سید محسن سیدی

To evaluate the effect of different irrigation methods on yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of chitti beans, a research study was conducted in 2022 and 2023 at the Bean Research and Education Center in Khomein, Iran. The study was designed as a multi-location (regional) experiment using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four irrigation methods included classical sprinkler irrigation, New-fit sprinkler irrigation, rain flat irrigation, and drip tape irrigation. Different types of chitti bean cultivars (line 21492, Kousha, and Saleh) with three growth habits were randomly sown in these locations. The results showed that the maximum water consumption (12500 m3 ha-1) belonged to the classical sprinkler irrigation method, while the least (6600 m3 ha-1) was in the drip tape irrigation; and the New-fit sprinkler and Rain flat irrigation had almost the same water consumption (about 11000 m3 ha-1), were in between those two methods. Also, the highest and lowest WUE (0.45 and 0.18 kg m-3, respectively) were obtained in drip tape and classical sprinkler irrigation, respectively. The results of analysis variance showed that the irrigation method effect on yield components and grain yield was significant, but the effect of cultivar was significant only on grain yield. The highest (296.9 g m-2) and the least (228.7 g m-2) values of grain yield were observed in the drip tape and classical sprinkler, respectively. Among the cultivars, the highest grain yield belonged to Kousha and Saleh cultivars. In general, the results demonstrated that the drip tape not only decreased water consumption but also led to improving yield components of chitti bean and higher water use efficiency.

Beans are one of the cheap and important sources of high-quality vegetable protein, which is present in the diet of many people in developing countries and completes the cereal protein. Bean seeds have almost as much energy per unit weight as cereal seeds, and their protein content varies from 20-25% (about twice that of cereal). With 8-14% protein content, bean straw is very suitable fodder for livestock. The production of vegetable protein of grains has several advantages over animal protein in terms of cost and consumer health. Among other features of this plant, we can point to the ability to coexist with air nitrogen-fixing bacteria and their role in productivity, as well as strengthening and improving the physical properties of the soil. Through the ability of nitrogen fixation in these plants, placing them in rotation helps the stability of agricultural systems. At present, the largest area of bean cultivation is in the form of traditional cultivation and bean irrigation is also in the form of flooding. In this production method, more than 15,000 cubic meters of water is consumed. This amount of water consumption, along with the lack of proper productivity of other factors in production, has caused beans to be one of the least efficient products in terms of water consumption efficiency.
 

In order to investigate the effect of four irrigation methods on the damage of weeds, two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and bacterial blight disease in chitti bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a research study was conducted in 2022 and 2023 at the Bean Research and Education Center in Khomein, Iran. Despite employing a field with uniform conditions, the study was designed as a multi-location (regional) experiment using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The irrigation methods were categorized into four treatment levels: classical sprinkler irrigation, New-fit sprinkler irrigation, rain flat irrigation, and drip tape irrigation. Different types of chitti bean cultivars with three growth habits were randomly sown in these locations.
 

The experimental results showed that the irrigation method had a significant effect on seed germination percentage and bean plant height. The highest and lowest seed germination percentage and plant height were associated with drip tape irrigation and classical sprinkler irrigation, respectively. Also, the type of irrigation significantly impacted weed density, total biomass of weeds, the intensity of two spotted spider mite infestation, and bacterial blight disease. The highest weed density and biomass were observed in the New-fit and classical sprinkler irrigation methods, and the classical sprinkler irrigation exhibited the highest incidence of bacterial blight disease, too. Conversely, the lowest values for these parameters were obtained with the drip tape irrigation method. However, the highest damage caused by two spotted spider mite was observed in the drip tape irrigation method, while the lowest damage by two spotted spider mite was present in the classical sprinkler irrigation method. Furthermore, both irrigation method and bean cultivar significantly affected bean grain yield. The highest grain yield (293.6 g.m-2) was associated with drip tape irrigation, while the lowest yield (225.4 g.m-2) was observed in the classical sprinkler irrigation treatment. Among the different bean cultivars, the highest grain yield (274.1 g.m-2) was obtained from the Kousha cultivar. One of the important solutions in achieving the goals of reducing water consumption and increasing the efficiency of water consumption in bean cultivation is the implementation of pressurized irrigation instead of conventional cultivation. Pressure irrigation methods in planting beans reduce water consumption to a great extent and increase the efficiency of water consumption. The two main methods of irrigation under pressure in the country are the drip tape method and the fixed classical sprinkler with a movable sprinkler, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. In addition to the positive aspects of increasing yield, drip tape irrigation method in bean planting will help to further reduce water consumption.
 

