jaefar nikbakht

Nowadays, due to climate change and a decrease in rainfall, the production of agricultural products in many regions, especially arid and semi-arid regions, has faced problems. For this purpose, to study the effect of potassium silicate (Si) and L-cysteine (Cys) foliar spray on water use efficiency, fruit yield and quality of Physalis (Physalis peruviana L.) under water deficit conditions, a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in the Research field of the University of Zanjan during 2022. Experimental treatments consisted of three different irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100% ETc) as the main plot and a foliar spray of potassium silicate (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg L-1) and L-cysteine amino (0, 20 and 40 mg L-1) as a subplot. The results showed that water deficit stress increased total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and protein contents, and decreased vitamin C content, fruit number and yield. Application of Si, especially at 1000 and 1500 mg l-1 and Cys improved carotenoids, TSS, TA, vitamin C and fruit protein contents, and fruit yield under irrigation 100 ETc% and water deficit stress conditions. The highest fruit yield was obtained with the application of 20 and 40 mg L-1 Cys under irrigation of 100 and 75 ETc%. Also, the highest value of WUE was observed in plants treated with 20 and 40 mg L-1 Cys under deficit irrigation of 75 ETc% and 1000 mg L-1 Si under deficit irrigation of 50 ETc%, respectively. Therefore, the application of 1000 mg L-1 of potassium silicate and 40 mg L-1 of cysteine is suggested to increase the quality and yield of the physalis under the irrigation 100 Etc% and water deficit stress conditions.

For the optimal management of the surface water, it is necessary to identify the effect of meteorological drought on the river flows in terms of time. In this study, the relationship of meteorological and hydrological droughts in Sufi Chai River basin of Maragheh (East Azarbaijan province) was evaluated using SPI, RDI and SDI. The daily weather data of the Maragheh synoptic station and the daily data of Tazehkand hydrometric station (upstream of Alavian dam) were used. The statistical period of 34 years were determined (1983-2017) and 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 month time series were created. In RDI, ETO was calculated using FAO-Penman-Monteith and Hargreaves-Samani methods. The correlation of hydrological and meteorological indices was performed for 3 to 48 month time series without delay and with delay of one-five month. The results in without delay condition showed the highest correlation between the indices is belonged to the series with similar period. The correlation between the similar RDIFPM and SDI series were less than the ones corresponding to SPI and SDI, or RDIHS and SDI. It is concluded considering the other weather parameters, in addition to rainfall, for calculating the indices, results in reduction of the correlation between the meteorological and hydrological indices. Among RDIHS and SDI values with delay condition, in the 3, 6 and 12 time series, the greatest effect of the meteorological drought on river flow was observed with the 3 month delay and in the 24 and 48 month time series, this effect was simultaneous.

Applying reduced doses of pesticides has advantages such as resistance management, environmental pollution reduction, and control costs. Very few studies show that passing the water used for pesticide applications through a magnetic field can improve the pesticides' efficiency. In this study, the effect of a magnetic field on the acaricidal activity of spirodiclofen was evaluated against Tetranychus urticae. Treatments included distilled water and well water for preparing the suspensions after passing through a constant magnetic field of 0.42 Tesla. Furthermore, additional treatments were made by passing the prepared suspensions through the magnetic field. Mites were counted right before the sprays on days 7, 14, and 21. The treatment efficiencies were calculated by using the Henderson-Tilton formula. Except for 2 of 12 cases in which the efficiencies were negative, in the rest of the experiments, the magnetic field enhanced the efficiency of the studied acaricide. The highest values were recorded for two treatments including magnetizing the mixture of well water and acaricide treatment and magnetized distilled water plus acaricide treatment between days 7 to 21 (approximately 77 %). This study suggests the usefulness of magnetic fields as an environmental-friendly method to increase the effectiveness of the studied plant protection agent.

Current research was carried out as a pot experiment in order to investigate the effect of different biochar levels (zero (Bi0), one (Bi1) and two (Bi2) percent of soil mass) and nitrogen fertilizer (from the urea source) (zero (F0), 150 (F150) and 300 (F300) kg/ha) on spinach (cv. Viroflay) yield and fertilizer productivity. The experiment was done from September 2021 to January 2022 as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications in the research greenhouse of agricultural faculty of Zanjan University. Fertilizing was done as fertigation in three splits with an interval of 10 days. Results showed, using one and two percent biochar were significantly increased means of leaf chlorophyll index 15% and 34% (respectively) and leaf area 14% and 34% (respectively) compared to the control treatment. In F150 and F300 treatments compared to F0, means of leaf chlorophyll index increased 64% and 110% (respectively) and leaf area increased 30% and 58% (respectively). Based on the results of interaction effects, maximum mean of petiole length, fresh and dry mass of plant and fertilizer productivity were achieved in Bi2-F300 treatment (respectively 6.1 cm, 10.1 gr and 24.0 kg/kg). Based on the research results, biochar application in soil is suggested to increase fertilizer productivity which reduces the harmful effects of using chemical fertilizers on the environment.

