abdollah javanmard

In order to decreasing the chemical fertilizer application in low-input and sustainable agricultural systems, a field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of different irrigation intervals along with separately and integrative application of chemical and biofertilizer on the quantity and quality of camelina (Camelina sativa L.).Material and methodsThe study was carried out as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 18 treatments and three replications at the Saqez city, Iran in 2022 growing season. The main factor was three irrigation intervals including without irrigation (rainfed conditions), irrigation after 10 and 20 days. Also, the sub-factor was different fertilizer sources including non-application (control), 100%chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer, biofertilizer+ 25% chmical fertilizer, biofertilizer+ 50% chemical fertilizer and biofertilizer+75% chemical fertilizer.ResultsThe results demonstrated that the highest (457.81 kg ha-1) and lowest (186.29 kg ha-1) seed yield of camelina was obtained in 10 days’ interval irrigation following integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer and rianfed conditions without fertilization. The highest oil content (37.88%) and oil yield (173.65 kg ha-1) was observed in 10 days’ interval irrigation following integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer. The chemical analysis showed that linolenic (30.59-34.58%), linoleic (16.92-19.29%), oleic (14.16-17.36%) and eicosenoic acid (8.93-11.76%) were the main fatty acids compounds of camelina oil. The maximum content of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids obtained in in 10 days’ interval irrigation following integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer.

The research was carried out in order to investigate the yield, yield components and quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the oil extracted from 19 double haploid lines of Camelina.A field experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with 20 treatments and three replications at the Serarud Rainfed Agricultural Research Institute of Kermanshah, Iran in 2021 growing season. The results demonstrated that the highest seed yield of camelina was obtained in DH100 line, which showed an increase of 43.5% compared to the control variety. Also, the lowest seed yield was related to DH105 line, which showed a decrease of 67.3% compared to the control variety. In addition, the highest oil percentage and oil yield were obtained in DH100 line, Chemical analysis of camelina oil showed that the major fatty acids constituents in this plant's oil include linolenic acid, linoleic acid , oleic acid and eicosenoic acid . The highest amount of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid was observed in DH100 line. In addition, the highest amount of eicosenoic acid belonged to the DH10 followed by DH100 line. It is worth mentioning that the amount of oleic, linoleic, linolenic and eicosenoic fatty acids increased by 10.9, 5.6, 6.4 and 8.7%, respectively, when compared with control variety.it can be concluded that the DH100 line is recommended as the best line for releasing new cultivars of this oil-seed crop in rainfed conditions due to the highest oil quantity and quality in comparison with control variety and other double haploid lines.

a field experiment performed to evaluate the effects of peppermint and sage intercropping with application of different fertilizer resources on the dry matter yield, essential oil content, and ecological indices under drought stress.A field experiment was carried out as a split split plot based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 36 treatments and three replications . The main factor was three irrigation regimes included 25 (MAD25), 50 (MAD50), and 75% (MAD75) maximum allowable depletion (MAD) percentage of the soil available water (SAW) as normal irrigation, mild and severe water stress, respectively. The sub-factor was different planting patterns included peppermint monoculture, sage monoculture, and intercropping of peppermint + sage and also sub-sub factor were application of different fertilizer sources including no‐fertilizer as control, TiO2 nanoparticles (100 mg L−1), arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) inoculation, and integrative application of AMF and TiO2 (AMF + TiO2).The maximum essential oil content of peppermint (1.51%) and sage (1.33%) was observed in intercropping plants with integrative application of AMF + TiO2. The essential oil content of peppermint and sage increased by 13.1 and 41.2% under mild stress in compared with normal irrigation, respectively. Also, the highest LER, K, AYL,, and monetary indices were achived in mild water stress with integrative application of AMF + TiO2. it can be concluded that the application of AMF + TiO2 in intercropping of peppermint/sage could be suggested as a sustainable strategy to increasing the quantity and quality of essential oil of both plants under drought stress conditions.

A field experiment was carried out as split plot based on the randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and three replications at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2021 growing season. The main factor was three irrigation levels included irrigation after 20% maximum allowable depletion (I20) as control, 40% maximum allowable depletion (I50) as moderate stress and 60% maximum allowable depletion (I80) as severe stress. The sub-factor was foliar application of macro mix gold, ecoquel micromix, vitalem forte and non-application of fertilizer (control).The results demonstrated that the highest (255.4 g/m2) and lowest dry matter yield of sage (190.5 g/m2) was achieved in normal irrigation condition with application of macro mix gold and sever water stress without fertilization. The dry matter yield decreased by 10.1 and 27.8% in moderate and severe drought stress conditions. Also, application of macro mix gold, ecoquel micromix and vitalem forte enhanced the mentioned trait by 25.1, 24.7 and 16.4% in comparison with no fertilization (control), respectively. The highest essential oil content (1.47%) and yield (3.19 g/m2) was observerd in moderate water stress fertilized with macro mix gold. In addition, the maximum content of cis-thujone (40.50%), camphor (17.08%) and 1,8-Cineole (9.98%) was achieved in moderate water stress fertilized with macro mix gold. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the foliar application of macro mix gold could be recommended for improving essential quantity and quality of sage in drought stress conditions.

In the conventional agricultural systems, the excessive use of chemical inputs, such as chemical fertilizers, increased the agricultural productivity. Detrimental implications from intensive agricultural practices and long-term use of chemical fertilizers have been well evidenced on the environment and human health. Intercropping system and application of organic fertilizers and biofertilizers including vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are recommended in the development of sustainable agricultural systems. The objectives were evaluating the effect of different fertilizer sources on the quantity and quality characteristics of Salvia officinalis L.

The experiment consisted of two successive phases at the Miandoab, Iran in 2019-2020. The first was cultivation of spring green manure until the soft dough stage of barley and flowering stage of hairy vetch then returned to the soil, and the second phase was cultivation of medicinal plant of sage. Two species, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), were used as green manure. In second phase, a field experiment study was carried out as split plot in time based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 16 treatments and three replications. The main plot factor was eight different fertilizer sources including control (C), barley monoculture (B), hairy vetch monoculture (V), 75% V + 25% B, 50% V + 50% B and 25% V + 75% B, AMF: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus intraradices) and vermicompost. Also the sub plot factor was harvesting time (first and second harvest). In AM fungi treatments, 80 g of the soil containing mycorrhizal fungi hyphae and the remains of the root and spores was added to soil in planting times. Also, vermicompost (2 t ha-1) was applied to the soil before planting. Analysis of variance of the data and mean comparison based on least significant difference (LSD) test and interaction effect slicing of different fertilizer sources × harvesting time were carried out by using of SAS 9.3 statistical software.

