مقالات رزومه دکتر اصغر رحیمی

In order to investigate the effects of different Pseudomonas bacterial strains, including fluorescens, Chloraphis and Putida strains, on the morpho-physiological characteristics and performance of Sante variety potato under drought stress in the Jiroft region, an experimental study was conducted in the form of a split-plot design with a randomized complete block design with three replications for two years, 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. The main factor of the experiment consisted of three levels of drought stress (40, 65, and 90 mm of evaporation from the evaporation class A pan), while the sub-factor included four levels of Pseudomonas bacterial strains (control, strain T12 (Pseudomonas fluorescens RO7), strain T13 (Pseudomonas putida RO3) and strain T17 (Pseudomonas chlororaphis RO1). The results showed that the applied drought stress treatments had no effect on the chlorophyll a content. The use of Pseudomonas bacteria strains increased the content of chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll (a+b). The carotenoid content of leaves at 90 evaporation from the Class A pan with the application of bacteria strain T17 showed the lowest amount compared to the treatment without bacteria and strains T12 and T13. Application of bacteria strain T13 showed the highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity at different drought stress levels. There was no significant difference in peroxidase enzyme activity between different Pseudomonas bacterial strains and the treatment without bacterial application at various drought stress levels. The highest catalase enzyme activity in the leaves was observed in the application of Pseudomonas bacterial strains T12 and T17. The application of Pseudomonas bacterial strains led to a significant increase in shoot dry weight, tuber dry weight, and total tuber weight in potato plants compared to the treatment without bacterial application at all drought stress levels.

Salinity can prevent the uptake of soil mineral ions due to the negative effect of sodium ions and disturbance of ion balance, but the use of Trichoderma biocompounds improves growth under salinity stress. To investigate the effect of four salinity-resistant Trichoderma strains on growth traits and mineral element uptake of eggplant seedlings under stress conditions, an experiment has been performed in a completely randomized factorial design with three replications in the greenhouse of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan during 2016-2017. The first factor is salinity in four levels including the control and concentrations of 8, 12, and 16 dS/m and the second factor is Trichoderma as T. aureoviride (T148-2, T189-4) and T. virens (T145, T133-1) as well as the control. The results show that under the influence of salinity, a significant decrease in growth traits takes place. At the highest salinity level, the average dry weight of roots and shoots is 50% and 72%, respectively. For stem diameter and seedling height, a 20% decrease is observed compared to the control. However, inoculation with Trichoderma improves these traits, resulting in a 1.6-fold increase in root dry weight (T142-8), a 2.7-fold increase in shoot dry weight (T133-1), and a 1.3-fold increase in seedling height (T189-4) in comparison to the control. The highest diameter increase could be observed in T142-8 strain by 38%. Using Trichoderma leads to significant changes in sugar, sodium, potassium, and calcium content. The results of this study show that Trichoderma can be a suitable biological agent to increase tolerance at high levels of salinity stress and improve the growth traits of eggplant seedlings.

Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which injures plants by limited water absorption and nutrient imbalance and limits crop growth. In order to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on physiological traits of quinoa at high salt concentrations, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete block with three replications in 2019. The first factor included 5 levels of salinity (100 (control), 200, 300, 400, 500 mM) and the second factor comprised of 4 levels of nitrogen fertilizer (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm). Traits that were measured included quantum yield, photosynthetic efficiency index, shoot dry weight, proline content, soluble sugar content, malondialdehyde content, catalase and peroxidase activity, shoot potassium and sodium content. Results showed that quantum yield, proline content and soluble carbohydrate were affected by salinity and nitrogen concentration. With increasing salinity levels from 100 to 500 mM, quantum yield, proline and soluble carbohydrate content increased, but with increasing nitrogen levels from 50 ppm to 200 ppm soluble carbohydrate and proline content decreased and increased, respectively. Shoot dry weight, malondialdehyde content, catalase and peroxidase activity, shoot sodium and potassium content were affected by the interaction of salinity and nitrogen levels. Results showed that at high levels of salinity and increasing nitrogen levels to 150 and 200 ppm, shoot dry weight and shoot potassium content decreased, also malondialdehyde, catalase, and peroxidase activity and shoot sodium content increased. According to these results, in low (100 and 200 mM) and medium (300 mM) salinity levels application of 200 ppm nitrogen and in high salinity (400 and 500 mM) levels application of 50 ppm nitrogen in nutrient solution of quinoa is reasonable.

