فهرست مطالب رقیه امینیان

Introduction:

The genotype × environment interaction is one of the most important factors in limiting breeding programs. The compatibility of a given genotype determines its ability and genetic capacity to produce high production and yield stability in different environments. Therefore, it is necessary to study the genotype × environment interaction in order to introduce stable genotypes in different environments. The current research was carried out to determine the compatibility and stability of yield for 10 tobacco genotypes and estimate the most stable genotype for tobacco growing areas in Iran (i.e. Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces). 

Materials and Methods:

In this study, 10 male sterile flue cured tobacco genotypes, which they completely tested in terms of quality and taste, including 7 internal modified hybrids named RVH5, RVH6, RVH8, RVH27, RVH30, RVH48, RVH70 along with 3 imported genotype DVH2101, PVH19 and NC100 in 6 tobacco growing regions of Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan in two years of experiment (2018-2019). In total, 12 environments were studied in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Combined analysis was performed by considering the environments as a random factor and genotypes as a fixed factor. Then the stability analysis of genotypes was done by 10 stability statistics and the first 3 components of AMMI (Additive Main effects and Multiplication Interaction) analysis including IPCA1, IPCA2 and IPCA3. Analysis of variance was done using SAS.9 software, AMMI analysis and related graphs were performed using IRRISTAT software. 

Results and Discussion:

The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the effect of location and year × location interaction, the effect of genotype and genotype × year × location interaction were significant at the 1% probability level for yield. Genotype × environment interaction analysis using the first three main components of the AMMI analysis justified 69.47% of the total variance. The lowest coefficient of variation was related to DVH2101 and RVH27 genotypes. RVH30, RVH27 and RVH8 genotypes were selected as the most stable genotypes. According to Rick equivalence and Shoklaʹs stability variance parameters. The least squares deviation from the regression line were related to RVH27, RVH30 and RVH8 genotypes. In terms of regression coefficient, RVH27, RVH30 and DVH2101 genotypes had a line slope close to 1. Based on the coefficient of determination and Jenkins and Perkins statistics, RVH27, RVH30 and RVH8 genotypes were in the same rank in terms of stability. RVH27 and RVH30 were the most stable genotypes with superiority index. RVH27, RVH30 and DVH2101 genotypes were selected as the most stable hybrids based on the AMMI first model due to their proximity to the plot center, low interaction and high yield. Based on the second model of AMMI analysis, RVH27 and DVH2101 genotypes were selected as stable genotypes. In the third AMMI model, the RVH27 genotype was selected as the stable genotype due to its closeness to the biplot center and high yield. 

Conclusion:

Considering most of the stability statistics and AMMI analysis, the most stable genotype was RVH27 hybrid. RVH30 and DVH2101 hybrids were placed in the next categories of stability. In addition, genotypes RVH6 and NC100 showed high private compatibility to Tirtash tobacco growing area and genotype RVH27 to Rasht region.

Tragopogon spp. has many medicinal properties in addition to its edible consumption due to its many useful compounds. One of these identified compounds is inulin, which is present in the roots of this plant. To investigate the effects of low irrigation stress and growth-promoting rhizobacteria (Bacillus subtilis) on inulin content and root morphological traits in some genotypes of Tragopogon spp., a factorial experiment with three factors in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in the research greenhouse of Bu Ali Sina University in 2020. The factors included irrigation at two levels of without stress (100% of field capacity) and low irrigation stress (50% of field capacity) as the first factor, genotype at 15 levels (different genotypes of Tragopogon spp) as the second factor, and plant growth-enhancing rhizobacteria (PGPR) at two levels of inoculation with B. subtilis and without inoculation as the third factor. Length, area, volume, diameter, weight, and inulin content of the plant roots were measured. The results showed that the irrigation × genotype × bacteria interaction effect was significant on all studied traits. Low irrigation stress increased length, area, and volume of the plant roots in most genotypes, but decreased root weight and inulin content. Inoculation with B. subtilis affected genotypes differently. Iranian genotype No. 11 (Kaboudar Ahang) had the highest inulin content at different stress and B. subtilis levels, followed by Italian genotype No. 4 at both B. subtilis levels under non-stress conditions. Overall, stress reduced inulin content of the plant roots, but the effect of inoculation with B. subtilis depended on the genotype.

Bread wheat is one of the most important food crops that is grown in different climatic conditions across the world. One of the important factors for this wide adaptability is the role of vernalization genes in different wheat genotypes. Therefore, identification of allelic variations of these genes provides an opportunity to determine growth habit, prediction of cold tolerance and adaptability of bread wheat genotypes to different climatic conditions. In this study, growth habit of 40 promising bread wheat genotypes was evaluated in the field and glasshouse during two and one cropping seasons, respectively. Allelic variation in VRN-1 and VRN-3 loci was also determined using nine locus-specific primer pairs. In VRN-A1 locus; Vrn-A1a, Vrn-A1b, Vrn-A1c and vrn-A1 alleles had frequencies of 7.5%, 7.5%, 10% and 67.5%, respectively. In this locus, three genotypes did not produce any band. In VRN-B1 locus; dominant and recessive alleles had frequencies of 52.5% and 47.5%, respectively, and in VRN-D1 locus; dominant and recessive alleles had frequencies of 60%, 40%, respectively. In VRN-3 locus; the majority of genotypes (97.5%) had recessive allele (vrn-B3). Results of this study indicated that different alleles of VRN-A1 locus had more influence on field growth habit as compared to VRN-B1 and VRN-D1 loci, and different combinations of these alleles resulted in range of various field growth habits from true spring to true winter. The results of this study can be used in the national bread wheat breeding programs for pyramiding favorite alleles of vernalization genes to improve adaptability of bread wheat genotypes for different target agro-climatic zones of Iran.

