پیمان حسیبی

Rice is one of the most important agricultural products in the world, and it has the second place in terms of annual production after wheat. Cultivation of rice in most regions of the world is done in the form of transplanting, but the long period of preparing transplant and sometimes high mortality of transplants in the main field, high water consumption, the impossibility of direct use of transplanting machines in heavy soil textures and high labor costs have caused it is an undeniable necessity to find suitable methods of planting rice with the aim of reducing the inhibiting effects of these factors especially reducing water consumption and achieving optimal performance. On the other hand, choosing the suitable planting date is another important agricultural management to achieve optimal crop performance. In this experiment, the effect of different land preparation (planting bed) methods and different transplanting dates were investigated on the physiological characteristics and yield of three rice varieties in Shavor region, Khuzestan province, Iran. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the role of planting date and planting bed on the growth and development aspects of rice transplants and their interations on reducing the inhibiting effects of production factors.

This experiment was carried out in the form of split split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of Shavor Research Station, Khuzestan province, Iran, in 2021 and 2022. The experimental factors were land preparation (planting bed) methods in four levels including puddling, flat with field capacity, flat with dry soil and raised bed in the ridge with dry soil as the main factor, transplanting date in three levels including 2, 12 and 23 June as the sub-factor, and rice variety in three levels including Champa, Anbori Germez Paboland and Daniyal as the sub-sub-factor. To prepare the planting beds (puddling, flat with field capacity and flat with dry soil), the soil was leveled by leveler after plowing and disking, and to prepare the raised bed in the ridge, the ridges (with a width of 50 cm and a height of 20 cm) were created by a ditcher after plowing, disking and leveling. The measured traits in this study were paddy yield, biological yield, harvest index, chlorophyll index, canopy temperature and stomatal conductance.

The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the effect of planting bed, planting date and variety as well as their interactions on rice yield were statistically significant. The results of the comparison of two years means showed that the highest grain yield was belonged to flat bed with dry soil on the planting date of 2 June in Anbori Germez Paboland variety (5.68 ton.ha-1), and the highest biological yield was obtained from the flat bed with field capacity on the planting date of 23 June in Anbori Germez Paboland variety (13.63 ton.ha-1). Also, the highest harvest index (51.71 %) and the best canopy temperature at the stage of panicle emergence (32.22 °C) was observed in the treatment of flat bed with dry soil on the planting date of 23 June in Champa variety.

According to the results of grain yield as the most important goal of rice planting, it seems that by cultivation of the local variety “Anbori Germez Paboland” on the flat bed at 2 June through the provision of environmental conditions (non-implementation of puddling and preventing negative effects on plant growth), and a suitable temperature (preventing the occurrence of stress in the flowering and seeding stage), can obtain a high grain yield.

The food providing for the growing world population has always been one of the main concerns of mankind and rice is one of the most important sources of human food. The importance of rice plant in human nutrition and the necessity of achieving self-sufficiency in its production through increasing yield is not hidden from anyone. Among the solutions that humans have used to deal with this problem is choosing the right planting method, planting date and cultivars. Currently, the cultivation of this plant is carried out in most parts of the world in the form of transplanting. Supplying sufficient amount of water is necessary to increase crop production and lack of water is one of the basic limitations in the development of rice cultivation in some regions of the world. Therefore, it is an undeniable necessity to choose a suitable bed for planting plants that will reduce water consumption and produce optimal crops. Also, planting date can have a significant impact on crop growth and rice yield, and it is important to determine the most suitable cultivars for a special planting date. Despite the great importance of different rice transplanting beds on its crop production and the optimal management of these beds through the application of appropriate planting dates that can have a significant impact on crop production, so far not many studies have been conducted in Khuzestan.

This research was designed to determine the feasibility of establishing rice cultivar seedlings in dry beds and compare it with wet conditions at different times of seedling production. The experiment was carried out during the cropping years of 2021 and 2022 at the Shavur research station in Khuzestan province, located 65 km north of Ahvaz. It was conducted using a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor, planting beds for the seedlings, included transplanting in a conventional bed (paddling), transplanting in a bed with field capacity, transplanting in a flat bed under dry conditions, and transplanting in a raised bed under dry conditions. The sub-factor was the date of seedling production, which included June 2, June 12, and June 23. The rice cultivars, which were the sub-sub-factors, included Champa, Anbori, Germez-Paboland, and Daniyal.

The results of comparing the average of traits showed that the highest yield of paddy in the two years of the experiment was related to the flat planting bed and the planting date of 2 June (5190 kg.ha-1 in first year, 6536 kg.ha-1 in second year, respectively in Anbori, Germez-Paboland and Champa). Rice yield showed a high correlation with biological yield, number of panicles per square meter, panicle length and plant height. The lowest yield of paddy in the two years of the experiment belonged to the conventional bed (2811 kg.ha-1 in 12 June in first year, 2964 kg.ha-1 in 23 June in second year, respectively in Anbori, Germez-Paboland and Daniyal).

Long-term waterlogging in the method of gerbera cultivation has caused disturbances in the growth and production of the plant, resulting in a decrease in paddy yield. Therefore, it can be concluded that different beds for transplanting have a significant impact on rice crop production. Optimal management of these beds, through the application of appropriate planting dates and suitable cultivars, can effectively improve crop production. Also, according to the obtained results, although the Daniyal cultivars is a high-yielding cultivars, compared to the local varieties, it could not achieve better performance under the conditions of the treatments investigated in this experiment.