To study the effects of different levels of iron and zinc chelates application and supplementary irrigation on the quantity and quality of Ferula assa-foetida L. asafetida, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Neyriz City (Fars province) in 2018. The experimental treatments included the supplementary irrigation (no irrigation (control), once, and twice irrigation) and zinc and iron chelates foliar application (no foliar application (control), Zn (two per thousand) foliar application, Fe (two per thousand) foliar application, and combined Fe (1.5 per thousand) and Zn (1.5 per thousand) foliar application). The studied traits included the number of leaves, leaf length, crown diameter, aerial parts dry weight, plant survival percentage, concentration of elements Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in the aerial parts, asafetida weight, and essential oil content. The results showed that the supplementary irrigation increased the number of leaves, aerial parts dry weight, and survival percentage of the plant. Twice supplementary irrigation resulted in the highest aerial parts Fe content. Also, the iron and zinc chelates foliar application increased the leaf length and survival percentage of the plant compared to the control. The highest aerial parts Fe content was obtained by iron chelate foliar application. Under both supplementary and control irrigation conditions, the zinc and iron chelates foliar application significantly increased the plant volume by 1.5 times, asafetida weight by 2 to 2.8 times, and essential oil content by 0.6 to 0.9%. In addition, under no supplementary irrigation conditions, the highest aerial parts Mn content of the plant was obtained by zinc chelate foliar application as well as combined iron and zinc chelates foliar application, but under once and twice supplementary irrigation conditions, the foliar application had no significant effect on this parameter. Under both supplementary and control irrigation conditions, the highest aerial parts Cu content of the plant was observed in no foliar application treatment. The Zn foliar application caused the highest aerial parts Zn content of the plant. Therefore, it seems that the supplementary irrigation with the foliar application of iron and zinc chelates could increase the asafetida yield and essential oil content in F. assa-foetida by improving the growth characteristics.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) accounts for the largest share in production of food products after wheat, rice and corn, which plays an important role in the nutrition and food basket of the world. Currently, the issue of food security and supplying is very important in different parts of the world and thus prediction of its demand that is increasing. Also, growing population will intensify this issue too. A key strategy to overcome the nutritional challenge of the growing population of the world is eliminating the gap between the current achievement in farms and the yield which can be achieved by using the best cultivars compatible with the environment and the best water, soil and plant management methods.

In this study, potential yield of potato was estimated using the SSM-iCrop2. then the production and yield gap of potato were investigated with two methods of Global Yield Gap Atlas (GYGA) and Arc GIS software by interpolation method for Golestan province. For this aim, the information of potato cultivation management in the province level and the daily data of 23 synoptic weather station as well as their soil data were used. Meanwhile, potential yield gap analysis protocol (GYGA protocol) was used to identify the main weather stations named reference weather stations (RWSs) and climates where potato is planted in Golestan province. Potential yield of potato was estimated within the area covered by each RWS, and then scaled up to the province level. In order to implement the interpolation method in ArcGIS software, initially, potential yield of 23 stations in the Golestan province was estimated. Afterwards, the potential and actual yield in the whole province was estimated using Kriging and IDW methods, respectively.

According to the Agricultural Jihad Report, the actual yield of Golestan province (a ten-year average) was reported as 22 t.ha-1, while the actual yield calculated based on the interpolation method was estimated equal to 22 t.ha-1. However, the actual yield calculated using the global yield gap atlas (GYGA) method was estimated as 20 t.ha-1. Heigh yield of potato in the province was reported by farmers up to 55 tons, which was considered as potential in the province to be compared with GYGA and interpolation methods, so that in the GYGA method, 52 t.ha-1 and in the interpolation method, finding was 42 t.ha-1. yield gap and relative yield in the GYGA method (33 t.ha-1 and 38 percent), and interpolation (20 t.ha-1 and 52 percent) were obtained. Also, in GYGA method, the values ​​were estimated using only two stations, but in the interpolation method the province's yield was estimated using 23 stations and daily meteorological data. The GYGA protocol is a bottom-up approach used by Hochman et al. (2016) to assess the variation of national yield from climatic zoning to analyze similar agro-cluster groups. So far, several studies have been done using this protocol. Gobbett et al. (2017) showed that wheat lands in Australia are located in six key climatic regions. They selected 22 reference stations in this area and calculated the limited water potential yield using the APSIM model (for the years of 1996 to 2010).

