محمدرضا رمضانی مقدم

In order to determine the Value of Cultivation and Use (VCU) of some cotton genotypes in Khorasan-Razavi province during 2014 and 2015, the seed cotton yield and its components and some related morphological and fibers quality traits of the genotypes and the control cultivars were compared based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Studied genotypes were: Kashmar, Khorshid and R7, and Golestan, Khordad, and Varamin commercial control cultivars were the control cultivars. The results showed that the weight of the boll was higher in the second year, and the seed cotton yield and earliness were higher in the first year. Also, R7 and Khorshid genotypes had the highest and lowest number of fruiting branches in the years of the trial, respectively. Khordad control cultivar and Khorshid genotype had the highest number of bolls (17 bolls) in both years of the trial. Kashmar genotype also had the highest crown diameter (the diameter of the first node of stem on the soil surface) and plant height (120 cm) in both years of the trial. Also, in both years, Khordad and Golestan control cultivars had the highest and the new Khorshid and Kashmer genotypes had the lowest number of vegetative branches in the first and second year. Kashmar genotype had higher gin turn out and fiber strength (39.96 % in the first year and 30.48 g/tex strength in the second year, respectively). Based on the results of this research, with due attention to close canopy structure of the and higher plant height and less number of vegetative branches of Khorshid and Kashmer genotypes, these genotypes are suitable and recommendable for cultivation in Razavi Khorasan province and similar areas.

In order to evaluate of effect the precursors of insect pesticides at different temperatures in laboratory on germination characteristics and seedling growth of downy and de linter seeds of two cotton cultivars, this research was conducted in as a factorial experiment with four-factor in the form of completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications in Seed technology laboratory of Kashmar University Jihad Institute in Kashmar in 2019-2020. In factorial experiment, the first factor includes two types of seeds (downy and de linterseeds) and the second factor is the type of cultivar (Varamin and Khorshid cultivar), the third factor is temperature at four levels (18, 20, 22 and 24 oC) and the factor Fourth, insecticide application at three levels (control, Gaucho and Cruz). The results also showed the simple effect of cultivar, temperature, insecticide and also the interaction of seed and cultivar type, effect of seed and temperature type, effect of seed and insecticide type, effect of cultivar and insecticide, effect of temperature and effects of combined cultivar, seed type and insecticide on percentage of germination and simple effect of cultivar, temperature, insecticide and also the interaction of seed and cultivar type, effect of seed and temperature type, effect of seed and insecticide type, effect of cultivar and insecticide, effects of combined cultivar, seed type and insecticide on seedling length at the probability level of 1% were significant. The results of the average comparison showed that the highest seedling length (74/16 cm) was related to de-linter seeds of Varamin cultivar with Gaucho application and lowest the seedling length (12.44 cm) was related to de-linter seeds of Khorshid cultivar with out insecticide application. The results showed that the highest percentage of germination (93.98%) was related to de-linter seeds of Khorshid cultivar and also downy seeds with Gaucho (93.43) application. Generally, in order to produce seeds with a high germination percentage, Khorshid seeds and application of Gaucho and to increase SV II index Varamin cultivar in the first crop with application of Gaucho was recommended.

The increasing demand for medicinal plants in traditional medicine as well as the pharmaceutical industry has created the need for some plants to be grown commercially, but the lack of soil moisture poses a serious threat to their production. Planting method can affect the emergence and growth rate of crop and lead to decrease water consumption and increase irrigation water efficiency as yield increases. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is one of the drought tolerant plants. Saving water consumption by cultivating drought tolerant plants has been proposed as a strategy to combat drought. It should be noted, however, that irrigation without proper planning can reduce the growth and production of crops. In this regard, determining time of deficit irrigation with minimum damage is an appropriate solution that achieves optimum yield while saving water consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different irrigation regimes and planting method on some physiological traits, yield and water use efficiency of Roselle plant.

The experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the Research Farm of Kashmar Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station, during two growth seasons 2016 and 2017. Irrigation (in seven levels i.e. I100: 100% crop water requirement (CWR), I180: 80% CWR from 8-leaf stage to end of flowering, I280: 80% CWR from 8-leaf stage to beginning of flowering, I380: 80% CWR from beginning to end of flowering, I160: 60% CWR from 8-leaf stage to end of flowering, I260: 60% CWR from 8-leaf stage to  beginning of flowering, I360: 60% CWR from beginning to end of flowering) and planting method (in two levels i.e. direct and indirect) were in main plots and sub plots, respectively. In the transplanting method, the seeds were sown in the transplant tray on March 10, 2016 and 2017 and transplanted to the farm in four-leaf stage. Direct cultivation was also carried out in April, in 2.5 × 7 meter plots at a depth of 1.5 cm.In order to measure physiological traits, sampling from the youngest leaves of plants under stress and control conditions was carried out at the maximum flowering stage. Physiological traits including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, leaf relative water content and proline content were measured using these leaves. At the harvest time, two square meters of each plot were harvested. Then, seed and calyx yield were measured and using the measured amount of water consumed, water use efficiency based on seed and calyx were calculated.Data were analyzed with SAS software; obtained averages compared with using Tukey's Studentized Range (HSD) Test at the 5% probability level.

The results showed leaf relative water content was affected only by irrigation and planting method and seed and calyx yields were affected only by irrigation. The leaf relative water content in seedling planting method was higher than direct planting. The highest relative leaf water content (84.66%), seed (667.54 kg ha-1) and calyx yield (392.73 kg ha-1) were obtained in I100 treatment that for yield had no significant difference with I801 treatment. The lowest these traits were also obtained in I360 treatment.The interaction effect between irrigation and planting method was significant on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, leaf proline content, seed and calyx water use efficiency. In most irrigation levels, transplanting improved these traits compared to direct sowing. I100 and transplanting treatment had the highest chlorophyll a (0.31 μmol g-1 fw), chlorophyll b (0.16 μmol g-1 fw) and carotenoids (0.56 μmol g-1 fw) and I360 and transplanting treatment had the highest leaf proline content (7.95 μmol g-1 fw). The highest seed (0.15 kg m-3) and calyx (0.08 kg m-3) water use efficiency were obtained in I160 and transplanting treatment and I180 and transplanting treatment was located in the second level. I360 and direct planting method had the lowest seed (0.06 kg m-3) and calyx (0.03 kg m-3) water use efficiency.

The results of this study revealed that deficit irrigation at 80% of the crop water requirement from 8-leaf stage to the end of flowering along with transplanting method was more effective in saving irrigation water with a good yield of the Roselle plant compare to treatment of 100% of the crop water requirement.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important agricultural products in the world. It is one of the crops that have provided the connection between the two sectors of agriculture and industry and it plays a very valuable role in the economies of countries. The objectives of this study were to investigate the diversity of agronomic and morphological traits, to identify the traits affecting the seedcotton yield and finally the grouping of tetraploid cotton cultivars in the country.

40 different cotton genotypes including commercial, imported and hybrid cultivars were cultivated and studied in the farm of Kashmar Agricultural Research Station in 2016-2017 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The traits of number of open and closed bolls, crown diameter, first harvest yield, second harvest yield, total yield, and boll weight, number of bolls, number and length of vegetative and reproductive branches, plant height and early maturity of the crop were measured.

According to the results of descriptive statistics, the number of open and closed bolls, seedcotton yield, early maturity and boll weight had the highest range and coefficient of variation which showed the phenotypic variation of these traits in the studied genotypes. Cluster analysis in terms of the studied traits divided the genotypes into three main groups. In order to check the accuracy of cluster analysis grouping, the detection function was used. The results of the detection function also showed that the genotypes were correctly grouped and the success rate of the detection function in identifying the groups was high that 89.3, 100 and 71.4 percent of the genotypes were properly grouped in their groups, respectively. Also, based on the results of the canonical detection function, the most important traits affecting the seedcotton yield of cotton genotypes were early maturity, number of closed bolls and boll weight. Both cluster analysis and detection function methods were divided the studied genotypes into three separate groups. In a way the results of the detection function showed that the genotypes were correctly grouped in the cluster analysis method. The genotypes of group 1 that included 28 genotypes, had the lowest average of plant height and along with group 2, it also had the lowest average number of closed bolls. Also, the genotypes of the first group and the second group had the highest mean of seedcotton yield and early maturity. On the other hand, the second group, which included 5 genotypes, had the lowest mean of the traits boll weight and percentage of fibers.

Based on the total results, the selection of the first group of genotypes for breeding programs to increase its seedcotton yield through boll weight, early maturity and fibre percentage traits can help us to achieve this goal.