In order to evaluate the effect of irrigating with drain water from Dabal Khaza'i sugarcane fileds on some physiological characteristics, and quantitative and qualitative yield of rapeseed cultivars, a field experiment was carried out in a split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots consisted of four water resources (use of raw water from Karun River as control, use of drain water from sugarcane fields, use of raw water from Karun River and drain water from sugarcane fields periodically, use of raw water from Karun River and then drain water from sugarcane fields). Sub plots consisted of three rapeseed cultivars (Hyola 50, Hyola 4815, and RGS003). The results showed that there was a significant difference among cultivars and irrigating with drain water in terms of most studied traits. RGS003 showed the highest seed yield in irrigation with raw water from Karun River (5171 kg hac-1), and Hayola 50 showed the lowest seed yield in irrigation with raw water from Karun River and drain water from sugarcane fields periodically (3371 kg hac-1). RGS003 showed the highest number of pods per plant in irrigation with raw water from Karun River (5171 kg hac-1), and Hayola 50 showed the lowest values in irrigation with raw water from Karun River and then drain water from sugarcane fields (3371 kg hac-1).  Hayola 4815 showed the highest oil yield in irrigation with raw water from Karun River (2110 kg hac-1). Irrigation with raw water from Karun River and then drain water from sugarcane fields caused a decrease in oil yield and quality, while there was no significant difference in other water source treatments. Overall, the results of this experiment showed that, Hayola 4815 is recommended to improve sustainable rapeseed production when we use drain water from sugarcane fields.

Climate change is a very serious threat to crops production in all regions around the world. Heat stress is a consequence of climate change that affects biochemical, physiological and molecular processes of crop plants, causing alterations in crop growth, development, and productivity. Terminal heat stress is the most widespread and type of heat stress in the world that limits crop productivity and ultimately food security. Sunflower is moderately tolerant to heat stress. It can tolerate higher temperatures without suffering from heat stress. However, sunflower is more susceptible to heat stress from early flowering to grain filling. Hence, it may be severely damaged when exposed to terminal heat stress. Biochemical and physiological responses in crop plants are modified under heat stress. It has been shown that tolerance to heat stress in crop plants is associated with an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities. The physiological and biochemical responses to heat stress vary among crop plant species and genotypes which can be used for development of cultivars with high temperature tolerance in crop plants.

This experiment was carried out in 2017-2018 growing season in Ahvaz, Iran, using as split-plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots consisted of three sowing date including; 11th November, 11th December and 11th Janauary, and five sunflower cultivars including; Qasem, Fantasia, Shams, Lakomka and Progress were randomized in sublpots. Sowing on 11th November was considered as normal sowing date, and sowing on 11th December and 11th January were delayed and late sowing dates, respectively. In the two latter sowing dates, flowering and grain filling periods were exposed to moderate and severe terminal heat stress.

Terminal heat stress in delayed and late sowing dates caused significant reduction in carotenoid content (27% and 56%, respectively), seed yield (30% and 32%, respectively) and oil yield (18% and 28%, respectively), but increased catalase (63% and 55%, respectively), peroxidase (107% and 56%, respectively) and superoxide dismutase (43% and 67%, respectively) enzyme  activities, carbohydrate concentrations (18% and 30%, respectively) and malondialdehyde concentration (46% and 98%, respectively), when compared to normal sowing date. There was significant differences among sunflower cultivars for most of studied traits. Lakomka cultivar with the highest values of biochemical and physiological indices such as chlorophylle content, antioxidant enzyme activities and carbohydrates concentration and with the lowest malondialdehyde concentration had the highest seed yield (1579 kg.ha-1) and oil yield (608 kg.ha-1) under terminal heat stress.

Exposure to moderate and severe terminal heat stress differently influenced physiological and biochemical traits in sunflower cultivars. The severity of terminal heat stress played an important role in the cultivars responses. Progress cultivar had the lowest reduction in oil and seed yield under terminal heat stress, however, cv. Lakomka showed highest seed and oil yield in all three sowing dates. Therefore, it can be concluded that cv. Lakomka is suitable for being sown in normal, delayed and late sowing dates due to least variability in its seed yield.

The field experiment was to investigate the effects of crop residue management and chemical control of weeds on the depletion of nutrients by weeds and uptake of nutrients by wheat as influence of incorporation, burning and removal of residues and chemical control of weeds. This study was performed as split plots design with three replications. Treatments include management of crop residues viz: incorporated, burning and removing sesame residues; Weed control treatment viz 2,4-D+MCPA @ 1.5 lit ha-1(POE), Atlantis @ 1.5 lit ha-1(POE) and metribuzin @ 200 g ha-1(POE). The wheat cultivar was Mehregan. At the 30 DAS, the dry weight of weeds in terms of burning and removal of residue was 12.4 and 12.1 g m-2, respectively, which is much higher than the average dry weight of weeds in terms of incorporated residue. The highest amount of nitrogen depleted by weeds was related to unweeded and Atlantis under burning. The highest amount of nitrogen uptake in the grain with an average of 87.46 kg ha-1 was related to metribuzin in terms of incorporated residues, which had a statistically significant over other levels of treatments. In general, the results showed that in terms of dry weight of weeds and the amount of nutrients depleted by different components of wheat and weeds, there is a statistically significant difference between the types of residues, that return residues in dry matter weight loss and increase the competitiveness of the wheat plant with weeds is due to the provision of better growth conditions for wheat.

Climate change and global warming which are the consequences of rising temperatures, can affect agriculture in various ways. Heat stress is a serious threat to crop production in the world. Higher mean temperatures generally result in increased heat stress. This abiotic stress can adversely affect crop productivity and quality and weaken global food security. With current increased average temperatures, the occurrence of heat stress could become more intense. Terminal heat stress is the most widespread heat stress, limiting crop yields. Terminal heat stress during the reproductive stages will have a negative influence on grain yield and oil quality traits of oil seed crops. Sunflower is an annual oilseed crop with adaptation to dry land or irrigated cropping systems. It is suited to both spring and summer planting in most regions and it will be exposed to major climate change and potentially impacted by high mean temperatures. Therefore, climate change and heat stress is a major production constraint for sunflower worldwide and it may be severely damaged when exposed to stresses above its tolerance threshold.