Water stress is the most prominent abiotic stress limiting agricultural crop growth and productivity. Deficit irrigation stress as a consequence of the progressive decrease in water availability has been a hot topic regarding food security during the last two decades. Growth and development of plants are influenced by reduction in turgor that results in decreased nutrient acquisition from dry soil. Due to the threat of climate change, there is a need to limit the use of water resources in arid and semi-arid climates. It is therefore important to find new approaches to avoid crop productivity losses in ‘limited fresh-water’ areas. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is an important non-climacteric fruit grown in tropical and subtropical regions. The estimated total world production for eggplants in 2019 was 51287210 tons. Foliar application of agro-chemicals has widely been used in agriculture as a rapid, low-cost and effective way for enhancing growth and productivity of many vegetable crops under water deficit conditions. Ca is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development, and is considered as an important intracellular messenger, mediating responses to hormones, stress signals and a variety of developmental processes. Amino acids are important bio-regulators which have promotive effects on plant growth and productivity. Cysteine is the precursor molecule of glutathione, the predominant non-protein thiol, which plays an important role in plant stress responses.

The field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Agriculture Faculty, University of Zanjan, Iran, during 2021. The experiment was performed using a split plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three irrigation regimes (60, 80 and 100 %ETc) as the main plot and foliar spray of two levels of calcium lactate (CaL) (1 and 2 g L-1) and L-cystein (Cys) (0.15 and 0.5 %) as the sub-plot in three replicates. Distilled water was used as a control. Eggplant (cv. Greta RZ) seedlings were transplanted at the 4-5 leaf stage with 35 cm spacing within row and 100 cm spacing between rows. After plant establishment, eggplants were sprayed with different concentrations of CaL and Cys at 6-7 leaf stage. Second and third times of foliar application were performed at 10 and 20 days after the first spraying. Irrigation treatments were applied one week after the first spraying. Number of branch per plant, plant height and leaf area were measured as growth parameters in harvest stage. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, proline, leaf relative water content, stomatal conductance and electrolyte leakage were measured as physiological characteristics. Also plant fruit yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated.

As the results showed, plant growth, physiological indices and WUE significantly affected by deficit irrigation. Water deficit stress significantly reduced plant length, leaf area and chlorophyll content, and increased carotenoid content. Decreased plant growth may be due to limited cell division, cell enlargement due to turgor loss, and inhibition of various growth metabolites. Foliar spray of CaL and Cys improved plant growth, fruit yield and physiological indices. Leaf relative water content (LRWC) is among the main physiological criteria affecting plant water relations and have been used for assessing drought tolerance. Based on the findings, deficit irrigation caused a significant reduction in LRWC and stomatal conductance, which is due to the reduction of leaf water potential and the decrease of root water absorption rate under drought conditions. The highest value of LRWC and stomatal conductance were obtained in plants sprayed with CaL 2 g L-1 under irrigation 100 %ETc. Free proline is one of the most important osmolytes whose accumulation is a common physiological response to drought stress in higher plants and is probably associated with osmotic regulation and membrane stability under stress condition. WUE, the physiological parameter of crop, describes the relationship between plant water consumption and dry matter production. The proline content and WUE increased under deficit irrigation treatments; in particular with sever deficit irrigation (60 %ETc). The maximum proline content and WUE were observed in plants treated with CaL 2 g L-1 and Cys 0.5 % under deficit irrigation of 60 %ETc. The results showed that deficit irrigation led to a significant increase in electrolyte leakage compared to control, and foliar application of CaL and Cys decreased electrolyte leakage under normal and deficit irrigation conditions. Water deficit stress caused significant reductions in yield. The highest fruit yield was obtained under irrigation of 100 %ETc along with application of CaL 2 g L-1 and Cys 0.5 %.

Water deficit has been shown to adversely affect plant growth and fruit yield. Foliar application of CaL and Cys positively improved plant growth, physiological traits and fruit yield, as well as WUE. According to the results, application of CaL 2 g L-1 or Cys 0.5 % can be proposed to improve growth, fruit yield and WUE of eggplant.

