masoud gomarian

Recently, the pretreatment of seeds with helium-neon laser has attracted the interest of the scientific community as one of the safest ways to enhance seed germination, seed growth and increase the resistance of plants to stresses. Due to the sensitivity of phytochromes to red light, the activity of enzymes related to growth and flowering can be increased by irradiating plant seeds with He-Ne laser light at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. In this study, the effect of laser on the morphological and physiological characteristics of Verbascum songaricum under normal conditions and under water stress was investigated. First, the effect of helium-neon laser with durations (0 and 30 minutes) and water deficit stress at two normal irrigation levels and water deficit stress (irrigation at 50% soil capacity) on seed germination in an experiment in the form of chopped plots in the form of a block design Complete randomization was evaluated in four replicates in the conditions of the research field of Azad University, Isfahan branch, and it showed the best plant stem height, root length, number of main stem flowers in the interaction effect of laser and water deficit stress. Helium-neon laser improved seed germination, flowering and seed growth of safflower in a time-dependent pattern under all water stress conditions.

In this study, ISSR marker was employed to measure the genetic diversity within and among 29 accessions of Ziziphora specie from different regions of Iran including Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z. capitata from 19, 5 and 5 geographical region, respectively. A total of 154 bands were amplified, and 86.67%, 81.13% and 84% were polymorphic in Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z. capitata, correspondingly. Average number of amplified bands for each primer in 29 accessions was 10.26, while average number of amplified bands for each primer in Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z.capitata was 3.8, 7.6 and 6.8, respectively. The most Polymorphic information content among tenuior, persica and capitata species belonged to UBC-805 (0.46), UBC-811 (0.35) and UBC-824 (0.37) primers respectively. The results of cluster analysis indicated that the ISSR marker could easily separate the tenuior species from the other two species, persica and capitata, although it was unable to separate the latter two species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that there is a significant differences within the samples. Indeed, 38% of the observed genetic diversity is related to genetic diversity between populations and 62% is related to genetic diversity within populations. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) demonstrated that the first two vectors explained an 80.3% of the total variance, which shows the high correlation of the selected primers. Therefore, with a smaller number of primers and, as a result, the cost, it is possible to separate the tenuior species from the other two species. Considering that the primers UBC-805, UBC-811 and UBC-812 in the tenuior species contained the most polymorphic information and marker index and also showed 100% polymorphism, they can be used as efficient primers to investigate genetic diversity in this species. Overall, high genetic diversity in the Ziziphora sp. plants were identified in this study, which can be useful in the management and maintenance of the germplasm of this plant.

Since application of salicylic acid can increase tolerance to drought stress by improving metabolic pathways and increasing net photosynthesis, and in order to investigate the effect of application of salicylic acid and drought stress on some morphological and physiological traits of the Verbascum plant, the experiment was conducted in the form of chopped plots in the form of a complete block design. Randomization was done in four replications in the conditions of the research farm of Azad University, Isfahan Branch. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of salicylic acid application at three control levels, 50 and 150 ppm, and water deficit stress at two levels of regular irrigation and water deficit stress (irrigation at the time of 50% soil crop capacity). Finally, root length, dry weight, number of secondary branches, number of leaves, number of flowers on the main stem, height of flowering stem, carotenoid, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a antioxidant and anthocyanin were evaluated. The test results showed that stress had a reducing effect on growth and effective factors on performance. As a result of stress, the ratio of leaf area first decreased, but increased with increasing dryness. The initial decrease of this characteristic was due to the decrease in the leaf area, and its final increase due to the more severe decrease in the dry weight of the entire aerial organ compared to the leaf. The application of salicylic acid improved the morphological and physiological characteristics of verbascum under the stress of low irrigation. While, the treatment of 50 ppm salicylic acid showed the greatest effect on most of the studied traits. As a result, the use of salicylic acid is recommended to improve the vegetative growth and increase the reproductive efficiency of the Verbascum plant and reduce production costs under stress conditions. In the present study, salicylic acid foliar application showed high efficiency in increasing the yield of the Verbascum plant in Isfahan weather conditions.

