hamid reza eisvand

This study was conducted on Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) to compare the effects of seed vigor tests, under laboratory conditions, on seedling emergence from soil (greenhouse) and to study the effects of foliar application of iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) on growth variables and physiological performance of Melissa officinalis seedlings. Seed vigor tests were conducted on seeds of three sizes (large, medium, and small) in the laboratory. These tests included standard germination, accelerated aging, cold, Hiltner, and electrical conductivity (EC). Seeds of three sizes were planted in two different soil types, namely loam and clay loam, in a greenhouse. At the two-node stage, foliar applications of iron oxide nanoparticles (control, 15, and 30 ppm) were also made. The Hiltner test best predicted seedling emergence form the soil, whereas the other tests showed no significant predictive power. The findings indicated that the combined treatment of large seeds plus clay loam soil plus application of 30 ppm ION produced the highest seedling height, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b levels, soluble sugars content, essential oil percentage, and gas exchange, while the combined treatment of small seed + loam soil + no foliar ION application resulted in the lowest levels of these variables. Loam soil with small seeds and no foliar ION spray increased proline concentration and antioxidant enzyme activity. Results of soil texture analysis and Hiltner seed vigor test were found crucial for farmers who cultivate Melissa officinalis L. Finally, ION foliar spraying is suggested for better physiological performance and yield of this plant.

Salinity has emerged as a major threat to crop production worldwide and particularly in Iran. This study aimed to assess the salinity tolerance of selected Iranian wheat cultivars under greenhouse conditions. Twelve wheat cultivars were exposed to various salt concentrations, including both freshwater and saline water with electrical conductivities of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 dS/m. Yield, yield components, and some physiological traits were subjected to analysis of variance and supplementary analyses. The ANOVA results revealed that all the characteristics demonstrated different responses, and their interactions with cultivar and treatment were statistically significant (P<0.01). In response to increasing salinity levels, yield and yield components were negatively impacted while Na+ in leaves and electrolyte leakage increased. The cultivars Bam, Kuhdasht, Pishtaz, and Aflak outperformed the others in terms of grain yield and electrolyte leakage, indicating their tolerance to increased Na+ concentration. However, the results also suggested that an increase in Na+ or a decrease in K+ ions led to a decreased yield in all cultivars. Therefore, Na+ and K+ cannot exclusively describe the yield response to stress conditions, and their behavior is beyond Na+ and K+ processes or their ratio. Overall, this study demonstrated that the evaluated cultivars are significantly diverse, and they can be used in crossing methods to extend the range of salinity tolerance in wheat germplasm.

High absorption and accumulation of lead in the cultivated Amaranthus caudatus L. make this plant suitable for the purpose of phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soils. The present factorial experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with three replications in the Greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, during 2019. The factors considered in the study included zeolite (0, 5 and 10℅), biochar (0, 7.5 and 15℅), and mycorrhizal fungi (no mycorrhiza and use of mycorrhiza). The highest plant height (1.93 m) and root dry weight (2.55 g) were obtained in the combined treatment of not using zeolite, biochar 15% by weight, and mycorrhiza. Also, the highest biological yield (54.05 g) and accumulated lead in roots (20.05 mg/kg) were obtained in the combined treatment of zeolite 5%, biochar 15%, and no mycorrhiza. Moreover, the highest number of sub-branches (26.67) was recorded in the combined treatment of zeolite 10% + no biochar + no mycorrhiza (Z2B0M0). Furthermore, the highest concentrations of lead in the soil around roots (49.92 mg/kg) were observed in the treatment consisting of zeolite 5% + biochar 7.5% + mycorrhiza. Findings also showed the highest activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes in the combined treatment of the plants with zeolite 10% + biochar 15% + no mycorrhiza were obtained. On the other hand, the highest activities of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were recorded in the combined treatments of zeolite 5% + biochar 7.5% + no use of mycorrhiza and zeolite 10% + biochar 15% + the use of mycorrhiza, respectively. The highest concentration of lead in leaves (17.71 mg/kg) was obtained in none zeolite + none mycorrhiza + biochar 15%, which was among the best treatments of the study resulting in a high biological performance of the plants (41.55 g). Finally, the most favorable treatment with the highest biological yield (54.05 g) and maximum lead contents of the roots (20.05 mg/kg) was obtained by zeolite 5% + biochar 15% + none mycorrhiza. The maximum biological yield of the plant (54.05 g) and the highest concentration of lead in roots (20.05 mg/kg) were observed in the combined treatment of zeolite 5%, biochar 15%, and no mycorrhiza (Z1B2M0). This is the best treatment for phytoremediation, in which the plants absorb the highest concentration of lead. On the other hand, the highest accumulation of lead in leaves (17.71 mg/kg) was obtained in the treatment with no zeolite and mycorrhiza + using biochar 15% (Z0B2M0). In view of the high biological performance of Amaranthus caudatus L. in this treatment (41.55 g), it is considered one of the most effective plants in bioaccumulation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a family of small RNA (sRNA) population that regulates the gene expression at the post-transcriptional levels by targeting mRNAs for degradation or by inhibiting protein translation. Although thousands of miRNAs have been identified in many plant species, no studies have been reported on discovering conserved stress-related miRNAs in lentil, one of the most important staple food crops in Iran developing countries. The present study was performed to identify the conserved miRNAs and their target genes in the lentil transcriptome under salts tress. In this study, 55892 unigenes from de novo assembly process of a set of short reads derived from RNA sequencing technology of lentil under control and salt stress conditions were used for the prediction of conserved miRNAs and their target genes. Finally, six potentials miRNAsnamedlcu-miR156, lcu-miR167, lcu-miR169, lcu-miR171, lcu-miR396, and lcu-miR390 belong to six conserved families were identified. Identified miRNAs showed differential expression under salt stress. The results showed that the target genes of the identified miRNAs play an important role in most biological processes such as differentiation, growth, signaling and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, the results showed that some transcription factors belonging to SBP, C2H2, GRAS, M-type_MADS and MYB families are widely affected by the regulatory process of identified miRNAs. In general, the set of miRNA and their target genes identified in the present study can be used as a useful basis for more in-depth and accurate research on the role of miRNAs in response of lentil to salt stress.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most strategic crops for food, feed, and biofuel security worldwide. Drought stress is one of the most destructive environmental stresses that limit crop productivity worldwide. Drought stress causes a wide range of physiological changes and disturbances in metabolic processes. Environmental problems caused by the use of chemical fertilizers, production costs, and consumption costs are significant issues that require methods to increase crop production and improve sufficient food for the world's population. Today, the economic damage and destructive effects of the environment due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture are known worldwide, and it is obvious that a suitable alternative must be found for these fertilizers. Currently, biofertilizers are used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers based on the principles of sustainable agriculture and the stress tolerance of plants. Salicylic acid is a plant growth regulator that plays an important role in the plant protection system against biotic and abiotic stresses and can affect many physiological and biochemical processes.

