مجید نبی پور

The researchers have been forcing to investigate and find an edible alternative high forage quality plant that has a well-tolerated instinct against adverse environmental conditions. Alhagi, a genus of Fabaceae is one of the most important halophyte plants in the world, as an industrial forage product used in the near future, medicinal production and pharmaceutical use. There are many reasonable that Alhagi plants productivity and satisfactory yield requires good seed germination and seedling establishment. Generally, germination and seedling establishment is the most decisive stage of Alhagi plants life cycle to environmental stress. Moderate to severe salinity stress is main abiotic causes of Alhagi plants productivity loss at the seedling growth stage. High accumulation of Na+ and Cl- ions cause various negative influences that impact Alhagi production, such as delays in the response of the plant to environmental conditions, retardation of germination, growth and development, inhibition of enzymatic activities and accumulation of some compatible osmolyte. In addition, to the salinity stress, the seed germination, seedling establishment and total dry matter production in Alhagi plants occurs depends on a seed priming and type of species. However, few research studies have so far investigated the impact of different seed priming on the total dry matter production as well as some physiological responses in Alhagi species.

Two separate experiments was conducted to investigate seed priming (non-priming, hydro priming, hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin and hydro priming + hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin) and different salinity levels (urban water source with EC=0.96 dS.m-1, 8 and 16 dS.m-1 using seawater Persian Gulf) on seed germination, dry matter and some physiological response of Alhagi species (Alhagi maurorum Esfahan ecotype and A. graecorum Khuzestan ecotype). The first experiment (seed germination) was carried on in the petri dish culture and second experiment (in the pot) at the field conditions was performed under split factorial experiments were conducted based on a randomized complete block design with four replications in Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University (Ahwaz, Iran) during 2020-21. Meanwhile, during research, after calculating of the leaching fraction, EC of the root environment was controlled three times with an interval of one month by preparing a saturated extract from the pot bed and only in the third sampling was performed a leaching in the treatments of 16 dS m-1, with a salinity level lower than the studied treatment (8 ds.m-1).

The results showed a significant effect of salinity × priming × species interaction on all studied traits except for transpiration rate, Na and K content. In the case of transpiration rate, only the effects of salinity and priming were significant. Mean comparison results showed that the highest amount of seed germination, total dry matter, net photosynthesis rate, sub-stomata CO2 concentration, photosynthetic water use efficiency and number of leaves per plant in A. graecorum Khuzestan ecotype under Non-salinity stress and Hydro priming + Hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin treatment (increased by 29.1, 1.52, 26.8, 98.7, 15.6 and 38.8 percent respectively compared to the Non-priming and Non-salinity stress treatment in the A. maurorum Esfahan ecotype). The highest level of mesophilic conductance was observed in A. graecorum Khuzestan ecotype under Non-priming and 8 dS.m-1 salinity stress treatment (with an average of 0.492 mmol CO2.m-2.s-1).

In this experiment, results showed significant differences in total dry weight, net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, sub-stomata CO2 concentration, mesophyll conductance and photosynthetic water use efficiency between two Alhagi species at different salinity conditions using Persian Gulf water. Indeed, dry matter and photosynthesis traits in both Alhagi species responded negatively to increasing salinity levels and increasing of salinity up to, 8 dS m-1 induce the loss in physiological responses. Among the priming treatments, the hydro priming + hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin showed a more favorable condition in the two Alhagi species in terms of the studied traits. Finally, in cultivation and development of Alhagi species for breeding programs in saline coastal lands and for the restoration of pastures, according to the results, A. graecorum Khuzestan ecotype under the combined treatment as hydro priming + hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin, recommended for high production.

Cardiotoxicity caused by fluoropyrimidines is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication. Its frequency has been 1.6 to 19% in previous studies. But there are no accurate statistics in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of cardiac complications of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion.

This prospective study was conducted in patients with gastrointestinal cancers who underwent chemotherapy with regimens containing 24-hour infusion of 5-FU at Rohani Hospital of Babol. Patients with a history of radiation therapy to the chest or epigastrium or suffering from COVID-19 disease in the last 6 weeks were excluded from the study. Each patient was examined in 2 cycles of chemotherapy. In case of complications, cardiac examinations including examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and if necessary, coronary angiography were done. Data analysis was done with SPSS 26 software using descriptive indices and Fisher exact test (significance≤0.05).

 In sixty one patients, 122 courses of chemotherapy were evaluated. Underlying cancer was colorectal cancer in 32 patients, stomach cancer in people. Eight patients (13.11%) had cardiac complication, in eleven chemotherapy cycles, included 7 cases of chest pain and one case of each of complications of myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema and pericarditis. Four out of 8 patients suffered from complications only in the first round, one only in the second round and three patients in both rounds of chemotherapy (P=0.004).The incidence rate of complications in patients without a history of heart disease was 8.7% and in patients with a history of heart disease 26.7%(P=0.073), in non-smokers 10% and in smokers 30%(P=0.084). It was 10.6% in non-diabetic patients and 21.4% in diabetic patients (P=0.294).

 Cardiac complications are common in 24-hour injection of 5-fluorouracil. A patient who has a heart complication once, might have a higher probability of having a complication in the next cycles.

Practical Implications:

Due to the high prevalence of cardiac complications of 24-hour floururacil infusion, especially in patients with a history of heart disease, careful cardiac monitoring during hospitalization is recommended.

The use of seed priming technology to accelerate the germination and seedling emergence of multi-purpose plants such as halophytes (Alhagi) with the ability to produce medicine and forage under environmental stress conditions or use of saline water (such as seawater of Persian Gulf) has received much attention today. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate seed priming methods and different salinity levels on germination, seedling emergence, and some growth responses of Alhagi plant.

Two separate split-factorial experiments were conducted based on a randomized complete block design with four replications as a petri dish culture (first experiment) and a pot experiment in the field was performed in the Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University (Ahwaz, Iran) during 2020-21. In both experiments, different levels of salinity (municipal water source with EC=0.96 dS.m-1, 8 and 16 dS.m-1 using seawater of Persian Gulf) were assigned as the main plot, and different methods of seed priming (non-priming, hydro priming, hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin and hydro priming+hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin) and species (A. maurorum and A. graecorum) were assigned as sub-factors.

The results showed the significance of salinity × species × priming interaction on all studied traits. According to the mean comparison results, the highest values of germination percentage, seed vigor index, seedling emergence, plant height, number of branches, total dry matter and stomatal conductance were obtained from a municipal water source with EC=0.96 dS.m-1 and hydro priming+hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin for A. graecorum (29.1, 90.2, 24.0, 32.3, 52.5, 52.1 and 32.4% increase compared to non-priming and control salinity stress on this species, respectively). The output of the fitted logistic model to seedling emergence percentage showed that this model well explained the relationship between seedling emergence of two Alhagi species in responses to salinity and seed priming (R2 adj≥0.98 and RMSE≤3.38). Therefore, in both studied species, the decline in seedling emergence started from the 8 dS/m salinity level. However, at the 16 dS/m salinity level, the slope of increase in seedling emergence percentage was slower per time unit.

To cultivate and exploit the saline coastal lands and also to restore the pastures in the country, A. graecorum species under the combined treatment of hydro priming + hormonal priming with 50 ppm gibberellin are recommended in comparison with other treatment levels.

Highlights:

1- Germination and growth responses of two Iranian Alhagi species and the possibility of production by irrigation of seawater of Persian Gulf were investigated.
2- Seed priming technique was used to accelerate seedling emergence and improve some traits in two Alhagi species.

