صفر نصرالله زاده

The use of chemical fertilizers has created environmental problems. Therefore, the application of organic fertilizers can be considered a suitable solution to maintain soil fertility and increase fertilizer productivity.

To investigate the effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on the growth and field performance of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), an experiment was conducted with a randomized Complete Block Design (RCB) with three replications in 2021 at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture at Tabriz University. In this experiment, the treatments included four different sources of fertilizers, including the application of nitrogenous chemical fertilizer in the form of urea (50 kg ha-1), leaf mould (5 tons ha-1), farmyard manure (8 tons ha-1), vermicompost (5 tons ha-1) and control.

The highest chlorophyll index, plant height, number of pods per plant, 100-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass were obtained from urea fertilizer application treatment which was not significantly superior to other treatments. in terms of leaf area index and the number of leaves per plant, the application of farmyard manure was significantly superior to other treatments.

In order to produce more biomass and grain yield in faba bean, two treatments of urea and farmyard manure were identified as the most favorable nutritional treatments. The application of farmyard manure at a rate of 8 tons ha-1, in addition improving crop production, can replace the application of nitrogenous chemical fertilizers.

Intercropping increases production, soil fertility and soil erosion control and generally the optimal use of resources. Thus, different morphological traits, grain yield and the evaluation indexes were evaluated.

Different patterns of Partial Additive intercropping included: 1) intercropping with 50% ratio of basil mobarake cultivar at optimal density of monoculture and optimal density of bean, 2): basil mobarake cultivar 75% and optimal density of bean, 3) basil mobarake cultivar 100% and optimal density of bean, 4) basil tailandi cultivar 50% and optimal density of bean, 5) basil tailandi cultivar 75% and optimal density of bean, 6) basil tailandi cultivar 100% and optimal density of bean, 7) bean monoculture, 8) basil mobarake cultivar monoculture, 9) basil tailandi cultivar monoculture

Results showed the highest yield of bean and basil was recorded in monoculture and highest dry weight, fresh weight, percentage and essential oil yield of basil were observed recorded in monoculture of basil tailandi cultivar at the first harvesting under different intercropping pattern.

According to the Land Equivalent Ratio and Total Relative Value, pattern of optimal bean density and 100% basil tailandi cultivar density was superior than other patterns and more beneficial than monocultures.

This research was carried out in order to evaluate the biochemical and agronomic traits of dryland chickpea intercropped with dragon’s head in Saqqez city (Kurdistan province). It was conducted as a factorial split-plot experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design, with three replications during the 2021-2022 cropping year. Treatments included three planting times (autumn, expecting, and spring) as first factor, three chickpea cultivars (Saral, Nosrat, and Anna) as second factor and five cultivation patterns [(pure chickpea), (25% L. iberica: 100% chickpea), (50% L. iberica: 100% chickpea), (75% L. iberica: 100% chickpea), and pure L. iberica cultivation (100% L. iberica). The highest leaf chlorophyll a and b contents were obtained in winter with intercropping of %100 Nosrat chickpea + %50 L. iberica and planting ratio (%100 chickpea +% 25 L. iberica), respectively. The highest leaf carotenoid content was obtained in spring with planting ratio of %100 Saral chickpea + %75 L. iberica. The highest water use efficiency was obtained in winter, in the Nosrat variety, and in pure cultivation. The land equivalent ratio in all intercropping patterns was more than one, which showed the superiority of L. iberica and chickpea intercropping compared to pure cropping.

This research was carried out in order to investigate the performance and performance components of mixed cultivation of chickpeas and L. iberica and to determine the best ratio of the mixed cultivation pattern of these two species in the dry conditions of Saqez city.

Methods & Materials: 

The experiment was carried out as a factorial split plot in the form of a randomized complete block design with three repetitions in Saqez city. The first factor includes 3 planting times (autumn, waiting, spring), the second factor in 3 levels including Saral, Nusrat, Anna chickpea cultivars and the third factor in 5 cultivation patterns including pure chickpea cultivation (25% urban balangu: 100% chickpeas). , (50% urban balango: 100% chickpeas), (75% urban balango: 100% chickpeas) and pure balango cultivation.

The results showed that there is a significant difference between chickpea cultivars in terms of plant height at the level of 1% in terms of planting time. The highest number of seeds per chickpea plant was obtained in Anna variety in winter season and in pure culture. Land use efficiency was positive and greater than one. The competition ratio in the 100:50 cropping pattern was the highest in the autumn season and Nusrat variety. .