In order to study of agronomic and physiological traits of sunflower cultivars under terminal heat stress, a field experiment was carried out during 2017-2018 growing season in Ahvaz conditions in a split plot arrangement in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Main plots consisted of three sowing date including; 11th Nov, 11th Dec and 11th Jan, and sub plots consisted of five sunflower cultivars including; Qasem, Fantasia, Shams, Lakomka and Progress. Sowing date with desired temperature was considered as control, delayed and late sowing dates were considered as heat stress so that the flowering and grain filling periods of cultivars exposed to normal condition, moderate and severe terminal heat stress, respectively. Sunflower cultivars were evaluated under the optimum temperature (sown in the 11 November) and terminal heat stress condition (sown in 11 December and 11 January to expose the sunflower to higher temperatures than the optimum at the grain filling stage).

Terminal heat stress in delayed and late sowing date caused a decrease in biological yield, grain yield, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight, head weight, oil yield, chlorophyll index, relative water content, chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. There was a significant difference between cultivars in terms of all traits. Lakomka and Progress had the highest values of grain and oil yield under control conditions, respectively. Late sowing date was led to a significant reduction in grain yield of Qasem, Fantasia, Progress, Lakomka and Shams cultivars by 69, 38, 6, 31 and 14%, respectively, compared to control. It was equal to 2.2, 1.2, 0.2, 1.1 and 0.4% for each day of sowing delay, respectively.

Lakomka cultivar showed higher oil yield in all three sowing date compared to other cultivars. In delayed sowing date, Progress cultivar showed higher oil yield due to higher grain yield and oil percentage. Due to the reduction of grain and oil yield in delayed sowing date, the perspective of sunflower cultivation in Khuzestan is probably related to its potential adaptation to climate change.

Solar radiation affects crop growth and development. Dry matter production by crops has often a positive relationship with radiation absorption by canopy and radiation use efficiency. Therefore, to evaluate radiation use efficiency of rice cultivars, a field experiment was carried out as split-split-plot arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications in pilot plots in Qaleh-Tal district of Khuzestan province, Iran, in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 growing seasons. Three rice cultivars; Champa, Anbouri and Danial were assigned to main plots, three planting arrangement; 15 cm × 15 cm, 15 cm × 20 cm and 15 cm× 30 cm, were randomized in sub-plots and seedling age at three levels; 30, 40 and 50-day old seedlings, in sub-sub-plots . Results showed that highest grain yield (9466 kg.ha-1) was recorded for cv. Danial in the 15 cm× 15 cm planting arrangement of 30-day seedling age treatment. The highest leaf area index (5.8) was achieved for cv. Champa in 30-day seedling age treatment. The highest crop growth rate (33.3 g.m-2 .day-1) observed for cv. Danial in 15 cm × 15 cm planting arrangement and 30-day seedling age treatment. The highest (1.95) and lowest (1.22 g,MJ-1) radiation use efficiency (RUE) were obtaibed in 30 and 50-day old seedlings, respectively. The increase of seedling age from 30 to 50 days led to incraese of light extinction coefficient from 0.06 to 0.10. The results of this experiment showed that 30-day old seedling at 15 cm × 15 cm planting arrangement treatment is more suitable for improving grain yield of rice cultivars in the target areas considering the low light extinction coefficient and high radiation use efficiency.

Recently discovered properties of Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) from Brassicaceae family, including low-inputs requirement, fast growth, essentials oil content with medicinal uses, significant content of linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, have been paied tremendous attention by both agronomic and industrial sectors. To achieve the highest possible level of the above-mentioned properties, it is necessary to find the superior lines. For this purpose, the morphological and biochemical characteristics of 26 double haploid lines were compared in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the 2018 cropping year at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The results of variance analysis showed that all measured characteristics were significantly different at 1% of probability level. The mean comparison results indicated that DH39 line had the highest height and average grain weight per plant and the highest plant dry weight, oil percentage and saturated fatty acids were observed in DH44 line. DH14 and DH46 lines had maximum total protein and unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. GC- mass analysis showed that DH22, DH39  and DH12 lines had the highest omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids, respectively. Cluster analysis categorized the lines into 3 groups. Based on all results, a group containing DH07, DH14, DH21, DH32, DH39, DH41, DH44 and DH46 lines was chosen for further investigation.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is one of the most important legumes in the world. This nitrogen-stabilizing plant has rapid growth and a short growth period, leading to improved soil fertility. Mung bean is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia due to its high adaptation range. Plants are obligate aerobic organisms and thus depend on O2 to grow and compete successfully with neighbouring plants in natural environments. Waterlogging stress is one of the most important factors limiting the planting of mungbean under Ahvaz conditions.

In order to study the effects of waterlogging stress on some agronomic and physiological characteristics of two Mung bean cultivars, a pot experiment was conducted as split-plot factorial in a completely randomized block design with three replications in the field. The main plots were different growth stages consisted of: vegetative growth stage, the beginning of flowering, grain filling stage, and three growth stages. The combination of stress levels (control and waterlogging stress) and two Mung bean cultivars (Hindi and Omrani) were as sub plots.

Waterlogging was caused to decrease significantly dry matter and grain yield in both cultivars at each growth stages, In Hindi cultivar, the highest grain yield reduction was observed at flowering stage and the least difference was observed in waterlogging stress at all three growth stages. In Omrani cultivar, the highest grain yield reduction was observed in waterlogging stress at all three growth stages, and the least grain yield decrease at flowering stage Overall, the reductions in dry weight and grain yield were higher in Omrani than Hindi cultivar at three growth stages. Therefore, in stress-prone areas such as Ahvaz where summer plants such as Mung bean are exposed to waterlogging stress at different growth stages, Hindi cultivar is suggested for cultivation. Waterlogging stress did not show a significant effect on grain weight and grain number per pod, but significantly reduced the number of pods per plant. The number of pods per plant was significantly more important in determining yield and had a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.846 **) with grain yield.

The reason of difference between two cultivars was the better physiological compatibility of Hindi cultivar under stress conditions, including higher levels of photosynthesis and photosynthetic pigments contents. When plants were treated only with water logging stress in one growth stage, the Omrani cultivar could compensate some damages due to its infinite growth and phenological flexibility, as the period of pod formation was longer in this cultivar. SPAD number had the highest correlation with grain yield (r = 0.707 **) compared to other photosynthesis-related traits and could be used as a marker trait for selection of tolerant cultivars because of its ease, speed, cheapness and the possibility to measure this trait in the field.

