مقصود حسن پور حسنی

In order to produce varieties of barley that tolerate drought and cold, Artan variety was entered into internal tests of the cold and temperate cold stations of the Dryland Agriculture Research Institute through the international center of ICARDA in the form of the of segregating populations (F3 generation) in 1997-98. Genetic purity was achieved by the modified bulk method. Then, during several years, it was evaluated in Maragheh, Shirvan, Ghamlo, Sararoud, Zanjan, Urmia and Ardabil stations in yield trials and yield stability experiment. The Artan variety with an average seed yield of 2.142 Kgha-1 had 11% higher seed yield than the Abidar check variety. Artan had relatively early maturity, height and high thousand-seed weight. Artan variety has general adaptability and good yield stability, facultative growth habit, resistance to seed shattering, tolerance to cold and drought, relative early maturity, high plant height (83 cm) and high thousand-seed weight (42 gr). It has also good level of resistant to yellow rust and brown rust diseases of barley. Artan variety was selected and released as a new cultivar due to its high yield and favorable agronomic characteristics for planting in the cold and moderately cold regions in rainfed areas of the country.

Kamal, is a new winter bread wheat cultivar developed by the national rainfed bread wheat breeding program for the cold and temperate dryland areas of Iran. New cultivar created by crossing between Sbn//Trm/k253 and 88Zhong218//Ctk/Vee/3/Kvz/Gv//Prl in Maragheh Research Station. Kamal was selected from segregating population from F2-F7 in Maragheh (2002-2008) based on agronomic characteristics. Based on results, Kamal grain yield means in preliminary and advanced regional yield trail was 2234 and 1719 kgha-1, respectively. Results of elite trail in cold and moderate research stations (2012-2015) showed that the grain yield mean of Kamal was 2120 and means of Azar2 and Ohadi cultivars were 2066 and 2083 kgha-1, respectively. Kamal cultivar in East Azerbaijan province was compared with conventional control cultivars in the farmer fields for 3 years and the results showed that the average grain yield of Kamal and checks were 2604 and 2230 kgha-1 respectively. Kamal is a winter type variety with time to heading of 143 days, 67 cm plant height, 40, gr. 1000 kernel weight, 11.4% protein content, 20 ml Zeleni numer, 41 degree of hardness, 27% wet gluten and 15 unit of gluten index. Results revealed that Kamal cultivar is tolerant to cold and drought stresses, with suitable earliness, and good bread quality but susceptible to yellow rust and leaf rust, this xultivar way and released in 2019 under the name of Kamal for cold and moderate cold dry areas of Iran.

Yellow (stripe) rust, caused by P. striformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important foliar diseases of wheat. The disease has been reported in temperate, cool, and higher altitudes regions, where wheat is grown. The widespread of the disease has always threatened wheat production and resulted in 30 to 100% losses in yield. Although chemical method is common throughout the world, it is not practical by farmers in developing countries. The most alternative practical way is to use genetic resistance which is economical and safely to environment. Two types of genetic resistance, including race-specific and non-race-specific resistance, are well known. Race-specific resistance operates based on the gene for gene hypothesis. Following the evolving of new races of pathogens, race-specific resistance becomes almost ineffective within 3–5 years. Non-race-specific resistance is controlled by small-effect (additive) genes and is long lasting. The wisely use of genetic resistance through the combination of race-specific and non-race-specific genes is suggested for the effective management of rusts. In view of the above, it is important to determine the properties of wheat germplasm for the detection of such diverse resistance. Therefore, the present study was performed to identify genetic sources with different resistance types to enhance the improvement of breeding operations for the release of cultivar in Iran.

