فهرست مطالب esmaeil rezaei- chiyaneh

Intercropping and biofertilizers are the effective components of sustainable agriculture that improve the yield quality and quantity of the plants. A two-year factorial field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on yield, yield components and some physiological aspects of intercropping of rain-fed chickpea and dragon's head. The first factor included five intercropping patterns that were sole cropping chickpea (30 and 40 plant m-2), dragon's head (160 plant m-2) and additive intercropping of both plants. The second factor was the use and non-use of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus lentus and Pseudomonas putida). The results indicated that sole cropping of 30 plants m-2 of chickpea and 160 plants m-2 of dragon's head had the maximum of 1000-seed weight, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index with PSB inoculation. In both plants, the highest leaf nitrogen (2.97 and 2.76%), total soluble carbohydrates (1.12 and 1.47 mg g-1 fresh leaf) and chlorophyll (3.42 and 2.94 mg g-1 fresh leaf) obtained from intercropping of dragon's head+30 plant m-2 of chickpea inoculated with PSB. The maximum values of LER (>1) for PSB-inoculated (1.72) and non- PSB (1.66) were observed in dragon's head +30 plant m-2 of chickpea intercropping of. In general, intercropping of dragon's head-chickpea increased yield and yield components resulted in higher land use efficiency.

Grapes with the scientific name (vitis vinifera L) have a prominent position among the country's fruit trees as from the entire level of gardens in the country,  about 306 thousand hectares, equivalent to 11.4% , belongs to small fruits and about 96.2% of which is related to the grape surface. West Azerbaijan province is one of the most important regions of Iran for planting vines and the area under grape cultivation is close to 21808 hectares. Subsequently its production amount is reported more than 265 thousand tons which is important in the prosperity of the region's economy in terms of currency. According to the importance of grapes and raisins and its position in the country's economy and region and due to the lack of basic information about the weed status of this product at the national level and especially in the state of West Azerbaijan (which has an important share in the production of grapes), with identifying weed cover and determining the abundance status and distribution of weed species, it can be achieved to the substructure information for designing weed management programs in this important crop.

 Miandoab city (has a semi-arid climate with hot and dry summer and semi-humid winter) has 2694 square kilometers area with geographical longitude 46 degrees and 6 minutes east of the Greenwich meridian and 36 degrees and 58 minutes north From the equator. It is located in the middle of the plains leading to Lake Urmia with a height of 1314 meters above sea level. In order to identify and determine the density and dominance of weeds in the vineyards of Miandoab city 25 vineyards in 25 areas of the Miandoab city were investigated in late May 2016. Frequency, uniformity, density, mean density and dominance index of different weed species were calculated in each garden. Then experiment to investigate the effect of weeds on grape yield is done in mid-September. For this Weed biomass from 25 rural areas were collected in 4 replications. At the same time as sampling weeds, also characteristics of grape were evaluated in 4 replications. These characteristics include fruit weight, volume, length, density and number of berries per grape cluster. After calculating the Shannon-Wiener index of different regions, Ward's cluster analysis with SPSS software was used to compare and group regions. After these steps, the desired map was prepared using Google earth software.

In total, 61 species of weeds from 24 plant families were identified in the vineyards of Miandoab city. 21 species were present in more than three regions. In terms of density, Sogli Tappeh, Mullah Shahabuddin and Shabilo villages had the highest weed density with 49.6, 49.5 and 46 plants per square meter, respectively. From the 61 identified species, 32 species (46%) belonged to 4 families: Gramineae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Brassicaceae. These 4 families with 11, 10, 7 and 4 species had the highest diversity in the city, respectively. In terms of weed abundance index (AI) Glycyrrhiza glabra, Sorghum halepense and Convolvulus arvensis were recognized as the dominant weeds in the city, respectively. Gara Tappeh, Gog Tappeh and Mameh Del villages with 26, 24 and 22 species, respectively, with the highest variety And Islamabad, Hyderabad and Hosseinabad villages had the least variety with 10, 10 and 11 species, respectively. Results of comparing the means of different traits of grapes (volume, weight, length and density of fruit and number of berries per spike) indicate a significant difference in the level of 5% probability between villages. The results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between weight, length, volume and fruit density at the level of 1% probability. Thus, it is clear that increasing any of the above parameters causes the weight of the berry to increase.