The competition of weeds with crop plants in agricultural ecosystems is one of the most important biological stresses, which causes a high decrease in yield, so their control can have a great effect on increasing crop production. A high population of weeds, especially in the early stages of wheat growth, which have a strong competition for nutrition resources, can reduce the tillering of wheat. The research conducted in the field of plant residue management and chemical control of weeds shows that each of the residue management methods affects the soil and the quantitative and qualitative yield of the next crops. Therefore, considering the direct effect of plant residue management and chemical control of weeds on grain yield of crop plants, especially in double cropping system, this research was conducted to investigate the effect of sesame residue management and chemical control of weeds on weeds population, and wheat yield and yield components.

To investigate the effect of sesame residues and weed control on wheat yield and weed population, a research was conducted in split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran, in the crop year 2019-2019. Residue management at three levels (returning or mixing plant residues with soil, burning residue and removing all residues from the soil) were considered as the main plots and weed control at four levels (chemical control with Metribozin, Atlantis and 2,4-D+MCPA herbicides as post-emergence, and without weeds control as check) as sub-plots, and the studied wheat variety was Mehregan. The traits studied in this research included the number and type of weed species and wheat grain yield and yield components.

The results of this research on the number of weeds showed that the highest number of narrow- and broad-leaved weeds was related to the removing plant residues and without weed control treatment. Regarding the wheat yield components, the observations of this experiment showed that the highest number of grains per spike with an average of 49.1 was related to the returning plant residues with the use of Metribuzin (48.7) and Atlantis (49.2) herbicides. The highest wheat grain yield with an average of 4.15 and 4.89 tons/ha was obtained from the treatments of returning plant residues and controlling weeds with Metribuzin herbicide, respectively, and the lowest grain yield (1.85 ton/ha) was recorded for no weed control. The results of this experiment showed that the weeds were effectively controlled by the post emergence application of Atlantis and Metribuzin, respectively.

The results of this experiment showed the effectiveness of weed biomass and wheat grain yield in the incorporated sesame residues and weed control treatments. Decrease in the weed population due to the use of chemical herbicides and plant residue management can be attributed to the difference in the biomass of the wheat and weeds in the experimental treatments. Incorporating the plant residues with the soil increased wheat yield components, especially the number of grains per spike, and increased the grain yield and wheat harvest index.

Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] oilseed is a low-input crop that grows and yields well in semiarid regions with low-fertility or saline soils in comparison with other crops. Camelina seeds contain 30–40 percent oil. Camelina is an annual plant from the Brassicaceae family that has short and fast growth. Camelina is well adapted to cool temperate and semi-arid climates, it is more tolerant of drought and spring freezing than rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Also, Resistance to some diseases and pests of other members of Brassicaceae plants is another important features of this plant. Research-based information is lacking to provide basic agronomic recommendations for Camelina. In general, yield and yield components of Camelina seeds depends on nitrogen fertilization, planting time and climatic conditions. Camelina responds differently to fertilizer management and planting date in different climatic and soil conditions. Selection of crop managements such as planting date and fertilization can increase the quantitative and the qualitative yield of this plant.

In order to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on agronomic characteristics in Camelina under different planting dates, a study was conducted in split-plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the research field of Agricultural College, the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, located in the southwest of Ahvaz and the western bank of the Karun River with 31°19׳ʹ N; 48° 41׳ʹ an altitude of 22 meters above sea level during 2018-19 growth season. Experimental factors included planting date in three times (November 6, December 6 and January 5) as the main plots and nitrogen fertilizer at four levels (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg.ha-1) as the subplots. The plant material (seed) of this research was Camelina sativa cultivar Soheil which was prepared from the Biston Shafa Knowledge Foundation Company. Half of the nitrogen fertilizer was spread with phosphorus and potassium in the surface of each experimental unit and mixed with soil before planting. The other half of nitrogen fertilizer used in three sections during three stages of plant phenology included True four leaves, beginning of stem elongation and beginning of silicle emergence.

Analysis of variance of traits showed a significant difference between nitrogen levels at each level of planting date in terms of all traits studied, including grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, plant height, percentage and oil yield, etc. Generally, based on the results of the analysis of variance, in all three planting dates. The highest grain yield (2653.8 kg.ha-1) was obtained from the first planting date and 46 kgN.ha-1 treatment and the highest harvest index in second planting date and 46 kg nitrogen treatment was measured. The highest oil yield (737.9 kg.ha-1) belonged to the first planting date and the level of 23 kgN.ha-1. However, the highest protein percentages (28.53) was obtained in the second planting date and 69 kg nitrogen treatment. Regarding to the other traits, it was observed that the optimal use of nitrogen fertilizer led to the improvement of the studied traits such as the number of sub-branches, silicle per plant, seed per silicle and 1000-grain weight, but delay in planting date caused the mean of these traits decreased significantly.

In general, the results of this study showed a significant response of Camelina to the amount of nitrogen used and planting date, so that in early planting (November 6) was obtained the highest grain yield, yield components, biological yield, oil yield and protein percentage. But in late planting, especially the third planting date, all the studied traits were reduced due to the collision of the plant reproductive stage with the high temperature at the end of Khuzestan growth season and the reduction of the plant growth cycle. Under three planting dates, nitrogen fertilizer application up to 46 kgN.ha-1 increased grain yield, oil yield and some yield components. Based on the results of this experiment, in order to obtain maximum grain and oil yield of Camelina, it is important to consider planting date and optimum nitrogen use.