Genetic diversity identification is an important step for plant breeding procedure. Triticum urartu as the A-genome donor of wheat, is a valuable source for wheat breeding due to its rich allelic diversity for important traits such as agronomic characteristics, protein quality and biotic stress tolerance. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure of 85 T.urartu accessions collected from different geographic regions of Iran were investigated using ISSR markers. 16 ISSR primers generated 164 fragments which all were polymorphic. The average of polymorphism information content (PIC) and marker index (MI) were 0.44 and 4.53 respectively, revealed a high resolving power of ISSR primers. The dendrogram generated using the NJ algorithm based on Jaccard’s dissimilarity coefficient, classified all 85 accessions into two main groups which was confirmed by Structure analysis. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed a higher distribution of genetic diversity within populations (96%), than between them (4%) and according to the diversity indexes including number of effective alleles (Ne), Shannon’s index(I) and Nei’s gene diversity (He), there were an equal variation within seven investigated populations. The results showed a high amount of genetic variation among tested accessions, which provide further insights into conservation and future utilization of wild wheat resources. Besides, these results confirmed the efficiency of ISSR markers as reliable technique in estimating the genetic diversity and fingerprinting.

In this split plot study, the morphological and phytochemical changes of Iranian Salvia (Salvia mirzayanii L.) under drought stress and cerium oxide nanoparticle treatment in a randomized complete block design with three replications were investigated. The main plot included drought stress at 4 levels of 25, 50, 75 and 100 (control) percentage of the field capacity (FC).  The sub-plot was foliar spray of Cerium oxide nanoparticle at five levels of non-consumption (control), 125, 250, 500 and 1000 ml/l. Essential oils were extracted from the organs using water distillation method and the compounds were separated and identified using GC/MS. The results showed that the interaction effect of conditions without drought stress × 1000 ml of nanocerium oxide compared to the control treatment had the greatest effect on increasing plant height (35%), root length (22%), root dry weight (14.9%), essential oil (19%), chlorophyll a (32%), chlorophyll b (31%) and catalase (16%). In addition, drought stress at the level of 25% in 125 ml nano cerium oxide decreased plant dry weight (12%), root length (13%), root dry weight (19%), essential oil percentage (10%), and chlorophyll a (14%). Based on the GS/MS results, decane compound (19.53%) in the condition without drought stress, the compounds of spatholeol (35.86%), docane (18.4%), butanic acid (19.8%) and linalool (25.03%) under condition of stress dryness of 50% field capacity and octane (13.76%) were included. Therefore, the concentration of 1000 mg/liter of cerium nanooxide had the greatest effect on improving the morphophysiological characteristics of Salvia. However, in the condition of 50% field capacity, the secondary compounds of spatholeol, dodecane, butanic acid and linalool were the highest, but in the condition of 75% of the field capacity, the highest amount belonged to the secondary compounds of octane, trimethyl and hexylisovalerate.

In a study to select sensitive and tolerant soybean lines to drought-stress and selection of superior genotypes, 80 soybean lines obtained from crosses of Karbin×Fora cultivars immediately with control (cultivar L.17) in crop rotation 2016-2017 In the Lurestan-Saraab research farm sit, they were evaluated in the form of a Lattice design 9×9 with two replications. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant differences between the control line and other lines there was a significant difference between the blocks for different traits. According to the results of stepwise regression and PCA traits were grouped into four components, accounting for about 62% of the total variation. The evaluation of grain yield potential and accurate evaluation with PCA of traits led to the selection of lines superior lines in the experiment. The results of this study showed that plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, and 100- seed weight can be used as criteria for selection to improve seed yield in drought-stress condition soybeans.

In a laboratory experiment conducted in Kabudarahang, Hamadan, a promising potato genotype was selected through somaclonal variation from Agria commercial cultivar, based on the callus size on growth media, shoot and root regeneration. A field experimental design with three replications was carried out to assess the new genotype along with its parental commercial cultivar for several morphological traits. Results revealed that total dry matter per plant (13.5%), total number of tubers (12.3%), tuber weight per plant (8.6%), and stolon length (4%) were significantly higher than in the new genotype. Also, days to 50% flowering (11.4%) and maturity date (7.6%) were significantly less in comparison with the parental cultivar. Several nutritional traits were also studied by which more antioxidant activity was observed on the new genotype (35.6%) than Agria cultivar (25.3%). Furthermore, the new genotype had a lower nitrite (81.2%) and higher iron (20.7%) and starch content (21.2%) comparing with Agria cultivar. Therefore, it seems that the new genotype has an acceptable potential for cultivation and replacement with existing cultivars.