In order to study of seedling reactions, a total of 191 dry land wheat lines were used. Seeds of each genotype (5-7 seeds) were planted in 7× 7 cm pots under controlled conditions in the greenhouses of Karaj. Seedlings were inoculated with two pathotypes of pathogen (6E158A+ and 6E150A+, Yr27). The inoculated Plants were transferred to a growth chamber at 10 ° C with 16 h of light and 8 h of darkness for 24 h. Plants were then transferred to greenhouses at 6–10 ° C temperature. 14-17 days later, seedling infection types were recorded based on a 0-4 scale (Stakman et al., 1962). The same number of studied lines at the seedling stage, were also used to evaluate the adult plant responses. The germplasm was cultivated at Ardebil Agricultural Research Station during the 2015-2016 cropping year. About eight grams seeds of each entry were planted in two-row plots of 1 m length with 30 cm distance. Plots were spaced at 65 cm. Infection types were recorded in the adult plant stage according to the method of Rolfs et al. Disease severity data were used to calculate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The relative area under the disease progress curve was also compared by comparing each line with the susceptible cultivar (assuming 100% susceptible cultivar value). In order to determine different resistance groups according to the method of Bux et al. (2012), lines with rAUDPC between 0-10 was considered as resistant group, rAUDPC = 11-30 as intermediate and lines with rAUDPC values above 30 were classified as susceptible.

Seedling evaluation using pathotype 6E158A+ showed that of 63 resistant genotypes, 31 genotypes were from winter wheat, 4 from durum wheat and 28 genotypes of spring bread wheat. The seedling reactions using pathotype 6E150A+, Yr27 indicated that of 64 resistant genotypes, 26 genotypes were of winter bread wheat, 8 genotypes of durum wheat and 30 genotypes of spring bread wheat. The results at seedling stage also revealed that 51 genotypes were resistant to both pathotypes, of which 24 were genotypes of winter bread, 4 genotypes of durum wheat and 23 genotypes of spring bread wheat. Of the 191 genotypes studied, 24 (12.5%) genotypes also showed resistance at both seedling (against to two pathotypes) and adult plant stages. In field conditions, 81 genotypes were susceptible and 110 (57.6%) were resistant. Among the resistant genotypes, the differences were observed based on the values of the relative area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC). The response of winter wheat, spring wheat and durum wheat varied. Among the winter bread wheat, spring and durum wheat genotypes, 9 (12.5%), 38 (44.2%) and 4 (12.1%) genotypes had low levels of the area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC = 0-10), respectively, and were classified as resistant group. A group of genotypes also had moderate values of the area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC = 3-11), of which 16 (22.2%), 37 (43%) and 11 (33.3%) genotypes were of winter, spring, and durum wheat genotypes, respectively.

A number of genotypes having seedling resistance were identified with probability of resistance gene/genes; Yr3v, Yr3a, Yr4a, Yr4, Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr16, YrCV, YrSD, or unknown genes. Most winter wheat genotypes lacked seedling resistance. Some of the genotypes had adult plant and slow rusting resistance (Non-race- specific or durable resistance) and this percentage was higher among spring bread wheat than winter wheat and durum wheat genotypes. This germplasm with various sources of resistance will be useful in integrating both types of resistance through the pyramiding of genes for durable resistance and eventually high-yielding resistant varieties will be introduced to farmers.

In order to produce wheat lines with high tolerance to drought and cold stresses, Sadra variety was generated by a cross between Sardari (male) and promising line Azadi/Azar (female) in Maragheh research station. Results of studies in the cold and moderate cold research stations showed that the grain yield means of Sadra, Azar2 and Sardari cultivars were 2394, 2332 and 2214 kgha-1, respectively, so that grain yield of Sadra was 8% and 3% higher than Sardari and Azar2 check cultivars, respectively. Sadra has a good adaptability to different climatic conditions, so that the new cultivar possess a great potential to be more productive during years with higher precipitation. According to the results, the mean grain yield of Sadra, Azar 2 and Sardari cultivars under optimal rainfall conditions were 3330, 3045 and 2522 kgha-1, respectively. Sadra cultivar has good general adaptability and grain yield stability, winter growth habit, high tolerance to cold and drought stresses, date to heading of 137 days, plant height of 80 cm and 1000 kernel weight of 35 gr. One of the most important characteristics of Sadra is its bread-making quality, so that Sadra with Zeleni number of 33, protein content of 11.3%, hardness of 47, wet gluten content of 30, gluten index of 50 and SDS sedimentation volume of 55 has a great bread-making quality. Based on its high yield potential and other appropriate agronomic characteristics, Sadra cultivar was released for cultivation in the cold and moderate cold dryland conditions of Iran.

