mehdi naghizadeh

World-over, under biotic stress conditions, plant growth regulators are used to increase the growth and production of crops. To evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA; 0 and 1 mM) and Brassinosteroids (BRs; 0, 0.75 and 1 μM) foliar application on seed and oil yield and physiological and biochemical responses of safflower under water deficit (100 and 50% F.C., I100, and I50), an experiment was carried out in a factorial on a randomized complete block design with four replicates in the research greenhouse of Agriculture Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman during 2023. Grain yield per plant and its components, as well as seed oil content and oil yield of safflower, were reduced under I50 treatment. Moreover, I50 stress, increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage (EL) as well as osmolyte accumulation (soluble sugars and proline) and anti-oxidant enzymes activity of safflower leaves. In addition, SA and BRs application significantly increased the anti-oxidant enzyme activity and the osmolyte contents and, in contrast, decreased the concentrations of MDA and H2O2 as well as EL, however, the positive effect of SA on these parameters was highest when applied simultaneously with BRs. Also, SA, and BRs applied increased the seed oil content and oil yield of safflower, but the effect of BRs and SA together was greater than that of SA or BRs applied separately. Overall, water-stress alleviation and yield improvement in safflower by BRs and SA application was attributable to partly improved osmotic adjustment (accumulation of osmolytes), cell membrane stability and antioxidant activity under stress conditions. Foliar applications of SA and BRs had great potential in improving growth and seed and oil yield of safflower under water stress conditions.

In this research, the effect of foliar spraying of brassinosteroid (0, 0.077 and 0.384 mg/liter) on grain yield and some physiological characteristics of wheat (Sirvan cultivar) under drought stress conditions (100% control) and 50% F.C.) was investigated in a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete design with four replications at the research greenhouse of the Agriculture faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman on 2016. The results showed that drought stress caused a significant reduction in the biomass, yield and yield components of wheat and the decrease of these traits compared to the control was 31.7%, 29.6% and 20.3% respectively. On the other hand, brassinosteroid foliar spraying caused a significant increment of biomass, yield and yield components by approximately 22.7%, 22.4% and 12.5%, respectively, compared to the plants which were treated with distilled water under stress conditions. Drought stress had a significant effect on increasing of antioxidant enzymes activity (peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) and the concentration of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, as well as the accumulation of carbohydrates and proline in wheat leaves. Spraying of brassinosteroid in both stress and non-stress conditions increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and osmolytes accumulation (protein, carbohydrate and proline) and conversely reduced the amount of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, and this effect was more noticeable under drought stress condition. It seems that the effect of brassinosteroid application on modulating drought stress and improving wheat yield can be related to enhancement of osmotic regulation (through the accumulation of osmolytes) and increasing the activity of the antioxidant defense system mechanism in wheat.

Stevia is an important natural sweetener in the world, which this issue has led to more demand for stevia production. In order to investigate various breaking dormancy treatments on stevia seeds this study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on the completely randomized design with three replications and two factors in the research laboratory of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2021. The factors were included gibberellic acid in three levels (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) and temperature treatment (control, warm water, liquid nitrogen, wet cooling treatment for seven days, wet cooling treatment for 14 days, dry cooling treatment for seven days and dry cooling treatment for 14 days). The results showed that the effect of temperature and gibberellic acid treatments on germination characteristics of stevia was significant at the probability level of 1%. Among the studied treatments, the interaction of dry cooling and 1% gibberellic acid was the most effective treatment, and the highest germination percentage (74.01%) and germination speed (14.15 seed day-1) belonged to the mentioned treatment. The results of mean comparisons showed that the effect of gibberellic acid application led to a significant increase in hydrogen peroxide, alpha-amylase, protease and dehydrogenase traits compared to the control. Therefore, it can be stated that dry cooling treatment with 1% gibberellic acid can be effective in improving germination characteristics in stevia plant.