In general, the experiment results demonstrated that drip tape irrigation not only increased seed germination percentage and plant height in different bean cultivars, but also led to higher grain yield compared to other irrigation methods. Additionally, the presence of weeds and bacterial blight disease were reduced in the drip tape irrigation method.

Drought stress due to water deficit is a serious problem in agriculture, and it is one of the most important factors contributing to crop yield loss such as bean. The diversity of the genetic traits material is the basis of any breeding program and the existence of maximum variation is the greatest chance for success in the selection. Drought stress is known as an effective factor in reducing production in crops, that, in this regard, one of the ways to overcome unfavorable environmental conditions is identifying and spreading cultivars compatible with stress. Regarding the importance of bean genetic resources for use in breeding programs of this crop, this experiment was conducted to investigate yield of some of bean genotypes in normal and stress condition.

In order to evaluation of genotypes of chitti bean based on tolerance and susceptibility indices, experiments were conducted in two environments without stress and drought stress in 2017 at research farm of Bean Research and education, Khomein. 24 genotypes of chitti beans along with Ghaffar cultivar as control (25 genotypes in total) were compared in Latis design with two replications. Genotypes seeds were sown on four lines with 3 m long. Irrigation was carried out under optimal and stress conditions after 50-60 and 100-110 mm evaporation from the surface of Class A evaporation pan, respectively. Evaluated traits included days number to flowering, days number to maturity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and grain yield. Some tolerance indices were calculated to evaluate the sensitive and tolerance of genotypes. Data variance analysis and statistical calculations were done by SAS statistical software.

Drought stress reduced evaluated properties, significantly. Among the genotypes of chitti beans in optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions, KS21578 genotype had the highest grain yield with 2668.1 and 1581.5 kg ha-1, respectively. The lowest grain yield were achieved at KS21585 genotype and KS21591 genotype in optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions, respectively. Due to drought stress, grain yield of chitti bean genotypes decreased by 49.1%. Between stress tolerance indices the highest mean productivity index, geometric mean productivity index and stress tolerance index belonged to KS21578 genotype. The highest tolerance index was observed in Ghaffar cultivar (control). Also, the lowest stress susceptibility index was obtained in KS21585 genotype. The lowest mean productivity index belonged to KS21584 and the lowest geometric mean productivity index, tolerance index and stress tolerance index belonged to KS21591 genotype.

According to the results of this study, KS21578 genotype had the highest grain yield under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions and the highest mean productivity index, geometric mean productivity index and stress tolerance index. Also, the lowest stress susceptibility index was obtained in KS21585 genotype. Based on chitti bean grain yield under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions and evaluation of stress tolerance indices as well as two-way diagram of geometric mean production indices and stress susceptibility index and considering maturity period, plant form and grain marketing 8 chitti bean genotypes were selected for testing.

Intercropping is an important strategy for enhancing the sustainability of agriculture in the world by increasing food production and land use per unit area. Intercropping, which is defined as growing two or more species simultaneously in the same field during a growing season, is considered as an important strategy in developing sustainable production systems. In most cases, one of the plants introduced in intercropping is a plant from the legumes family. Chickpea is a plant that plays an important role in sustainable agriculture and soil fertility.

In order to evaluation effect of chickpea-barley intercropping on component yield, grain yield and weed control, an experiment was conducted at the Jahad Keshavarzi Shazand Research Station during 2019-2020 growing season. Experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Different experimental treatment were: 1- chickpea sole cropping without weeding, 2- chickpea sole cropping with weeding, 3- barley sole cropping (normal weed control by farmers), 4- additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 15% barley, 5- additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 30% barley, 6- additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 45% barley, 7- additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 60% barley and 8- additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 75% barley. Intercropping systems was evaluated by using land equivalent ratio (LER) index.

The results showed that most of the evaluated properties were affected by experimental treatments. The highest chickpea biological yield and grain yield (334 and 99 g m-2, respectively) belonged to the chickpea sole cropping with weeding treatment. Also, the highest barley biological yield and grain yield (423 and 195 g m-2, respectively) were obtained in its sole cropping treatment. In intercropping treatments, the highest grain yield of chickpea and barley (94 and 190 g m-2, respectively) were obtained in additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 15% barley and additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 75% barley treatments, respectively. Also, intercropping treatments significantly reduced the weed density and total dry weight. Thus, all intercropping treatments had less weed density and biomass in comparison to chickpea sole cropping without weeding. The lowest weed density and biomass (7.3 plant per m2 and 60 g m-2, respectively) belonged to the additive intercropping of 100% chickpea + 75% barley treatment. In addition, in all intercropping treatments, the land equivalent ratio and relative value indices were higher than one, which indicates the usefulness of intercropping.