In order to investigate the effect of biological and chemical fertilizers and foliar application of salicylic acid on wheat tolerance to drought stress experiment, a factorial split plot in the form of a randomized complete block design in the 2019-2020 crop year in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University in three replications was performed. The Main plot includes irrigation levels in two levels: A1: without stress (100% of water requirement) and A2: drought stress (50% of water requirement) and sub-plots including fertilizer in five levels, including B0: use of 50% chemical fertilizer, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (B1: use of 100% chemical fertilizer), B2: use of nitroxin biofertilizer with 50% chemical fertilizer, B3: use of mycorrhizal with 50% chemical fertilizer, B4: use of biological fertilizers nitroxin and mycorrhiza with 50% chemical fertilizer, and foliar application treatment at two levels (C1: foliar application with water and C2: foliar application with a concentration of 1 mM salicylic acid).

The results showed that drought stress caused a decrease in grain yield, leaf chlorophyll index (SPAD), and relative water content, as well as an increase in peroxidase, proline, and electrolyte leakage. Combined treatment of biofertilizer nitroxin and mycorrhiza with 50% chemical fertilizer caused an increase of 40.53%, 5.18%, 5.89%, 13.85%, 8.46%, and 8.90%, respectively, in grain yield, leaf chlorophyll index, grain zinc concentration, peroxidase, proline, relative water content of the leaf, and 6.29 % reduction of electrolyte leakage compared to the use of 50% chemical fertilizer. Also, salicylic acid foliar spray treatment caused an increase of 11.45%, 2.82%, 4.32%, 7.46%, 9.19%, and 8.02 % in grain yield, leaf chlorophyll index, grain zinc concentration, peroxidase, proline, relative water content of the leaf, and 18.11 % reduction of electrolyte leakage compared to no foliar spraying of salicylic acid. Combined fertilizer treatments of nitroxin and mycorrhiza with 50% chemical fertilizer and salicylic acid could reduce the effect of drought stress on the traits evaluated in this research.

Fertilizer application of nitroxin and mycorrhiza with 50% chemical fertilizer and salicylic acid foliar spraying could provide favorable conditions for the growth and better performance of the plant by improving the biochemical characteristics of the plant while increasing its resistance to drought stress conditions. In general, it can be concluded that the application of biological fertilizers nitroxin and mycorrhiza with 50% of chemical fertilizers and foliar spraying of salicylic acid can be an effective and alternative fertilizer to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers in the conditions of drought stress in Khorram Abad in the direction of sustainable agriculture. As a result, this treatment can be recommended to farmers in order to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers in wheat under drought -stress conditions.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an herbaceous and perennial plant, which is at least 3500 years old and is known as a golden seasoning and red gold due to its many medicinal uses. About 90% of the world's saffron is grown in Iran. India, Afghanistan, Greece are in the next ranks. Despite the high value of this plant, a decrease in its yield has been reported in many countries. The average yield of saffron per unit area in Iran is far lower than many countries; therefore, with proper nutrition, the yield per unit area can be increased. Micronutrients have a special role in agricultural products despite their low need. Iron and zinc are considered important elements in plant nutrition, and they are available in abundance in the soil, but due to some reasons, their absorption is very low and limited. Nutrition management in saffron cultivation is one of the important issues in the production of this valuable product. Therefore, the present research was conducted with the aim of studying the effect of foliar application of iron and zinc on the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

The experiment was carried out in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University at Khorramabad, Iran in the crop year of 2021-2022 on 6-year old saffron plant as a complete randomized block design in three replications. In order to analyze the soil and determine the concentration of elements, a composite sample of the farm soil (0-30 cm depth) was prepared and the physicochemical properties of the soil were tested. The experimental treatments included distilled water as control, 5% iron foliar, 5% zinc foliar, 5% iron + 5% zinc foliar. Spraying of iron and zinc solutions were done in two stages (mid-March and mid-April) at 8-10 am. One irrigation was done in early October. Weed control was done by manual weeding in several stages. The flower picking operations were carried out in the middle of November 2022 and the characteristics of fresh weight of flowers, number of flowers per unit area, fresh weight of stigma, dry weight of stigma, percent of safranal, picrocrocin and crocin of stigma were measured. The flower was harvested at the beginning of the day. Then the petals were separated from the stigma.

