Introduction Agricultural research is important and one of the determinant factors of development of technologies in agricultural sector. Among agricultural research disciplines, breeding programs, especially, wheat breeding programs are one of the applied approaches in improving of production and food security. Based on a study by Byerlee & Traxler (1995), economic benefits and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for Impact of International Wheat Improvement (for all breeding programs) were estimated US$3.0 billion per year with internal rate of 53%, and economic benefits for Impact of International Wheat Improvement (Attributed to IWIN) was estimated US$1.5 billion per year during 1966-90.
Materials and methods The main objectives of this research were to determine shift of supply function of variety and impacts of breeding wheat varieties on reduction costs, and determination of economic return of released irrigated bread wheat in breeding program for the period of 1991-2000. Wheat varieties included; 23 varieties of released irrigated bread wheat by wheat breeding program of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) and Provincial Agricultural Research Centers. Ex-ante and Ex-post methods were used in this study. Measuring criteria for these methods were; quantity of shift in supply function, cost-benefit analysis and internal rate of return of varieties. For estimation of reduction costs and shift of supply function of varieties in breeding program were calculated following Brennan et al. (2002): Where: Cvb: Cost reduction due to breeding program, TCh: Cost production per ha, Yv (without): yield of check variety in breeding plots, Yv (with): yield of new variety in breeding plots, PSS: % supply shift in breeding program and Pw: price of wheat grain per kg For assessing economic criteria, Net Present Value (NPV), Cost-Benefit Analysis and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were used: Following Brennan et al (2002), gross benefit of irrigated bread wheat research in different regions (B), annual shift of genetic improvement of variety due to breeding program (kt) and Fixed and Variable costs due to research and extension of irrigated wheat breeding in experiment years (TVC) were estimated as follow: Where: Pt: Price of wheat grain in year t, Qt: Quantity of wheat grain production in year t, Vit: Proportion of area of varieties in year t, gi: Genetic improvement for varieties i, S: Number of full time breeders and technicians involved in irrigated wheat breeding program, Cs: The costs of breeders and technicians in year t and Cvt: Fixed and variable costs of research and extension activities in year t For economic analyses of genetic improvement of a variety, profitability indexes including Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit- Cost Ratio and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were calculated following Brennan et al. (2002): Where: PVB: Present value of benefits, PVC: Present value of Costs, r: Discount rate and n: period
Results and discussion According to the results of this study, the mean reduction of costs for released irrigated bread wheat varieties during 2001- 2010 was estimated as 109.8 rials. The mean of shift in supply function for released irrigated bread wheat varieties during these years was estimated as %5.31. The mean of Net present value (NPV) for released irrigated bread wheat varieties in study periods was estimated 4463.5 billion Iranian Rials. Based on results, breeding program of irrigated bread wheat was economic.
Conclusion In general, released irrigated bread wheat varieties with national and international origins in irrigated wheat breeding program of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Iran, was economically profitable. New Released irrigated bread wheat varieties have had considerable impacts on cost reduction and increasing of farmers income.
Acknowlegemnets Authors would like to extend their sincere acknowledgements to the University of Sistan and Baluchestan and Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) for their technical and scientific supports.

The aim of this experiment was to determine metabolizable energy of five wheat varieties (Alvand, Zarrin, Sabalan, Sardari and Azar2) with or without enzyme supplementation (multi enzyme carbohydrase Kemin). Chemical composition and nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy of wheat varieties was determined by standard and complete diet (wheat-soybean meal) method respectively. Ten diets containing 62% of experimental wheat varieties and enzyme (0 or 0.2 gr/Kg of diet) were used. Sixty 21-day old male broiler chicks, with average initial body weight 751±3.32 g were used in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement. The AMEn values of wheat experimental varieties did not have significant difference. The AMEn content of wheat varieties ranged from 3120.25 to 3191.29 Kcal/kg, and the highest and lowest AMEn content were related to Zarrin and Sabalan varieties, respectively. The average AMEn content of wheat varieties was 3150.07± 22.37 Kcal/kg. Enzyme supplementation increased the AMEn content of wheat grain up to 11.45% (P<0.01). No interaction was found between wheat varieties and enzyme addition on AMEn content. The equation of AMEn = 4827.03-986.52 Ash+144.15 EE (R2= 0.99) showed the best fit as the predictor of AMEn content of wheat from chemical composition. This experiment demonstrated that kemin a non – starch polysacide degrading enzyme can improve the metabolizable energy content of wheat grain.