Camelina is an annual oilseed plant of the Brassicaceae. Resistance to some diseases and pests of other members of Brassicaceae plants is one of the important features of Camelina. In the experimental sowing of this plant in Ahvaz in the cropping year 2018-2019, while the seeds were still immature, silicles shattering was observed in some camelina plants in experimental plots. After careful observation, it was discovered that some ants were cutting off the plant silicles and transferring them to their nests. Damages by these ants to Camelina plants were not limited to availibility of plants on the farm. These damages were also observed at the time of harvesting and counting of yield components. The ant was identified as Messor ebeninus Santschi, 1927 (Myrmicinae: Formicidae). This species has previously been reported from northern and southwestern of Iran. Collected specimens are preserved in the insects and mites collection, at the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. This is the first report of insects damage to Camelina in Iran.

Water deficit in soil and atmosphere are the most important limiting factor for photosynthesis and plants growth especially rice and negative effect are created on photosynthesis through absorption carbon decrees that is caused stomatal and metabolic constraints. Since the capacity for photo protection is limited, drought can lead to damaged and loss of active PSII reaction centers. Therefore, non-destructive measurements of photosynthesis by chlorophyll a fluorometry may potentially provide to plant viability and performance in response to drought. Rice sensitive to drought increase when drought happen during the vegetative and flowering period. plants response to drought stress by identification of character that an important role in drought tolerance can be assessment in levels of morphological, cellular, biochemical and molecular. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the rice genotypes by measuring the traits associated with photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence components in order to select appropriate criteria for screening and drought stress tolerant genotypes

This experiment was conducted completely randomized design in two condition of well watered and drought stress during seedling stage in rice genotypes with 56 different provinces of Iran and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Iran Rice Research Institute (Amol) in 2014. After seeding, irrigation was carried out on a daily basis up to two to three leaf seedling stage. After 15 days, in Customary irrigated conditions, irrigation continued to end of the growth period and was completely cut off under irrigation stress. After soil moisture reached 20% (about 10 days after irrigation stop), the traits of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids and chlorophyll fluorescence components such as Fv / Fm, ΦPSII, q N, ETR and PAR was measured on the basis of scientific methods

The results showed that the amount of chlorophyll a and b, respectively, 2.3 and 21.4 percent increase and carotenoids content, 3.8 percent decline in drought stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters except Fv: Fm showed significant differences in the two environments. ΦPSII, qN, ETR and PAR parameters, respectively, the value of 7.3, 13, 35.5 and 28.8 percent were reduced in stress to normal condition. Correlation results showed that chlorophyll a with b and carotenoids with chlorophyll a and b had significant positive correlation. Correlation between ΦPSII with Fv:Fm and qN to correlation coefficient 0.29 and - 0.91 was significant, respectively, .

The results showed that under drought stress can be using chlorophyll pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, especially ΦPSII and ETR as evaluation criteria for the selection and screening of tolerant rice genotypes utilized

Management of agricultural operations in sugarcane fields should be informed by the accurate knowledge of sugarcane growth stages and phenology and is to be reviewed based on variety differences. Given the importance of emergence stage on the establishment of seedling and final quality and quantity of sugarcane yield and given the absence of respective information, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of different planting dates on the phenological characteristics of the seedling stage of sugarcane cultivars in the south of Khuzestan Province during 2016-17 and 2017-18.

The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with three replications. In terms of growth period length, Very premature, Premature, and Semi mature cultivars included CP73-21, CP57-614 and CP69-1062. Planting dates were Aug. 11th, Aug. 23rd, Sep. 1st and Sep 11th. Planting operation was conducted manually and with 1/3 overlap of grafts. In order to prevent the negative effects brought about by the dispersion and non-uniformity of the experimental field and the special conditions of sugarcane cultivation, each cultivar was cultivated in a separate field and after sampling and the study of different traits, the statistical analysis of each cultivar was performed separately.

The results showed that sugarcane seedling was not affected by annual conditions and the interaction effect of annual conditions and planting dates. The significant differences of planting dates were observed at the beginning of emergence, its completion and rate of emergence and the number of leaves produced and their area. The fastest rate of the beginning and the completion of emergence was obtained in CP73-21, and on different planting dates, it was more permanent than other cultivars studied, while CP69-1062 had the slowest and more behavioral diversity of emergence on different planting dates. The cultivar CP73-21 did not produce good results in terms of leaf area, but the CP69-1062 cultivar was able to produce the highest level of leaf area due to the extra number of leaves and the mean value of a single leaf area. In addition, the best results were obtained in all characteristics in August, followed by September.

Based on the results, in order to achieve the best emergence of sugarcane buds, it is necessary to complete the cultivation of most of the fields within the first twenty days of the beginning of the planting season and priority should be given to cultivar CP69-1062 and then cultivars CP57-614 and CP73-21. Due to the differences between sugarcane cultivars, utilizing seedling stage growth data can lead to more scientific management of the crops in terms of the characteristics of each cultivar, which eventually leads to desirable yields.

Abstract   Background and Objectives This study aimed at determining growth indices and temperature requirements at different stages of plant growth in order to optimize the ecology of plants to increase yield due to the availability of appropriate access to many agro technological issues, including appropriate planting dates, timely irrigation, appropriate time of harvesting, proper time to control the pests and diseases, the selection the appropriate cultivars, and achieving the highest yield of crops. The study also aimed at determining the growth indices and the growth rate of oat based on the BBCH scale.   Materials and Methods This experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during 2013-2014 growing season. Five oat genotypes (V1, V2, V3, V4, and V5) were grown under three different planting densities (including 300, 400, and 500 plants.m-2) using factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Growing Degree Days (GDD) of the different growing stages, according to the BBCH scale, and the daily temperature were calculated. Several physiological traits such as CGR, relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), SPAD value and total dry matter yield were evaluated.   Results The treatments had different effects on growth indices and physiological traits such as plant growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilasion rate (NAR), leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll meter number, and dry matter yield. The results of the mean comparison showed that V2 had the highest level of NAR, RGR, CGR and TDW among oat genotypes, with an average of 1.40 g.m-2.day-1, 0.0015 g. g-1.da, 6.34 g.m-2.day and 39.87 g.m-2.day respectively, at a density of 300 plants / m2. In contrast, V1 had the lowest total dry matter yield with an average of 22.95 g.m-2 day. Among the genotypes, V2 had the lowest growth period with a density of 300 plants.m-2 with an average of 162 days of planting and 1899 days of growth (GDD in degrees C) and V4 had the highest growth period among the studied genotypes at a density of 500 plants.m-2 with the average of 175 days of sowing and 2178 days of growth. Discussion Reducing CGR at high densities can result in reduced photosynthetic energy in the growth of organs, or increased respiration or poor nutritional transmission of the growth of leaves from the root (Moradpour et al. 2013). Because of the decreasing RGR trend and the increasing density, dry matter accumulation was mainly attributed to undifferentiated tissues, as well as the shading of leaves on each other. Moreover, the increase in the age of the leaves can be considered effective in this decrease. Reductions in NAR during the increase in density can be attributed to the rapid addition of assimilates to seeds and the aging of the leaves. Considering the results of this research, it is suggested that using a GDD scale can lead to better at the growing season by estimating the time table as well as the time of phenological stages of oat in order to manage agricultural production, and therefore to determine the necessary conditions for plant growth.