In general, according to the knowledge of density, dispersion and species of weed ‎‎in the studied vineyards and using the right management methods the amount of interference of problematic species can be reduced and also the entry of weeds, especially problematic species, from one area to another susceptible area can be prevented. In addition by studying the climatic conditions, climate and soil of the region and also, by having information about the common management methods in the region, it is possible to understand the reasons for the presence and changes in the density of some species in some areas and used this information in integrated weed management.

To determine effects of different fertilizer sources on the yield and quality parameters of Moldavian balm (MB) in intercropping with Fenugreek (FG), two factors were analyzed. The first one included three cropping patterns: MB pure stand, FG pure stand, and intercropping of two rows of MB with two rows of FG (2FG:2MB); the second factor was fertilizer sources: control plants, 100% chemical fertilizer (NPK), 100% bacterial biofertilizers + 25% synthetic fertilizer (BF+25NPK), 75% humic acid (HA)+ 25% synthetic fertilizer (75HA+25NPK), and 75% vermicompost (V)+ 25% synthetic fertilizer (75V+25NPK). Results showed that the highest basic microbial respiration , substrate induced respiration and microbial biomass carbon was observed in intercropping of 2FG:2MB fertilized with 75V+25NPK. This treatment also increased the seed yield of FG and dry matter yield of MB by 54% and 80%, respectively, and resulted in the maximum essential oil (EO) content of MB (0.77%) and oil content of FG (14.2%). In addition, the intercrop of 2FG:2MB fertilized with 75V+25NPK improved the EO quality of MB plants by increasing its geranyl acetate and geranial concentration, and also improved the oil quality in FG by maximizing its unsaturated fatty acids content such as oleic and linoleic acids. Overall, we conclude that intercropping of 2MB:2FG fertilized with a fertilizer mix composed of vermicompost (75%) and synthetic NPK fertilizer (25%) can be suggested to farmers as an eco-friendly and sustainable system practice for improving EO and oil content as well as quality of FG and MB plants, respectively.

Application of organic fertilizer is a major approach to managing soil fertility and plant nutrition which can alleviate chemical contaminations, preserve soil biodiversity and the quantitative and qualitative yield of crops expected to be increased in sustainable agricultural systems. Consequently, demand for organic products has increased due to health and sustainable environment consideration, particularly for medicinal products. Intercropping is the cropping system of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field and is a sustainable method for increasing crop production compared with sole crop. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of vermicompost and intercropping patterns on seed yield and macro and micronutrients uptake of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.). 

In order to compare the different intercropping patterns of fennel and faba bean under the application of vermicompost fertilizer, a field experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia, Iran, during the growing season of 2018. The first factor consisted of six cropping patterns including sole cropping of fennel and faba bean, one row of fennel+ one row of faba bean, two rows of fennel+ two rows of faba bean, three rows of faba bean+ two rows of fennel, four rows of faba bean+ two rows of fennel) and the second factor included the non-application and application of vermicompost (10 t ha-1).Plant samples were digested according to Jones and Case (1990) procedure. Seeds of faba bean and fennel were analyzed for macro- and micronutrients. In addition, Area Time Equivalent Ratio (ATER) was calculated to determine the advantages of intercropping. The analysis of variance was performed using SAS 9.4 software. Means were compared using Duncan's test at the 5% probability level. 

The results showed that the effect of cropping pattern on all measured traits was significant. The results revealed that the seed yield of fennel and faba bean increased following the application of vermicompost fertilizer. Moreover, concerning the effect of cropping patterns, the highest seed yield of fennel (2568.33 kg.ha-1) and faba bean (2851.67 kg.ha-1) were obtained in the sole cropping of these two plants. The higher production in fennel and faba bean sole cropping may be due to the less disturbance in the habitat in homogeneous environment under sole cropping systems. The highest amounts of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were obtained in the treatments of intercropping and vermicompost application. The higher concentrations of nutrients in intercropping pattern could be explained by increasing root exudation and also better use of available resources that increased the accessibility of nutrients for component plants. The highest ATER (1.14) was obtained in the three rows of faba bean+ two rows of fennel intercropping system fertilized with vermicompost. According to the ATER, it seems that three rows of faba bean+ two rows of fennel under the application of vermicompost was suitable for increasing productivity and making the best usage of environmental resources in order to achieve an optimal production, decrease costs and dependence on external inputs, and reducing pollution and environmental pressures on sustainable agricultural systems. 