Global warming has already been occurring in Iran and will probably continue during the 21st century. There has been an increased intensity and frequency of hot daytime temperatures in the last two decades in the country. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important staple food crop in the country, with a total farming area of nearly 6.33 million ha and a production exceeding 14 million tons in 2017. Wheat production in Iran is an important component of national food security. The crop is grown almost all over the country under varied soil and climatic conditions. Most parts of Iran have an arid and semi-arid climate with long dry summer and winter rainfall, which climate change may negatively affect wheat production sustainability in these vulnerable environments. Wheat is a thermo-sensitive crop, and a change in air temperature may alter the length of its growing period and grain yield. Wheat production mainly depends on the duration of the reproductive period; thus, precise crop phenology estimation is essential for yield prediction under current and future climate conditions. The variety of C-84-8, which is named "Mihan," was introduced from the cross between the domestic variety “Barkat” and the Chinese variety “Zhong87-90” in Karaj for normal irrigation conditions and drought stress after the flowering stage in the cold regions of Iran in 2009. Mihan variety is known as a high yielded potential. The actual yield of this variety in Ardabil province has been reported between 8.13 to 10.31 tons per hectare.

The aim of this study was to simulate the climate change effects on the growth period, LAI, and biological and grain yield of wheat (Mihan variety) in the Kerman and Ardebil regions. For this purpose, we employed the HadGEM2-ES model as affected by two RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios for two time periods, 2021-2055 and 2056-2090. MarkSIMGCMmodel was used to produce daily climatic parameters as one stochastic growing season for each projection period, and the CERES-wheat model in DSSAT software was used to simulate wheat growth. Calibration and validation of the model in Kerman were performed with two-year experiments designed at the Shahid Bahonar University farm in Kerman, and for the Ardabil region, it performed with the data of the wheat projects of the Agricultural Research and Training Center and Natural Resources of Ardabil province.

The results of the model evaluation showed that MarkSIMGCM had an appropriate prediction for simulating climatic parameters and stochastic growing seasons in future climate change conditions. In both studied regions, the RCP8.5 scenario has a higher temperature and radiation increase than the RCP4.5 scenario, and these changes are greater in the long-term period than in the short-term period. Rainfall changes in both investigated regions did not show a regular trend. The growing period length was reduced by 0.51% -4.59% as affected by various climate change scenarios and periods. In the near period time (2055), simulating results showed that wheat grain yield would decrease by 3.87% compared to the current condition based on the RCP4.5 scenario. But, the traits will be increased by 0.99%-15.15% according to the RCP8.5 scenario in Kerman and Ardebil based on both scenarios. In the far period time (2090), the grain yield for the Kerman region will respectively decrease by -7.39% and -36% according to both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios compared to the current time, and in Ardabil, based on the scenario RCP4.5 will be improved by 20.36%, and it will be declined by -2.89% according to the RCP8.5 scenario. This indicates that the negative impacts of warming will outweigh to the positive effect of CO2 enrichment over time.

In general, the results confirmed that the Mihan variety would produce acceptable grain yield in the future climate change conditions of Ardabil, but in Kerman, mitigating strategies should be considered to adapt wheat to the adverse impacts of climate change.

This study was done to investigate the germination response of goji berry to salinity, drought and salinity-drought stress. For this purpose, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design in the research laboratory of Bradsir Agricultural Excellence Training Center in 2021 was conducted. In this research, goji berry responses were examined to four levels of polyethylene glycol 6000 to create drought stress (0, -2, -4 and -8 bar) and four levels of sodium chloride to create salinity stress (0, -2, -4 and -8 bar) in the germination stage. The results showed that with decreasing osmotic potential in drought and salinity stresses, germination percentage and germination rate, seedling dry weight and relative water content decreased but relative electrolyte leakage and proline content increased. In general, goji berry seeds withstood drought stress conditions better than salinity stress in terms of germination components, so that in the osmotic potential of -8 bar salinity stress, goji berry seeds were not able to germinate and did not produce any shoots and roots. In osmotic potential of -2 bar, germination rate and relative water content in drought stress decreased by 4.56% and 0.47%, respectively, and in salinity stress decreased by 30.18% and 18.24%, respectively, but relative electrolyte leakage increased in drought and salinity stress by 0.57% and 10.89%, respectively.