Release of new wheat cultivars with good characteristics such as high yield performance and resistance to diseases for specific regions under rainfed condition is an essential task for sustainability of wheat production. Saein was generated by crossing between: Azar2 and 87Zhong291 (with facultative growth type, high yield performance, good thousand kernel weight and resistance to diseases) in 1999-2000 in Maragheh Research Station. Grain yield means of Saein and Azar2 (as check cultivar) during 2006-2013 cropping seasons in Maragheh Research Station were 2601 and 2493 kgha-1 under rainfed condition and 3529 and 3223 kgha-1 with a supplementary irrigation at the sowing time, respectively. Results showed that Saein had also a specific adaptability in Ardabil regions and grain yield means of Saein (new cultivar), Ohadi and Azar2 (as check cultivars) in Ardabil were 1604, 1267 and 1355 kgha-1, respectively. Results of an on-farm study, in the farmer field in Ardabil province, showed that grain yield means of Saein and Azar2 during 2013-2014 cropping season were 2307 and 2275 kgha-1, respectively. The new cultivar is resistant to yellow rust, resistant to moderately resistant to leaf rust and also resistant to common bunt and dwarf bunt as well as resistant to cold damage, lodging and seed shuttering. New cultivar has winter growth type, white grain color, 76 cm plant height and 33 gr 1000 kernel weight. Based on its good characteristics, this line was released as a new wheat cultivar with the commercial name of Saein in 2015 and was recommended for cultivation in rainfed regions in Ardabil province, in the cold dryland areas in the north west of Iran and also in areas with the potential of supplementary irrigation.

About 250,000 hectares of warm dryland regions have moderate to low rainfall, high temperatures and poor soil fertility with low production potential. Wheat cultivars which are currently used by farmers in these harsh environments, have low production in many years or they cannot be harvested due to their short plant's height or shriveled grains. Aseman cultivar with pedigree of KABY/3/TEVEE2/URES//FUN/KAUZ was generated by using the compatible parents at Gachsaran Agricultural Research Station in 2005-2006 cropping season. After a six-year period evaluation of the genetic material in the segregating populations, Aseman along with other selected pure lines were selected for further investigation through preliminary, advanced, and elite regional yield trails for four consecutive cropping seasons. In these experiments, average grain yield of new cultivar in Gachsaran and Behbahan stations, as well as in low-yield farms located in Golestan (Agh Ghala), Bushehr (Deilam) and Khuzestan (Haftakel) provinces was 2894 kgha-1, showing 3% superiority to Karim as the check cultivar. The average grain yield of Aseman in uniform regional trials was 2737 kgha-1 and it had a significant difference (p < /em> < 0.01) with Chamran (21% superiority) in the Gachsaran and Agh Ghala )for two years), as well as Behbahan, Haftkhel and Deilam (for one year) stations. Under severe drought and heat stresses in Deilam, Behbahan and Haftakel stations, the mean grain yield of the new cultivar increased by 37% and 10% compared to the Chamran and Karim cultivars, respectively. Early maturity, taller height and appropriate seed weight, especially under severe heat and drought stresses conditions and also superior baking quality are prominent characteristics of Aseman cultivar. These characteristics justify the importance of introducing this new cultivar for cultivation in the low-yield warm dryland regions of Iran.