Salinity and accumulation of salts in the soil are one of the most important non-biological stresses that limiting agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. to minimize the effects of stress we can use the foliar application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Therefore, due to the adverse effects of salinity stress on the growth and yield of many plants, including quinoa, it is necessary to use methods to increase plant resistance to improve growth, production, and crop yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to study the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid on reducing the effects of salinity stress and improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of quinoa

Two-factor factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications, was conducted during 2018-2019 in the research greenhouse of Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin, Iran. The experimental factors included salinity of irrigation water at three levels (0, 8 and 16 dS / m sodium chloride) and GABA at five levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mM). Quinoa seeds were obtained from the Seed and Plant Breeding Research Institute. After seedling establishment in the four-leaf stage, salinity was applied by adding sodium chloride to irrigation water. Some morphological and physiological traits such as main stem diameter, number of spikes per plant, grain yield, 1000-seed weight, harvest index; SPAD, leaf relative water content, leaf water loss and membrane stability percentage were also measured.

The results showed that salinity had a reducing and significant effect on plant growth and development indices. Application of gamma-amino butyric acid improved the traits of SPAD, plant height, stem length, number of spikes, and harvest index. Therefore, foliar application of GABA under salinity stress conditions is recommended as a compatible osmolyte that reduces salinity damage in quinoa. The salinity × GABA interaction was significant for all traits except relative water loss, SPAD index, plant height and number of spikes per plant. At salinity of 16 dS / m, the best GABA treatment increased the leaf relative water content (10%), membrane stability index (29%), stem diameter (11%), 1000-seed weight (37%), grain yield (36 %), plant dry weight (70%), potassium content (58%), potassium to sodium ratio (168%) and decrease in sodium content (117%) compared to non-use of GABA conditions. The maximum leaf SPAD index (39.88), the highest plant height (55.15 cm), and the highest number of spikes per plant (15.03) were obtained in plants treated with 10 mM GABA.

Quinoa is a plant with very high nutritional value that can be an important part of our diet shortly. The results of this study showed that although this plant has a high resistance to salinity, but increasing the salinity of irrigation water caused a significant reduction in its growth and development, on the other hand, the use of GABA as a natural factor that improves plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, was able to greatly compensate for the damage caused by saline water and significantly increase the resistance of quinoa to salinity.

This research was conducted to separate variance of yield trait olive into its components and determine the heritability of this trait. To do that, 105 cultivars and genotypes cultivated at Tarom Research Station belonged to the Research and Education Center for Agriculture and Natural resources of Zanjan province, were evaluated for five years from 2010 to 2015. The base design of this experiment was a randomized complete block design with the effect of time on the model. Finally, the data were analyzed based on the split plot design in time. Then, based on the Expected value of each component, the genetic parameters related to the trait were obtained. For the five years of studies significant differences were observed between yield and tree, so that the highest yield (32.32 kg) was obtained from a single three. The value of the genetic component of the attribute was 40.81, which is a small amount indicating the high impact of the environment on this trait. The value of the inheritance of the trait was 53.44, which is significant due to the quantitative nature of the trait. Accordingly, based on the relatively high diversity index obtained from one of the suitable corrective methods for the yield trait in olive, could be "selection" among the elite genotypes.

To evaluate the relationship between traits and response of sesame cultivars in terms of quantitative and qualitative yields and water use efficiency to different irrigation regimes (full and low irrigation conditions), a split plot field experiment was based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2016. In this experiment, two factors including irrigation regimes (main factor) and sesame cultivars (sub factor) were examined. Irrigation regimes in two levels, including irrigation after depletion of 40% and 80% of soil available water (full and low irrigation, respectively) in the main plots and six sesame cultivars in sub plots were considered. The results showed that low irrigation stress reduced most of the traits (except grain protein percentage and water use efficiency). Among the studied traits under low irrigation condition, grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency showed the highest reduction (60%) and among the studied cultivars, Oltan and Dashtestan had the highest yield under the full irrigation conditions. These cultivars also had the highest capsule number, number of grain per capsule, 1000-grain weight and water and nitrogen use efficiency. None of the studied cultivars had desirable performance under the low irrigation conditions. Under both full and low irrigation conditions, the oil percentage had a positive and significant correlation with 1000-grain weight. Therefore, trying to increase the weight of the grains can lead to produce cultivars with high oil percentage.

