replications. Experimental factors were water deficit levels (unstressed (control) and 70% available water depletion from soil (water deficit stress), chitosan concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1%, all dissolved in 1% acetic acid) along with an additional treatment of distilled water and foliar application times (before and during stem elongation). The results showed that water deficit stress reduced plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, root height and volume. Whereas, foliar application of chitosan increased mentioned traits. In addition, water deficit stress decreased chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll concentration and relative water content. Carotenoid, proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were increased in response to stress. Foliar application of chitosan increased chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (68.77%) and chlorophyll b in the water deficit stressed plants, whereas decreased MDA content. The results of the present study indicate that application of chitosan can reduce the harmful effects of water deficit and improve plant growth.

In order to evaluation the different sowing date and different harvest time in intercropping of maize and legume plants on maize forage quality, a randomized complete block with three replications conducted in research field of university of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2011. Treatments were included three legume plants (soybean, fenugreek and cowpea) at two sowing time (simultaneously with maize, and 21 days after sowing of maize), and control treatment (maize without legume plants). The results showed that delay in harvest time was caused increasing the dry matter from milky stage to dough stage, while maize harvest at dough stage the dry matter yield in maize pure stand (17%), soybean at both time (14 and 9%), fenugreek at both time (11 and 22%) and cowpea at both time (3 and 11%) than the increase in milk yield the dry matter. The highest forage of legume plants was related to cowpea. The study showed that the harvest at milky stage than dough stage have higher forage quality. The maximum CP and DMD of maize forage were obtained at first time of cowpea and second time of soybean, respectively. The maximum of WSC also was observed in monoculture of maize (without legume plant). Weed dry matter decreased significantly (P

Henbane Hyoscyamus reticulatus L. is a plant species in solanaceae family that seeds hardly germinate because of seed dormancy. In order to determine the best methods for seed dormancy breaking in henbane, a experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments included moist pre-chilling (at 4 °C) for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, combined treatment of gibberellic acid (500 ppm) and moist chilling at 4 °C for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, soaking the seeds in hormones gibberellic acid, kinetin, auxin (250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm) for 24 h, KNO3 (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4%), Hot water (70 and 90 °C) for 5, 10 and 15 minutes, soaking seeds under running water for 24 and 48h, soaking the seeds in sulfuric acid 70% and 90% (5, 10 and 15 minutes) and mechanical scarification with sandpaper. The results showed that seed dormancy in henbane is physiological since the highest germination percentage (96%) was obtained by using the combined treatment of gibberellic acid (500 ppm) and pre-chilling (for 25 days). In addition, moist chilling and gibberellic acid treatments -by itself- on breaking seed dormancy were remarkable in this plant as germination increased up to 40 and 81%, respectively. Effects of hormones were also statistically significant on increasing seed germination but compared with the salient effect of combined chilling with gibberellic acid treatment and gibberellic acid treatment was not so remarkable. On the other hand, other applied treatments (Hot water, sulfuric acid and mechanical scarification with sandpaper) had no effects on breaking seed dormancy in henbane which indicates that the type of seed dormancy in henbane is not physical or it is due to the accumulation of inhibitory substance in seed coat.

Mutation induction is considered as an effective way to enrich plant genetic variation, particularly for traits with a very low level of genetic variation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of 1200 GY gamma ray irradiation on morphophenological traits, yield and yield components and to identify useful mutants in two spring rapeseed "RGS003" and" Sarigol" cultivars. The results revealed that there are highly significant difference sa mong mutant lines. Based on the results of phenotypic and genetic correlations, 1000 seed weight had the highest relationship with see dyieldper plant. Stepwise regression analysis also showed that 1000 seed weight was one of the most important traits contributing in seed yield.In viewpoint of the exploitation of the induced variation at morphological traits, M2 lines 9 from RGS003 and 16, 25 and 26 from Sarigol could be suggested as the most desirable lines for canola breeding.