In order to evaluate the effect of L-cysteine and calcium lactate on yield and fruit quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena cv. Greta RZ) under deficit irrigation, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Research Farm of University of Zanjan, during 2021. Experimental treatments were included three levels of irrigation (60, 80 and 100 ETc%) and five foliar spray treatments (two levels of calcium lactate (CaL) 1 and 2 g.l-1 and two levels of L-cysteine (Cys) 0.15 and 0.5%) and distilled water as a control. The results showed that deficit irrigation stress significantly affected plant yield and fruit quality. The lowest fruit number and plant yield (1.8 kg), sepal chlorophyll and vitamin C (11.65 mg.100ml-1) contents, and the highest phenols and flavonoids contents, electron leakage, and Antioxidant enzymes activity were obtained at deficit irrigation 60% ETc.  Foliar application of CaL and Cys significantly improved fruit yield and quality under normal and deficit irrigation. The maximum plant yield (4.4 and 3.9 kg), vitamin C content (44.1 and 41.9 mg.100ml-1) and total soluble solid content (4.4 and 3.9 °B) were found with application of CaL 2 g.l-1 and Cys 0.5% respectively under irrigation 100 ETc%. CaL and Cys with increasing antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutases, catalases and peroxidase) and phenolic compounds led to an increase in fruit antioxidant capacity. According to the results, application of CaL 2 g.l-1 and Cys 0.5% is recommended to improve yield and fruit quality of eggplant under normal and deficit irrigation condition.

Gradual decline in water resources require suitable management of irrigation water and applying of deficit irrigation.Field tests to analysis of different states of deficit irrigation are constrained due to restriction of the experiment reliability to the physical conditions of the test place and limited number of the testing scenario in field and the high cost of testing.To overcome these limitations, crop models can be used as a powerful tool to simulate field tests.In this research, AquaCrop model was evaluated in deficit irrigation of winter wheat in Zanajn Region.The study data was collected from filed test values which was done in Research Farm of University of Zanjan at2010-2011.The filed test was carried out to assess reaction of winter wheat to deficit irrigation treatments.The test was done as split plot design on the base of complete randomized block.Irrigation treatments were done as supplying of100%,80%and60%of crop water requirement.The first replication data was used for model calibrating.By entering harvest index data of the second and third replications data of irrigation treatment to model.their yield and water use efficiency were simulated.On the result, the highest difference between simulated and recorded data of yield and water use efficiency were as6.9%and7.0%(respectively)at the third replication of 80%crop water requirement treatment.The least difference were as1.0%and0.5%(respectively)at the second replication of60%and80%crop water requirement treatment(respectively).R2of simulated and real data was calculated0.96for yield and0.99for water use efficiency.High value ofR2data was demonstrated suitable performance of AquaCrop model in simulation and forecasting of yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in deficit irrigation condition.

This study was done as a pot experiment to investigate the effect of biochar applying in drought stress ‎conditions on yield and water productivity of French lettuce. It was carried out from November 2019 to ‎February 2020 in the greenhouse of Zanjan University Research Farm as a factorial experiment based on ‎randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The experimental treatments included biochar ‎at three levels (zero (B0), one (B1) and two (B2) percent w/w) and irrigation at two levels (70 (I70) and ‎‎100 (I100) percent of crop water requirement). The water requirements of the control treatment crops were ‎determined by weight method. Based on the results, application of deficit irrigation significantly reduced ‎means of plant canopy diameter, shoot dimeter, plant hight, chlorophyll content, relative water content and ‎plant wet mass (yield) compared to the control treatment (8.0, 19.8, 26.1, 13.6, 6.20 and 21.1 percent, ‎respectively). Application of one and two percent biochar significantly increased means of plant canopy ‎diameter (13.1 and 7.8 percent, respectively), shoot dimeter (31.9 and 15.5 percent, respectively), plant ‎hight (26.1 and 12.5 percent, respectively), chlorophyll content (25.5 and 13.7 percent, respectively), ‎relative water content (11.61 and 5.30 percent, respectively), plant wet mass (yield) (23.6 and 12.1 ‎percent, respectively) and water productivily (24.6 and 12.3 percent, respectively) compared to the control ‎treatment (B0). Based on the results of the treatments interaction effects, maximum and minimum mean of ‎water productivity were in I70B2 and I70B0 (27.30 and 20.02 kg.m-3, respectively) as well as in the yield ‎they were in I100B2 and I70B0 (15.54 and 10.39 t.ha-1, respectively).‎

Current study was carried out as a pot experiment to investigate the effect of different irrigation levels (100% and 70% of crop water requirement) and seed priming with salicylic acid solution (zero, 0.5 and 1 mM) on the yield and water productivity of French lettuce in the greenhouse of Zanjan University Research Farm. The experiment was done from November 2019 to February 2020 as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The water requirements of the control treatment crops were determined by weight method. Based on the results, means of plant fresh weight, plant head diameter, shoot dimeter, relative water content and water productivity in plants was significantly reduced in plants irrigated as 70% crop water requirement by 46%, 19%, 24%, 8% and 35% (respectively) compared to the control treatment. Seeds priming with 1 and 0.5 mM salicylic acid solution, were significantly increased means of plant fresh weight (respectively 115% and 53%), plant head diameter (respectively 23% and 10%), shoot dimeter (respectively 10% and 6%), chlorophyll content (respectively 60% and 30%), relative leaf water content (respectively 59% and 41%) and water productivity (respectively 23% and 11%) compared to the control treatment (hydropriming with distilled water). The results of the interaction of the experimental treatments showed, the maximum and minimum mean of water productivity were in 100% water requirement-1 mM SA (8.9 kg/m3) and 70% water requirement-hydropriming (2.3 kg/m3). In areas like Zanjan with limited water resources where deficit irrigation should be done to save water, seeds priming is suggested to reduce the effects of drought stress on plants.