Tuberose is an valuable ornamental plant with a high economic value, which is among the five leading cut flowers of the world. The major obstacle hindering the development of cut flower exports, especially tuberoses, is their short postharvest vase life caused by the disruption of the plant’s water relations due to growth and an increase in vase solution microbial load. The quality and longevity of flowers are highly dependent on their stem stability and antioxidant systems. This research investigated the effect of Nano-silver (NS) applied to the cut flowers of tuberoses cv. ‘Dezfuli’ in 24 h pulse treatments in a randomized complete design. The cut flowers were treated with NS at four rates (0 as control, 10, 20, and 30 mg/L) along with 3% sucrose. Then, the treated flowers were fully immersed in deionized water. The results showed that the application of NS treatment positively increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and improved postharvest conditions in Polianthes tuberosa L. (cut tuberose flower). Moreover, NS reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in flower stems and also had a positive effect on the rate of chlorophyll increase compared to the control. NS extended the postharvest vase life of the treated flowers versus the control and increased solution uptake and fresh weight of the cut flowers. In this experiment, the 10 mg/L rate of NS exhibited the best results.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of drought stress and vermicompost biofertilizer on some morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Thymus vulgaris in greenhouse of Khorramabad Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center in a completely randomized design with three replications. The pot experiment was performed. Factors included vermicompost fertilizer levels at 0, 30, 50 and 70% of pot volume and water stress including post-discharge irrigation (85 (control), 70 (moderate stress), and 55 (severe stress). The moisture content was the field capacity. The results showed that with increasing drought stress, the amount of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), antioxidant enzyme catalase, protein, secondary metabolites of alpha-terpinene, thymol and carvacrol and morphological traits of plant height, number of sub-branches, fresh weight and dry weight of plants decreased significantly, but drought stress of antioxidant enzymes and hydrogen peroxidase significantly increased the amount of unstructured soluble sugars and amino acid proline. Increased consumption of vermicompost significantly increased chlorophyll b, hydrogen peroxidase, alphaterpinene, thymol, carvacrol, essential oil percentage, plant height, number of sub-branches, fresh weight and dry weight of plant, but chlorophyll a and unstructured soluble sugars reduced. According to the results of this experiment, with increasing the severity of drought stress, despite the plant's antioxidant defense and osmotic regulation, the production of most secondary metabolites and the growth of the thyme stress-sensitive plant decreased significantly; However, consumption of vermicompost increased secondary metabolites, growth and fresh and dry weight of the plant.

Nanotechnology is now an integrated feature of most modern research in agriculture. Nanomaterials are being widely used for enhancing soil fertility and strengthening its organic cycle and subsequently, improving yields of important crops. These particles can be prepared easily through different chemical, physical, and biological approaches. In this paper, biological method of preparation of Zinc, Iron, and Silver nanoparticles are described using the extracts of three medicinal plants which are commonly used for their important pharmaceutical properties, namely chamomile, licorice, and aloe vera. Also, the analytical techniques used to confirm the quality of the produced bio-NPs are explained.

In order to investigate the application effects of different levels of benzyl adenine ( BA) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-Mcp) on some bio-chemical characteristics and vase life of rose (Rosa hybrid L. cv. Royal Bacara),an experiment was carried out as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications during 2017. Experimental factors included BA in three levels of 0, 75, and 150 ppm, and 1-Mcp in three concentrations of 0, 1, and 2 (µlit.lit). The results showed that the interaction of BA and 1-Mcp was significant on the biochemical characteristics and the vase life of roses.The highest antioxidant rate SOD, K and vase life in the treatment of 150 ppm BAalong with 2 µlit/lit 1-Mcp was achieved. This treatment was allocated the lowest rate MDA, DT and Ec. This results indicated that BA and 1-Mcp have effect on durability of rose.In general, the result showed that application of 1 or 2 µlit/lit 1-Mcp along with150 ppm AB was improve some physiological and biochemical characteristics and vase life ofrose cut flower.