Medicinal plants have been one of the main natural resources of Iran from ancient times. Nutritional management has a significant impact on the quantity and quality of plants. The fastest way to supply nutrients for plant is the use of mineral fertilizers. In spite of significant and positive effect of chemical fertilizer on crops production, excessive use of them can reduce crop yield due to loss of soil biological activity, loss of soil physical properties, soil acidification, and soil nutrient imbalance. In addition, the use of chemical fertilizers can cause environmental pollutions. The use of organic manures as alternative sources of chemical fertilizer increased the yield of many plants and reduced the adverse effect of chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers also increased soil moisture, reduced soil pH and increased the electrical conductivity and the ability of absorbing soil nutrients. Therefore to study the effects of biological and chemical fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of Cichorium intybus in different densities, this experiment was conducted.

This experiment was conducted as split split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments comprised of nitrogen at three levels (0, 50, 100 kg/ha) as the main plot, density at three levels (6, 9 and 12 plants/m2) as sub plot and bio-fertilizer in three levels (non- inoculation, inoculation with Mycorrhiza and inoculation with Azotobacter) as sub-sub plot. Several quantitative and qualitative traits were measured including leaf number, root length, fresh and dry weight, flavonoid content, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

Analysis of variance showed the significant effects of treatments on leaves, fresh and dry weight, root length and the amount of plant flavonoids, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen consumption based on 100% fertilizer recommendations increased all traits, while the effects of density and bio-fertilizer were different on quantitative and qualitative traits. Seed inoculated with mycorrhiza showed a better result for flavonoid, phosphorus and potassium than seed inoculated with Azotobacter. Among the two-way interaction effects, the density × bio fertilizer and density × the nitrogen fertilizer were significant for plant leaf number and root length.  Mean comparison of density × bio fertilizer showed that the highest number of leaves per plant was obtained at density of 6 plant/m2 and Azotobacter inoculation and the highest root length was observed at density of 12 plant/m2 and Azotobacter inoculation. Mean comparison of density × the nitrogen fertilizer showed that the highest leaf number was observed at density of 6 plant. m-2 and 100 kg ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer and the highest root length was obtained at density of 12 plant m-2 and 100 kg ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer. The interaction effect of nitrogen fertilizer, density and bio-fertilizer was significant only for fresh weight. The maximum value of fresh weight (1848.8 g/m2) is related to the application of 100 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer, the density of 12 plants/m2 and using Azotobacter. These conditions increased fresh weight to168 percent than conditions of lack of nitrogen and bio-fertilizers under the density of 6 plants/m2 (with 688.5 g/m2 fresh weight).

The results showed that the application of biological fertilizer had a significant effect on improving quantitative and qualitative yield of Cichorium intybus. Furthermore, the combined application of biological fertilizer and chemical fertilizer (based on 100% fertilizer recommendations) in the density of 12 plant/m2 significantly increased root length and weight of the plant. Therefore, biological fertilizers through the improvement of soil structure, and along with chemical fertilizers, increase greatly the quantitative and qualitative yield of plants.

More than 90% of the total oil consumed in the country is imported abroad. Therefore, the development of oilseed cultivation and research programs in this field should be considered. Water deficit stress is one of the most important environmental stresses that has limited the successful production of crops, especially in dry and semi-arid regions. Sesame is one of the most important seed economical products that has good compatibility with dry and semi-arid regions such as Iran. Since yield is a bit complicated trait and controlled by a large number of genes, the effect of each gene is small and environmental factors can have a great effect on it. Therefore, identifying yield components that have more inheritance than yield and, on the other hand, have high correlation with it, can increase the efficiency of selection. So in breeding programs, it is important to examine the components of yield and how they affect each other to achieve high yield. One of the methods for analyzing the components of yield is stepwise regression. In this method, traits that have the greatest share in explaining the variation of yield are distinguished among a large number of traits. Identifying the appropriate and effective traits of yield can be the basis for selection in breeding programs and can be used to increase grain yield.

This research was conducted as split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of seed and plant improvement institute, agricultural research, education and extension organization of Karaj, in summer of 2016. Two factors including irrigation regimes (as main factor) and cultivars (as sub factor) were investigated. Two irrigation regimes including irrigation after 40% soil moisture utilization in soil (no stress) and irrigation after 80% moisture utilization in soil (low irrigation stress) in main plots and 6 sesame cultivars named Halil, Dashtestan 2, Darab 1, Oltan, Yellow White and Naz tak shakheh in sub plots were considered. Correlation analysis, stepwise regression, principal components analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the components of yield. Correlation analysis, stepwise regression and path analysis were performed using SPSS software version 23, principal components analysis and two-dimensional diagram (bi-plot) with Minitab software version 17. The measured traits included seed yield, dry weight of plant, height, secondary branches number, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, seed oil percentage, oil yield, seed protein percentage and seed protein yield.