Intercropping is highly recommended to be used in many parts of the world for food or fibers productions, because of its overall high productivity. Intercropping consists of growing two or more crops together at once, even though the crops are not sown or harvested simultaneously. The success of intercropping is due to an enhanced temporal and spatial complementarity of resource capture. Many studies have reported that intercropping can increase crop yield due to efficient utilization of nutrients and light, and enhanced positive interactions between crops. Features of an intercropping system can differ with soil conditions, climate, economic situation, and preferences of the local community. In this study, we carried out a two-year field experiments to evaluate yield and yield components as well as growth indices in cotton and maize grown in an alternative intercropping systems.

The experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design at Gonabad Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station. The cotton (Khordad cv.) and maize (D.C 370) plants were evaluated using an alternative intercropping system. The treatments consisted of one row of cotton along with one row of maize, two rows of cotton along with one row of maize, three rows of cotton along with one row of corn, and pure cotton and maize cropping. The seeds were sown 20 cm apart in the rows in May. Irrigation was performed every 10 days and monitored using a volumetric flow meter. Twenty days after emergence, sampling was carried out by harvesting three plants of each species to measure growth indices such as plant height, leaf rea index and dry weight. At the end of growing season the crops were harvested and yield and yield components were determined. The data were analyzed by using SAS 9.1 software.

The effect of intercropping was significant on maize seed and forage yield. Since plant density in intercropping treatments was less than pure culture, the maximum maize seed and forage yields were obtained from pure culture treatment. By contrast, the minimum seed and forage yields were related to one row maize along with two rows cotton treatment. Reduction in maize biological yield due to intercropping was reported by Khorami-Vafa (2006), Tuna and Orak (2007) and Patel et al., (1999). Three rows cotton along with one row maize treatment produced the maximum maize seed and forage yields. Yield increasing in this treatment may be due to more space between maize plants, providing more light and reducing intraspecific competition. No significant difference was found between intercropping treatments in terms of cotton yield. The maximum cotton yield was obtained from cotton pure cropping, whereas, the minimum yield was related to one row cotton along with one row maize treatment. Amongst intercropping treatments, the maximum cotton yield was obtained from two rows cotton along with one row maize treatment. The increase in maize and cotton biomass followed a similar trend in both years. The maximum reproductive and vegetative branches, dry matter and leaf area index were related to two rows cotton along with one row maize treatment. The maximum maize leaf area was related to three rows cotton along with one row maize treatment. In general, dry matter accumulation linearly increased 30 days after seed sowing in both maize and cotton plants and reached to its maximum 60 days after seed sowing and then started to decrease due to leaf senescence and abscission. Furthermore, in both species, leaf area index reached to its maximum 69 days after seed sowing and then started to decrease due to canopy closure, shading, leaf senescence and abscission. Mukhala et al, (1999) and Koocheki et al, (2010) have shown intercropping cause a significant increase in leaf area index.

Generally it is concluded that maize and cotton yield in intercropping treatments were higher also traits such as leaf area index and dry matter accumulation in one row maize along with three row cotton was higher than other treatments.

Indigenous diploid cotton is cultivated in many areas of country due to the saline soil and water. To study adaptability and seedcotton yield stability of three promising native cotton lines selected from interspecific hybrids of G. herbaceum & G. arboreum including three lines along with two diploid controls were planted in a randomized complete block design in four locations (Kashmar, Nishabour, Sabzevar and Feyz-Abad for two years 2017-2018. Number of opened and closed bolls in plant, crown diameter, seedcotton yield, boll weight, Number of vegetative and fertile stems, plant height, fiber percentage and earliness were measured. Combined analysis of variance for two years and four locations were performed. Finlay and Wilkinson linear regression coefficient and, Lin and Binns parameters, were used for determination of stable cultivars. Interaction of year × location × genotype on seedcotton yield was significant. Genotype KD-92-11 with 58.02%, KD-92-19 with 57.92% and KD-92-17 with 56.94% had the highest early maturity. The line KD-92-17 with 1030 Kg/h, had the highest seedcotton. Also, KD-92-17 with 20.1 and 19.1 produced the highest fertile branch and open boll among diploid lines, respectively. Results of stability analysis with Lin and Binns method showed that KD-92-19 had the lowest inside location variance for seedcotton yield. The KD-92-19 had the highest yield stability and can be recommended for locations that have saline irrigation water and soil.

