جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « صفات مورفولوژیکی » در نشریات گروه « زراعت »

The genetic diversity of plant species and their relationship with wild species is very important to improve the yield of crops..The first step in the improvement of medicinal plants is to identify and collect endemic genotypes.Endemic genotypes are very important in the selection of cultivars due to their adaptability to the climate of the region. Mentha longifolia is one of the important endemic medicinal plants of Iran, which is used in various pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Essential oil, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and other compounds such as steroids and ceramides are important chemical compounds in oregano plant. In this study, morphological diversity, essential oil and antioxidant activity of 20 Mentha longifolia genotypes in West and East Azerbaijan provinces were investigated. The aim of this research, on the one hand, is to know the potential and range of diversity of Menta longifolia genotypes in its natural habitats in West Azarbaijan and East Azarbaijan provinces. On the other hand, the introduction of regions with superior genotypes in terms of these traits is for use in breeding programs.

The collection of plant samples from some areas of two northwestern provinces of Iran (West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan) was done in the spring of 2022. In order to evaluate the morphological traits of the plant in the flowering season, 11 quantitative traits of the plant including plant height, inflorescence length, crown diameterstem diameter, internode length, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, number of inflorescences, fresh weight, dry weight and the number of sub-branches were evaluated. After drying the plant samples, essential oil extraction was done using a clonger, and the essential oil samples were transferred to Urmia University Jihad to identify compounds by gas chromatography. Extraction of plant samples was done by ultrasonic method .Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH method. All the obtained data were analyzed with three repetitions and based on a completely random design using SPSS software .LSD test was used to compare the mean data. Data clustering was done based on Ward's method and Euclidean distance square measure. Principal component analysis was performed on the data .Also, in this study, correlation between studied traits was done by R software.

The results of analysis of variance showed that the genotypes collected from different regions have significant differences in terms of plant height, inflorescence length, crown diameterstem diameter, internode length, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, number of inflorescences, fresh weight, dry weight and the number of sub-branches are investigated (P < 0.01). The results of the analysis of the percentage and chemical composition of the essential oil showed that the type of genotype had a significant effect on the amount of these compounds in different genotypes of Mentha longifolia (P < 0.01). Among the studied genotypes, the highest percentage of essential oil and the amount of Trans-Caryophyllene and Germacrene D compounds were found in G18 of Iranq region of Tabriz, also the highest amount of Alpha-Terpineol and Spathulenol was found in G16 of Aghajari region of Maragheh. Also, there was a significant difference between different genotypes of mint in terms of antioxidant activity. The maximum amount of antioxidant activity (80.81%) was observed in G3 of Hachesu area in Shahindej. Based on Ward's cluster analysis, the genotypes were divided into three main groups. G1 alone was placed in a separate group due to the high content of Spathulenol and high antioxidant activity. The second group, which includes most of the genotypes (G2, G3, G5, G16, G19, G17, G20, G12, G14, G4, G6, G8, G11, G13, G9, G7 and G10), has a moderate amount of morphological traits, essential oil components and antioxidant activity. G15 and G18 genotypes were placed in the third group. The prominent features of these genotypes were high values of length and number of inflorescences, length and width of leaves, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of the plant, number of sub-branches, percentage of essential oil, alpha-Humulene, trans-Caryophyllene and GermacreneD and antioxidant activity.Using principal component analysis, 21 primary variables were determined in the form of two principal components.The first component explained 40% and the second component 19% of the total variance. The results of correlation analysis showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between the percentage of essential oil and some morphological traits, the percentage of essential oil and the amount of Germacrene D, trans-Caryophyllene, beta-Farnesene and isomenthon, as well as antioxidant activity and morphological traits.

The findings of this study showed that G15 belonging to Maragheh with an altitude of 1776 m had the highest number of leaves, length and width of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight and number of sub-branches, internode length and number of inflorescences compared to other genotypes.Therefore, it can be said that this genotype has priority for breeding, domestication and crop cultivation projects and is suitable for its introduction to the market as a medicinal plant.In addition, the results showed that the highest percentage of essential oil and the amount of compounds such as Germacrene D, Trans-Caryophyllene, Spathulenol, Beta-Farnesene, Alpha-Terpineol were obtained in genotypes with high altitudes.