In non-stress and stress conditions, the highest positive and significant correlation was observed between seed yield and oil yield. In non-stress condition, seed number per capsule and number of capsules in the plant and seed oil percentage were the most effective positive variables on seed yield. 1000 seed weight had the most direct positive effect on seed oil percentage. In stress condition, seed protein percentage and secondary branches number had the highest negative effects on seed yield, respectively. Seed protein percentage had the most direct positive effect on oil percentage. The main components analysis showed that in non-stress condition, seed yield, capsule number, oil yield and protein yield had high correlation with the first component and 51.1% of the variation was explained. Based on this component, Oltan and Dashtestan cultivars were better in terms of seed, oil and protein yield than other cultivars. In stress condition, seed yield, oil yield and protein yield had high correlation with the first component and explained 37.5% of the variation. Halil, Oltan and Yellow White cultivars were not desirable on the basis of this component, which was the component of seed, oil and protein yield.

To investigate the response of new maize hybrids to different environmental conditions and determine their grain yield stability, an experiment was conducted using eight maize hybrids in a randomized complete block design with three replications in six locations in 2016. Due to the significant hybrid × environment (G × E) interaction, stability analysis was performed using two multivariate methods, AMMI and GGE-biplot. The results of the AMMI model showed that only the first principal component (AMMI1) was significant and accounted for 72.52% of the G×E variation. Based on AMMI model statistics (SPCA1 and ASV), the hybrids No. 1 ( KSC715B) and 5 (KSC706) were selected as the highest stable hybrids. The results of stability anlaysis by GGE-biplot procedure showed that 83.32% of the total grain yield variation was explained by the first and second component of GGE-biplot and the hybrids No. 1 (SC715B) and 7 (SC703) were identified as the hybrids with higher stability. In total, based on grain yield and the results of stability analysis using these two methods, the hybrids No. 7 (SC703) and 1 (SC715B) with grain yield of 13.16 and 12.82 t/ha, respectively, were identified as the most stable hybrids with most high yielding and due to high general adaptability, cab be cultivated in different regions of Iran. Also, biplot of correlation among environments revealed that Moghan, Shiraz and Kerman as well as Ghaemshahr, Kermanshah and Karaj, were very close to each other and were similar in ranking the studied hybrids. Considering high dicreament power of hybrids in Shiraz, Kerman, Karaj and Ghaemshahr regions and in order to save the costs of future experiments, it is recomanded that the experiments be carried out in these four regions instead of six.

Though chemical fertilizers increase crop production, their long-term use causes soil compaction and decreased fertility, increased air and water pollution, as well as increased greenhouse gases emission, ultimately leading to serious damage to human health and the environment. A greenhouse experiment was conducted during 2018 to evaluate the effects of chemical and bio-fertilizers on the quality and quantity of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in a randomized complete block design with four treatments. The experimental treatments included chemical fertilizer (NPK), seaweed extract, humic acid, and control (without fertilizer) with five replications. The results showed that the treatments had a significant effect on most of the traits. The highest plant height, plant dry weight, number of umbels per plant, number of seeds per plant, 1000 seed weight, number of primary branches, chlorophyll content, leaf carotenoid content, and essential oil content were obtained in the plants treated with chemical fertilizer as well as seaweed extract. The highest plant fresh weight was obtained from chemical fertilizer treatment, and the highest number of secondary branches (9.08) and linalool percentage (61.32%) were obtained from the seaweed extract treatment. The results indicated that the seaweed extract could be a good replacement for chemical fertilizers in coriander.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) that belongs to the Fabacecae family, has been commonly used as a traditional food and medicine (Mehrafarin et al., 2011). Several experimental and clinical studies support beneficial effects of fenugreek in the management of metabolic diseases and inflammatory disorders. Water shortage is one of the most important limiting factors which reduces the growth of fenugreek and other plants around the world and the most common environmental stress (Abedi and Pakniyat, 2010). In recent years, the excessive use of fertilizers and chemicals in agricultural production systems has increased the risk of environmental pollution and agricultural products. Bio-fertilizers as an alternatives or supplementary for chemical fertilizers, can guarantee the sustainability of agricultural production systems (Han et al., 2006).Therefore, considering the importance of bio fertilizers and water shortage, this experiment was conducted to study the effect of mycorrhizal and green algae bio fertilizers on morpho-physiological traits and the relationships between these traits under low and conventional irrigation regimes.

In order to study the effect of bio fertilizers on reducing the impact of drought stress in fenugreek, an experiment was conducted in two-factor factorial format in a randomized complete block design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. The first factor was irrigation at two levels comprising without stress (irrigation based on 100% soil capacity) and low irrigation stress (irrigation based on 40% soil capacity), and the second factor was biological fertilizer at three levels (without bio fertilizer, use of mycorrhiza fungi and use of green algae). The studied traits included chlorophyll, leaf relative water content, membrane stability index, plant fresh weight, grain yield, number and width of leaf stomata, number of pods and number of seeds per pod.

