enayatollah tohidi-nejad

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops widely grown in Africa and Asia and well adapted to harsh environments. Among the oilseed crops in the world, sesame is one of the most important because of its high-quality nutritional seeds and oil. Different soil additives including fertilizers and microorganisms are extensively applied in agricultural systems to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity. Recently, the application of effective microorganisms (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AM) have been considered an eco-friendly way in increasing nutrient and fertilizer use efficiencies and minimizing the harmful environmental effects of fertilizers. However, findings are inadequate regarding the effects of adding vermicompost alone or in combination with AM and EM on the sesame plants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of their integrated application on the agronomic efficiency of vermicompost (AEV), AM and EM inoculation effect (AMIE and EMIE), yield and yield components, and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of sesame.

A field experiment with the aim of evaluating the effect of different vermicompost levels (no application, application of 50% of the recommended amount; 5 t ha-1, and 100% of the recommended amount; 10 t ha-1), EM application (without EM inoculation, and EM inoculation) and AM inoculation (no-inoculation and inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae) was conducted as split-split plot experiment at Rudbar-e Jonoub region, Jiroft, Iran, during the growing season of 2021-2022. Sesame seeds were procured from the local farmers and sown on August 11, 2021. When the plants were established, the plants were thinned and a final density of 20 plants per m2 was obtained. At the end of the growing season (November 21, 2021), plants were harvested and various traits including plant height, number of branches, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield were measured. NUE, AEV, AMIE, and EMIE were also calculated.

The results showed that vermicompost application, EM, and AM inoculation interaction effect significantly affected yield components, seed yield, and NUE of sesame and AEV. While the use of microorganisms in no application of vermicompost showed no significant effect on the mentioned characteristics, combined application of AM and EM in the application of 5 t ha-1 vermicompost, and individual application in the application of 10 t ha-1 vermicompost, led to a significant increase in the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per plant, seed yield (2124, 2637, and 2741 kg ha-1, respectively), and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium use efficiencies (between 49 to 95 percent compared with the control). The highest AEV was also obtained from the reduced level of application (5 t ha-1) and integrated inoculation of AM and EM. In general, the application of microorganisms in both vermicompost application levels led to an increase in vermicompost use efficiency. On the other hand, the use of different vermicompost levels increased the efficiency of microbial inoculation and the highest inoculation efficiency was obtained at the highest application level. Even though the highest yield and NUE were obtained from the application of 100% vermicompost, the integrated application of microorganisms with 50% of vermicompost did not show a significant difference with the 100% application and no microbial inoculation. In fact, this treatment combination led to achieving the highest agronomic efficiency of vermicompost, which can be considered in the management of fertilizer resources, especially in the limited availability of nutrient resources.

Overall, the integrated application of vermicompost and inoculation with AM and EM could be considered as an effective strategy to improve the growth, yield, nutrient use efficiency, and sesame productivity. Furthermore, the use of microbial inoculants improved the agronomic efficiency of vermicompost. Such information might help in decision-making to improve nutrient management in the fields.

The response of Thymus vulgaris and Zataria multiflora to mycorrhiza fungus inoculation (inoculation and non-inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae) at different irrigation levels (irrigation 100% of field capacity (100% FC, control or no stress); 75% FC (moderate stress); and 50% FC (severe stress); was investigated in greenhouse conditions. The results showed that inoculation with mycorrhiza led to improvement of root volume by 100%, root dry weight by 159%, shoot fresh and dry weight by 77% and 96%, and water use efficiency by 98% under 100% FC and in some cases under 75% FC. The results of evaluating the mycorrhizal inoculation effect in different irrigation conditions, also showed that the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation decreased dramatically with increase in stress intensity. Phosphorus (P) content of the shoot of T. vulgaris and Z. multiflora decreased with drought stress application. In addition, mycorrhizae inoculation increased root P content by 14% in T. vulgaris. In Z. multiflora, inoculation with mycorrhizal improved P content by 63% compared with non-inoculation under severe stress. While in T. vulgaris, root P uptake was improved (170%) by mycorrhizal inoculation under normal and mild stress conditions, mycorrhizal inoculation did not show the efficiency to improve P uptake under severe stress condition. Meanwhile, in Z. multiflora, P uptake was improved by 75% and 215%, respectively in mycorrhizal inoculation under 75% and 50% FC. This can be one of the most important reasons for reducing the shoot to root ratio by mycorrhizal inoculation under severe stress conditions.