In general, the results of this experiment showed that the faba bean and fennel yield were influenced by different intercropping patterns and vermicompost. The highest seed yield for both plants (faba bean and fennel) were obtained in sole cropping. In the present study, the application of vermicompost could improve the yield of faba bean and fennel and nutrient uptake. It seems that the use of vermicompost in intercropping is one of the suitable strategies for achieving optimal yield with minimum inputs, which in the long term can reduce the need of chemical inputs for cropping systems.

In order to evaluate germination characteristics and shelf life of alfalfa seeds stored in different storage conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a graduate laboratory of Urmia University of Agriculture. The experiments included relative humidity in six levels (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 %) and control (room humidity) and storage duration (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 months) with three replications. The studied traits included germination indices, seedling growth indices, and seed vigor and storage capability of seeds. The results showed that all germination indices were affected by relative humidity and storage duration. The interaction between moisture and storage duration was significant except for germination uniformity on all indices. The highest germination percentage was obtained in the control conditions (96.9 %), which reached 79.4 after 10 months of storage. Increasing the moisture content of the storage caused a significant decrease in the coefficient and uniformity of germination. The germination rate was the highest in the first month with the average of 0.071 per day, which had the lowest in 90 % relative humidity in the 10 months after storage to the average of 0.018 germs per day.

The use of organic fertilizers such as vermicompost is a major component of organic farming practices. Vermicompost can provide the essential plant nutrients and enhance crop productivity, but also leave a beneficial residual effect on succeeding crops. Intercropping is the cultivation of two or more crops in such a way that they interact agronomically. Intercropping legumes with non-legumes is particularly important in organic farming because it enhances yield stability, concentrations and uptake of nutrients and on the other hand reduces disease and weed pressure. There is no information available about the effects of fertilizer source in intercropping system on the ecophysiological characteristics of linseed and chickpea in dry conditions. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to contribute to a better understanding of the eco-physiology responses of linseed and chickpea plants to fertilizer source and cropping pattern.

The field experiments were conducted at Agricultural Experimental in a farm located in Naqadeh, West Azerbaijan, Iran (longitude 45°24' E, latitude 38°52' N, altitude 1318 m) in 2017. The first factor included six cropping patterns consist of 1 row chickpea + 1 row lineseed, 2 rows chickpea + 2 rows linseed, 4 rows chickpea + 2 rows linseed, 2 rows chickpea + 4 rows linseed and monocropping of each crop and the second factor was included four levels control (no use fertilizer), 100% chemical fertilizers (NPK), biofertilizers (Azoto Barvar -1+ PhosphateBarvar -2+ PotaBarvar-2+ Sulfur Barvar -1) and vermicompost (10 t.ha1-).  In order to measure different elements in seed of linseed and chickpea, dry ash method was used. Concentration of potassium (K) was analyzed by a flame photometer. Nitrogen measurements by Kjeldahl and phosphorus were calculated by yellow method, in which vanadate–molybdate is used as an indicator. Phosphorus (P) content was determined at 430 nm using a spectrophotometer. To measure the microbial respiration of the soil, the Anderson and Dumasuch methods were used and microbial biomass carbon was determined by fumigation- extraction method.