100:25 intercropping pattern of L. iberica and Nusrat chickpea variety in expected cultivation in the climatic conditions of Saqez city is suitable and can be recommended as a suitable intercropping pattern.

Integrated weed management has been considered as an important strategy to increase the effectiveness of herbicides and reduce its adverse environmental impacts. In this study, the effect of weed management methods on growth indices and harvest index of  dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica F. & C.M.) was investigated. The experiment was carried out as split plots layout in randomized complete block design with three replications in faculty of agriculture of Tabrize University in 2015-2016 cropping season. Two levels of herbicides (application and no-application of Trifluralin pre-emergence herbicide) was assigned to main plots, and seven levels of weed management; weed infected (without hand weeding) and weed-free (with hand weeding) dragon’s head and usage of mulch and cover plants (weed infected dragon’s head, weed-free dragon’s head, dragon’s head + mulch of straw and stubble, dragon’s head + lentil (Lens culinaris), dragon’s head + bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), dragon’s head + barley (Hordeum vulgare), dragon’s head + hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) were randomized in sub-plots. Sampling of weeds in dragon’s head field showed that weed species such as fat hen (Chenopodium album L.), wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), green bristle (Setaria viridis L.), cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) and saltwort (Salsola kali L.) were dominant weeds. The highest weed density (48 plant.m-2) and dry weight (281.8 g) in dragon’s head field were obtained in no-aplication of Trifluralin, and in the treatment of dragon’s head + straw and stubble mulch, and the lowest in application of trifluralin herbicide. The average plant height of weeds (44.5 cm) was in no –weeding treatment. Means comparison showed that among the weed management methods using straw and stubble mulch and cover crop of hairy vetch significantly reduced plant height of weeds. Weed infection decrease biological yield and harvest index of dragon’s head. The highest seed yield (195.9 g m-2) belonged to hand weeding + herbicide application treatment. The highest biological yield (533.2 g.m-2) related to without weeding + herbicide application treatment. The highest harvest index (43.4%) related to mixed cropping of dragon’s head with hairy vetch + no application of herbicide treatment. The results of this experiment showed that hand weeding and application of Trifluralin herbicide were the most effective treatments in dragon's head performance.

This research aims to investigate the yield and yield components of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) in intercropping with dragon head (Lallemantia iberica).

Mixed cropping was done based on increasing series, where Carthamus tinctorius is the main plant and Lallemantia iberica is the Sub plant. The basic design of the experiment was in the form of randomized complete blocks with four replications. Different cultivation patterns include pure Carthamus tinctorius cultivation, 100% Carthamus tinctorius with 15% Lallemantia iberica, 100% Carthamus tinctorius with 30% Lallemantia iberica, 100% Carthamus tinctorius cultivation with 45% Lallemantia iberica, 100% Carthamus tinctorius with 60%Lallemantia iberica, 100% Carthamus tinctorius with 75%Lallemantia iberica. In this study, Carthamus tinctorius traits included number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of 1000 seeds, seed yield and biological yield.

The results showed that the effect of different cultivation patterns on the number of seeds per plant and seed weight was not significant, but it was significant on the number of pods per plant, seed yield and biological yield .The highest number of seeds according to the 100:30 mixed crop pattern (Lallemantia iberica- Carthamus tinctorius) and the highest seed yield and biological yield belonged to pure Carthamus tinctorius cultivation.The highest land equivalent ratio belonged to 100:30 mixed cultivation (Lallemantia iberica-Carthamus tinctorius).

100:30 intercropping pattern (Lallemantia iberica-Carthamus tinctorius) was suggested as the suitable pattern of mixed cropping due to highest grain yield, biological yield and economic benefit.

safflower is an oilseed plant tolerant to water deficit, and have an important role in oil production, dyeing and cosmetics industry. This research was carried to evaluation response of safflower in water deficit and foliar application of putrescine and 24-epibrassinolide in the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, and University of Tabriz.

This research was carried out in 2019 as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, to investigate the responses of safflower to different levels of irrigation (I1, I2, I3, I4: Irrigation after 70, 100, 130 and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan) and foliar sprays of water (control), putrescine, (60 µg/l) and 24-epibrassinolide (25 µg/l). All plots were irrigated regularly until seedling establishment and thereafter irrigation intervals were applied according to the treatments. Foliar spays were undertaken slightly before flowering.