Planting pattern and plant density are efficient management tools for maximizing crop yield by reducing soil surface evaporation and optimizing resource utilization such as light, nutrients, and water. A two-year (2017-18) field trial was conducted to determine the effects of plant density and planting pattern on some agro-physiological and biochemical traits of Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius L.) at the Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Iran. The experiment was performed as a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were two planting patterns (one-row and two-row plantations) and three plant densities (30, 40, and 50 plants per m2). The results showed that that one-row planting pattern and 40 plants per m2 improved seed yield by 75% and 65% compared to 30 and 50 plants per m2 in one-row planting pattern in the second year, respectively. The plant chlorophyll content increased by 20% with two-row plantation and medium plant density compared to high and low plant density in the first year. The highest accumulation of seed carbohydrates (38.26 mg. g-1 FW) was obtained with two-row cultivation and medium plant density in the second year. The relative seed water content significantly decreased with one-row plantation and low plant density compared to a two-row plantation and medium plant density. The least malondialdehyde and proline aggregation (3.2 and 225 µ mol. g-1 FW, respectively) was achieved with two-row plantation and medium plant density. Finally, a two-row planting pattern with medium-density cultivation is recommended to obtain optimal Tepary bean seed yield in the region.

Plants adjust physiochemical attributes to maintain sustainable growth under different agricultural practices such as the management of sowing date and planting pattern.The present experiment aims to investigate the important role of sowing date (SD) and planting pattern (row arrangement) on physiochemical attributes of tepary bean (Phaseolusacutifolius L.) as a split-split plot designs with three replications during 2017 and 2018 .The main plots were two planting patterns (PP1: one-row and PP2: two-row plantation) and sub plots were three sowing dates (early, medium and late planting respectively June 15:SD1, June 30:SD2, and July15:SD3). The results showed increased chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid content was observed under two-row plantation and medium sowing date . Although Chl content improved at PP2, carotenoid had no response to planting pattern .The greater relative water content (RWC) was observed in plants under SD2, but the increased proline accumulation was reported at SD3. The least catalase and superoxide dismutase aggregation with 19 and 9.3(Umg-1protein) was obtained in plants under two-row plantation and medium sowing date respectively. Photosynthesis pigments represented the significant and positive correlation with RWC, but they negatively correlated with proline, CAT and SOD. Sowing date and planting pattern influence the microclimate of tepary bean, which affect the physiochemical properties. Therefore, physiochemical attributes are recommended to observe the optimal situation of tepary bean under the management of sowing date and planting pattern in arid and semiarid areas.

Water stress is one of the limiting factors of plant growth. In order to investigate the effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan on Nigella sativa L. under drought stress, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted in research Field of Islamic Azad University Arak Branch in 2016. The main plots consisted of spraying with chitosan, nano-chitosan and water as control and the sub plots consisted of cultivars Arak, Azerbaijan, Semirom, Yasuj and Torbat-e-Heydariyeh. Irrigation was performed regularly from the beginning of planting until flowering stage and then stopped and spraying was achieved. After 80% emergence of floret, plots were sampled and number of secondary branches, capsules per plant, plant height, 1000 seed weight and oil percentage were evaluated. Percentages of oil and fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography.Experimental results were showed that drought stress reduced the components of black cumin yield but improved qualitative factors such as oil and fatty acids percentage. The highest and lowest seed oil content was in Azarbaijan (28.76%) and Semirom (26.39%), respectively. Yasuj can be considered as a drought tolerant cultivar due to its high content of capsules, 1000-grain weight and weight/m2. The effect of nano-chitosan in moderating stress-induced effects was better than chitosan. Azerbaijan and Semirom cultivars had the highest amount of oleic acid (Omega 9), Yasuj cultivar had the highest amount of linoleic acid (Omega 6) and Torbat Heydariyeh and Arak cultivars had the highest amount of linoleic acid (Omega 3).

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants and possesses anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. One of the essential oil components of the sage plant is monoterpene, 1,8-cineole, that is responsible for some of these effects. The effect of foliar application of chitosan (control, 0.0, 0.25 and 0.50 g/L) under different levels of water deficit (FC = 60, 75 and 100%) were investigated on the expression level of cineole synthase gene in the roots and accumulation of 1,8-cineole content in the leaves of the sage plants. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications. The level of gene expression was determined by real time PCR in plant roots and the 1,8-cineole content was identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in leaves. Results indicated that the expression of studied gene and 1,8-cineole content were strongly up-regulated with water deficit. Furthermore, foliar application of chitosan (specially in 0.5 g/L) effectively up-regulated the cineole synthase gene expression in roots and 1,8-cineole content in the shoots. Overall, water deficit stress was more effective than chitosan in the up regulation of cineole synthase gene and 1,8-cineole synthase content. The maximum level of cineole synthase gene expression and 1,8-cineole content were observed in mild drought stress and 0.5 g/L chitosan condition. Slight water deficit stress had no effect on gene expression but the final product was increased in shoots. For the first time, our results indicated that water deficit stress and chitosan could increase cineole synthase gene expression in the roots of common sage. Therefore, chitosan along with water deficit probably increase 1,8-cineole content in shoots, in part, through increasing the expression level of 1,8-cineole synthase gene in roots.