The results of this study showed that, chickpea-barley intercropping systems decreased chickpea grain yield in comparison with sole cropping with weeding treatment but, in general, in the most of the intercropping treatments, was better than their sole cropping and associated with improving economic yield and land use efficiency. In general, it can be said that chickpea and barley intercropping, while better controlling chickpea weeds, has a higher total yield than sole cropping of both chickpea and barley species and increases land use efficiency.

Due to the water resources limitation required for agriculture in Iran, providing effective methods to reduce the negative effects of drought on crop yield is one of the important studies to plant breeding. Drought tolerance in crops is very important. By using different cultivars of crops that are able to produce relatively good yield in drought stress, they can be grown with more confidence in arid and semi-arid regions.

In order to evaluation genotypes of chitti bean based on tolerance and susceptibility indices, experiments were conducted in two environments without stress and drought stress in 2016-17 at research farm of Bean Research and education, Khomein. 24 genotypes of chitti beans along with Ghaffar cultivar as control (25 genotypes in total) were compared in Latis design with two replications. In this study, mean productivity index, geometric mean productivity index, stress tolerance index, stress susceptibility index and tolerance index were evaluated.

Drought stress reduced evaluated properties, significantly. Among the genotypes of chitti beans in optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions, KS21578 genotype had the highest grain yield with 2805 and 1719 kg ha-1, respectively. The lowest grain yield were achieved at KS21591 and KS21596 genotypes in optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions, respectively. Due to drought stress, grain yield of evaluated genotypes decreased by 49.1%. Drought stress has increased flowering and maturity periods in genotypes. The highest mean productivity index (1086.6), geometric mean productivity index (2124.8) and stress tolerance index (2054.2) belonged to KS21578 genotype. Also, the highest and lowest tolerance index (respectively, 1288.6 and 126.4)  was observed in Ghaffar cultivar (control) and KS21591 genotype, respectively. Also, the lowest stress susceptibility index (0.2) was obtained in KS21585 genotype.

Totally, based on chitti bean grain yield under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions and evaluation of stress tolerance indices as well as two-way diagram of geometric mean production indices and stress susceptibility index and considering maturity period, plant form and grain marketing 8 chitti bean genotypes were selected for advanced testing.

Crop rotation is an annual succession of crops grown on the same land. Good crop rotation is a systematic succession of the different classes of farm crops. Crop rotation should be done in such a way to give large yields and provide the farm at the least expense of labor and fertilizes the soil. Pulses in crop rotations can improve the productivity of subsequent crops due to increased soil available N and other agronomic benefits. However, the magnitude of this effect can vary with environmental conditions, agricultural management practices and legume genotypes. Also, Legume plants can promote C storage by enhancing the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates that protect soil organic C from mineralization. In order to Evaluation of Nitrogen Use efficiency and Wheat Growth and Yield under Fertilizer Management and Pre-Cropping with crops an experiment was conducted.

A factorial experiment was designed based on randomized complete blocks with three replications and implemented on a sandy clay soil during 2012-13 and 2013-14 growing seasons, at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bu-Ali Sina, Hamedan, Iran. The first factor consisted of chickpea and corn (forage) and the second factor was urea fertilizer levels of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg/ha. Harvest operation was done on July, 2013 and 2014. SAS procedures and programs were used for analysis of variance (ANOVA) calculations.

The results showed that about all of the evaluated properties of wheat affected by pre-cropping and nitrogen fertilizer treatments. But, none of the wheat traits do not affect by pre-cropping × nitrogen fertilizer. The highest biological yield (1486 g m-2), grain yield (675 g m-2) and protein percentage (13.70%) were observed in chickpea pre-cropping treatment. Chickpea pre-cropping treatment increased wheat biological yield and grain yield and protein percentage about 17, 21 and 18 percent in comparison to corn pre-cropping treatment. Pay attention to the improved physicochemical conditions of the soil after cropping legumes such as chickpea, it is normal to improve the growth and yield characteristics of the next crop (in this study, wheat). Among the nitrogen fertilizer levels the lowest wheat biological yield and grain yield and protein percentage (about 1102 and 417 g m-2 and 11.06%, respectively) was achieved at 0 kg ha-1 N fertilizer consumption. Also, the highest wheat biological yield and grain yield and protein percentage (about 1544 and 775 g m-2 and 13.24%, respectively) was observed at 200 kg ha-1 N fertilizer consumption, but it had not significant difference with 160 kg/ha treatment. One of the most well-known effects of nitrogen fertilizers is to increase the crops properties of growth and yield. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was observed at chickpea pre-cropping and lowest level of fertilizer application. In this study, wheat growth and yield characteristics such as plant height, chlorophyll index, grain yield components, biological and grain yield, harvest index, and percentage of grain protein increased due to urea application.