In order to investigate allelopathic effects of aqueous licorice leaf and root extract on germination properties and some enzymes activity of wheat and chickpea seedlings, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 3 replications was conducted out in Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman laboratory in 2017. Treatments were leaf and root extracts of licorice (25%, 50%, 75% w/v) and distilled water as a control. Increasing leaf extracts concentration caused the greatest reduction in germination percentage and rate (97.2% and 97.3%) of wheat, and root and stem length (92.2% and 67.8%) of chickpea. Meanwhile, increasing root extracts concentration caused the greatest reduction in germination percentage and rate (56.6% and 74.8%) of wheat, and root and stem length (93.6% and 66.7%) in chickpea. Although the malondialdehyde concentrations of wheat and chickpea seedlings were significantly increased (66.3% and 24.2% in wheat and chickpea affected with leaf extract, and 63.1% and 15.8% in wheat and chickpea affected with root extract, respectively), wheat seedling showed higher sensitivity. Catalase activity showed significant decrease in treatments (91% and 46% in wheat and chickpea affected with leaf extract, and 95% and 54% in wheat and chickpea affected with root extract, respectively). This enzyme activity showed more decline in wheat than chickpea. These results also indicated that the leaves aqueous extract has more allelopathic inhibitory effects than the roots.

Compounds which are able to reduce damaging effects of various stresses such as drought could be of great importance. In this research, arginine was used as a precursor of nitric oxide or polyamines and the effect of this compound on alleviation of oxidative damages under drought stress has been investigated. Experimental treatments included arginine at three levels (0, 10 and 20 µmol) and, drought stress (induced by polyethylene glycol 6000) at the levels of 0, 13.5% and 17% (W/V). This experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. The application of arginine through the root medium, increased drought tolerance of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) seedlings. Arginine profoundly induced the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and, polyphenol oxidase in plants which led to reduction in electrolyte leakage and increasing in relative water content, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and, carotenoids), polyphenol compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanin content and, soluble sugar content. It is concluded that the application of arginine appeared to induce pre-adaptive responses to drought stress, leading to promote protective reactions.

To evaluate the effect of sodium nitroprusside on some physiological and germination indices of black cumin (Nigella sativa) under salinity stress, an experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with three replications at research laboratory of Agricultural Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. Treatments included sodium nitroprusside at three levels (0, 50 and 100 μmol) as the first factor and three levels of salinity stress (0, 50 and 100 mmol) as the second factor. The results showed that increasing salinity stress caused the reduction of all traits of germination index (germination percentage and rate, seed vigor index, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root, stem and seedling and leaf relative water content), while 100 μmol salinity level caused an increasing of 52.2% in proline content as compared to control. Application of sodium nitroprusside increased all traits (except proline, which had no significant effect on this trait). Seeds which were primed with 100 μmol sodium nitroprusside caused an increment of 54.2, 47.7, 63.6, 20.2 % in germination rate and percentage, seed vigor index and relative water content compared with non-treated seeds at the highest level of salinity stress, respectively. Finally, the application of this plant growth regulator in this experiment enhanced germination indices and relative water content of black cumin seedling.

This study was conducted to investigate the response of yield and some biochemical characteristics of quinoa to planting date, drought stress and salicylic acid as split-split-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental station of the Agricultural Faculty of Bardsir, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2018. The experimental treatments were planting date (April 5, 5 May 5 and June 5) as the main plots, irrigation levels (90, 60 and 30% of filed capacity) as subplots and foliar application (salicylic acid 1 mM and water) as sub-subplots. The results showed that grain yield for May (653.91 kg ha-1) planting date was significantly higher than April (578.7 kg ha-1) and June (460.8 kg ha-1). Decrease in consumed water to 60% of FC had no significant effect on grain yield, but the trait value in 30% of FC was significantly lower than other irrigation levels. Grain yield was significantly increased by foliar application of salicylic acid than water application only at severe drought stress. The highest oil (4.08%) and vitamin C (3.93 mg.g-1) contents were related to May planting date and non-stressed condition. Relationship of grain yield with grain antioxidant activity and carbohydrate was negative. Proline, MDA and APX values were significantly increased by drought stress, but salicylic acid could decrease the traits.Generally, the results indicated that May planting date is the most suitable planting date for quinoa in Bardsir regions and similar climates. The plant has a considerable tolerance in water stress condition based on the antioxidant defense mechanism. Salicylic acid could mitigate the negative impacts of drought stress in limited irrigation levels.