Caper (Capparis spinosa) is used as multipurpose and adaptable plant which provides a valuable opportunity to enhance greenery and prevent soil erosion in harsh climatic areas. This plant is tolerant of salinity and blooms along the coast. Due to the recent severe drought in Iran and most of the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, farmers have tried to grow drought and salinity tolerant plants (such as capper) instead of plants with high water requirements. Salinity is one of the most common non-Biotic stresses in arid and semi-arid regions, which causes a significant reduction in photosynthesis, which depends on photosynthetic tissue and photosynthetic pigments, so that the general growth traits in Plants are reduced. The present experiment was performed to determine changes in physiological and biochemical properties as well as the ratio of sodium ions to potassium under salinity stress to evaluate salinity resistance and determine the best planting date for capper plant. Also, by obtaining the results of this research, capability, position of development and promotion of this plant in erodible and saline lands that have become the center of fine dust to be determined.

In order to a experiment was arranged as split plot based on randomized design complete block with three replicatione in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 1397-98 crop year. Treatments include six planting dates as the main factor (7 October, 6 November, 6 December, 5 January, 4February and 6 March) and the sub-factor including four salinity levels (control (urban water), 15, 30 and 45 dS m-1). In this study, was used mechanical scraping method using sandpaper and then placing the seeds in gibberellic acid solution at a concentration of 1500 mg / l to remove the dormancy of the seeds. In the 8-leaf stage, salinity test was started. Sodium chloride salt was used to prepare salinity treatments. To prevent sudden shock to the plants, salinity treatments were applied gradually. Measurements for this experiment began ten days after the highest salinity stress level was applied.

Based on the results of this study, the planting dates of 7 October and 6 November were selected as the two best planting dates and the planting dates of 4 February and 6 March were Deleted due to low germination percentage and insufficient number of plant samples from the experiment. The results indicated that salinity had a significantly negative effect on chlorophyll content of caper seedlings while carotenoid content in caper seedlings was significantly increased. The amount of reduction in chlorophyll a content is greater than that of chlorophyll b. protein content decreased and malon dealdehyde increased under salinity stress. Salinity had a significant effect on net photosynthesis. Comparison of the mean effect of salinity on net photosynthesis showed that with increasing salinity level, the amount of net photosynthesis decreased. The highest rate of net photosynthesis was related to the control treatment and the lowest rate of net photosynthesis was related to salinity levels of 30 and 45 dS m-1, which did not show a significant difference with each other. Antioxidant enzyme activity; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) also increased in response of salinity. The highest amount of reaction to salinity is related to superoxide dismutase enzyme and the other three enzymes showed less reaction to salinity so that for 30 and 45 dS m-1levels there was no significant difference with each other but their highest amount of activity is related to this Levels are 30 and 45 dS m-1 and the lowest level of activity is related to the control treatment. Our observations of ionic content in the aerial organ showed that the sodium content (Na+) increased with increasing salinity, and Athe potassium content (K+) decreased, but in each level of salinity the amount of sodium was lower than potassium. The results of physiological characteristics and Na+/K+ ratio showed that the caper plant is an almost salinity tolerant species (up to 15 dS m-1) which can be a suitable option for successful propagation in arid, semi-arid and saline environments and prevent soil erosion in these areas. Therefore, the use of this plant due to its flexibility to salinity and drought can be a valuable opportunity to increase the green area and prevent provide soil erosion and reduce the negative effects of the dust phenomenon, especially in the south and southwest regions.

Salicornia is one of the most important industrial plants of the Chenopodiaceae family, which is grown as oilseed, fodder, or vegetable crop around the world. All Salicornia species produce succulent shoots suitable for leafy vegetable production, but they differ in germination charactristics, seedling growth and physiological parameters. Germination and seedling emergence depend on the specific genotype requirements of each species and the environmental factors such as salinity stress. Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which negatively limit crop productivity. The aim of the present study was to test biochemical and physiological responses of Salicornia species to salinity stress.

In order to investigate the seed germination and seedling growth properties of Salicornia, two separate factorial experiments were conducted based on a completely randomized design with four replications and four destructive examples for each replication during 2019. The first experiment (seed investigation) was carried on in the petri dish culture and second experiment (seedling investigation) was conducted using pots in the green house condition. Experimental treatments were six levels of salinity stresses (control, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 dS/m) arranged as the fist factor and in the second factor was three Salicornia species S. persica Golestan, S. biglovii and S. europaea.

Results of analysis of variance revealed that there was significant effect of salinity stress, genotype and interaction effects of both treatment on all measured germination and seedling growth characteristics (p<0.01). In all studied Salicornia species, the maximum value of traits obtain at control condition and the minimum value was observed in 50 dS/m salinity except for germination uniformity, seedling water content and total phenol content. The highest seedling water content (89.44%) was obtained from S. persica at 40 dS/m. The maximum flavonoid (0.156 mg/g.fw) and total phenol content (0.031 mg/g.fw) was observed in S. persica at 20 dS/m. Based on the output of Gompertz function (R2adj≥0.95 and RMSE≤3.25), salinity increase from 0 to 50 dS/m, the time to reach 50% of total seed germination was increased from 5.73 to 16.20 days in S. percia, 4.42 to 17.07 days in S.biglovii and 5.75 to 11.95 days, respectively.

Seed germination traits and seedling growth of Salicornia genotypes exhibited some level of sensitivity to salinity stress. All Salicornia species were germinated successfully at a salinity of 10 dS/m while seed germination was inhibited at 50 dS/m of salinity stress. It was revealed that the Salicornia sp. originated from Iran (S. persica) exhibited higher salinity tolerance than the species originated from Europe (i.e., S. biglovii and S. europaea). In conclusion, all Salicornia spp. exhibited reasonable salinity tolerance in the range of (10 to 30 dS/m) without compromising the high quality of the final yield. Therefore, it could be a promising alternative crop in saline-prone areas of Iran. Now, after understanding the behavior of different Salicoenia species above 10 dS/m salinity and increae of seed germination from 0 to 10 dS/m in, scrutiny of plants reaction between 0 to 10 dS/m in, it is possible to use this finding for a better breeding program of Salicornia species.

One of the solutions to provide part of the forage required by livestock is the dual-purpose use of cereals including hull- less barley genotypes and the reaction of known cultivars in different crops dates. The present experiment in the form of a randomized complete blocks statistical design was performed as a split factorial with three replications in the cropping year of 2018-2019 in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Three planting dates November 11, December 11 and 20 January in the main plots and random combinations of hull- less barley genotypes EH-85-9, EH-87-4, EH-86-12 and Loot and normal barley cultivars ( Zahak cultivar) and two forage harvesting behaviors in stage 31 zadox and non-forage harvesting were compared in subplots. The results showed that with delay in planting, total dry matter yield (14 percent), protein yield (14 percent), leaf area index (38 percent),) and photosynthesis rate (21 percent) decreased. The highest forage yield (15976 kilogram per hectare), protein yield (726 15976 kilogram per hectare) and the lowest percentage of fiber (31 percent) belonged to EH-86-12 genotype. The highest rate of photosynthesis (25 micromolar per square meter per second) and the lowest rate of transpiration rate (2.8 percent) belonged to Loot cultivar. The highest grain yield (5400 kilogram per hectare ) and forage yield (13016 kilogram per hectare) belonged to the planting date of November 11 and EH-86-12 genotype due to higher forage yield and better stability (2 percent reduction) in heat conditions due to delay in planting date and also the possibility of harvesting forage in the vegetative stage with minimal negative impact on grain yield, as a suitable genotype for forage and grain production in Ahvaz and similar areas can be a priority in cultivation, development and more research activities.