The plant height, number of lateral branches, number of leaves, chlorophyll index, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, essential oil percentage and yield was significantly affected by interaction of diffirent fertilizer sources×harvesting time. The highest of dry matter yield was achieved under AMF followed by 50% V+ 50% B. Also the highest of chlorophyll index and essential oil percentage of sage was obtained in 50% V + 50% B and first harvest. Also, the first harvesting time increased by 33.9, 10.7 and 40.7% this trait in comparison with second harvest. In addition, the maximum of essential oil yield was observed in AMF followed by 50% V+ 50% B in first harvest. Chemical analysis of the essential oil of sage demonstrated that in all treatements, cis-Thujone, 1, 8-cineole and camphor were the main dominant components. The maximum of cis-Thujone, 1, 8-cineole content was achieved in 50% V+ 50% B and second harvest. Also, the highest of camphor observed in 25% V+ 75% B treatment and first harvest. The roots of green manure plants can uptake nutrients from the lower layers of soil and transfer them to the aerial parts of plant. By incorporating green manure, the sage growth characteristics improved as a result of increasing soil microbiological processes and releasing of nutrients. Also, mycorrhizal fungus inoculation enhanced plant performance by increasing root surface area, turgor pressure adjustment, gradual availability to nutrients and water. Since essential oils are terpenoid components so that for the biosynthesis of precursor compounds (isoprenoids) such as isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate necessary Acetyl-CoA, NADPH and ATP and mineral nutrients like N and P. Treating plots with 50% V + 50% B and AMF increase the essential oil percentage and compounds through releasing of nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil. Also, the higher morphological traits, essential oil percentage and yield in the first harvest than the second harvest can be attributed to longer growing period and optimal growth conditions (day length, sunlight, ambient temperature).Treating plots with green manure and AMF improve the morphological traits, quantity and quality of sage essential oil through adjustment the soil chemical properties. According to the quantity and quality indicators, application of 50% V+ 50% B as green manure and AMF can be suggested as an efficient and eco-friendly agricultural strategy in sage cultivation.

In the present investigation, 81 safflower genotypes were studied in a 9×9 simple lattice design for several plants per plot (NPP), plant height (PH), the height of the first lateral branch (HFL), the height of the first lateral capitulum (HFC), stem diameter (SD), number of lateral branches per plant (NLB), number of main branches per plant (NMB), number of capitula per plant (NCP), number of seeds per main capitulum (SMC), number of seeds per lateral capitulum (SLC), seed yield (SY) and thousand seed weight (TSW). The genotype by trait (G×T) interaction biplot tool was used to indicate the pattern of G×T interaction two-way interaction data in a graph with 73% description of observed variation whereas the first principal component (PC) effect explained 49%, and the second PC, 24%, of the observed interaction variability. The vector view displayed that NCP with NMB, and SMC with SY were positively associated while there was a negative association between HFC with TSW, and between NLB with NPP. The polygon-view graph is divided into eleven sectors, and the sector of genotype G80 was a winner for most traits. Genotype G58 followed by genotypes G30, G33 and G72, were the most favorable genotypes in regard to SY while regarding this trait as a reference, SMC was identified as the most related trait which is followed by SLC, SD. Applying G×T biplot to the safflower multiple trait data demonstrated that this model visually showed the associations among seed yield with the number of seeds per main and lateral capitula followed by the number of capitula per plant and thousand seed weight, and provide ease of visual genotype comparisons and choosing. We found that choose of seed yield alone was not only dependent on the number of seeds per main and lateral capitula but also related to the other traits in safflower breeding.

Water deficit or drought stress is one of the critical abiotic stresses and limiting factors in the productivity of plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In these conditions, the nutrient use efficiency by plant decrease due to the lower mobility of these elements. The application of bio-fertilizers is one of the most important and sustainable strategies for soil fertility management and plant nutrition; in addition to reducing chemical pollution, improves plant growth conditions. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as bio-fertilizer improves plant nutrients and water uptake and enhances plant resistance to stress conditions leading to improving plant growth and productivity. The objectives were evaluating the effect of different fertilizer sources (chemical fertilizer and AMF as biofertilizer) and harvesting time on the quantity and quality characteristics of peppermint under drought-stress conditions.

To evaluate the effects of different fertilizer sources and harvesting times on the quantity and quality of essential oil in peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) under drought stress conditions, a field experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran, in 2019. The study followed a split-split plot design based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 36 treatments and three replications. The first factor included three irrigation levels: irrigation after depletion of 30% available water as control, depletion of 50% of available water as mild stress, and depletion of 70% of available water as severe stress. The sub-factor included different fertilizer sources, including control (C), 100% nitrogen fertilizer (NF), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus intraradices) (AMF), 75% NF + AMF, 50% NF + AMF, and 25% NF + AMF. The third factor was harvesting time (first and second harvest). The distance between rows was set to be 4 m, with a plant density of 10 plants per m2. In AM fungi treatments, 80 g of the soil containing mycorrhizal fungi hyphae and the remains of the root and spores (1000 g spore.10-1 g soil) was added to the soil during planting. The aerial parts of peppermint were harvested at 50% flowering stage on the first and second harvests. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and mean comparison based on the least significant difference (LSD) test with SAS 9.3 statistical software.                                                                                                                          

The results showed that plant height, number of nodes per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of lateral branches per plant, SPAD index, dry matter yield, essential oil content, and yield were significantly affected by the interaction of fertilizer sources x irrigation levels, harvesting time, and harvesting time x irrigation levels. The highest and lowest values of morphological characteristics, leaf greenness, dry matter yield, and essential oil yield of peppermint were achieved under non-stress conditions with the application of 75% nitrogen fertilizer + AMF and severe water stress without fertilization, respectively. The maximum (2.4%) and minimum (1.2%) of essential oil content were observed under mild water stress fertilized with 75% nitrogen fertilizer + AMF and severe water stress without fertilization, respectively. The main essential oil compounds were menthol, menthone, 1,8 cineol, and menthofuran. The highest menthol and menthone content were recorded under mild water stress fertilized with 75% nitrogen fertilizer + AMF and non-stress conditions fertilized with 25% nitrogen fertilizer + AMF. The first harvest showed higher values of morphological characteristics, dry matter yield, essential oil content, and yield compared to the second harvest due to the longer growth period and better growth conditions in the first harvest.