The results showed that both Global yield gap Atlas (GYGA) and interpolation method had accurate estimation of actual and potential production and yield, but those values obtained using statistics and 23 weather stations in the interpolation method, and using just 2 weather station (Hashemabad and Gorgan stations) in the Global Atlas method. As previously mentioned, the GYGA method is designed to estimate the yield gap at the national level, which can calculate the potential yield, production, and yield gap in a wide range even with the least amount of information. One of the advantages of GYGA protocol is that the results obtained at any point in the world are comparable to other areas and cultivations of that particular product. Based on the comparison made in this study, it was concluded that the Global yield gap Atlas method should be used to estimate the yield of the country.

To evaluate the micro and macro elements of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under the influence of various levels of inoculation with Mycorrhiza and Vermicompost in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in research field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. The investigated factors included Vermicompost at 4 levels of 0, 8, 16 and 24 tons per hectare and four levels of Mycorrhizal fertilizer 0, 7.5, 10 and 15 gram inoculation were put in each hole consisting two corms with equal and moderate weight. In this experiment, traits including: phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, number of corms in per plant, length of corms, diameter corm's final scales, corm's diameter, fresh weight of corm, dry weight of corm and colonization percentage of roots. The results showed a significant effect of Vermicompost on corm's length, corm's diameter, diameter corm's final scales, fresh weight of corms, phosphorus, nitrogen and colonization percentage of roots. The effect of Mycorrhiza on the phosphorus, nitrogen, the number of corms in the plant, the length of the corm, colonization percentage of roots, diameter corm's final scales and the corm's diameter. Also, the interaction between Vermicompost and Mycorrhiza fertilizer was significant on the traits of corm's diameter. Therefore, it seems that the application of Mycorrhiza inoculation with Vermicompost fertilizer could enhance some quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron.

Salinity has considerable adverse impacts on productivity of agricultural plants. Soil salinity, resulting from natural processes or from crop irrigation with saline water, occurs in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world like Iran. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the pedalitic families (Pedaliaceae) and one of the long-standing cultivated plants. Cultivation areas of sesame in Iran and the world is about 6500 and 42 thousand hectares, respectively. Since our country is located in the dry and semi-arid region of the world, soil salinity and irrigation water are the major problems in the country's agriculture. Another factor limiting the production of the product in warm and dry areas is the warming of the air which is a global phenomenon that results from prolonged greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide gas, and the consequence of rising fossil fuels, the destruction of forests and some of the activities that lead to the development of human life. Considering the increasing greenhouse gas emissions and the importance of planting sesame in stressful conditions, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the tolerance of sesame plants under salinity conditions and increase of carbon dioxide. In order to evaluate the effect of different Co2 concentration and salinity on growth and yield of sesame, a trial was arranged as factorial experiment with four replicates based on complete randomized design at Agrotron growth chamber in agronomy and plant breeding Dept. of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan. The growth media was the soil with the amount of 2 Kg per pot. Treatments were included Co2 concentration at two levels as ambient (380ppm) and elevated (700 ppm) and salinity stress including 0, 4 and 8 ds/m. Results indicated that leaf proline content and soluble sugar content significantly affected by Co2 concentration which is decreased from 0.28 Mmol/gr FW to 0.08 Mmol/gr FW with elevated Co2 concentration from 380 to 700 ppm. The peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonialaze enzymes were also affected by the interaction of salinity and carbon dioxide. Sodium content significantly decreased in 700 ppm Co2 concentration compare with 380 ppm. In both of Co2 concentrations, K shoot content significantly increased with increased salinity level. The results showed that increasing of carbon dioxide under salinity stress caused a significant decrease in root Na content. The proline and soluble sugar content significantly decreased higher Co2 concentration. Although increased salinity stress showed increased activity of peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonilase, high salinity reduced the shoot potassium content of in the shoot. In general, the results of this study indicate that sesame plant reacts to different levels of carbon dioxide and that these parameters and relationships can be obtained to predict experiments at higher Carbon monoxide concentration.

