فهرست مطالب مسعود اصفهانی

Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd, plays a strategic role in establishing food security under changing climatic conditions due to its nutritional value, genetic diversity, and high adaptability under stressful conditions and different environments. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the germination and biochemical characteristics of 12 quinoa genotypes adapted to the climatic conditions of Iran. This experiment was conducted in the form of the randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the Laboratory of Seed Physiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Guilan University. In this experiment, the characteristics of germination percentage, germination rate, germination uniformity, D10, D50, D90, radicle fresh and dry, shoot and seedling weight, radicle, shoot, and seedling length, electrical conductivity of seed solution, malondialdehyde content, alpha-amylase enzyme activity and saponin content were investigated. The analysis of the data's variance demonstrated significant differences between genotypes in all studied traits. Q26 Genotype showed high values in germination percentage (91.33%), germination rate, radicle, shoot and seedling length, seedling fresh weight, alpha-amylase enzyme activity (0.234 micromoles released glucose per one gram of seed weight) and saponin content. Q26 genotype had the worst, and Q2 and Q12 genotypes had the best performance in terms of germination uniformity, electrical conductivity of seed solution and malondialdehyde content, respectively. Among the studied genotypes, the Q26 genotype demonstrated better results in comparison with other genotypes. It seems that this genotype may have better conditions for planting in the climatic conditions of Iran

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of applying different levels of vermicompost and nitrogen fertilizer and their combination on seed yield, seed protein, oil content, and fatty acids profile of the Blessed thistle. The experiment was arranged as a complete block design with three replications in 2018 and 2019 in the experimental field of the faculty of agriculture of Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Treatments consisted of (control (no fertilizer), 100% nitrogen fertilizer requirement, 75% nitrogen fertilizer requirement + 25% vermicompost, 50% nitrogen fertilizer requirement + 50% vermicompost, 25% nitrogen fertilizer requirement + 75% vermicompost and 100% vermicompost). The results showed that the highest biomass (10.32 ton ha-1) and plant height (100.2 cm) was obtained in the combination of 50% nitrogen requirement and vermicompost. The highest 1,000-seed weight (30.9 g), seed yield (1708.3 kg/ha), seed oil percentage (18.9%), and oil yield (323.52 kg/ha) were observed in 100% vermicompost treatment. The highest percentage of linoleic acid (66.7) and oleic acid (25.8) were observed respectively in the treatment of 100% vermicompost and 100% nitrogen fertilizer requirement, and the lowest in the treatment of 100% nitrogen (61.01% linoleic acid) and without Fertilizer consumption (control) (23.09% oleic acid). The results indicated that the vermicompost fertilizer treatments had a positive effect on the quantity and fatty acid composition of the blessed thistle seeds, the treatment required 50% nitrogen fertilizer + 50% vermicompost and for seed production, 100% vermicompost treatment is more suitable in the climatic conditions of the experimental site.

In order to determine the nitrogen requirement of rice (cv. Guilaneh) using the nitrogen nutrition index and chlorophyll meter, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran in 2016. Experimental treatments consisted of six nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 kg N. ha-1; Urea source). Evaluation of the relationship between nitrogen nutrition index and chlorophyll-meter readings at three stages of plant growth (maximum tillering, booting, and heading) to predict grain yield in response to nitrogen fertilizer showed that the equation of the critical nitrogen concentration in Guilaneh was Nc = 3.99W -0.36. The correlation between chlorophyll-meter readings and nitrogen nutrition index was positive and significant at each plant growth stage. The results showed that the mature lower leaves were more sensitive than the younger higher leaves in response to nitrogen fertilizer and were more suitable for detecting plant nitrogen status, especially during the booting and heading stages. The highest correlation was found between the nitrogen nutrition index and chlorophyll-meter (r=0.95*) and relative chlorophyll-meter (the ratio of chlorophyll-meter readings in each treatment to nitrogen saturated treatment) (r=0.96**) in the third leaf and booting stage. The overall results of this experiment showed that the nitrogen nutrition index and chlorophyll meter may consider reliable indicators for evaluating the nitrogen status of rice (cv. Guilaneh) during the growing season.

Food security has become one of the most important global issues due to rapid population growth and changing weather conditions, drought and heat stress. Cereals and especially wheat are among the strategic and important agricultural products and they have a special role in the food security of many countries of the world including Iran. Increasing mechanization, improving production methods and the widespread use of fertilizers during the 20th century have greatly helped to increase production and the production of agricultural products is the result of a complex interaction between various environmental factors such as soil properties and management operations. Different tillage systems have different effects on crop production in rainfed agriculture. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients in the production of crops, which affects the growth and performance of the plant. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the most appropriate method of seedded prepartion and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer on wheat grain yield and soil properties.

To investigate the effect of raised bed and flat planting methods and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer on soil characteristics, radiation efficiency, energy balance and grain yield of Kohdasht wheat cultivar, a factorial experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design layout with three replications in the cropping years of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 were implemented in an experimental farm in the suburbs of Rostam Abad, Rudbar, Guilan, Iran. The experimental factors included the methods of raised bed and flat planting and nitrogen fertilizer at four levels of zero, 75, 150 and 225 kg.ha-1. Measured plant traits and other indices included plant height, 1000 grain weight, fruiting efficiency, radiation efficiency, grain protein content,  biological yield, grain yield, soil bulk density, soil porosity and energy balance.

