جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « دیم » در نشریات گروه « زراعت »

Chickpea is one of the most important grain legumes, which plays significant roles in food security of developing countries and became more important with climate change in recent years. Germplasm characterization for desired traits will help to create efficient breeding populations that are important to achieve particular objectives. Therefore, this research was carried out to (i) investigate the genetic diversity of breeding lines and varieties of Kabuli chickpea under autumn sowing condition, (2) investigate the relationships between morpho-agronomic traits and (3) identify superior genotypes based on multi-traits.

In this research, genetic diversity of 150 chickpea genotypes including 12 Iranian varieties, 4 foreign varieties and 132 breeding lines were investigated for important agronomic traits including phenological traits, plant height and seed yield and its components in the experimental farm of Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (Kermanshah) during two consecutive crop seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021). Trials conducted using an Alpha Lattice design with two replications under autumn sowing conditions.

According to the results of combined analysis of variance, there were significant difference between the studied genotypes for all the traits except the seed filling period and seed weight. Results of genotype × trait biplot and genetic correlation analyses showed that number of pod per plant had a positive and significant correlation with seed yield in both cropping seasons. Based on the results of the cluster analysis, the investigated varieties and breeding lines were classified into three and two groups in first and second cropping seasons, respectively. Simultaneous selection of superior genotypes was done for high yield, high seed weight, higher plant height, higher number of pod per plant, early flowering, early maturity and short seed filling period using MGIDI. Genotypes 25, 143, 74, 66, 35 (Azad), 97, 133, 19, 4, 52, 15, 80, 36 (Adel), 40 (Saeed), 108, 22, 86, 106, 141, 99, 98 and 21 were recognized as superior genotypes in the first cropping season, while, genotypes 35 (Azad), 13, 34 (Nosrat), 70, 136, 46, 99, 20, 120, 36 (Adel), 30, 73, 51, 116, 59, 23, 19, 55, 41 (Samin) and 11 were recognized as superior genotypes in the second cropping season. Azad, Adel and genotypes 99 and 19 were identified as superior genotypes in both cropping seasons.

There was significant genetic diversity for traits related to seed yield in the studied germplasm, which allows the selection of superior genotypes. According to the results of this research, the number of pods per plant had an important role in the formation of seed yield in the autumn sowing condition. The superior genotypes identified in this research could be considered as parents of breeding populations in Kabuli chickpea breeding programs for autumn sowing condition of moderate regions.

This research was carried out in order to evaluate the biochemical and agronomic traits of dryland chickpea intercropped with dragon’s head in Saqqez city (Kurdistan province). It was conducted as a factorial split-plot experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design, with three replications during the 2021-2022 cropping year. Treatments included three planting times (autumn, expecting, and spring) as first factor, three chickpea cultivars (Saral, Nosrat, and Anna) as second factor and five cultivation patterns [(pure chickpea), (25% L. iberica: 100% chickpea), (50% L. iberica: 100% chickpea), (75% L. iberica: 100% chickpea), and pure L. iberica cultivation (100% L. iberica). The highest leaf chlorophyll a and b contents were obtained in winter with intercropping of %100 Nosrat chickpea + %50 L. iberica and planting ratio (%100 chickpea +% 25 L. iberica), respectively. The highest leaf carotenoid content was obtained in spring with planting ratio of %100 Saral chickpea + %75 L. iberica. The highest water use efficiency was obtained in winter, in the Nosrat variety, and in pure cultivation. The land equivalent ratio in all intercropping patterns was more than one, which showed the superiority of L. iberica and chickpea intercropping compared to pure cropping.