It seems that in the wheat farming, legumes pre-cropping such as chickpea pre-cropping is a good solution to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers and to contribute to environmental health. Also, attention to optimum fertilizer levels and non-overuse of fertilizers will contribute to agricultural sustainability.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the oldest of legume species that was identified in the Middle East about 7,500 years ago. This crop had an important role for human nutrition as source of protein, energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Among the different agronomic practices, sowing time is the most important factor to achieving chickpea optimum yield. Chickpea Optimum sowing date is different from a cultivar to another and also from a region to another, due to agro-ecological conditions. Winter sowing is a kind of sowing date that is successful in terms of agronomic condition. In order to study of effect of different sowing dates on quantitative and qualitative yield of chickpea under dryland condition, an experiment was conducted.

This experiment was done at the Agricultural Research Station Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bu-Ali Sina, Hamedan, Iran (latitude 35◦1' N, longitude 48◦31' E and 1690 m altitude). The long-term average (30 years) of region air temperature is 12.5 ° C. The long-term average of air temperature during region growing season is 22˚C. The experiment was done during 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. Sowing dates in four level, including 10 January, 10 February, 10 March and 9 April of both years were as main plot, and three chickpea cultivar, including Hashem, Arman and Azad were as subplot. In this study was evaluated yield component, biological and grain yield, protein percent and protein yield and root nud number.

Results showed that the effect of year on chickpea experimental properties was not significant, but the all of the evaluated traits were affected by sowing dates significantly. The highest rates of total dry matter, grain protein percent, grain yield and protein yield (772.33 g m-2 and %25.85, 236.16 and 61.05 g m-2, respectively) was belonged to first sowing date (10 January) and Hashem cultivar. Also, the lowest total dry matter, grain protein percent, grain yield and protein yield (444.90 g m-2 and %22.17, 75.91 and 16.83 g m-2, respectively) was achieved at last sowing date (9 April) and Azad cultivar. The highest and lowest plant height, first sheath height, leaf area index and root nud number was achieved at the first sowing date (10 January) and final sowing date (9 April), respectively, that traits values at 10 January sowing date were significantly more than other sowing dates.

According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the winter cropping of chickpea leads to improvement of growth properties and quantitative and qualitative yield of this crop, as by increasing of growth period leads to increasing of grain yield and total dry matter. According to the environmental conditions of the experiment site, the sowing date of 10 January, can be considered as the best sowing date.

In order to study the effect of priming sunflower seeds by potassium nitrate on germination seeds was conducted experiments in salinity and drought conditions. Location of experiments was Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan. Salinity experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factor of seed priming and salinity and three replications. Priming levels included control and seed treatment by potassium nitrate and salinity levels included 0, -2, -4, -6, and -8 bar. Also, drought experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factor of seed priming and drought levels in three replications. Drought experiment treatment included control (non-priming) and priming by potassium nitrate and drought stress treatment were five levels (0, -2, -4, -6, and -8 bar). The results of two experiments showed that increasing in salinity and drought stress, decreased germination components including germination, germination rate and dry weight of seedlings. However, this reduction was lower for seeds that were treated by potassium nitrate. In terms of the studied traits, at all of the levels of salinity and drought treatment seeds were better than control seeds. In general, it can be concluded that the priming of sunflower seeds by potassium nitrate improved the germination components under salinity and drought stress and can increase sunflower plant resistant against these stresses in the germination stage.

Weeds are among the main limiting factors in agriculture. In fact, the problem of weeds is a basic problem in farms, which can lead to major yield loss. Weeds can decrease soil nutrients and threaten crops by competing for water and light or by their allelopathic effects. Crop yield losses due to weeds depend on a number of factors such as grown species, weed number per area, weed competitive value, and crop developmental stage. Weeds can decrease grain quality, cause unequal maturation and harvesting difficulties, and act as the hosts for pathogens and pests. In addition, environmental and human health impact of herbicides, increasing resistance to herbicides, scarce by herbicides and increased conservation agriculture were the main factors stimulating the interest in developing new weed control methods. Chickpea is a weak crop against weed. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the earliest cultivated legumes and has been found in the Middle East 7500-years ago. It plays an important role in human nutrition as a source of protein, energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals for large population sectors in the developing world and is considered a healthy food in many developed countries. 