Despite of introducing of suitable chickpea cultivars for autumn planting in cold drylands of the country, still planting of chickpeas is dominantly done during the spring. There is a short window for crop growth in dry and semi dry lands which cover majority of the country. Climate change has made this shorter and probability of marginal drought stress has been increased dramatically. In the other hand, presence of weeds during different plant growth stage increase competition for soil humidity and causes a decrease in yield. Short growth period and lack of appropriate management could lead to uneconomic chickpea production. Therefore, different planting dates and weed control were investigated in order to achieve the highest yield of chickpea Jam cultivar.

This research was conducted as a complete randomized blocks design with four replications under Naghadeh dryland conditions. Planting dates included three levels (autumn, dormant and spring seeding) which were assumed as fixed factor and weed control included two levels (mechanical control of weeds and no-control) were implemented. Experimental plots included 6 rows 3 meters length spacing 25 cm from each other. The planting time was October 6 (autumn), December 19 (dormant seeding) and March 24 (spring seeding). 20 (kg/ha) nitrogen from urea and 40 (kg/ha) phosphorous from superphosphate sources were applied as starter in the autumn based on soil analysis results. Some agronomic characteristics were noted along growth and harvesting times and combined statistical analysis were completed using SPSS software.

The highest grain yield and water productivity index were related to the mutual effects of dormant planting date in weed control, with an average yield of 1334 kg/ha and 3.64, respectively. Also, the highest yield energy of chickpea seeds was related to the mutual effects of dormant planting date treatments in weed control with an average of 2721 kcal/ha. The results showed that dormant planting of Jam cultivar has relative superiority over spring and autumn plantings regarding the measured indicators.

In order to select suitable parents for breeding purposes, one must have sufficient knowledge of genetic diversity and germplasm classification. It was for this reason that a study was conducted in 2019 at the Seed and Plant Research Institute in Karaj in order to identify and classify 17 eggplant genotypes based on the randomized complete block design. This stud measured 19 morphological traits such as number of days to flowering, plant height, number of stems per plant, number of nodes, and internodes, weight, and fruit yield as well as total phenol content, total anthocyanin content and glico-aldeid solasonin. The results of the analysis of variance revealed a significant difference for all the traits (p≤0.01). The range of variation showed great genetic diversity among cultivars, which can be useful for different breeding purposes, lower plant height to prevent dormancy. Greater number of stems and flowers are important to achieve higher yield, wherein 13321 genotypes showed lower height among genotypes. Cluster analysis classified the studied genotypes into three groups, and separated white eggplants from colored ones correctly. The PCA also confirmed the results of cluster analysis, showing that the color eggplants had more fruit yield, lower levels of solasonine, and lower days to maturity than white eggplants. However, the color eggplants that were used in this research were breeding cultivars; therefore, the use of breeding methods would be important to improve the quality and quantitative of eggplant genotypes.

Water deficit poses severe limitation to potato cultivation as a drought-sensitive crop plant. Selection of tolerant genotypes based on a combination of tolerance indices can provide useful criteria for breeding drought tolerant potato varieties. Water deficit affects plants at various levels and stages of their life cycle. This abiotic stress not only affects plant–water relations through the reduction of leaf water content, turgor, and total water, but it also affects stomata closure, limits gas exchange, reduces transpiration, and disturbs photosynthesis. In potato, tolerance to drought is a very complex trait. Photosynthesis is one of the basic physiological processes of plants with internal and external conditions. Any reduction of the intensity of this process causes a decrease in the amount and quality of crop plants. One of the indicators for early prediction of potato yielding can be the measurement of chlorophyll content. It is an informative tool for studying the effects of dif ferent environmental stresses on photosynthesis.  Chlorophyll content has an important role in photosynthesis and in understanding plant functions.  In any research, measuring of the chlorophyll content is used for assessment of potato genotypes tolerant and/or sen sitive to environmental stresses.

