Breeders often use generation means analysis to obtain information about inheritance, gene action, and to determine effective breeding methods to improve important agronomic traits, especially under drought stress conditions. To investigate the genetic parameters of agronomic and morphological traits in durum wheat, a field experiment was carried out using F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations obtained from crossing of Shotordandan variety and Dena cultivar under non-stress and terminal drought stress conditions. The experiment was carried out using randomized complete block design with three replications in research field of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, Iran in 2016-17 cropping season. To apply terminal drought stress, from anthesis stage, the irrigation of the plots was ceased until physiological maturity. The results of weighted analysis of variance of generations revealed that there was significant differences between the generations for all measured traits except number of grain.spike-1 under non-stress conditions and number of tillers and grain weight.plant-1 in drought stress conditions. The results of generations mean analysis for spike length under non-stress conditions and plant height and spike length under stress conditions showed that the three-parameters model had the best fit. However, for other measured traits, significant chi square test (χ2) indicated the presence of non-allelic interactions in the inheritance. Additive and dominance effect played roles in controlling most of the studied traits, but the effect of dominance component was greater than the additive component. Broad and narrow sense heritability of traits under non-stress conditions varied from 11-84% and from 1-75%, respectively, and under stress conditions from 24-70% and from 1-40%, respectively. Considering the greater role of genes with non-additive effect in controlling most of traits, except plant height, spike length and 1000-grain weight, selection in durum wheat advanced breeding generations, when breeding lines are fixed and relative purity achived, is suggested.

Pests and their controlling pesticides are among the most serious threats to the health of agricultural products. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of genotype and the possibility of replacing chemical pesticides controlling fruit borer by some compounds of natural origin for plant traits improvement and damage reduction of tomato fruit borer. Factorial experiment was done in the template of randomized complete block design with three repetitions.

Factors include 9 levels of pest control compounds and 5 varieties. Compounds involves Salicylic acid (5 and 15 mM), Jasmonic acid (50 and 100 μM), Abamactin (750 and 1500 mg/L), chlorpyrifos (1250 and 2500 mg/L) and control. Measured traits involve morphological traits (fruit yield, fruit weigh, numbers of fruit per cluster, plant height, chlorophyll index), phonological traits (days to flowering and days to physiological maturation), phytochemical traits (TA, TSS, and Vitamin C) and relative properties to evaluating resistance to fruit borer (the percentage of leaf and fruit damage).

Results of analysis of variance and mean comparison test present significant variation between varieties. The maximum fruit yield per plant was related to PA-136 variety with applications of two-levels of Chloropyrus and Jasonic acid, PA-162 variety with application of first level of Abamactin, second level of Salicylic acid and PA-135 and PA-688 varieties with the second level of Chloropyrus. Reducing pest damage on leaf and fruit in applying Salicylic acid, Jasonic acid is suitable and evaluated the same level of chemical control use. The highest significant positive correlation with yield related to single fruit weight (r=0.48**) and the highest significant negative correlation was related to days to flowering (r= -0.52**).

In stepwise regression analysis of single plant yield as a dependent variable, three traits including days to flowering, single fruit weight, and a percentage of pest damage on leaf as an most important traits introduced in the model that totally explained 49% of variation. Path analysis results indicated that the highest positive direct effect(0.42) was related to single fruit weight, and the highest indirect effects(-0.047) was also related to this trait via days to flowering. Four first components were chosen in principal component analysis which verifying totally 62.5% of phenotypes variation. The results can be used in the design of breeding programs for plant trait improvement and integrated pest management of tomato fruit borer.

In recent years, silicon (Si) fertilizer has attracted attention of farmers and researchers as a potential mitigator for adverse effect of drought stress, offering means to enhance the resilience and functional traits of agricultural crops. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of Si application in alleviating water deficiency, though most have utilized foliar spraying methods. Soil application (fertilization) may serve as a suitable alternative for utilizing this beneficial element (Mostofa et al., 2021). This study aimed to determine the beneficial role of silicon as a plant biostimulant through fertilization, reducing water stress effect and improving the biochemical and physiological characteristicsas well as yield of quinoa.

To investigate the physiological, biochemical, and yield responses of quinoa to silicon fertilization under drought stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing season at the Gandoman research farm of Payame Noor University, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. The experiment was carried out as split-plot arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included irrigation at four levels in the main plots (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% field capacity; defined as severe, moderate, mild and full irrigation, respectively) and silicon fertilizer at four levels (0, 1, 2, and 3 l.ha-1) in the sub-plots. Analysis of variance was performed using SAS software and the means were compared using LSD test at the 5% probability level. Graphs were made using Excel software.