The results demonstrated that the plant height, the number of nods per plant, number of leaves per plant, the number of lateral branches per plant, SPAD index, dry matter yield and essential oil yield decreased significantly with increasing stress levels. In contrast, the application of AMF reduced the adverse effects of water stress, so that in severe water stress conditions (irrigation after depletion of 70% available water), individual and integrative application of AMF with nitrogen fertilizer increased the mentioned traits when compared with control. In addition, the mentioned traits in the first harvest increased by 127.8, 194.6, 159.8, 147.7, 17.7, and 37.9% in comparison with the second harvest. Also, the essential oil content of peppermint is enhanced with increasing water stress to mild stress. So, the essential oil content in mild stress increased by 11.4 and 39.7%, respectively, when compared with non-stress and severe stress. The highest essential oil yield was achieved at the first harvest with the integrative application of 75% NF+ AMF. Also, the major essential oil compounds of peppermint (menthol) was recorded in mild stress integrated with 75% nitrogen fertilizer+ AMF. Generally, considering that the economic purpose of cultivating medicinal plants is extracting the maximum content of secondary metabolites, and since the productivity of peppermint essential oil increased significantly by the integrative application of 75% nitrogen fertilizer+ mycorrhiza in mild stress, it can be suggested as a superior treatment.

Intercropping as a new green revolution can prepare the way for sustainable production by increasing resource use efficiency. In agroecosystems sustainable management, application of biofertilizers especially mycorrhiza as a supplement or alternative for chemical fertilizers is very important. Accordingly, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of application of Rhizophagus intraradices and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under intercropping systems.

A field experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 20 treatments and three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh in 2019. The first factor including different planting patterns (P1: safflower sole cropping, P2: chickpea sole cropping, P3: cropping of a row of safflower+ a row of chickpeas, P4: cropping of three row of safflower+ two row of chickpeas, P5: cropping of four row of safflower+ two row of chickpea) and the second factor including different fertilizer sources (F1: control, F2: application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus intraradices), F3: recommended chemical fertilizer and F4: 50% chemical fertilizers + mycorrhiza fungus (AM).

The results showed that the highest seed yield of safflower (1906.6 kg/ha) and chickpea (765 kg/ha) were observed in monoculture with application of 50% chemical fertilizer+ mycorrhizal fungus. Furthermore, the highest of safflower oil content (28.51%) and yield (508.71 kg/ha) were obtained in planting pattern of 4:2 and monoculture with application of 50% chemical fertilizer+ mycorrhizal fungus, respectively. Although, seed yield of safflower and chickpea in monocultures decreased in compared with intercropping, but the land equivalent ratio (LER) in the all planting patterns was higher than one. So that the highest (1.89) LER was observed in planting pattern of 1:1 integrated with 50% chemical fertilizer+ mycorrhizal fungus.

Based on the land equivalent ratio, system productivity and intercropping monetary indices intercropping pattern of 1 row chickpea+ 1 row safflower with application of 50% chemical fertilizers+ mycorrhiza fungus not only leading to agricultural ecosystems diversity and sustainable productivity, but also effective in enhancing economic income and land use efficiency. As a result, application of biofertilizer in intercropping can reduce the detrimental implications of chemical fertilizers on the environment.

A field experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 8 treatments and three replications in two successive stages in the Miandoab city, Iran during 2019 and 2020. The results showed all studied traits except harvest index were significantly affected by different fertilizer sources. The highest number of grain per pod, 1000 grain weight, seed, and biological yield of rapeseed were obtained with the application of chemical fertilizer without significant difference with a green manure of 50% P+ 50% B. In addition, the maximum oil content and yield were obtained in green manure of 50% P+ 50% B followed by 75% P+ 25% B. Chemical analysis of the rapeseed oil demonstrated that in all treatments, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid were the main dominant components. So that, the highest (92.43%) and lowest (83.37%) of oleic acid were achieved in 50% P+ 50% B and control treatments, respectively. Also, the highest of (6.07%) linoleic acid was observed in vermicompost treatment. While the highest percentage of palmitic acid (92.43%) has belonged to green manure treatment of 25% P+ 75% B. Generally, the maximum (92.61%) and minimum (88%) of unsaturated fatty acids were achieved in 50% P+ 50% B and 25% P+ 75% B green manure treatments, respectively. Considering that the greatest amount of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were obtained by application of 50% P+ 50% B green manure.

Agriculture plays a central role in countries' food and economic security, and population growth has increased dependence on it. The Nazluchai basin is one of the important areas for agriculture in Iran, and improper land use has destroyed water and soil resources in the area. One way to improve this situation is land suitability assessment. Land suitability analysis is a multi-criteria decision-making process based on a spatial information system. On the other hand, various systems analyze descriptive and spatial data. However, the Geographic Information System is one of the best methods to acquire, edit, process, and manage data quickly, accurately and simultaneously in large volumes. However, this system also has limitations in decision making. Therefore, the integration of geographical information system with Multi-Criteria Evaluation methods, including Analytical Hierarchy Process, has been proposed as a land suitability assessment method. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the ecological suitability for irrigated farming in a part of Nazluchai with an area of ​​23314 hectares using multi-criteria evaluation within the analytical hierarchy process and geographical information system.

At first, the parameters affecting the ecological land suitability for irrigated farming were identified, and the necessary data were collected and mapped using Geographic Information System. The criteria and sub-criteria were weighed based on expert opinions within Analytical Hierarchy Process. The homogeneous units were prepared by combining the sub-criteria standardized maps. The main limiting criteria in this study, including a slope less than 8% and a water quantity less than 3,000 liter/ha/year, were involved in the Boolean logic analysis. The ecological land suitability map for irrigated farming was generated using the Linear Weight Combination method and was classified into unsuitable, marginally, moderately, and highly suitable classes.