Chlorophyll content index, relative water content, leaf per plant, plant height, green cover percentage and grain yield were decreased, but leaf temperature was increased significantly under moderate and severe water limitations. Foliar sprays of growth regulators improved all these traits under different levels of water supply.

Application of putrescine and 24-epibrassinolide at the end of vegetative growth at one stage under water stress conditions had a significant effect on safflower property and increased seed yield in all irrigation treatments, especially in normal irrigation. Application putrescine and brassinolide in water deficit conditions can be produce a suitable yield.

The objective of this research was to assess the effect of nickel (Ni) toxicity on rotated barley and faba bean characteristics under chemical and biological nitrogenous fertilizers.  

A greenhouse experiment with factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in two years of 2016-2017 at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz. In the first part, barley seeds were sown using 36 pots with Ni levels of 0, 10, 100 and 200 mg.kg-1 and nitrogen (N) fertilizer (control, urea and Nitroxin). In the second part, faba bean seeds were cultivated in 72 pots. In this part, the crop rotation factor was applied in addition to N fertilizer and Ni treatments.

The results indicated that increasing Ni levels in soil markedly decreased plant height, leaf water content, chlorophyll content index, and root and shoot dry matters, but increased electrolyte leakage of barley and faba bean plants. The high level of Ni (100 and 200 mg.kg-1) was led to soil toxicity. While, the low nickel concentration (10 mg.kg-1) improved the growth of plants.  

It can be concluded that application of N fertilizer improved the growth conditions of plants under Ni stress. Cultivation of barley significantly decreased Ni toxicity in the soil, leading to an improvement in faba bean performance in rotation.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of fertilizer treatments on some morpho-physiological traits, yield and yield components and oil of rapeseed (cv. Delgan) under different levels of water supply.

A field experiments was conducted in two years of 2018 and 2019 as split-plot based on RCB design in three replications. Irrigation intervals as irrigation after 70, 100, 130 and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan were located in main plots and fertilizer treatments as F0: control, F1: chemical fertilizer (nitrogen and phosphorus) , F2: inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), F3: vermicompost and F4: combined fertilization (1/3 F1 + 1/3 F3 + inoculation PGPR) were allocated to sub-plots.

Leaf temperature increased under drought stress, but the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in rapeseed leaves, leaf water content, plant height, stem diameter, number of branches and leaves per plant, length and number of siliques per plant, grains per silique, plant biomass, and subsequently grain yield per plant were decreased. Application of fertilizer treatments, especially the combination of bio-fertilizers and chemical fertilizers (F4), improved all these traits (except stem diameter) and resulted in increased rapeseed plant yield, particularly under moderate (I3) and severe (I4) stresses. Oil percentage was also improved in the treatments inoculated with the growth promoting bacteria.

Increasing oil percentage and grain yield eventually increased oil yield of rapeseed plants. It was concluded that combination of chemical and bio-fertilizers could be an effective method to improve field and economic (oil) performance of rapeseed plants under water stress conditions.