The results indicated that the effect of foliar treatment was significant so the number of flowers (by 57.81%), fresh and dry weight of flowers (by 20.62% and 80.97%), fresh and dry weights of stigma (by 44.22% and 65.27%), crocin (by 6.88%), picrocrocin (by 11.39%)and safranal (by 9.66%) were increased because of zinc foliar application. The low effect of combined treatment of iron + zinc compared to the control can be related to the interaction of iron and zinc on the saffron plant, or that mixing these two types of elements may have negative effects considering the other ingredients included in their formulation on the absorption of the two mentioned elements or metabolic processes of plants. The availability of elements needed by the plant increases the number of flowers. Foliar spraying with zinc element showed a higher average compared to iron foliar spraying and zinc + iron foliar spraying. Crocin had a positive and significant correlation with traits such as picrocrocin and stigma dry weight, but safranal did not show a significant correlation with any of the studied traits.

Foliar application of micronutrient elements improved the quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron plant. The results of current experiment showed that foliar application of 5% iron and 5% zinc increased the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron plants. Foliar spraying with zinc element showed a higher average compared to iron foliar spraying and zinc + iron foliar spraying. Considering the lack of zinc element and the low absorption of iron element in Iranian soils, it is recommended to apply micronutrient element foliar application in order to achieve high performance.

Chilling stress inhibits yield of rapeseed. Salicylic acid (SA) can improve plants’ resistance to chilling through modification of many physiological mechanisms. In the present study, foliar of SA was investigated on some physiological characteristics of rapeseed under chilling stress in farm. Treatments included sowing date (conventional date, late September, and late 15-day delay, which represents chilling stress) and SA spraying including no spraying, 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 µM. Findings revealed that conventional sowing date + 100 µM SA resulted in the maximum chlorophyll, anthocyanins, and proline contents while late sowing date+ 100 µM SA resulted in the maximum flavonoids and soluble sugar. The highest catalase activities were recorded for the plants treated with 100 and 400 µM SA, but delayed sowing + 200 µM SA led to the highest activity of superoxide dismutase. Non-application of SA + conventional date showed the highest ion leakage. Applying low concentration of SA to the rapeseed plants sown in the favorable (conventional) sowing date seems to improve their chlorophyll and anthocyanins contents, and increasing the SA in delayed sowing seems to reduce the adverse effects of chilling stress. In the case of flavonoids and soluble sugars, applying 100 µM SA in the delayed sowing group compensated for the negative effects of low temperature compared with the control, improving the plant’s resistance to this stress. In sum, the most favorable performance in most characteristics of the rapeseed was obtained with conventional sowing date along with applying 100 µM SA.

Structural and physiological delicacy of soybean seeds is known as an important quality indicator in the cultivation of this plant, but at the same time, the most chronic problems of soybean seed quality are the reduction of seed quality during storage and before sowing. The effect of some nutrients on the quality of soybean seeds under accelerated aging stress was investigated

Experiments were conducted for two consecutive years (2019-2020) in the research field of Lorestan University, Faculty of Agriculture in a randomized complete block design. Nutritional treatments included nitrogen and phosphorus application (as soil application) and iron and molybdenum as foliar application. Seeds were harvested at the maturity stage and 1000-grain weight and seed coat resistance to mechanical damage was investigated. Following the exposure of seeds to accelerated aging, leakage from seeds and germination were measured.

The results showed that nutrition had a significant effect on all studied traits. However, the effect of year was only significant on 1000-seed weight and resistance to mechanical damage of seed coat. The highest number of traits related to seed quality was related to complete fertilizer treatment (N-P-Fe-Mo) and accelerated aging had a less negative effect on them.

Among the nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus had the most effect on germination indices, and iron and molybdenum were in the next ranks. Seeds with strong vigor and treated with fertilizer were less affected by accelerated aging and had better germination. The lower the seed vigor, the more sensitive they were to this stress.

Introduction:

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important and strategic crops worldwide. Drought stress is one of the important and abiotic stresses that reduces the growth and yield of plants.in arid and semi-arid regions. Today, the economic damage and destructive effects of the environment due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture are known worldwide, and it is obvious that a suitable alternative must be found for these fertilizers. Currently, biofertilizers are used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers based on the principles of sustainable agriculture and stress tolerance of plants. Salicylic acid is a natural phenolic compound that is involved in reducing the harmful effects of abiotic environmental stresses and regulating vital physiological processes in plants. 

Materials and Methods:

This study was carried out to assess the effect of fertilizer nutrition and foliar application of salicylic acid on wheat tolerance of Chamran 2 cultivar to drought stress experiment as a factorial split plot in the form of a randomized complete block design in the 2019-2020 crop year in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University in three replications was performed The experimental site was located at a latitude 33°26′ N, a longitude 45°17′ E, and an altitude of 1210 m with a semi-arid climate, mean annual precipitation of 462.8 mm, mean annual evaporation of 1842.52 mm, and mean annual temperature of 16.6 °C .Main plot includes irrigation levels in two levels of without stress (100% of field capacity) and drought stress (50% of field capacity) and sub-plots including fertilizer in five levels including no use of biofertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer, application of 100% chemical fertilizer, seed inoculation of nitroxin biofertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer, seed inoculation of mycorrhizal + 50% chemical fertilizer, (simultaneous use of biofertilizers (nitroxin + mycorrhiza) + 50% chemical fertilizer, and foliar application treatment at two levels (foliar application with water and foliar application with a concentration of 1 mM salicylic acid). 