The application of different physical, chemical, and hormonal treatments mainly improves the germination of plants such as Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss that have a seed dormancy mechanism. However, the interaction effects of germination, temperature, pretreatment with sulfuric acid, treatment with gibberellic acid and mycorrhiza on D. kotschyi germination have not been studied. Therefore, this experiment was performed in vitro to study the effect of seed pretreatment on improvement of germination characteristics of D. kotschyi seed.

The treatments studied in this experiment included (1) pretreatment of seed coat with sulfuric acid (97-95 %, for 10 min) and non-pretreatment (distilled water); (2) different treatments including treatments with concentrations of 0, 250, and 500 mg L-1 gibberellic acid (GA) or inoculation with mycorrhiza suspension in two separate experiments; and (3) two temperature treatments; room and refrigerator (about 4 °C) temperatures. The experiment was performed as a factorial based on a completely randomized design with four replications and different germination and initial seedling growth indices were examined.

Gibberellic acid application at room temperature resulted in a significant increase in germination percentage and rate, whereas there was no significant difference between different levels of gibberellic acid and control at 4 °C. Similarly, the application of 250 mg L-1 GA improved seedling length and seedling vigor index at room temperature. While pretreatment with sulfuric acid significantly reduced germination and seedling growth indices compared to non-pretreatment, inoculation with mycorrhiza suspension in both pretreatment conditions compensated the germination reduction caused by sulfuric acid pretreatment by improving germination. Similarly, while the highest seedling length and vigor were obtained from mycorrhizal treatment at room temperature in non-pretreatment with sulfuric acid, at 4 ° C, inoculation with mycorrhiza also significantly reduced the loss in seedling length and seedling vigor index caused by sulfuric acid application.

According to the findings, it seems that the application of 250 mg L-1 GA at room temperature can be considered to improve the germination trend of D. kotschyi. Also, according to the results, treatment with mycorrhiza in sulfuric acid-free treatment at room temperature can be recommended as optimal conditions to improve the germination of D. kotschyi.

1- The interaction effect of chemical pretreatment with biological and hormonal treatments on the germination of Dracocephalum kotschyi was investigated.
2- The application of gibberellic acid at room temperature improved germination compared to the control, whereas it had no effect on germination at 4 °C.
3- Application of mycorrhiza reduced germination loss caused by pretreatment with sulfuric acid and led to maximum germination and seedling growth.

In most of the wheat cultivated areas in the world, drought stress during the reproductive stages leads to a significant reduction in grain yield. Therefore, considering the arid and semi-arid climate of this country and the increased population ahead, it is necessary to identify cultivars tolerant to drought and related traits. On this basis, the present study was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2016-2017 cropping year. Experimental treatments included 28 bread wheat cultivars which were cultivated in two different environments (normal conditions and drought stress). GGE bipolates are one of the most accurate and efficient multivariate models. The GT type of this biplot deals with the relationships between traits in genotypes. Based on the results, the vectors in biplot showed that there was a strong and positive correlation between physiological traits such as chlorophyll pigments concentration, carotenoids, chlorophyll index, and relative water content with yield in both normal irrigation and terminal drought conditions. Under stress conditions, the concentration of elements had a negative correlation with yield, but this was with normal irrigation, whereas only microelements had a negative correlation. According to the biplot diagram, Roshan, Pishgam, Zagros, Omid, and Baran genotypes were introduced as the best genotypes for some or all of the traits under drought stress. On the other hand, evaluation of tolerance of genotypes with tolerance indices also showed that MP, GMP and STI indices had a positive and significant correlation with grain yield and therefore Alvand and Omid were identified as tolerant and sensitive genotypes, respectively. According to the present results, G×T biplot and tolerance indices (MP, GMP, and STI) can be a good way to evaluate the superiority of traits and identify tolerant genotypes, and by this way, superior genotypes with high production capacity and desirable traits can be used in drought tolerance breeding programs. Also, photosynthetic pigments and element concentrations can be a good criterion for improving grain yield, especially under stress conditions.