Results showed that in the treatment of 225 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen in the method of raised bed and flat planting, the highest plant height (66.3 cm), grain yield (4908 kg.ha-1), 1000 grain weight (40 g), grain protein content (11%), fruiting efficiency (88 grain.g spike-1DW), radiation use efficiency (2.05 g.MJ-1) and biological yield (11349 kg.ha-1) were obtained. Raised bed planting methods increased the soil bulk density (1. 16 g.cm-3) and decreased soil porosity. The results showed that in terms of the total energy consumption for wheat production, the lowest and highest amounts were related to raised bed and flat methods, respectively (11681.1 and 13606.8 MJ.ha-1). The highest amount of energy consumed in the flat method was allocated to nitrogen fertilizer (51%) and fuel (19%), respectively.

Increasing nitrogen fertilizer application through the faster canopy closure and sooner maximum leaf area index caused an increase in the number of grain.spike-1, 1000 grain weight and the absorption of radiation, which ultimately increased the efficiency of radiation, biomass and grain yield. Due to the minimization of the traffic of machines on the soil by reducing the soil preparation operations, the tillage system of the raised bed planting method led to a decrease in the hours and energy required for the work of the machines per hectare compared to the flat planting method. Also, raised bed planting system along with nitrogen fertilizer increased the soil bulk density and decrease the porosity. According to the results of this experiment, it seems that the method of raised bed planting along with the consumption of 225 kg of nitrogen fertilizer.ha-1 is due to having favorable weather conditions in terms of grain yield and other studied traits for the production of Kohdasht wheat cultivar in the region, the subject of study seems to be more suitable.

In order to investigate the effect of wood vinegar and humic acid on morphological and biochemical traits, antioxidant enzymes, and peppermint essential oil under water deficit stress conditions, an experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of the Tarbiat Modares University. The experimental treatments were irrigation regimes at three levels (irrigation up to the field capacity and after depletion 25 (optimal irrigation), 40 (moderate water deficit stress), and 55 (severe water deficit stress) % of plant available water in the root zone, respectively) as main plots and foliar application at seven levels (humic acid (1, 2, and 3%), wood vinegar (5, 10, and 15%) and no foliar application (control)) as sub plots. The highest plant height (38.63 cm) was obtained from the treatment of using wood vinegar 15% under optimal irrigation conditions, while, the maximum leaf area index (3.01) was observed in the treatment using wood vinegar 15% under moderate water deficit stress conditions. The maximum essential oil yield was observed in the foliar application of humic acid 3% under optimal irrigation conditions with 37.48 kg h-1, and with the treatments of humic acid 2% under optimal irrigation conditions with 34.34 kg ha-1 and foliar application of 15% of wood vinegar under optimal irrigation conditions with 36.11 kg ha-1 was placed in a statistical group. An increase in water deficit stress caused a decrease in essential oil yield, so that in moderate and severe water deficit stress, 9.37% and 40.17% of essential oil yield decreased, respectively. The use of wood vinegar and humic acid increased the yield of peppermint essential oil, so that by increasing the foliar concentration of wood vinegar from 0 to 15%, the yield of essential oil increased by 81.29%, and increasing the concentration of humic acid foliar application from 0 to 3% increased the yield of essential oil by 69.28%. Considering the water limitation, the use of acid humic 3% is recommended in optimal irrigation conditions and moderate water deficit stress, and wood vinegar 15% in severe water deficit stress conditions is recommended.

Rice is a valuable and strategic cereal that plays an important role in providing food security for more than 50% of the world's population. New rice production systems require stable management operations. The role of nitrogen as a key determining factor is necessary to achieve optimal yield. As a synthtic growth regulator, mepiquat chloride is one of the important management tools in reducing stress damage and overcoming many agricultural problems, such as lodging. Mepiquat chloride reduces the distance between nodes in the main stem and tillers. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and mepiquat chloride on yield, yield components and lodging resistance indicators in rice.

To investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and the foliar application of the growth retardant mepiquat chloride on lodging resistance and grain yield of rice cv. Hashemi, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out during the spring of 2020 in the experimental field of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center in the village of Keshel Varzal in Rasht County, Guilan province, Iran. The experimental treatments included mepiquat chloride at four levels (no foliar application, and foliar application at the maximum tillering stage, stem elongation stage, and maximum tillering + stem elongation stages) and  nitrogen (N) fertilizer at three levels (13 kg.ha-1, 32.5 kg.ha-1, and 52 kg.ha-1). The studied traits also included the morphological characteristics (bending moment of internodes) related to the third and fourth internodes lodging, breaking resistance at the middle point of third and fourth internodes and lodging index, grain yield, number of panicles per plant, total number of grains per panicle, number of filled and unfilled grains per panicle and 1000-grain weight.
Research