Results and Discussion:

The results showed that drought stress increased grain protein and malondialdehyde and decreased other evaluated traits. Fertilizer nutrition and salicylic acid foliar application treatment alone increased the evaluated traits and decreased malondialdehyde content compared to the no use of biofertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer and no foliar application of salicylic acid. Combined treatment of fertilizer (nitroxin + mycorrhiza) + 50% chemical fertilizer and salicylic acid could reduce the effect of drought stress on the traits evaluated in this study on wheat of Chamran 2 cultivar. As a result can this treatment suggested to the farmer in order to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of this wheat variety under drought stress conditions. 

Conclusion:

In general, it can be concluded that the application of biofertilizers (nitroxin + mycorrhiza) + 50% chemical fertilizer and salicylic acid foliar application can be used as an effective and alternative fertilizer to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and water shortage in Khorramabad for sustainable agriculture. As a result, this treatment can be recommended to the farmer to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of this wheat cultivar under drought stress conditions.

Climate change (temperature, rainfall and flood patterns, etc.) has major and negative effects on agricultural production and water and land resources. Part of climate change is to reduce soil fertility (through erosion processes), increase the frequency of repeated pest attacks, reduce crop yields, and increase groundwater harvest periods by reducing water access. Zinc plays an essential role in the basic processes of plant life, namely cell division, stomata regulation and respiration. Apart from the increase in carbon dioxide emissions, high temperatures are also a major stressor that can lead to severe growth retardation and plant distribution. At higher concentrations, carbon dioxide increased photosynthetic carbon and increased organic matter, which in turn increased stem diameter of lentil plant (Shams, 2017) .

The composite experiment was performed as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with four replications. Irrigation at three levels (60, 80 and 100% of field capacity) as the first factor, foliar application of zinc sulfate fertilizer at two levels (no foliar application and 0.5 gl-1) as the second factor and environmental conditions at four levels (380_24, 380_31, 700_24 and 700_31 C/PPm (carbon dioxide) were the third factor. The studied traits were number of root nodes, root dry weight, stem height and diameter, number of leaves and grain yield. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.1 software and the mean of the treatments was compared with LSD test at 5% probability level.

Co-application of carbon dioxide, complete irrigation and complete irrigation and zinc sulfate increased the number of nodes. Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide under severe drought stress increased root dry weight. Also, increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide under mild environmental stress caused plant height, diameter and grain yield. Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in full irrigation conditions increased the number of leaves. Increasing carbon dioxide increases water use, photosynthesis and net primary productivity by reducing stomatal conductance and transpiration, which ultimately increases biomass and yield.Application of zinc sulfate under full irrigation conditions increased the total grain yield by 17.1 g/plant. Positive role of zinc in chlorophyll synthesis, and performance of optical photosystems can increase growth indices. The use of zinc chelate due to the role of zinc in the activity of plant enzymes and metabolisms, including plant hormones (auxin) has increased chlorophyll activity and photosynthesis, which finally has increased grain yield in the plant. 

Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide at lower temperatures and full irrigation and mild stress increased the majority of morphological traits. Also, application of zinc alone and with full irrigation increased some morphological traits and grain yield.

In order to investigate the possibility of reducing the negative effects of heat stress at the end of the wheat season by using Silicon nanoparticles and mycorrhiza, this experiment was carried out in a split form in the form of a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications in the crop year 2018-2019 in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University. The main factor is the interruption of irrigation at the end of the season in the three control levels (normal irrigation), the interruption of irrigation from the flowering stage and the interruption of irrigation from the milking stage to the end of growth and the first secondary factor, silicon nanoparticles in the three levels of not using silicon nanoparticles, silicon nanoparticles 40 mg/liter and silicon nanoparticles 80 mg/liter and the second factor was mycorrhiza biofertilizer in two levels of not using mycorrhiza and using mycorrhiza. The interaction effect of three treatments showed that in the treatment of normal irrigation + Silicon nanoparticles 40 mg/liter + mycorrhiza, the highest seed yield (5279 kg/ha), 1000 seed weight (36.87 grams), number of seeds per spike (46.3 units), the number of spikes per square meter (699 units), raw protein yield and biological yield (774 and 15150 kg/ha) were obtained, on the other hand, in the treatment of stopping irrigation in the flowering stage and not using silicon nanoparticles and mycorrhiza, the most The percentage of crude seed protein (17.33%) was obtained. it is worth mentioning that the highest harvest index (37.70%) belonged to the treatment of stopping irrigation at the milking stage + 80 mg/liter of silicon nanoparticles + mycorrhizal inoculation. In this experiment, differences of 60.45, 40.22 and 55.91 were observed between the highest and lowest seed yield, protein yield and biological yield. The results showed that the use of mycorrhiza biofertilizer and Silicon nanoparticles were useful for increasing the quantity and quality of wheat, especially at the end of the growing season. Considering that the sources of Silicon and mycorrhizal fungi are obtained at the lowest cost, therefore, it is suggested that farmers use the above inputs in wheat cultivation in order to produce more.

Providing important and effective elements such as zinc and boron- especially in areas where the soil for some reason cannot meet the needs of the plant- will be a good solution to improve seed and seedling quality and nutrition, and community health status. A considerable part of the wheat producing regions in the country are faced with late season haet during seed development stages. Thus, the present study will investigate the effect of heat stress and mother plant nutrition with zinc and boron micronutrients on seed deterioration and physiological quality of wheat seedlings.

In a field experiment, wheat seeds were planted on two suitable planting dates (November 20) and late (January 5) to apply late-season heat stress during the seed development stage with three replications in Ramhormoz, Iran. The nutrition of mother plants with zinc and boron elements was done at three levels (nutrient-free and application of zinc and boron) as a foliar application. After harvest, the seeds were transferred to the laboratory and membrane integrity of seed cells was investigated using an electrical conductivity test as an indicator of deterioration. Another part of the seeds was planted in a factorial pot experiment based on RCBD with three replications to evaluate the quality of seeds and seedlings in the greenhouse.