In this study, 20 potato genotypes were evaluated under two water levels; normal and water deficit stress conditions. The experiment was performed as spilt-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2018. The correlations among the different traits were measured and estimated by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients using the statistical tool in Minitab 17. Tuber yield, yield components, growth parameters, and morphological traits were measured under both well-watered and water stressed treatments. Morphological and reproductive characteristics such as plant height, leaf dry weight, chlorophyll content, yield tuber, ware yield, seed yield, non-marketable yield, and marketable yield were measured. 

Analysis of variance showed that stem number, chlorophyll content, stem thickness, plant height, leaf dry weight (LDW), total yield, ware yield (yield>55 mm), seed yield (yield 35-55 mm), non-marketable yield (yield<35 mm), and marketable yield (ware and seed yield) were significantly affected by genotype and drough and their interaction. Analysis of variance showed that the simple effect of genotype treatment on all studied traits including yield, ware yield, seed yield and marketable yield, LDW, stem thickness, plant height, chlorophyll content, and stem number were significant at 1% level. Correlation of stem number and plant height was highly positive and significant at the 0.01 level. Principal component analysis (PCA) and measured traits showed that genotypes 2, 5, 7 and 13 had high performance in the studied stress environment. To fully reflect the various factors that played a principal role in the comprehensive indicators, PCA was carried out on quantitative traits. The accumulative contribution rate accounted for 99% of the total variation for PC3. Analysis of PCA by the correlation matrix and the biplot analysis methods used in this study revealed that these parameters could be used for evaluating the responses of potato genotypes to water deficit in different environments.  The associations among traits related to yield and genotypes are graphically revealed in a biplot of PC1 and PC2. The PC1 and PC2 axes mainly distinguish the morphological traits and yield-related traits in three different groups.   

Parameters related to yield and leaf photosynthetic pigment content (chlorophyll content) were used to rank the clones and cultivars tested for comparative analysis. Based on our results, genotype 7 performed well under normal and water stress conditions. Water deficit is an important constraint limiting the crop productivity worldwide. Plants show a wide range of responses to water deficit which are mostly expressed by a variety of alterations in the growth and morphology of plants. Field experiments revealed that water deficit affects all evaluated morphological and yield related traits.

Biological stimulants can play an important role in increasing the essential oil of medicinalplants, through positive effects on growth and effective substances. In this research, the effectof chitosan foliar application as a biological stimulus on the quantitative and qualitative traitsof Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) was investigated. This research was carried out in 2017in the greenhouse of Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch, in three replications. Theexperimental treatments included: chitosan at 4 levels, zero (control), 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 gramsper liter. The results show that the effects of chitosan on morphological traits including thelength of the main stem, the number of secondary stems, the diameter of the main stem, thelength of the main root, the dry weight of the stem and root, as well as chlorophyll a andchlorophyll b were significant. The maximum mentioned traits were obtained in the treatmentof 1.5 grams per liter of chitosan. The maximum percentage of essential oil was obtained in thetreatment of 2 g/l and the maximum percentage of geraniol and geranial were obtained inconcentration of 1 g/L

Due to the increasing need for agricultural products and the limited water and soil resources for growing crops, it is necessary to study genetic resources, and on the other hand, genetic materials are resources that are considered valuable for plant breeding specialists who try to collect and maintain and evaluate these materials. Iran is one of the main centers of genetic diversity in the world. Identifying the morphological traits is the first step in classifying and describing the pattern of each plant, and several scientists have attempted to classify and measure the phenomenological diversity of specimen collections of various legumes, including lentils. Since Iran is one of the centers of lentil diversity in the world, it is predicted that a great diversity will be found among the native populations of this plant.