Hashtrood, is a new winter bread wheat cultivar developed from evaluation of national bread wheat breeding program to cold and moderate dryland areas of Iran. New cultivar created by crossing between two advanced bread wheat lines in Maragheh research station. Hashtrood was selected from segregation populations from F2-F6 in Maragheh (2002-2007) based on its appropriate agronomic characteristics. Results of study on new cultivar in preliminary bread wheat yield trials and advanced regional yield trail in cold and moderate research stations (2008-2010) showed that, means of grain yield were 2611 and 2492 kgha-1, respectively. New cultivar was studied for 3 years (2010-2013) in ERBWYT in Maragheh, Qamlo, Zanjan, Ardebil, Sararood, Shirvan and Uromieh research stations. Based on results means of grain yield for Hashtrood, Azar2 and Ohadi were 2037, 1988 and 1970 kgha-1, respectively. Results of on-farm studies showed that means of grain yield for Hashtrood, Azar2 and Ohadi under farmer fields in East Azerbaijan were 1095, 952 and 896 kgha-1, respectively; and in Kermanshah provinces means of grain yield for Hashtrood, Azar2 and Rijaw were 1800, 1300 and 1332 kgha-1, respectively. Results revealed that Hashtrood cultivar is more tolerant to cold and drought stresses and also posses, earliness, moderate resistant to Ug99, higher 1000 kernel weight and good bread quality and therefore was released in 2015 for planting in cold and moderate cold areas of Iran.

Cultivar Sadegh was generated from inter-specific hybridization and subsequent backcrosses between Brassica napus and B. juncea genotypes in Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI). After identification of low glucosinolate and low erucic acid lines among backcross families and also after evaluating of backcrosses in the preliminary trials, adaptability tests were conducted during 2008-2011 in Maragheh (East Azarbaijan), Kangavar (Kermanshah), Ghamloo (Kurdestan) and Shirvan (North Khorasan). Stability parameters showed that line DARI-4-2 with average of 700 (kgha-1) grain yield had the highest stability over years and locations. Quality assessments showed that two Indian mustard linesDARI-4-1 and DARI-4-2 were highly resistant to shattering and also had good oil quality compared to canola cultivars. After evaluation of promising lines under on-farm trials, it was concluded that Sadegh (line DARI-4-2) could be introduced as a suitable oil crop for drylands of the country.

Rasad was generated by crossing between Fenkang15 and Sardari (Sefid local variety) and based on its appropriate agronomic traits under rainfed trials was released for cultivation in rainfed condition in some areas of cold regions. Its higher grain yield and adaptability was favoured its cultivation in cold areas of Ardabil and north of East Azarbaijan. Means of grain yield for Rasad, Sardari and Azar2 in Ardabil and Maragheh were 2547, 2152 and 2196 kgh-1, respectively, during 1999-2013 cropping season. Results showed that the means of 1000 Kernel weight for Rasad, Sardari and Azar2 were 39, 37 and 35 gr. respectively. On farm study showed that new cultivar had higher grain yield (3570 kgh-1) compared with Sabalan (1405 kgh-1) under farmer field in Ardabil. Based on these results, theRasad cultivar with high tolerant to cold and drought stresses and grain yield adaptability and stability was suitable cultivar for planting in the cold drylands of Ardabil and East Azerbaijan provinces.

Genotype × environment interactions make it difficult to release high yielding durum varieties for diverse environmental conditions. The main purpose of this study was to achieve high yielding durum wheat genotypes with higher yield stability in different environmental conditions, tolerance to environmental stresses such as cold damage, terminal drought, and heat stresses. Hence, 16 durum wheat lines were evaluated for grain yield stability and morphological traits in Maragheh, Sararood, Qamloo, Ardabil and Urmia Agricultural Research Stations in 2012-15. In each location, the experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Based on combined ANOVA, there were significant differences among the environments (E), genotypes (G) and G×E. GGE-biplot analysis showed that the 14 environments belonged to 3 mega-environments, and different genotypes had higher yield in each mega-environments. The AMMI and GGE results also confirmed that genotypes 2 (G-1252) and 3 (61-130/414-44//…) were the most high-yielding durum lines with reasonable yield stability across environments. Also, genotype 10 was the most adapted genotype to Ardabil. Line 61-130/414-44//… had 60, 11, 31, 10 and 17% more yield than check line (Saji) in Maragheh, Sararood, Qamloo, Ardabil and Urmia under rainfed conditions, respectively. Hence, these lines can be candiates to release as new durum varieties for cold and moderate rainfed areas. Complementary irrigation could increase grain yield up to 14 and 68% in Maragheh and Sararood, respectively. It can be concluded that finding new stable high-yielding durum lines, with better performances, as compared to the existed varieties, is a great progress in durum breeding programs in cold rainfed areas. Moreover, the GGE biplot and AMMI analysis had good performance in adaptability and yield stability analysis in durum genotypes and could be used to evaluate durum genotypes at different locations over the years in durum breeding programs.