The results indicated that reducing irrigation levels led to a decrease in photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activities, and seed yield, while the application of silicon fertilizer mitigated the negative effects of the drought stress. Under the 40% field capacity irrigation level, the chla, chlb, carotenoids and total chlorophyll content in the treatment with 3 l.ha-1 of silicon were higher by 103%, 52%, 117%, and 99%, respectively, compared to the control (without silicon). Additionally, the activity levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase enzymes in the 3 l.ha-1 of silicon level were higher by 264%, 65%, and 176%, respectively, than in the control under the 40% field capacity irrigation condition. Moreover, in the 40% field capacity irrigation level, compared to the 100% field capacity level, the increase in relative water content of leaves, seed yield, and biomass in the treatment with 3 l.ha-1 of silicon was higher by 51%, 40%, and 9%, respectively, than the control without silicon application. Based on the results, the treatment with 40% field capacity and 3 l.ha-1 of silicon (equivalent to 1250 kg.ha-1) prevented more effectively the reduction in seed yield. Under the 40% field capacity treatment (severe drought stress), the highest proline content (1.56 µmol.g-1 FW) and soluble carbohydrate content (20.7 mg.g-1 FW) were observed with the application of 3 l.ha-1 of silicon.

Overall, the results of this experiment demonstrated that drought stress led to reductions in photosynthetic pigments (chla, chlb, and carotenoids by 29%, 79%, and 38%, respectively, compared to the control), relative leaf water content (by 11% compared to the control), seed yield (by 49% compared to the control), and biomass (by 68% compared to the control). Under drought conditions, antioxidant enzyme activity, proline, and soluble carbohydrate content increased. Moreover, silicon fertilization mitigated the negative effects of drought stress. In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that although drought stress led to reduction in physiological traits and seed yield, however, the application of silicon fertilizer significantly lessened the negative effects of drought stress.

In order to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and canola residuals on yield and improve the physical and chemical properties of soil in wheat-canola rotation, a split block experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications for four years (2010-2014) at Chahartakhte Agricultural Research Station in Shahrekord. The treatments consisted of three rates of N (N1:0, N2:25, N3:50 kg N.ha-1) in the main plots and four rates of canola residues (M1: complete removal of plant residues from plots, M2: Turning and removal of residues with plow, M3: incorporating residues with surface soil by means of discs and M4: first incorporating residues with disks and then turning into the soil with plow) in the subplots. The analysis of variance results revealed that the effect of year was significant on biological and seed yield and weight of 1000 seeds. The maximum of these parameters was obtained in the second year. The effect of N was significant on biological and seed yields, protein percentage, leaf N, and weight of 1000 seeds. The maxima of these parameters were, respectively, 10061 and 3975 kg ha-1, 19%, 2.9%, and 38.7 gr and were obtained in N2 treatment. Different managements of residue showed a significant effect on biological and seed yield, harvest index, soil organic carbon, and weight of 1000 seeds. The maximum values of these parameters were, respectively, 10441 and 4186 kg ha-1, 4.36%, 0.77%, and 38.7 gr and obtained in M2. The interaction effect of N and residues was significant on seed yield and weight of 1000 seeds. The maximum of the studied parameters was obtained in the N2M2 treatment. Considering the experimental results, the N2M2 treatment was suggested for wheat in Shahrekord region and regions with the same soil and climate condition.

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia sp.) is a day-neutral plant of Araceae family that is native to South and Central Africa. The number and quality of this flower can be influenced by plant growth regulators such as gibberellic acid. For this purpose, research was conducted to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) (0, 500, and 600 mg/L) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of two varieties of Calla lily. This experiment was conducted as a factorial in randomized complete blocks design in three replications in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The results demonstrated that the application of gibberellic acid (especially at a concentration of 600 mg/L), significantly increased leaf fresh and dry weight, flower fresh and dry weight, leaf area, number of buds, spath length, vase life, amount of chlorophyll and carotenoid of leaf and spath, carbohydrate and starch in both Z. aethiopica and Z. rehmanii species. This increase was more in aethiopica than rehmanii species and reached the highest level in most characteristics such as leaf dry weight, fresh weight of flowers, number of buds, cut flowers length, vase life, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids, and spot chlorophyll. In general, the results showed that the use of GA3 can improve Calla Lily's quantitative and qualitative characteristics.