In order to investigate the contamination of cotton seeds with Fusarium fungi, samples of different classes of 10 cotton cultivars were obtained from Southern Khorasan, Razavi, Golestan and Fars provinces. Various sections of a seed such as full seed, coat, kernel (endosperm and embryo), endosperm and embryo were cultured on the nutrient medium of potato dextrose agar and water agar. Of the 23 cotton seed samples, 76 isolates of Fusarium was obtained. The contamination in fuzzy and delinted seeds were 98.7 and 1.3 percent respectively. The hightest percentage of purified Fusarium was from kernel. Identification based on morphological traits showed that the isolates with the frequency of 39, 23, 10, 2, 1 and 1 isolates belonging to the species Fusarium equiseti, F. proliferatum, F. semitectum, F. compactum, F. nygamai and F. solani. Species of F. compactum and F. nygamai are reported for the first time from Iran. The application of Polymerase chain reaction and the use of specific primers of F. equiseti and F. proliferatum dominant species have led to the production of proprietary DNA bands using the DNA of the relevant fungal species, as well as the seed DNA that naturally contaminated these species. In this way, the results of identification of these two species based on morphological traits were confirmed by the molecular method. This study revealed that Fusarium traces are detected in infected seeds using the PCR reaction.

Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting agricultural production. Cotton, as an oil-fiber plant, is one of the most important industrial plants and is sensitive to salinity, especially at germination and seedling stages. Therefore, in this study, 14 allotetraploid varieties of commercial and local cotton were selected. The study was carried out as factorial with a completely randomized design and three three replications, using the sandwich method. Germination tests were performed at three salinity levels of 0, 8 and 16 ds.m-1. Afterwards, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, germination percentage, allometric coefficient, seedling water percentage and seed vigor index were measured and stress tolerance indices were calculated based on yield (seedling dry weight) in stress and non-stress conditions. Given these indices, all cultivars were aalyzed at two levels of 8 and 16ds.m-1, using principal component analysis and biplot diagrams were drawn. Finally, the dendrogram classification of genotypes was plotted based on STI indices (stress tolerance index), SSI (stress susceptibility index), and the performance (dry weight plantlet) in stress and non-stress conditions. The result of variance analysis for genotype, salinity and salinity×genotype demonstrated that dry weight root, dry weight shoot, fresh weight root, stem length, vigor index seedling, allometric coefficient, dry weight seedling, and length seedling were significant in p-value 0.01, and fresh weight shoot, length root were significant in p-value 0.05. Clustering and the biplot of the genotypes based on STI and SSI indices at salinity levels of 8 and 16 ds.m-1 indicated that the Sepid and Giza genotypes were tolerant and that the Kashmar genotype was sensitive to salt levels at germination stage.

The most important limiting factors in reduction of mechanization degree of cotton harvesting are access to suitable harvester for a specific planting pattern and lack of suitable varieties. In order to evaluate the performance of cotton picking combines in conventional planting patterns, three cotton picking combines (self-power three-row cotton picker that was designed and built in Khorasan Razavi Agricultural Research Center, self-propelled two-row cotton picker and tractor-mounted two-row cotton picker) were studied. In this context , the effects of type of cotton picker (three levels), forward speed (2.1, 3.4 and 4.8 km/h) and cotton variety ( Khordad and Varamin) were investigated and the effect on parameters such as weight percentage of cotton losses at first and second picking stages, weight percentage of cotton waste, efficiency, effective field capacity and fuel consumption were recorded. The results showed that self-propelled three-row cotton picker had the highest effective field capacity (0.48 ha/hr.) and the lowest efficiency percent (64.9%) as compared to the other cotton pickers. The highest efficiency (74.68%) belonged to self-propelled two-row cotton picker. The lowest weight percentage of cotton losses (7.87%) was obtained at 1.2 km/hr. forward speed. The economic analysis and comparison of cotton pickers showed that the self-propelled three-row cotton picker, due to lower initial cost as compared to others cotton pickers, had the lowest period of initial cast return (3.29 years).