The results showed that the highest grain yield (3999 kg.ha-1) was obtained from the foliar application of mepiquat chloride at the maximum tillering stage along with the application of 52 kg.ha-1 N and the lowest (2169.6 kg.ha-1) from no foliar application along with the application of 13 kg.ha-1 N. The maximum number of panicles per plant, number of total grains and filled grains per panicle were recorded in the mepiquat chloride foliar treatment at the maximum tillering stage and the application of 52 kg.ha-1 N. The lowest number of panicles per plant (and the number of filled grains per panicle) was obtained in the treatment of mepiquat chloride foliar application in the treatment of stem elongation and application of 13 kg.ha-1 N. The highest bending momentum of the third and fourth internodes (1563 and 1663.9 g.cm-1, respectively) was related to the foliar application of mepiquat chloride at the maximum tillering stage. Among the N fertilizer levels, the highest bending momentum of the third and fourth internodes (1521.1 and 1581.6 g.cm-1, respectively) were obtained from the application of 32.5 kg.ha-1 nitrogen.

Application of growth regulators and optimal use of nitrogen fertilizer are ways to prevent decline in rice grain yield. Foliar application of plant growth regulators and nitrogen chemical fertilizer on the plant characteristics of rice can help to improve resistance to plant lodging. According to the results of this experiment, it seems that foliar application of mepiquat chloride at the stage of maximum tillering and consumption of 52 kg.ha-1 nitrogen is the most suitable treatment for Hashemi rice cultivar in terms of increasing grain yield and resistance to plant lodging in climatic conditions of Rasht.

To identify genotypes tolerant to drought stress in rice germplasm, a factorial pot experiment was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications and 70 rice genotypes originating from Central and West Asian countries in non-stress and drought-stress conditions at the Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, north of Iran, in 2019. Based on the results of this year (i.e. 2019), 19 genotypes selected and cultivated in the form of randomized complete block design with three replications in two environments (normal and drought stress) in 2020. Based on tolerance and sensitivity indices and the results of cluster analysis, rice genotypes were divided into two groups, and based on the comparison of means and deviations from the total mean, genotypes of the second group (Shirodi and Neda (Iran), Sela-Zodras and Shisham-Bagh-2014 (Afghanistan) and Dijla (Iraq) recognized as stress-tolerant genotypes. Also, six genotypes (Nada and Shiroudi (Iran), D3 (Iraq), Sela-Zodras, Jalal-Abad Indica-2014, and Shisham Bagh-2014 (Afghanistan)) were identified by biplot analysis and the ranking method of seven genotypes (Shirodi, Neda and Gilaneh (Iran) Sela-Zodras, Jalal Abad Indica-2014 and Shisham Bagh-2014 (Afghanistan) and D3 (Iraq) were recognized as drought stress tolerant genotypes. Altogether, based on the methods of cluster analysis, biplot, and ranking, the genotypes of Shiroudi and Neda (Iran), Sela-Zodras, and Shisham Bagh-2014 (Afghanistan) were recognized as drought tolerant genotypes. The mentioned selected genotypes can be used in advancing breeding programs for developing new rice genotypes with higher tolerance to drought stress.

Arsenic as aheavy metal, is one of the most important pollutant in the environment that has a detrimental effect on the morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of rice. Zinc application is one of the way to reduce negative effects of arsenic. For this purpose, an outdoor experiment was performed in the form of three-factor factorial experiment based on complete randomized design with three replications at the Rice Research Institute of Iran (Rasht) during growing season in 2019. The proposed factors were zinc at three levels (0, 10 and 20 mgkg-1) as zinc sulfate, arsenic at three levels (0, 1 and 2 mg kg-1) as Arsenic oxide, and three  rice cultivars (Hashemi, Gilaneh, Ghodsi). The results indicated that all factors had significant effect on the amount of zinc uptake in the soil, straw and grain, amount of arsenic in the soil, straw and grain, plant height, total and fertile tiller number, panicle length, 1000-seed weight, biomass and grain yield.   The uppermost increase in plant height, total tiller number, fertile tillers, panicle length, 1000-seed weight and grain yield were recorded 1.5, 68.4, 85.05, 31.5, 6.6 and 58.5 percent, respectively due to soil application of 20 mg zinc per kg-1. In terms of zinc uptake by straw and grain, Hashemi cultivar> Ghodsi cultivar> Gilaneh cultivar  showed the highest zinc content, respectively, which Hashemi and Ghodsi cultivars are more efficient in terms of zinc uptake and are more tolerant to arsenic. The highest amount of arsenic in straw and grain was observed in Gilaneh> Ghodsi> Hashemi cultivars, respectively. Therefore, due to the interaction of zinc with arsenic, the use of zinc and cultivars with high zinc uptake capacity might be a good way to reduce arsenic toxicity in rice plants.