Chickpea: According to the results of the experiment, intercropping and fertilizer source had a significant effect on improving nutrients uptake of linseed and chickpea plants. The highest amounts of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were obtained from 1 row chickpea + 1 row lineseed and four row chickpea + two rows of lineseed, respectively and the lowest amount was related to sole cropping. The results of fertilizer treatments showed that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and carotenoid were obtained from vermicompost treatment and the lowest amount of these photosynthetic pigments was obtained in non-fertilized conditions. In addition, the results showed that nutrients uptake were affected by cropping pattern and fertilizer treatments. Among the fertilizer treatments, the highest percentage of nitrogen and phosphorus in chickpea were achieved from vermicompost fertilizer and these values were obtained from control treatment.Linseed: Mean comparison of data showed that photosynthetic pigments were affected by different fertilizer treatments. So that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were obtained from vermicompost treatment and the least amount of these photosynthetic pigments were achieved from control treatment. Among the applied fertilizer treatments, the highest amount of phosphorus and potassium were obtained from biofertilizer treatment and the lowest values ​​were recorded from control (non-usage of fertilizer. Soil microbial respiration and microbial soil biomass were only affected by cropping patterns and fertilizer source. The highest Soil microbial respiration and soil microbial biomass were recorded in two rows of chickpea + two rows of linseed with vermicompost application.

The use of fertilizer source plays an effective role in increasing the uptake nutrients of chickpea and linseed, which is probably due to the supply of water and improved activity of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Soil respiration and microbial biomass increased under the influence of fertilizer treatments (both biofertilizer and organic fertilizer), however the activity of soil microorganisms was the main reason for the increased soil respiration under application of vermicompost fertilizer.

In order to investigate the seed yield, uptake of macronutrients and some properties of the biological soil indices in intercropping of linseed and faba bean under biofertilizers application, a field experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Iran, during growing season of 2017. The first factor included five intercropping patterns consist of 1 row linseed + 1 row faba bean, 2 rows linseed + 2 rows faba bean,  3 rows linseed + 3 rows faba bean, and solecropping of each crop and the second factor was included control (no fertilizer), and biofertilizers application of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mossea+ Glomus intraradices+ Glomus etunicatum) plus nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii), P-solubilizing bacteria (the combination of Pseudomonas putida and Pantoea agglomerans, respectively), K-solubilizing bacteria (the combination of Pseudomonas koreensis and Pseudomonas vancouverensis,  and sulfur supplier bacteria (containing Thiobacillus, respectively)].The results showed that the effect of cropping pattern had a significant effect on the seed yield, absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium nutrients. The highest seed yield of faba bean (4280 kg.ha-1) and linseed (2230 kg.ha-1) were obtained from solecropping but nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium absorption in intercropping were higher than solecropping of both species. Also, the amount of absorption of these elements in the inoculation with biofertilizer showed a significant increase compared to control (no use of fertilizer).The highest soil microbial respiration, soil microbial biomass and nutrient LER were related to the two rows linseed + two rows of fababean with biofertilizer application. This cropping pattern (2:2) because of the high proportion of equality in the absorption of nutrients and improve the biological soil is recommended.

Drought stress is a major environmental stress that restricts plant growth and production in the majority of agricultural fields of the world. The application of different fertilizers, especially biofertilizers and organic fertilizers, might play an important role in the production of medicinal plants in order to improve their resistance to deficit water stress. In order to evaluate the effects of fertilizer treatments on antioxidant enzyme activity and physiological characteristics of basils (Ocimum basilicum L.) under water-limited conditions, a study was arranged as a factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Two irrigation intervals (6, and 12 days) and six fertilizers levels [chemical fertilizers (N, P, K), vermicompost (10 t  ha-1) + mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices), vermicompost +bacterial biofertilizer [Azetobarvar1 (Azotobacter vinelandii as nitrogen-fixing bacteria), Phosphatebarvar2 (Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus lentus as phosphorus solubilizing bacteria), Pota barvar-2 (Pseudomonas koreensis and Pseudomonas vancouverensis as potassium releasing bacteria)], bacterial biofertilizer+mycorrhizal fungi, chemical fertilizers 50% (Basic NPK fertilizer was applied at the rate of 90–120–100 kg/ha in the form of urea, triple super phosphate, and potassium sulfate, respectively)+ bacterial biofertilizer and control] were assigned as the first and second experimental factors, respectively. The results showed that water limitation decreased the chlorophyll content and relative water content, but carotenoids and antioxidantenzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase) and also osmolytes (proline and sugar) contents were increased. But, the application of fertilizer sources alleviated the drought effects, so the application of fertilizers (especially chemical fertilizers 50% + bacterial biofertilizer) increased these traits at all irrigation levels. Overall, in addition to cellular mechanisms, such as osmoregulation and antioxidant defense, fertilizers sources application can improve antioxidant activities and physiological traits of basil under water-limited conditions.