New wheat cultivar baran has been selected through segregation population (F3-F6) of international bread wheat germplasm in Maragheh Research Station (1999-2004). The new cultivar was evaluated during 2005-2009 in Maragheh, Qamlo, idar, Ardebil, Sararood, and Uromieh research stations. The results of the experiments indicated that the average yield of Baran, Azar2 and Sardari cultivars were 2383,2260 kgha-1 respectively. Onfarm study results showed that means of grain yield for Baran, Azar2 and Ohadi cultivars were 1727, 1493 and 1403 kgha-1 in Hashtrood and Ahar area in East Azarbayjan province respectively (2012-13). The new cultivar evaluated in large scale in farmer fields of Maragheh region (2012-2013), with means of grain yield of 2652 while Sardari cultivar was 1750 kgha-1. Baran cultivar showed winter habit, early maturity, high 1000 kernel weight (37gr), 11.2% protein content, good bread quality,oderate rusts resistant and logging resistant and also cold tolerance. Baesd on the results then new wheat cultivar baran, is suitable for cold and semi cold drylands of Iran.

Aftab cultivar originated from national cereal breeding programs .The new cultivar was evaluated in International high rainfall wheat yield trial nursery at Gachsaran and Gonbad Agricultural Research Stations (2008-2009). Due to optimum grain yield and other agronomic traits, the new cultivar was tested in advanced yield trials in Gachsaran, Ilam, Khoram Abad and Gonbad research stations (2009-2010). Aftab cultivar with high grain yield, high kernel weight and earliness compare to Koohdasht cultivar as check was classified as desirable genotype .Aftab cultivar showed high grain yield (3183kg.ha-1) in advanced experiment trials during five years, it was 13.3% more than check cultivars (Koohdasht and Karim) with 2810 kg.ha-1.The new cultivar showed the best rank, compering to all cultivar and advanced lines, such as Koohdasht which cultivated in large scale by farmers in warm dryland regions, based on stability parameters: low standard deviation and small within location coefficient of variation. Aftab cultivar showed remarkable resistance against important current wheat diseases such as yellow rust, brown rust, and fusarim head blight in warm dryland stations under natural infection and artificial inoculation conditions, in addition it has optimum bread flour quality. On-farm experimental results, the new cultivar showed high grain yield.

The new line (KAUZ/PASTOR//BAV92/RAYON CMSS00M02400S-030M-030WGY-030M-9M-0Y) (Gaboos cultivar) was evaluated at Gachsaran and Gonbad Agricultural Research Stations in the first time in 2006-2007. Due to optimum earliness, plant height, kernel weight and successful performance of grain yield in observation nursery, preliminary and advanced yield trials (2007-2009), this genotype along to 16 promised lines and check (Koohdasht cv.) studied during three years (2009-2012) in uniform regional wheat yield trials in Gachsaran, Khoram Abad, Gonbad and Ilam stations. Three years average of grain yield across all stations for new cultivar was 3514 kg/ha which showed significant difference at 5% probability level in compare to check (3333 kg/ha), and also, considered line had 17 and 11 percent grain yield increasing with significant preference at 5% and 1% probability level in Gachsaran and Gonbad stations respectively. In view of stability parameters, Gaboos cultivar had the best rank with low standard deviation and small within location coefficient of variation among all advanced lines. Koohdasht cultivar (check) had seventh rank with partially high standard deviation of rank, but, the least within location coefficient of variation. Mean while, it has good preference for qualitative characteristics particularly: protein percent, wet gluten, gluten index, water absorption, seed hardiness, zeleny number, sodium dodecyl solphat and bread volume in compare to check. New cultivar has not showed remarkable susceptibility to important current diseases such as yellow rust, brown rust, common bunt and Fusarim head blight in warm dry land stations under natural infection and artificial inoculation conditions.