Conservation agriculture is one of the successful strategies of sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change. Conservation agriculture with residues mantanance systems, could decrese soil temperature and this may affect crop growth in cold regions. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in two controlled and field conditions in Dryland Agricultural Research Institute of Maragheh. Under controlled conditions, wheat genotypes (Baran, Saradri, Rizhav, Saji, Rascon, Gerdish) were exposed to different cold and frost temperatures (+4, -5, -10 and -15 ° C) and under field conditions, those genotypes were planted inthree different dates (late shahrivar, late mehr and late aban) in chickpea rotation under conservation tillage (no till) and conventional tillage conditions. Results of controlled conditions showed that Sardari and Baran cultivars are cold tolerant cultivars due to having the highest amount of chlorophyll and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the lowest content of malondialdehyde (MDA). In contrast, H2O2 content in Rizhav and Saji genotypes at -15 ° C was higher than other genotypes. In conservation tillage conditions, all of the genotypes had the highest antioxidant enzymes activity and the lowest content of H2O2 and MDA. However, Sardari and Baran were more effective genotypes under cold stress conditions, compared toother genotypes. According to the results, in cold drylands regions, planting date can affect phenological stages of the plants in dealing with cold stress in winter and spring, and selection of cold-tolerant genotypes can improve physiological characteristics of plants especially in conservation agriculture system under cold stress conditions.

Field experiment in Poldokhtar city (Chemeshk village) in two cropping years 2018-19 and 2019-20 in the form of split plots based on a randomized complete block design with 4 levels of the main super absorbent factor (control, 50, 75, and 100 kg/ha-1) and 6 levels of sub-factor of additive series intercropping (forage chickpea pure stand, Saral cultivar, 25×100 (chickpea×barley), 50×100, 75×100, 100×100 and pure barley (Abidar barley) was used with 125 kg of forage chickpea and 200 kg/ha-1 of barley based on pure cultivation. Each of the above values, were used based on the percentage, in order to examine their coexistence on quantitative (forage) and qualitative (protein) traits of two plants. The interaction of the three studied factors (year, superabsorbent, intercropping) showed that in proportion to the increase of absorbent factor and legume ratio, increased the total dry hay which was more in the second year than in the first. In the second year×100 kg superabsorbent×100×100 and 100×75, 18.91 and 18.79% increased chickpea forage protein, respectively. The percentage of barley protein in the composition of 100×100 in the first and second year was 6.54 and 7.1, respectively. With increasing consumption of superabsorbent and legume complementary component, decreased the amount of NDF in chickpea forage.The triple effect of year×super absorbent×intercropping had a similar pattern on fluctuations in barley forage quality (fiber percentage). Therefore, the application of agronomic management with crop diversity per unit area and moisture absorbing indicated the application of ecological principle in the exploitation of production resources.

Durum wheat is considered as the 10th most important crop in the world. Drought stress is among the principal constraints to global wheat production. Improvement of new varieties having good adaptation to stressful conditions is an important goal of wheat breeding programs. In this regard, the exploitation of genetic diversity retained in landraces and wild relativesis is very important. The aim of this research was to evaluate durum wheat landraces collected from different contries for drought tolerance.

In this study 196 durum wheat landraces belong to 18 countries were evaluated for drought tolerance using several yield-based drought indices. The trials were conducted in the experimental field of dryland agricultural research institute (Sararood branch) based on alpha lattice design with two replications under rainfed and supplemental irrigation conditions during 2020-2021 cropping season.

Analysis of variance revealed significant environment, genotype, and genotype × environment interaction effects for grain yield. Based on genotype-by-index (GI) biplot analysis the drought selection indices were classified into four groups. The first group included drought response index (DRI), yield stability index (YSI), yield index (YI) and yield under rainfed condition. The second group composed of stress tolerance index (STI) and geometric mean productivity (GMP) which were able to select genotypes producing higher yield in both conditions. The third group included mean productivity (MP) and yield under irrigated condition. Fourth group composed of stress susceptible index (SSI), tolerance index (TOL), Schneider’s Stress Severity Index (SSSI) and yield reduction percentage (RI) which were able to separate genotypes having higher yield in non-stress and low yield in stress condition. Cluster analysis identified three distinct groups having different yield performance and drought tolerance.