This study aims at evaluating the yield of cucumber genotypes in two seasons, and identifying cucumber genotypes with high yield and stability. The research has been carried out in the greenhouse of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Guilan, as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design in autumn and spring seasons with nine cucumber genotypes in three replications. Results show that in terms of number of female flowers in autumn and spring, genotype C1 with an average of 16.7 per plant and genotype C8 with an average of 7.0 per plant have been the best, respectively. Also, in terms of leaf area, C10 genotype with an average of 2866.6 cm2 in autumn and C8 genotype with an average of 9340.990 cm2 in spring outperform the rest and can be used to achieve suitable hybrids for each growing season. Results of principal components analysis and population biplot show that C8 genotype is a suitable genotype for cultivation in two cropping seasons in terms of stability of yield-related traits and vegetative traits. Finally, in terms of number of fruits, genotype C1 with an average of 5.0 per plant in autumn, and C10 genotype with an average of 5.0 per plant in spring have been superior.

One of the pillars of a sustainable agricultural system is the use of organic fertilizers to provide the nutrients needed by the plant with the aim of eliminating or significantly reducing the consumption of chemical inputs (Darzi et al., 2011). Organic fertilizer includes vermicompost and products from the activity of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and stabilizers of nitrogen or other nutrients that are active in the soil (Anwar et al., 2005). Sesame is an old and important oilseed crop that is usually grown on small farmers' tropical and subtropical farms (Weiss et al., 2000). This study was conducted for investigating the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer, vermicompost and their combined application on sesame plant of single branch cultivar in Tarom region of Zanjan province.

Experiment in a complete randomized block design was carried out with three replications in Tarom, Zanjan province, Iran during cropping seasons of 2016-2017. Treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg Nitrogen ha-1) and integrated nitrogen of chemical and organic (15 kg N ha-1 + 2.5 ton ha-1 vermicompost, 30 kg N ha-1 + 5 ton ha-1 vermicompost and 45 kg N ha-1 + 7.5 ton ha-1 vermicompost) and vermicompost (5, 10 and 15 ton ha-1) were used.

Results showed that use of nitrogen fertilizer, vermicompost and combination nitrogen fertilizer and vermicompost had significant effect on seed yield and yield components of sesame. So that, Maximum plant height, number of capsule in plant, number of seed.plant-1, 1000-seed weight and seed yield (3087.87) were obtained 45 kg N ha-1 + 7.5 ton ha-1 . Maximum biological yield (8360 kg ha-1) was obtained using the treatment 45 kg N ha-1 +7.5 ton ha-1 vermicompost. Also, seed oil percentage was not affected by any of the treatments; As a result, Maximum oil yield (1530.36 kg ha-1) was obtained using treatment 30 kg N ha-1 + 5 ton ha-1.

An experiment with following objectives a) investigation of allometric relations between plant height and vegetative organs dry weight with leaf area, b) parameterization and allometric coefficient determination, c) leaf area and dry mater estimation and aerobic , and d) comparison of genotypes in aspect of this parameters was done in the University of Guilan in 2016. The experiment was included three cultivation condition (lowland, aerobic, and upland) and five selected genotypes (3 aerobic, 1 upland, and 1 lowland) in three replications as RCBD. Data of leaf area, dry weight of vegetative organs, and plant height were recorded each 10 days. For description of leaf area index (LAI) and dry mater two separate beta models and for allometric relationship between leaf area and plant height and vegetative organs dry weight, a segmented model were fitted. Result showed that the segmented regression model can be used for leaf area estimation from plant height and vegetative organs dry weight in rice (considering to stable allometric relationship in three cultivation system and five genotypes and low RMSE and high and significant R2). Time to maximum LAI (Tm) in lowland conditions was longer than aerobic conditions and growth rate in linear phase (cm) in lowland more than aerobic. IR 80508-B-194-4-B (AR6) as an aerobic line in aspect of phonotypical characteristics was better than other genotypes and near to ideotype. This genotype has LAI in three cultivation system in aerobic condition. Also this genotype has the lowest dry mater losses in aerobic and water stress conditions, the highest cm, and high primary establishment vigor based on allometric coefficient. Therefore, allometric coefficient resulted in this paper can be used in rice crop modelling and presented line can be used in breeding programs and other supplementary experiment.

Phosphorus (P), is the second important nutrient for rice that its deficiency and low application efficiency causes severe nutrient disorder in the world paddy fields. Therefore, the effect of phosphorus fertilizer splitting on morphological characters, yield, and yield components of two rice cultivars (Hashemi and Guilaneh) in two soil type was investigated by a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental factors included time division of phosphorus fertilizer at five levels, two soil types, and two rice varieties (local Hashemi and modified Guilaneh). Results showed that the grain yield of Hashemi cultivar in two-division treatment (50% at the base and 50% at 60th day after transplantion) incresed 14.9% and the grain yield of Guilaneh cultivar in two-division treatment (50% at the base and 50% at 20th day after transplantion) incresed 8.42% as compared to the base application treatment. The maximum increase in filled grain percentages were found to be 9.1% for Hashemi cultivar and two-division treatment (50% at the base and 50% at 20th day after transplanting) and 18.3% for Guilaneh cultivar and two-division treatment (50% at the base and 50% at 60th day after transplanting) in silty clay soil.  Hence, the two-split application of P might be a solution to enhance the rice grain yield at paddy field conditions.