This paper investigates the effects of wheat production risk and other socio-economic factors on the probability of adopting new seed technologies. Also, the effects of production inputs and production conditions are examined on wheat production yield and risk. Moreover, the relative risk of new seed varieties will be examined under different scenarios. To carry out the study, farm-level data was collected from a sample of 187 wheat farms located in Fars province, and selected by multi stage random sampling method during the years 2001 and 2002. A generalized stochastic production function by a three-stage estimation procedure was used to determine the influential factors on the production yield and risk. The results showed that yield uncertainty could not be sufficiently explained by the level of input use in the cultivation of both wheat varieties. The comparison of two wheat varieties cultivation indicated that in the absence of suitable production conditions, on the average, the cultivation of new wheat varieties ensures greater yield than traditional wheat varieties, but involves greater risk, as measured by yield variance. Accordingly, the farmers’ risk aversion attitude could be a major factor inhibiting speedy diffusion of new wheat varieties, which besides having greater average yield than traditional wheat varieties, it has less production risk. The results indicated that the risk associated with seed has negative effect on the adoption of new seed technologies.

The aim of this experiment was to determine non-starch polysaccharides and true metabolizable energy of five wheat varieties (Alvand، Zarrin، Sabalan، Sardari and Azar2). Non-starch polysaccharides of wheat varieties were measured with Englyst method by spectrophotometer. Nitrogen corrected true metabolizable energy of five wheat varieties was also determined with Sibbald precision feeding method. A completely randomized design with 24 roosters (Ross 308) at the age of 5 month was used in this experiment. The result of NSP content showed the total NSP، Insoluble NSP and soluble NSP varied of 9. 44 to 11. 96 %، 7. 10 to 9. 40 % and 1. 95 to 3. 15 % DM، respectively. The highest total NSP value (11. 96%) and Insoluble NSP value (9. 40%) were found in Aza2 variety، and the highest Soluble NSP value (3. 15%) was found in Alvand one. The lowest total NSP (9. 44%) and soluble NSP (1. 95%) values were resulted of Sabalan variety، and the lowest Insoluble NSP (6. 94%) was resulted of Zarrin variety. The TMEn content of wheat varieties varied from 3562. 32 Kcal/kg (Sabalan variety) to 3741. 64 Kcal/kg (Zarrin variety)، and TMEn content showed significantly differences as wheat varieties (P<0. 01). This experiment demonstrated that the metabolizable energy content of East Azerbaijan wheat varieties have a high variation and relative to method of cultivation.

Cadmium as a heavy metal plays an important role in environmental pollution and making toxicity and stress in living organisms. In order to evaluate the effect of cadmium on the growth of wheat، five durum and bread wheat varieties were studied under five different cadmium doses in hydroponic media. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of cadmium was significant for all the measured parameters except the biomass and root length tolerance index. Cadmium accumulation in shoots and roots of the wheat varieties was increased by exposure to cadmium. The varieties of durum wheat had more accumulation than bread wheat varieties. Cadmium caused to decrease in the total dry weight (biomass)، shoots and roots of wheat seedlings. The rate of total dry matter production and shoots were more sensitive to the presence of cadmium than roots. The physiological parameters including stomatal conductivity، chlorophyll content and Fv/Fm had decline trend along to increasing cadmium. Overall، the results of this study suggested that the all growth and development processes of wheat were influenced by cadmium; also there was considerable difference among wheat genotypes at inter- and intra-specific level.

Introduction Wheat breeders have been constantly working to develop new varieties with improved productivity and yield and resistance to pests and diseases. These varieties are being released frequently and are replaced existing ones over and released on basis of their performance under open conditions. Intercropping has been widely applied to reduce soil erosion and water loss, restoring ecological balance, improving radiation and nutrient use efficiency, raising land equivalent rate and increasing economic benefits. The objective of the present work was to determine the effect of row intercropping of old and newwheat cultivars and canola as additive series on the yield, yield components, radiation use efficiency and land equivalent ratio under climatic conditions of Mashhad. Materials and Methods This experiment was conducted as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Ftation of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during two growing season of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. The first and the second factors were wheat varieties (the old: Roshan and Tabasi and the new: Parsi and Sirvan) and intercropping ratios of wheat and canola in additive series (0:100, 25:100, 50:100, 75:100, 100:100 and 100:0), respectively. Investigated traits were seed, biological and straw yield of wheat and number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 1000-seed weight, seed, biological and straw yield of canola, radiation use efficiency based on seed yield and total dry matter land equivalent ratio. For analysis of variance SAS 9.1 was used. All the means were compared according to least significant test (p≤0.05) Results and discussion Results showed that the highest wheat yield and yield components, except for 1000-seed weight, were obtained for under monoculture and by increasing the proportion of canola to 75%, significant decrease was observed in seed yield and biological yield of wheat. There was a significant increase in seed yield of new wheat varieties compared to Tabasi as an old variety while the biological yield was not affected by the variety. As compared to other wheat variety, in the presence of the new variety Sirvan, seed and biological yield and radiation use efficiency of canola were significantly increased. However, between different wheat varieties there was no significant difference in radiation use efficiency. The maximum land equivalent ratio (1.41) was calculated with 25% canola+100% wheat. Conclusion Results revealed that yield of wheat and canola were significantly affected by intercropping ratio and wheat varieties in which yield of both crops due to competition was reduced. However due to different criteria of these species associated with better use of water, radiation and nutrient resources when they are intercropped, land use efficiency was increased. New varieties of wheat seems to preform better when intercropped with canola. However, there was no significant differences in radiation use efficiency and land equivalent ratio between the old and the new wheat varieties. Acknowledgement This research (32693) was funded by Vice Chancellor for Research of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, which is hereby acknowledged.