Generally, based on the results of this research, selection for higher values of DRI, STI and GMP and lower values of SSI, TOL and RI at the same time can be considered as a appropriate strategy for identification of drought tolerant landraces. The members of first group which mostly composed from landraces belong to Iran, Japan, Turkey and Afghanistan could be considered as high-yielding drought tolerant.

Tillage plays a vital role in providing a suitable seedbed, controlling weeds, mixing fertilizers, and other inputs. Therefore, proper tillage management is of special importance in exploiting and maintaining soil stability. In this study, to investigate the effect of different tillage methods on grain yield and other agronomic traits, 23 promising cultivars and lines of wheat in different tillage systems (conventional tillage, reduced tillage, and no-tillage) were evaluated in the form of split plots with a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment was conducted in dryland farms of tropical farmers (Kuhdasht city) in Lorestan province in the 2018-19 growing season. The results showed a significant difference between tillage systems and cultivar/line in grain yield. Also, the significant interaction of cultivar/line × tillage system showed a different response of cultivars and lines to tillage system treatment. This order indicates the need to select the appropriate cultivar/line for each tillage system. Among the top 10 cultivars and wheat lines in grain yield and other desirable agronomic traits, Paya cultivar and promising lines KANZ * 4 / KS85-8-4 and Line17 can be planted in warm and semi-warm regions of Lorestan province in all three tillage systems recommended to farmers.

Improper distribution of rainfall and reduced rainfall are major factors in reducing lentil yield per unit area . Therefore, the use of genotypes adapted to adverse environmental conditions can play an important role in increasing yield in such conditions. Awareness of genotype × environment interactions helps breeds to be more accurate in evaluating genotypes and choosing the best genotypes.

This study was conducted during two years (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) in two stations in the cold dry areas of the country (Qeydar Zanjan, Maragheh). The experiment consisted of 17 advanced lentil genotypes along with three control cultivars Kimia, Bilesvar and Senna (20 genotypes in total) which was performed in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications.

The results of combined analysis showed a significant difference in the level of one percent probability for environment, genotype and genotype × environment interaction. The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the environment, genotype and genotype by environment interaction effects were 79.5%, 2.25% and 18.23% of total variance, respectively The results of GGE biplot indicate the existence of 42.1% of the total changes related to the first component and 26% of the total changes related to the second component, which together explain 68.1% of the total changes. According to the obtained results, there is a high correlation between E1 and E3 environments and between E2 and E4 environments and they can be introduced as similar environments. In biplot study, genotypes 7 (FLIP2013-29L), 13 (FLIP 2012-262 L) and 11 (FLIP 2012-207L) had higher performance and stability at the same time.

Genotypes 13, 7 and 11 were introduced as high yielding and stable genotypes and can be used to select or recommend a variety.

Quinoa was considered for preliminary evaluation in early spring rainfed conditions in two warm and humid and temperate climates (Sararud Kermanshah). Eleven quinoa Lines with different maturity periods was cultivated based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the Iraqi Mahaleh Research Station of Gorgan and the Research Station of the Deputy of dryland Agriculture of Sararud (Kermanshah), in 2016-2017 cropping season. The results of mean comparison in Gorgan showed that the highest seed yield (SY) was related to NSRCQ1 and NSRCQ9 lines and then NSRCQ6, which had a significant difference with NSRCQ9. The results of correlation and the main components analysis showed that the thousand seed weight (TSW) had the greatest effect on SY. The results of cluster analysis showed that the NSRCQ1 and NSRCQ9 with 194 and 209 g m-2SY and 2.5 and 2.6 gwere superior. The results of mean comparison in Sararud showed the lines yield were between 31 and 37 g m-2 and NSRCQ10 with 37 g m-2 and 1.3 ghad highest SY and TSW.In Sararud slow growth of the early stages due to the cold temperature, heat and drought at the end of the season reduced the yield and TSW and necessity for supplemental irrigation. Lack of synchronicityof heat and humidity regime of the studied lines reduced the SY in Sararud compared to Gorgan. In general, in Gorgan and areas with similar climate condition early spring cultivation with early and insensitive cultivars of quinoa to photoperiod are possible.