Considering the increase in the production of apartment flowers in the greenhouse, this study was conducted with the objectives of determination of Sedum (Sedum cv. Nevii) evapotranspiration and crop coefficient in greenhouse conditions and the effect of deficit irrigation on shoot fresh weight and water productivity. The experiment was carried out from July 2017 to January 2018 in the greenhouse of the Green Space and Beautification Office of Urmia Municipality. To determine crop coefficient, Sedum and grass evapotranspiration was measured based on the water volume balance approach for 90 days. Results showed that the average evapotranspiration of Sedum and grass were the same as 2.0 mm/day and the average Sedum crop coefficient was 0.99. Sum evapotranspiration of Sedum and grass during the test period were 180.3 and 179.5 mm (respectively). A deficit irrigation test was done on a completed randomized blocks design with 4 replications. The distance between the blocks and the pots in the blocks was 1m. Irrigation levels were 100% (control treatment), 80%, 60%, and 40% of Sedum water requirement and the pots were irrigated once in 3 days. Based on the results, the effect of irrigation levels on shoot wet and dry weight and water productivity were significant but on the root, wet and dry weight were not significant. A maximum and minimum average of shoot fresh weight were achieved in control and 40% treatments with 92.5 and 33.4 gr (respectively). Maximum water productivity was obtained in 80% treatment with 23.75 gr/lit and its difference with control treatment was not significant.

In arid and semiarid regions with limited water resources, using any method that, it is increased crop yield by applying a certain amount of water, it will be an effective management strategy to increase water use efficiency. The aim of this research was, to study of magnetic water and transparent plastic mulch effect on yield and water use efficiency in green beans cv. Alamout. Research was performed as split plots experiment based on completely randomized blocks design with three replications from June to October 2018 at the Research Farm of Agricultural Faculty, University of Zanjan, Iran. The main factor of the experiment was crossing and not crossing irrigation water from the magnetic field and sub factor of the experiment was use and non-use transparent plastic mulch. Crop water requirement was calculated by using real time meteorological parameters data of Zanjan synoptic Station and FAO-Penman-Monteith approach. Results showed, the highest increase in mean leaf chlorophyll content, mean leaf area, mean pot length, mean number of pods per plant, mean crop yield and mean water use efficiency were obtained in the conditions of together use of magnetic water and transparent plastic mulch which compared to control treatment, they were 32.2%, 13.5%, 19.4%, 52%, 40.8% and 40.8% more (respectively). The average leaf relative water content in transplant plastic mulch treatment was 6.5% higher than non-mulch treatment and in magnetic water treatment was 6.8% higher than non-magnetic water treatment (significant increase). As the research results, it is recommended in Zanjan region, magnetic water and transparent plastic mulch are used together in plant cultivation.

The process of soil particles splash by raindrops and their transport by splash or surface shallow flow is considered as interrill erosion, which can reduce soil fertility and cause surface water pollution. Slope gradient and soil type can be the main factors affecting interrill erosion processes in semi-arid regions; therefore, it is important to determine which soil textures in such slopes are more sensitive to interrill erosion processes. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of surface slope on interrill erosion in different soils. For this purpose, laboratory experiments were carried out on eight soils with different texture (silty clay, clay, sandy loam, sand, loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam, sandy loam) on tree slopes (10, 20 and 30%) under simulated rainfall (a constant intensity of 30 mm.h-1) with three replications (72 test units). The interrill erosion was measured at intervals of one minute from beginning of runoff in each experimental unit. The results showed that interrill erosion in all soils is affected by soil texture (P<0.0001), surface slope (P<0.0001) and their interaction (P<0.0001). Loam soil was the most susceptible to interrill erosion (10.76 g.m-2.s-1) and sandy soil was the most resistant soil (0.75 g.m-2.s-1). Surface slope had a significant effect on the amount of interrill erosion in all soils (P <0.000). Also, with increasing the slope percentage, the amount of interrill erosion in all textures increased significantly. This shows that it is necessary to prevent surface erosion in fine textured soils, especially on slopes in Zanjan region.