In order to evaluate yield components, yield and competitive power of chickpea cultivars, an experiment was conducted on a sand claysoil at the Agricultural Research Station (latitude 35˚1' N, longitude 48˚31' E and 1690 m altitude), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bu-Ali Sina, Hamedan, Iran. The long-term average air temperature and average air temperature during the growing season was 12.5˚C and 22˚C, respectively. The experiment was done within two seasons, 2013 and 2014. The same field was used in both years and the same treatments were applied to the same plots. Experiment was conducted as the factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Experimental treatments included weeding, no weeding of weeds, and five cultivars of chickpea (Tork, Hashem, Arman, Azad and Mahali). Analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses (Version 9.2, SAS). Differences between treatments were compared by least significant difference (LSD) test at the 5% probability. 

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of weed control on all traits except harvest index was significant. The effect of cultivar on all traits except harvest index was significant. The effect of weed control × cultivar interaction was statistically significant only on grain and biological yield. The highest grain yield (136.00 g m-2) was obtained for Hashem cultivar in weeding condition. The lowest value of this trait with about 75% reduction was obseverd for Mahali cultivar under no weeding condition. Maximum biological yield (394.75 g m-2) was observed for Hashem cultivar under weeding condition and the lowest value, with about 70% reduction, was found for Mahali cultivar under no weeding condition. Maximum and minimum weed biomass (104.99 and 52.50 g m-2, respectively) and weed density (20.50 and 10.67 per m2) was found for Hashem and Mahali cultivar, respectively. Therefore, results showed that the highest ability withstand competition (52.30) was observed for Hashem cultivar, and the lowest value of this index (39.12) was for the Mahali cultivar. The results showed that increasing the biomass of chickpea plants increased the ability withstand competition index, and decreased weed density and weed biomass. Therefore, Hashem cultivar can be known as a resistant cultivar against weeds, but Mahali cultivar has the lowest ability against weed invasion. In general, the use of resistant varieties is a good solution to reduce weed damages.

The results of this experiment showed that the yield of different chickpea cultivars decreased in the presence of weeds. However, yield reduction in different cultivars was not the same. As a result, Hashem and local cultivars were identified as the strongest and weakest cultivars against weeds, respectively. By evaluating the yield of different chickpea varieties and competitiveness index, the varieties with good competitive ability in the presence of weeds can be identified. Additionally, this has the potential for weed control management without chemical herbicides.

In other to evaluation of drought stress tolerance, 23 lines of red beans with tow cultivars (Yaghout and Ofogh), were studied in lattice design with two replications in both normal irrigation and drought stress at the Khomein Bean station in 2017. Drought stress applied after complete stability of each plant in third trifoliate leaflet stage. Changes of yield and yield components, grain yield in normal irrigation and drought stress and tolerance and susceptibility indices evaluated in the stages accomplished. Analysis of variance showed that a significant difference among lines are both irrigation. Drought stress reduced evaluated properties, significantly. Drought stress resulting in decreased the most of traits, so that maximum effect of drought stress-related traits were number of seeds plant-1 and yield. In normal condition the highest and the lowest grain yield (2541.7 and 841.6 Kg Ha-1, respectively) were observed in KS31338 and KS31352 line, respectively. In stress condition the highest and the lowest grain yield (1934.7 and 602.2 Kg Ha-1, respectively) were obtained in KS31336 and KS31357 line, respectively. Between stress tolerance indices the highest MP, GMP and STI belonged to KS31336 line and the lowest tolerance index and stress susceptibility index (SSI) were observed in KS31352 line respectively. Grain yield under normal irrigation conditions with grain yield under drought stress conditions and stress tolerance indices (TOL, MP, STI and GMP) had significant positive correlation. Based on the geometric mean of production and the susceptibility indexes, principal component analysis and biplot STI and GMP, KS31336, KS31253, KS31148, KS31337 tolerant to drought stress were identified.