In order to study the most suitable planting date, planting site and variety of hoary stock for the supplying at spring season, an experiment was conducted as split-split-plot arranged based on randomized complete block design with three replications at experiment station of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2016-2017. Treatments were planting dates (5 September, 5 October, 5 November, 5 December, 5 January) assigned to main plot, planting sites (inside and outside of greenhouse) as subplot and variety (two red and white ecotypes and two violet and pink breeding varieties) as sub-subplot. The significant difference of planting date was detected in plant height, number of days to budding and flowering, floret and inflorescence diameter, number of florets per plant, fresh weight of floret and plant, and vase life of flowers but did not detect in inflorescence height. The planting site had significant effect on all the traits except plant height, inflorescence height, and leaf number per plant. The results showed that the delay in planting decreased number of days to budding and flowering in all the varieties and both planting sites. The growth period of local varieties was longer than the breeding varieties, significantly. Planting outside the greenhouse had more appropriate conditions than inside. In general, planting the local red variety at 5 October and out of greenhouse conditions was the most suitable treatment for supplying the hoary stock to the market on the first of spring.

To evaluate the effect of melatonin pretreatment on germination, early seedling growth and some physiological characteristics of Dracocephalum moldavica under osmotic stress, an experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with 25 treatments and three replications. The experimental treatments were including different concentrations of melatonin (0, 5, 10, 50 and 100 µmol) and osmotic stress (0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa). The seeds of moldavian balm which were primed with different concentrations of melatonin for 24 hours, then in order to germination test under osmotic stress, they transferred into sterile petri dishes which contain 10 ml PEG. Results showed that increasing in stress caused reducing of germination percentage and rate, seedling dry weight, seed vigor index, radicle length, radicle dry weight, shoot length, shoot dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, protein content ,increasing and soluble sugar content. Seed priming with melatonin caused an increase of plant tolerance to osmotic stress. Melatonin caused the increment of germination percentage and rate of germination, seed vigor index and ultimately enhanced dry weight of moldavian balm seedlings under stress condition. The seeds which were pretreated with higher concentrations of melatonin (50 and 100 µmol) showed an increasing of physiological characteristics (photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugar content and protein) under stress condition compared to control. No germination was observed in seeds which were pretreated with distilled water at the levels of -0.6 and -0.8 MPa, while the concentrations of 50 and 100 µmol melatonin caused a seed germination at all levels of osmotic stress.

In order to study response of two rose cut flower cultivars to various solutions an experiment was carried out as a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with four replications. The experimental treatments included two cultivars (Peach and Sorbit) and six different preserving solutions (distilled water (control), ethanol, benzyl adenine, gibberellic acid, sucrose and Savory essential oil). The results showed that Peach cultivar had a better response than Sorbit to preserving solutions. The vase life, solution uptake, relative fresh weight and membrane stability index in Peach were significantly higher than Sorbit cultivar. Proline contents and the number of unopened buds in Sorbit were greater than Peach cultivar. The various maintenance solutions had a significant effect on all the studied traits. The maximum vase life (8.64 day), solution uptake (71.51 ml) and total dissolved solids (5.52%) were observed in the preserving solution containing sucrose. On the other hand, the lowest vlues for these traits, and also the maximum number of unopened buds and proline contents were observed in the solution containing ethanol. In both rose cultivars, the solution containing sucrose and gibberellic acid on all the studied days had the more relative fresh weight, flower diameter and membrane stability index than other solutions. In general, it seems that treating rose cut flowers with sucrose have a positive role on improving the flower vase life.