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Karaj city in 2006 to investigate the effect of different doses and application timeing of metribuzin on grain yield of different wheat varieties. The experiment was arranged at factorial in randomized complete blocks design with four replications. The factors investigated were three wheat varieties: Shiraz, Pishtaz and M-79-6 line; 4 metribuzin doses: 1.0, 0.75, 0.5 and 0.0 kg ha-1 and herbicide application times: preemergence and postemergence at three to four- leaf stage of wheat. The results indicated that wheat seed yield and yield components were significantly affected by doses and application timing. The highest wheat yield for all varieties was observed in postemergence metribuzin at 0.5 and 0.75 kg.ha-1. Mean while, postemergence application of metribuzin was better than preemergence. Final deduction from the experiment is that postemergence use of metribuzin at 0.5 kg.ha-1 can be recommended in the above-mentioned wheat varieties.

This research conducted to investigate on effects of foliar spraying and soil split application of nitrogen on differences of dryland bread wheat varieties and genotype for nitrogen uptake, grain and straw yield. In order to do this study, experiment was conducted with factorial arrangement completely randomized block design with factor A: total, split and foliar spray applications and factor B: wheat varieties Azar2, Sardari and, Turkey 3702 genotype with three replications for three years from 2007 to 2010 in Maragheh. The results indicated that effects of urea foliar spraying, split and total nitrogen fertilizer application methods were significantly different for grain and straw yields, nitrogen uptake grain and straw of wheat varieties and genotype. Urea spraying and split method of nitrogen had highest grain and straw yields and nitrogen uptake. In addition, main effects of wheat varieties and genotype were found significantly different. Azar2 and Turkey 3702 genotype at same level increased grain yield compared to Sardari variety. Turkey 3702, Azar2 and Sardari at different methods of nitrogen application were significantly different for nitrogen content of grain. Turkey 3702 compared to other wheat varieties had heights grain nitrogen content at nitrogen split application. It can be concluded that spray and split applications of nitrogen compared to total nitrogen application can increase nitrogen content of grain and grain and straw yields. In addition, wheat genotype and varieties at nitrogen application methods can increase differently nitrogen uptake, grain and straw yields.

This research conducted to investigate on effects of foliar spraying and soil split application of nitrogen on differences of dryland bread wheat varieties and genotype for nitrogen uptake, grain and straw yield. In order to do this study, experiment was conducted with factorial arrangement completely randomized block design with factor A: total, split and foliar spray applications and factor B: wheat varieties Azar2, Sardari and, Turkey 3702 genotype with three replications for three years from 2007 to 2010 in Maragheh. The results indicated that effects of urea foliar spraying, split and total nitrogen fertilizer application methods were significantly different for grain and straw yields, nitrogen uptake grain and straw of wheat varieties and genotype. Urea spraying and split method of nitrogen had highest grain and straw yields and nitrogen uptake. In addition, main effects of wheat varieties and genotype were found significantly different. Azar2 and Turkey 3702 genotype at same level increased grain yield compared to Sardari variety. Turkey 3702, Azar2 and Sardari at different methods of nitrogen application were significantly different for nitrogen content of grain. Turkey 3702 compared to other wheat varieties had heights grain nitrogen content at nitrogen split application. It can be concluded that spray and split applications of nitrogen compared to total nitrogen application can increase nitrogen content of grain and grain and straw yields. In addition, wheat genotype and varieties at nitrogen application methods can increase differently nitrogen uptake, grain and straw yields.

Increasing biodiversity in wheat producing systems is a key element for improving sustainable wheat production. In order to find out the best combination of two common used wheat varieties, an experiment was conducted at Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. The two wheat varieties (Falat and Orom) were sown based on a Randomized Completed Block Design with 12 treatments and three replicates. The treatments included in different row cropping patterns of Falat and Orom (100-0, 75-25, 50-50, 25-75, 0-100, 25-175, 175-25, 50-50, 150-50, 75-125, 125-75 and 100-100). Results of first year experiment showed that the highest grain and biological yield were obtained in sole cropping systems, although there were no significant differences between other cropping systems. The highest grain yield (3136 kg ha-1) was obtained in cropping with the ratio of 75:25 Falat vs. Orom treatment which was 29 and 12.5 percentages more than their sole cropping. Our results revealed that row cropping of different wheat varieties can produce promised grain yield in two years.