Millet is one of the traditional cereal in arid and semi-arid tropics That it had high tolerance to drought and salinity stress. Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses. Reducing the limiting effects of salinity, has a positive impact on agricultural production. Humic acid substances play a major role as the most stable part of organic matter directly on the release nutrients, cation exchange capacity, inhibiting the release of phosphorus and heavy metals and toxic. Vermicompost is a kind of compost produced by worms as a result of the transformation and digestion of organic remains, occurs while passing through the digestive tract of the animals. The aim of this study was include Comprising of the granular humic and vermicompost fertilizer at increasing grain yield in salinity condition and Effect of humic acid granular fertilizer and vermicompost at reducing the effects of soil salin. In order to evaluation the effect of organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and humic fertilizer on amendment of salty soils to improve soil conditions as well as reduce or eliminate the use of chemical fertilizer. This factorial experiment took place in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The First factor include salinity levels (1 and 10 ds/m), the second factor consists of three levels (0, 2 and 4%) humic Fertilizer and the third factor consists of three levels (0, 5 and 10 %) vermi compost fertilizer that applied in growth of millet Proso. The results indicated that plant dry weight influenced by humic acid and vermi compost by weight percentage. According to the results, chlorophyll was only affected by humic acid treatment. In this study was significant interaction between plant height, grain yield, with vermicompost, salt and humic acid. The results indicated that the use of vermicompost increased plant dry weight. The highest plant dry weight were obtained with the use of 2% humic acid. thus seam with application of organic fertilizer can be adjusted adverse effects of salt stress and planted Relatively tolerant plants without a significant reduction in yield and yield components According to the results of this study Vermicompost humic acid and the increased growth in some of the properties of millet Interaction of humic acid and vermicompost had a significant effect on chlorophyll content index, plant dry weight and grain yield Also with the applying salinity stress was obtained least amount of grain yield that This was indicated the negative impact of salinity stress on plant. Simultaneously with application of salinity in the soil Na + occupying exchangeable phase Some of the cations And increased concentration in the soil solution. Leading to easier access and more absorbed by the plant. Therefore, it can be used. Biofertilizers in order to reduce the effects of salinity stress

Growth analysis is a valuable and practical method on quantitative growth, development and crop production evaluation. In order to study the effects of granular humic acid and foliar application of compost tea and vermiwash on growth indices of safflower (carthamus tinctorius), an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in agricultural research farm at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2014. Treatments included of soil application of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 kg.ha-1) and foliar spraying of vermiwash 1:10, vermiwash 1:20, compost tea and distilled water as control. The highest LAI (1.96), CGR (26.85 gr.m-2.day-1), TDW (1232 gr.m-2), NAR (12.94 gr.m-2.day-1) and RGR (0.13 gr.gr-1.day-1) obtained by using 1500 kg.ha-1 humic acid and the lowest of them (1.29, 15.81 gr.m-2.day-1, 671 gr.m-2, 8.98 gr.m-2.day-1 and 0.108 gr.gr-1.day-1) observed in control. It is also resulted that compost tea foliar application increased LAI, CGR, TDW, NAR and RGR. Totally, humic acid application (1500 kg.ha-1) in soil along with compost tea foliar application was the best treatment for getting higher growth indices and seed yield of safflower in order to achieved sustainable agriculture.

In order to investigate yield, yield components and quality traits of P. ovata and P. psyllium under water stress and plant density, two experiments were conducted at the Agriculture Research Field, University of Tehran, Karaj, in April 2005 and 2006. Two Factorial experiments based on randomized complete block design with three replications were used. The treatments were three levels of water stress including water witholding at flowering (Severe stress), water withholding at flowering with complementary irrigation at grain filling (Medium stress) and control, three levels of plant density (low, medium and high density), and two plantago species. Combined analysis results showed that seed yield, biological yield, mucilage percentage and mucilage yield significantly different in two years experiments. In both years, water stress significantly decreased seed thousand weight, biological and mucilage yield per hectare. Water stress also significantly increased mucilage percentage and swelling seed in both species. The highest seed yield (765 kg.ha-1) and biological yield (4079 kg.ha-1) observed in medium and high plant density, respectively. Totally, results of this experiment showed that seed yield and mucilage yield per hectare were higher in P. ovata in compared to P. psyllium. The highest mucilage yield observed in medium drought stress and plant density of 100 and 70 plants per square meter in P. ovata and P. psyllium, respectively.