Today, maintaining the quantity and quality of irrigation water are the most critical challenges in the agriculture system, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Accordingly, to evaluate the growth and yield responses of bread wheat (Sirvan cultivar) to different levels of deficit irrigation and water salinity, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Research Field of Agriculture Faculty of the University of Birjand, at Birjand (east of Iran) during the growing seasons of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. The experimental treatments included irrigation at five levels (125, 100, 75, and 50% of wheat water requirement and rain-fed with two supplementary irrigation at the first growing season) and saline water at two levels (1.6 dS/m and 6 dS/m). The results showed that growth characteristics, yield components, biological yield, and grain yield were affected by deficit irrigation water and saline water. These treatments significantly reduced all of the measured traits. The lowest leaf area was observed in rain-fed with 6 dS/m saline water treatment, which suppressed this trait by 61% compared to 125% water requirement with 1.6 dS/m saline water treatment. The highest and the lowest biological yield and grain yield were observed in 125% water requirement with 1.6 dS/m saline water and rain-fed with 6 dS/m saline water treatments, respectively. Non-significant differences were observed in biological and grain yield between 125% water requirement with 1.6 dS/m saline water and 100% water requirement with 1.6 dS/m saline water treatments. Biological yield and grain yield were decreased in rain-fed with 6 dS/m saline water treatment compared to 125% water requirement with 1.6 dS/m salinity treatment by 72% and 88%, respectively. Results of this study showed that although the greatest amounts of yield attributes were obtained upon using the 125% water requirement treatment, but these attributes were not significantly greater than the 100% water requirement treatment. Consequently, in areas with scarce water and saline water (6 dS/m), reliance on the 75% water requirement with 6 dS/m saline water and 100% water requirement with 1.6 dS/m saline water treatments may suffice to achieve an acceptable grain yield and to save water under saline water condition.

Sustainable agriculture is the act of farming based on an understanding of ecosystem services, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. One of the key strategies in sustainable agriculture is diversity restoration to agricultural environments and its effective management. Intercropping is an effective way of sustainable agriculture. Intercropping, which is defined as growing two or more species simultaneously in the same field during a growing season, is considered as one important strategy in developing sustainable production systems, particularly systems that aim to limit external inputs such as chemical fertilizer and herbicide. Compared to sole crops, intercropping system have higher utilization of resource i.e., nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, and land use efficiency.

In order to comparison of quantity and quality of sunflower yield in sole cropping and intercropping with bean / soybean, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bu-Ali Sina, during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatment were different planting patterns including sunflower, bean and soybean sole cropping with and without weeding, additive intercropping of 30, 60 and 90% bean, as well as 30, 60 and 90% soybean with sunflower. Evaluated traits of crops including grain yield, protein and oil percent and yield and grain phosphor and potassium. Intercropping systems was evaluated by using land equivalent ratio (LER) index.

Experimental results showed that all three crops' grain yield has were affected by planting patterns. The highest sunflower, bean and soybean grain yield (3480, 3025 and 3158 Kg Ha-1, respectively) was achieved at sole cropping with weeding. Results also indicated that intercropping decreased grain yield. Moreover, the highest sunflower, bean and soybean protein and oil yield and grain phosphor and potassium were belonged to sole cropping with weeding of this crops. However, land equivalent ratio at intercropping patterns with 60 and 90% bean and soybean were more than 1 that showed advantage of intercropping. Totally, the findings of this study demonstrated that according to land equivalent ratio index, intercropping of sunflower and legumes (bean and soybean) in most treatments were more beneficial than sole cropping.

The results of this study showed that, intercropping systems decreased sunflower, bean and soybean grain yield in comparison with sole cropping with weeding treatment but, in general, in the most of the treatments, sunflower-legume (bean and soybean) intercropping was better than their sole cropping and associated with improving economic yield and land use efficiency.

Salinity and drought stress are the most important factors that limit plant growth, especially in dry and semi-arid regions. To investigate the effects of irrigation water levels and salinity on yield and yield components of wheat cultivar Sirvan, a factorial experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with three replications in the research field of agricultural faculty of the University of Birjand during the growing season of 2017-18. The treatments included irrigation at four levels (125%, 100%, 75%, and 50% water requirement) and water salinity in three levels (1.6 dS.m-1, 6 dS.m-1, and 7.8 dS.m-1). The results showed that yield components, biological yield, and grain yield of wheat were affected by water irrigation levels and water salinity. Moreover, these treatment significantly reduced the yield components, harvest index, and water use efficiency (WUE). In biological and grain yield of wheat, the highest and the lowest amounts belonged to 125% water requirement × salinity of 1.6 dS m-1 by 1535and 588.76 g m-2, respectively. In biological yield and grain yield, there was no significant difference observed between 125% wheat water requirement × salinity’s of 1.6% dS.m-1 and 100% water requirement × salinity of 1.6% dS.m-1 treatments. Biological and grain yield of wheat decreased to 65% in 50% water requirement × salinity of 7.8 dS m-1 compared with 125% water requirement × salinity of 1.6% dS.m-1. According to results of this experiment, 125% and 100% water requirement treatments had the highest biological and grain yield. Although 125% wheat water requirement had the highest value in all traits but they were not significant compared to 100% water requirement treatment. In water salinity treatments, non-stress levels had the best performance. According to the results of this study, to avoid salt accumulation in the root zone under saline water irrigation and to decrease negative salinity effects, irrigation must be applied based on wheat water requirement.