Effect of different light spectral quality; red (R), blue (B), red- blue (RB), white (W) from diodes and fluorescent lamps- tungsten (FT) on growth and development of transplants of four tomato cultivars; Ameera, Valouro, Karoon and Pamela, was studied. The experiment was carried out as factorial arrangements in completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that most of the studied characteristics of transplants were affected by cultivar × light quality interaction. The tallest transplant height (16.63 cm) was observed in cv. Pamela under R, and the shortest (6.09 cm) in cv. Valouro under RB. The highest stem diameter (3.97 mm) belonged to cv. Karoon under RB, and the lowest stem diameter (2.02 mm) was measured in cv. Valauro under FT. The greatest leaf dry weight (0.27 g) was observed in cv. Karoon under RB, and the lowest (0.22 g) in cv. Valouro under R. The highest root dry weight (0.102 g) belonged to cv. Pamela under RB, and the least (0.02 g) in cv. Valouro under FT. In conclusion, blue (B) and Red- Blue (RB) lights can be used for producing tomato transplant.

In order to investigate the effects of drought stress and silica spraying on some physiological characteristics of canola, an experiment was conducted in the research farm of Behbahan University in 2016-2017. In the present study, the effect of concentrations of 0 (S0) and 30 (S1) mM potassium silicate under normal irrigation conditions (irrigation after %25 of available water discharges) and drought stress conditions (irrigation after %75 of available water discharges) on four canola cultivars including Hayola 401, Agamax, Jacamo and Jerry was performed in flowering period in split plot design based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Based on the results, photosynthetic index, photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll index, transpiration rate, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b significantly decreased under drought stress conditions. According to the mean comparison table for silica spray application, the difference in chlorophyll index, transpiration rate, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b was significant compared to non-spray application. The amount of chlorophyll index in drought stress increased compared to normal irrigation conditions due to lower leaf area in drought stress conditions. According to the results, because the Hyola 401 and Agamix cultivars had better conditions for physiological traits compared to the Jacamau and Jerry cultivars, it is suggested that they should be used in areas of the country where faced with water stresses.

Identify the indices of leaf growth and development and study of phyllochron in commercial cultivars of sugarcane with the aim of better management of agricultural practices is very important. A field experiment was conducted in Amir Kabir Agroindustry in the south of Khuzestan, Iran in 2015-16 in randomized complete block design with three replications. The sugarcane cultivars included; CP69-1062, CP57-614 and CP73-21. Results showed that phyllochron was influenced by the characteristics of the cultivars and the leaf emergence rate in the CP57-614 cultivar was maximum and CP69-1062 and CP73-21 cultivars were in the next rank, respectively. CP73-21, although had more growth and developmental stability, but was not equal in number and leaf area with other cultivars. Significant correlation observed between leaf area and active leaf number in sugarcane cultivars, but CP69-1062 had higher correlation coefficient than others. With temperature drop in autumn and winter, the growth and development of the leaves decreased and the highest sensitivity was observed in the CP57-614 cultivar. CP69-1062 produced the highest stem yield but in terms of quality characteristics, CP73-21 and CP57-614 cultivars were superior. Considering the differences in sugarcane cultivars, the use of information obtained from the growth stages and leaf development of sugarcane cultivars may lead to accurate management of field based on the characteristics of each cultivar and increase the productive use of inputs to produce optimal yield.

Microcerotermes diversus is an important pest of wooden and cellulosic products in diverse landscapes across Iran, including Khuzestan province. Borate toxicants (including borax) as environmentally sound pesticides affect insects by disrupting their physiology and metabolism. In this study, we measured activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation as biomarkers to determine the level of added oxidative stress in M. diversus caused by exposure to borax differentconcentrations. Then we measured the effects of four concentrations of borax, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4%, on oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) as a product of lipid peroxidation, and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbat peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POX) on worker caste of termites. Each of trials was carried out in four replicates. Results showed that with increasing of borax concentration, the concentration of MDA significantly increased and GR and APX significantly decreased. The highest and lowest SOD activity compared with the control treatment occurred with the 2% and 3% borax treatments, respectively. The highest and lowest amount of CAT activity occurred in the 3% and 4%, and POX activity 4% and 3% borax treatments, respectively. Results showed that of the treatments termites’ with different concentrations of borax affected the stress biomarker including malondialdehyde, POX, CAT, GR, APX and SOD antioxidant enzyme levels. Therefore, antioxidant enzymes and MDA can be used as biomarkers to determine the effects of insecticides in the termite body.