The area, production and productivity of maize have increased several-fold over the last five decades. In Asia, maize has recorded the fastest annual growth (around 4%), as compared to other cereals. In 2015 with about five million tons of corn, Iran was world’s fifth largest corn importer. Maize is one of the main crops for poultry and livestock feed in Iran. Maize is the number three crop after wheat and rice in terms of area and production and number two, only after wheat in terms of productivity. The average of area in Kermanshah province in recent years has been more than 45,000 hectares. But in 2015 this amount has decreased by 30 thousand hectares, 15580 hectares, which is the main reason for water scarcity in the region. On the other hand application of chemical fertilizers in conventional agriculture severe environmental problems, increased production costs and negative effects on biological cycles causes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components of Maize under normal and deficit irrigation condition in western Iran region and looking for the best biological treatments could be applied to the maize to get a high yield in addition to keep our environment clean and safe. Field experiments were conducted for two years (2014 – 2015) at the agricultural research farm, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre in Kermanshah, Iran. In this research, effects of vermicompost and Azotobacter as a boifertilizers and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components of Maize under normal and deficit irrigation was investigated in two sites. Sites included normal irrigation and deficient irrigation (65% optimum water requirement) and each site was conducted as the factorial split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications and three factors. Treatments included Azotobacter in the main plots (non-inoculation and inoculation), vermicompost (consuming 0, 2, 4 and 6 ton/ha) and chemical fertilizers included N,P,K in tree levels (100% recommendation based on soil test, 50% recommendation and no fertilizer) in the sub plots. Irrigations were done at 7 day intervals. Irrigation treatments (deficit and adequate irrigation) in the middle phase of growth stage (approximately V6) began. Beginning on these dates, water was applied at weekly intervals based on the amount of evapotranspiration for the previous week as determined by the on-site weather station using a modified version of the Penman FAO equation. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance to compare mean by least significant difference (LSD) by SAS statistical software and graphs were performed by EXCEL. The yield of maize was significantly influenced by deficient irrigation; Results showed that during the both research years, grain yield was decreased from 8.2 ton/ha to 4.4 ton/ha by deficient irrigation. Although, application of vermicompost led to increase in grain yield, the highest grain yield was related to integrated treatments 6 ton/h vermicompost and 100% chemical fertilizers recommendation based on soil test. Results also indicated that the use of 6 ton/ha vermicompost and Azotobacter in soil, 50% of the maize fertilizer supplied. The results showed that combined use of bio-fertilizers with chemical fertilizers increased the grain yield. Therefore the uses of biological fertilizers significantly reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers and reduce the adverse environmental effects. On the other hand from this experiment, application of vermicompost in combination with chemical fertilizers showed better performance than only chemical fertilizers, even in 100% recommendation based on soil test treatments. It can be stated that the increase in growth parameters of maize are due to greater availability of nitrogen in full organic and integrated treatments. In full chemical treatments most of nitrogen would be leached from the soil profile. In addition, high porosity and water holding capacity of vermicompost that helps in better aeration and drainage. Moreover use of 6 ton/ha vermicompost and Azotobacter in treatments with no chemical fertilizers produced 7 and 4.4 ton/ha grain yield in normal and deficit irrigation respectively.

In order to study the effect of deficit irrigation and bio-fertilizer on potato cultivars, a field experiment was conducted at Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Research Center, Iran, in year 2014. Water deficit stress set as main factor with three levels, I1 (full irrigation), I2 (0.8 full irrigation) and I3 (0.6 full irrigation, three genotypes set as split plot and bio fertilizer set as split split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Adjectives such as emergence and flowering time, plant height, main stem diameter, number of stem, leaf and stem dry weight, chlorophyll and carotenoid content and plant yield were studied. Results indicated that all traits significantly affected by Irrigation treatments, exception number of branches. Emergence, flowering date, plant height, stem diameter, number of branches and plant yield had significant differences among genotypes. Effect of interactions between irrigation and genotype were significant on stem diameter only. Bio fertilizer increased amount of all traits as plant yield increased in 10 percent proportion compared with control. The highest potato yield was obtained in Clone 97-2. The highest yield obtained with full irrigation and potato yield decreased 40 percent by severe water stress compared with control. Therefore using of bio fertilizer recommended as supplement fertilizer for potato.

Nutrients management, especially nitrogen, influences the weed-crop competition. Thus, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and weed interference on yield and yield components of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L. Var. Makoei), a field experiment was arranged as split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran. The treatments included four levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 60 and 120 kg ha-1) and 10 weed interference periods in two sets (weed free and weed infested periods), that allocated to the main and subplots, respectively. Results indicated that increasing nitrogen supply increased spikes per area, grain and biological yields and decreased grain number per spike. Weed interference had significant effect on number of spike per m2, grain number per spike, and grain and biological yields. Increasing duration of weed interference led to significant decrease of spikes per m2, biological and grain yields of barley. Based on the results of this research, spike number per m2 was the most sensitive yield component of barley to nitrogen deficiency and weeds interference. Generally, by application of nitrogen up to 80 kg ha-1 and better weeds management by reducing duration of weed interference in barely, high performance in this crop can be obtained in similar conditions.

Medicinal plants are used for human health and creating diversity in agricultural ecosystems and have impact on the weed control. In this context, an experiment in order to evaluate the yield and yield components of lallemantia in intercropping with anise was carried out. The research was conducted as factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design. The first factor was weed control (Free of weeds and weed infested) and the second factor included three levels of intercropping as slight increase in the direction lallemantia with ratios of 20% lallemantia and anise favorable density ,40% lallemantia and anise favorable density and 60% lallemantia and anise favorable density and monocropping of both species. The results showed that planting pattern effect on weed dry weight was significant at the 5% level. Also intercropping 20: 100 (lallemantia – anise) and Free of the weed was the most suitable treatment. The highest grain yield in monocropping under weed Free condition was obtained. In all intercropping, LER and RVT were higher than both monocropping. It should be noted that the lallemantia even with weedy condition could produce yield economically.