Selecting and introducing of cold tolerant chickpea varieties with high yielding potential as well as suitable to autumn sowing has highly importance. Sel93TH24460 is hybrid of a cross, ILC 3470 × ILC 8617 which has done at International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). This genotype has been sent to Iran in an International cold tolerance nursery in 1999 and evaluated in different trials including international, national, advanced and adaptability yield trials and disease screening as well as on-farm examinations at autumn planting of cold areas during 2000 to 2010. According to the results, Saral (Sel93TH24460) with mean yield of 1.4 tons/hectare had increased performance rather than to the check varieties, Jam, Arman and ILC 482 by 15, 34 and 10 percent, respectively, and fairly tolerated -16°C at farm conditions. At controlled conditions of cold room, the mentioned line had considerable tolerance to below zero temperatures and its superiority has confirmed at on-farm trials. Regards to these results and protein assay trial; Saral has been released as a fall sowing variety for cold dry land regions.

Tak-Ab is a new winter bread wheat cultivar developed from evaluation of ICARDA-Turkey-CIMMYT international bread wheat germplasm to supplementary irrigation areas. Study of new cultivars under supplementary irrigation in Maragheh and Ardebil Research Stations (2005-2012) showed that, Tak-Ab had high grain potential under supplementary irrigation conditions. Based on results means of grain yield for Tak-Ab, Azar2 and Alvand with one time irrigation at sowing date were 3636, 2785 and 2556 kg ha-1 respectively. Average of grain yield of Tak-Ab and Azar2 with two times irrigation (Sowing Bolting) was 4737 and 4346 kg ha-1 respectively. Results revealed that this line is more tolerant to cold, moderate resistant to rusts and resistant to logging, thus it is suitable for supplementary irrigation in cold dry lands of Iran, and it has higher 1000 kernel weight and good bread quality as well. It is a winter habit and early maturity, 80 cm plant height, 36gr. 1000 kernel weight, grain color red and with 12% protein content. Based on these results, thenew line (Manning/Sdv1//Dogu88 OYC-OYC-OYC-12YC-OYC) was released in 2013 under the name of Tak-Ab.

Karim as a new line (HAMAM-4: T. AEST/SPRW''S''//CA8055/3/BACANORA86 ICW92-0477-1AP-1AP-4AP-1AP-0AP) was evaluated at Gachsaran agricultural research station in 2004-2005. It was selected for its high grain yield (3975 kg ha-1) and included in advance yield trial in Gachsaran، Khoramabad، Gonbad، Moghan and Ilam field stations in next growing season. Average yield of this line and check (cv. Koohdasht) in these stations were 3762 and 3416 kg ha-1، respectively. Karim had also desirable agronomic traits. Therefore، this line along with 17 promising lines were studied in three successive growing seasons (2006-2009) in uniform regional wheat yield trial in Gachsaran، Khoramabad، Gonbad and Moghan field stations. Average grain yield for new cultivar was 3310 kg ha-1 which was significantly higher as compared to check. New cultivar had 338 kg ha-1 (13. 7%) yield superiority to check during 2004-2009 across all field stations. Considering grain yield stability parameter this line had the highest rank with least standard deviation and small within location coefficient of variation. New cultivar showed resistance to important wheat diseases such as yellow rust، leaf rust، common bunt، dwarf bunt and powdery mildew. It has good quality properties in addition to earliness، optimum plant height and high 1000 grain weight. Overall، due to its optimum grain yield، grain yield stability، desirable agronomic traits and quality، Karim was released by Agricultural Research، Education and Extension Organization in 2011.