In order to evaluate the efficiency of multivariate statistical methods in identifying the most important traits affecting grain yield and genetic pattern in lentil genotypes in Ilam province, an experiment as randomized complete block design with three replications using 18 lentil genotypes (two local cultivars) in Sarablah Agricultural Research Station per year was implemented in 2018-2019. Selected traits included the number of leaves of a plant, the number of seeds in a pod, the number of seeds of a plant, the number of flowers on a plant, the number of lateral shoot, flowering and maturity dates, the estimated weight of 100 seeds and final grain yield. 

Based on the variance analysis, all traits showed meaningful differences until the experiment day except the number of seeds in a pod and the number of pods of a plant. The genotype named 11 (Flip 2010-90L (and genotype named 15 (ILL 754* ILL) showed the highest and the lowest grain yield, respectively which were 1432.3 and 500 g.m-2. The estimated weight of 100 seeds (r= 0.314) and the number of pods showed the highest positive correlation with grain yield. The basic derivatives of the analysis showed the amount of more than one. The validation amount of total variance was 69.9%. Furthermore, the first and second agents showed the most amount of total variance, which was 3.39%. The six positive traits were the amount of seeds in a pod, the amount of seeds in an herb, the length of the plant, the estimated weight of hundred seeds and the functionality of the plant. In addition, the second positive agents included the number of seeds in a pod, the number of leaves in an herb, the length of the plant and the number of lateral shoots. This study was employed in order to determination of the excellent genotypes regarding the studied traits. Another aim of this research was the enhancement of the availability to the lentil sources. In this study, a wide variety of seed traits such as 100-seed weight and phenological traits such as flowering date, number of seeds per pod, number of leaves per plant and plant height which can be used in breeding programs were recorded. According to statistical analysis, it was found that the studied genotypes have good diversity in terms of grain yield. Number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, plant height are some of the traits that showed a positive relationship with seed yield. Since the first factor justifies the most changes, the traits that have the largest factor coefficients in this factor can be plant height, day to maturity and number of seeds per pod and can be selected to select the best genotypes and lines of these traits used. According to the results of the analysis of the main components, the first two components have the traits of day to maturity, plant height and number of seeds per pod, which can be considered as desirable traits in lentils; which is necessary to confirm the results of the repeat test.

The statistical analysis indicated the agreeable variance based on the seed functionality among the selected genotypes.

According to the importance of Pistachio atlantica, identifying the site of this species and examining the environmental conditions of its growing areas can be an effective assist in preventing the destruction of this national asset. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and micro nutrients diversity of 11 habitats in the eastern and central regions of the country. The research was performed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. For statistical analysis, clustre analysis, one-way analysis of variance and comparison of means was used by Duncan's multiple range test at 1% probability level. The results indicated there was a significant difference at the level of 1% between the tested samples. The results of cluster analysis of morphological characteristics of fruits illustrated that Bajestan, Nehbandan, Qasemabad, Bardaskan, Taybad, Shahrbabak, Ghaen and Sarbisheh habitates were in cluster 1, and Khaf, Zirkouh, and Zahedan cities were in cluster 2, and have similar characteristics. Khaf habitat is superior to other habitats in terms of diameter and weight of fruits and seeds. The habitats of Bajestan and Taybad had the highest amount of nitrogen, calcium and magnesium and the habitat of Shahr-e-Babak had the highest potassium and the habitat Zirkouh had the highest sodium. In general, the morphological characteristics and the amount of micro nutrients in climatic or micro-climatic conditions of such as precipitation, annual temperature, latitude and longitude and the length of the dry season are different.