To study the genetic diversity of soybean inbred lines, grain yield modeling and selection of superior genotypes, 80 lines of soybean obtained from crosses of Karbin × Fora cultivars along with L.17 soybean cultivar as control were studied in research farm of Agriculture Khorram Abad Sarab Chenghaey in 9 ×9lattice design. Significant differences were observed between control and studied soybean lines.  There was a positive and significant correlation between seed yield and most of the traits evaluated, including the number of pods per plant, percentage of germination, plant height, number of seeds per pod, and number of seeds per plant. Stepwise regression analysis showed that plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight explained 82% of yield. Using factor analysis, 17 traits in four components explained about 62% of the total variation. Therefore, plant height trait, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight can be considered as criteria for selection of superior lines to improve grain yield in soybean.

In order to study the effect of drought stress at budding stage on five black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) ecotypes (Arak, Yasuj, Semirom, Azarbaijan, and Torbat Heydarieh), an experiment was conducted in based on a  factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in Islamic Azad University, Arak branch, Arak, Iran. Treatments included control (normal irrigation) and drought stress (stop irrigation at budding stage until the end of the growth period). Oil percentage, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid were affected by drought and the highest values of oil percentage (2.6%), oleic acid (0.27%), linoleic acid (13.02%) and linolenic acid (1.57%) were observed in Arak, Torbat Heydarieh, Yasuj, and Torbat Heydarieh ecotypes, respectively. Results of tolerance indices showed that Torbat Heydarieh had the highest value of GMP (233.8), STI (2.26), and SSI (84.64). The correlation analysis showed Yp with GMP (r=+0.89**), STI (r=+0.95**), and MP (r=+0.89**). Based on the present study, Torbat Heydarieh ecotype is recommended for planting in arid and semi-arid regions.

IntroductionRapid population growth in developing countries have resulted to adverse effect such as food shortages and malnutrition. Lack of protein in the diet is accounted for the largest portion. Pulses with high amounts of protein are the second largest source of food after cereals. Among pulses, beans as a supplier of plant proteins in many countries, particularly developing countries has high consumption. Area under cultivation of bean is 240000 hectares with an average yield of 1500 kg per hectare in Iran. In arid and semi-arid area due to excessive exploitation of water resources, the water shortage is constantly evolving and according to the climatic conditions that are considered hot and dry, and sensitivity of bean to drought further research in this field is clear. Humic acid is extracted from different sources, such as humus and, soil and using chelating essential elements improve and increase fertility and productivity of soil, especially in conditions of stress. As we mentioned before, purpose of this study was evaluating effect of water stress and use of humic acid on agronomic, physiological and quality traits.
Materials & MethodsThis experiment was performed at agricultural Research Station in Arak, Iran in 2014. The experiment was performed in split plot arangment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was irrigation hold at 3 levels: complete irrigation (control), irrigation hold at flowering stage and irrigation hold at pod stage and sub factor was humic acid foliar application in three levels of non humic acid application (control), 1.5 and 3 liters per hectare humic acid 12% at pre flower satage and pod stges applications. In this study the red bean seed was from D81083 cultivar. In this study, biological yield, grain yield, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, harvest index, seed weight, chlorophyll a, b and a content, RWC, iron, zinc and protein contents in grains and also, leaf electrolyte electrical conductivity were measured. Analysis of data was done with SAS software and comparisons of means were performed with Duncans multiple range test at 0.05 statistically significant level.
Results & DiscussionMean comparison of irrigation treatment indicated that the highest seed yield was in complete irrigation and hold irrigation at pod stage and lowest rate was for hold irrigation at flowering stage. In this experiment, use of humic acid in normal conditions and in conditions of hold irrigation at flowering and pod stage could be increase the yield. The highest harvest index was in complete irrigation and hold irrigation at pod stage. The results showed that the highest 100 seed weight was from control and hold irrigation at pod stage treatment and the least weight was from hold irrigation at flowering stage which shows the sensitive stage for bean is cut-irrigation at flowering stage and maybe the need for water is low in pod stage. Among yield components, seeds per pod had significant correlation with yield. The highest number of pods per plant during irrigation hold was at flowering stage and control treatment and irrigation hold at pod stage had the lowest rate of pods per plant. Most of seed protein obtained from hold irrigation at flowering stage and the lowest amount of it was in hold irrigation at pod stage. The effect of hold irrigation and the effect of humic acid opplication was as well as the interaction bouth. There were significant differences on levels of iron and zinc in seeds. The highest amount of chlorophyll a, b and a were in hold irrigation at flowering stage. The effect of 3.5 liter per hectare foliar application of humic acid could be increase total chlorophyll. Hold Irrigation treatment also had a significant effect on the leaf relative water content in pod stage.
ConclusionThe results showed that the irrigation hold had significant effect on all studied traits. Generally, the highest and lowest yield was related to complete irrigation treatment but in some cases the hold irrigation at flowering stage was the same result. The effect of hold irrigation at pod stage was the same as complete irrigation treatment which this point can be used in saving water. Also, Spraying with different amounts of humic acid showed that the humic acid improved the agronomic characteristics and quality of the beans in range of 1.5 litter per ha. Therefore, Using of humic acid may improve agronomic, qualitative and physiological characteristics of red bean.

zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using nigella sativa L. seed extract. Nigella sativa L. is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Concentration of plant extract plays a vital role in the synthesis of nanoparticles zinc oxide. Nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This experiment was conducted in Arak University in an experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Each replication consisted of one fertilizer levels including 2 per thousand of Zn-nanoparticles in one stages of growth (8 or 12 leaves). During the experiment, the height of plant, number of branches was investigated. This study showed that using spraying had significant differences in the factors like plant height number of branches. Also, using all microelement treatments had significant effects to the level of 1%. In case of using spraying treatments, the best results for number of branches and height were related to 2.perthousand of Zn- nanoparticles and the least were related to control. This formulation can be used for increasing yield, enhancing the products and removing food deficiencies.

The application of zeolite to soils increases cation exchange capacity, and as increases nutrient retention capacity. Imbalanced nutrient management is one of the reasons responsible for low yield of potato in Iran. This study was carried out in research field of Islamic Azad University; Arak Branch at central of Iran to evaluate effect of zeolite particles and phosphorus fertilizer on agro-physiological traits of potato via factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2011. The factors included four concentration of zeolite particles (0, 2, 4 and 6 t.ha-1) and three level of triple super phosphate fertilizer (75, 150 and 225 kg.ha-1). Result of analysis of variance indicated effect of different rate of zeolite on all measured traits (instead tuber dry weight) was significant, also chemical phosphorus treatment can affected the mean tuber weight, biomass yield and tuber dry weight significantly. Interaction effect of treatments on mean tuber weight and biomass yield was significant at 5% probability level. The number of stem per plant, mean tuber weight, tuber phosphorus concentration, tuber yield and biomass yield generally improved by increase zeolite rates. Mean of tuber weight, biomass yield and tuber dry weight increased linearly with increasing phosphorus fertilizer rate from 75 to 150 kg.ha-1, the trends of changes in mean of mentioned traits were reduced by high amount of triple super phosphate application (250 kg.ha-1) significantly. Finally according result of this research the highest biomass yield (58 t.ha-1) was achieved by use of 6.0 t.ha-1 zeolite and 150 kg.ha-1 triple super phosphates, therefore, with a lower consumption of phosphate fertilizer (up to 225 kg.ha-1) it can be saved fertilizer without any significant reduction in yield.