In this study, the effects of drought and nitrogen were analyzed on morphological traits and dry matter allocation of Isabgul (Plantago ovata) at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2010. The research was conducted using factorial experiment based on RCD design with 3 replications. The factors included nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 mg N.Kg-1 soil) and soil moisture (100, 80, 60, 40 % FC). Results indicated that drought, nitrogen and their interaction significantly affected seed yield and total dry weight. The highest seed yield (1.72 g.plant-1) was obtained at 120 mg N.Kg-1 soil which was 77% higher than that in control. In 80% FC treatment, using 120 mg N.Kg-1 soil caused 93% increase in total dry weight, compared to control. In addition, with increasing drought stress, dry matter partitioning benefited the root and root mass ratio (RMR) increased significantly. However, no significant changes were recorded for shoot mass ratio (SMR) and grain mass ratio (GMR). Also, with increasing nitrogen fertilizer, more dry matter was transferred to the leaves and less dry matter was transferred to the seed.

In order to investigate the effects of supplementary calcium chloride and potassium nitrate on proline, protein content, chlorophyll and growth of Ammi (Carum copticum L.) under different salinity levels and nutrient solutions (NS), a RCBD design with factorial arrangement was conducted at the Agriculture Research Field, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, during September 2009. The treatments were three levels of salinity (0, 50 and 100 mMol) and five different nutrition solutions including: Control: Hoagland solution only (N1); Hoagland solution plus 20 mM CaCl2 in nutrition solution (N2); Hoagland solution plus 20 mM CaCl2 as spray (N3); Hoagland solution plus 20 mM KNO3 in nutrition solution (N4) and Hoagland solution plus 20 mM KNO3 as spray (N5). Results showed that proline content was significantly affected by salinity and the type of nutrient solution and their interactions. Increasing salinity, especially at 100 Mmol NaCl, significantly reduced chlorophyll a,b and total chlorophyll. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content were not significantly affected by the type of nutrition solution. The highest and lowest protein content were observed by control and 100 Mm NaCl treatments respectively. The type of nutrient solution also influenced protein content. The highest and lowest protein contents were related to N3 and N5, respectively. Total dry weight and stem dry weight were significantly reduced by salinity while root dry weight was not affected by salinity. The highest leaf area was achieved on control and nutrition solution N5. Generally, it is concluded that Ammi could tolerate salinity up to 50 mMol NaCl and leaf spraying of Ca and K would be better to ameliorate salinity rather than using in nutrition solution.

Water stress may be imposed in safflower to increase water use efficiency and to prevent excessive vegetative growth without significant decrease in yield. This study was conducted to determine the appropriate irrigation regime on the basis of cumulative water evaporation from standard evaporation pan (class A) and to find out the effects of these irrigation regimes on vegetative and reproductive growth stages of safflower. A randomized complete block design with a split plot layout and four replications. The study included four irrigation treatments (Irrigation after 70، 85، 100 and 115 mm cumulative pan evaporation) as the main plot and two varieties (Kouseh and IL111) as subplot. The effects of irrigation treatments on yield component were non-significant، but delay in irrigation from 70 to 115 mm، reduced number of seeds per head (27. 7 %) and number of head per plant (12. 5 %). The maximum (2434 kg/ha) and minimum (1692 kg/ha) seed yields were obtained with 70 and 115 mm irrigation treatments، respectively. Variety had significant effect on seed yield. Kouseh produced 9% higher seed yield per unit area than IL111. Irrigation regimes did not significantly affect seed oil percentage، but had significant effect on oil yield. Oil yield reduced with delay in irrigation and this reduction was mainly due to reduction in seed yield.