Soil pore size distribution (SPSD) is one of the most important soil physical quality indices which reflect soil inherent characteristics and its management system. The soil water integral energy (EI) is an index that represents the amount of energy needed to uptake a mass unit of soil water by plants. In this research, we studied the effects of SPSD curves location and shape parameters on EI index of different soil water ranges in medium to coarse-textured soilsof Torogh Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Station in Khorasan-Razavi province. Thirty points with different soil textures and organic carbon contents were selected. After conducting required laboratory and field measurements using standard methods, the soil moisture release curve (SMRC) parameters, the SPSD curve parameters, plant available water (PAW) and least limiting water range (LLWR) which were measured in matric heads of 100 and 330 cm for the field capacity, integral water capacity (IWC) and EI of the mentioned soil water ranges were calculated and the relationships between the SPSD curve location and shape parameters and EI values (for PAW100, PAW330, LLWR100, LLWR330 and IWC) were statistically analyzed. The results showed that, in medium to coarse-textured soils, increasing the equivalent pore diameter and reducing the diversity of soil pore sizes along with the tendency of the SPSD curves to be more peaked in the center and more tailed at the two ends compared with lognormal distribution could lead to lower EI and easier uptake of water by plants in different soil water ranges.

IntroductionMajor cultivated cotton regions of Iran are located in dry and semiarid climates, therefore water deficiency or drought stress is inseparable part of cotton production systems in these regions. So identification and introduction of drought tolerant cotton genotypes is crucial. showed that water stress decreased plant growth rate, leaf area and finally photosynthesis in cotton. In addition plant height reduction is a primary effect of water stress. According to results, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration decreased simultaneously with an increase in drought stress intensity.
Physiologic traits monitoring were notified as a proper gadget for selection and improvement of germplasm. Whereas investigation of many genotypes in field conditions under drought stress is difficult and it is not accurate enough, also good correlation has observed between the results of drought tolerance at seedling stage and field experiments, therefore this research has tried to evaluate some of the morphologic traits in cotton genotypes at seedling stage under drought stress and none stress conditions.
Materials and Methods22 cotton cultivars were grown under none water stress (field capacity) and drought stress conditions(-1MPa) using a factorial arrangement of treatments based on randomized completely design with three replications at College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2011. Then each genotype (10 seed) was sown at a pot (1.5 l-1). At two true leaf stages, pots were tinned to one seedling. Soil moisture content was kept up to two true leaf stages at field capacity and at the end of experiment, it was conserved about -1MPa using weight method.
The measured parameters were:Plant height, leaf area, dry weight of leaf, stem, root and whole plant and also decreasing percent of each parameter under stress in comparison with control in any genotype was determined at the end of experiment. Stomatal resistance and leaf temperature were measured with leaf porometer set (model Decagon Devices, Inc) on three leaf stage of cotton seedling. Relative water content (RWC) of leaf was also measured. Variance analysis, Comparison of trait means and correlation between traits were carried out using SAS and Excel and least significant difference (LSD).
Results and DiscussionInteraction between water deficiency stress and cotton cultivars were significant (P

Determining environment – associated alterations in grain yield is important in yield assessment under drought stress. Therefore this study was carried out to determine the correlation coefficients and direct and indirect effects of effective components on yield in four drought - tolerant and susceptible cotton cultivars. Cotton cultivars were considered as sub plots and 3 levels of irrigation regime [33% (I33%), 66% (I66%) and 100% (I100% of water requirement)], designated as main plots in a split plot based on complete block design with three replications at Agricultural Research Station of Kashmar, Razavi Khorasan of Iran in 2011. The results showed that all yield components, except boll weight, were negatively and significantly affected by drought stress. The results also showed that retention of greater boll numbers per plant was the main component of cultivars difference in terms of cotton seed yield. High and significant correlations were observed between yield and boll number per plant, biological yield and harvest index under drought stress. While there was only significant correlations between seed yield with plant height and biological yield under non-stress condition. Path analysis showed that the most important component of cotton seed yield is biological yield under both drought stress and non-stress conditions and other components such as: boll number and weight, earliness percent and harvest index caused an increase in cotton seed yield by indirect effect on this component.

In order to study the effects of soil and foliar application of Iron and Zinc sulphates on yield and yield components of varamin cultivar cotton an experiment were conducted in kashmer cotton research station, in a Silty loam textured soil with EC=2.2 ds/m and pH=7.9. Experimental design was factorial as randomized complete block design with three replication which four levels of soil application of zinc sulphate including 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha Zinc sulphate, two levels of foliar application of zinc sulphate including 0 and %0.5 and two levels of foliar application of Iron sulphate including 0 and %0.5 were applied to the field plots. Results showed that the effects of soil and foliar application of Iron and Zinc sulphates on cotton yield, boll weight and boll Number were significant. The highest yield (3964 kg per hectare cotton) obtained from the Soil application of 40 kg per hectare zinc sulfate and spraying zinc sulfate (0.5%) treatment, as 26% increased compared to the control. The highest boll weight (2.6 g) and boll Number (4/9 seed) obtained from recent treatment that increased respectively 13% and 19% compared to the control. The treatments did not show any significant effect on plant height and earliness cotton.