In 2015 with about five million tons of corn, Iran was world’s fifth largest corn importer. Maize is one of the main crops for poultry and livestock feed in Iran. The average of area in Kermanshah province in recent years has been more than 45,000 hectares. But in 2015 this amount has decreased by 30 thousand hectares, 15580 hectares, which is the main reason for water scarcity in the region. On the other hand application of chemical fertilizers in conventional agriculture severe environmental problems, increased production costs and negative effects on biological cycles causes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components of Maize under normal and deficit irrigation condition in western Iran region and looking for the best biological treatments could be applied to the maize to get a high yield in addition to keep our environment clean and safe.
Field experiments were conducted for two years (2014 – 2015) at the agricultural research farm, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre in Kermanshah, Iran. In this research, effects of vermicompost and Azotobacter as a boifertilizers and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components of Maize under normal and deficit irrigation was investigated in two sites. Sites included normal irrigation and deficient irrigation (65% optimum water requirement) and each site was conducted as the factorial split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications and three factors. Treatments included Azotobacter in the main plots (non-inoculation and inoculation), vermicompost (consuming 0, 2, 4 and 6 ton/ha) and chemical fertilizers included N,P,K (100%, 50% and 0% recommendation based on soil test) in the sub plots. Irrigation treatments (deficit and adequate irrigation) in the middle phase of growth stage (approximately V6) began. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance to compare mean by least significant difference (LSD) by SAS statistical software and graphs were performed by EXCEL.
Results showed that, the grain yield of maize, LAI, leaf chlorophyll contents and NDVI were significantly influenced by irrigation levels, but Azotobacter no significant effect on this traits. Grain yield, LAI, leaf chlorophyll contents and NDVI were decreased by deficient irrigation. Vermicompost and chemical fertilizer increased these traits in normal and deficit irrigation. Vermicompost at 2, 4 and 6 ton/ha consistently and significantly increased grain yield in both irrigation condition. There was no significant difference on grain yield between 6 ton/ha application of vermicompost in linked together 50% of advised chemical fertilizers, and 100% of recommended fertilizer, hence it is possible to reduce chemical fertilizers application up to 50%. Similarly Laekemariam and Gidago (2012) recommended applying integrated of compost at 5 ton ha-1 along with chemical fertilizer to obtain better yield of maize. Kemal and Abera (2015) reported Application of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer along with vermicompost at 6 ton/ha to maize not only enhanced productivity of maize but also improved soil fertility in terms of higher available N, P, K and organic carbon content over the control and recommended N, P and K.
Although the vermicompost and Azotobacter were not able to provide all the nutritional requirements for Maize but the results indicated that the use of 6 ton/ha vermicompost and Azotobacter in soil, 50% of the maize fertilizer supplied and that means a 50% reduction in the consumption of chemical fertilizers and less pollution of the soil and the environment. On the other hand, the results showed that under deficient irrigation vermicompost and Azotobacter increased grain yield. As a general conclusion these results suggested that integrating bio fertilizer with 50 percent of recommended NPK fertilizers are appropriate for sustainable maize production in normal and deficient irrigation.

In order to study the changes in leaf chlorophyll index (SPAD index), protein and grain yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. Var. Makoei) in response to nitrogen and weed interference, a set of experiments were conducted in the Research Station of the University of Tabriz, Iran. The experiment was carried out as split-plot, based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Different amounts of nitrogen (0, 40, 60 and 120 kg.ha-1) were allocated to the main plots and 10 weed interference periods (two sets) were assigned to the subplots. In the first set, the plots were kept weed-free up to Em (Emergence - 1st leaf emerged), El5 (5th leaf unfolded), Ti (Tillering - Main shoot and 3 tillers), Se (Stem elongation - 5th node detectable) and Ea em (Ear emergence - Emergence of head complete) growth stages (GS), corresponding to 10, 15, 23, 35 and 59 Zadok’s scales, respectively. In the second set, plots were left weed infested up to the corresponding periods and subsequently kept weed free. Results showed that nitrogen and weed interference period has significant effect on protein percentage and grain yield. The effect of nitrogen was also significant on SPAD index. All traits decreased with increasing weed interference duration. Moreover, SPAD index, protein percentage and grain yield of barley under weedy control were 7.35, 27.3 and 42.5 % lower than that under full season weed-free control treatment, respectively. There was positive relationship between nitrogen level increasing and improvement of SPAD index, protein and grain yield. Increasing amount of nitrogen to the stable level, increased tolerance of barley to the weed infestation. Also, with increasing nitrogen application, growth and grain yield of barley were increased. The results from this study can be applied in the transition period of intensive agriculture to low input and sustainable agriculture, in relation to the issues related to the desirable weed management and reduction of nitrogen fertilizer application.