Drought is dangerous to the successful production of agricultural products around the world. When drought occurs a combination of physical and environmental factors causes internal stress in plants and reduces production. Photosystem II plays an important role in higher plants to response the environmental factors. In recent years chlorophyll fluorescence techniques in ecophysiology have been considered as a rapid, sensitive and non-destructive method. Dry matter reduction can be due to cell swelling and pressure reduction because of reduced leaf area and photosynthetic pigments, especially chlorophyll. RWC is the best criteria of plant water status measurement. When plants affects by drought, salinity, low temperatures and other factors that reduce water potential of the cell sap they should increase their organic solute concentration to continue water absorption under stress conditions (osmotic adjustment). The aim of this study was investigating drought stress effects on photosynthesis and dry matter yield of two forage millet cultivars including Nutrifeed and Pishahang along with a discussion of some physiological characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence change.
This experiment was carried out as factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Shahid Chamran University in 2010-2011. First factor was two forage millet cultivars including Nutrifeed and Pishahang. The second factor was three water stress levels as mild, moderate and severe drought including providing 100, 75, 50 and 25% water requirement. The amount of water in each treatment based on the 50, 100, 150, and 200 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan that located in meteorology synoptic station in the vicinity of the research farm was calculated. The crop coefficient (Kc) was determined based on evapotranspiration and soil water depletion treatments and then set the curve traced FC and soil moisture, the amount of water requirement was calculated and finally the volume of irrigation water for treatments was provided. Traits including stomatal conductance, relative concentration of chlorophyll SPAD-502 osmotic potential, relative permeability of the membrane, proline, relative water content and chlorophyll fluorescence of the last developed leaf (leaf ligule was observed) in two conditions light adapted and dark adapted leaves were measured.
Results showed that the effect of stress levels on all traits was significant. The highest and lowest yield of dry matter were observed in the control treatment of Nutrifeed cultivar and 25% water requirement supply of Pishahang cultivar, respectively. Proline and relative permeability of the membrane over drought stress was more than the control in both cultivars and proline increased with increasing drought levels. The highest and lowest relative permeability of the membrane were observed in the Pishahang cultivar at 25% moisture supply and the control treatment of Nutrifeed cultivar, respectively. As increasing the stress intensity, relative water content, dry matter yield, osmotic potential, stomatal conductance, Fv/Fm, and qP, decreased. Dry matter had significant positive correlation with stomatal conductance, relative water content, SPAD value, Quantum yield of PSII, and Fv/Fm. It should be noted that Nutrifeed cultivar compared to the Pishahang cultivar under both normal and stress conditions had better water use efficiency. So it seems that Nutrifeed cultivar could be used as a suitable forage under water deficit conditions.
It seems that Nutrifeed cultivar is a suitable fodder crop for livestock feed production in the areas with water restrictions.

Microcerotermes diversus Silvesteri is the most destructive termite pest among subterranean termites in tropical and subtropical regions, including Khuzestan province. In this research, effect subletral concentrations of fenoxycarb (500, 2500 and 5000 ppm) were studied on protein, lipid and carbohydrates contents in termite workers under laboratory conditions. The protein, lipid, sugar and glycogen were determined in milligram per gram of fresh weight. The concentration of 500 ppm had the greatest effect on energy sources with decreases in the amount of protein by 45.51%, lipid 63.34%, and energy content 59.93% compared to the controls. Also amount of sugar 37.20% and glycogen 17.04 % increases compared to the controls. Reduction in the energy content due to fenoxycarb effect can reduce survivorship in the termite.

IntroductionCrop residues are those parts of the plants that left in the field after the harvestable parts of crops (grain, tubers, roots, etc.) are removed. The recycling of crop residues has the advantage of converting the surplus farm waste into useful products for meeting nutrient requirements of crops. It also maintains the soil physical and chemical condition and improves the overall ecological balance of the crop production system. Research has shown that the return of crop residues on fragile soils improved the tilt and fertility of soil, enhance crop productivity, reduce the wind and water erosion and prevent nutrients losses by run off and leaching. Despite these advantages, farmers in Iran prefer to remove crop residues out of field to feed livestock or use them as fuel or as building construction materials and burning. Nitrogen is one of the basic compounds in plant nutrition and its deficit directly one of important growth limiting factors in plants because the need of plants to this element is much more than the other one. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the wheat residue management and nitrogen fertilizer levels to improve mungbean growth and productivity under Ahwaz conditions.
Materials & MethodsThe experiment was conducted at Agriculture Faculty Farm, of Chamran University during summer of 2014. The soil texture of the experimental site is clay loam with pH of 7.9 and EC of 2.8 ds.m-1. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design using split plot arrangement with three replications. Five crop residues (0, 1750, 3500, 5250 and 7000 kg.ha-1) were assigned to the main plots. While three levels of nitrogen (0, 150, 250 kg.ha-1) were applied to the sub plots. The experimental unit area was 10.5 m2 (4.2 × 2.5 m). At harvest, random samples of ten plants for each experimental unit were taken and plant height number of branches, pod per plant, seed per pod, 1000 grain weight, were recorded. Whole plot was harvested for determination of seed, straw and biological yield and harvest index. All collected data were subjected to analysis of variance procedure using the MCTATC statistical software and means were separated using Duncan method at 5% level of significance.
Results & DiscussionThe results of experiment revealed that crop residue management and interaction wheat residue and nitrogen levels had a significant effect on number of pod plant-1, number of seed pod-1 traits. Wheat residue incorporation enhanced those traits in comparison with control (No crop residue incorporation) in this respect application of 3500 kg/ha straw (50% wheat residue) produced 50.77 pod per plant and 9.75 seed per pod respectively. It is plausible that wheat residue gave the highest number of branches, consequently increased the number of plant. Application of N fertilizer significantly enhanced all yield component in this study compared with control. The highest values of number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod and 1000 kernel weight, plant height traits were obtained when N application was used at the rate of 250 kg ha-1. There was no significant difference between the mean values obtained from applying 150 or 250 kg ha-1 for number branch/plant and 1000 seed weight. The results are in agreement with that obtained by Achakzai et al., (2010) and Azadi et al., (2013). Data revealed that wheat straw rates, N fertilizer levels and their interaction had significant effect on seed yield and biological yield and harvest index. Application of wheat straw enhanced this trait in comparison with control (no crop residue) and the superiority in this respect to (3500 and 5250 kg.ha-1 wheat straw) which gave the highest values of 2611 and 6983 for seed yield and biological yield respectively. The highest values of seed yield and biological yield were obtained when N fertilizer application was used at the rate of 250 kg.ha-1, furthermore, the interaction between crop residue and N fertilizer rates had significant effect on seed yield and biological yield. The highest seed yield and biological yield were obtained from combination treatment with 50% wheat straw incorporation and 250 kg/ha with no significant differences between this interaction and obtained seed yield and biological yield from 75% wheat straw and 250 kg N.ha-1. This is to be logic since the same interaction gained the highest values of yield components and consequently seed yield. It might be due to the addition of crop residue and additional fertilization which might have improved the soil health and consequently higher uptake of available nutrients from the soil and increased the yield components, morphological and physiological characteristics which ultimately attributed to increase grain yield. Crop residue on decomposition released nutrients slowly throughout the growth period, which resulted in better plant growth and higher yields. Also biological nitrogen fixation by legumes increased by crop residue application on soil surface due to better activity of rhizobia created by relatively cooler and moist environment in the rhizosphere led to high crop growth, increased NPK uptake, and resulted into significant increase in mungbean yield.
ConclusionThe results of this experiment showed that application of 3500 kg wheat residue ha-1 and 250 kg N.ha-1 enhanced crop growth and produced the highest seed yield.