Every year new cultivars of Chrysanthemums modified with a high economic value. In order to study the genetic variation of some chrysanthemum cultivars using morphological markers, 17 quantitative trait were evaluated 20 varieties of chrysanthemums accordance with standard methods. The results of the data analysis for morphological traits showed that studied cultivars in most traits were significant differences in the level of one percent. The average comparison showed that "Elika" cultivar had a highest plant high, "Ramtin" cultivar had a highest number of flowers and "Gol-Giss" cultivar had a highest flower head diameter. Principal component analysis showed five main factors that had Eigen values greater than one, could be 77/10% of the total variation. Cluster analysis to determine how far and near these were drawn that into two main groups were divided, the "Farid", "Nadia 2" and "bolur" and "Ramtin" highest genetic similarity in the first group and also the "Fariba 2" and " kimia 3" in the second group had the highest genetic similarity. The results of this study showed that the number of lateral branches, number of flowers and leaves during the length of the petiole highest diversity was observed. The results showed that cultivars diversity of these figures are very high and can be used in programs of breeding chrysanthemums in the future.

Sesame is one of the oldest and most important oilseeds in Iran and the world due to its nutritional value. In the present study, 25 sesame landraces collected from different regions of the country were evaluated in terms of phenological, morphological and physiological traits in Urmia climate. The ANOVA results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the landraces in terms of all traits at 1 % probability level. The results of descriptive statistics also confirmed this. Leaf index, number of branches per plant and number of capsules per plant had the highest phenotypic and genotypic diversity coefficient, while day to flowering and capsuling along with oil percentage had the lowest value for these coefficients. Seed yield as the most important trait had a moderate general heritability. The studied sesame landraces were divided into three groups by cluster analysis. The landraces in the first group were in good condition in terms of yield and yield components traits, and if the goal is to select high-yield genotypes, selection from this group will be more effective. In contrast, the third group, which included only one landrace, showed lower values in terms of yield and yield components and had longer-term phenological stages. In principal component analysis, the first component showed positive correlation with yield and yield components except of two hundred grains weight. The results of the present study can be used in sesame future breeding programs.

Medicinal crops production is well interested in Iran due to market demand in recent years. Silybum marianum L. is an annual or biennial plant, native to the Mediterranean region, which now could be found in other warm and dry regions. Silybium marianum is used traditionally as a hepatoprotective agent and supportive treatment of liver disorders. Its fruits contain flavonolignan compounds, silymarin, which silybin is the main constitute (Abdolahzareh et al., 2012). Management of planting date and integrated nutrition systems in medicinal plants have to be considered. Sowing date affects the crop yields through changing weather parameters in the growth period. In addition to planting date, fertilizers rate and type, has an influence on crop production. Today continuous and excessive application of chemical fertilizers may have negative impacts on soil health and environment causing environmental problems (Mohammadpour Vashvaei et al., 2017). Bio-fertilizers are considered as sustainable alternative sources of nutrients compared to the synthesized fertilizers. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of sowing date and fertilizing system (chemical, biological and integrated) on the morphological traits and yield of the milk thistle under Birjand, Iran conditions.

This research was carried out at the research farm of Birjand branch, Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran, in 2018. The experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Three sowing dates (March 6, April 4 and May 5) and 6 fertilizing systems (non-fertilizer as control, NPK, vermicompost, Akadin, 50% NPK + 50% vermicompost, 50% NPK + 50% Akadin) were as main plots and sub plots respectively. In the study the responses of some morphological traits and yield of Milk Thistle were evaluated. Soil texture in the site of study was loam. Soil pH and EC were 7.4 and 2.3 mmos/cm respectively. Nitrogen, P, and K content of the soil were 3.8, 11.6 and 75.2 mg/kg at the depth of 0-30 cm, respectively. All data were analyzed by SAS statistical software and means were compared by LSD Test at 5% level.