Climate changes along with recent droughts and short growth period of spring planting date are important factors causing non-economic and low yield production of chickpea in Iran. Ata variety with breeding code of x03TH148 was received from ICARDA in 2004 through Chickpea International Segregation Generations Nursery. This line was evaluated in international, preliminary, advanced and adaptability yeild trials as well as studies on fusarium wilt and ascochyta blight diseases resistance at agricultural research stations and under farmers’ fields conditions in autumn planting date.  Based on results of adaptability trials, this variety had suitable agronomic and economic characteristics such as potencial for machinery harvesting, average seed yield of 886 kgha-1, with 11% superiority to Jam check cultivar and cold tolerance to -16.9°C in the areas without snow covering during emergence. The new variety with average yield of 2061 kgha-1 showed considerable superiority to Saral check (1345 kgha-1) in farmers’ fields. Considering high seed yield, tall plant height, large seed size, suitable seed protein content, tolerance to ascochyta blight and fusarium wilt diseases and marketable traits, Ata was released and recomended for autumn sowing in the temperate and cold regions of Iran.

Tobacco is cultivated as a valuable crop in more than one hundred countries in different climatic conditions and plays an important role in the economies of some countries.This study was performed to evaluate the effect of mycorrhiza and azotobacter with application of biocahr on tobacco leaf yield, root characteristics and phytochemical components under rainfed conditions for two growing seasons at 2016 and 2017 at the Research Farm of Tirtash Tobacco Research and Education Center of Mazandaran province, Iran. A factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications and three treatments was performed. Treatments consisted of biochar (B) at three levels (0, 4 and 8 ton/ha), mycorrhiza (M), and azotobacter (A) both at two levels (without and with application). Application of 4 ton/ha biocahr increased fresh yield by 26%, cured yield 26%, root dry weight 44%, root fresh weigth 37%, root length 41%, nicotine 3%, while reduced sugar content 24% and sugar to nicotine ratio by 21% as compared to zero level of biochar application. The effect of mycorrhiza and azotobacter application on tobacco leaf yield but it was not significant, however, azotobacter had the most significant effect on nicotine content (17%). There was a positive and significant correlation between root characteristics and tobacco leaf yield. Due to the lack of significant differences between levels of 4 and 8 tons per hectare of biochar in most of the evaluated traits in terms of economic approach, the use of 4 tons per hectare of biochar along with mycorrhiza and Azotobacter to reduce the adverse of low water effects in rainfed farms and ameliorate the tobacco growth is recommended. Also azotobacter application is considered as desirable factor to increase of nicotine in tobacco.

In order to evaluate effect of different seed rates on yield potential of newly released Iranian rainfed wheat cultivars under farmers' field, three separate trials based on factorial experiments were conducted using a completely randomized block design with two replications in the cold (Noorabad), moderately cold (Imanabad) and moderate (Koohdasht) regions of Lorestan province in 2016-17. Three commercial wheat cultivars including Azar2, Oahadi and Baran were used in the cold and moderately cold regions (Noorabad and Khorramabad, respectively), where in the moderate region (Koohdasht) three adapted wheat cultivars for this zone including Karim, Koohdasht and Qaboos were used. Seeding rate factor in all three experiments was four seeding rates of 120, 170, 220 and 270 kgha-1. Results showed that Baran cultivar by using up 170 kg seed per hectare in the cold and moderate cold zones of Noorabad and Imanabad, respectively; and Qaboos cultivar using 120 kg seed per hectare in the moderate zone of Koohdasht had the highest yield performance. Result of this study indicated that higher seeding rates will only increase costs of wheat production per hectare and also will result to waste certified seeds.