In order to evaluate some agronomic and qualitative traits of forage in intercropping of triticale with annual legumes, a field experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Iran, during growing season of 2016. Treatments were included solecropping of triticale, replacement intercropping of triticale with faba bean (Vicia faba L.), peas (Pisum sativum L.), vetch (Vicia villosa L.), and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) in ratios 1:1. The results showed that the highest grain yield of triticale was obtained from solecropping and the lowest grain yield of triticale was achieved from intercropping of triticalewith vetch, respectively. Also, the highest forage yield of triticale was observed in solecropping. Cropping pattern had a significant effect on the nutrients absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, respectively. The amount absorption of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the vetch were higher in intercropping of triticale compared to other legumes. The highest amount of phosphorus absorption was achieved from triticale in intercropping with pea. Intercropping of triticale with legumes Showed a decrease in the percentage of NDF and ADF, an increase in crude protein and ash content, as well as increased digestibility of dry matter of triticale, compared to monocropping. Therefore, considering the lower of NDF and ADF of triticale in intercropping patterns, it can be resulted that intercropping improved the forage quality by reducing NDF and ADF compared to monocropping. Among legumes, peas in intercropping with triticale had the highest percentage of crude protein and ash and the lowest percentage of NDF and ADF. However, seed yield of triticale did not indicate any significant differences at mono cropping with intercropping of triticalewith peas. Also, triticale had a high quality forage in intercropping with peas, therefore, it is superior treatment for sustainable agriculture production.

Iran’s climate is mostly arid and semi-arid, where water availability is a major problem in crop production. In regions where water scarcity is the principal limiting factor for cultivation, farmers are interested in growing crops that are able to adapt to drought conditions. Bio-fertilizer has been identified as an alternative to chemical fertilizer in sustainable farming. Organisms that are commonly used as biofertilizers component are nitrogen fixers (N-fixer), potassium solubilizer (K-solubilizer) and phosphorus solubilizer (P- solubilizer), or with the combination of molds or fungi increased growth and yield plants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the use biofertilizer in drought stress on several agro-morphological and yield characteristics of faba bean under field condition.
In order to study the effects of different irrigation levels and biofertilizers on yield and yield components of faba bean, a field experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the a farm located in West Azerbaijan province - city Nagadeh, Iran during growing season of 2013-2014. The main plots were allocated to irrigation levels (Irrigation after 50 mm (control), 100 mm (moderate water stresses) and 150 mm (severe water stresses) evaporation from class A pan) and sub-plots were allotted to biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Barvar Phosphate-2, Azotobacter Barvar Phosphate-2 and control).
Results showed that irrigation had significant effects on Plant height, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, 1000- seed weight, biological yield and seed yield but the interactions between irrigation levels and biofertilizers on any of the traits under study were not significant. In comparison severe stress (lowest yield and yield components), a non-stress conditions, on Plant height, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, 1000- seed weight, biological yield and seed yield were decreased up to 21.90, 39.83, 28.83, 26.15, 33 and 38 %, respectively. Among treatments, combined usage of biofertilizers showed the greater increasing in studied traits than individual consumption.
The results generally indicated that the inoculation with biofertilizers could not reduce the adverse effects of drought stress and could not effect on increasing of yield significantly. Therefore, to achieve optimal performance in arid and semi-arid areas, irrigation at all stages of faba bean of development recommended.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of altitudinal gradients on the anatomy of Salvia limbata C.A.Mey. (Lamiaceae). . The S. limbata species were collected from their natural habitats from various regions of West Azerbaijan province in Iran. The thickness of cuticle, collenchymas, phloem, xylem and pith of stem and leaf thickness were measured. Moreover, width, length and number of stomata on both adaxial and abaxal epidermal surfaces were analyzed. Statistical analyses were done on a completely randomized design. The results indicated that by increasing altitude leaf thickness increased from 239.1 to 300.1 µm. Number of leaf epidermal cells was also increased in higher altitude on both upper (4.30 to 5.61) and lower (1.05 to 6.55) epidermal surfaces. The results confirmed that more stomata on both adaxial and abaxial epidermis in high altitude samples were associated with presence of narrower and longer stomata on their leaves. Significant differences in the cuticle, collenchyma, xylem, phloem and parenchymatous pith thickness in the stem were observed in all the six studied populations. At higher altitudes thicker cuticle, increased number of collenchyma and wider xylem, phloem and parenchymatous pith were detected. Plants in Mahlamlu region had the thickest studied parameters and Plants in Kabudan Island region had the thinnest tissues.