The results showed that exposure of seeds to heat stress during development reduced seed quality as well as seedlings so that the cell membrane in the seeds produced under heat stress conditions was damaged and their electrical conductivity increased by 19%. Also, these seeds showed more sensitivity to deterioration. The percentage of seedling emergence in the stressed seeds decreased by 21.66%. Heat stress also reduced seedling quality indices such as chlorophyll content, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight. Application of zinc and boron on the mother plant not only led to improved quality of seeds and seedlings under normal conditions but also the negative effects of heat stress on seed and seedling quality were reduced. There was a significant negative correlation between the seed electrical conductivity test and qualitative parameters. Therefore, the use of this test is recommended to determine the quality of seeds, especially seeds produced under late-season heat stress conditions.

Noting the negative effect of heat during seed development on seed quality, planting dates should be adjusted as much as possible so that the seed development stage does not coincide with the late-season heat stress. Due to the beneficial effects of using zinc and boron in the mother plant on many traits related to the quality of seeds and seedlings, their application- especially zinc- in soils with deficiency or the possibility of heat stress at the end of the season is recommended.

In some regions of Iran, drought stress generally reduces yield at the final stages of wheat growth. This experiment was performed to investigate the effects of vermicompost and zinc foliar application on yield, yield components and quality traits of bread wheat (Chamran 2) under terminal moisture limitation stress, during 2018-19 in the research farm of the faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University. The experiment was carried out as split-factorial based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with eight treatments and three replications. The main factor was moisture limitation stress (full irrigation until the end of the growing season and cessation of irrigation from the beginning of grain filling) and sub-factors were vermicompost (no application, and application of vermicompost 5 t ha-1) and foliar application of zinc (distilled water and zinc sulfate solution 3/1000 (w/v) equals to 0.36 g zinc sulfate m-2). The results showed that moisture limitation stress significantly reduced the 1000-grain weight, grain yield, harvest index, and Falling number. Interaction of moisture limitation × vermicompost × zinc was significant for grain protein and Zeleny sedimentation. Application of vermicompost increased grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, grain protein and Zeleny sedimentation thereby improved quantity and quality of wheat grain particularly under non-moisture limitation condition. Zinc foliar application also significantly increased the grain yield, biological yield, grain zinc content, protein percentage and Zeleny sedimentation. Combined and separate application of vermicompost and zinc foliar application reduced the damage of moisture limitation stress on the quantitative and qualitative yield of wheat. Therefore, use of them is recommended as a crop management practice in Khorramabad climatic condition particularly where terminal moisture limitation stress is usually occur.

This study was performed in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications on Adel chickpea cultivar during 2017-2018. Seed priming consisted of two levels (non-priming and hydropriming) and spraying nitrogen and glycine betaine with six levels (no spraying, as control, zero concentration (water spray), 3% urea, 100 mM glycine betaine, 200 mM glycine betaine, and glycine betaine 200 mM + urea 3%). Interaction of priming by foliar application on biological and grain yields was significant at 1%probabilitylevel.The highest biological yield (2668kg.ha-1) and grain yield (1301 kg.ha-1) were obtained with combined priming and consumption of 200 mM glycine + 3% urea and the lowest yield was related to non-priming and non-spraying priming. Priming also improved the harvest index, number of seeds per plant, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight and number of active nodules. The effect of foliar application of plants by glycine betaine and urea on number of grains per pod and grain protein percentage was significant. The highest values of these traits belonged to foliar application of plants by glycine betaine with concentration of 200 mM + 3% urea. Hydropriming significantly increased grain yield, harvest index, grain weight, and number of seeds per plant. Hydropriming also allowed the plant to initiate flowering and pod forming earlier. According to the results of this study, the use of hydropriming treatment and spraying of nitrogen and glycine betaine respectively would be recommended to improve the quality and quantity of rainfed chickpea in Kuhdasht, Lorestan province.

To investigate the influence of humic acid on the amount of absorption and allocation of elements on different parts of Satureja khuzestanica under salinity stress conditions, a greenhouse experiment was done as factorial based on a randomized complete block design in four replications. Factors included humic acid (zero, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg kg-1 soil), and salinity stress (zero, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl). It was found that the shoot dry weight was decreased with increasing the intensity of salinity stress; at a level of 100 mM sodium chloride, the average of this trait was reduced by 16%. In contrast, the use of humic acid, particularly 60 mg/kg soil, increased the shoot dry weight by 25% compared to the control. The effect of humic acid, salinity, and their interaction were significant (P≤0.01) on measured characteristics except stem and leaf nitrogen. Results showed that among organs (root, stem and leaf), the highest amount of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and nitrogen (5064, 9000, 13, 19.92 and 3.91 mg kg-1 dry weight) were observed in leaf in the S1H5, S2H2, S1H4, and S1H5 treatments, respectively. Among different organs, maximum iron content (759.9 mg kg-1 of dry weight) was observed in roots under S2H1. In general, with increasing salinity and decreasing humic acid, the concentration of salts such as sodium increased whereas the concentration of useful and essential elements for the plant decreased. According to the results, it can be stated that probably soil application of humic acid at high amounts (40 and 60 mg/kg soil) can moderate the effects of salinity stress by affecting the nutrient changes of plant organs.