Drought stress is considered as the most important limiting factor for growing of crops such as maize. Under low irrigation conditions, proper nutrition of plants can improve the effects of drought stress. This experiment was carried out in order to investigate the effect of nutrition management along with application of zeolite on agronomic traits of two hybrids of maize under deficit irrigation conditions in a field research in Soil and Water Research Institute in Karaj, Iran in 2015 and 2016 via a factorial split-plot plan based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included two levels of irrigation; full irrigation (I1) and deficit irrigation (70% of full irrigation) (I2) as the main factor and  factorial combination of fertilizer application at five levels; application of fertilizer in the conventional method (F1), fertilization application in conventional method + 10 tons of zeolite.ha-1 (F2), fertilizer application based on local recommendation (F3), fertilizer application based on local recommendation + 10 tons of zeolite.ha-1 (F4) and control (without fertilizer) (F5). Besides, maize hybrids including a late hybrid (SC704) (H1) and an early maturity hybrid (260 = Fajr) (H2) were considered as sub-factors. The results of analysis of variance showed that deficit irrigation had a significant effect on grain yield, number of grain.ear-1, ear weight, number of ear.m-2, and fertility of florets, while under deficit irrigation condition the values of these traits decreased. Under deficit irrigation treatment, the highest grain yield of maize hybrids (7934.3 and 7793.8 kg.ha-1 for 704 and 260 hybrids, respectively) was obtained from recommended fertilizer application + zeolite, which were 7% and 15% less than grain yield of corresponding maize hybrids (8180 and 9170.29 kg.ha-1 for 704 and 260 hybrids, respectively) where recommended application of fertilizer + zeolite were used under full irrigation condition. In general, the appropriate fertilizer management with the application of 10 tons of zeolite.ha-1 led to a higher grain yield of both late and early hybrids of maize and saving 30% water consumption (up to 2100 m3.ha-1).

To evaluate the percentage and degree of polymerization and yield of inulin, and also root fresh yield of 13 native accessions and two imported cultivars of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), an experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with three replications in Khoshkedaran Research Station of Mazandaran province, Iran, in three consecutive years (2016-2018). The roots were harvested at the end of the rosette stage in the second year of cultivation, then weighed and relevant calculations were performed. Samples were extracted by using aqueous extraction method, and their total sugar content and reducing sugar and the percentage and degree of polymerization of inulin were calculated. Means comparison showed that accessions "Rasht" and "Chamestan" and imported cultivar "Selenite" had the highest percentage of inulin (15.8, 13.9, and 14.3%, respectively) among the chicory genotypes. Findings showed that cultivar "Selenite" and accession "Tonekabon" were more superior to other genotypes in terms of fresh root yield and inulin and ranked first (35.458 t ha-1 fresh root and 2818.99 kg ha-1 inulin yield) and second (12.692 t ha-1 fresh root and 807.5 kg ha-1 inulin yield), respectively. In addition, "Selenite" and "Tonekabon" had good stability in terms of percentage and degree of inulin polymerization in two years of research and were found to be more suitable for the western region of Mazandaran province than other genotypes.

To investigate the effect of nutrition management along with zeolite application on the fertilizer use efficiency and irrigation water productivity of two cultivars of maize under deficit irrigation conditions, a field experiment was carried out. The experiment was conducted at Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran, in 2015 and 2016, in the form of a   factorial split plot layout based on a randomized complete block with three replications. Experimental treatments included: two levels of irrigation: full irrigation (I1) and low irrigation (70% full irrigation) (I2) as the main factor, and the factorial combination of fertilizer application at five levels; 1- conventional application of fertilizer (F1), 2- conventional application of fertilizer + 10 tons of zeolite per hectare from the source of clinoptilolite (F2), 3 - fertilizer application according to the recommended method (F3), 4. fertilizer application in the recommended method and 10 tons of zeolite per hectare from the source of clinoptilolite (F4), 5- control (without fertilizer) (F5) and maize cultivars: late maturity (Cross-704) (C1) and early maturity (C-Fajr) (C2) was considered as the sub-factor. The results showed that deficit irrigation reduced the grain yield of maize (17% and 20%, respectively, in Fajr and 704). The effect of fertilizer application on all plant traits was, therefore, significant in this study. Under deficit irrigation conditions, the highest grain yield of corn varieties was obtained from the recommended fertilizer application + zeolite (cultivars 704 and 260 produced 7934.3 and 7793.8 kg/ha, respectively), but it was decreased by 7% and 15%, respectively, as compared to the recommended application of fertilization + zeolite (cultivars 704 and 260 varieties produced 8180 and 9170.29 kg ha-1, respectively) under full irrigation condition. The results showed that using an appropriate fertilizer management with the consumption of 10 tons per hectare of zeolite, may lead to saving 30 percent in irrigation water consumption (about 2100 m3 per hectare) and obtaining good grain yield.