The first planting date (March 6) had the highest average morphological traits (plant height, capitol diameter and number of branches) and seed yield components (capitol number per m2, number of seed per capitol, 1000-seed weight, seed yield). On the other hands the treatments 50% NPK and 50% vermicompost fertilizers had statistical superiority for most of the studied traits. The highest (3327.7 kg/ha) and the lowest (318.4 kg/ha) seed yield were related to the treatments NPK+ vermicompost at the first planting date and treatment of non-fertilizer application at the third planting date, respectively. It seems that seed yield declining for the planting date of May 5, was related to the shortening of growth season and the coincidence of pollination with summer heating. This caused a severe decrease in the number of capitol per m2 and the number of seed per capitol. Normally, using organic fertilizers with chemical fertilizers improves physical aspects of the soil; increases microorganisms activity in the soil, nutrients availability, photosynthesis, yield components and eventually seed yield (Mohammadpour Vashvaei et al., 2017). Similar results also have been reported by Zarghani et al. (2019). Morphological traits quantity positively correlated to yield components and seed yield. Thus the highest value for these traits were observed for the first planting date under using NPK+ vermicompost. As a result, the superiority of seed yield of Silybum marianum in this treatment compared to other treatments, was to be expected. The results of regression analysis showed that traits capitol diameter, number of capitol per m2, number of seed per capitol and 1000-seed weight were entered into the regression model, which explained 84.57% of total seed yield changes.

In general, the planting date of March 6 was superior to the other two planting dates and this planting date could be suggested as a suitable date for the cultivation of Milk Thistle in Birjand region under using 50% NPK+ 50% vermicompost.

White mulberry (Morus alba) belongs to the Moraceae family. The aim of this study is to evaluate some important physicochemical characteristics and fruit color of white mulberry grown in West Azarbaijan province of Iran. White mulberry fruits collected from five regions (Urmia, KHoy, Mahabad, Miyandoab and Oshnaviyeh) in West Azarbaijan province, were transferred to the laboratory and some properties such as fruit weight, fruit and leaf length and width, fruit color parameters, fruit volume and pH were measured. The results showed that the highest percentage of variation was observed in Hue and a* traits, hence these traits had the highest diversity among the studied genotypes. The maximum and minimum fruit weight was observed in genotypes kh3 (4.24 g) and O3 (0.71 g), respectively. The fruit length had significant positive correlation with fruit thickness, volume and weight. The five main factors explained 83.86 % of the total variance. Based on the cluster analysis, genotypes were divided into five main groups. In general, the results showed that physical properties of the fruit could be helpful for evaluation and identification of variation in white mulberry germplasm. These results could be valuable and practical in breeding programs and also designing appropriate models and packaging methods for white mulberry fruits.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a winter crop and mostly self-pollinated with chromosome number 2n=2x=16 that it is known as an important source of vegetable protein in the world. It is found that 70% of the total world’s Chickpea production belong to the Asian region. India, Turkey, Pakistan, and Iran are the major countries in Asia that produce chickpea. Iran is important center of chickpea diversity but the productivity of chickpea in Iran is variable and low, which may be related to limiting climatic factors, water availability, genotype and little breeding work in Iranian chickpea cultivars. Presence of genetic diversity among genotypes indicate the genotypes are a valuable resource to increase product quality and productivity. Analysis of genetic diversity can provide practical information for selection of parental material in plant breeding programs and gene-bank management. The objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic variation among chickpea genotypes and to determine the relationships among agronomic traits with seed yield using analysis of variance, comparison of means, correlation coefficient, step-wise regression and path analysis.

The experiment was conducted in the city of Khorramabad 2014-2015, in latitude 33 degrees 36 minutes north and longitude 47 degrees and 40 minutes east of the Greenwich meridian is located. Its height from sea level is 1200 meters. Fifteen chickpea genotypes were supplied from Dry land Agricultural Research Institute, Iran and studied for various yield parameters under field conditions in a randomized complete block design with three replications. in present study 21 morphological characteristics such as plant height, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of total pod per plant, number of node per stem, number of one-seed pod, number of two-seed pod, number of empty pod per plant, pod weight (seed+shell), seed weight per plant, 100- seed weight, number of filled pod, seed yield, number of seed per pod, number of seed per plant, biological yield, straw yield, harvest index, total seed weight (seed+straw), dry weight of stem and productivity effort were evaluated.