Salinity stress is a limiting factor for plant growth and production. To reduce the salinity effects, humic acid was applied in soil, and its mitigation effect was studied on Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad. The research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized block design with four replications at Lorestan University. The factors included salinity stress (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM NaCl) and humic acid (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg soil). Results showed that salinity stress decreased plant height, dry weight, leaf number, root length, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. However, it significantly increased flavonoid contents and SOD, CAT, and GR activities. Essential oil (EO) quantity and quality were affected by salinity. The EO percentage and yield decreased by salinity. Forty-three constituents were identified, among which carvacrol, γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, myrcene, p-cymene, α-thujene, citronellol, and α-pinene were the major compounds according to their contents and formed more than 94% of the EO. The percentage of some of the other constituents decreased to zero under specific salinity and humic acid treatments. The application of humic acid could mitigate salinity effects on growth and EO production. However, there was an interaction between salinity and humic acid on EO yield and quality. It seems that the application of humic acid is useful for improvement EO yield of S. khuzestani, but the amount of its application depends on the EO consumers’ favorite.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oil seed crops, growing widely in tropical and subtropical areas. Drought is a polygenic stress and is considered as one of the most important factors limiting crop yields around the world. Most of the Iranian soils have a high pH and calcareous nature, and micronutrients solubility in these soils is low. Micronutrient deficiency, especially iron, is widespread where soil is calcareous with high pH, low organic matter, continuous drought, high bicarbonate content in irrigation water, and imbalanced application of NPK fertilizers. Foliar nutrition is an option when nutrient deficiencies cannot be corrected by applications of nutrients to the soil. Microelements Foliar application is very helpful when the roots cannot provide necessary nutrients. Iron is an important element in crops, because it is essential for many enzymes including cytochromes, which is involved in the electron transport chain, chlorophyll synthesis, and maintains the structure of chloroplasts. Nowadays, nanoparticles of metals are widely used in many sections, such as medicine, agriculture, and industry. Iron oxide nanoparticles have a large surface area and high reactivity. Moreover, when compared to many other metallic nanoparticles, the iron oxide nanoparticles are constant, less expensive, and less toxic. Iron oxide nanoparticles have high magnetization amounts, a size smaller than 100 nm and a thin particle size distribution. These particles also have a special surface cover of magnetic particles, which has to be harmless and biocompatible.

To study the effect of drought stress and iron oxide nanoparticle foliar application on quantitative and qualitative traits of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an experiment was conducted as split-plot with three replications at the research farm of Agricultural Faculty, Lorestan University in 2016. The experimental factors were included drought stress in two levels of non-stress (Irrigation to reach soil water to FC 100%) and drought stress (Irrigation to reach soil water to FC 50%) as the main factor, and iron oxide nanoparticle foliar application in five levels of non-foliar application (Control), foliar application by water (1000 liters of water per hectare), iron oxide nanoparticle 0.05% (0.5 kg/1000 L of water per hectare), iron oxide nanoparticle 0.1% (1.0 kg/1000 L of water per hectare) and iron oxide nanoparticle 0.15% (1.5 kg/1000 L of water per hectare) as the sub factor. The measured traits included number of capsules per plant, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, grain oil content, grain oil yield, grain protein content and grain protein yield. Analysis of variance was performed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS version: 9.3). The means were analyzed using the Tukey test at P=0.05.

Results showed that the drought stress decreased significantly traits of 1000 grain weight (18.51%), grain yield (26.52%), biological yield (9.42%), harvest index (3.94%), grain oil content (10.30%), grain oil yield (40.47%) and grain protein yield (24.90%) except for the number of capsules per plant and grain protein content. However, the iron oxide nanoparticle application improved significantly traits of 1000 grain weight (19.86%), grain yield (37.43%), biological yield (22.91%), harvest index (3.86%), grain oil content (6.49%), grain oil yield (45.70%) and grain protein yield (40.93%) under drought stress except for the number of capsules per plant, and grain protein content. Among different levels of foliar application, iron oxide nanoparticle 0.15% had the most effect on increasing the measured traits except for the harvest index.

In general, iron oxide nanoparticle foliar application can be used, especially at a concentration of 0.15%, to reduce the harmful effects of drought stress and improve the quantitative and qualitative traits of sesame in Khorramabad city.

Due to the importance of using medicinal plants in curing diseases in one hand and disturbance of natural habitats in the other hand, their domestication and intensive cultivation are necessary. One of the problems in the propagation of these plants is seed dormancy. Therefore, finding low cost and efficient breaking seed dormancy treatments for Artemisia (Artemisia aucheri) is necessary. In this research, effects of ultrasonic waves and hydropriming on seed germination of Artemisia were evaluated in an experiment as factorial in the base of completely randomized design with three replications in the faculty of agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. Both primed (hydro-priming for 7 hours) and non-primed seeds exposed to ultrasonic waves (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 min of 50 KH) and germination test were done. Results showed that all studied germination and seedling parameters were affected by ultrasonic waves significantly. Effect of hydro-priming was significant on germination percentage and speed, root and radicle lengths, seedling dry weight and seed electrical conductivity. Ion leakage was decreased by increasing in duration of ultrasonic waves; this phenomenon was more obvious in hydro-primed seed in comparison to non-primed one. The highest germination percentage and speed were obtained by hydro-priming +10 min ultrasonic waves. Therefore, according to the conventional time-consumed seed dormancy breaking methods, the use of ultrasound as a new technology to break dormancy as an alternative to older methods is recommended.