In the current land use map, 46.4% of the area was used for irrigated cultivations, 32.2% for range-dry farming on slopes above 30%, 12.6% for dry farming on slopes of 12-30%, and 0.8% was allocated to dry farming in areas with a slope less than 12%. Rocky and bare lands also cover 8% of the area. The matrix of the main criteria includes the landform, climate, soil, and water resources. Water resources have the highest weight for irrigated farming, and climate and soil are in the next rank. According to experts, the most important sub-criteria for assessing land suitability for irrigated farming are water quantity, temperature, texture, and soil fertility. Therefore, water resources are one of the most important and limiting resources to agriculture development in the basin, affecting other ecological resources. The ecological suitability map showed that 28.2% of the study area is the best area for irrigated farming, i.e., highly suitable class, 16.4% is moderately suitable class and 8% is marginally suitable class. 47% of the study area was classified as unsuitable for irrigated farming. In ecological suitability and current land-use maps, there is about 11% mismatch, and in 89% of the area, current land use is compatible with the ecological suitability of the study area. The results also show that integrating remote sensing, spatial information systems, analytical hierarchy processes, and weighted linear combinations is useful and effective for assessing land suitability and land-use planning.

This study is an important and useful regional guide for agricultural land planning. In order to prevent degradation, land suitability assessment, and optimal management, based on the principles of land-use planning using such new techniques and technologies, can be a fundamental solution for the relevant organizations. It is important to resolve environmental problems and create the conditions for sustainable development.

Conventional tillage can reduce infiltration and hydraulic conductivity by disrupting macrospore networks and increasing bulk density, porosity, water use efficiency, and soil organic matter. Conservation tillage is one of the practices of crop residue management on the soil surface. Reduced tillage is one of the conservation systems that amount remain crop residues on the soil surface. Reduced tillage has some benefits, including higher soil organic matter, soil moisture maintenance by reducing evaporation, better penetration of water, and controlling water and soil erosion. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers caused serious environmental issues globally, such as reduction of plant diversity, instability of economic yield, increased pest, and disease damages, and intensification of soil erosion. These increasing concerns regarding the negative impacts of these systems on the environment and human health suggest that more effort is needed to develop sustainable agricultural systems. The application of vermicompost and biofertilizers is regarded as one of the promising approaches to increasing crop productivity. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is mainly cultivated as a rainfed crop, and water stress often affects both productivity and yield stability. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of different tillage systems and the application of vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth, yield, and economic efficiency production of Cicer arietinum L.

A field experiment was carried out as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and three replications at Firuzabad, Kermanshah, Iran, in 2019. The main factor was different tillage systems, including conventional tillage (moldboard plowing+ disking, tillage depth 25–30 cm- CT), reduced tillage (chisel plowing- tillage depth 15 cm- RT), and no-tillage (NT), and the sub factor was four different fertilization treatments (C: control, AMF: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Funneliformis mosseae), VC: vermicompost (at 1.5 t/ha), AMF+ VC: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi+ vermicompost). In AM fungi treatments, 80 g of the soil containing mycorrhizal fungi hyphae and the remains of the root and spores (1000 g spore.10-1 g soil) was added to the soil during planting times. Also, vermicompost (1.5 t ha-1) was applied to the soil before planting.

The Results demonstrated that the highest seed yield (116 g.m-2) and protein yield (24.2 g.m-2) was achieved in reduced tillage with the application of AMF+ VC. Also, reduced tillage increased the seed yield and protein yield by 19.6 and 17.1 %, respectively, when compared with CT. Different tillage systems and applications of vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly impacted the number of pods per plant, plant height, number of lateral branches per plant, number of main branches per plant, and biological yield. The highest mentioned traits were obtained in reduced tillage and with the integrative application of AMF+ VC. Moreover, the application of AMF+ VC increased the number of pods per plant, plant height, and biological yield by 37.2, 35.2 and 19.7%, respectively, in comparison to control. The highest pod total weight (155.8 g.m-2), harvest index (40.5%), and seed protein content (21.2%) were obtained through integrative application of AMF+ VC, and the lowest these traits were reached in control. Based on the economic values, the best treatments were RT+ C, CT+ C, AMF+ RT, and AMF+ CT, respectively, with the highest net income and Marginal rate of return.

Overall, the results of this experiment showed that there was a significant difference between tillage systems. The highest number of pods per plant,  plant height, number of lateral branches per plant, number of main branches per plant, biological yield, total pod weight, seed yield, and protein yield were achieved in reduced tillage that increased by 26.4, 16.8, 27.4, 28.6, 10.9 19.6 and 17.1 %, respectively when compared with conventional tillage.  Also, integrative application of AMF+ VC increased harvest index, 100 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, and seed protein content by 16.7, 21.1, 19.7, 40.1, and 21.8%, respectively, when compared with control. The highest values of the seed yield and protein yield were obtained in reduced tillage with the integrative application of AMF+ VC. In contrast, based on the economic values, the maximum marginal rate of return was achieved in reduced tillage without fertilizer, conventional tillage without fertilizer, reduced tillage+ AMF, and conventional tillage+ AMF, respectively.

In the arid and semiarid regions, water stress mainly affects the growth, yield and secondary metabolit production of oregano. In order to determine the effect water stress on growth, physiological and phytochemicals characteristic of American oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), a greenhouse study based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications was performed. The plants, were subjected to four water stress conditions, including no water stress (field moisture capacity), mild (75 % FMC), moderate (55 % FMC) and sever water stress (35 % FMC). The results showed that the plant height, dry matter yield, the ratio of inflorescence weight/stem, chlorophyll index and relative water content were reduced under water stress. The highest essential oil content (1.15 %) was observed under mild water stress. Also, mild water stress significantly decreased the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Y(NO) and Fv) in compared with moderate and severe water stress. Analysis of the essential oil components demonstrated that in all treatements, sabinene, (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene, (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D and γ-terpinene were the major components. The highest amount of γ-terpinene (16.79 %) and (E)-caryophyllene (9.92 %) were observed in mild water stress which increased by 344.1 % and 14.28 % compared with control, respectively. Based on the obtained results, mild water stress significantly ameliorate the quality and quantity of oregano.