Research, selection and protection of landraces in most countries of the world are very important and considered as one of the most important and significant issues in plant breeding programs. Despite the recent progresses in plant breeding programs, using of landraces is still particularly important, especially in the self pollinated crops. In breeding programs, the existence of favorable variation in the population is essential and without variation, the progress and development of breeding programs will be slow process. Lentil seeds are a major role in feed and food security for millions of people, especially among the low income Asian population, because of protein content and cheap price. The lentil plant has also played an important role as a rotation crop for increasing the fertility of soils and it has been special attention for agronomists and researchers in case of sustainable agriculture. Food legume cultivation traditionally is common in Iran. Except in the northern wet areas, lentil cultivated in most parts of Iran. Its cultivation areas is 150-200 thousand hectares and ranked as second important food legume in the drylands area. There are little studies about evaluation and purification of lentil landraces in Iran. Kouhin region in Ghazvin province with about 12000 hectare lentil cultivated area is one of the most favorite regions of cultivation and production of lentil in Iran. Green Koohin lentil landrace has good quality and nutritional value and is famous for consumers in the country.

This study was performed to evaluate a lentil landrace originated from Kouhin region in Ghazvin province. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons during 2010-12 under field condition in Maragheh Dryland Agricultural Research Station (Latitude 37°15′ N, Longitude 46°15΄ E, and Altitude 1720 meter above sea level). In spring 2011 and 2012, the seeds of 120 pure lines (individual plants that were selected from Kouhin landrace), planted at farm under rainfed condition and eight traits (No. of days to flowering, No. of days to maturity, grain filling period, plant height, 100 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index) were noted. Statistical parameters (maximum, minimum, mean, standard division and phenotypic coefficient of variance) were calculated for noted characteristics. After standardization of data, distance modulus squared Euclidean distance cluster analysis was done in Ward method.

Analysis of variance results showed that there were significant differences between the genotypes in all studied traits except in the case of biomass yield and harvest index. These results indicating the existence of genetic diversity among the pure lines extracted from the Kouhin lentil landrace. Results of estimating descriptive statistics of studied characteristics in the 120 pure lines showed that, the grain yield among the studied characteristics in two years means had the highest diversity. In the first year, the minimum and maximum grain yield (160 and 1420 Kg/ha) belonged to genotypes No. 98 and No. 14, respectively. In the second year grain yield was also varied from 170 Kg/ha (genotype no. 113) to 980 Kg/ha (genotype no. 73). This result indicated the existence of high performance potential within the Kouhin landrace and in order to improve the grain yield of population, identification and purification of the high yielding genotypes from population recommended. Among the studied traits the minimum diversity belonged to number of days from plating till flowering and maturity. Regarding to this point that the Kouhin landrace was cultivated from long time ago by farmers, natural factors such as day length, existence of drought stress (especially after flowering because of dryland farming) removed the late genotypes and caused relatively hemozigosity on these two traits in the Kouhin population. Results of clustering showed that genotypes were categorized in six groups. Twenty five genotypes were in the fifth group that their grain yield (527.6±126.8 Kg/ha) was higher than other groups.

The results of this study showed that it could be improved the grain yield and other characterstics of Kouhin population under drylands condition by selection of pure lines. Also it is possible to use the existing potentialities in Kouhin landrace (genetic diversity) in the lentil breeding programs under dryland condition. Conclusion of the results showed that there is suit variation in Kouhin lentil landrace and it could be used as a precious resource for lentil breeding programs under dryland of Iran.