In this research, the effect of forming a loop layout by connecting the lateral ends in a tape irrigation system and magnetic water on yield and water use efficiency of maize cv. Maxima was investigated. The research was done as split plots on completely randomized blocks in three replications. Tube wires and an AC to DC converter were used to create a magnetic field. Maize water requirement was calculated using real-time meteorological parameters data of Zanjan synoptic station and FAO-56 method. Results showed loop connection compared with no-loop increased means of the system discharge by 13%, decreased coefficient of variation by 1.98%, and increased emission uniformity and Christiansen’s Uniformity coefficient by 2.2 and 1.5% (respectively). Magnetic water increased the means of the system discharge by 4.2% and decreased the coefficient of variation by 0.98% compared with no-magnetic water. Results of the measured plant traits showed that, compared with the conventional layout of the system, looping of the irrigation system increased means of the fresh plant weight, water use efficiency based on fresh plant weight, plant dry weight, and stem diameter by 27, 27, 32, and 13% respectively. Compared with non-magnetic water irrigation, magnetic water irrigation increased means of the fresh plant weight, water use efficiency based on fresh plant weight, plant dry weight, and leaf area by 9, 9.5, 1.4, and 17% respectively.

Drought stress is one of the factors reducing olive yield in tropical and subtropical climates. In order to study the effects of different levels of drought stress on some photosynthetic parameters and related traits, a factorial completely randomized design with six replications was carried out in Taroum Olive Research Station greenhouse. 4 levels of water stress, including 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %(control) of field capacity, were applied on one-year-old seedlings of six commercial olive cultivars, including Arbequina, Amigdalolia, Abou-Satl, Konservolia, Manzanilla and Zard during 60 days. A significant difference was recorded between stress levels in terms of carotenoid content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and photosynthesis rate (at p≤0.1% level), chlorophyll a and dry biomass (at p≤1% level,) and instantaneous water use efficiency (at p≤5% level). Furthermore, significant difference was observed among cultivars in terms of Chlorophyl a, carotenoid content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and dry biomass (at p≤0.1% level), intrinsic water use efficiency (at p≤1% level) and instantaneous water use efficiency (at p≤5% level). According to the means comparison table drought stress reduced all measured traits. But, under drought stress levels of 25 and 50 % of field capacity, both instantaneous and intrinsic water use efficiencies were increased. Also among different cultivars, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and water use efficiency were correlated to each other. Abou-Satl and Arbequina cultivars showed higher resistance to drought stress than other cultivars. Therefore, these cultivars can be introduced as drought tolerance cultivars for breeding programs and cultivation in arid conditions.

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of using transparent plastic mulch on yield and water use efficiency in green beans cv. Alamout in deficit irrigation conditions. Research was performed as split plots experiment based on completely randomized blocks design with three replications in 2018 at the Research Farm of Agricultural Faculty, University of Zanjan, Iran. The experiment treatments were deficit irrigation in three levels (100%, 80% and 60% of crop water requirements) as the main plot and transparent plastic mulch in two levels (use and non-use of mulch) as the subplot. Results showed, application of mulch increased significantly mean leaf chlorophyll content, mean relative leaf water content, mean leaf area, mean number of pods per plant, mean yield and mean water use efficiency compared to control treatment (16.8%, 5.2%, 11.2%, 34%, 38% and 39% respectively). Applying of deficit irrigation at 20 and 40% decreased significantly mean leaf chlorophyll content (20.6% and 30.3%), mean relative leaf water content (11.1% and 21.0%), mean leaf area (17.8% and 59.9%), mean number of pods per plant (10% and 43%), mean yield (24% and 53%) and mean water use efficiency (12% and 34%) compared to treatment of 100% crop water requirements. Interact effects of deficit irrigation and mulch increased significantly leaf chlorophyll content, leaf area and number of pods per plant such that at each irrigation level use of transparent plastic mulch increased mean values of these traits.

In recent years, due to global warming and changes in meteorological variables, drought occurrence has increased in different regions of the world. The purpose of this research was comparison of SPI, RDI and SPEI indices for drought monitoring under climate change conditions in Kermanshah station during the period 1963-2019. The possible effect of climate change on drought characterestic (intensity, severity and duration) was also examined. The indices were calculated in three time windows, i.e. 6, 12 and 24 months. Potential evapotranspiration (ETp) was estimated by Hargreaves-Samani equation. The trend analysis of drought time series was performed using Mann-Kendall test and the change point of the series was determined by Sequential Mann-Kendall method. The results indicated that in study station, air temperature and ETp amounts have been increased but the rainfall showed a decreasing trend. RDI and SPEI indices were found to be more sensitive to climate chage comparing to SPI. In 6month time window for SPI and RDI indices, drought severity have decreased after the change point (year 1994) compared to the previous period whereas in case of SPEI, there was no significant difference between two periods. For all 3 indices, in 12 and 24month time windows, drought severity has increased after the year 1994 whereas wet year severity has decreased. Also, in these time scales, calculated severity values of RDI and SPEI were more than SPI for before and after the year 1994.

Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important food sources of human. It has a high nutritional value due to its protein, vitamins and fiber supply. Abiotic stresses are most important limiting factors to crop productivity that among these, drought stress is known to be the main limiting factor of bean production in worldwide. The bean has a low tolerance to water stress, while about 60% of the bean crop is obtained in areas under low water stress. It has been reported that about 25% reduction of yield bean is due to drought stress conditions. The use of modern irrigation methods in addition raise grain yield, because saves of water consumption.