The results of variance analysis showed that irrigation effect was significant for all traits except for the number of stomata. The effect of bio fertilizer on all traits was significant, and interaction between irrigation and bio fertilizer was significant for most of the traits except for the relative water content of the leaves. The highest grain yield (4.55 g. plant-1) and the highest plant fresh weight (18.06 g. plant-1) respectively, were obtained under non-stress conditions and using mycorrhiza. Using mycorrhizal bio fertilizer under stress conditions improved the majority of traits compared to non-use of bio fertilizer. Under stress conditions, plant fresh weight had positive and significant correlation with the membrane stability index, grain yield, stomata number, stomata width and number of seeds per pods (Table 6 above the diameter of the table). Under non- stress conditions, the correlation of plant fresh weight with grain yield, stomata number, stomata width, number of pods and number of seeds per pod was positive and significant (Table 6 below the diameter of the table). Under stress conditions, positive and significant correlation was observed between grain yield with membrane stability index, plant fresh weight, stomata number, stomata width and number of seeds per pod (Table 6 above table diameter). Under non- stress conditions, there was a positive and significant correlation between grain yield with fresh weight of plant, stomata number, stomata width, number of pods and number of seeds per pod (Table 6 below the diameter of the table). The stepwise regression showed that the number of seed per pod in stress and non-stress condition had the highest effect on grain yield, while the number of stomata in non-stress conditions and the number and width of stomata in stress conditions had the highest effect on plant fresh weight.

A significant increase in quantity and quality of yield is achieved by paying attention to the relationships between yield and yield components and their effect on each other. The number of seed per pod; and the number of stomata and stomata width can be respectively used to improve grain yield and fresh weight of fenugreek under stress conditions.

Drought stress is one of the most substantial environmental stresses affecting agricultural productivity around the world and may result in considerable yield reduction. The human population is expected to increase to over 8 billion by the year 2020. Therefore, providing adequate food and preventing crop yield reduction is essential. Plant breeding can solve this problem to some extent. Evaluating yield components and their inter-relationships as well as detecting suitable selection indices are very important in the safflower breeding program. The multivariate statistical analysis can provide more insights into the deep structure of data and traits’ relationships
  In order to study the relationships between yield components of eight genotypes of safflowerunder normal irrigationand drought stress conditions and determine the high yield genotypes, a split-plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin. Irrigation regime included normal irrigation(irrigation after 60 mm evaporation from class A pan evaporation) and drought stress (watering until 50% flowering similar to normal irrigationand 50% flowering to maturity and irrigation after 100 mm evaporation from class A pan evaporation) were considered as main plots. Eight genotypes, including Kuseh Local, Sina, Isfahan Local, Mexican 88, Faraman, Soffeh, Goldasht, and Mexican 11 were used too.
  The analysis of the variance showed that the irrigation effect was significant for traits 1000 grain weight, flower weight, harvest index, and grain yield. There were significant differences among the genotypes for most of the measured traits, except boll diameter, boll number per plant, relative water content, and relative water loss. Plant height, shoot number, boll number, stem diameter, chlorophyll value, flower weight, biological yield, and harvest index positively correlated with the grain yield in both normal irrigation and drought stress conditions. Based on the results of stepwise regression and path analysis, biological yield and harvest index in both normal irrigation and drought stress conditions had the greatest effect on grain yield. Due to the high correlation between yield and harvest index and biological yield under stress conditions, the selection of varieties with high harvest index and biological yield can be very effective in achieving maximum yield under stress conditions. Factor analysis revealed that 4 factors accounted for approximately 82% variance changes in both normal irrigation and drought stress conditions. These factors were called yield, seed, boll size, and leaf water, respectively under normal irrigation, andplant vigor, yield, seed, boll size, and leaf water, respectively under drought stress conditions. Based on the seed yield factor and the biplot display, Faraman, Mahali Isfahan, Sina, and Mahali Kuseh were determined as high yield genotypes both in normal and drought stress conditions.
  Grain yield is a quantitative trait with a low broad sense heritability. Therefore, identifying the traits correlated with grain yield is a suitable strategy for the improvement and the indirect selection of grain yield. Stepwise regression and path analysis are efficient and useful statistical approaches for reaching the above aim. According to the results, the traits of the harvest index and biomass were recognized as the best suitable traits for indirect grain yield selection under normal and drought stress conditions.

Pathogenesis of many bacteria in humans as well as their resistance to anti-bacterial substances has increased the need to find anti-microbial agents. Recently, efforts have been made to replace the synthetic drugs by medicinal plants. Therefore, in this experiment the antibacterial effects of hydro- alcoholic extract of Plantago major and Astragalus hamosus on some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were studied. The factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with three replications and three main agents including plants in two levels (Plantago major and Astragalus hamosus), bacteria in four levels (Shigella flexneri, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenza) and anti-bacterial substance in six levels (the antibiotic Penicillin, the antibiotic Erythromycin, concentrations 0, 25, 50 and 75 mg/ml of extract). Analysis of variance showed that the type of plants, bacterial species and antibacterial agents had a significant effect on the zone of inhibition (p ≤ 0.01). Comparison of means showed that although inhibitory effects of different concentrations of extracts were less than two antibiotics Penicillin and Erythromycin, their effects were significantly higher than the control (distilled water). The results showed less impact of Astragalus hamosus extract compared with Plantago major, however, Increasing in extract concentration increased the zone of inhibition, especially in Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes. The effect of Plantago major extract (75 mg/ml) on Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes was equal with Erythromycin and 76% Penicillin, respectively.