Successful greenhouse and nursery production of plants is largely dependent on the chemical and physical properties of the growing substrate. An ideal potting substrate should be free of weeds and diseases, heavy enough to avoid frequent tipping over and yet light enough to facilitate handling and shipping. The substrate should also be well drained and yet retain sufficient water to reduce the frequency of watering. Other parameters to consider include cost, availability, consistency between batches and stability in the media over time. Greenhouse crops in general, have higher nutrient demands than field grown crops. Therefore, in order to optimize production it is essential to focus on the growing substrate and fertilization. The physical properties of the growing medium are important parameters for successful plant growth, as these are related to the ability to adequately store and supply air and water to plants. Humic acid is a principal component of humic substances, which are the major organic constituents of soil (humus), peat and coal. It is also a major organic constituent of many upland streams, dystrophic lakes, and ocean water. It is produced by biodegradation of dead organic matter. It is not a single acid, but it is a complex mixture of many different acids containing carboxyl and phenolate groups so that the mixture behaves functionally as a dibasic acid or occasionally as a tribasic acid. Humic acids can form complexes with ions that are commonly found in the environment creating humic colloids. Humic and fulvic acids (fulvic acids are humic acids with lower molecular weight and higher oxygen content than other humic acids) are commonly used as a soil supplement in agriculture. Humic Plus contains humic acid, fulvic acid, macro micro nutrients and proprietary constituents essential for plant growth. Organic matter soil amendments have been known by farmers to be beneficial to plant growth for longer than recorded history. However, the chemistry and function of the organic matter have been a subject of controversy since humans began their postulating about it in the 18th century. Selection of the proper media components is critical to the successful production of plants. So, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of humic acid foliar application and various substrate on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tomato seedling.
Material and The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Bardsir Faculty of Agriculture , Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2015, as a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with five replications. The experimental treatments were substrate in 7 levels (peat, coco-peat, leaf-soil, compost, vermi-compost, manure and clay soil), humic acid in two levels (foliar application and non- foliar application). After preparation of substrates, plastic boxes with 12 cm diameter and 10 cm height were chosen. After extracting gravity water, tomato (cv. Canyon) seeds were sown in pots. Rain irrigation was done daily. Foliar application of humic acid with concentration of 0.001 liter was performed from seedling emergence to transplanting every two days. The germinated seeds was daily counted and number and rate of seed emergence was estimated. Plant height, stem diameter, number of internodes, leaf area, shoot and root dry matter and chlorophyll contents were calculated at transplanting time of seedling.
The substrate treatment had a significant effect on rate and percent of germination, plant height, shoot dry matter, leaf area, number of internodes and, chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents. According to the results, the greatest and smallest rate and percent of germination ýwas found in peat and manure treatments, respectively. Also the greatest shoot dry matter (1.17 g), leaf area (125.9 ýcm plant-1), number of internodes (6.19), plant height (13.51 cm) and chlorophyll a concentration (2.55 µg/ml) ýwere observed for peat substrate. Manure and clay soil substrates showed the smallest of ýthese measurements and carotenoid contents. It seems that physical characteristics of peat was better than other substrates. Plant height, shoot dry matter, leaf area, number of internodes, chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents showed a significant effect by humic acid application. Foliar application of humic acid significantly increased the mentioned traits.
The results illustrated that between substrates in this study, peat was the best for seedling production of tomato. Foliar application of humic acid had a positive effect in improving growth characteristics of tomato seedling.

IntroductionAgricultural sustainability is the ability of an agro-ecosystem to either maintain or to implement the productive characteristics and taking into consideration both the ecological-environmental and socio-economic aspects. Sustainable agriculture implies long term maintenance of natural systems, optimal production with minimum input, adequate income per farming unit, fulfillment of basic food needs, and provision for the demands and necessities of rural families and communities. All definitions of sustainable agriculture promote environmental, economic and social harmony in an effort to attain the meaning of sustainability. The purpose of this study was to develop a sustainability index for quantifying the different aspects of sustainability as economical, social, agronomical and management for wheat and pistachio production systems which are dominant systems in Kerman province.
Materials and MethodsIn the present study all aspects of agricultural sustainability including ecological, social and economic was selected..Accordingly, the sustainability index, a set of 82 indicators for wheat and pistachio crops were designed, to collect data through questionnaires and then analyze it. Sustainability indices include socio-economic indices, fertilizer and chemicals, crops and livestock production, crop residue management, irrigation water, diversity of agricultural systems, mechanization, tillage and weed management in the main cultivation area in 2014 and 2015 were analyzed. Sustainability index was calculated using the weighting sum. Therefore the rate of contribution for each specific indicator in the final index and rating of all indicators were done from zero to its maximum rated indicators with regard to the most unfavorable situation to the most favorable indicators. After scoring each measure, the total scores of indicators is accumulated and was introduced as the final score. After designing the indicators, 295 and 234 questionnaires were completed for wheat and pistachio, respectively. Farms were selected randomly. Data were analyzed using Excel and SAS software.
Results and DiscussionThe Study of individual characteristics of farmers showed that the average age of farmers for wheat and pistachios production systems was about 43 and 39 years respectively. Age was considered as an important factor in displaying the features of one’s personality. Therefore, young group is more zealous and earnest in their work and can handle farming activities more efficiency. In both studied systems, those who had high school education had the highest frequency. Education may enhance farm productivity directly by improving the quality of labor, increasing the ability to adjust to disequilibria, and through its effect upon the propensity to adopt innovation successfully. Average yield was reported 3460 kg ha-1for wheat and 573 kg ha-1for pistachios. Crop production is an indicator of system efficiency, in regard to genetic potential, ecological conditions, management, capital investment and labor use. The results showed that, unfortunately, the fertilizer and chemical inputs, especially in pistachio, is extremely high, which is inconsistent with the approaches of sustainable agriculture. The average annual income in wheat and pistachio was gained 4 and 18 million tooman, respectively. Non-agricultural income sources make sure to provide sufficient income to the farmers. Reduction in rural incomes will lead to different immigration outcomes. Family economic security directly affects on the economic sustainability of agriculture. Assessing various sustainability indicators showed that the sustainability index in wheat and pistachio was 47.2 and 44.2, respectively, and also that these agro-ecosystems are not sustainable. Crop residue management indicator in wheat and socio-economic in pistachios production systems had a better condition than other indicators. The results indicated that chemical inputs, irrigation water and the lack of economic stability for farmers, are the main problems in the field of sustainability and to achieve the stability in wheat and pistachio agro-ecosystems, various aspects of economic, social, agronomic and management should be reviewed and revised.
ConclusionIn generally, to increase the sustainability of the wheat and pistachio agro-ecosystems, the following strategies are suggested: The sprinkler irrigation method must be developed and use of urea fertilizer and pesticide should be decreased. The best managements of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, social- individual characteristics of farmers, crop production and crop residual management can cause the sustainability.