In order to evaluate Germinability and seedling vigour associated with peanut seeds of the plants had been sprayed with methanol and mthylobacterium a laboratory research at 2 years was conducted in Islamic Azad University of Rasht. This study was conducted using standard germination test, cold and accelerated aging test. Each test using factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with 16 treatments (bacteria populations mthylobacterium in unit of CFU in 4 levels, 106, 108 and 1012 and 4 levels of methanol 0, 10, 20 and 30 % v/v) in three replications. characteristics studied were: final germination percentage, seedling  vigour, root dry weight, hypocotyl dry weight , shoot dry weight and seedling dry weight. The results showed that the effect of year was significant on all studied characteristics in all the tests. Bacteria population only significant effect on the final germination percentage in all the tests. The amount of methanol had significant effect on all studied characters in the three tests. Interaction between the bacterial population with amount of methanol only the final germination percentage in standard germination and cold tests had a significant effect. Comparison of means showed the highest final germination percentage in the population of bacteria 1012 CFU was observed in all the tests. Most of all investigated characteristics in all tests was 20 percent methanol.

  Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in an ancient perennial shrub of South America, produces diterpene glycosides that are low-calorie sweetener sand about 300 times sweeter than saccharose (Savita et al., 2004). Stevia extracts, besides having therapeutic properties, contain a high level of sweetening compounds, known as steviole glycosides, which are thought to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Stevia cultivation and production, especially in Iran, would further help those who have to restrict carbohydrate intake in their diet; to enjoy the sweet taste with minimal calories. In Iran, the best area that has the most similarity of favorable climate condition for Stevia cultivation is the north of Iran. However, poor soil aeration associated with excessive moisture usually influences plant establishment and growth negatively in this part of Iran. Heavy textured soils in northern regions of Iran are more susceptible to waterlogging after heavy rain, and hypoxia is likely to limit Stevia growth. Thus waterlogging is considered as one of the important limiting factors for Stevia cultivation in such regions. On the other hand, Oxidation-reduction systems in the soil, which are generally stable as long as the soil is bathed in oxygen, become unstable when the oxygen supply is restricted. Nitrate is stable in well-aerated soils but become unstable when the oxygen supply of the soil is cut off. Nitrogen is subjected to loss through denitrification because of the ability of facultative anaerobes to substitute nitrate for oxygen. Advantage can be taken from the reducing conditions in waterlogged soils to increase the utilization of nitrogen fertilizer. The objectives of the present experiment were to investigate the effects of waterlogging stress and the alleviation of the waterlogged damage by the application of nitrogen fertilizer in Stevia. Material and A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in University of Guilan, in 2013. The experimental design was factorial using completely randomized design layout with three replications. Treatments included four waterlogging levels; (0, -5, -10 cm from soil surface and normal irrigation as control), in periods of 2 and 4 days of waterlogging and two levels of nitrogen (6‰ and no nitrogen spraying as control) by foliar spraying from source of urea. Because the economic organ of Stevia is its leaves samples were taken before flowering stage. Results showed that measured shoot traits including leaf percentage, leaf area density, specific leaf weight, leaf dry weight, leaf area, plant height, number of lateral branch, number of leaves were significantly different among treatments. Nitrogen application improved plant height (14%) (Bakhshandeh et al., 2016) but deceased leaf area density (14%) compared with control. Interaction of waterlogging duration and nitrogen fertilizer significantly influenced leaf percentage, specific leaf weight and leaf dry weight. During water logging period increase from two to four days, nitrogen application improved leaf percentage by 4.5%, specific leaf weight by 11%, and leaf dry weight by 14%. In addition, interaction between water logging level and nitrogen application significantly influenced specific leaf weight, number of lateral branch and leaf dry weight. For specific leaf weight in -5 cm water logging level, nitrogen fertilizer application resulted in 12% increase compared with the same water logging level but without nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen application under -10 cm water logging level improved the number of lateral branches by 9% compared with complete water logging level without nitrogen application. Also for leaf dry weight, nitrogen application under -10 cm water logging effect resulted in 11% increase compared with no nitrogen application. Generally, the results of this experiment show that nitrogen application under water logging stress improved growth features of Stevia although water logging stress reduce growth characteristics of Stevia. Nitrogen application under the highest waterlogging level improved leaf dry weight by 10% compared with no nitrogen application treatment. Because economic part of Stevia is its leaves, it is likely that nitrogen application under water logging stress improve this trait (Rashid et al., 2013). Results of this experiment showed that although level and duration of flooding stress caused a reduction in stevia leaf production but nitrogen application can ameliorate the negative effects of the stress on this trait. Since leaf dry weight is the economical yield of stevia, N application will improve yield if this plant under flooding stress

In order to select the best parents for crossings, plant breeders seek varieties or genotypes with highest genetic dissimilarities. This can be achieved by measuring the similarities among genotypes, using multivariate analysis methods such as cluster analysis. This study aimed to group 50 aerobic and lowland rice genotypes based on biochemical characteristics including Iron, Zinc, Manganese and protein, and their linked DNA markers. According to the cluster analysis results using Ward method, the genotypes were assigned to four groups. The third group, as the smallest group including three genotypes (IR82635-B-B-82-2, Caiapo, and Gohar), had the highest value for these micronutrients. Their mean value for Iron, Zinc, Manganese, and protein were 32.39, 34.15, 25.66 mg/kg and 6.71%, respectively. Also, all genotypes were classified into two main groups based on microsatellite markers information, that according to QTL mapping studies these markers were identified as linked to elements. So, the most of non-local genotypes and aerobic rice cultivars were assigned in a separate group. The correlation between Euclidean distance of elements and protein matrix and genetic similarity matrix (Nie) using Mental correlation test was estimated significant (p<0.01) that can be evidence of a genetic relationship between the SSR markers and genome controlling regions of elements in this population.