The analysis of variance showed highly significant variations

To study the effects of vegetable oils on the performance of Imazethapyr (a herbicide with a relatively high amount of residue in the soil and environment) in barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli Beauv) control, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications was conducted in the Research Greenhouse of College of Agriculture, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran in 2016. The treatments consisted of Imazethapyr concentration at six levels (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 g ai ha-1) and adjuvant at 6 levels (with and without Coconut, Peanut, Turnip, Bitter almond and Castor oils). The results of this study revealed that the concentration of herbicide, the type of adjuvants and the interaction between concentration and adjuvants were significant on all measured traits including height, fresh and dry weight of the shoot and root, root volume and root length. Castor oil and coconut oil showed the highest and lowest potential in improving the efficacy of Imazethapyr. In the presence of vegetable oils, the ED50 values required for the traits of shoot and root fresh weight were decreased significantly compared to the dry weight of the shoot and root. Relative potency values showed that using any of the vegetable oils could reduce the amount of herbicide needed to control the E. crus-galli. Due to the lessened reduction in measured traits in the presence of vegetable oil treatments, using these additives has the potency to reduce the entry of Imazethapyr herbicide to the environment.

In order to evaluate the effects of pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.)on growth properties of cotton (gossypium hirsutum), this research was conducted in Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Tehran province in 2014. Field trial was based on randomized complete block design with 9 treatments (consisting of three Amaranthus retroflexus emergency times coincide with cotton cultivation, two-leaves and four-leaves of cotton and three plant densities including (3, 6 and 12 Amaranthus retroflexus per square meter) in three replications. The results showed that all cotton quantity properties consisting of plant height, number of sympodia and monopodia, height and lenght of the first sympodia, leaf area index, leaf and stem biomass, number and weight of boll, and cotton yield in all treatments reduced compared to control treatment (cotton cultivation). The difference among treatments was significant in all traits except quality traits at the level of 1% so that emergence of pigweed coincide with cotton emergence by density of 12 plant pigweed, Morphological traits and cotton yield decreased. Due to the significant reduction in cotton yield in the presence of weed compared to conrol treatment,consideration of Amaranthus retroflexus time weeding is mandatory. Considering that the highest cotton yield reduction was related to plant density of 12 pigweed and coinciding germination of pigweed with cotton cultivation time, it is necessary weed control of pigweed from the beginning growth season and timely weeding at sowing time before formation of boll

Nigella sativa L. (black cumin) belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, is one of the most important medicinal plants and wild and cultivated forms of this plant is used in Iran. Genetic diversity of 27 accessions of N .Sativa L. from different places of Iran was characterized by morphological characteristics and data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. ANOVA revealed high significant differences among the accessions based on all of the measured characteristics. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were high for most traits indicating high diversity of the studied traits. Correlation coefficients among traits showed that plant height had significantly positive correlation with all traits. Principal component analysis indicated that the first two principal components with eigenvalues more than 1 explained 83/35% of the variability among the accessions. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distance, divided the accessions into four major groups. Considering the grouping, there was no relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distance of the accessions. The results suggested that there is a considerable genetic variation among N. sativa L. accessions.