In order to study the effects of salinity stress and sowing method on yield, yield component and oil percentage in two spring safflower a field experiment was conducted at Research Station of College of Agriculture, Shiraz University. The experimental design was a split split plot based on Randomized Complete Block with three replications. Treatment were two cultivars (Goldasht and Isfahan 14) as main plot and four salinity levels (.4, 5.9, 7.3 and 9.1 dS m-1) as sub plot and two sowing method (furrow and ridges) as sub-sub plot. Results showed that with increasing salinity seed yield and its component (capitula number per plant, seed number per capitula, capitula weight per plant and 1000-seed weight) were significantly decreased. The highest seed yield (2265.43 Kg ha-1) obtained at. 4 dS m-1 level and the lowest seed yield (1559.19 Kg ha-1) achieved at 9.1dSm-1 salinity level. The cultivar Isfahan 14 as compared with Goldasht cultivar was found more salt tolerant and in all of levels of salinity has higher seed yield. With increasing salinity, oil percentage of two cultivars decreased but this reduction in Isfahan 14 by (22.7 percent) lower than Goldasht cultivar. Seed yield in furrow sowing was higher by (4.7 percent) than ridge sowing. It seems that the modification of sowing method and selection cultivar are two agents that can be used as a way of alleviating the adverse effect of salinity on growth and yield.

In recent years, surplus usage of chemical fertilizers and inattention the importance organic matter to improve soil fertility, leading to increasing use of chemical fertilizer, environmental pollution and etc. In order to study the different fertilizer levels (organic, chemical and combined) on yield of grain corn (S.C.704) experiment was conducted at the Research Farm Faculty of Agriculture Tarbiat Modarres University 2010 growing season factorial treatment were arranged in manner based on randomized complete block design with three replications. One factor include of the five nutritional systems: 1- (8 ton ha-1 of organic fertilizer), 2- (6 ton ha-1 of organic fertilizer + 46 kg ha-1 nitrogen), 3- (4 ton ha-1 of organic fertilizer + 92 kg/ha nitrogen), 4- (2 ton ha-1 of organic fertilizer + 138 kg ha-1 nitrogen) and 5- (184 kg ha-1 nitrogen) and second factor consisting of: 1- (Seed inoculation with free living nitrogen fixation bacteria) and 2- (Non-inoculated seed). The results showed that the experimental treatments had a significant effect on the traits measured. Maximum leaf area (7.7), grain yield (1000 g m-2), thousand grain weight (213 g) and protein percent (11 percent) of A3 fertilizer level and the highest plant height and biological yield amount 256 cm and 22 ton ha-1 of A4 fertilizer level, respectively. Also in seeds inoculated with biological fertilizer measured traits had greater extent than treatment control (no inoculation), so that the leaf area (7.7), plant height (252 cm), grain yield (978 g m-2), thousand grain weight (205 g), biological yield (22 ton ha-1) and protein percent (10 percent) in the inoculated treatments (one). According to the results that obtained the usage from of bio-fertilizers and manure combined with chemical is considered as appropriate procedure for increasing the yield and quality of corn.

In order to study the yield and growth indix of potato under water deficit, an experiment was conducted with line-source sprinkler irrigation in Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center. Water deficit levels were included, at 0.75m from line-source (control), at 3.75m from line source (very mild deficit), at 6.75m from line-source (mild deficit), at 9.75m from line-source (severe deficit), at 12.75m from line source (very severe deficit).The yield were 26.47, 22.3, 17.31, 9.88 and 2.04 ton per hectare in control, very mild, mild, sever and very sever deficit respectively. Water deficit had very effects on root, shoot and tuber dry matter, total dry matter (TDM), relative growth rate (RGR), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), and net assimilation rate (NAR). The maximum LAD (478) was in control in 1600 GDD and maximum RGR was calculated between 0.004 and 0.005 g/g GDD in water deficit. In sever and very sever deficit, maximum CGR showed very soon (1300 and 1200 GDD respectively).