In order to investigate the effect of different irrigation regimes on gas exchanges and agronomy traits related to yield in bean, a field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran (36410N, 48290E) in spring 2012 years. The experiment was conducted at complete randomized block design with four replications. Experimental treatments included five level of irrigation (Traditional Irrigation with 100 % supply water requirement (I1), drip tape irrigation with 100 (I2), 80 (I3), 60 (I4) and 40 % (I5) supply water requirement. Each plot consisted of four rows, each measuring six meter long, distance of each rows and plants was 50 and 10 cm, respectively. Crop Evapotranspiration (ETc) of bean determined through calculation the evapotranspiration of the refrence crop (ETo) evaluated by FAO-Penman-Montith method and Crop Evapotranspiration (ETc) of plant. For of photosynthesis and other gas exchange parameters use IRGA Lci meter. At the physiological maturity stage, plants in an area of 1 m2 to measuring of  length of plant, number pod in plan, number seed in  pod, weight of thousand seeds, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index (HI) were harvested, then all aboveground dry matter were determined.

The irrigation regimes have significant effect all traits investigate except plant length and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci). Reducing the amount of available water had adverse effects on the yield and yield components. The maximum of Stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) observed in I1 and net CO2 assimilation rate (ACO2), mesophyll conductance (gm) in I1 and I2 treatment. The intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was not affected by the irrigation regimes. The maximum of grain yield (945.6 kg/h), number of  pod in plant (10.95) and harvest index (23.87 %) observed in I2 treatment and  the highest of stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) with 0.43 mmol.m-2s-1 was in I1 treatment. There was no difference in other traits investigate between I1 and I2 treatments. The intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) not significant in different irrigation regimes. The grain yield, number of pod in plant and harvest index in I2 treatment was more than I1 treatment to the amount 31.29, 59 and 18.93 percent, respectively.

According to this study, results showed that the physiological and agronomical traits that affected the growth and development of common bean disturbed whit reducing the available water content and ultimately the yield reduced. Since the no significant difference between more eco-physiological traits, in order to reducing of water consumption, suggested that in the field of bean culture, instead of traditional (leakage) irrigation, to use from of drip irrigation method with 100 percent supply water requirement. Result showed that the use of drip tape irrigation with 100 % water requirement was better than traditional irrigation with 100 percent supply water requirement, because in addition raise grain yield, cause saves of water consumption and reduces of hardness of work in farm conditions.

IntroductionDeficit irrigation stress as a consequence of the progressive decrease in water availability has been a hot topic regarding food security during the last two decades (UNESCO, 2012).Growth and development of plants is influenced by reduction in turgor that result in decreased nutrient acquisition from dry soil (Luo et al, 2011). Due to the threat of climate change, there is a need to limit the use of water resources in arid and semi-arid climates. It is therefore important to find new approaches to avoid crop productivity losses in ‘limited fresh-water’ areas. Various strategies have been proposed to help crop production under drought conditions. An alternative and quick strategy to reduce negative effects of drought stress is exogenous application of organic osmolytes or plant growth regulators.Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is considered one of the most important grains for human alimentation. Common bean is susceptible to drought stress or water deficit, which the production of this crop in many places of the world is carried out under drought stress conditions, due to insufficient water supply by rainfall and/or irrigation. Although several studies have investigated the effects of drought stress on growth and physiological parameters of common bean, no research has been carried out on the relationship between salicylic acid and biostimulants and drought tolerance of common bean. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the physiological response of common bean to foliar application salicylic acid and biostimulants under water deficit condition. Materials and methodsField experiments were carried out from June to September 2015 at the Research Farm of Agriculture Faculty at the University of Zanjan, Iran. In order to study the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and biostimulants on some physiological treats of common bean cv. Sanry under different irrigation regimes, the experiment was conducted in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in research filed of university of Zanjan during 2015. Three different irrigation (I) regimes (100, 75 and 50% ETc) and foliar application of salicylic acid (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM), Megafol (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% MF) and to distilled water as control were conducted. Seeds of ‘Sanry’ cultivar were sown on 3-4 cm depth, with 15 cm spacing within row and 30 cm spacing between rows. At 3th leaf stage, foliar applications of SA and MF were weekly sprayed. All necessary management practices such as pests and weeds control were done according to recommended practices during the crop growth.Irrigation treatments were calculated based on actual evapotranspiration (ETc) rates. Three irrigation levels were (1) control or irrigation at 100% crop water requirement (I100), Deficit irrigation at 75% and at 50% of control. Foliar treatments include salicylic acid (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM), Megafol (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% MF) and distilled water as control were randomly applied on the sub-plots. The experiment design was a split-plot model based on a completely randomized block design (three irrigation levels, seven foliar treatments and three replications).Results and discussionIn the present study, the physiological response of common bean plants was investigated after exposure to different levels of water deficit. Furthermore, evaluation of foliar applications of salicylic acid and magafol on cell membrane stability index, leaf relative water content, proline, and antioxidant enzymes activity under different levels of water deficit conditions were done in the current study.The results showed that water deficit stress reduced leaf relative water content and cell membrane stability index, and increased electrolyte leakage, proline content and catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity. Foliar application of SA and MF had significant effects on physiological traits. The highest relative water content was obtained in MF 0.2 and 0.3% treatments. The maximum electrolyte leakage and proline content was observed in 1.5 mM SA. The highest value of peroxidase enzyme activity was achieved with spray MF 0.2% under irrigation 75 ETc%. ConclusionAccording to the results, MF 0.2% treatment had the highest positive effect on physiological traits of common bean plant.