This field experiment is arranged in a split-split plot based on a randomized complete block design replicated three times during the growing season of 2019 at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. Nitrogen fertilizer rates (no-application, 50%, and 100%; 0, 75, and 150 kg urea per hectare) serve as the main factor, inoculation with growth-promoting bacteria (non-inoculation and inoculation with Pantoea agglomerans) as sub factor, and different fenugreek and black cumin cropping systems (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) as sub-sub factor. Biomass, yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), agronomy efficiency of fertilizer (AEF), and land equivalent ratio (LER) are determined. The results show that the highest biomass and NUE of studied plants are obtained from 100% fertilization and bacteria inoculation in monoculture. The total LER is also significantly improved by fertilization (between 28-51%) and bacteria inoculation (23%), showing a higher advantageous in 25:75 and 50:50 cropping patterns with LER values of 1.732 and 1.688, respectively. In contrast, reducing 50% of fertilization under bacterial inoculation increases the AEF, especially in fenugreek monoculture. Fertilization increasing the total NUE and bacteria inoculation results in the highest NUE, particularly at increased ratios of fenugreek. Fenugreek:black cumin cropping ratio of 25:75 under 100% N fertilization and bacteria inoculation with LER ≈ 2 has been the best treatment combination for gaining maximum overall productivity. Fertilization with 50% N inoculated with bacteria in the same cropping pattern can be recommended when fertilizer application is restricted. The present research suggests that the integrated application of bacteria and fertilization can enhance the overall efficiency of intercropping.

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is an annual and tropical plant of the legume family that is suitable for seed production in arid and semi-arid regions due to its resistance to drought.

Methods & Materials: 

Therefore for studying the effects of salicylic acid on morphological, physiological characteristics, yield and yield components of Guar under at three levels of field capacity (drought stress), a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replicates was conducted in Jiroft in Kerman province, Iran. The experimental treatments were included three levels of irrigation (45, 65 and 85% of field capacity as main factor) and four concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM as the sub factor). Foliar application of salicylic acid was carried out in three five-leaf, flowering and pod stages.

Results showed that by reducing soil moisture (from 85 to 45% FC) significantly decreased all traits except grain protein. The effect of salicylic acid was also significant on all traits except for 1000-grain weight. Foliar application of 1mM salicylic acid at 85% and 65% of field capacity resulted in the highest grain yield.

There was no statistically significant difference between 2 and 1 mM concentrations in most of the studied traits, so, it can be concluded that foliar application of salicylic acid at a 1 mM concentration can reduce the negative effects of decreasing soil moisture, Finally 65% of field capacity it can be introduced as superior level for irrigation of Guar.

In order to investigate the effect of planting date on agronomic and physiolocal characteristics of maize hybrids in different groups in Jiroft region of Kerman province, an experiment as a split plot in the randomized complete block design with three replications in the city of Jiroft in the crop year 2017-2018 was conducted. Experimental factors were included planting date as the main factor at three levels of July 27, August 3 and August 10 and different hybrids as a secondary factor at 10 levels of early, late and medium maturing hybrids (701, 703, 705, 706, 707, 201, 260, 400, 370 and 704 as controls). There was a significant difference between the studied hybrids in terms of agronomic and physiological characteristics. The highest number of rows per ear was obtained in hybrid 706 and the highest number of seeds per row was obtained in hybrid 707. Delaying in planting was associated by of increasing stem diameter and biological yield and decreasing of plant height, ear length, number of rows per ear, seed yield, harvest index, GDD to physiological maturity and spad. By Delaing in planting, seed protein percent and proline accumulation increased. The most seed yield was obtained on July 17 in hybrid 260 (18.24 t.ha-1), August 3 in hybrid 210 (17.46 t.ha-1) and August 10 in hybrids 370 and 201 (17.4 and 17.28 t.ha-1). It seems that the delayed planting date due to exposure to unfavorable temperatures during tillering, pollination and granulation, as well as the reduction of the growing period was decreased yield and yield components.