The present study was carried out to investigate the some differences between forage qualities and quantities of four clover species under different irrigation regimes and high input management conditions in 2015 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University of Tehran. The experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots refer to irrigation regimes in three levels of normal irrigation, medium drought stress, and severe drought stress that were used by the method of increasing the irrigation intervals by time-sensing (TDR), and subplots were four clover species including Red, Crimson, Persian, and Berseem. Results showed that the content of water-soluble carbohydrates was maximum at severe low irrigation levels, compared to other irrigation levels, while other qualitative traits were minimum at this treatment compared to other irrigation levels. In the second irrigation level, all of the qualitative traits were at the medium value between the normal irrigation and severe low irrigation. Crimson species was superior to other species in terms of qualitative. Crimson species at normal irrigation and medium low irrigation levels had the highest dry forage yields of 5517.16 and 2668.36 kg, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested to plant Crimson cultivar under normal irrigation and medium low irrigation to achieve highest yield forage. Also, Persian species had the highest yield of 1814.31 kg at severe low irrigation level. Therefore, in drought conditions and severe low irrigation, in order to have access to higher forage yield, this crop is recommended.

Heavy soil compaction and crusting has adverse effects on the rate and speed of seedling emergence, as well as percent of established seedling, particularly in dicotyledonous epigeal plants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ways of coping with this phenomenon in kidney bean. The experiment was carried out during the years 2017 and 2018 in the Seed Laboratory and Greenhouse of Lorestan University, Iran. Factors studied were seed priming (control, hydroprming, GA50 ppm, GA100 ppm, SA50 ppm, SA100 ppm, and GA50 ppm+SA50 ppm) and soil compaction (intact, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% more compaction in relation to intact). The results showed that low soil compaction (5-10%) had positive effect on seedling growth, while, more compaction had adverse effect. Seed priming had a significant effect on seedling growth indices. Priming improved root length and number of root branches. Sever soil compaction decreased root length. The maximum root length (40.58 cm) was observed in priming with GA50 ppm+SA50 ppm and no soil compaction (intact soil). The greatest number of root branches was observed in GA50 ppm+SA50 ppm and 20% soil compaction. Seed priming had significant effects on proline. Minimum proline content (85.1 µg.g-1 FW) was observed in not-primed and 10% soil compaction, however, its maximum  (199.6 µg.g-1 FW) was recorded in GA50 ppm+SA50 ppm priming and no soil compaction (intact soil). In general, weak soil compaction (5%) improved seedling growth, but increasing soil compaction by 15% or more decreased root (9.13 cm) and shoot growth. It seems that soil compaction reduces water and mineral uptake, hence reducing seedling performance.

Because of high levels of fatty acids, sunflower seed is susceptible to deterioration and damages caused by deterioration will reduce the quality of seed and seedling. To compare the effect of sunflower seed (cv. Barzegar) priming with gibberellin and ascorbic acid under two conditions, i.e. before and after the seed deterioration, an experiment was conducted in 2016 in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University. The factorial pot experiment was performed based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was the application time of priming in two levels (priming before and after seed deterioration) and the second factor was priming treatments in six levels (hydropriming, 50 and 75 ppm of gibberellin, 100 and 150 ppm of ascorbic acid, gibberellin 50 ppm + ascorbic acid 100 ppm and none primed control). Accelerated aging (72 h at 43 °C and 100% RH) was used to deteriorate the seed. The results showed that priming after seed deterioration in comparison with priming before deterioration was more efficient to improve traits such as seedling emergence and growth rate and seedling dry weight (p<0.05). However, for other traits such as emergence and seedling root length, there was an interaction between priming time and treatments; for these traits, priming after seed deterioration was generally more effective than priming before deterioration (p<0.05). Hydropriming after seed deterioration significantly improved percentage and rate of seedling emergence; and 75 ppm of gibberellin could improve seedling growth rate and dry matter accumulation. Therefore, 75 ppm of gibberellin and hydropriming are suggested for improving the quality of sunflower deteriorated seeds.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is considered as one of the major sources of oil and protein. In this study, the effects of vermicompost (VC) and sulfur (S) on soybean photosynthesis responses, yield, and grain quality were studied. To this end, a split-plot design field experiment based on randomized complete blocks with nine treatments and three replications was conducted in Aligudarz city Lorestan province, Iran in 2017. The first factor included Vermicompost treatments (0, 4 and 8 t h-1) as the main plot and the second factor included sulfur treatments (0, 250 and 500 kg h-1) as the sub plot. Results of the present study revealed that VC application significantly increased the stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), net photosynthetic rate (PN), chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), chlorophyll a+b (Chl a+b), carotenoids (Car), grain yield (GY), grain oil content (GOC), and grain protein content (GPC) of soybean. Furthermore, S application (250 kg h-1) improved the important traits in comparison to the control treatments. A significant interaction was found between VC and S treatments, suggesting the combined application of VC and S may improve soybean physiological responses, yield and grain quality in comparison to the VC and S treatments alone.