Deficit irrigation is a method for water use management that water use efficiency increases by eliminating excess water. Application of crop growth regulators such as Salicylic Acid increase the resistance of crops under water stress. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of Salicylic Acid foliar application under deficit irrigation conditions on yield of cucumber and water use efficiency. This study was contacted as factorial test based on randomized complete blocks in 3 treatments since June to November 2018 in The Research Filed of University of Zanjan on cucumber (cv. Kish F1). Experimental treatments were Salicylic Acid concentration in 3 levels (3.0, 1.5 and 0.0 mM) and irrigation water amount in 3 levels (100, 80 and 60% of crop water requirement). The control treatment was 100% crop water requirement and 0.0 mM Salicylic Acid. Based on the results, the foliar applicasion of 3.0 mM Salicylic Acid increased chlorophyll index, 32% at 100% crop water requirement and leaf area and relative water contants, 21% and 9.4% (respectivevly) at 80% crop water requirement as compared to the control treatment. Maximum means of fruits number per plant, total yield and water use efficiency were obtained at 3.0 mM salicylic acid foliar application (respectivevly 9.9, 34.1 ton/ha and 15.1 kg/m3) that they were 38.4%, 39.0% and 40.0% more than the one in treatment of 0.0 mM Salicylic Acid. Considering the results of current research, applicasion of 20% deficit irrigation and 3.0 mM Salicylic Acid as foliar application are suggested for cucumber in the region of Zanjan.

In order to investigate the effect of calcium lactate (CL) on growth, yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and quality of lettuce cv. New Red Fire under water deficit stress, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Research Farm of University of Zanjan, during 2017. Treatments consisted arrangement of three levels of CL (0, 0.75 and 1.5 g.l-1) and three levels of irrigation (starting irrigation at 100, 85 and 70% ETc (crop evapotranspiration)). The results showed that water deficit stress significantly reduced plant growth and yield. The lowest value of yield (9644.2 Kg.ha-1), total chlorophyll (0.51 mg gFW-1), vitamin C (44.48 mg.100gFW-1) and titratable acidity (19.55 %), and the highest carotenoids (0.251 mg.gFW-1), anthocyanin contents (26.56 μmol.g-1) and WUE (15.37 kg.m-3) were obtained at deficit irrigation 70% ETc. Irrigation treatment had no significant effects on total soluble solid content. Application of CL significantly increased total chlorophyll, carotenoid, vitamin C, titratable acidity, anthocyanin contents, plant yield and WUE. The highest plant yield (13710.77 Kg.ha-1), vitamin C (48.05 mg.100gFW-1) and total chlorophyll contents (0.64 mg.gFW-1) were obtained with application of CL 1.5 g.l-1 under irrigation 100% ETc. Also, the interaction effects of treatments had no significant effect on titratable acidity and TSS. According to the results, application of CL 1.5 g.l-1 is recommended to improve yield, WUE and quality of lettuce under normal irrigation and water deficit stress.

In order to evaluate the effect of calcium lactate (Ca) on some physiological, antioxidant properties and yield of lettuce cv.New Red Fire under deficit irrigation, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications was conducted in Zanjan climatic conditions during 2017. Experimental treatments consisted of three different irrigation regimes (70, 85 and 100% ETc) as the main plot and calcium lactate at three levels (0, 0.75 and 1.5 g.l-1) as a sub plot. Results showed that deficit irrigation significantly increased the antioxidant activity, proline, phenol, flavonoids contents as well as peroxidase and catalase enzymes activity. In contrast, deficit irrigation reduced the membrane stability index, leaf relative water content, excised leaf water retention and yield. The foliar application of calcium lactate significantly increased plant water status, antioxidant activity and yield. The highest proline content and catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity was obtained with application of 1.5 g.l-1 Ca under deficit irrigation of 70% ETc. The maximum antioxidant activity was achieved under 0.75 g.l-1 Ca treatment and deficit irrigation of 85% ETc. According to results, application of 1.5 g.l-1 Ca can be proposed to improve plant water status, enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant activity and yield of lettuce.