In order to evaluate the drought stress tolerance of durum wheat genotypes, an experiment was conducted at Gachsaran Dryland Research Center, Iran during 2017-18. A total of 18 durum wheat genotypes were studied in a randomized complete block design with four replications under rainfed and supplementary irrigation conditions. The results of combined analysis of variance showed that supplementary irrigation significantly increased grain yield. In supplementary irrigation condition, the genotypes 16, 17 and 18 and in rain fed condition the genotypes 4, 16 and 17 had the highest grain yield per hectare. The stress tolerance indices were calculated based on yield of genotypes in rain fed and supplementary irrigation conditions. With considering of significant positive correlation between grain yield in the rain fed condition (YS) with relative drought index (RDI), mean productivity index (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), yield index (YI), geometric mean productivity index (GMP), new drought resistance index (DI), improved stress tolerance index (MSTI), non-Stress Environmental Stress Index (SNPI) and harmonic Mean Index (HARM), these indices are suitable for identification of stress tolerant lines. Stress susceptibility index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), abiotic stress tolerance index (ATI) and stress sensitivity percentage index (SSPI) did not play a significant role in the differentiation of genotypes. On the other hand, there was a significant positive correlation between grain yield in supplemental irrigation with TOL, MP, YI, MSTI, SSPI, ATI, SSI and STI. Grouping of genotypes using cluster analysis method showed that the genotypes were classified into four distinct groups and genotypes 4, 16 and 17 were in the fourth group with the highest tolerance indices compared to the other. Genotypes 7, 8 and 10, which had the lowest yield and also the lowest amount for the most indices, were identified as the most susceptible to drought stress. The results of factor analysis confirmed the above results.

Chickpea as one of the most promissing crop under dry farming in Razan, Hamadan where it is often confronted with terminal drought of growing season. Finding strategies to reduce the effects of terminal droughts of chickpea under dryland conditions in this area would be very beneficial. To evaluate the effects of foliar application of glycine betaine (GB) and salicylic acid (SA) on yield and yield components of two chickpea cultivars under rainfed condition, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Razan town of Hamedan province in 2017- 2018 year. In this experiment, treatments were the use of distilled water as control, three levels of glycine betaine (200, 400 and 600 mM) and three levels of salicylic acid (250, 500 and 750 µM) on two cultivars of chickpea (Hashem and Saral). The results showed that foliar applications of plants with GB and SA resulted in significant effect on all traits under study, except number of seed in pod. The highest of seed yield was observed in Hashem (168.05 g.m2) and Saral (178.55 g.m2) cultivars with foliar application of 600 mM glycine betaine. The treatment of 600 mM of glycine betaine increased seed yield of Hashem and Saral cultivars by 17.6 and 18.5 percents, respectively. There were significant differences between the two cultivars under study. Maximum of number of seed per plant, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index were belonged to Saral cultivar, while plant height, weight of 100 seed and percent of protein seed observed in Hashem cultivur. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the application of glycine betaine on yield and yield components of chickpea under rainfed conditions was more effective than using salicylic acid. It can be said that foliar application of chickpea with GB and SA would improve the performance of chickpea cultivars and rainfed conditions. Futher studies are sudgested to substantiate the results.

The objective of this study is the determination of adoption indices and measurement profitability by Investment Rate of Return (IRR) and economic surplus due to the planting of Dehdasht variety. Requiered data were collected from institutes, organizations, Agricultural Research and Education and Natural Resource Centers of targeted provinces by questionnaire in during 2010-2017. In this research,the adoption analysis indices and economic surplus criteria were used. Based on Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture, means of adoption degree of Dehdasht variety in formal seed was estimated 1.3 percent during 2015-2017. Based on the price of durum wheat during study years, means of the change of economic surplus and net present value (NPV) of activity were estimated 602 and 1014 billion Iranian rials.The Investment Rate of Return (IRR) of Dehdasht variety was estimated more than discount rate. In generally, breeding program of Dehdasht variety is economic. It is suggested that in future research planning, researcher select breeding lines through breeding programs and introduce to farmers that not only has high yielding potential compared to the check variety and adapted to the climate but also thay have good resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