About 6.8 million hectares of agricultural lands in the country have different degrees of salinity, of which 4.3 million hectares have only salinity limits. The response of plants to salt stress is complex and depends on various factors such as concentration and type of solutes, plant species, plant growth stage and environmental factors. The use of salinity tolerant cultivars is currently one of the most effective ways to exploit and increase yield in saline and low saline soils. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is a native plant of the Andean region of South America that was cultivated there from 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 2002) designated Quinoa as one of the most important crops for food security of the world's population in the last century. Most Quinoa cultivars are capable of growing in salinity at concentrations of 40 (dSm-1) and even higher. This salinity is too high for most crops. Increasing the concentration of NaCl in the nutrient solution, followed by increasing the osmotic potential, adsorption of Na+ and Cl- ions during seed germination causes cell damage and ultimately inhibits or reduces germination. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of salinity caused by the use of poor quality water on yield and yield components of Quinoa as well as germination components of different Quinoa cultivars.

This study was carried out in cultivation in controlled environment (germination apparatus) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran, in order to evaluate the reaction of cultivars and genotypes to salt stress conditions. In the experiment conducted under controlled conditions, the experimental treatments included salinity (NaCl) at six levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 dSm-1) and three genotypes and genotypes of Quinoa (Giz, Titicaca, Q26) was performed as factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. To find plant respanses and chose the best one using seed number and germination rate, percentage and germination rate, seed Vigor index, mean germination time, time to 10% germination, time to 50% germination and time to 90% germination were calculated according to the equations.

The results of analysis of variance showed that salinity stress had a significant effect on germination percentage and rate, and other measured germination indices (p < 0.01). Interaction of cultivar and salinity stress on root length, stem length, root dry weight and shoot dry weight, seed vigor index, germination uniformity, D10, D50 at 1% and germination percentage at 5% were significant. With increasing salinity levels from the control treatment to the highest salinity level (50 dSm-1), the decreasing trend of root and shoot length as well as root and shoot dry weight was observed. Titicaca showed the highest germination percentage and the highest seed vigor index in control treatment. In the salinity-free treatment, Titicaca showed the best and worst yield in Q26 at 50 (dSm-1) for 10% germination. Among other cultivars, Titicaca showed the highest root and shoot length and the lowest root and shoot length at 50 (dSm-1) under non-salinity stress conditions. Titicaca cultivar had the highest and Giz cultivar had the lowest germination and root dry weight. Titicaca cultivar in control treatment showed the highest root and shoot length with an average of 5.53 and 5.57 cm, respectively, while in salinity treatment of 50 dS/m-1 with an average of 0.4 and 0.3 cm minimum root and shoot length. Also, the best uniformity in germination with 20.2 hours was observed in Titicaca cultivar in control treatment.

At low salinity levels, acceptable yield was observed but in sever salinity condition most of the crops could not grow during the phenological stages. According to the results of this study and the study of quinoa behavior and high tolerance of the plant in the germination stage in the face of salinity stress, to improve salinity resistance in crops through breeding programs, and further study of salinity defense mechanisms in susceptible cultivars It is recommended. It seems that despite the significant effectiveness of all three cultivars and significant reduction in germination indices at high salinity levels Titicaca cultivar had a higher tolerance threshold than the other two cultivars, indicating the diversity of cultivars in response to physiological processes to salinity stress. It is also possible to use this cultivar with further research into breeding and breeding programs of other sensitive quinoa cultivars.

In order to investigation the effect of planting date and foliar application Zinc sulfate and Selenium on tolerance to high temperature on two Wheat cultivars one experiment was carried out in a split factorial experiment based on a complete randomized block design with three replications at the experimental farm of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during a growing season 2017-2018. Three factors were investigated in this experiment. initial factor including three planting date (Nov 11, Des 11, Jan 10). The solution type was used as the second factor: 1- foliar application with tap water (control), 2- foliar application with selenium (4 mg/lit), 3- foliar application with zinc sulfate (0.04%) and third factor including two wheat cultivars (Chamran and Star). According to the results in planting date of 20 January, the number of grains per spike decreased in the foliar application treatments by zinc solfate 10%, Selenium 36% and control 33% compared to similar treatments in the planting date of November 20th. In the planting date of January 20, the decrease in grain yield compared to the planting date of November 20th was 49.3% in the control treatment and 49.9% in the selenium treatment While in zinc sulfate treatment, yield reduction was 20.19%. According to the results obtained in folia application, Zn sulfate increased grain yield in two wheat cultivars by increasing the number of grains per spike, 1000- grain weight and grain filling duration.

IntroductionIn semiarid regions with a Mediterranean climate, grain-filling period of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) faces different kinds of biotic and abiotic stresses including water deficit, heat stress and foliar diseases. Current assimilation as a carbon source for grain filling is dependent on light absorptive green surfaces after anthesis. This source decreases normally due to natural senescence and different stresses. Simultaneously, demand of growing grain increases in addition to the demand of maintenance and respiration of live plant biomass. So stem reserves are one of the important carbon reserves for grain filling. (Blum, 1998). Stem reserves are mainly in the form of WSC (Kuhbauch and Thome, 1989; Przulj and Momcivilic, 2001; Schnyder, 1993). The final grain weight is one of the main determinant components of yield, which is determined by two factors: grain filling rate and grain filling period (Blum, 1998, Yang and Zhang, 2005). These two components are influenced by environmental and genetic factors and are physiologically completely independent of each other. Ehdaie et al. (2008) studied grain growth in 11 wheat genotypes. Under drought stress, 26% grain weight reduction was due to 29 percent reduction in grain filling rate and 50 percent grain filling period. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the changes in grain weight and carbohydrate concentration of four barley cultivars under end of season drought stress, and to investigate the role of stem reserves and current photosynthesis in grain weight stability under drought stress.Materials and methods A pot experiment was carried out in a factorial design with three replicates at the faculty of Agronomy, University of Shahid Chamran in the duration of 2010-2011 growing seasons. Four spring barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.) selected from preliminary experiment including Nimruz, Jonub, Nosrat and Torkaman were grown under two water treatments including water stress vs. fully irrigation. The chlorophyll Content of flag leaf was assessed from anthesis to maturity at 5-day intervals from the same-age plants. Sampling was done from anthesis to maturity at 5-day intervals from the same-age plants. The spikes were removed and the weight of nine middle grain was measured. The linear rate of grain growth was estimated by The linear regression analysis for each cultivar in well-watered and droughted treatment. The penultimate internodes were separated from stems and then frozen in liquid nitrogen after removing leaf sheet. Five main spikes at maturity were harvested for assessment of main spike grain yield, the number of grains and grain weight. WSC were extracted based on Sonnewald et al. (1992) and measured according to Dubois et al. (1956). Results are expressed as milligrams of WSC per gram of fresh weight for WSC concentration. The mobilized WSC (MWSC) in penultimate internode was estimated as the difference between postanthesis maximum and minimum WSC concentration. Remobilization efficiency (Re) of WSC was estimated by the proportion (%) of postanthesis maximum WSC concentration of penultimate internode that mobilized. Result and discussionSignificant difference was observed among cultivars in WSCc at anthesis. Jonub showed the highest and Nosrat showed the lowest concentrations. Inspite of lower WSC concentration (WSCc) at anthesis, Torkaman and Nimruz could be set in the same group with Jonub, based on maximum WSCc (Fig. 1). The ratio of preanthesis WSC to total reserved WSC was different among cultivars. Jonub had the highest ratio, while Torkaman had the lowest ratio.Water withholding elevated remobilisation efficiency by 10%. Nosrat was affected the most by water-stressed conditions by increase of 47% in mobilised carbohydrates and increase of 44% in remobilisation efficiency. On the other hand, Nimruz and Jonub had high level of WSC remobilisation in both conditions and these cultivars weren’t highly affected by drought. Water withholding increased the rate of chlorophyll loss by 66%. Nosrat and Nimruz showed the highest and the lowest rate of chlorophyll loss in both circumstances respectively. On the other hand, Jonub and Nosrat showed the highest and the lowest increase in this feature by entering drought. Drought decreased grain filling rate by 35 that resulted in decrease of 15% in grain weight. Reduction by 17% was observed for yield of main spike by entering drought that was mainly due to the decrease of grain weight , Because grains per spike didn’t change. ConclusionCultivars were different in WSC-related traits such as WSC concentration at anthesis, maximum WSC concentration and rate of WSC accumulation in ten-day period after anthesis. Water withholding elevated WSC remobilisation efficiency. Water withholding increased the rate of chlorophyll loss by 66%. Drought decrease the the rate of grain filling by 35%. The decrease of 15% in grain weight led to decrease of 17% in grain yield of main stem. Cultivars showed different manner about use of current photoassimilates and reserved WSC in the second phase of grain filling that led to different changes in grain weight by entering drought conditions.