Intercropping is known to improve the utilizing resources and increasing yield and yield stability as compare with monoculture. To evaluate wheat-chickpea intercropping، an experiment in factorial split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in Dryland Agricultural Research Institute، Sararoud، Kermanshah، Iran، during two years (2008-10). Two factors، N fertilizer in three levels (1. No fertilizer; 2. 60 kg. ha-1 urea for wheat and 20 kg. ha-1 for chickpea and 3. Nitragin as a biofertilizer + 30 kg. ha-1 urea for wheat and no urea for chickpea) and weed control in two levels (no weeding and weeding) were placed as factorial in main plots. In the sub-plots were also placed ten intercropping patterns including: 1. Wheat monoculture، 2. Chickpea monoculture، 3. Mixed-row intercropping with 1:1 ratio of wheat: chickpea، 4. Mixed-row intercropping with 2:1 ratio of wheat: chickpea، 5. Row intercropping with 1:1 ratio of wheat: chickpea، 6. Strip intercropping with 2:5: 1:5 ratio of chickpea: wheat: chickpea: wheat، 7. Strip intercropping with 2:7 ratio of chickpea: wheat، 8. Strip intercropping with 7:2 ratio of chickpea: wheat، 9. Strip intercropping with 4:9 ratio of chickpea: wheat and 10. Strip intercropping with 9:4 ratio of chickpea: wheat. Results showed that number of grain per spike، number of spike per m2، grain yield، plant height، biological yield and harvest index of wheat were affected by inter-specific competition (cropping pattern)، year and their interaction effect. Wheat had higher competition ability to uptake and use the resource than chickpea. Strip intercropping patterns with lower width of the wheat strip and more width of chickpea strip (patterns 8 and 10) and row intercropping (pattern 5) were better than the wheat monoculture in most studied traits like plant height in first year، biological and grain yield، harvest index and light absorption. The row intercropping in second year reduced weed biomass in chickpea which not only was superior to monoculture، but it can be used as an approach to weed control in chickpea

Management of soil fertility via biological fertilizers application is one of the most important components of sustainable agriculture. On this basis، in order to investigate the effect of biological and chemical fertilizers on some qualitative and quantitative traits in forage sorghum، a field study was conducted as factorial experiment based on RCBD (Randomized complete block design) with three replications during growth season 2011 in Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture at University of Tabriz. The first factor consisted of chemical fertilizer levels of 210 Kg/ha urea (100%)، 150 Kg/ha super phosphate triple (100%)، urea (100%) + super phosphate triple (S. P. T، 100%)، urea 50% + S. P. T. 50%، and control. The second factor comprised biofertilizer levels of biosuper، phosphate barvar-2، biosuper + phosphate barvar-2 and control. Results showed that sorghum can produce three harvests during a growth season under Tabriz climates. The highest and the lowest forage yield and plant height were observed in treatment combinations of urea (100%) + S. P. T. (100%) + phosphate Barvar-2 and control. The highest and lowest percentage NDF and ADF were observed in treatment control and 50% urea + 50% S. P. T. + phosphate barvar-2، respectively. Also the highest tiller number per plant and the percentage of protein in the urea treatment and the lowest was in control. Therefore، it was concluded that integrated application of chemical and bio fertilizers at three harvests was superior to the treatments and sorghum forage yield was increased significantly in compared to chemical and bio-fertilizers usage، separately.