Subsurface drainage system is required to eliminate water logging and establish planting condition for the second crops in the autumn and winter seasons in the large part of paddy fields in northern Iran. Proper depth and distance in a drainage system minimizes the negative effects of drainage effluents on the environment. This research was carried out in a physical model scale of paddy fields in agricultural faculty of Gillan University during 1396 to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative performance of the subsurface drainage in the second crop cultivation. The phaseolus vulgaris l. crop was planted in the physical model after filling the box with the soil of paddy fields and creating the hard pan layer at the depth of 15 cm. Drainage water and soil solution samples were collected during the occurrence of precipitation and their electrical conductivity, acidity, sodium, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and orthophosphate parameters were measured. The pressure head and drainage discharge were measured before and after precipitation events. The trend of electrical conductivity of the drainage water was decreased 60% as compared to the initial value and the amounts of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were oscillated due to precipitation and calcium and magnesium adsorption in the soil. The maximum amount of nitrate in the drainage water was 46.9 mg/l at the beginning of the crop growth period, which exceeded the permissible level of drainage discharge into the environment and indicates the importance of fertilizer management. The concentration of nitrate in the soil was affected by the distance from the drain, while the concentration of orthophosphate was not affected. The mean values of pressure head (7-17 cm) with respect to the root depth, showed an efficient drainage performance regarding to the drainage discharge and no water logging at the root depth during the growth period.

Salinity is one of the main environmental factors limiting production and distribution of plants worldwide. Aegilops is a wild species from grasses family with useful genes such as environmental stress tolerance. Two genotypes, 575 from Aegilop cylindrica as resistant and 675 from Aegilop crassa as sensitive to salinity were used base on previous experiments in salinity stress. After seed germination, the seedlings were transferred to a sandy environment under controlled light and temperature conditions and irrigation was performed under two normal conditions and 200 mM salinity with Hoagland solution. Leaf tissue samples were taken at 0, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after salinity treatments. After extracting the RNA and the cDNA synthesis, its accuracy was verified by 18S rRNA. The expression of the three transcription factors of CBF14, NAC2 and MYB was investigated by using Real Time-PCR. Results showed that NAC2 and CBF14 transcription factors had the highest expression at 48 hours after salinity stress, but the MYB gene had the highest expression at 24 hours after stress. Overall, the expression of CBF14, NAC2, and MYB genes in the 575 genotype compared with genotype 675 was in higher level in all hours. The results showed that the three mentioned genes play important role in salt tolerance in the tolerant genotype, therefore, considering the high genetic similarity between Aegilops and wheat, the genes can be as candidate genes for using in wheat breeding programs.

The formation of grain yield depends on fators such as available radiation and the genetic  characteristics of plant like radiation interception rate, radiation use efficiency and biomass contribution. In regard to climatic changes, for studying the effect of environmental conditions on this characteristics, a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Haraz Extension and Technology Development Center, Iran, in two crop seasons, 2013 and 2014. Three transplanting dates were used to encounter rice varieties under different environmental conditions. Treatments included rice cultivars (Tarom Samadi, Tarom Hashemi, Local Tarom, Shiroudi, Keshvari and Gohar) and transplanting dates (5th may, 20th may and 10th June). Results showed that grain yield, biomass, LAI at heading and 20 days after heading, harvest index, accumulated intercepted photosynthesis active radiation (PAR), radiation use efficiency, grain filling rate, grain filling period and panicle number.m2 varied significantly between rice varieties. Transplanting date had significant effect on all traits, except radiation use efficiency. Highest grain yield, biomass, harvest index, accumulated incident PAR, accumulated intercepted PAR, grain filling period and growth duration were obtained  in transplanting on 5th may ( 7204 kg.ha-1, 17229 kg.ha-1, 41.9%, 1050 MJ.m-2, 827 MJ.m-2, 20.6 and 105 days, respectively) and lowest in transplanting on 10th June. Results of this experiment showed that changing in transplanting date of rice varieties caused changing in mean temperature during growth period, accumulated incident PAR and accumulated intercepted PAR as fallow, but had non significant effect on radiation use efficiency.