In order to determine the relationship between yield and some of the agronomic traits and evaluate the effect of different levels of phosphorus fertilizer on studied traits of two hybrids of grain corn under drought tension conditions, a split- split plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Drought tension was applied as the main factor in three levels including: full irrigation, tension at panicle emergence stage and tension at seed filling stage. Phosphorous fertilizer as sub-factor in three levels 0, 200 and 300 kilogram per hectare (control without fertilizer, 100 percent of fertilizer recommendation and 50 percent more than fertilizer recommendation, respectively) and hybrid as the sub-sub factor at two levels (SC704 and SC700) were considered. The effect of irrigation, fertilizer and hybrid on yield and many other traits was significant. The highest grain yield was obtained under full irrigation conditions and the lowest on tension conditions at seed filling stage. There was no significant difference between 700 and 704 hybrids at different levels of irrigation. The highest dry weight was obtained under full irrigation conditions. In this situation, there was no significant differences between using 200 and 300 kilogram per hectare phosphorus fertilizer and Single Cross SC700 as well as using 100 and 300 kilogram per hectare phosphorus fertilizer and Single Cross SC700. Both in normal irrigation and tension conditions, the highest correlation was observed between grain yield and harvest index. Based on stepwise regression and path analysis, both under normal irrigation and tension conditions, the traits of harvest index and dry weight had the most effect on grain yield and in selective programs can be effective for increasing production capacity. The highest dry weight was obtained from full irrigation treatments, consumption of 200 and 300 kilogram per hectare phosphorus fertilizer and hybrid SC700, as well as full irrigation, consumption 100 and 300 kilogram per hectare phosphorus fertilizer and hybrid SC704.

In order to study the effects of applying chemical and biofertilizers on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Dracocephalum kotschyi Bioss., a factorial CRD experiment including 18 treatments with 4 replications, was conducted at Imam Khomeini International University research greenhouse. The treatments were: vermicompost (0, 10 and 20 V/V), phosphate biofertilizer (application and no-application) and chemical fertilizer (0, 50 and 100% of the recommended amount equal to 0, 0.48 and 0.96 gr/pot respectively).The essential oil was extracted by hydro distilation method by using a clevenger apparatus and were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Results were showed that the maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, number of inflorescences per plant, fresh and dry weight and the highest percentage of essential oil were obtained as a result of using 20% vermicompost. Plants treated by 50% of recommended NPK% vermicompost showed the highest rate of photosynthesis and transpiration. The maximum nitrogen concentration in leaf tissue was obtained from applying 100% of the recommended amount of NPK渪⦆謩薫. Applying 100% recommended NPK% vermicompost, resulted in higher phosphorus concentration in leaves. The highest concentration of potassium in leaves was obtained from plants treated with 20% vermicompost. 26 different compounds were identified in the essential oil among them limonene and verbenone were the main components. The highest amounts of these two compounds were obtained under 20% vermicompost treatment. According to the results vermicompost is an efficient substitute for chemical fertilizers in production of D.kotschyi.

Among oilseeds that have a good compatibility with the climatic conditions of the Iran, safflower has a special place due to the drought and salinity resistance and also because of having the different spring and autumn varieties. Environmental stresses are the main factors reducing growth and crop yield. Among the environmental stresses, water stress is the main risks for the successful production of crops in Iran and the world. One of the most important applications of nanotechnology in various agricultural fields, especially regarding to the water and soil, is the application of nano-fertilizers to nourish plants. Iron is one the micro elements in plant nutrition. In the condition of iron deficiency, the amount of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll content decreases.
To evaluate the effect of foliar spraying of nano-iron oxide on yield and some important agronomic traits of safflower genotypes at the low water stress conditions, an experiment was carried out in split factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2016 at the research farm of Imam Khomeini International University. The main factors include irrigation on two levels (full irrigation and water stress in the flowering stage) and nano-iron oxide spraying on two levels (application and non-application of nano-iron oxide) and sub-factor included 10 genotypes of safflower (Golmehr, Padideh, Goldasht, Sofeh, Mexican88, Sina, Mexican11, Isfahan mahali, Faraman and Kuseh).
The effect of irrigation on plant height, seed number in boll, boll number in plant and seed yield were significant. The interactions among all factors were also significant on plant height, main stem diameter, subsidiary branches number, seed number in boll, boll number in plant and seed yield. Mexican88 genotype had the maximum seed yield (499.5 gr. m2) in the conditions of non-stress and foliar application of nano-iron oxide. The highest boll number in plant (22) was observed in the genotype Sina in non-stress conditions and foliar application of nano-iron oxide. In conditions of non-stress and applying nano-iron oxide, genotype Sina had the highest plant height (74.33 cm) and was not significantly different from Kuseh, Sofeh, Golmehr and Isfahan mahali genotypes (73.6, 71.43, 69.2 and 68.5 cm, respectively). The effect of fertilizer was significant only on the subsidiary branches number. Mexican 88 genotype had the greatest subsidiary branches number at the conditions of stress and applying nano-iron oxide.
The study showed that, regarding to the most traits, Mexican 88 and Kuseh genotypes were suitable for planting in both conditions of stress and non-stress.