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Cliniptilolite natural Zeolite on deficit irrigation stress tolerance on maize cultivar KSC704. The experiment was laid out as a factorial design based on randomized complete block with three replications at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj in 2012. Four Irrigation levels, including Irrigation after 70, 95, 120 and 145 mm cumulative evaporation from evaporation pan class A and three zeolite levels including control, 6 and 12 ton /ha were considered as the factors. The effect of irrigation was significant (p< 0.01) for days to silking, ASI, ear height, and grain yield and it was also significant (p< 0.05) for days to anthesis, plant height, ear diameter, number of ears and 1000-kernel weight. The using zeolite was significant for 1000 kernels weight and it was significant (p< 0.05) for ASI, ear height and grain yield. The maximum yield obtained from normal irrigation and using zeolite 12 ton /ha (7352 and 6134.1 kg / hectare respectively). From the result of this experiment for the maximum grain yield in available water condition for maize cultivar KSC704 irrigation after 70 mm evaporation from evaporation pan can be recommended and this contrition using natural zeolite is not necessary. But in water deficit condition, irrigation after 95 mm evaporation from evaporation pan and using zeolite 12 ton per hectare can be recommended. More deficit irrigation will decrease grain yield significantly.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the oilseed crops adaption on a wide range circumstance of Iran edaphic, which deficiency of micronutrients cause in its quality and quantity yield. To assign the effect of amount and utility period of micronutrients fertilizer on grain yield, yield components and characters of oil quality of safflower var Mexi141 an experiment by factorial base Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was carried out. The factors were including foliar spraying of micronutrients fertilizer at four levels (1-Without consuming of micronutrients fertilizer or Control (F1), apply 2.5 (F2), apply 3 (F3) and 4.5 (F4) Kg.ha-1, and time of utilization (T1= 3, T2=4 and T3=5 weeks) fertilizer after silique formation arranged to plots. Results showed that the traits of start and end flowering, flowering period, the height of first reproductive branch (silique), number of lateral branch, number of grain per siliqe, siliqe diameter, grain yield, oil content and unsaturated fatty acids profile of oil were affected under rates and time of foliar spraying micronutrients fertilizer and its interaction. With rising consume of rates micronutrients fertilizer, the grain yield increased and the uppermost of its (1792.1 kg ha-1) achieved in foliar spraying of 3 kg ha-1 micronutrients fertilizer during four weeks after siliqe formation. Rate of fertilizer on unsaturated fatty acids content of oil had effect, in which the greatest amount of mono band fatty acid of oleic acid (18:1) (15.92 %) were gets without using of micronutrients or foliar spraying of at least of micronutrients fertilizer., also the highest amount (75.97 %) of diband fatty acid of linoleic acid (18:2) with using 4.5 kg.ha-1 of micronutrients, and the most of multiple band fatty acid (0.29 %) of linolenic acid (18:3) was obtained with consuming 3 kg.ha-1 of micronutrients fertilizer. Interaction effect of micronutrients fertilizer and time application of fertilizer on unsaturated fatty acids content of oil, such as linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) were significant (P≤0.01). In which, the highest amount of linoleic acid (18:2) obtained in foliar spraying of 4.5 kg.ha-1 micronutrients during 3 weeks after silique formation, and the greatest quantity of linolenic acid (18:3) achieved by foliar spraying of 2.5 kg ha-1 micronutrients during 4 weeks after siliqe formation.

Parsley has a very high nutritional value, containing A, B and C vitamins and mineral nutrients. In order to investigation of the effect of different nitrogen sources on parsley an experiment conducted in a factorial combination of three nitrogen forms (calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and urea) and four nitrogen levels (0, 100, 125, 150 kg ha-1) by using a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the effect of nitrogen sources was significant on all measured parameters. As the highest shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, vitamin C and leaf Ca concentration obtained at 150 kg ha-1 of calcium nitrate and the highest shoot dry weight, plant height, leaf length and leaf iron concentration at 150 kg ha-1 of ammonium sulphate and the highest amount of chlorophyll a+b at 150 kg ha-1 of urea.

Jasmonate is new plant growth regulator that plays an essential role at increasing plants resistance to the environmental stresses like salinity stress. Hence, in this research the effect of foliar application of methyl jasmonate on some physiological indices and yield of German chamomile under salinity conditions was studied. A factorial experiment was laid out based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in the greenhouse condition. Foliar application of methyl jasmonate was five levels (MJ1; 0, MJ2; 75, MJ3; 150, MJ4; 225 and MJ5; 300 μM) and salinity stress was four levels (S1; 2, S2; 6, S3; 10, S4; 14 dS m-1). The effect of methyl jasmonate, salinity condition treatments and their interaction was significant for traits of photosynthesis rate, stomata conductance, transpiration rate, carboxylation efficiency, intercellular CO2 concentration and yield of flower. The highest values of photosynthetic rate, stomata conductance, transpiration rate, carboxylation efficiency and yield of flower (3.76 g pot-1) and the lowest intercellular CO2 concentration were achieved at MJ×S treatment. Maximum value of photosynthetic water use efficiency was revealed at MJ5×S2 treatment. With decreasing stomata conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency and intercellular CO2 concentration were increased. In general, it seems that application of methyl jasmonate by lower dose (MJ2) under salinity conditions especially mild salinity stress (S2) can improve physiological indices and yield of chamomile.