To study the effect of potassium, zinc and boron foliar application on physiological traits and yield of two bread wheat cultivars under optimum and late planting dates, An experiment was conducted as split-split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with 20 treatments and 3 replications in Ramhormoz city in farming year 2015-16. The experimental factors were included planting date in two levels: optimum (November 21) and late (January 5) as the main factor, nutrients foliar application in five levels: (water as a control, potassium, zinc, boron and combination potassium zinc boron (each 3 lit.h-1)) as the sub factor and two cultivars of bread wheat Pishtaz and Chamran 2 as the sub-sub factor. Solutions for foliar application were prepared by using potassium (21%), zinc-chelate (7.5%) and boron (5%). Traits measured were included leaf chlorophyll content, flag leaf relative water content, cell membrane stability, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and leaf proline content. The results showed that with delay in planting all above traits except leaf proline content decreased significantly due to terminal heat stress. However, the delay in planting was increased canopy temperature. Potassium, zinc and boron foliar application separately and in combination reduced harmful effects caused by the delay in planting on the traits leaf chlorophyll content, flag leaf relative water content, cell membrane stability index, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), leaf proline content and grain yield in both wheat cultivars. As well as, foliar application these nutrients reduced canopy temperature of wheat cultivars under both optimum and late planting dates. Despite the lack of significant differences in Pishtaz and Chamran 2 wheat cultivars in canopy temperature, cell membrane stability index, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), leaf proline content and grain yield, these cultivars showed a more appropriate response to the zinc separate application and potassium zinc boron combined application in both optimum and late planting dates, respectively. Chamran 2 cultivar under water foliar application conditions (control) indicated more yield than the Pishtaz cultivar in both planting dates. Measured physiological traits Pishtaz and Chamran 2 wheat cultivars showed improvement as a result of potassium, zinc and boron application in both planting dates. In general can be used from potassium, zinc and boron foliar application and their combined application as appropriate management strategy to reduce canopy temperature, improve physiological traits and reduce the negative effects of delay in planting date on bread wheat in Ramhormoz city.

Understanding the relationship between white sugar yield and other traits in sugar beet may be a crucial step towards successful breeding of this important crop. Path analysis provides a useful method in analzing coefficients of correlations and this method is able to effectively unveil direct and indirect effects among traits of interest. This study was conducted to characterize white sugar yield and its related plant traits. Correlation and path analysis were carried out in sugar beet genotypes grown under irrigated regimes. Therefore، an experiment was conducted in 2002 using a split-plot design in randomized complete block with three replications at the Research Farm of Agricultural Research Center in Zarghan، Fars، Iran. The main plots consisted of three irrigated regimes: non stress، mild stress (75% irrigated) and severe stress (50% irrigated)، and the ten genotypes as the sub plots. Data were analyzed using mini-tab، SAS and Excel soft ware. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all characters studied in this experiment. Results indicated that in both mild and non stress conditions، sodium، sugar content، purity and canopy temperature and thereby osmotic and turger potential had high correlations with white sugar yield، while in severe stress condition، none of these traits was correlated with white sugar yield. In none stress condition، sodium، sugar content، purity and canopy temperature showed a considerable direct effect on white sugar yield. In mild stress condition، in addition to these traits، osmotic and turger potential showed to have high direct effects. In severe stress condition، except for α-amino-N and canopy temperature traits، other traits had considerable direct effects.

One of the most important environmental challenges in the Middle East and Iran is the phenomenon of dust Coexistence between plants and mycorrhizal fungi can have positive results on vegetation establishment.The aim of this study was to improve plant development in reducing wind erosion. after sampling of rhizosphere soil of Rhizosphere, Haloxylon, Tamarix and Nitraria seedlings in two levels of inoculation with and without mycorrhizal fungi, three levels without water stress, moderate water stress and severe water stress and three standard soil types, Soil No. 1, EC=0.5 and soil No. 2, EC=6 were conducted as a greenhouse in a factorial design.wind tunnel tests, morphological characterization of plants and mycorrhiza colonization experiments on the roots of plants were studied. Mycorrhiza inoculation significantly increased shoot and root fresh and dry weight, root area, root volume, shoot and root length, and decreased soil loss. The results of comparing the mean of Haloxylon (increase of 18 to 40, decrease of 10%) and Tamarix (increase of 1to3% and increase of 1to3%) and Nitraria (increase of 1 to3% and decrease of 1%) indicate the effect of fungus Mycorrhiza has been based on the vegetative traits of the plant and the amount of soil wasted. e interaction of plant species and water stress in Haloxylon plant also had a reduction of about 35% in vegetative traits relative to normal water stress and 15% relative to moderate water stress .Regarding the interaction of plant species and water stress Tamarix, there was a decrease of about 18 to 35% in vegetative traits compared to normal water stress and 9 to 20% relative to water stress. Due to the interaction of plant species and water stress, Nitraria plant also had a reduction of about 25% in vegetative traits relative to normal water stress and 38% relative to moderate water stress.