The negative effects of heat stress on plants are seriously problems, which often cause damage to crops throughout the world. High temperature driven degradation of chlorophyll reduces photosynthetic capacity. Moreover, impaired transport of photosynthate (carbohydrate mobilization) from green organs (source) to anther tissues (sink) leads to high pollen mortality and thereby decreases grain yield. In environmental stress, plant tolerance should be increased. Therefore some chemical compounds are used to improve the metabolic activity of the plant, which calcium chloride is one of them. For this purpose, the present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of calcium chloride and selenium foliar application on reducing the effects of heat stress on yield and yield components of two wheat cultivars.

This experiment was carried out as a split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental farm of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during growing season 2017-2018. Three factors were investigated in this experiment. First factor including three planting dates (Nov 11, Dec 11, and Jan 10) was allocated in main plot. The second factor was three solution types  ( foliar application of tap water (control), foliar application of selenium (4 mg L-1), and foliar application of calcium chloride (10 mM) and third factor was two wheat cultivars (Chamran and Star) which were assigned in sub plots.

According to the results of third planting date, the highest number of grains per spike (36) was obtained in the foliar application of calcium chloride and the least number of seeds per spike (25) was observed in control and selenium foliar application treatments. In calcium chloride foliar application in third planting date, the number of grains per spike decreased by 12% compared to the first planting date but in the control and selenium foliar application treatments, the number of grains per spike decreased by 36%. In the third planting date, the difference between treatments was more evident in grain yield. So, in this planting date, the decrease in grain yield compared to the first planting date was 49.3% and 49.9% in the control and selenium foliar application treatments, while in calcium chloride foliar application, yield reduction was 23.8%. In all three planting dates, when calcium chloride was used as foliar application, the grain filling duration was longer than treatments of control and selenium foliar application. Grain filling duration was prolonged when calcium chloride applied. This could be one of the most important factors that resulted in lower 1000 grain weight and grain yield than the other treatments. While in this condition, there is sufficient time to carry out photosynthesis and transfer the material to the filling grains. Finally, it can be concluded that the calcium chloride application can have a significant effect on reduction the effects of last season's heat stress on wheat by reducing the negative effects of heat stress during pollination, increasing the grain filling period and 1000 grain weight. The number of smaller seeds per spike indicates the effect of heat stress on the plant and reduced fertility of the seeds due to lack of proper inoculation and lack of sufficient photosynthetic material and the competition between the seeds for absorption of food. Increasing yield in calcium chloride treated plants can be due to better photosynthetic activity in these conditions. Because the use of calcium chloride increases the efficiency of the photosystem II and ultimately improves the function of photosynthesis.

Calcium chloride may increase the 1000 grain weight by improving the transfer of photosynthetic products from leaves to seeds as physiological reservoirs, as well as increased grain filling duration. Therefore, it can be concluded that the calcium chloride application can have a significant effect on reducing the effects of last-season heat stress on wheat by reducing the negative effects of heat stress during pollination, increasing the grain filling duration and 1000 grain weight.

Wheat is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world. Thermal stress is effective on photosynthesis, cellular and subcellular compounds, protein levels and antioxidant activity. The role of abscisic acid as an anti-stress hormone is easily proved. Abscisic acids cause stomatal closure and improve the plant's water relations. Salicylic acid, as a cell signal, increases the amount of defense compounds such as proline. Also, the use of salicylic acid increases the amount of polyphenols, spermidine and spermine in the plant, which can help stabilize the membrane under stress conditions. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar application with salicylic acid and abscisic acid on reducing the effects of terminal heat stress on the growth, yield and yield components of wheat (Fung and Chamran cultivars) in Ahvaz. This experiment was conducted in a split split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental farm of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 2016-2017. The experiment was directed in a potted (in field conditions) and heat stress was considered based on the planting date according to the 30-year estimate of ambient temperature and it’s higher than the threshold of thermal tolerance of the wheat plant. In this experiment, three factors were investigated: foliar application (control (no foliar application), foliar application with abscisic acid (30 mg.l-1), and foliar application with salicylic acid (69 mg.l-1)), time of foliar application (15 days before flowering (A), flowering (B), 15 days after flowering (C) and 15 days before flowering, flowering and 15 days after flowering (ABC)) and wheat cultivars (Fung and Chamran). According to the results, with increasing number of spikelets per spike, the number of grains per spikelet increased and thus, the number of grains per spike increased. Foliar application increased the number of seeds per plant compared to control treatment, which increased the seed weight. The lowest plant height was obtained to treatment of foliar application of salicylic acid at flowering time on Fung cultivar. The highest and lowest spike length were observed in the control of Fong and foliar application of salicylic acid at flowering time and two weeks before and after than on Fung cultivar. The results of mean comparison of the traits showed that the highest mean spikelet number per spike belonged to foliar application of salicylic acid at two weeks after flowering in Chamran cultivar. The highest dry weight of shoot was observed in foliar application of salicylic acid at two weeks after flowering on Chamran cultivar. According to the results, for traits such as dry weight of shoot, grain weight per plant and 1000 grain weight, foliar application at flowering and two weeks before and after that (regardless of cultivars and type of solution) was better compared to the other foliar application times. Foliar application at flowering and two weeks before and after that, improved the photosynthesis potential after spike emergence, improvement of meiosis of pollen mothers cells and increasing the fertility of spikes, reducing the abortion of the claws and increasing the number of seeds per spike under heat stress conditions. Chamran cultivar was recognized as superior to shoot dry weight and number of seeds per plant, in comparison to Fung cultivar (regardless of the time of foliar application and solution type). Salicylic acid with the highest number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, 1000 seed weight, dry weight of shoot and harvest index were determined as the best solution (regardless of the foliar application time and cultivar). Therefore it seems that in order to reduce the effects of terminal heat stress, using the salicylic acid (30 mg L-1) at flowering and two weeks before and after that on Chamran cultivar is appropriate in Khuzestan province and regions with similar conditions.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of auxin and cytokinin spraying in different growth stages on grain composition of maize (KSC 704) under drought stress condition during 2013 growing season at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. The experiment was carried out in three separate environments included non-drought stress environment, drought stress in the vegetative stage and drought stress in the reproductive stage. In each environment, foliar application of cytokinin in three stages (control, V5 –V6 and V8-V10) and foliar application of auxin in three stages (control, silk emergence and 15 days after that) was laid out as a factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the maximum protein (10.93%) and soluble sugar (5.80%) in grain were obtained under drought stress in the productive stage whereas the maximum starch (77.37%) and grain dry mater (90.83%) were obtained in non-stress condition. Foliar application of cytokinin in V8-V10 stage, increased convert starch to soluble sugar on the other hand, foliar application of auxin in silk emergence stage caused converting hexose sugars to starch, increasing the sink capacity (grain endosperm) for receiving more starch and also increasing the grain dry mater .