A mixed cropping system is an agronomic method in which different species/cultivars are sown in a unique farm in order to gain diversity in the agri-ecosystem, efficient control of pests and diseases as well increase in the yield quantity or quality. This study was conducted to determine the best cultivation pattern of vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L) mixed with triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack) under different farming systems during 2018 at Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI), Iran. The experimental was laid in RCDB with different levels of sole or mixed cropping the plants in three replications with two chemical and biological fertilizing systems. Treatments were at 8 levels including sole cropping of vetch and triticale and intercropping ratios of vetch: triticale 50:50(IP1), 75:25 (IP2), 25:75 (IP3), 20:100 (IP4), 40:100 (IP5) and 60:100 (IP6). The results showed that the yield of IP1 treatment was the highest compared with the other ratios under both fertilizing systems. Increasing the proportion of vetch in mixture intercrops improved forage quality and among mixed treatments, two mixing patterns including 50%v+ 50%t and 75%v + 25%t had the highest quantity and quality of the forage. Therefore, it can be concluded that the mixing of vetch with triticale at 50%v: 50%t ratio could be regarded as one of the most efficient and sustainable cropping systems. Furthermore, the study showed organic application had a high effect on the quality and quantity of forage production and has the potential to improve performance with high land-use efficiency in cold-dryland area condition of Iran.

The ecological balance in nature is integrated with forest safety. Wildfire causes irreparable effects on the ecological functions of the forest and disrupts the production of oxygen and carbon sequestration, reducing biodiversity, expanding pests and diseases, and eventually breaking the balance of nature, which is the unique role of the forest. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the occurrence and zoning of fire hazards in Sardasht forests in the area of 1784.8 hectares to achieve control and counteraction strategies. At first, layers of elevation, slope, aspect, precipitation, temperature, organic carbon, soil texture, and vegetation cover were mapped for the study area. AHP was used for prioritization, evaluation criteria, and weighting of the layers. Finally, the classifications of the layer were done using GIS, and hazard scores were classified at four classes included; Safe, low risk, medium risk, and high risk. The results showed that 12.7% of the study area is at high risk, 39.9% has moderate risk, 31.9% is in the low-risk area and 15.5% is located in the safe area. Also, the Angstrom index was showed that wildfire occurring has maximum possibility between June to September. It was also found that the north-east of the study area is more at risk of fire due to the denser vegetation than other areas. The minimum fire hazard was observed in the north, part in the south, and the narrow strip in the central regions of the study area.

In order to evaluation the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and harvesting time on the macro- and micronutrients and antioxidant enzymes activity of thyme (Thymus Vulgaris L.) in different irrigation levels, a field experiment study was carried out as Split plot in time and place with 12 treatments and three replications at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran, in 2019. The first factor was three irrigation levels included irrigation after depletion of 20% maximum allowable depletion (W20), depletion of 50% of maximum allowable depletion (W50) and depletion of 80% of maximum allowable depletion (W80) as severe stress. The sub factor was application and non-application of mycorrhiza and sub sub factor was harvesting time (first and second harvest). The results demonstrated that the highest and lowest content of N, P, K, Zn, Fe and Ca was observed in W20 and W80 irrigation levels, respectively. Also, with application of AMF, the content of N, P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn increased by 17.4, 24.7, 20.9, 20.6, 11.8 and 18.2% compared with untreated control. Among different irrigation levels, the highest content of Chlorophyll a (0.8 mg/g fresh weight), b (0.48 mg/g fresh weight) and total (1.28 mg/g fresh weight) was achieved in the non-stress conditions (W20). Also, the highest antioxidant enzymes activity such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidases was achieved in the moderate and severe water stress conditions with application of AMF. Generally, the results showed that application of AMF play a main role in improving plant nutrient absorption and increasing resistant to drought stress conditions.

In order to using sustainable agricultural methods and entering new species for increasing biodiversity, a field experiment performed to evaluate the effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) with application of biofertilizer on the essential oil productivity, essential oil yield and ecological indices. 

  A field experiment was carried out as split split plot based on the randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and three replication at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2019 growing season. The main factor was different planting patterns including thyme sole culture, soybean sole culture, intercropping of one row soybean+ one row thyme (1:1) and intercropping of two rows of soybean+ one row thyme (2:1). The sub plot and sub- sub plot factor were inoculation and non-inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and harvest time (first harvest and second harvest), respectively. 

The results demonstrated that the highest dry yield of thyme (634.5 g.m-2) was achieved in the sole culture of plants with application of AMF. Also, the highest essential oil yield of thyme (9.45 g.m-2) was observed in the first harvest and intercropping ratio of 1:1. In addition, the essential oil yield and essential oil yield of thyme with AMF inoculation increased by 30.86 and 11.95% compared with control. Moreover, the highest ecological indices (LER, AHER, ATER and LUE) and monetary indices (IA, MAI and SPI) were achieved in the intercropping ratio of 1:1 with AMF application. 

The intercropping ratio of 1 row soybean+ 1 row thyme along with biofertilizer could be suggested to farmers for enhancing economic income and land use efficiency.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in conventional agriculture on the large-scale decreased the nutrient use efficiency and caused serious environmental problems such as soil and water pollution, genetic erosion, soil erosion, mineral depletion, soil acidification and other issues. Today, to achieve sustainable agriculture with maximum yield and minimum environmental risks, other methods of fertilization (use of nanofertilizers) can be used to provide necessary nutrients for plant growth and yield production, while preserved the soil structure in good shape and the environment clean.

In order to investigation of the effects of sole and integrative application of chemical and nano chelated fertilizers on the quantity and quality of dragon’s head, a field experiment study was laid out based on the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments and three replications at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran, in 2019. The treatments were 100% chemical fertilizer (N and P), 100% macro nanofertilizer (nano chelated N, P and K), 100% micro nanofertilizer (nano chelated Fe, Zn and Mn), 50% macro nanofertilizer+ 50% micro nanofertilizer, 50% chemical fertilizer+ 50% macro nanofertilizer, 50% chemical fertilizer+ 50% micro nanofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer+ 25% macro nanofertilizer+ 25% micro nanofertilizer. The foliar application of nano chelated fertilizers was carried out in before flowering stage.