Medicinal plants’ intercropping system is a relatively new approach to enhance their sustainable production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of fenugreek-dill to the integrated application of manure and bio-fertilizers in the intercropping system.

In a field experiment during the growing season of 2020, the effect of manure levels (no application, 6 and 12 t ha-1), either inoculated or non-inoculated with N-fixing bacteria on biomass production, land equivalent ratio (LER), Area-time equivalent ratio, land use efficiency, agronomy efficiency of fertilizer (AEF), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in monoculture compared to different intercropping patterns of dill:fenugreek (75:25, 50:50, and 25:75) were examined.

The results showed that the decrease in biomass production due to the decrease of fenugreek cropping ratio was compensated by 100% fertilization and bacterial inoculation which led to an increase in NUE, AEF, LERf, and the whole system advantageous in 75:25 and 50:50 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratios. Despite the decrease in biomass production and NUE with decreasing dill ratio in intercropping, biomass production under bacterial inoculation and 50% fertilization did not show any significant difference with 100% manure application, which led to increased AEF, NUE, and LER in these conditions.

According to the results, 25:75 and 50:50 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratios under 100% fertilization and bacterial inoculation can increase the total advantageous indices and NUE. For sustainable production of dill, 75:25 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratio inoculated with bacteria in 50% manure application can be recommended.

In arid and semi-arid regions, efficient use of water through improved cultivars with less water requirement and more drought tolerance is a basic important way to achieve assurance and stability of crop production. Water use efficiency (WUE) indicates the amount of consumed water for yield production and is defined as the ratio of dry matter or economic yield weight (g) to used water weight (m3). Indigo varieties are grown in many countries as ornamental plants for indigo color production and also as medicinal vegetative plants. Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria L.) is a valuable species of legumes that it's cultivation have an old background in Jiroft, Kahnooj, Bam and Iranshahr. It is known as a drought tolerant plant but in seedling stage, it is sensitive to water stress and requires sufficient water for seed production in flowering time. The aim of this experiment is evaluation of leaf and grain yield and WUE in existent and prevalent indigo ecotypes in Kerman south region in order to select the best ecotype for planting in this region in future.

This experiment was conducted during two years in Jiroft, Kerman, as split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Different irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100% of water requirements) and four ecotypes (Jiroft, Kahnooj, Rigan and Ghaleh-Gange) were considered as the main and sub plots, respectively. The leaf dry weight, seed yield, water use efficiency base on leaf and seed were measured.

The results of ANOVA indicated that drought stress has significant effect on all of the measured traits. In addition the effect of drought × year was considerable on seed yield and seed WUE, while it was not on leaf yield and leaf WUE. The most seed yield obtained in normal condition in second year and the most seed WUE was reported in same year in average drought stress. For all of traits, the highest means obtained from normal conditions except for leaf WUE, which was obtained from severe stress conditions. Ecotype effect was remarkable for all of traits. Ecotype×year and ecotype×drought effects were significant for leaf WUE. Ecotype×drought was significant about seed yield too. For ecotype×year effect, highest leaf WUE was related to Jiroft ecotype in second year and for ecotype×drought effect the highest means of leaf WUE and seed yield were related to Jiroft in severe drought stress conditions and normal conditions, respectively. However, the results of this research showed that Jiroft and Roudbar ecotypes had higher leaf dry weight (5100.9 kg.ha-1), seed yield (331.75 kg.ha-1) and water use efficiency of leaf (1.24 kg.m-3) compared to other ecotypes under severe water stress conditions.