To evaluate the genetic diversity in Sardari bread wheat landrace, purification and selection of lines with good agronomic traits, were carried out for ten cropping seasons (1995-2006) in Maragheh and six other dryland Agricultural Research Stations. One hundred and six individual spikes were selected among Sardari landrace in the first phase of study (1995- 2000). Results of morph-physiological characteristics and molecular studies (SSR) confirmed a high diversity within Sardari landrace. In the second phase of study (2003- 2006) adaptability and grain yield stability of selected pure lines were studied in five locations. Based on the results, the pure line Sar-HR 39 exhabited a good performance and yield stability. Similar to check cultivars (normal Sardari and Azar 2), SAR-HR 39 is early maturity, is high 1000 kernel weight, suitable plant height and tolerance to winter cold (winter type). It is also tolerant to drought. The mean protein contents of this line has 10.5% but it is susceptible to yellow rust. The mean grain yield of the new line was 2185 kgha-1, that was higher than those of Azar 2 (2050 kgha-1) and normal Sardari (2070 kgha-1). The new line was officially released in 2010 through the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), under the name of Homa.

To evaluate the genetic diversity in Sardari bread wheat landrace, purification and selection of lines with good agronomic traits, were carried out for ten cropping seasons (1995-2006) in Maragheh and six other dryland Agricultural Research Stations. One hundred and six individual spikes were selected among Sardari landrace in the first phase of study (1995- 2000). Results of morph-physiological characteristics and molecular studies (SSR) confirmed a high diversity within Sardari landrace. In the second phase of study (2003- 2006) adaptability and grain yield stability of selected pure lines were studied in five locations. Based on the results, the pure line Sar-HR 39 exhabited a good performance and yield stability. Similar to check cultivars (normal Sardari and Azar 2), SAR-HR 39 is early maturity, is high 1000 kernel weight, suitable plant height and tolerance to winter cold (winter type). It is also tolerant to drought. The mean protein contents of this line has 10.5% but it is susceptible to yellow rust. The mean grain yield of the new line was 2185 kgha-1, that was higher than those of Azar 2 (2050 kgha-1) and normal Sardari (2070 kgha-1). The new line was officially released in 2010 through the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), under the name of Homa.

Drylands cover about 6.2 million hectares of arable lands across Iran, but annual feed legumes are not present in rainfed crop rotations. Introduction of new forage cultivars with high productivity and nutritive values is a key solution in drylands development. Vd-2446 a vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) line with origin of Italy has been selected from vetch nurseries provided by ICARDA during 1995 and was evaluated along with other selected lines and local checks over 9 years in different research stations and on-farm conditions. Vd-2446 with mean 2240 kgha-1 dry biomass over environments, high stability and higher protein content compared to other lines and local check was Selected as a suitable cultivar for cultivation as a spring crop in cold areas and as a winter crop in moderate cold drylands of Iran. It was officially registered by Agricultural Research, Eduction and Extension Organization in 2009 and named Maragheh.

Research was conducted to develop and release new improved winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar suitable for cold and mild-cold rainfed areas of Iran. In 1988/89 cropping season Fenkang15/Sefid was created by crossing between Fenkang15 and Sardari (Sefid local cultivar)) in Karaj. Based on agronomic traits, and biotic stress tolerance under field conditions, a new line of Fenkang15/Sefid was selected. The new line was evaluated in main cold and mild-cold DARI research stations together with 16 other wheat lines, including the widely grown improved check cultivars Sardari and Azar 2. Results indicated that the new line had higher and stable grain yield at Maragheh and Ardebil areas. It was early-mild in maturity, with mean grain yield of 2420 kgh-1 (in seven years of evaluation in cold and mild cold research stations). The plant height of the new line is 81cm, 1000 kernel weight is 36 g, grain color is red and its protein content is 11-12.5%. Based on these results, the new line was officially released in 2007 through the Agricultural, Education and Extension Organization, under the name of Rasad.