In order to evaluate the salinity and priming effects on vegetative growth and some physiological traits of safflower, cv. Goldasht, a factorial experiment, with completely randomized blocks design and 4 replications, was conducted in Research Greenhouse of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2009. Treatments included seed priming at 4 levels (no prime as control, priming with distilled water, priming with NaCl and priming with 20 Mm Ca(NO3)2 for 24 hours) and salinity at 4 levels (0, 8, 16 and 24 dS/m). Results indicated that dry weight of aerial parts, root dry weight, stem length, leaf area and head dry weight were decreased with increasing salinity. Salinity affected significantly the dry matter partitioning. As in higher salinities, more dry matter was translocated to stem and head, which was accompanied with less dry matter translocation to roots and leaves. The root/shoot ratio was significantly decreased with increasing salinity due to higher dry matter translocation to stems. Though, higher salinities decreased significantly the root dry weight. At salinity level of 24 dS/m, this safflower cultivar translocated more dry matter to shoots as compared to roots and leaves. Comparison of means showed that chlorophyll content and Spad index were decreased at higher salinity levels. Leaf area and plant height were significantly reduced only at salinities higher than 16 dS/m. The results of this experiment showed that in general, the Goldasht cultivar of safflower could tolerate salinity stress up to 16 dS/m in the vegetative stage with prominent decrease in stem and root dry weight, which could be due to some resistance mechanisms to salinity. This result must be accurately evaluated in a field experiment.

In order to evaluate the effect of salinity on water relation, ion accumulation, solute sugar, proline content, chlorophyll florescence and seed yield of Isabgul (Plantago ovata), French psyllium (P. psyllium) and Great plantain (P. major), an experiment was conducted at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2010. This study was carried out as factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments were included four salinity levels (9, 15 and, 21 dS/m and control with distilled water) and three plantago species (Plantago ovata, P. psyllium and P. major). Results showed significant effect of salinity, species and interaction between them on relative water content (RWC) which was decreased in response of higher salinity in all species with different trend in species. Higher concentrations of salt led to higher leaf Na+ content and lower K+, Ca++ and Mg++ content. Despite of species, Proline content and solute sugar were not significantly affected by salinity in all species. The highest and the lowest seed yield of great plantain were observed in control and 21 dS/m, respectively. No seed harvested from French psyllim in 21 dS/m. In general, among three species, great plantain had higher stability in ion balances, RWC and seed yield in salinity condition.

Growth indices are useful for interpreting plant reaction to environmental factor. Using Growing Degree Days (GDD) for estimating the phonological growth stages is more valid instead of calendar time. In order to study effect of salinity on growth analysis in three different plantago species, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2009. The study was carried out factorial experiment based on RCBD design with 4 replications to determine the influence of salinity (9, 15, 21 dS/m and control with distilled water) and three plantago species (Isabgul, French psyllium, Great plantain). Polynomial equations with the 88 to 98 distinction coefficient (R2) were known as the best indicator for interpreting of growth indices fluctuation to GDD. In all three species, the highest dry matter accumulation, leaf area, Crop growth rates (CGR) were observed in 900-1000 GDD at all salinity levels and in higher GDD, the decreeing trend of dry matter accumulation, leaf area and CGR were observed in all salinity levels. The lowest relative growth rate, crop growth rate, Leaf area ratio, dry matter accumulation were observed in 21 dS/m NaCl salinity. Results also indicated that maximum dry matter accumulation was observed in 800, 900 and 1100 degree day in Isabgul, French psyllium, Great plantain, respectively. No seed harvested from Isabgul and French psyllium in 21 dS/m. Among three species, great plantain could remain the highest leaf area; consequently this species produced higher dry matter (0.4 gr per plant) and relative growth rate (0.06 g.g-1.10GDD-1) compared to other species. In general, among three species, great plantain was better species from a growth and seed yield point of view in salinity stress.

In order to investigate the effects of supplementary calcium chloride and potassium nitrate on plant growth of Ammi (Carum copticum L.) in different salinity levels and nutrient solutions (NS), an experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement was conducted under greenhouse condition in the faculty of agriculture, Vali-e-Asr university of Rafsanjan, during September to December 2009. The treatments were three levels of salinity levels (0, 5 and 100 mmol) and five different nutrition solution including: Control: Hoagland solution only (N1); Hoagland solution plus 40 mM CaCl2 in nutrition solution (N2); Hoagland solution plus 40 mM CaCl2 as spray (N3); (4) Nutrient solution plus 40 mM KNO3 in nutrition solution (N4) and Hoagland solution plus 40 mM KNO3 as spray (N5). Results showed that relative water content of leaf did not affected by salinity, type of nutrient solutions and the interaction of salinity and nutrient solution. The lowest and the highest sodium content were observed in the control and 100 Mm NaCl treatments, respectively. K, Ca and Mg content significantly reduced in Ammi shoot with increasing salinity. Salinity increased soluble sugars in plant while type of nutrient solution and interaction of salinity and nutrient solution were not significantly affected soluble sugars. The Highest and lowest protein content of plant organs were observed in the control and 100 Mm NaCl, respectively. Type of nutrient solution also influenced protein content. The highest protein content related to N3 and the lowest related to N5.