In order to study of yield and some forage quality traits of mixcropping on rows of oat and vetch, an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block designed with seven treatments and three replications at the research farm of Agriculture faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 2014-2015 growing season. Treatments were included different sowing ratios of 100: 0, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70 and 0: 100, respectively, oat and vetch. mixcropping was performed as a replacement method. The evaluated characteristics were included wet and dry forage yield, crude protein yield, percent crude protein, crude fiber, ash, percent soluble carbohydrates, oat and plant height, tiller numbers. The highest forage yield (105.26 t ha-1), dry (29.47 t ha-1) and protein yield(2.27 t ha-1) were obtained from 60 percent of oat and 40 percent vetch sowing ratio. The higher percent of crude protein(17.49 percent) and the most percent of ash (7.37 percent) and the lowest percent of crude fiber was obtained in monoculture of vetch. The highest amount of soluble carbohydrates(12.66 percent) was obtained in 30 percent of oat and 70 percent vetch. The highest land equivalent ratio for wet (1.26) and dry(1.60) forage yield and protein yield(1.50) was obtained, respectively, 50percent and 50percent of oat and vetch and 60percent oat 40percent vetch. According to the results in this experiment it seems that oat and vetch mixcropping on row in terms of forage quality and quantity, can recommend as an appropriate manner compared to monocultures of the studied species.

Integrated nutrient management involving crop residue/green manures and chemical fertilizer is potential alternative to provide a balanced supply of nutrients, enhance soil quality and thereby sustain higher productivity. The present experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different crop residue management practices and NPK levels on yield components and yield of wheat.
Field experiments were conducted during 2012-2014 at department of agronomy, Chamran University. Experiment was laid out in a randomized block designs in split plot arrangement. With three replications. Crop residues were assigned to main plot consistent CR1: wheat residue; CR2: rape residue; CR3: barley residue; CR4: barley residue vetch; CR5: wheat straw mungbean; CR6: vetch residue; CR7: mungbean residue; CR8: No residue incorporation as main plot and three NPK fertilizer rates: F1: (180N-120P-100K kg.ha-1); F2: (140N-90P-80K kg.ha-1); F3: (90N-60P-40K kg.ha-1) as sub plots. Twelve hills were collected at physiological maturity for measuring yield components from surrounding area of grain yield harvest area. Yield components, viz. number of spike per m2, seed per spike, 1000- grain weight, plant height were measured. Grain and straw yields were recorded from the central 5 m2 grain yield harvest area of each treatment and harvest index was calculated. Data were subjected to analysis by SAS and mean companions were performed using the Duncan multiple range test producer. Also, graphs were drawn in Excel software.
The result of analysis variance showed significant difference between crop residues for evaluated traits. The result indicated that the highest biological and grain yield was obtained when wheat treated with CR5: wheat straw mungbean (green manure) and CR4: barley straw vetch (green manure). Biological and grain yield increased 31 and 26% respectively by CR5 comparing with control. The highest grain and biological yield resulted from the treated plants with F1 there was no difference among F2 and F1 fertilizer rate for grain yield of wheat. Also cereal straw legume (GM) in CR4 and CR5 treatments in F2 performed better than F1 fertilizer in no residue treatment and Wheat grain yield under F2 × CR5 treatments was 25% greater than under F1 × CR8 treatments. The combined use of NPK fertilizer plays an important role in wheat production. Application of NPK in balanced share at proper time has great impact on wheat yield. In order to achieve higher crop production, balanced and integrated nutrient supply and proper management of soil fertility is essential. Application of crop residues/green manures along with suitable does of major nutrients for efficient growth of crop prevent the decline in organic carbon and also bridge up gap between potential and actual yield of wheat. Further, use of crop residue had favorable effect on physic chemical and biological properties of soil due to supply of macro and micro-nutrients to crop properly. Furthermore the decomposition and mineralization of crop residue is a slow process which could match the nutrient requirement of crop. The protein percentage, which is higher in CR5 and CR4 ,shows in whole crop residue treatments, the lowest valuable in F3 and improves with the increase in fertilization researching the highest value with the rate F1. No significant difference was observed between the rate F2 and F3; this would suggest a lower efficiency of the latter, at least for protein accumulation.
Increased wheat yield and component yield due to different crop residue incorporation and NPK rate were reported by Verhulst et al. (2011) and Aulakh et al. (2012).
Application of (140N- 90P- 80K) kg.ha-1 and straw wheat along with mungbean and application straw barley green manure was more effective than (180N- 120P- 100K kg.ha-1) application in no residue incorporation on grain yield and based on this research findings, the use of good quality crop residue, can achieve high yield while saving in NPK fertilizer usage. The reaction yield is less affected by chemical input.