In order to the investigation of  Zn nano-chelate foliar application effects on photosynthetic parameters, glutamine synthetase, protein, grain yield and yield components of soybean under water deficit, a split-plot experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lorestan, in 2016. The treatments consisted of irrigation regime (100, 80, 60 and 40% of plant water requirement) in the main plots and zinc nano-chelate foliar application (Control or distilled water and zinc as zinc nano-chelate containing 20% zinc absorbable ion) in the subplots. The results showed that by decreasing of water requirement some traits such as photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, glutamine synthetase, the number of pods per plant, the number of grain per pod, 100-grain weight, grain yield, protein percentage of grain and protein yield were reduced. In contrast, internal CO2 concentration (Ci) and SPAD value increased in stress condition. In normal condition, zinc nano-chelate treatment was not any effect on SPAD value, the number of seed per pod, 100-seed weight, seed and protein yield. In water deficit conditions, zinc nano-chelate foliar application increased the mentioned traits by 4.2, 13.8, 17.3, 45.7 and 39.3 percent, respectively. In addition, in water deficient, zinc nano-chelate decreased Ci and stomatal conductance of leaves. In general, zinc nano-chelate application mitigated effects of water deficit and it was positive for improving soybean yield. Therefore, its application may improve tolerance of soybean.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important sources of plant food for human among the main crops globally. High temperature resulting from delay in planting is one major environmental factor limiting growth and production of wheat, especially in tropical regions. Terminal heat stress during the last phases of wheat development especially in booting, heading, anthesis and grain filling stages of the spring wheat cultivars is considered as one of the major environmental constraints that drastically reduces grain yield and yield components of wheat in Khuzestan province and other warm and dry regions of Iran. Most of the Iranian soils have a high pH and calcareous nature, so absorption of nutrients is limited in these soils. Mineral nutrition of plants plays a critical role in increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses. Zinc is a ubiquitous micronutrient. It is required as a structural and functional component of many enzymes and proteins, and increases the yield and yield components of wheat. Boron is essential for pollen viability, flowering, fruiting and seed production. As a micronutrient, it plays a vital role in nitrogen metabolism, hormonal action, and cell division.

To evaluate the remobilization of photosynthetic materials and their contribution in the formation of grain yield of two bread wheat cultivars affected by terminal heat stress and zinc and boron foliar application, an experiment was conducted as split-split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications in Ramhormoz city. The experimental factors were included planting date in two levels optimum (November 21) and late (January 5) to coincide growth terminal stages with high temperatures as the main factor, foliar application in four levels with water (control), zinc, boron and zinc + boron as the sub factor and two cultivars of bread wheat Pishtaz and Chamran 2 as the sub-sub factor.

The results showed that terminal heat stress caused by delay in planting increased significantly traits of stored photosynthetic materials remobilization from stem and spike to seed and relative contribution of stem and spike reserves in grain yield, but decreased significantly traits of current photosynthesis and its relative contribution in yield, and grain yield of two bread wheat cultivars of Pishtaz and Chamran. Zinc and boron foliar application reduced significantly all of the above traits in both optimum and late planting dates except for the traits of current photosynthesis and its relative contribution in yield, and grain yield. Among the wheat cultivars cultivated, Chamran 2 cultivar had a significant advantage in traits of current photosynthesis and current photosynthesis relative contribution in yield and grain yield compared to Pishtaz cultivar, but in other traits this superiority was evident in Pishtaz cultivar.

In general, it can be attributed the main factor increasing grain yield of two bread wheat cultivars of Pishtaz and Chamran to improve current photosynthesis. As well as, it can be used from timely planting date, zinc and boron foliar application and suitable wheat cultivar such as Chamran 2 as three management strategies to reduce the harmful effects of terminal heat stress caused by late planting date in Ramhormoz city.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is considered as the major cereal crop in the world in respect of the cultivated area and total production. High temperature resulting from delay in planting is one major environmental factor limiting growth and production of wheat, especially in tropical regions. Most of the Iranian soils, have a high pH and calcareous nature, and micronutrients solubility in these soils is low. Micronutrients plays a critical role in increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses. Iron as a micronutrient, is critical for chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis and is important in the enzyme systems and respiration of plants. Zinc is a ubiquitous micronutrient. It is required as a structural and functional component of many enzymes and proteins, and increases the yield and yield components of wheat. Manganese as a micronutrient, is necessary in photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and to form other compounds required for plant metabolism.

To study the effect of iron, zinc and manganese foliar application on the physiological, agronomic traits and protein of wheat under late season heat stress, an experiment was conducted as split-plot based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications in Ramhormoz city located in south-western Iran. The experimental factors were included planting date in two levels (5 November and 20 December) as the main factor and micronutrients foliar application in six levels of non-foliar application (control), foliar application by water, iron, zinc, manganese and iron+zinc+manganese (each 3 lit.h-1) as the sub factor. Solutions for foliar application were prepared by using Iron chelate (6%), Zinc chelate (7.5%) and Manganese chelate (7%). The measured traits included leaf chlorophyll index, leaf proline content, cell membrane stability index, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and grain protein content. To determine the leaf chlorophyll index used of chlorophyll meter digital. To determine the leaf proline content, method of Bates et al. (1973) was used. To determine the cell membrane stability index used of method Lutts et al. (1996). The grain yield was determined at maturity stage and through the harvest of all spikes from the level of 1 m-2 per plot and after removing 0.5 m from the beginning and end respective planting rows (rows 5 and 6). To measure the biological yield at maturity stage, after removing 0.5 m from the beginning and end respective planting rows (rows 5 and 6) from the level of 1 m-2 per plot all the plants were harvested and weighted for each plot separately. The harvest index was determined by the equation GY / BY × 100. The grain protein content was calculated as N% × 5.7 on a dry weight basis. N% in grain was determined by the Kjeldahl method according to A.A.C.C. (2000). Analysis of variance was performed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS version: 9.3). The means were analyzed using the least significant difference (LSD) method at P=0.05 (LSD 0.05).

Results showed that the delay in planting due to terminal heat stress decreased significantly traits of leaf chlorophyll index, cell membrane stability index, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index except for leaf proline content and grain protein. However, iron, zinc and manganese foliar application could increase significantly the measured traits in optimum and late planting date. Meanwhile, application of zinc spray showed the greatest effect in reducing the damage caused by terminal heat stress on measured traits.

In general, planting on 5 November and the use of micronutrients, especially zinc, as foliar application, can reduce the harmful effects caused by terminal heat stress and improve the physiological, agronomic traits and grain protein content of bread wheat in the region.