In a 2-yrs field study, growth pattern and grain yield of wheat as affected by different nitrogen levels under varied irrigation conditions were evaluated in Shiraz University during 2013-15 growing seasons. The results showed that in both years at anthesis and ripening stages in all irrigation treatments, except rainfed, 300 kg N ha-1 had the highest plant height, while the highest plant height in rainfed for all sampling stages was achieved in 225 kg N ha-1 treatment. In all irrigation treatments, except rainfed, the plots receiving more N had the higher leaf area index for all sampling stages. As water deficit was applied and intensified, the less N fertilizer was needed for achieving the higher dry matter production; so that the highest final dry matter in normal irrigation, irrigation cutting at grain filling and spike emergence and rainfed conditions for both years were obtained from 225, 225, 150 and 75 kg N ha-1, by 1195.1, 1115.2, 931.1 kg ha-1 and 517.6 at the first and by 1015.8, 957.9, 791.5 kg ha-1 and 389.9 kg N ha-1 at the second year, respectively. In both years, the highest SPAD index was observed from rainfed conditions and 375 kg N ha-1, and the highest grain yield was observed in normal irrigation with 150 kg N ha-1 by 568.1 and 515.5 kg ha-1 at the first and second years, respectively.

Chickpea is the most important field crop among food legumes in Iran. According to the published statistic by agricultural ministry of Iran, cultivation area of chickpea varies between 550– 900 thousand hectares that more than of 90% them cultivated under dryland condition. More than 63% of country has cold and higher cold climates and more than 60% of drylands in Iran located in cold and highlands where temperature declines to -25°C in some years, with continues cold duration (more than 100 days per year). Reports show that the yield of chickpea is low in cold areas (about 500 kg.ha-1) because of the spring planting and lack cold tolerant cultivars suitable for autumn planting. In cold regions that absolute minimum temperature in winter reaches under -6°C till -12°C, studies showed that it may be complete damage occurrence if chickpea planted in autumn. Studies showed that planting of cold tolerance varieties increased the yield of chickpea almost twice. Hence, screening chickpea germplasms for cold tolerance will help to release new cold tolerant cultivars. The literature review suggests that most studies related to the evaluation and screening of chickpea cold tolerance were done under natural conditions (field), but the spatial and temporal variation in the weather under such circumstances may lead to different results. Researchers reported that using from controlled condition for screening cold tolerance genotypes in chickpea germplasm would prevent seasonal restrictions, saving time and increasing the accuracy of studies while eliminating unwanted factors. In order to study on cold tolerance of 33 Kabuli chickpea genotypes along with three controls (Saral, ILC 533 and Jam), this study carried out in square lattice design (6×6) with two replications under controlled condition (cold room) at Maragheh Dryland Agricultural Research Station, during growing season 2014-2015 . Ten seeds of each genotype after surface sterilized with fungicide (Benomile with 0.015%) planted in five cm depth in planting boxes (100×80×25 cm) at early autumn (29 September). In order to simulation of natural growth condition in autumn and acclimation of seedlings, planted boxes incubated outside of green house. Number of germinated seeds was recorded and seedling of genotypes at six-week stage, incubated in cold room. The temperature of cold room decreased two degrees in each hour up to minus 15°C and seedlings remained for one hour at this temperature. A thin layer of ice nucleation active bacteria sprayed on the surface of seedlings at -2°C in order to establish ice nucleation and prevent ultra-freezing of seedlings. Then temperature increased up to 4°C for three days and boxes transferred to green house for two weeks under 20±3°C. Frost resistance ratios (FRR) of genotypes calculated and analyzed. According to other studies and reports the genotypes with 0.91-1 and 0.81-0.90 FRR classified in highly resistance and resistance groups, respectively. Results showed that there was significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences in frost resistance ratio (FRR) among the investigated genotypes. Lines 14 (Flip98-138C* SEL99TER85074)*Sel.99th.15039, 28 (FLIP 00-84 C) and Saral cultivar had the highest FRR (100, 98 and 89 survived percentage, respectively) among the genotypes. Also Kaka cultivar and line 12 (Flip 98-28C*Flip 98-22C)* ICCV2 had the lowest frost tolerance among the studied genotypes. About 30% of genotypes could tolerate the frost damage, for example, genotypes 14 and 28 had between 0.9-1.0 ratio, whereas, the FRR of susceptible check (ILC533) was 0.13.  The existence of wide range of diversity for frost resistance among the studied germplasm would be useful to introduce new tolerant chickpea cultivars with autumn-sown potential. Moreover, the tolerance of Saral cultivar to frost stress, its cultivation under cold dryland regions could be recommended as the first frost tolerant variety in the country.