Experimental treatments comprised of water stress as a major factor in three levels including I0 = irrigation water requirement of crop (control), I1= 80 percent of the amount of irrigation water requirements of crop, I2= 60 percent of the amount of irrigation water requirements of crop in the main plots and different varieties of sunflower including V1= Azargol, V2= Alstar, V3= Ariflor and two levels of salicylic acid containing SA0= without salicylic acid and SA1= with salicylic acid (sprayed) as a minor factor in a factorial combination of sub-plots. The results showed the very significant effect (p

In order to determine aqueous extract effects of cool-season turfgrass mixture clipping on germination and seedling growth of four weed species, laboratory and outdoor pot experiments were done at the experimental laboratory and greenhouse of the Doroud Parks and Landscape Organization, located in Doroud, Lorestan, Iran. The first factor was the concentration of sport turfgrass clipping extract (5, 10, 15, 20, 25% and 10, 25, 50, 75% (w/v) at laboratory and outdoor pot experiments, respectively) and the second factor was the type of weeds [dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), plantain (Plantago major), prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides) and common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)]. A. blitoides was the most sensitive in both experiments. In both of the experiments, roots were more susceptible than shoots. For identifying phenolic acids, gas chromatography mass analysis displayed that this extract contained trans-cinnamic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid and ferulic acid. The results demonstrated that sport turfgrass clipping extracts have an inhibitory property on germination and initial seedling growth of noxious weed species and could be potentially used as preemergence bioherbicide.

This experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete block design with four replications in 2011-2012 growing season. The experimental factors were Selenium in four levels 0, 6, 12 and 18 g ha-1 and salicylic acid in three levels 0, 100 and 200 mg L-1. Results showed that foliar application of selenium at rate of 12 and 18 g ha-1 decreased ion leakage by 11.6 and 18.8% compared with control, respectively. The treatments interaction effects showed that maximum grain yield equal to 1687.6 kg ha-1 was recorded from 200 mg L-1 salicylic acid along with 18 g ha-1 selenium that increased by 30.79% compared with control. The highest selenium concentration equal to 2119 ppb was obtained from 100 mg lit-1 salicylic acid along with 18 g ha-1 selenium that increased by 3.9 times compared with control. The maximum grain protein equal to 20.8% belonged to treatment of 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid along with 12 g ha-1 selenium that increased by 3.8% compared with control.

A field study was carried out at the Islamic Azad University of Arak in 2010 to find out the effects of salicylic acid and water deficit stress on oil yield and some physiological characteristics of different varieties of sunflower. The experiment was laid out in a factorial split plot based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of water stress in three levels (I0:100% of required irrigation water (control)، I1:80% of the amount of irrigation water requirement، I2 = 60 % of the amount of irrigation water requirement] in the main plots، and different varieties of sunflower at three levels V1: Azargol، V2: Allstar and V3: Ariflor) and two levels of salicylic acid (SA0: no salicylic acid and SA1: salicylic acid (sprayed)) in a factorial combination in sub-plots. The results showed that the different levels of water stress and different varieties of sunflower had significant effects (P<0. 01) on traits such as: grain yield، test weight، harvest index، relative water content، water saturation deficit and rate of water loss. In addition، application of salicylic acid had significant effect (P<0. 01) on all measured traits except grain yield. The present study indicated that the Alstar variety exhibited the maximum yield of sunflower oil with an average of 1278 kg ha-1. The application of salicylic acid also resulted in 5. 33% higher oil yield in comparison with treatment of no salicylic acid.

This study was conducted to compare forage quality of two native halophytespecies Camphorosma monspeliaca and Limonium iranicum collected from Meighansaline rangelands near Arak city in center of Iran. Edible biomass of both species wassampled on three phonological stages (vegetative growth, full flowering and seedripening). Forage quality indices such as Crude Protein (CP), Dry Matter Digestibility(DMD), Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Metabolizable Energy (ME), Acid Detergent Fiber(ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Phosphorus (P) were evaluated. The resultsindicated there were significant differences (p<0.01) between species and phenologicalstages. L. iranicum had the highest CP (14.62%) in vegetative stage while C. monspeliacahad the lowest CP (5.39%) in flowering stage. C. monspeliaca also exhibited the highestRelative Feeding Values (RFV=135.9), which was significantly different from those of L.iranicum. In both species, the CP, DMD and ME were decreased with progressingphonological stages while ADF and NDF, increased. Our findings showed that thesehalophyte species contain reasonable CP level which could provide N requirements ofgrazing animals whereas Phosphorus was deficient for sheep, suggesting supplementaryfeeding. The results support the good potential of halophytes and salt tolerant plants assource of livestock fodders and arid and semi-arid rangelands improvement.