In order to evaluate the effect of seed priming and application of cytokinin and auxin on grain yield of wheat cv. Chamran, an experiment was carried out in Agriculture Faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran, during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing seasons. Experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included seed priming (hydropriming and control) and plant growth regulators application (nine cytokinin and auxin application levels at 1 and 2 weeks after anthesis). Results showed that hydropriming treatment significantly increased grain yield about 8% compared to control (7030 and 6507 kg.ha-1, respectively). Application of cytokinin and auxin had positive effects on photosynthesis and soluble proteins content of flag leaf. In addition number of endosperm cells was increased in these treatments. The highest effect on increasing source strength was observed in application of cytokinin in both times of foliar application. Grain filling rate was significantly higher (1.79 mg.day-1) in cytokinin-cytokinin foliar application. Grain yield in foliar application of cytokinin-cytokinin (7891 kg.ha-1) was 24.7% higher, compared to control (application of water in both times). Interaction of seed priming and plant growth regulators application was not significant for any evaluated traits. Results of this experiment showed that seed priming caused increase in number of spike.m-2. Foliar application of auxin and cytokinin also may increase grain yield of wheat by enhancement of physiological source and sink strength.

  Drought is one of the major environmental conditions that adversely affect plant growth and crop yield. In the face of a global scarcity of water resources, water stress has already become a primary factor in limiting maize production worldwide. It’s because Phytohormones such as auxin and cytokinin are reported to be involved in the regulation of plant response to the adverse effect of drought stress conditions. This study carried out in order to evaluate some physiological parameters response to auxin and cytokinin hormone alternation under drought stress condition on maize (cultivar KSC 704). The experiment was carried out in three separately environments included non-drought stress environment (irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity), drought stress in vegetative stage (irrigation after soil moisture reached to 50% field capacity in V4 to tasseling stage, but irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity in pollination to physiological maturity stage) and drought stress in reproductive stage (irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity in V4 to tasseling stage and irrigation after soil moisture reached to 50% field capacity in pollination to physiological maturity stage). cytokinin hormone in three levels (control, spraying in V5 –V6 and V8-V10 stages) and auxin hormone in three levels (control, spraying in silk emergence stage and 15 days after that) was laid out as a factorial design based on randomized complete block with three replications in each environment at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran, in 2013. It was used Indole-3-butyric acid and N6-benzyladenin as auxin and cytokinin hormones respectively. Concentration of used auxin and cytokinin hormones were 10 and 50 mg per liter respectively. In this study some physiological parameters were measured including leaf area index, cell membrane stability, leaf chlorophyll content, stomata conductive, canopy temperature depression, photosynthesis quantum efficiency and leaf senesce. The maximum leaf area index, stomata conductance and quantum efficiency of photosynthesis and the minimum canopy temperature were obtained with spraying cytokinin hormone in V8-V10 stage, and the maximum chlorophyll content index, quantum efficiency of photosynthesis and the delay in leaf senescence were obtained with spraying auxin hormone in silk emergence stage and the minimum stomata resistance and canopy temperature were obtained with spraying cytokinin hormone in 15 days after silk emergence stage. The interaction effect between drought stress and spraying hormone was significant on leaf area index and canopy temperature depression and spraying hormones on maize in drought stress condition in reproductive stage more effective than non-drought stress and vegetative drought stress conditions because it can be useful in balancing the disturb hormone relations. Based on the result of this experiment, maize is tolerant to drought stress in vegetative stage, as a result, irrigation after soil moisture reached to 50% field capacity in vegetative stage and irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity after tasseling stage can save irrigation water without any decrease significantly in physiological parameters at erase where water has been limited. Spraying cytokinin and auxin hormones in V8 –V10 and silk emergence stage can be recommended as the best time to use these hormones respectively. Using auxin and cytokinin hormones under drought stress condition in maize was more effective than control and vegetative stage because they can balance the disturbed hormones rate under that condition.

One of factors in successful seed hydropriming technique is seed imbibition duration. To evaluate hydroprimed seed vigor of three wheat cultivars as affected by seed imbibition durations and also evaluation biochemical changes during hydropriming, two experiments was done as factorial arrangement with completely randomized design. In first experiment, effect of 7 hydropriming durations (0 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 and 16 h ) was research on germination and seedling growth of Star, Chamran and Fong cultivars. In second experiment, some biochemical traits and enzyme activities was measured in primed seeds for 6 , 8 and 10 h hydropriming durations. Results of first experiment showed that hydropriming with 8 h imbibition has the most positive effect on seed vigor of wheat cultivars. Among of cultivars, Star has the higher root length and root weight. Star and Chamran cultivars have no significant difference for germination rate and the lowest of this trait was observed in fong cultivar. Results of second experiment showed that longer hydropriming duration caused greater α amylase enzyme activity and higher contents of soluble carbohydrates and proteins, also increase content of malondialdehyde and insufficient antioxidant enzyme activities in 10 h than 8 h hydropriming duration was observed. Among cultivars the highest and lowest α amylase enzyme activity and soluble carbohydrates and proteins was observed in Star and Fong cultivars respectively. In this research correlation antioxidant enzyme activities with germination and seedling growth was positive and significant.

Introduction The negative effects of heat stress on plants are serious problems, which often cause damage to crops throughout the world. In addition, the issue of global warming increases the importance of the heat stress. Currently, to increase the resistance of plants to environmental stresses, some chemical compounds are used that improve the metabolic activity of the plant. Calcium chloride is one of them and finding the appropriate time to use it is important. For this purpose, the present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of calcium chloride application on reducing the effects of heat stress on yield and yield components of wheat in Ahvaz.
Materials and Methods This experiment was carried out on wheat (Chamran cultivar) plant in a factorial experiment based on a complete randomized block design with three replications at the experimental farm of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during a growing season 2016-2017.
The solution type was used as the initial factor: 1- foliar application with distilled water, 2- foliar application with calcium chloride (10 mM).
The application time was used as the second factor: 1- 15 days before flowering (A), 2- flowering (B), 3- 15 days after flowering (C), 4- 15 days before flowering and flowering (A*B), 5- flowering and 15 days after flowering (B*C), 6- 15 days before flowering and 15 days after flowering (A*C) and 7- 15 days before flowering, flowering, 15 days after flowering (A*B*C).
Results and Discussion Regarding the mean comparison of traits, a calcium chloride foliar application on traits such as plant height, number of spikelet’s per spike, grain yield per plant and harvest index were not significant (P≤0.05). The 1000 grain weight increased under different time traits of calcium chloride foliar application. The highest 1000 grain weight belonged to the calcium chloride foliar application during two weeks before flowering. Foliar application of calcium chloride at the flowering time as well as flowering and two weeks later increased the shoot dry weight. Grain weight per plant was increased in all treatments with calcium chloride except for foliar application at flowering and two weeks before and after flowering. The highest amount of grain weight per plant was obtained in the calcium chloride foliar application during two weeks before flowering and flowering, but no significant difference was observed with other treatments with calcium chloride.
Conclusions Looking at the research, the positive effects of the use of calcium chloride in some plants have been shown under stress conditions, but there is no consensus on the best time or best type of it. Induction of heat stress at the onset and during the flowering period by decreasing pollen and ovarian grain yields prevent fertility and thus decrease grain yield. On the other hand, when the plants were in the post-flowering stage and in the grain filling stage exposure to high temperatures, heat stress accelerates this stage and reduces the grain filling period, thus reduces yield. Under heat stress conditions, the use of calcium chloride improved some properties such as number of spikes per plant, seed weight per plant and 1000-grain weight, and the destructive effects of heat stress on the plant. According to the results of this study, application of 10 mM calcium chloride concentration two weeks before flowering is recommended to reduce the damaging effects of heat stress in wheat