In order to evaluating wheat-chickpea intercropping in dryland condition with diferent levels of nitrogen fertilizer and weed free and weed iterference conditions an experiment in factorial split plot based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications carried out during two years (2008-09 and 2009-10) in dryland agricultural research sub-institute Sararood - Kermanshah. The main plots contained factorial plots of N fertilization with 3 levels (N1: no fertilization, N2: 60 kg ha-1 urea for wheat and 20 kg ha-1 for chickpea, and N3: nitragin as a biofertilizer + 30 kg ha-1 urea for wheat, and chickpea no urea); and weed conditions with 2 levels (weed infested and weed free). The third factor as sub-plots arranged in main plots was cropping patterns with 10 levels (P1: wheat sole crop (wh.SC), P2: chickpea sole crop (ch.SC), P3: wh./ch. mixed intercropping (wh./ch.MIC) in 1:1 ratio, P4: wh./ch. MIC in 2:1 ratio, P5: row intercropping (RIC) 1row wh.:1row ch., P6: strip intercropping (SIC) 5wh.1ch.5wh.2ch, P7: SIC 7wh.:2ch., P8: SIC 2wh.:7ch., P9: SIC 9wh.:4ch., and P10: SIC 4wh.:9ch.). Results showed in intercropping system most of studied traits in chickpea were affected by applied factors and interspecific competition. Wheat had higher competition ability to use resources and was dominant on chickpea. Strip intercropping patterns with wider chickpea strip and narrower wheat strip (P8 and P10) had land equivalent ratio (LER) higher than one, and were stable during years. According to results superiority in intercropping drived in low or no application of urea and no weed control, so these results help to organic production of the crops.

In order to study the foliar application of ferrous sulfate and zinc sulfate on yield and nutrient concentration of German chamomile, a two-year experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with four replications at the Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tabriz in 2008 and 2009. Treatments were foliar application of Iron sulfate and Zinc sulfate separately and combined together at stem elongation, flowering, and both stages with a control. Results of ANOVA showed the significant effect on flower yield and concentration of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc and iron. The highest flower yield (2125 kg/ha) was obtained from foliar application of ferrous sulfate and zinc sulfate at both two stages, that it was higher (57.3 percent) than control. The flower yield in the first year was 12.5 percent more than the second year. Foliar treatments with zinc sulfate at both stages of stem elongation and flowering, ferrous sulfate at stem elongation and zinc sulfate at flowering stage have the most concentration of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium respectively. The maximum concentration of iron, zinc and copper, respectively obtained from sprayed treatments with ferrous sulfate at both stages, zinc sulfate at stem elongation and ferrous sulfate at flowering stage that increased 80.1, 5. and 32.1 percent compared to the control. Thus, from this study concluded that foliar application of chamomile with ferrous sulfate and zinc sulfate can lead to flower yield improvement, increase of concentrations of nutrients and remove of their deficiency in the plant.

In order to evaluate the effect of weed interference and plant density on performance of grain corn، an experiment was carried out as split-plot based on randomized completed bloke design (RCBD) with three replications at the Agriculture Research Station، University of Tabriz، Iran in 2009. Plant density levels including: 5، 7، 10 and 16 plant/m-2 was allocated to the main plots and weed interference at three levels including: weed free، once in a row weed interference and perfect weed interference were assigned to subplots. The results showed that weed interference on grain yield، 1000 seed weight، kernel weight and number of ear had a significant effect. With increasing of natural weed interference during growth period، grain yield، 1000 seed weight، kernel weight and number of ear decreased. Also، interaction between weed interference and plant density was significant in kernel weight of ear. Between different densities the greatest grain yield with 1020 g/m-2 obtained from 16 plant/m-2 and weed free treatment. Weeds in treatments of once in a row weed interference 50 percent and treatments of perfect weed interference in long of growth period 75 percent grain yield decreased. Results showed that with increasing plant density، corn can increase its competitiveness with natural weeds of field increased the grain yield. Generally، the results indicate that the sensitivity to weeds interference especially in low plant density due to the effect of early competitive start may influence extremely the yield of maize.