In order to evaluate and classify the quality of wastewater treatment plant effluent of Yazd, and assessing its potential for agricultural sector usage, wastewater samples were weekly collected, and microbial tests, the traits of fecal coli forms (FC), nematode egg (NE) number per each sample, the concentrations of PO4, NO2, NO3, NH3, SO4, Na, Ca, Mg, K, HCO3, CO3, B, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn ions, and the amounts of pH, EC, SAR, were measured using standard methods. The results showed that wastewater is classified as class B, using WHO guidelines. So, it is suitable for irrigation of cereals, industrial and fodder crops, pastures and ornamental plants. The most limiting factor for applying this wastewater in agriculture is high concentration of HCO3 which will increases SAR through sequestration of calcium and magnesium ions and consequently decreasing the infiltration rate of soil in long period of time. According to the estimates, the Gypsum Requirement (GR) for alleviating harmful effects of high SARadj level in wastewater is equal to 8.62 ton ha-1. High concentration of macronutrients in the wastewater made it feasible for cultivating industrial and fodder crops such as cotton, barley and halophytes. Boron toxicity in the wastewater is not a limiting factor. The concentration of Na and Cl in wastewater was less than the toxicity threshold of these ions for cotton, sunflower, corn, sorghum, safflower, sesame, etc. The concentration of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in the wastewater is under toxicity levels that are recommended by FAO, so these elements do not cause any ionic toxicity for plants.

IntroductionDrought stress is one of the most important environmental factors that regulate plant growth and development, and limit plant production. Salicylic acid is a growth regulation which its role was investigated in plants tolerance to environmental stresses such as drought stress. Therefore, the objective of present research was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid on response to drought stress in maize.
Materials and methodsIn order to evaluate some physiological and biochemical responses of maize hybrid SC704 to foliar application of salicylic acid under drought stress conditions, this field experiment was carried out at the green house of College of Agriculture, University of Shahid Bahonar, in 2013 in a factorial using completely randomized block design with six replications. Experimental treatments were salicylic acid (0 and 1 mM) and drought stress. Evaluated traits were including plant height, plant fresh weight, plant leaf area, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzymes (including ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase).
ResultsThe results showed that drought stress (70 and 50% F.C.) significantly reduced relative water content, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, fresh weight, length and leaf area of maize. However, the effect of 50% F.C. was more pronounced. Furthermore, results of this experiment also showed that drought stress increased electrolyte leakage as well as antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxides and ascorbate peroxides of maize leaf. In contrast, foliar application of salicylic acid significantly increased relative water content, chlorophyll a, b and Total chlorophyll, fresh weight, length and leaf area of maize as well as catalase, peroxides and ascorbate peroxides and also reduced electrolyte leakage. Furthermore, salicylic acid caused the reduction of 20 percent in electrolyte leakage at the highest level of drought stress.
ConclusionSalicylic acid with the maize plant protection against drought stress caused growth improvement and increasing of tolerance to stress and finally, with regard to the cost and availability of salicylic acid, the application of this exogenous protection compound can be a method to cultivate maize plant in drought stress regions.