IntroductionPlant oil is one of the basic human food needs. Due to the increasing population,increase the area under crop cultivation and enhance the performance of them is essential. Increase of oil yield is primarily associated with increase in seed yield. The importance of oil crops such as safflower has increased in recent years. Safflower has the special place in Iran because it shows high compatibility with the country's climate.
Drought stress is one of the most important environmental stresses affecting agricultural productivity around the world and may result in considerable yield reductions. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a tap-rooted annual crop which can tolerate environmental stresses including salinity and water stress. In most plants, the time during flowering to seed developments are sensitive to water deficit.
Nanoparticles can facilitate effective absorption of fertilizers at Nano scale. Furthermore nanoparticles can facilitate enhanced ability of water absorption by roots, and increase antioxidant enzyme activity such. Thus, nanoparticles can increase plant resistance against different stresses. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used in agriculture to increase growth and yield, improve the rate of photosynthesis and reduce disease. The application of TiO2 has been found to show excellent efficacy in wheat, soybean, Lentil and spinach This study aimed to investigate the effect of foliar application of Nano Tio2 on yield and yield components of safflower genotypes under normal and low irrigation.
Materials and methodsTo study the effect of Tio2 Nano particles spraying on yield and yield components of safflower genotypes under normal and low irrigation conditions, a split factorial experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, in 2014. Irrigation regime includes regular watering (irrigation after 60 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan) and low irrigation (watering until late flowering similar to normal irrigation and late flowering to maturity, irrigation after 100 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan) were considered as the main factor. Tio2 in two levels, including the use of Tio2 (0.05 percent concentration before flowering) and non-use (control) and genotypes in eight levels including Kuseh Local, Sina, Isfahan Local, Mexican 88, Faraman, Soffe, Goldasht, Mexican 11 were considered as sub-factors. In this experiment traits number of heads per plant, number of seed per head, head diameter, 1000 grain weight, harvest index and grain yield were studied.
Results and discussionThe irrigation effect was significant for traits 1000 grain weight, harvest index and grain yield. Low irrigation stress reduced the number of heads, head diameter, 1000 grain weight, harvest index, and grain yield. In other experiment water stress caused plant height, number of heads and grain yield decreasing in safflower.
The effect of Tio2 utilization was significant on head diameter, harvest index and grain yield. Tio2 increased head diameter, harvest index and grain yield as well as significantly reduced the adverse effect of low irrigation stress on head diameter. The other research results on effects of different Nano titanium dioxide concentrations (0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 percent) and titanium dioxide (bulk) spray treatment on barley plants showed that traits of grain yield, number of ears and harvest index in all treatments of Nano titanium dioxide application were more effective than the control treatment. The Irrigation and Nano Tio2 interaction effect was significant for grain yield. Nano Tio2 particles increased grain yield only in normal irrigation. Nano-titanium dioxide is likely to increase grain yield through improving light absorption and increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. Genotype differences for all traits except head diameter were significant. Although the highest grain yield was obtained from Faraman, Sina and Isfahan Local were not significantly different from Faraman. The lowest grain yield was belonged to Mexican 11 and Mexican 88.
ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that low irrigation stress caused significant reduction in 1000 grain weight, harvest index and grain yield. The seed weight is an important component of yield and due to decreasing in seed weight grain yield decreased. The adverse effect of stress on head number, reduced by application of Tio2 although, Tio2 effect was not significant for other traits in stress condition. The plant growth stage and concentration of Tio2 are also important and they are different for different plants or even for different characteristics. Generally, Faraman, Sina, Isfahan Local had the highest performance in Qazvin climate.

In order to identify the chromosomes involved in salt tolerance in growth characteristics of wheat and classification of chromosomes in terms of salt tolerance, a complete chromosome substitution line series in which chromosomes of Chinese Spring variety (recipient) have substituted with their related homologous chromosomes from Timstein (donor) were used. Plant genetic materials were evaluated through a randomized complete block design with three replications under two salinity conditions of 5 and 10 ds/m in the Imam Khomeini International University. Analysis of variance showed that there was significant difference among genotypes for height, spike length, width and weight, leaf width and length and dry weight. The results revealed Chinese Spring variety was sensitive while Timstein variety was resistant to salinity stress. The results of cluster analysis showed that in 5 ds/m salinity CS(5D), CS(3A), CS(6B) and Timstein variety and in 10 ds/m salinity CS(2D), CS(3A), CS(4A) and Timstein variety were assigned to resistant group. Therefore, in 5 ds/m salinity chromosomes 5D, 3A as well as 6B and in 10ds/m salinity chromosomes 2D, 3A and 4A from Timstein were carrying the salinity tolerance genes with more probability than other chromosomes. Plant breeders by focusing on these chromosomes can identify the exact place of salt tolerance genes and by transferring these genes into high performance but sensitive plants, can improve salt stress tolerance in wheat.