In agriculture, weeds are one of the main limiting factors. In fact, the problem of weeds is a basic problem in farms, which can lead to major economical yield losses in agriculture. Weeds can decrease soil nutrients and can threaten crops by competition for water, nutritions and light. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the earliest cultivated legumes and 7500-years old remains have been found in the Middle East. It plays an important role in human nutrition as a source of protein, energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals for large population sectors in the developing world. The weeds in chickpea fields in some cases has caused a 90% decrease in yield. This research was conducted to evaluation of some biological properties and grain yield of five chickpea cultivars in weed appearance in natural conditions.

The experiment was conducted at the Research Farm Bu-Ali Sina University (latitude 35◦1' N, longitude 48◦31' E and 1690 m altitude) during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Experimental treatments included weed control (weeding and non-weeding) and chickpea cultivars (Tork, Hashem, Arman, Azad and Mahali). The total amount of rainfall during the experiment in the first and second years was about 76 and 80 mm, respectively. The evaluated chickpea traits were plant height, leaf area, branches number per plant, biological and grain yield, chlorophyll index and nodule number and weight. Analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses (Version 9.2, SAS). Differences between treatments were compared by least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% probability.

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of weed control on all traits. Also, the effect of cultivar was significant for all traits except chlorophyll index. The effect of weed control × Cultivar interaction was significant only for on biological and grain yield. The highest plant height, branches per plant, chlorophyll index and nodule number and weight were obtained at weeding treatment and these traits decreased significantly in weedy conditions. The highest grain yield (136.00 g m-2) was obtained at Hashem cultivar in weeding conditions. The lowest value of this trait (33.00 g m-2) with about 75% reduction, was achieved to Mahali cultivar in no weeding condition. Maximum and minimum weed biomass and density was belonged Hashem and Mahali cultivars, respectively. Therefore, results showed that the highest competition index (2.16) belonged to Hashem cultivar, and the lowest value of this index (0.41) belonged to the Mahali cultivar. According to the results of this research, Hashem cultivar can be known as a resistant cultivar against weeds, but against the Mahali cultivar it has the lowest ability against weed invasion.

The results of this experiment showed that the yield of different cultivars of chickpea were decreased in the presence of weeds. However, yield reduction were not same in different cultivars. As a result, Hashem and local cultivars were identified as a strong and weak cultivar, respectively, in competition with weeds. By evaluating the different varieties of chickpea yield and competitiveness index, can be known which the varieties have good competitive ability in a condition of weed presence, and have the potential in combination with other weed control methods, produce more acceptable yields by lesser need for herbicides.

One of the key strategies in sustainable agriculture is diversity restoration to agricultural environments and effective management it. Intercropping, which is defined as growing two or more species simultaneously in the same field during a growing season, is considered one important strategy in developing sustainable production systems, particularly systems that aim to limit external inputs such as chemical fertilizer and herbicide etc. Compared to sole crops, intercropping system have higher utilization of resource i.e., nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, and land use efficiency. This research was done to evaluation advantageous of sunflower-legume intercropping systems,

The experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Experimental treatments were different planting patterns including sunflower, bean and soybean sole cropping, and additive intercropping of 30, 60 and 90% bean, as well as 30, 60 and 90% soybean with sunflower. Intercropping systems were evaluated by using indices of land equivalent ratio (LER), system productivity index (SPI), total relative value (RTV), area-time equivalent ratio (ATER), aggressivity index (AI), competition index (CI) and relative crowding coefficient (RCC).

Results showed that crops grain yield and sunflower equivalent yield affected by planting patterns. The highest sunflower, bean and soybean grain yields were achieved at sole cropping and intercropping decreased grain yield of these crops. However, sunflower equivalent yield at intercropping patterns of 60 and 90% bean and soybean were more than sole cropping. At this treatments, indices of land equivalent ratio, total relative value, area-time equivalent ratio and relative crowding coefficient were more than 1 and competition index was less than 1 that showed intercropping is advantageous. In this study pay attention to aggressivity index, sunflower was aggressive in comparison to bean and soybean.

The results of this present showed that, intercropping systems increased sunflower equal grain yield in comparison with sunflower sole cropping. In general, in the most of the treatments, sunflower-legume (bean and soybean) intercropping was better than their sole cropping and associated with improving economic yield and land use efficiency. The results of this present showed that, intercropping systems increased sunflower equal grain yield in comparison with sunflower sole cropping. In general, in the most of the treatments, sunflower-legume (bean and soybean) intercropping was better than their sole cropping and associated with improving economic yield and land use efficiency.