Gossypium species (about 49 species) are vast resources of genetic diversity for improvement of cultivated cotton. To determine intra- and inter-specific genetic diversity and relationships, it was employed 30 RAPD's random decamer primers on twenty eight cotton accessions from 2 diploid cultivated species (G.arboreum, G.herbaceum) and 2 tetraploid cultivated species (G.hirsutum, G.barbadense). A total of 422 RAPD bands were amplified of which 88% (366) were polymorphic. Similarity indices estimated on the basis RAPD markers and cluster analysis based on similarity values showed high correspondence between RAPD marker system and known taxonomic relationships.

In order toinvestigation the effect of different amount of N-fertilizer and irrigation water on cotton yield of Varamin variety, an experiment was conducted in Kashmar agriculture and natural resource station in a Silty loam textured soil with EC=2.2 dS/m and pH=7.8. Experimental design was split plot as randomized complete block design with three replications which three levels of irrigation water including 45, 60 and 75 % cumulative evaporation of class A pan were as main plots and five levels of nitrogen including 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N/ha were as sub plots. Results showed that the effect of Nitrogen treatment on cotton yield, boll number, side branch number, and plant height was significant while N effect was not significant on boll weight. Irrigation treatments had significant effect on cotton yield. The highest cotton yield, boll number, side branch number, and plant height was obtained from 180 kg N/ha treatment and irrigation at 75 % evaporation from class A pan. By reducing of irrigation water, N-use efficiency decreased as well. In general results of this experiment showed that the best treatment was irrigation with 75 % evaporation from class A pan and 180 kg N/ha.

In order to choose climate-compatible pistachio cultivars in Khorasan, this research was carried out in Pistachio Research Station in Feizabad on 12 pistachio cultivars namely Badami-e- sefid, Pesteh-e-ghermez, Barg seyah, Daneshmandi, Pesteh-e-garmeh, Akbari, Kalehghouchi, Owhadi, Khanjari, Abasali, Shahpasand and Momtaz, based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during three years(2006-2008). The results showed that the factors year, treatment (cultivars) and their interaction effects were significant (p < 0.01) for all characteristics. The highest number of flower bud per shoot was on Barg-seyah and Akbari and the lowest on Pesteh-e-garmeh cultivars. The most early and late flowering cultivars were Pesteh-e-garmeh and Akbari respectively, which had 12 days difference at the biggining of flowering. There was significant difference between Badami-e- sefid with 20 nuts per cluster and Abasali with 7 nuts. The highest and the lowest percentage of blank pistachio were 24 and 7.4 on Badami-e-sefid and Abasali, respectively. Pesteh-e-garmeh and Pesteh-e-ghermez with 32 and 30 nuts had the smallest and the biggest nuts per ounce. Shahpasand (native of Damghan region) showed the highest percentage of early splitting (14.8%) and had significant difference (p < 0.01) with other cultivars. In addition, Momtaz, Shahpasand, Khanjari and Owhadi did not show suitable compatibility, but, Badami-e-sefid, Akbari and Pesteh-e-garmeh showed more compatibility than the other cultivars.

In order to investigate the response of cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to conventional-cropping and double-cropping systems a field experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized completely block design with three replications at Gonabad Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Station during growing season of 2009-2010. The treatments included of recommended planting date (5th May)، sowing after final irrigation of barley (22th May)، sowing after harvest of barley in the same field (5th June) and three cotton cultivars: Varamin، Khordad and Sepid. The results showed that the highest plant height (60. 2 cm) was observed in second sowing date. Experimental treatments did not have any significant effect on number of Monopodial and sympodial branches of cotton. The highest earliness percentage was obtained from recommended planting date compared to other treatments. The highest lint weight per boll (6. 5 g) was related to sowing of Varamin cultivar at 3th planting date and had a significant difference with other treatments. Furthermore، this cultivar at the other planting dates had relatively higher lint yield. In the case of the interaction effect between treatments on 1st pick yield، by delaying in sowing date lint yield decreased، however، Khordad cultivar in recommended planting date had the highest value (1600 kg. ha-1). In the 2st harvest، only the effect of planting date was statically significant and for the 3th planting date was achieved the highest 2st pick yield. In the case of interaction، effects on total lint yield، both Varamin and Khordad cultivars had the same lint yields in the first planting date. Although، in overall at the all planting dates Khordad cultivar showed the highest lint yield. In overall، growing Khordad cultivar at third planting date under double cropping after barley is appropriate in climatic conditions of Gonabad.