In order to evaluate the effect of seed priming on salinity modification of safflower (cv. Goldasht), a hydroponic experiment was conducted at Research Greenhouse of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Iran, in 2009. Priming treatments at 4 levels (no priming as control, and priming with distilled water, NaCl and Ca(NO3)2 for 24 hours) and salinity treatments at 4 levels (0, 8, 16 and 24 dS/m) were considered in a factorial experiment, based on complete randomized blocks design, with 4 replications. Results showed that chlorophyll content and K was significantly decreased with increasing salinity, while, proline, Na and Mg contents were increased with increasing salinity. Seed priming affected proline and Na contents and K/Na ratio significantly. The highest proline content (1.98 µmol/g fresh-leaf weight) was observed in NaCl pretreatment. The lowest Na (0.6%) and the highest K/Na (1.79) were observed in control and priming with Ca(NO3)2, respectively. Crop growth rate was reduced by 25, 33 and 55 percent in 8, 16 and 24 dS/m salinity levels, respectively, compared with control. It was concluded that proline and sugar content in shoots of this safflower cultivar increased in response to salinity, and seed priming with NaCl could modify salinity effects, especially net assimilation rate.

In order to investigate seed pre-treatment and irrigation interval effects on quantity and quality yield of the primed seeds of cumin (Cuminum ciminum L.), an experiment was carried out in research field of Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2009. The study was conducted as a Factorial experiment based on RCBD with four levels of seed pre-treatment (Control or without pre-treatment, seed pre-treatment with distilled water, seed pre-treatment with -0.3 and -0.9 Mpa PEG solution) and different irrigation intervals (5, 7, 9 and 11 days). The results indicated that the seed yield was significantly decreased with increasing of irrigation intervals which was related to more decrease of umbel number and seed number per umbel. The results also indicated that the percentage of the essence was increased with increasing irrigation interval however it was decreased in 11-day irrigation interval. Thousand seed weight and harvest index were not affected by seed pre-treatment and irrigation intervals. The highest umbel number in plant (14.62) and seed number per umbel (13.16) were obtained in seed pre-treatment of -0.3 Mpa PEG (P3), and in 5 and 7-day irrigation intervals. Totally, the highest seed yield (628.7 kg.ha-1) was obtained in seed pre-treatment of -0.3 Mpa PEG (P3) and 5-day irrigation interval and the highest essence content (3.62 %) was obtained in pre-treatment of distilled water (P2) and 7-day irrigation interval.

The general responses of black cumin (Nigella sativa) in germination and growth stages to salt stress have been investigated in two-separated experiment. Laboratory experiment was conducted in Random Completely Design (RCD) with four replications. Laboratory experiment was investigated response of black cumin to different salinity levels during germination. Germinating seeds treated with aqueous solutions of 4، 8، 12 and 16 ds. m-1 NaCl with distilled water as control. In greenhouse experiment، treatments completely randomized in factorial experiments with three replications. The treatments were two kinds of salinity stress supply (water base and soil base salinity) and five levels of salinity including 4، 8، 12 and 16 ds. m-1 NaCl with distilled water as control. Results show that germination percentage، germination rate، root and shoot length، root and shoot weight، total dry weight، chlorophyll content and K+ and Na+ concentration were significantly affected by salinity stress. Except K+ and Na+ concentration in germination experiment، all of mentioned traits were significantly decreased with increasing salinity. The highest salt concentrations caused a decrease in all traits compared with control except Na+ concentration in all treatment. The rate of germination was decreased with increasing salt concentration and all treatments of NaCl were inhibitory to root and shoot elongation of seedlings in compare to the distilled water controls. In greenhouse experiment، salinity by water was more destroyer than soil salinity. It seems that black cumin can be tolerated salinity up to 12 ds. m-1، probably because of K+ accumulation in shoot at germination stage، while in growth stage cannot tolerate salinity over four ds. m-1. It seems that black cumin is relatively more tolerant in germination stage to salinity compared to growth stage. It is therefore important to consider salinity response of black cumin at different stages of its growth when selecting for crop tolerance.