Some parts of semitropical regions in Khouzestan, Fars, Kohgiloyieh-va-Boyrahmad, Lorestan, Golestan, Ardabil, Kermanshah and Boushehr provinces specified to spring barley cultivation which local or a few improved cultivars are grown there. Barley breeding activities in Dryland Agricultural Research Institute(DARI) are continuously undertaken in Gachsaran, Kouhdasht, Gonbad and Moghan to introduce new cultivars for these regions. Obtained results during 11 years (1993-2003) showed that genotype Wi2291/Wi2269//Er/Apm originated from ICARDA, had good adaptation, yield stability and good agronomic traits in dryland areas with semitropical climate. The average yield of this genotype in all locations was 3.556 tha-1 which was 12 percent more than the yield of Izeh as improved check. Higher thousand kernel weight (more than 10 gram in some locations) is a remarkable trait of this genotype. The new genotype is a spring type barley with an average plant height of 72cm and resistant to lodging. This genotype was introduced through Agricultural Extension, Education and Research Organization under the name of Mahoor in 2008

To study the stability and adaptability of grain yield of advanced bread wheat genotypes in cold and moderate-cold dryland areas, 16 adanced genotypes were evaluated in Maragheh, sararood, kordestan, Ilam, Zanjan, Shirvan, Orumieh and Ardebil Experimental Stations in 1998 to 2001 cropping seasons. The experimental design in all the locations was randomized complete block design with four replications. In each location simple and combined analysis of variance were implemented. Based on homogeneity of error variances, combined analysis of variance was done over locations and years. Results showed that interaction effect of genotype × year × location was significatn at 1% probability level. A significant difference was also found among the genotypes, and genotypes No. 4(Azar 2) and No. 10(sbn/ 1-64-199) with 1635 and 1597 kgha^-1produced the highest the highest grain yield respectively, sardari(the check cultivar) produced 1485 kgha^-1 of grain yield. Result of stability analysis on grain yield using parametric method of C.V.% and Lin and Binns, and non-parametric method of rank, showed that genotypes No. 4(Azar 2) No. 16(Sardari) and No. 10(Sbn/1-64-199) were the most stable genotypes. Overall based on the mean of grain yield, stability parameters and diseases results, genotype No. 10(Sbn/ 1-64-199) was found to be the highest yielding, most stable and resistant to yellow rust genotype, therefore it was selected as a desirable genotype.

The present research was conducted at Maragheh Research Station on 4 commercial bread wheat cultivars (Sardari, Sabalan, Azar and Ghermezghen) as recurrent parents, and 4 resistant lines as donor parents to transfer the resistance to Tilletia laevis Kiihn to the commercial bread wheat cultivars during 1994-2001. In this study two back crosses were used for transferring of resistance. F1 populations were artificialy inoculated with teliospores of a virulent isolate of Tilletia laevis, and resistant plants were selected. Back cross breeding method was used to transfer common bunt resistance to the commercial bread wheat cultivars. Selfing the second back cross generation, coupled with 3 years of selection of resistant progenies identical to the original parents under artificial infections, prodouced some resistant lines such as Sabalan*2/Kal-Blo"s", Sardari*2/Kal-Blo"s" Sardar*2/4/Ald"s"/Pima77/3/CMH24A.630/Bui"s"//Ch74a.630 to Introduce to farmers for planting.

Kohdasht is a new improved spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar suitable for warm and semi arid areas of Iran. In 1990-91 cropping season, line Tr 801020029 R-1R-6R-0R was received from ICARDA under 9th Semi Arid Area Screening Nursery. Based on agronomic characteristics, resistance to diseases and abiotic stresses under field conditions, Tr 8010200-29R-1R-1R-6R-0R was selected for further evaluations. It was included in yield trials in main Research Stations in warm and semi arid areas of the country, together with other 24 wheat lines, as well as the widely grown improved cheek cultivar Zagros. Results revealed that this line is more tolerant to drought, yellow rust, leaf rust and produces significantly higher and stable yield. This line is earlier in spike emergence and maturity than Zagros, with mean grain yield of 3.77 tha-1. Its plant height and thousand kernel weight are about 90 cm and 37g, respectively. Its grain color is white and its grain protein content is 10.5%. Based on these superiorities and good performance, the new line was released in 2000, under the name of Kohdasht.