Cotton is one of the most important world crops and is considered as a major cash crop in the North East of Iran. All selections in plant breeding are based on diversity and an increase in genetic diversity determines the range of selection. In the present study، 24 cultivars of cotton available at the research station for cotton in the East of Iran -Kashmar- were studied using the ISSR marker. A total number of 13 primers، with repeated simple sequences، were used for the amplification of genomic DNA. Overall، 128 bands were obtained، 109 of which showed polymorphism. To evaluate genetic similarity between cultivars، cluster analysis accompanied by the similarity coefficient developed by Jaccard and Nee (1972)، were applied using the UPGMA method. Dendrogram analysis showed a high diversity in the cotton cultivars and two main groups with 70 percent genetic similarity dividing the cotton cultivars into two main groups; namely، tetraploid and diploid. The highest polymorphism percentage was related to 5'' (CT) 8RC3'' (100%) and the lowest belonged to 5'' (AG) 8YA3'' and 5'' (TC) 8G3'' (25%) primers. Based on the similarity matrix، the highest genetic similarity was found in Varamin and Khordad and the lowest in Avangard and Bakhtegan cultivars. Based on the obtained results، ISSR markers can be efficiently used for the investigation of genetic diversity among cotton cultivars.

Balanced nutrition and soil organic mater are among most important factors affecting yield and quality of grape (Vitis vinifera cv.peykani). Humic acid as an organic acid derived from humus and other organic sources, in accompany with zinc, and acetic acid can reduce deficiency symptoms in grape. To study the effects of zinc, humic acid and acetic acid on yield and yield components, an experiment with 8 treatments and 3 replications in a randomized complete block design was conducted. Treatments included zinc(0 and 0.005), humic acid (0 and 0.003), and acetic acid (0 and 0.01). Results showed that all treatments increased yield compared to control significantly (P

ten genotypes including six F1 progenies and their parents were grown in Kashmar CottonResearch Station in two separate experiments (non-stress and drought stress conditions), in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Diallel analysis was done based on Griffing’s method II for seed cotton yield, boll seed cotton weight, percentage of earliness, the number of bolls and height of plant. Results showed that the variance of genotypes was significant for boll seed cotton weight and height of plant in non-stress environment and for seed cotton yield and height of plant in stress condition. The effect of general combining ability of boll seed cotton weight and height of plant were significant in non-stress environment. Also it was significant for seed cotton yield and height of plant in drought condition. The effect of specific combining ability wasn’t significant for any trait. Diallel analysis showed that additive gene effect had an important role in controlling the mentioned traits. Combined diallel analysis indicated that additive variance was important for seed cotton yield and height of plant. Broad sense heritability was high for all traits in both conditions, whereas narrow sense heritability varied from low to high in both conditions.

In order to estimate heritability of seed yield and yield components in cotton, a diallele cross method was attempted. Ten genotypes including 6 F1 progenies and parents were grown in Kashmar Cotton Research Station (non-saline location) and Saadaldin region, 50 kilometers far from Kashmar (Saline location), in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2003. Diallel analysis was done based on Griffing method II for seed cotton yield, boll seed cotton weight, percentage of earliness and the number of plants in plot. Results showed that the variance of genotypes was significant only for boll seed cotton weight in non stress environment and for seed cotton yield and number of plant per plot in stress condition. The effect of general combining ability of boll seed cotton weight was significant in non-stress environment. Seed cotton yield and plant number per plot, were significant in salinity condition.The effect of specific combining ability for boll seed cotton weight in non-stress environment and the plant number per plot in stress condition were significant. It was also significant for seed cotton yield in stress condition. Diallel analysis showed that both additive and non additive genes effect had a role in controlling the mentioned traits. Combining diallel analysis indicated that additive variance was important for boll seed cotton weight, seed cotton yield and the number of plant per plot. Broad sense heritability was high for all traits in both conditions, whereas narrow sense heritability varied from low to mediate in both conditions.