This research was carried out at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University for two growing seasons (2011-2012). The aim of research was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of iron on growth, nodulation and quantity and quality of chickpea yield in Hamedan. A randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments were used (T1: control; non-foliar application, T2: foliar application of 2 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering stage, T3: foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering stage, T4: foliar application of 2 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at podding stage, T5: foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at podding stage, T6: foliar application of 2 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages and T7: foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages). The effect of treatments on the most traits was significant. Based on means comparisons, lower values for traits like number of pods per plant, number of grain per plant, 1000-seed weight, biological and seed yields, number and dry weight of root nodules and iron content of seed and protein percent were obtained from control (non-foliar application) and foliar application 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages treatments. The highest biological yield (329 g.m-2), seed yield (152 g.m-2) protein percent (27.85%) were obtained from treatment of foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano fertilizer at flowering and podding stages. Therefore, foliar application of 4 g.L-1 of nano-iron chelate in both flowering and podding stages produced the highest root nodulation, agronomic indices and seed yield.

To find the most suitable location and planting density of Thymus vulgaris at dry farming condition, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement with three replications in seven provinces of Iran. The experimental treatments consisted of plant density (4, 6 and 8 plant/m2), year (1 and 2 years after planting) and location (Tehran, North Khorasan, Isfahan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Gilan and East Azerbaijan). The traits comprised of plant height, canopy diameter, dry matter of aerial parts, yield and content of essential oil in full flowering stage. The results revealed that interactions of density, location and year were significant on all studied traits. The highest dry matter (1734 kg/h) and essential oil yield (16.84 kg/h) of aerial parts was obtained in 8 plant/m2 density in Gilan. The maximum and minimum of essential oil content was observed in samples from Isfahan (1.96 percent) and East Azerbaijan (0.50 percent), respectively. Based on our findings, it seems that cultivation of Th. vulgaris in higher density could cause higher production of dry matter and essential oil yields under dry farming conditions in Iran

In order to evaluate the effect of sowing date, row spacing, foliar application of nitrogen and Zinc on yield and yield components of chickpea cv. Arman, a factorial experiment was carried arranged in an RCBD with three replications under rain-fed condition at the agricultural research station of Gonbad Treatments were combination of four factors, i.e. sowing dates (Nov 6th, Dec 6th and Dec 26th), row spacing (24 and 36 centimeters), two nitrogen foliar application (without application and spraying urea at 5/1000) and zinc Levels (0 and 30 kg/ha of zinc sulphate). In this experiment, grain yield, pods per plant, seeds per pod, one-thousand seed weight were counted or calculated. The results revealed the positive effect of foliar application of nitrogen,and zinc sulphate on some phenotypic traits, seed yield and yield components of chickpea. Zinc sulphate significantly increased seed yield (1913 kg ha-1) compared to without zinc sulphate treatment (1853 kg ha-1). In addition, nitrogen foliar application significantly affected plant height and seeds per pod. Number of seeds per pod with nitrogen foliar application (1.79 seeds) was significantly higher than that of no foliar application (1.46 seeds).