The results demonstrated that the highest (581.3 kg.ha-1 ) and the lowest (321.3 kg.ha-1) grain yield was achieved in integrated application of 50% chemical fertilizer+ 25% macro nanofertilizer+ 25% micro nanofertilizer and individual application of 100% micro nanofertilizer, respectively. Also, the highest values of mucilage content and yield was observed in integrated application of 50% chemical fertilizer+ 25% macro nanofertilizer+ 25% micro nanofertilizer. The results of correlation and principal components analysis demonstrated that there was a positive and significant correlation between seed yield, mucilage content and yield. In addition, the analysis of mucilage chemical compounds showed that the highest amount of constituents (gluconic acid, arabinose, raffinose, rhamnose, galactose, glazose and glucose) were achieved in the integrative application of 50% chemical fertilizer+ 25% macro nanofertilizer+ 25% micro nanofertilizer.

Overally, the results of this study indicated that integrative application of 50% chemical fertilizer with macro and micro nanofertilizers as a new method in the production and cultivation of medicinal plants can improve the Quantitative and qualitative yield of dragon’s head under rainfed condition.

This research was carried out to investigate the effect of organic and biological fertilizers application on yield, yield components, oil and silymarin percentage of milk thistle.  

The experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maraghehin 2016. The first factor was included organic fertilizer in three levels as without application (control), application of 20 tons per hectare of farmyard manure and application of 15 tons per hectare of vermicompost, and the second factor was included the application methods of Supernitroplas as biological fertilizer in four levels including non-application (control), seed inoculation, fertigation (topdress application) and seed inoculation + fertigation  

The highest capitol and biological yield was obtained using farmyard manure.  The number of grain per capitols and 1000-kernal weight showed significant increases with application of both farmyard and vermicompost compared to control. The highest grain yield (160.2 g.m-2) and oil percentage (17.52%) were obtained with vermicompost application and the highest oil yield (27.9 g.m-2) obtained using farmyard manure that showed increases of 31, 7.8 and 39.7 % compared to control, respectively. All three methods of Supernitroplas application significantly increased the oil percentage compared to control. The maximum number of capitol and 1000-kernal weight were obtained by combined application of Supernitroplas (inoculation + fertigation). The highest grain yield (159.4 g.m-2), oil percentage (17.7%) and oil yield (28.7 g.m-2) were obtained by using the combined method without significant difference with topdress application and seed inoculation methods that showed increases of 24.9, 12.5 ​​and 41.9% compared to control, respectively. The highest percentage of silymarin was obtained with vermicompost application and Supernitroplas by different methods without significant difference (average: 6.2%), which showed an increase 79.8% on average compared to non-application of organic and biological fertilizers (control).  

The application of manure and vermicompost fertilizers and the application of Supernitroplas as seed inoculation or fertigation improve the yield components, grain yield, oil percentage and silymarin in milk thistle.

Intercropping systems and the application of biofertilizers play an important role in increasing of quantity and quality of plant products. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae application and different planting patterns on the yield and yield component of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) in intercropping with chick pea (Cicer arietnium L.).  

A field experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 10 treatments and three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2018 growing season. The first factor was consisted of different planting patterns including monoculture of chickpea, monoculture of black cumin, 1 row intercropping of chickpea + 1 black cumin (1:1), 1 row chickpea+ 2 row black cumin (1:2) and 2 row chickpea+ 1 row black cumin (2:1) and the second factor was inoculation and non-inoculation with mychorrizal fungus.  

The results demonstrated that the seed yield of chickpea and black cumin was significantly affected by different planting patterns and mychorrizal fungus. The highest seed yield of chickpea (1203.5 kg.ha-1) was observed in the chickpea monoculture that was no significantly different with planting pattern of 2:1. Also, the highest seed yield of black cumin (823.3 kg.ha-1) was achieved in its monoculture. Application of mychorrizal fungus increased the seed yield of chickpea and black cumin by 24.62 and 18.59% in compared with non-application. In addition, the highest essential oil percentage (1.06) and essential oil yield (7.326 g.m-2) were achieved in the 1 row chickpea+ 2 row black cumin intercropping pattern. In all intercropping patterns, the LER was higher than one, indicating the advantages of these patterns compared with monocultures. The highest LER (1.56) was obtained in the planting pattern of 1:2 with application of mychorrizal fungus. Also, in all intercropping patterns, the aggressivity values of chickpea was higher than black cumin, representing that the chickpea was the dominant in these intercropping patterns. Moreover, the highest ecological indices (AHER, ATER and LUE) and monetary indices (IA, MAI, RVT and SPI) were achieved in the ratios of 1:2 and 2:1 with application of mychorrizal fungus.  

Generally, the planting pattern of 1 row chickpea+ 2 row black cumin (1:2) with application of mychorrizal fungus not only leading to agricultural ecosystems diversity and sustainable productivity, but also effective in enhancing economic income and land use efficiency.

Intercropping systems are one of the sustainable agricultural systems that defined as growing two or more plants simultaneously, lead to the use of more resources efficiently of nutrient water and land, improving plant productionIntercropping, as a new green revolution, is a sustainable strategy for the development of food production due to the lesser reliance of chemical fertilizer inputs compared with monocultures. In intercropping systems, plant nutrient uptake could improve the physical, chemical, and biological soil properties and higher nutrient mobilization in the rhizosphere. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) are preferred biofertilizers over other myriads of microorganisms that inhabit the interface between plant and soil. They are ubiquitous soil inhabitants and form the largest group which is predominantly associated with crops. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can considerably improve plant growth, nutrients uptake, and transport, especially phosphorus, water status, and chlorophyll content. Previously studies demonstrated that higher productivity with AM fungi's application was attributed to higher nutrients availability such as P, K, Ca, Mg, etc. Thus, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of barley's different intercropping patterns with grass pea and symbiosis with AM fungus on the forage yield and nutrients absorption, including N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ca, and Mg.