Considering to drought stress importance as most important limiting factor in rice production in world, identification of tolerant genotypes to drought can be a valuable approach to deal with the drought stress. In the present experiment plant materials contains 53 rice genotypes including 31 aerobic and 22 lowland (landrace) rice that were grown in two conditions under drought stress and normal as randomized complete block design with three replications in Sangar Rasht, Iran. The 18 plant characteristics including morphological traits, yield and yield components were measured. The results of ANOVA revealed for all traits differences among genotypes were significant at 0.01 probability level that showing high level diversity and different reaction of varieties among genotypes under two conditions. The cluster analysis assigned all genotypes in three groups in each condition. In normal condition second group with 21 memberships including 14 aerobic genotypes and 7 lowland genotypes gained average of yield traits such as grain yield, weight of total plant panicle, weight of main stem panicle, number of total grain, number of filled grains higher than other genotypes. Under drought stress condition the most desirable genotypes belonged to the second group. This group contains 19 aerobic genotypes and 4 lowland genotypes in term of traits related to yield including weight of total plant panicle, weight of main stem panicle, grain yield, dry weight of plant, 1000 grain weight, number of total grain and number of filled were better than other genotypes. Totally 11 aerobic genotypes and 2 lowland genotypes (Dorfak and Gohar) were in better group in term of grain yield and yield components.

Pre-harvest sprouting is one of the main factors that reducing the rice grain yield and quality in wet ýweather condition with raining in harvest time. 34 local and improved rice varieties were evaluated ýfor pre-harvest sprouting and some related ýcharacters to this trait at in vivo conditioný. Results of ýanalysis of variance indicated that the difference between genotypes were ýsignificant for pre-ýharvest sprouting and some other traits of grain. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients ýof pre-harvest sprouting ýwith alpha amylase activity were positive, this result showed that the ýalpha amylase enzyme had significant effect on pre-harvest sprouting. All varieties divided into ýthree groups by cluster analysis using ward method. First groups included 24 varieties and second ýand third groups included 4 and 6 varieties respectively. In total, varieties of the first and second ýgroups had the lowest of pre-harvest sprouting ýpercentage so they were resistance to germination ýbefore harvesting and the varieties of third group had the highest of pre-harvest ýsprouting ýpercentage so they were sensitive to germination before harvesting. Results of this ýresearch showed some local varieties with high resistance to pre-harvest sprouting had good ýpotential for using in breeding programs.

Rice is the major staple food in Asia and provides 45%– 70% of total caloric intake in many rice-consuming countries (Dato Seri, 2003). The genetic diversity in the rice germplasm is quite large in comparison to other crop species (Roy et al., 2014). Gaining a full understanding of the nature and the extent of diversity in the germplasm is of high importance for different plant breeding programs since despite the increased level of diversity, the range of the selection has expanded and also parents with different genetic materials produce hybrids with greater heterosis, which consequently raises the probability of obtaining superior segregated progenies (Transgressive segregation). Given the importance of rice for food and its strategic position in the global food security, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study of the diversity of its germplasm to achieve high yield performance, quality and other important economic and agronomic traits.
In this study, 121 native and exotic rice cultivars including 23 domestic cultivars, 26 improved Iranian lines and 62 improved exotic lines were evaluated to determine the degree of genetic relationship among them based on a simple lattice design (11×11) with two replications. 12 agronomically important traits including days to 50% flowering, number of tiller, plant height, panicle length, leaf length, leaf width, number of filled grain and unfilled grain, grain length and width, 100-grain weight and grain yield were measured. The genotypes were evaluated under field condition at the experimental farm of Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, Iran (37º16΄N, 49º36΄E) in 2014. Numerical values for all the morphological traits were subjected to statistical analysis using SAS program. The effects of genotype on the level of each trait were assessed by two-way ANOVA. Statistically significant differences between means were identified and separated by a Duncan’s test.
The results showed that relative efficiency of lattice design over randomized complete block design (RCBD) for the most of the measured traits was less than 1%, therefore, variance and expected value of mean square were estimated based on the RCBD design. Analysis of variance illustrated a significant difference between the studied genotypes for all the traits at the 0.01 probability level. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation for most traits were high, indicating great variability in the evaluated traits. The highest and lowest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were respectively related to unfilled grain and panicle length. The medium value of these coefficients were associated with plant height and tiller number. No significant differences were observed for the genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation of the most of the studied traits, indicating that the traits were not greatly affected by the environmental changes. Diverse rice germplasm needs a rational use with a better knowledge of its characteristics. The presented morphological traits in our study demonstrated diversity within and among the studied rice genotypes. This rice germplasm which encompassed a wide range of genetic background and ecologically distinct regions probably contained greater genetic diversity as a result of divergent selection pressure. The factor analysis presented three factors that explained 90% of total variation and according to the factors loading were named related to grain number, plant type and structure and drain dimension, respectively. Cluster analysis results based on Ward's minimum variance and Euclidean distance criteria grouped the cultivars in five main groups that the number of groups was confirmed based on discriminant function analysis and analysis of variance for groups.
The high genetic variability observed in the studied genotypes was based on the assessment of the morphological traits. Morphological characteristics are reliable in the evaluation of genetic variation of rice germplasm. Therefore, the assessed morphological traits of these rice germplasms could provide a performance basis for the selection of potential genotypes for further use in different rice breeding programs (Lestari et al., 2016). Finally, our results indicated that the important agronomic traits in rice can be improved by selecting different cultivars from the genotypes of the first and fifth group and a targeted crossing among them, which will allow to obtain pure and promising lines of rice.