To study the effect of cytokinin (0 as control and 50 mgl-1) and auxin (0 as control and 10 mgl-1) hormones and planting arrangements (single row, double rows and furrow plantings) on grain yield and yield compoments of maize SC704 under saline stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted as split factorial arrangements using randomized complete block design with three replications in 2013 and 2014 in Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. The experimental factors included: planting arrangement in main-plots and growth regulators as factorial in subplots. Results showed that double rows and furrow planting increased grain yield by 31.7% and 74.6%, respectively (P<0.01). Foliar application of cytokinin and auxin in both years increased grain yield. The highest plant height obtained in furrow planting and foliar application cytokinin hormone. Cytokinin and auxin application increased the number of rows per ear and number of grain per row in all planting arrangements. Cytokinin and auxin increased 1000 grain weight by 14.42% and 14.46%, respectively (P<0.01). The application of cytokinin and auxin in different planting arrangements increased harvest index by 19% and 30.72%, respectively (P<0.01). The results showed that furrow planting and foliar application of cytokinin in the V8-V10 stage and auxin at the silking stage increased grain yield of maize SC704 under saline stress conditions.

Maize (Zea mays L.) which belongs to the Poaceae family is the third important cereal crop of the world after wheat and rice. Salinity is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity. Maize is sensitive to salinity. Planting method is a crucial factor for improving crop yield. Planting methods in saline and non-saline conditions are different. Kinetin is one of the cytokinins known to significantly improve the growth of crop plants grown under salinity. Indole acetic acid (IAA) is also known to play a significant role in plant tolerance to salt stress. However, little information appears to be available on the relationship between salinity tolerance and auxin or cytokinin levels in plants. In this respect, the objective of this study was to study the effects of foliar application of cytokinin and auxin hormones on distribution and accumulation of chlorine and some macro elements in different parts of maize in salinity conditions.
The experiment was carried out at Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Dashtestan station with 29° 16´ E latitude and 51° 31´ N, longitude and 70 m above the see surface during the 2014 growing season. Dashtestan region is a warm-arid region with 250 mm precipitation per year. The field plowed inApril 2014 and then prepared and sowed inAugust 2014. There were five rows with 75 cm distance. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot design based on complete randomized blocks with three replications. Planting pattern (ridge planting, double rows of planting on a ridge in zigzag form and furrow planting) as the main factor and use of hormone (not consumption (control), application of cytokinin hormone in the time of V8-V10 and application of auxin hormone at the silking stage) was considered as the sub-factor. Cytokinin (Benzyl Adenine, Merck) and Auxin (Indole-3-Butiric Acid, Merck) were sprayed on the entire plant in the evening with concentration of 50 and 10 g. l-1, respectively. All traits measured on 10 randomly selected plants of each plot. Data analyzed using the SAS (Ver.9.1) and comparing of the means was conducted using Duncan’s multiple range test.
The measured salinity of soil at a depth of 0 to 30 cm in different locations of planting patterns and in different time period showed that in different planting patterns because salt movement by capillary ascent and its accumulation in the ridges, salinity center stack was the highest and the lowest salinity belonged to the furrow planting. The highest Potassium (K) and Calcium (Ca2) ions were obtained with pattern of furrow planting, while the highest sodium ions (Na), Chlorine ions (Cl-) and Naﲯ were devoted to the pattern of conventional planting (ridge planting). Foliar application of benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) sodium ions (Na) and Naﲯ. The results showed that in all three planting pattern the most sodium leaf was obtained without the use of hormone auxin, but the lowest amount of sodium leaf was observed with auxin treatment. In each pattern, use of hormone leading to increased potassium of shoot, but the largest increase was cytokinin hormone, of course, the greatest increase was achieved by application of cytokinin hormone. In furrow planting use of hormone reduced the amount of leaf chlorine so that most leaf chlorine was obtained without the use of hormones. While, use of cytokinin and auxin hormones reduced the amount of leaf chlorine by 6.86 and 21.24 percent, respectively. Use of hormone in all planting methods reduced the amount of shoot chlorine but the greatest reduction was achieved by application of cytokinin hormone.
In general, it can be concluded that increasing concentrations of sodium, magnesium and chlorine in leaves and shoots in row planting compared to planting two rows and furrow planting could be related to higher concentrations of these elements in the soil and in the location of the plant and as a result decrease of plant growth and therefore higher concentration of elements in various parts of the plant in the row planting. It is concluded that use of cytokinin and auxin especially in the furrow planting reduced the concentration of sodium, chloride and sodium to potassium ratio and increased plant potassium and calcium concentration.

To evaluate germination and grain yield of three spring bread wheat cultivars affected by seed hydropriming and sowing date, three experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, effect of 7 hydropriming durations (0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 h) was examined on germination and seedling growth of Star, Chamran and Fong cultivars. In the second experiment, some biochemical traits and enzyme activities were measured in the primed seeds for 6, 8 and 10 h hydropriming durations. Effect of three sowing dates (12 Nov., 10 Dec. and 7 Jan.). hydropriming and control treatments on grain yield of wheat cultivars was researched in third experiment which was carried out as factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, during 2014-2015 growing season. Results of the first experiment showed that hydropriming with 8 h imbibition had the most positive effect on seed vigor of bread wheat cultivars. Results of the second experiment showed that with increasing hydropriming duration to 10 h, α amylase enzyme activity and of soluble carbohydrates and proteins contents in seeds increased, also higher malondialdehyde content and insufficient antioxidant enzyme activities (enzyme activity was not increased or reduced by following imbibition to 10h) in 10 h when compared with 8 h hydropriming duration was observed. In this research, Relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities with germination and seedling growth were positive and significant. Results of the field experiment showed that hydropriming treatments significantly improved seedling emergence, by 2.3%, and reduced average emerging time by 1.4 days as compared with control. The sowing date× cultivar interaction effect indicated that delayed sowing had the highest and lowest effect on star and fong cultivars, respectively. Average grain yield significantly increased, by 7%. in hydropriming treatment in comparison to control. Also application of seed hydropriming with suitable soaking duration improved seed emergence in delayed sowing dates.