In order to investigate the forage nutrients content and in intercropping of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) under application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, a field experiment was performed as a factorial layout based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten treatments and three replications at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran, during 2017. The first factor included different planting patterns (monoculture of barley, monoculture of grass pea, 75% grass pea+ 25% barley, 50% grass pea+ 50% barley, 25% grass pea+ 75% barley), and the second factor was inoculated and non-inoculated with Glomus intraradices fungus. All data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) using MSTAT-C statistical software. The Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare means at a 5% probability level.

This study demonstrated that the macro and micronutrient content were significantly affected by different cropping patterns with the application of AM fungi. The greatest barley forage yield belonged to inoculated barley monoculture. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the inoculated barley forage yield in monoculture was 47.48% more than the non-inoculated. The highest grass pea forage yield was achieved in monocultures and followed by a ratio of 75% grass pea+ 25% barley symbiosis with mycorrhizae fungus. Also, the highest nutrient content was achieved in grass pea monoculture with the application of AM fungi. Between different intercropping patterns, the highest nutrients content was obtained in the 75% grass pea+ 25% barley with the application of AM fungus. The higher nutrients uptake was attributed to increasing the absorption surface and improving nutrients availability with the application of AM fungi. Also, Varma et al. (2018) reported that the application of AM fungi in intercropping systems increased the transfer of the nutrients, especially nitrogen, to component plants that resulted in higher nutrients uptake in plants. These authors also reported that the higher nitrogen content with the application of AM fungi attributed to the higher activity of nitrate reductase and dikinase glucan enzymes that resulted in higher nitrogen availability for plants.

According to the results of this research, intercropping treatments of barley/grass pea with Glomus intraradices considerably influenced by the absorption of nutrients and forage yield. The content of concentration nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and calcium were highest at all intercropping patterns coincided with the application of mycorrhiza fungi than the non-inoculated monoculture of barley. Also, between different intercropping patterns, the highest nutrients content was obtained in 75% grass pea+ 25% barley pattern accompanied by application of mycorrhiza that suggested as a better pattern to achievement high-quality forage for farmers. Therefore, intercropping of barley/grass pea with the application of mycorrhizae can improve forage quality of barley and grass pea from the point of view concentration of nutrients and were influential in production forage with high quantity.

Water deficit stress in the late growth stage is one of the limitation factor of wheat production in arid and semi-arid regions such as Iran and introduction of stress tolerant varieties is one the strategies that conquer to it. In this research, the reaction of 15 bread wheat genotypes against to water deficit stress at the late growth stage were inspected using stress tolerance indices. Hence, bread wheat genotypes were studied in both normal and stress states separately using randomized complete block design with three replications in farm condition. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among studied genotypes based on tolerance indices. Mean comparison manifested that genotypes 3 and 8 could consider as suitable genotypes for water deficit stress at the late growth stage. Classification of genotypes based on studied tolerance indices located them into three groups. Among studied indices, GMP, STI, YSI and SSI were identified as suitable indices in selection of tolerant genotypes for water deficit stress at the late growth stage because they possessed significant relation with environmental yields. Results of triangle plots showed that genotypes 3 and 8 have the highest seed yield in both stress and non-stress conditions based on GMP, STI and SSI indices (Group A) and could effectively use in water stress state in the late growth stage.

The environmental and economic impacts of chemical fertilizers application have encouraged agronomists and growers to evaluate the use of alternative nutrient sources. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of biological, chemical and organic fertilizers, as alone and integrative application on yield, yield components and physiological traits of sunflower under different irrigation levels.  

A two- field experiments were carried out as split plot based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications at the Piranshahr agricultural research station, West Azarbaijan province, Iran, during during 2016 and 2017. The main plots included different irrigation levels (Irrigation at 85, 70 and 55% field capacity) and the sub plots were including different fertilization levels: 100% of recommended chemical fertilizer (255, 25 and 25 kg ha-1 urea, triple superphosphate and potassium sulfate, respectively), 10 ton ha-1 vermicompost, 15 ton ha-1 vermicompost, biosuper+ azotobacter biofertilizer, 10 ton ha-1 vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter, 15 ton ha-1 vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter, 10 ton ha-1 vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter, 10 ton ha-1 vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter+ 50% chemical fertilizer and 15 ton ha-1 and vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter+ 50% chemical fertilizer.   

The results demonstrated that the irrigation at 55% of field capacity significantly decreased the plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, thousand seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, relative water content, head weight and number of seeds per head of sunflower. The highest achene yield of sunflower (4230 kg ha-1) was achieved in the normal irrigation with application of 15 ton ha-1 vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter+ 50% chemical fertilizer. Also, the lowest achene yield (3051 kg ha-1) was observed in the severe stress conditions (Irrigation at 55% of field capacity) with application of chemical fertilizer. In addition, the highest (46.3 g) and the lowest (41.4) thousand seed weight was achieved in the irrigation at 85% field capacity with application of 15 ton ha-1 vermicompost+ biosuper+ azotobacter+ 50% chemical fertilizer and irrigation at 55% field capacity with application of chemical fertilizer, respectively.  

The results of this study showed that the highest gross return was achieved by application of 100% chemical fertilizer (255, 25 and 25 kg ha-1 urea, triple superphosphate and potassium sulfate, respectively) and biofertilizers in the normal irrigation conditions (85% of field capacity).

In order to evaluate the integrative application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and chemical fertilizers on the quality and quantity traits of Dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica), a field experiment was carried out as a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2016 growing season. Treatments were included 100% chemical fertilizer (CF), Glomus mosseae (GM), Glomus intraradices (GI), GM+GI, 50% CF+GM, 50% CF+GI and 50% CF+GM+GI. The results demonstrated that the highest (71.83) and the lowest (54.47) chlorophyll index was achieved in the 50% CF+GM+GI and individual application of GI. In addition, the highest number of lateral branches was related to application of 50% CF+GM+GI, 50% CF+GM and GI. Furthermore, the highest grain yield (802.8 Kg ha-1), number of flower cycles per plant (63.6), number of seed per plant (519.3), number of seeds in the main stem (149.2), number of seeds per flower cycle (18), seed weight per plant (3.75 g), the grain-1000 weight (4.75 g) and total dry weight (426.3 g m-2) were achieved in the integrative application of 50% CF+GM+GI. By the way, the highest of EO content (0.5%) and EO yield (2.2 g m-2) were observed with application of 50% CF+GM+GI. The analysis of GC-FID and GC-MS showed that the linalool,menthone,geranial,menthyl acetate,geranyl acetate,valencene andcaryophyllene oxide were the major essential oil compounds. Generally, integrative application of 50% CF+GM+GI could improve the quality and quantity traits of dragon's head.