The results of this experiment indicated that drought stress notably influences leaf and seed yield in indigo. With consideration of drought × ecotype effect, in severe drought conditions Jiroft and south Roodbar ecotypes had no significant difference and these two ecotypes had the highest means for all of traits. Management of production conditions in order to leaf yield improvement is necessary since the aim of indigo cultivation is leaf production and color industry. In this way, as warm and drought climate conditions in sought of Kerman and necessity of cultivation pattern change in order to water economize and increase economic value, cultivation of these two ecotypes is recommended in alternation after wheat and vine crops.

Guar is a tropical, salt and drought tolerant plant. To assess the effect of salicylic acid on its morphological and agronomical traits under different irrigation intervals, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replicates was performed in Galeh-Gang region in Kerman province, Iran. Three different irrigations with 6, 9 and 12 day intervals, assigned to main plots and four salicylic acid concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM) to sub plots. Salicylic acid spraying was done three times at five leaf, flowering and podding stages. The results indicated that most of the morphologic and agronomic characters of guar were influenced under different irrigation intervals. Leaf area index, number of pods per plants and number of seeds per pod were decreased when drought stress occured. Spraying plants with salicylic acid increased almost all characters under study. While, the highest number of pods per plant, seeds per pod were obtained at 2 mM and leaf area index at 1 mM salicylic acid treatments. Irrigation interval by salicylic acid interaction was significant for specific leaf area, 1000 seed weight, seed protein content and seed yield. The highest seed yield (1245.25 kg.ha-1) was belonged to the irrigation of 6 day interval and 1 mM acid salicylic treatment. As a whole it can be concluded that use of 1 mM salicylic acid treatment might increase drought tolerance of guar and prevent yield reduction during drought stress.

IntroductionCommon millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a cereal plant cultivated for its grain, mostly in semi-arid regions of Iran. It is a warm-season and C4 grass with higher water use efficiency than C3 plants, short growing season, low moisture requirement, relatively high drought resistance and is capable of producing food or feed where other grain crops would fail. Water resources deficit and drought stress is becoming a major threat to plant productivity loss in agricultural systems therefore optimum use of limited water resources and seasonal scattered rainfall and water use efficiency is necessary. Drought stress leads to lower growth, yield and yield components in pearl millet. Super ab¬sorbent polymers have a great importance for their role in increase of absorption capacity and saving water in the soil and to combat water shortage conditions. The water holding capacity of super ab¬sorbent polymers helps to keep plants from sitting in water logged soil in times of excess moisture. Then, as moisture is needed, super ab¬sorbent polymers release moisture back into the root zone helping to maintain consistent soil moisture. Positive impact of super absorbent polymers on growth and yield of soybean and corn under water limited condition have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of different levels of water deficit and super absorbent polymers on morphological and physiological characteristics of millet ecotypes.
Material and methodsThe experiment was carried out during spring and summer of 2013 in Faculty of agriculture research field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman (56º, 58'E; 30º, 15'N and 1754 m elevation). Soil type was a Sandy-loam, with pH 7.6 and mean annual precipitation of 150 mm. The experiment was carried out in a split plot arrangement based on RCBD design with three replications. Irrigation treatments included three levels: normal irrigation, drought stress with super absorbent application and drought stress were applied in main plots and Zahedan, Kahnooj, Ghale-ganj, Golbaf, p25 line and Pishahang Ecotypes as plant material were sown in sub plots. Irrigation intervals were conducted based on 50 and 100 mm evaporation from class A pan evaporation. Plants were harvested at the end of the growing season to determination of plant height, biological and grain yield. Ion leakage percent were measured based on method proposed by Zheng et al. (2008). Statistical analysis was done by MSTAT-C, Excel and SAS softwares and means were compared by Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% of probability level.
Results and discussionThe results showed that significantly increased were observed in stem length, grain and biological yield in super absorbent polymer application in comparison with the non-application in stress conditions. Stern et al. (1992) reported that the use of super absorbent polymers increased dry matter in wheat. The use of super absorbent decreased ion leakage that was consistent with the results of Harvey (2002). Pishahang cultivar had the higher biological yield in stress condition with super absorbent application compared to the other ecotypes of millet. Kahnooj ecotype in stem length and Ghale-ganj in grain yield significantly higher than the others. Kahnooj ecotype had the lower ionic leakage than the others. The results of this research revealed that Golbaf ecotype in drought stress and Ghale-ganj ecotype in drought by applying super absorbent conditions had significant performance. Application of super absorbent polymer increased 55.3% in grain yield compared to the non-application under drought stress. Stoker (1960) reported that drought stress leaded to increase in ionic leakage and reduced plant height and create short plants. Application of super absorbent polymers to reduce the devastating effects of drought on soybean and corn have been reported.
ConclusionThe super absorbent polymer increased grain yield compared to normal irrigation which indicating very positive and direct effect of this polymer in maintaining soil moisture nearby the plant roots and reducing the adverse effects of drought stress as well as increasing grain yield in millet ecotypes, therefore could be helpful materials for more utilization of plants potential in conditions and environments with water limitation.