Drought is one of the major environmental conditions that adversely affects plant growth and crop yield. Drought is the most major restriction in maize production. The reduction in plant growth under drought stress conditions could be an outcome of altered hormonal balance and hence the exogenous application of growth regulators under stress conditions could be the possible means of reversing the effects of abiotic stress. Plant growth regulators such as auxin and cytokinin are known to be involved in the regulation of plant response to the adverse effects of stress conditions. Previous studies have shown that endogenous hormones are essential regulators for translocating and partitioning of photo-assimilates for grain filling in cereal crops (Yang, et al. 2003), and therefore could be involved in the regulation of grain weight and yield. This study was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous application of growth regulators on the current photosynthesis and remobilization of assimilates in maize cultivar KSC704 under drought stress conditions.
The experiment was carried out in three distinct environments at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran, in 2013. The environments included non-drought stress (irrigation after soil moisture reached 75% of field capacity), drought stress at vegetative stage (irrigation after soil moisture reached 50% of field capacity from V4 to tasseling stage and irrigation after soil moisture reached 75% of field capacity from pollination to physiological maturity stage) and drought stress at reproductive stage (irrigation after soil moisture reached 75% of field capacity from V4 to tasseling stage and irrigation after soil moisture reached 50% of field capacity from pollination to physiological maturity stage). Cytokinin was applied at V5 –V6 and V8-V10 stages and auxin was sprayed at silk emergence stage and 15 days after that period. No usage of the growth regulators was served as control. The trial was laid out as a factorial scheme based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Auxin was used in the form of Indole-3-butyric acid and cytokinin was sprayed as N6-benzyladenin. Harvesting was done from 4.5 m2 at field maturity stage at 14 % grain moisture content and was used to estimate grain yield. Remobilization, efficiency of remobilization, contribution of remobilization, current photosynthesis, efficiency of current photosynthesis and contribution of current photosynthesis were measured by the equation of Uhart and Andrade (1995).
The effect of drought stress on current photosynthesis, efficiency of current photosynthesis, contribution of current photosynthesis and remobilization was significant (P Based on the results of this experiment, drought stress at vegetative stage (irrigation after decreasing soil moisture to 50% field capacity) can be effective in conserving irrigation water and increasing water use efficiency. Moreover, considering the fact that the higher rates of current photosynthesis and contribution of current photosynthesis to grain yield were achieved with cytokinin application at V8-V10 stage and spraying with auxin at silk emergence stage led to the increased rates of remobilization and contribution of remobilization to grain yield, the aforementioned growth periods were identified as the best application times for cytokinin and auxin, respectively.

Maize (Zea mays L.) belongs to the family Poaceae and it is the first important cereal crop of the World (FAO, 2013). Salinity is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity. Maize is sensitive to salinity (Turan et al., 2009). Planting method is one of a crucial factor for improving crop yield. Planting methods in saline and non-saline conditions are different. Cytokinin (Rajala and Peltonen-saninio, 2001) and Auxin (Jung and Park, 2011) are known to play a significant role in plant tolerance to salt stress and to significantly improve the growth of crop plants grown under salinity. However, little information appears to be available on the relationship between salinity tolerance and auxin or cytokinins levels in plants. In this respect, the objective of this study was to study the effects of foliar applications of cytokinin and auxin hormones on yield and dry matter remobilization of grain Maize (Zea mays L.) under different planting patterns in saline conditions.
The experiment carried out at Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Dashtestan station with 29° 16´ E latitude and 51° 31´ N longitude and 70 m above see surface during 2013 growing season. The field plowed by April at 2013 and then prepared and sowed by August at 2013. There were five rows with 75 cm distance. A split factorial design based on complete randomized blocks with three replications was conducted. Planting pattern (ridge planting, double rows of planting on ridge in zigzag form and furrow planting) as the main factor and time of cytokinin (0 as control, V5- V6 stage and V8- V10 stage) and auxin (0 as control, silking stage, two weeks after silking stage) foliar-applied was considered in a factorial. Cytokinin (Benzyl Adenine, Merck) and Auxin (Indole-3-Butiric Acid, Merck) were sprayed on the entire plant in the evening with concentration of 50 and 10 g. l-1, respectively. All morphological and yield component traits measured on 10 randomly selected plants of each plot. Yield was measured in 9 m2 for each treatment. Data analyzed using the SAS (Ver.9.1) and Significance of differences between means was conducted using Duncan’s multiple range test.
The results showed that different planting patterns in terms of amount, efficiency and contribution of dry matter remobilization (DMT), amount, efficiency and contribution of current photosynthesis (CP), 1000 kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index were significant. Generally, results of this research indicate improved yield and yield components of maize due to the change pattern from one row to the furrow planting in salinity conditions. At the times of BA application, the maximum amount of amount and contribution of DMT Was dedicated to non-use. While the maximum amount of efficiency and contribution of CP Was dedicated to time consumed V8- V10 stage. The maximum amount of amount and contribution of DMT, amount of CP, 1000 kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index produced by time of auxin foliar-applied in silking stage and the most CP and biological yield was assigned to the non-use. It has been found that both auxin and cytokinin may have a role in mediating cell division in the endosperm during the grain-filling stage. Therefore, these hormones might regulate the grain capacity (sink size) for the accumulation of carbohydrates (Koocheki and Sarmadnia, 2012). It has been found that IAA actively participated in the mobilization and accumulation of carbohydrates in seeds (Darussalam Cole and Patrick, 1998). Auxin and cytokinins hormones are also thought to be involved in regulating sink strength either by mediating the division and enlargement of endosperm cells or by controlling the import of assimilates to the sink (Kaya et al., 2010).
It is concluded that furrow planting with CK application in V8- V10 stage (50 g. l-1) and IBA in silking stage (10 g. l-1) reduced effects of salinity on plant and produced the highest grain yield. Due to its effect on diminishing salt aggregation in relation to ridge planting, furrow planting prepare semi saline and saline areas for growing crops.

Maize (Zea mays L.) belongs to the family of Poaceae and it is the third important cereal crop of the World after wheat and rice. Salinity is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity. Maize is sensitive to salinity. Ba is one of the cytokinins known to significantly improve the growth of crop plants grown under salinity. IBA is also known to play a significant role in plant tolerance to salt stress. However, little information appears to be available on the relationship between salinity tolerance and auxin or cytokinins levels in plants. In this respect, the objective of this study was to study the effects of sprying of cytokinin and auxin hormones on yield and yield components of grain maize in saline conditions.
To study the effects of cytokinin (0, 75 and 100 mg.l-1) and auxin (0, 15, 20 mg.l-1) hormones on yield and its components of grain maize (Zea mays L.) under saline conditions, an experiment was conducted during 2013 in the research station of Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in a factorial design based on randomized complete design with three replications. Cytokinin (Benzyl Adenine, Merck) and Auxin (Indole-3-Butiric Acid, Merck) were sprayed on the entire plant in the evening. Data was analyzed using the SAS (Ver.9.1) and significance of the differences between the means was conducted using LSD test.
Results of Analysis of Variance showed that the highest grain yield was obtained by application of cytokinin and auxin with concentrations of 100 and 20 mg.l-1, respectively. The characteristics of plant height, stem diameter, ear length, row number per Ear and biological yield increased by sprying 100 mg.l-1 cytokine. In the treatment of without spraying auxin, the highest kernel number per row was obtained by spraying cytokinin at 75 mg.l-1 while in the treatment spraying auxin at 15 and 20 mg.l-1 the highest kernel number per row was obtained by sprying 100 mg.l-1 cytokinin. In three levels of cytokinin, application of auxin increased 1000 kernel weight. The highest harvest index was obtained by application of auxin at 20 mg.l-1.
It has been found that both auxin and cytokinin may have a role in mediating cell division in the endosperm during the grain-filling stage. Therefore, these hormones might regulate the grain capacity (sink size) for the accumulation of carbohydrates. It was found that IAA actively participated in the mobilization and accumulation of carbohydrates in seeds. Auxin and cytokinins hormones are also thought to be involved in regulating sink strength either by mediating the division and enlargement of endosperm cells or by controlling the import of assimilates to the sink. Results of this study demonstrated that sprying cytokinin at 100 mg.l-1 and auxin at 20 mg.l-1 reduced the effects of salinity on yield and increased the grain yield.