Writing treatises and books on ethics and morality is one of the most important topics in medicine history. Teaching and learning medical knowledge and skills was a common one in the golden age of science in Islam, too. The scholars of that period considered the ethical points of view as an important fact in their medical profession. The present article reports the behavior and ethics of physicians based on the review on the first book in this field, "Adab al-Tabib". This book, which can be called the Encyclopedia of Medical Ethics, represents standpoints of the prominent Islamic scholar, Ishaq bin Ali Al-Ruhawi. In this paper, it was intended to summarize the main points of professional behavior and ethics among physicians. Due to the wide-ranging and comprehensive nature of the book, only a few pertinent topics were reviewed. Those topics include the necessity and concept of politeness; the behavior and commitment of physicians towards themselves, patients and society as well as the behavior of nurses, attendees and tips on how to train and examine medical and pharmacy students. Al-Ruhawi in this book, declares that the first necessity of medicine is the true faith and belief in God and the doctors are the guardians of the body and soul. Commitment to medical education, nurses and pharmacists’ role in the management process, physicians’ communication skills suggesting of learning other sciences such as philosophy and more important point, strong relationship of body and soul, are the strengths of Adab-al-Tabib that Ruhawi intended to improve quality of medical services by reviewing them.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of planting dates of 6 Oct., 5 Nov. and 5 Dec., 2013 as S1, S2 and S3 treatments, respectively, on growth, yield and yield components of five barely cultivars (C1; Mahally as a control, C2; Abidar, C3; Valfagr, C4;Bahman and C5; Makoyei). A factorial experiment was done based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station of Bu- Ali Sina University. Traits of plan height, number of spike m-2, number of grain spike-1, 1000- seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index (HI) were evaluted. Results showed that planting date treatment had significant effects on all traits. Maximum grain yield (420.82 g m-2) was attained at S1 treatment. S3 treatment in comparison with S1 treatment decreased grain yield up to 46.5%. At the late planting date (S3) due to exposure of plants with heat and drought of late season, grain yield of barley decreased. Also, maximum biological yield (906.33 g m-2) was achieved at planting date of 6 Oct. (S1). Between barley cultivars for traits of grain and biological yields was different significant. Valfagr cultivar with average of 382.83 g m-2, produced the highest value of grain yield and this coutivar had significant difference with other cultivars. The interaction of planting date × cultivar was significant only for grain number spike-1. Maximum and minimum values for grain number spike-1 were achieved at S1×C3 and S3×C1 treatments, respectively. In this study the most suitable planting date and barley cultivar for Hamadan region was determine planting date of 6 Oct. and Valfajr cultivar.

This research was carried out at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University for two growing seasons (2011-2012). The aim of research was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of iron on growth, nodulation and quantity and quality of chickpea yield in Hamedan. A randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments were used (T1: control; non-foliar application, T2: foliar application of 2 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering stage, T3: foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering stage, T4: foliar application of 2 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at podding stage, T5: foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at podding stage, T6: foliar application of 2 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages and T7: foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages). The effect of treatments on the most traits was significant. Based on means comparisons, lower values for traits like number of pods per plant, number of grain per plant, 1000-seed weight, biological and seed yields, number and dry weight of root nodules and iron content of seed and protein percent were obtained from control (non-foliar application) and foliar application 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages treatments. The highest biological yield (329 g.m-2), seed yield (152 g.m-2) protein percent (27.85%) were obtained from treatment of foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages. Therefore, foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano-iron chelate in both flowering and podding stages produced the highest root nodulation, agronomic indices and seed yield.

In order to evaluate the effect of waiting sowing on yield and growing properties in three chickpea cultivars under rainfed condition, an experiment was conducted at split plot arrangement on basis of randomized complete block design at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, and Bu-Ali Sina University during growing seasons of 2011 and 2012. Sowing dates in four times, including 10 January, 10 February, 10 March and 9 April of both years were the levels of main plot, and three chickpea cultivar, including Hashem, Arman and Azad were subplot. Results showed that the effect of year on chickpea experimental properties was not significant, but the all of the evaluated traits were affected significantly by sowing dates, but the plants survival percentage. The highest rates of biological and grain yield (761.26 and 236.16 g m-2, respectively) was obtained at the first sowing date (10 January) and Hashem cultivar. Also, the lowest biological and grain yield (301.18 and 75.91 g m-2, respectively) was achieved at last sowing date (9 April) and Azad cultivar. The highest plat height, root length, number of branches per plant, 1000 seed weight and grain per plant was obtained at the first sowing date that these values were significantly more than the other sowing dates. As the results showed that cultivars had significant effects on grain and protein yield. Totally, by considering these findings, waiting sowing was highly beneficial in chickpea growing properties, yield and yield component.