In order to study the effect of water deficit stress and foliar spray of humic acid (HA) on growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium (L.) Mill), an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Research filed of university of Zanjan as during 2016. Treatments consisted arrangement of two irrigation levels (starting irrigation at 100 and 80% ETc) and 4 levels of HA (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg.l-1). The results showed that deficit irrigation significantly decreased growth, yield and leaf relative water content. Foliar application of humic acid improved growth, yield and fruit quality. The highest leaf area, plant length, relative water content, fruit number per plant, fruit weight and yield per plant (59/2 kg) was found with foliar spray of 200 mg.l-1 HA under irrigation 100% ETc. Deficit irrigation significantly increased water use efficiency, total phenol, total soluble solid content, titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C and antioxidants activity. The highest content of lycopene (41.1 mg.g FW-1) and TA (1.55%) was found under irrigation 100 and 80% ETc treatments, respectively with application of 200 mg.l-1 HA. The maximum value of water use efficiency (19.51 kg.m-3) was obtained in 200 mg.l-1 HA under deficit irrigation treatment. Deficit irrigation 80% ETc with reducing 10.1% of fruit yield saved 20% of water as compared to 100% ETc treatment.  According to the results, fpliar application of 200 mg.l-1 HA under normal and deficit irrigation can be proposed to improve yield and fruit quality of tomato.

The comprehensive management of a watershed requires basic information such as land use and land cover. The aim of this study is to conduct accuracy analyses of LULC classifications derived from Landsat-8 data, and to reveal that which kind of land use and land cover can be estimated more accurately. Tarom Basin and its near surrounding was selected as study area for this case study. Landsat-8 the data, acquired on 8 August 2017, were utilized as satellite imagery in the study. The RGB and NIR bands were used for classification. Required pre-processing and control of georeferenced of images were performed. After performing the required atmospheric corrections, using the FLAASH algorithm, classification maps were generated. LULC images were generated using 3 pixel-based supervised classification method method, Maximum Likelihood (MLC), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). As a result of the accuracy assessment, kappa statistics and overall accuracy for MLC method were 0.88 and 91.55 respectively. The obtained results showed that Landsat-8 OLI data, presents satisfying LULC images in water body, mountain and rock, bare land, Vegetation and forest classes. In addition, according to the obtained results, it can be stated that all three methods of classification in a region with heterogeneous (in terms of elevation elevation between 280 and 3000 m and land use and variety of vegetation) Such Tarom, can have good results. Among these methods, Classification with MLC method, had higher speed and lower complexity for execution, than two other methods in achieving the required maps.

In this research, effect of irrigation water crossing from fixed magnetized field on tape nozzle clogging and hydraulic properties of tape irrigation system as well as yield and water use efficiency in maize cv. Maxima were studied. The research was done from June to October in Research Farm of Zanjan University based on the complete randomized blocks in three replications with two treatments, irrigation water crossing and no crossing from field magnetic. Magnetic field was created by wire-tube method with an intensity of 0.1 Tesla. At the end of the growing season, drip irrigation system was evaluated. In addition, yield and yield components of maize were measured. Based on the results, at no magnetic irrigation system, mean of qa, Eu, Uc and Du decreased as 18%, 3%, 2% and 3% (respectively) and Cv increased 3% compared with magnetic irrigation system (significant differences). Calcite deposits in tape nozzles and their clogging caused it. Using magnetized water for maize watering increased total wet weight, total dry weight and leaf area (as 11%, 10% and 13%, respectively) comparing no magnetized watered crops and the differences were statically significant. As same water used for both magnetic and no magnetic treatments (5193 cubic meter per hectare), increasing of maize total wet weight in magnetic water caused significant increasing in water use efficiency as 1.7 kg/m3 (11%).

In order to study the effect of water deficit stress and foliar spray of humic acid (HA) on physiological and yield traits of tomato, an experiment was carried out in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research filed of University of Zanjan, in 2016. Treatments consisted arrangement of three irrigation levels (starting irrigation at 100, 80 and 60 percent ETc) and 4 levels of HA (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg.l-1). The results showed that deficit irrigation significantly decreased stomatal conductance, membrane stability index, leaf relative water chlorophyll a and b content and plant yield, and increased the proline content and proxidase activity. Treatment of HA enhanced proxidase activity, leaf relative water content, proline, chlorophyll, membrane stability index and plant yield under normal and deficit irrigation, and decreased stomatal conductance. The highest peroxidase activity (1.207 uints.g-1FW.Min-1) and proline content (11.5 mg.gFW-1) was obtained with treatment of HA 200 mg L-1 under irrigation 60 percent ETc. Also, maximum leaf relative water content (78.6 percent) and membrane stability index (70.01 percent) was achieved in HA 300 and 200 mg L-1, respectively under irrigation 100 percent ETc. The maximum plant yield was obtained with application of HA 200 mg L-1 under irrigation 100 %ETc. According to the results, application of HA 200 mg L-1 can be proposed to improve physiological traits and increase fruit yield.