Salinity of soil and irrigation water is the most important factors limiting crop production in arid and semi-arid areas. Corn because of diversity, adaptation and high nutritional value is among the best crops in the world and in terms of production in the first place. Planting pattern can be effective on access to light, water and nutrients. Cytokinins by accumulation of chlorophyll and conversion of etioplast to chloroplasts and Collection of free radicals delay leaf senescence. Auxins also have a very important role in salinity tolerance. Auxin is involved in the transport of carbohydrates in their production time. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cytokinin and auxin foliar application on salt tolerance indices of maize under different planting patterns in salinity conditions.
The experimental design was split plot based on randomized complete design with three replications in Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in 2014. Planting patterns (ridge planting, double rows of planting on ridge in zigzag form and furrow planting) as the main factor and use or non-use growth regulators (not consumption, application of cytokinin hormone in the time of V8-V10 and application of auxin hormone at the silking stage) were investigated in sub plots. The electrical conductivity of soil and water is equal to 5.2 and 4 dS/m. Plant spacing in the ridge planting and furrow planting patterns was 17.5 cm and in the double rows planting was 35 cm and thus for all treatment plant density was 75,000 plants/ha. Benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were used as cytokinin and auxin hormone at a concentration of 50 and 10 mg/lit, respectively.
The results showed that pattern of double rows and pattern of furrow planting compared with conventional planting (ridge planting) increased grain yield to 30.6% and 43.4%, respectively. The highest chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid content of starch and Potassium ions (K) were obtained with pattern of furrow planting, while the highest relative permeability of the membrane, proline, total soluble sugars, sodium ions (Na), Chlorine ions (Cl-) and Naﲯ were devoted to the pattern of conventional planting (ridge planting). Foliar application of cytokinin and auxin increased grain yield to 34.3 % and 43.5 %, respectively. Foliar application of benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) decreased relative permeability of the membrane, total soluble sugars, sodium ions (Na) and Naﲯ. However, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid pigmens, proline and starch content increased with foliar application of growth regulators and the highest amount was obtained with the application of auxin hormone. The highest proline in furrow planting pattern was obtained by auxin while in double rows planting highest proline was obtained by foliar application of cytokinin. In each pattern the highest total soluble sugars was without application of growth regulator. In different planting patterns the highest of sodium ions was without regulator while the lowest amount of sodium ions was obtained with application of auxin.
Generally, results showed that change planting pattern to furrow planting and foliar application of cytokinine and auxin at the concentration 50 and 10 mg/l, respectively, increase salt tolerance of maize.

A large part of lands under maize cultivation have various degrees of salinity. To study the effects of spraying time of cytokinin and auxin regulators on some characteristics of grain maize (SC704) under different planting patterns in salinity conditions, an experiment was carried out as split plot-factorial in randomized complete block design with three replications in Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, in 2013. Planting pattern (ridge planting, double rows and furrow planting) was considered as the main factor and spraying time of cytokinin (control, V5-V6 and V8-V10 stages) and auxin (control, silking and two weeks later) with 50 and 10 mg.L-1, respectively, in factorial as the sub-factor. The results showed that planting pattern had the highest number of leaves, LAI, SPAD, Fm, Fv/Fm and grain yield. Double rows and furrow planting increased grain yield to 24.9% and 45.8%, respectively. Cytokinin application in V8-V10 stage increased LAI, RWC, SPAD, Fm and Fv/Fm. The lowest Fm was observed with cytokinin application in the V8-V10 stage and the highest SPAD and Fv/Fm and the lowest Fm were obtained with application of auxin in the silking stage. Application of auxin in silking stage increased grain yield (19.7%). Since the highest SPAD and Fv/Fm were produced under furrow planting with cytokinin application in V8-V10 stage and auxin in silking stage, where the highest grain yield was obtained, the spraying time together with balancing regulators under the correct planting pattern can be main factors in salinity tolerance of corn.

Drought is one of the major environmental conditions that adversely affects plant growth and crop yield. In the face of a global scarcity of water resources, water stress has already become a primary factor in limiting crop production worldwide. Drought is the major restriction in maize production. The plant growth reduction under drought stress conditions could be an outcome of altered hormonal balance and hence the exogenous application of growth regulators under stress conditions could be the possible means for reversing the effects of abiotic stress. Phytohormones such as auxine and cytokinine are known to be involved in the regulation of plant response to the adverse effects of stress conditions. Previous studies have shown that endogenous hormones are essential regulators for translocation and partitioning of photoassimilates for grain filling in cereal crops, and therefore could be involved in the regulation of grain weight and yield.
The experiment was carried out in three separately environments included non-drought stress environment (irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity), drought stress in vegetative stage (irrigation after soil moisture reached to 50% field capacity in V4 to tasseling stage, but irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity in pollination to physiological maturity stage) and drought stress in reproductive stage (irrigation after soil moisture reached to 75% field capacity in V4 to tasseling stage and irrigation after soil moisture reached to 50% field capacity in pollination to physiological maturity stage). Cytokinin hormone in three levels (control, spraying in V5 –V6 and V8-V10 stages) and auxin hormone in three levels (control, spraying in silk emergence stage and 15 days after that) were laid out as a factorial design based on randomized complete block with three replications in each environment at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran, in 2013. Indole-3-butyric acid and N6-benzyladenin were used as auxin and cytokinin hormones, respectively. Concentration of auxine and cytokinine hormones were 10 and 50 mg per liter, respectively. Harvesting was done from 4.5 m2 at field maturity stage with 14 % grain moisture for estimating grain yield and yield components. SAS software (version 9.1) was used for statistical analysis. Traits means were compared by Duncan's multiple range tests in 5% probably level.
Drought stress effect was significant (P≤0.01) for ear number per plant, row/ear, grain number per m2, 1000 kernels weight and grain yield and it wasn’t significant for kernels/row. Spraying cytokinine hormone was significant (P≤0.01) on ear number per plant, row/ear, grain number per m2 and it was also (P≤0.05) significant for 1000 kernels weight but it wasn’t significant for kernels/row and grain yield. Spraying auxine hormone was significant (P≤0.01) for1000 kernels weight and grain yield and it wasn’t significant forother yield components. The maximum yield was obtained 12.80 and 12.24 tons per hectare in non-stress environment and using auxin hormone in silk emergence stage, respectively. Grain yield was decreased 49.21% under reproductive drought stress and grain yield difference between non drought stress and vegetative drought stress was not significant. Spraying cytokinine hormone increased ear number by 10% in V8-V10 stage. The maximum row/ear was 16.16 kernels per row which was obtained by spraying cytokinine hormone in V8-V10 stage. Spraying cytokinine hormone increased grain number per m2 up to 20.75% in V8-V10 stage but it decreased 1000 kernels weight up to 13.76% in the same stage. The maximum 1000 kernels weight was 313.87 gr that was obtained by spraying auxine hormone in silk emergence stage. Spraying auxine hormone increased grain yield up to 23.38% in silk emergence stage.
Based on the results of this experiment, maize was tolerant to drought stress up to 50% field capacity in vegetative stage, but grain yield was decreased by 48.04% under drought stress condition in reproductive stage, and spraying cytokinine and auxine hormones in V8-V10 and silk emergence stages respectively, could prevent about 20% of decreasing of grain yield. Therefore, under drought stress condition, spraying cytokinine and auxin hormones in V8 –V10 and silk emergence stage can be recommended as the best time for using these hormones respectively, because they can balance hormones rate disturbs under drought stress condition.