In order to investigate the effect of micronutrients foliar application on seed yield and essential oil of black cumin, a field experiment was conducted based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the farmlocated in Naqadeh city, West Azerbaijan province, Iran, during 2015-2016 growing season. Treatments were separate application of Nano-Iron, Nano-Zinc and Nano-Manganese and double and triple combined treatment of them (Fe, Fe, Zn, Fe晿) and control. Treatments were applied at 2 g/L twice at stem elongation and early flowering stages. Different traits such as plant height, number of follicle per plant, number seed per follicle, 1000- seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, essential oil percentage and yield were measured. The results showed that foliar application of micronutrients had a significant effect on all studied traits and improved yield components and essential oil yield as compared to control. Yield components, seed yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil yield were enhanced by foliar application compared with control. Therefore, combined usage of micronutrients (Nano-Fe Nano-Zn Nano-Mn) showed the greatest increase in studied traits than their individual usage. The highest seed yield (706.67 kg.ha-1) and essential oil yield (8.66%) were obtained from Fe晿 treatment. In general, the results of the present study revealed that the foliar spraying of Nano-micronutrients plays a remarkable role in improving the quantitative and qualitative yield of black cumin as a medicinal plant.

Introduction Ajowan (Carum copticum L.) is an annual plant and herbaceous belonging to the Apiaceae family (Majnoon Hosseini and Davazdah emami, 2007). The main component of ajowan essential oil is Thymol. Other main components of seed oil include α-pinene, β-pinene, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, p-cymine and limonene (Majnoon Hosseini and Davazdah emami, 2007). Irrigation scheduling based on developmental stage or deficit irrigation is the technique of applying water on a timely and accurate basis to the crop, and is the key to conserving water and improving irrigation performance and sustainability of irrigated agriculture (Omidbaigi, 2009). Water stress substantially alters plant metabolism, decreasing plant growth, yield and photosynthesis but in some medicinal plants increase active substances such as essential oil (Bettaieb et al., 2009; Rebey, 2012). Heidari et al (2012) indicated that seed yield and essential oil yield affected by water stress and during maturation stages and found great differences in the essential oil percentage. Rezaei- Chiyaneh (2011) reported that number of umbels per plant, number of seeds per umbels, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield and essential oil yield significantly decreased with increasing irrigation intervals, but essential oil percentage increased.
Despite considerable studies on the effect of drought stress on field crops the information on the behavior of the aromatic and medicinal plants has not been well investigated under water deficiency. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to find out the effect of water deficit and harvesting time on the performance of plant and change in oil Ajowan in during stage of maturity. And so, it can be determine the optimal irrigation level and harvest time to maximize the seed yield and essential oil content.
Materials and methodsField experiment was conducted at the farm located in West Azerbaijan province- city Nagadeh, Iran (latitude of 36, 57' and longitude of 45, 24’ at an altitude of 1328 m above mean sea level) during growing reason of 2010-2011. Treatments included irrigation (Irrigation after 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 mm evaporation from class A pan) as main plots and harvesting time (milky, dough and maturity stages) as subplots were arranged as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications.
Mean annual temperature and rainfall were 12.40 ˚C and 323 mm, respectively. The soil was clay- loam. Each plot size was 3.2 m× 4m involving 8 rows with 40 cm between rows and a distance of 25 cm between plants in the row on April 4, 2011. Basic fertilization was applied at the time of soil preparation at rates of 100 kg/ha N and 150 kg/ha p2o5. Weed control was performed manually. Also a block distance the main plot 1.5 meter and three-meter distance between the two blocks were considered to have an effect on both the moisture adjacent plots.
The essential oil was isolated from 3o g of the fruits by conventional hydro-distillation for 3 h according to the method described in British Pharmacopeia. The essential oil content was calculated as a percentage.
SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. To compare the means of Duncan's multiple range test at 5% probability level was used.
Result and discussionResults of ANOVA showed the significant effect of irrigation on the plant height, number of umbels per plant, number of seeds per umbels, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil yield. All the mentioned traits significantly decreased with increasing irrigation intervals from 60 to 180 mm evaporation. The highest yield of seed (1074 kg.ha-1) and essential oil yield (39.63 kg.ha-1) were achieved by irrigation after 60 mm evaporation. The effects of harvest date on the number of umbrella per plant, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, grain yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil yield were significant. The highest seed yield (931 kg.ha-1), essential oil percentage (4.35%) and essential oil yield (40.13 kg.ha-1) were obtained in dough stage. Telci et al (2009) compared the variation of fennel fruit essential oil composition during maturation stages and found great differences in the oil composition.
ConclusionIncreasing irrigation intervals from 60 to 180 mm evaporation resulted in decreasing plant height, umbels per plant, seeds perumbel, seeds per umbelet, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield and essential oil yield. Since irrigation after 90 mm evaporation of the irrigation after 60 mm evaporation of grain produced no significant difference and stage of dough showed higher performance. Therefore, it is recommended that to maximize essential oil production and achieve acceptable performance of Ajowan plant, it would be grown under moderate water deficit stress and be harvested at hard dough stage.