In order to study the effects of biological and nitrogen fertilizers on yield and some morphological traits of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under dry land conditions, a field study was conducted during 2010 at Agricultural Research Station in University of Tabriz. The experiment was carried out as a factorial on the basis of randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was comprised Alvar (native cultivar) and Sahand cultivars and the second factor was fertilizer levels containing control, Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer, Nitragin, 60 kg urea/ha (recommended total), Nitragin + Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer, 30 kg urea/ha (recommended 1/2 of total) + Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer and, Nitragin + Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer + 20 kg urea/ha (recommended 1/3 of total). Sahand cultivar had more height than hat native cultivar (23 %). The highest plant height was observed in the Sahand cultivar with 50% Urea + Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer and Sahand cultivar + 100% Urea fertilizer treatments applied and the lowest plant height was obtained from the native cultivar with control and Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer combination treatments. The treatment of Barvar 2 phosphate biofertilizer + 50% Urea significantly increased spike height, whereas other treatments combination did not have significant effect. This treatment had 11% spike height more than that of control. Effects of fertilizer and cultivar were significance on grain yield. But, only, fertilizer had significant effect on straw and biological yield. The average of grain yield in the Sahand cultivar was 18% higher than that of Alvar native cultivar. The highest grain yield was achieved in 60 kg urea/ha fertilizer. Amoung fertilizer levels, 60 kg urea/ha application and control were produced maximum and minimum straw yield, respectively. The biological yield was increased from 3/2 t/ha (control) to 5/2 t/ha with 60 kg urea/ha application. Cultivar effects on harvest index were significant, as Sahand cultivar had higher harvest index than that Alvar.Generally, it was concluded that whereas 60kg urea/ha application could be resulted in the positive and significant effect on yield and some morphological traits, but, integrated usage of reduced amounts of chemical fertilizers such as urea with biofeetilizers, can be have positive and suitable effects on barley yield and human healthy.

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants as its essential oil is used in different industries including pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food.In this research, effect of different types of nitrogen fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of summer savory was evaluated in a complete randomized blocks design with three replications. The treatments included chemical fertilizer (150 kg/ha urea), biofertilizer (Azospirillum & Azotobacter), combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer and control. Different characteristics such as plant height, number of lateral branches, flowering shoot dry weight, shoot dry weight, essential oil yield and essential oil percentage were recorded.According to the results, all studied characteristics were affected by different types of nitrogen fertilizers and the highest records were obtained at 50% chemical fertilizer. Percentage of essential oil was also significantly affected by fertilizer treatments as the most percentage of essential oil was respectively obtained at chemical fertilizer (2.07%), combination of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer (1.91%) and biofertilizer (1.90%). Application of different nitrogen sources significantly increased essential oil yield compared to the control treatment and the highest essential oil yield was obtained at combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer (30.23 kg/ha). Afterward, chemical fertilizer and biofertilizer respectively produced the most essential oil yield. Our results indicated thatapplication of bio-fertilizers alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer has positive effects in improvement of qualitative and quantitative traits of Summer savory; so it could be considered instead of continuous use of chemical fertilizersas a shift towards sustainable agriculture and reduce pollution from chemical fertilizer.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants that its essential oil used in different medicinal industries. In this research, effects of different types of fertilizers were evaluated on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of basil. The research was conducted under field condition in complete randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included vermicompost, livestock manure chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer (Azospirillum/ Azotobacter), combinations of vermicompost and 50% chemical fertilizer, combinations of biofertilizers and 50% chemical fertilizer, manure and control. The highest dry yield in first and second harvest observed in combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer. Results showed highest essential oil content obtained in chemical fertilizer and combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer. According to the results, application of chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer and combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer increased essential oil yield to 41%, 33% and 38%, respectively. Identification of essential oil components showed that content of Eugenol and Methyl chavicol increased with application of nitrogen fertilizers. It is concluded that application of biofertilizers enhanced quantitative and qualitative characteristics in this plant. Generally, it seems that using of biofertilizers could improve basil performance in addition to reduction of environmental pollution.

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with great applications in different medicinal industries. In present study, effects of biologic and chemical nitrogen fertilizers were evaluated on growth, yield and essential oil constituents of dill. The research was conducted under field condition in randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments included chemical fertilizer (150 kg/ha urea), biofertilizer (Azospirillum/Azotobacter), combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer and control. Different characteristics such as plant height, number of umbel per plant, number of umbellet per umbel, number of grain per umbelet, 100 seed weight, grain yield, biologic yield and oil percentage were recorded. According to the results, the highest height, biologic yield and grain yield components (except the number of grain per umbellet) obtained on chemical fertilizer and combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer. Results showed highest harvest index and essential oil content detected in chemical fertilizer and combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer. Identification of essential oil components showed that content of carvone increased with application of nitrogen fertilizers. Results indicated, application of biofertilizers enhanced yield and other plant criteria in this plant. Generally, it seems that using of biofertilizers or combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer could improve dill performance in addition to reduction of environmental pollution.