In order to assessment of quality traits of durum wheat lines, 18 elite lines selected from advanced regional durum wheat yield trial, ARDYT (2009-10) along with two check {including Dena(durum wheat) and Parsi (Bread wheat)} were studied in an experiment using RCBD with three replications at Isfahan research station in two consecutive crop season. Results showed a significant difference between the two years for all traits (except %protein). In first year lines 15 and 8 had the highest (%12.6) and lowest (%11.3) of protein percentage, respectively. While the highest (%13) and lowest (%11.7) of this character for second year were in control-1 and line 14, respectively. Cluster analysis classified lines in four main groups, that IV group had the highest protein percentage. The most of traits had a significant correlated. Factor analysis revealed that three factors confirmed more than 84% of total variance between the lines. The first factor confirmed 49% of the variation. In conclusion, the results of present study are suitable for crop and breeding programs.

Effect of different planting ratios of oat (Avena sativa L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.) was assessed on quality and quantity of forage and silage in an intercropping system as completely randomized block design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments were different planting ratios of oat and vetch including 0:100، 20:80، 40:60، 50:50، 60:40، 80:20 and 100:0 (Oat-Vetch) formed as replacement series. The results indicated that the highest quantitative yield obtained from 40 percent: vetch + 60 percent oat where their fresh and dry matters were 62. 88 and 15. 72 ton/ha، respectively. The results obtained from analysis of variance showed، all the parameters including crude protein، butyric acid، lactic acid، acetic acid، Natural Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF)، propionic acid were significantly different with differing planting compositions except ethanol and ammoniac nitrogen. Monoculture of vetch (0-100) produced the highest level of crude protein، butyric acid and lactic acid whereas maximum acetic acid was obtained from 20 percent vetch + 80 percent oat. Maximum NDF and ADF observed from 40 percent vetch + 60 percent oat and the highest level of propionic acid were related to oat monoculture. Generally the ratio of 40 percent vetch + 60 percent oat with maximum of quality and quantity of yield was superior to others and it was acceptable as qualitative characteristics.

In order to study the effects of different methods of tillage and residue management of barley on silage yield and yield components of corn S. C. 704، an experiement was carried out during two year (2008-2010)، at Kerman Natural Resources and Agriculture research station، Based on a split plot design in randomized complete block in three replications. The experiment treatments included three levels of residue management 1- half of the residue، 2 - complete conservation of residue، 3- remnants of residue as the main factor and tillage systems in three levels 1- conventionaltillage، 2- conservation tillage، 3- no tillage Were as a subsidiary factor. The results showed that tillage system had significant effect on plant height، total dry weight، grain number per ear، grain number per row، ear length and dry forage yield. Levels residue at 5% level had significant effect on the number of grains per ear and ear length. No-tillage system had the highest 16. 56 ton/ha forage yield and between levels of residue، complete conservation of residue produced the highest 19. 66 ton/ha forage yield. In general resultsindicatethatnotillagesystem and complete conservation of residue hadthe most influence onyield components ofcorn.