In order to evaluate the effects of different intercropping patterns on yield components, yield and land use efficiency at diffirent intercropping patterns of dill (Anethun graveolens L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a field experiment was arranged based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at a farm located in West Azerbaijan province- city Nagadeh, Iran during growing reason of 2011-2012. Treatments included row intercropping (one row of fenugreek one row of dill), strip intercropping (two rows of dill one rows of fenugreek, three rows of dill one rows of fenugreek, two rows of fenugreek one rows of dill, three rows of fenugreek one rows of dill, two rows of fenugreek two of dill) and solecropping dill and fenugreek. Intercropping patterns had significant effect on all of mentioned traits. The highest grain yield and biological yield of fenugreek were achieved in solecropping with 940 and 3103 kg.ha-1, respectively. Results showed that the maximum grain yield and biological yield of dill obtained of three rows of dill one rows of fenugreek with 860 and 4816.67 kg.ha-1, respectively. The essential oil percentage (2.85) of all treatments was higher than solecropping (2). The highest Land equivalent ratio (1.90) was obtained in two rows of fenugreek two rows of dill. The maximum Actual yield loss (2.18) and Intercropping Advantage (1.28) were obtained in three rows of fenugreek one rows of dill that represents an increase advantages in intercropping than solecropping.

To evaluate the yield components، yield and land equivalent ratio affected by relay intercropping of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with faba bean (Vicia faba L.)، a field experiment was arranged based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station Payamenoor University of Nagadeh، Iran during growing reason of 2012-2013. The treatments included row intercropping)one row of sunflower + one row of faba bean (، strip intercropping) two rows of faba bean + four rows of sunflower، four rows of faba bean + two rows of sunflower، three rows of faba bean + three rows of sunflower (and monoculture faba bean and sunflower. The results indicated that the relay intercropping patterns had significant effect on studied traits of sunflower and faba bean (except number of seed per pod of faba bean). The highest seed yield of sunflower (4140 kg/ha) and faba bean (2567. 33 kg/ha) were obtained from row intercropping and the lowest seed yield of sunflower (3136. 67 kg/ha) and faba bean (1957 kg/ha) were obtained in their monoculture. The oil percentage of all intercropping treatments was higher than monoculture. The maximum land equivalent ratio (1. 85) and actual yield loss (1. 74) were calculated in row intercropping and the highest intercropping advantage (1. 25) was achieved in four rows of faba bean + two rows of sunflower. The results showed that the use of relay intercropping results in better utilization of environmental resources and increased crop production compared to monoculture of the same species.