Intercropping can provide numerous benefits to cropping systems through increasing total yield and land use efficiency, improving yield stability of cropping systems, enhancing light, water, and nutrient use, improving soil conservation and controlling weeds, insects, or diseases. Moreover, intercropping can facilitate mechanical harvest, whereas legumes in mixtures with cereals can improve the quality of forage. Although cereals are widespread used in livestock nutrition for their high dry matter production and low cost, they have low nutrition value due to their poor protein content. High quality of forage has been notified as an important aspect of forage crop production.

The experiment was conducted at the faculty of Agriculture, university of Maragheh, Iran as factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD). The first factor were 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 plants m-2 of field pea and the second factor were different intercropping patterns based on substitution ratio (25% barley+75% filed pea, 50% barley+ 50% filed pea and 75% barley+ 25% field pea). At harvesting time quantity and quality properties including total forage yield neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP) and ash were determined. Also, the land equivalent ratio (LER) is defined as the land equivalent needed for growing either crops in intercropping systems compared with the land area needed to each crop monocultures. The LER values were calculated as:(Eq.2) Where LER and LERs were land equivalent ratio and standard land equivalent ratio, respectively; Ypp and Ybb were yields of field pea and barley monoculture; and Ypb and Ybp were yields of field pea and barley in intercropping patterns. Analysis of variance of the data and mean comparison based on Duncan’s multiple range test were carried out using MSTATC statistical software.

The results showed that the total forage yield was significantly affected by different planting patterns and densities. The highest total forage yield was obtained under 75% barley+ 25% forage pea followed by 50% barley+ 50% forage pea. Also, the lowest total forage yield was observed under 25% barley+ 75% field pea. In Addition to, densities of 100 and 300 plants m-2 of field pea had the highest and lowest effect on total forage yield.  The higher forage production may be due to higher resource use complementarity in time and space between intercropping components. In terms of forage quality, ash forage decreased with increasing proportion of barley. Thus, under 75% barley+ 25% forage pea the forage ash amount decreased 23.85 and 17.38% in comparison to 25% barley+ 75% forage pea and 50% barley+ 50% forage pea. Concentration of the total crude protein enhanced by increasing proportion of forage pea in intercropping. Therefore, the highest percent of the total crude protein was obtained under 25% barley + 75% forage pea with density of 300 plants m-2. In addition,  the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ADF significantly decreased with increasing proportion of forage pea. Forage quality improvement in terms of higher crude protein and lower NDF and ADF were attributed to presence of the legume species in intercropping patterns (Stolts & Nadeau, 2014). In most treatments, the LER values were >1, which suggests an overall yield advantage of intercropping compared with monoculture. 

Our trials exhibited that, the highest total forage yield was obtained under 75% barley+ 25% forage pea. NDF and ADF increased with enhancing proportion of barley. So that, the highest and the lowest ADF and NDF content were obtained under 75% barley+ 25% field pea and 25% barley+ 75% filed pea, respectively. The highest LER (1.25) was achieved under 25% barley+ 75% field pea (with density of 100 plants m-2). Generally, barley intercropping with forage pea in lower densities can improve forage production under rainfed conditions

Pulses are a group of crops which are important in human nutrition and also sustainability of agronomical systems and economic advantage. Regarding optimum planting density of mung beans (40 plant m-2), more than 700 tons of certified seeds of mung bean seeds are needed all over the country, confirming the importance of the production of high quality seeds. Seed quality may be affected by different environmental conditions such as water deficit. Since intercropping can alleviate the negative effects of drought on crop growth, the hypothesis that crops can benefit from intercropping has been formulated in previous studies. Since there is no sufficient information on germination performance and seed weight of mung bean during seed growth and development in response to partial root zone irrigation and intercropping, the current experiment was aimed to evaluate the effect of partial root zone irrigation and intercropping on some quality traits of mung bean and to determine the best time of harvesting to produce high quality seeds in mung bean.

The experiment was conducted as factorial (3× 2× 5) based on RCBD with three replications. The first factor was planting pattern (including sole mung bean, inter-row maize-mung bean intercropping and within-row maize-mung bean intercropping). The second factor was irrigation method (partial root zone irrigation and conventional irrigation) and the third factor was harvest time (5-day intervals in 5 stages). Germination percentage, 1000-grain weight, root length, shoot length and seedling dry weight were determined for evaluation of seed quality.

The results indicated that the interaction of cropping pattern× harvest time and cropping pattern× irrigation× harvest time had no significant effect on traits. However, the interaction of irrigation× harvest time on germination percentage, root length and seedling dry weight was significant (P≤0.01). With increasing growth and maturation of seed, germination percentage increased in both irrigation methods. Germination percentage of mung bean was reduced by partial root zone irrigation. The effect of partial root zone irrigation on germination percentage was higher at the end of seed filling period. Partial root zone irrigation resulted in the reduction of root length. The differences between conventional and partial root zone irrigation for root length at different harvest times were 4, 9, 9, 18 and 15 percent, respectively. In both irrigation methods (i.e., conventional and partial root zone irrigation) seedling dry weight increased with increasing the seed growth and maturation. However, deficit of irrigation had negative effects on seedling dry weight of mung bean. With reduced water availability, 1000-grain weight and shoot length were also reduced. 1000-grain and shoot length of mung bean in conventional irrigation were 11 and 10 percent higher than those of partial root zone irrigation, respectively.

Intercropping had no significant effect on seed quality of mung bean. However, deficit of irrigation reduced its seed quality. For harvesting high quality seeds in mung bean, there is a need for plants that experience no drought stress. That the time of reaching the maximum seed quality coincided with the ending of the seed filling period confirms the Harington’s hypothesis.

Seed quality of mung bean during seed growth and development was evaluated. Effect of deficient irrigation induced by partial root zone irrigation on seed quality of mung bean was determined. The effect of planting pattern of mother plants on seed quality was investigated.