In order to study of Evaluation of NACL priming and salinity levels on germination traits in three cultivars of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)، an experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions in Tehran University in 2006. This study was carried out Factorial experiment based on RCD design with 3 replications to determine the influence of priming (0. 5، 1 molar Nacl solution and control with distilled water)، Salinity (0،-3، -6،-9،-12 bar) and sorghum varieties (Kimia، Jambo and Speedfid). Seeds of three cultivars of sorghum were subjected to salt priming pre-treatments in order to improve the germination and emergence at normal temperature، for this reason seeds were primed with 0. 5 and 1. 0 M NaCl solutions with control treatment that was named nonprimed for 8 hour. Plants were then germinated at 0، -3، -6، -9 and -12 bar solution of NaCl. The effect of seed priming on germination traits were different depending on both the NaCl concentration were applied for seed priming and the NaCl concentration were applied for pre-emergence salt treatments. Results indicated that seed priming treatments were significantly decreased germination percent، root weight، plumule weight and were significantly increased germination rate، Root length and plumule length، meanwhile it was observed that the cultivars under consideration had significantly differences in germination percentage، root weight، plumule weight and germination rate but they had no significantly differences in root length and plumule length. The cultivar of Kimia was the most resistant and Spidfid was the most sensitive to salt stress condition.

In order to study the effect of completion with redroot pigweed on dry matter and leaf area distribution, leaf area, extinction coefficient and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in corn canopy (Zea mays L.) under competition with redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) an experiment was conducted at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran. Field study was carried out based on RCBD with 3 replication with redroot pigweed density (0, 3, 5, 8, and 10 plant per m of row) and time of emergence (same time with corn, 2-3 and 4-5 corn leaf stage). Results indicated that early emergence of redroot pigweed significantly distributed leaf area and dry matter to upwards of canopy layers and significantly increased yield loss (%) in compare to other treatment. Corn yield loss was 34% in early-emerged pigweed and decreased to 25 and 12 percent in 2nd and 3rd time of emergence respectively. Due to significantly decrease of corn LAI and increase redroot pigweed LAI in near the bottom of the corn canopy, the most value extinction coefficient observed in near the bottom. Result is also indicated that emergence of redroot pigweed in same time and 3rd time of emergence have minimum of extinction coefficient (K) (0.38) and maximum RUE (3.2 MJ), respectively. Generally, it is concluded that weed control until corn 4-5 leaf stage would be essential to reduce corn yield loss.

Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and leaf water potential characteristics were examined in two plantago species (Plantago ovata Forssk and P. psyllium L.), with gradually improving water stress for several days and permitting to recover by re-watering (withholding for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days) in Melbourne University in 2006. Factorial experiments based on completely randomized design with four replications were used. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance decreased rapidly by withholding water. After re-watering the recovery rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance decreased gradually, as the days became longer. The different rates of recovery of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance followed by drought stress. However, the potentional of photosynthesis recovery was more than stomatal conductance. It is also concluded that French psyllium had higher mesophyl and stomatal conductance recovery when compared to Isabgul, although recovery of photosynthesis in Isabgul was higher than French psyllium. The results showed a clear and close correlation between leaf water potential and recovery level of photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance. A close correlation was also observed between photosynthesis and leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and relative water content.

In order to investigate of quality and quantity yield and growing degree day (GDD) of Plantago ovata and P. psyllium related to water stress and density, two experiments were conducted at the Agriculture research field, Tehran University, Karaj, in April 2005 and 2006. The experiments were designed in factorial experiments based in randomized completely block (RCB) with three replication in which The treatments were three levels of plant density (low, medium and high density), three water stress level (severe stress, medium stress and control) and two plantago species. Combined analysis results showed that water stress significantly decreased seed and biological yield. Average and high density in both species significantly need fewer GDD to get maximum dry matter. In Isabgul 850, 984 and 1120 GDD and in French psyllium 860, 982 and 1147 GDD need to be received 50% ripening in high, medium and control drought stress, respectively.