To study the effects of salinity stress on some wheat characteristics, twenty advanced genotypes were evaluated in controlled (hydroponic culture) and field conditions. Field experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) was conducted in saline conditions (Ecwater = 9ds/m and Ecsoil = 12ds/m) at the research farm of Birjand station. The hydroponic culture experiment was conducted in factorial based on RCBD with three replications, in which the first factor was salinity of sodium chloride levels of 0 and 12ds/m and the second factor the same twenty wheat genotypes. In filed experiment, ANOVA results showed significant effects of genotype on grain yield, days to heading and maturity, spike length, peduncle length, spike seed number and weight, thousand grain weight, biological yield and harvest index. Genotype no. 18 (1-66-22//PBW154/3/HALT) was recognized as a tolerant genotype due to the highest grain yield and biomass, while genotype no. 12 (Bow"s"/Vee"s"//1-60-3/3/Cocoraque75/4/Inia) was evaluate as a susceptible genotype in field experiment. In Hydroponic culture, the salinity had significant effects on plant height, biomass dry weight, leaf width, leaf length, leaf area, root dry weight and chlorophyll contents. The interaction effects of genotype and salinity were also significant on some traits. In hydroponic experiment, genotypes no. 4, 5, 14, 17 and 18 having higher biomass and chlorophyll contents, compared to the check cultivars, were determined as superior and tolerant genotypes, while genotype no. 12 was susceptible to solinity stress. The results of hydroponic experiment relatively comfimed the results of field experiment.

To study the effect of potassium sulfate on seed yield, yield components and traits affecting seed yield of late maturing corn, a split split plot experiment using a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in Kashan Desert Research Station. Irrigation levels consisted of complete irrigation and cutting off irrigation at panicle emergence and seed filling stages which were considered as the main factor, three levels of potassium sulfate 200 (recommendation based on the soil analysis), 245 and 290 kg.ha-1 as the subplot, and two single cross of corn, KSC 700 and 704, as sub-sub plots. Effect of irrigation on traits like seed number per row, 1000 seed weight, biological yield, relative water content and relative water loss were significant. The effect of cultivar on all traits, except relative water loss, and the effect of fertilizer on all traits, except number of rows per ear, were also significant. All of the KSC700 traits, except plant highest were better than those of cultivar KSC704. The highest values for the most traits were obtained in full irrigation condition, applying potassium sulfate at the rate of 290 kg.ha-1 for KSC 700. Cutting off irrigation at the panicle emergence of KSC 900 and seed filling of KSC 704 did not cause significant reduction in seed yield. Highest correlation of grain yield were obtained with number of kernels per row, 1000 grain weight and harvest index. Stepwise regression results showed that number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row and 1000 grain weight in KSC 700, and biological yield and harvest index in KSC 704 justified 98.7 and 98.5 percent of changes, respectively.

Identification of chromosomes carrying genes controlling yield production in bread wheat which are related to stomatal and flag leaf characteristics under non-stress and drought stress conditions، this experiment was executed using chromosome substitution lines series which chromosomes of Timstein variety were substituted with homologues chromosomes of Chinese Spring. Twenty one substitution lines were examined within a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications under two irrigated and drought stress conditions in the greenhouse، Shahrekord University. Stress condition was started at booting stage. In non-stress condition plants were irrigated in a period of 2-4 days. In stress condition plants were irrigated like non-stress condition before booting stage and afterwards in a period of 4-6 days. Irrigation periods was done based on air temperature and growth degree day (GDD). The results showed that substitution lines significantly differed for all traits. Mean comparison of lines displayed that، chromosomes 3A، 7B and chromosomes 7A and 7B had the most effective genes expressing yield productivity in irrigated and stress conditions، respectively. Significant differences were found among substitution lines in terms of flag leaf size، stomatal frequency، stomatal size and yield. Positive but not significant correlation were found between stomatal size، flag leaf size and yield in stress condition while positive but not significant correlation were observed between stomatal frequency and yield in irrigated conditions. The results also showed that the chromosomes of D genome had the most effectiveness on flag leaf size in stress condition while chromosomes of A genome appeared with the most effects on the stomatal size.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of stomatal size and frequency on stomatal conductance, photosynthesis rate and yield, and to locate the genes controlling these traits. Therefore, substitution lines series of ‘Timstein’ (Tim) into genetic background of ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) were tested in a completely randomized block design with three replications under two normal and water stress conditions in Shahrekord University research farm. Stress condition was started at elongation stage and irrigation periods were scheduled based on pre-determined ‘Growth Degree Day’ (GDD) during the length of stress period. Significant differences were found among substitution lines in terms of stomatal frequency, stomatal size, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate and yield. The significant correlation was found between the yield with stomatal size (r = 0.450**) and stomatal frequency (r = 0.461**) in stress and non-stress condition, respectively. In addition, there were significant correlation between yield with photosynthetic rate (r = 0.556** in stress condition and r = 0.482** in non-stress condition) and stomatal conductance (r = 0.247** in stress condition and r = 0.457** in non-stress condition). Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that role of group B chromosomes was more prominent than the other two groups.