In order to identification and morphological evaluation of some bulbous plants of Zanjan province, four plant species with local names 'of Matar', 'Comran', 'Musir' and 'Iphlikcheh' was studied in three regions of Zanjan, Tarom and Dandy. The morphological results based on the flora of Iranica, Turkey, colored flora of Iranand a taxonomic review of Allium Subg. Melanocrommyum in Iran indicated that 'Matar', 'Comran' and 'Sallot' with scientific names of Allium ubipetrence, Allium atroviolaceum Boiss and Allium jesdianum Boiss, respectively belong to Alliaceae family and 'Iphlikcheh' with scientiific name of Leopoldia comosa belong to Asparagaceae family. The microscopic studies on seed showed that the seeds shape of all species investigated were ovate to broadly ovate but the seed coat pattern was variable. The seed shape of L. comosa was morphologically quite different from the seed shape of other plants.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an only oilseed crop which, is native to Iran where, is known as its diversity center. The genetic variation study provides valuable information about maintenance and their usage of germplasm for breeders to increase efficiency of breeding programs. In the current study, sixty-four genotypes were assessed for 20 agronomic nag morphological traits for genetic variation evaluation of in safflower. The number of wizened seeds per lateral capitulum trait had the greatest CV (coefficient of variation) while the diameter of lateral capitulum trait indicated the lowest CV. Also, some traits including seed weight of lateral capitulum, number of lateral branches, number of capitula per lateral branches, diameter of main capitulum, yield of single plant, thousand seed weight and seed yield showed relatively high CV amounts. Results of cluster analysis through morphological traits and based on Euclidean distance and Ward method showed that there were five different clusters. The genotypes of the third cluster had high values in some important traits such as thousand seed weight, seed yield and oil content while the genotypes of the other clusters were high in number of capitulum and harvest index traits. Cluster analysis according to agronomic and morphological traits could not separate safflower genotypes based on their geographical origins whereas Iranian genotypes were located in different clusters which shows Iranian genotypes had high genetic variation. Therefore, regarding this mismatch of genetic variation and geographical origin, it is better to select safflower genotypes for breeding programs using genetic variation. Also, local Iranian landraces can be used as a rich genetic source for safflower for breeding programs.

High amound of unsaturated fatty acids in kernel, has made walnut as a strategic crop with high nutritional and medicial values in human nutrition. In the present study, carried out during years 2012 to 2015, morphological (in all years) and biochemical (in two years 2014 and 2015) characteristics of nine walnut genotypes which were selected as superior genotypes in former studied in Fars province, were investigated. Based on the results of morphological evaluations, these genotypes had high nut (13.20-19.36g) and kernel (7.13-9.52g) weight, kernel percentage (56.89-57.92%), lateral breeding (45.62-64.80%) and kernel color (light and extra light). Protein, oil and total phenol contents of kernel of the genotypes ranged from 12.58 to 19.13%, 54.83 to 70.72% and 43.26-56.63 mg GAE.g-1 DW extract, respectively. Palmitic (6.00-7.65%), stearic (1.72-3.41%), oleic (19.28-30.96%), linoleic (47.37-59.05) and linolenic (9.89-16.99%) acids were the predominant fatty acids in the walnut genotypes. Very small amount of arachidonic and erucic acids was also detected in some of the genotypes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were significantly higher than monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Accordingly, the highest amounts of PUFA and MUFA were observed in genotypes FaEqNs5 and FaEqHm1, respectively, and genotype FaEqDm1 had the highest amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the lowest level of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA).

Edible seed watermelon is a cash crop in rain-fed condition in Khorasan provinces, with little research paid to it yet. In this study, genetic variation was evaluated among five candidate genotypes of edible seed watermelon, along with one commercial cultivar (Crimson Sweet) using 10 microsatellite primers (SSR) as well as morphological studies. 14 morphological traits were evaluated and analyzed during 45 days of early plant growth. Principal Components Analysis on morphological data could separate the genotypes into three distinct groups, including C1 and C14 genotypes in one group, C8 and SW in the next and C2 and C5 in the third one. For molecular analysis, genomic DNA was extracted and amplified further by the primers, followed by electrophoresis of the products. A total of 76 clear alleles were produced, of which 42 were polymorphic alleles. Average number of polymorphic alleles per locus was 6, ranging from 2 to 8. Polymorphic information content (PIC) varied within 0.46 to 0.85. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) algorithm classified the genotypes into three main clusters. C2 and C5 genotypes placed separately in different cluster that represents high genetic distance from the other genotypes. In this dendrogram, a very close genetic relationship was found between C8 and C14 genotypes. The scatter plot of genotypes based on Jaccard's correlation coefficient and Cophenetic correlation also confirmed a significant genetic difference between both C2 and C5 genotypes compared with other genotypes. The data from this experiment suggested a considerable diversity in terms of morphological and molecular aspects among the genotypes, which is very crucial for selection and breeding purposes in this crop.