Assessing the tolerance of medicinal plants is important for planting them in drought areas. Arginine is a growth regulator and its role in plants’ tolerance to environmental stresses such as drought has been investigated. To evaluate the protective effects of arginine against osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol in ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) seedlings, an experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement with three replicates. Experimental treatments included arginine at three levels (0, 10 and 20 µM) and osmotic stress (induced by polyethylene glycol 6000) at three levels (0, 13.5% and 17% (W/V)). Results showed that arginine application through the root medium caused the reduction of H2O2 content, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and other aldehydes) and lipoxygenases activity and increased the antioxidant enzymes activity (calatase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase), protein content and proline content under osmotic stress. Therefore, it seems that the application of arginine greatly improves the dehydration tolerance through elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes.

To assay the effect of acetylsalicylic acid pretreatment on enhancement of yield and yield components of barley (Reihan-03) under water stress condition، an experiment was conducted as a spilt-plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with four replications at the Research Field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman، Iran، in 2012-2013. Irrigation condition was arranged in main plots (normal irrigation and withholding irrigation at flowering) and acetylsalicylic acid (0، 0. 5، 1 mM) in sub-plots. Water stress caused a significant reduction in relative water content، fertile spike/m2، kernels per spike، 1000 kernel weight، grain yield and biomass and increased electrolyte leakage of plasma membranes، proline content، catalase and also guaiacol peroxidase enzymes activity of flag leaf. Results showed that acetylsalicylic acid application brought on the increased levels of water stress tolerance in barley. Acetylsalicylic acid pretreatment increased antioxidant enzymes activity، relative water content، grain yield، biomass as well as proline content of flag leaf and reduced electrolyte leakage. The concentration of 1 mM acetylsalicylic acid was more effective. In conclusion، seed priming with acetylsalicylic acid increased the tolerance of barley to water stress condition via maintaining cellular membrane integrity and neutralizing or scavenging of reactive oxygen species.

Environmental stress, particularly drought stress can play an important role in reducing plant growth especially during the germination stage in arid and semi-arid regions in Iran. For cultivation of medicinal plants in arid and semi-arid areas, the assessment of their tolerance is very important. In this research, in order to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid pretreatment on enhancement of seed germination and early seedling growth of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. under drought stress, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design was employed. The factors were the combination of five levels of drought stress induced by poly ethylene glycol (0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3 and -0.4 MPa) and five concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mM) with three replicates. The results indicated that an increase in drought stress reduced germination components such as germination percentage and rate, total biomass, seed vigor index, root length, root fresh and dry weight, shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weight and relative water content and increased electrolyte leakage and proline content. Salicylic acid improved germination; therefore, the average time necessary for germination decreased under drought conditions. The seeds treated by salicylic acid, produced a higher root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, total biomass and seed vigor index. Salicylic acid ameliorated the negative effects of drought stress on fennel germination and seedling's growth. Higher concentrations of salicylic acid were more effective than the lower ones. It seems that salicylic acid can enhance the tolerant ability of the seeds to germination under drought stress.

This study assessed emotional adjustment of infertile couples and the psychological outcomes of infertility (depression, anxiety, relationship and sexual problems, and personality disorders) in different phases of treatment. References used include studies which have been performed within the last two decades. The articles were invested on data bases at Pub med, Scholar, Google, Scpous and Amazon and key words include (infertility OR pregnancy OR depression OR anxiety OR psychology disorder OR marital satisfaction OR psychiatric & psychology interventions AND personality disorder or ….). Each one of them was used in abstract and keywords, according to articles selected which were published before 2006. Almost all of accessible articles were obtained, and other inappropriate articles were not considered.

Results derived from most studies show that more than half of infertile people (women, men, and couples) learn to cope with this problem to some extent.

However, a significant percentage of people show clinical signs such as inability to adjust with the problem and inappropriate emotional reactions, which highlights the importance of psychological inventions and psychotherapy.