پژوهشنامه اصلاح گیاهان زراعی
پیاپی 35 (پاییز 1399)

Nineteen durum wheat lines selected from preliminary yield trial along with Dehdasht as a control cultivar, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications at five regions in Iran including Gachsaran, Gonbad, Khoramabad, Moghan and Ilam during three cropping seasons of 2012-2015. Combined analysis of variance indicated significant effects of year, location, genotype and year × location, year × genptype and year × location × genotype interactions on durum wheat grain yield. Screet test indicated the first foure principal components had high contribution of geenotype × environmentinteractions (GEI), so that the PC1 and PC2 was explained 22.0% and 18.71% of GEI variation. Mosaic plot revealed that 11.54% of total variation is illustrated by genotype and 88.46% by GEI effects. Heatmap plot was also indicated G16, G19 and G20 had high grain yield in many of environments. The polygon view of biplot indicated G8, G7, G20 and G13 were as stable genotypes to the tested environments according to the closest distance to biplot origin, while  G18, G15 and G11 was not adaptable to any of environments. The simultaneous studying of the effects of genotype (G) and genotype-environment interactions (G×E) by average tester coordinate (ATC) view of biplot illustrated that G2, G7, G1 and G20, in addition to high grain yield, are also more stable to the tested environments than the other genotypes, and can be proposed as stable genotypes. G1 and G2 are placed close to the ideal genotype, are most desirable than the other genotypes. The vector view of GGE biplot indicated discriminating and representative environments (E5 and E3) are good environments for selecting generally adapted genotypes. Consequently, G7, G8, G20 and G13 with strong stability and high grain yield can be used in selection/ recommendation process of cultivar.

The quality of sugar beet is a combination of all the physical and chemical states of the sugar beet root that affects the process of production or the product of sugar or other products. On the other hand, dehydration and high temperatures during the growth period increase the impurities of sugar beet root, especially nitrogenous compounds, and ultimately cause a change in the quality of sugar beet. To investigate the changes in the quality characteristics of sugar beet, full-sib families from breeding programs were investigated in two separate dry and normal tests in 2017 on the Motahari research station in Karaj. The results showed that drought stress significantly decreased root yield, sugar yield, pure sugar yield, potassium content, nitrogen content, and molasses sugar content, and increased sodium content and purity of syrup. Full sibs were significantly different for nitrogen traits and alkalinity coefficients. Despite the lack of significant differences between genotypes in terms of root and sugar yield, the highest root yield was related to full sibs 5 and 6, and the lowest yield was related to full-sib 15 and controls 20, 23, 21, and 19. In finally full sibs 5, 1 and 6 had the highest and full sibs 2, 15, 9, 2 and control 23 had the lowest sugar yield.

To evaluate genetic diversity of 11 maize genotypes, an experiment based on complete randomized block design with three replications at the Moghan Agriculture Research Station during 2019 growing season. Analysis of variance showed that the significant differences among maize hybrids for ear yield, chlorophyll index, chlorophyll a, maximum fluorescence (Fm), variable fluorescence (Fv) and maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), but there were not significant differences among maize hybrids for leaf temperature, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid and minimum fluorescence (Fo). KLM77021/4-1-2-1-2-4-1× K47/3 hybrid with high ear yield and photosynthetic system introduced the best hybrid to comparing with other hybrids. The range of heritability was from 14% for chlorophyll b to 87 % for variable fluorescence (Fv). Correlation between ear yield, leaf temperature, chlorophyll index, pigment contents and chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that ear yield was correlated with chlorophyll pigment (p< 0.05), and maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) was correlated with chlorophyll a (p< 0.05). The cluster analysis based Ward method, with ear yield and photosynthetic system, was classified maize genotypes in two different groups. It can be concluded that chlorophyll fluorescence can be used for selecting genotype with high yield.

In order to study of 49 wheat advanced lines, a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted on the Agricultural Research Center farm located in Gharakheil, Ghaemshahr city. In this study traits such as tiller number, plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, flag leaf area, fresh and dry weight of flag leaf, stem and spike, stem diameter and SPAD, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were evaluated and measured. Based on the results of variance analysis, it was observed that there was a significant difference (at 1% probability level) between different genotypes of wheat based on all studied traits. Cluster analysis separated the studied genotypes into three distinct groups. Results of mean comparison between clustered groups showed that the third cluster had the highest desirable traits for photosynthetic characteristics including leaf length (30.07 cm), leaf width (1.54 cm), leaf area (35.22 cm2) and SPAD (46.33), fresh (3.06 g) and dry (1.07 g) weight of spike, fresh (1.29 g) and dry (0.42) weight of flag leaf, fresh (9.63 g) and dry (3.28 g) weight of stem, stem diameter (5.02 mm) and 1000 grain weight (48.51 g). Also, results of sensitivity analysis showed that genotypes in the third group had a stronger relationship with flag leaf fresh weight and SPAD traits with yield. Therefore, genotypes of the third group (nine advanced lines) can be used for future breeding programs.

In order to evaluate the yield and some morpho-phenological traits of wheat genotypes and their genetic diversity, 115 wheat genotypes were assessed based on field and laboratory experiments and RCBD design with 3 replications in Gonbad-kavous University in 2015-16. According to the results, there was significant difference between all measured traits except grain length. Though the number of tillers per square meter has positive correlation with the highest grain yield (0.794, p<0.01). Based on the results of step wise regression, the total number of tillers per square meter has been the greatest effect on grain yield. The results of path analysis showed that the highest direct effect on grain yield/m3 was related to the harvest index (0.640) and the total number of tillers per cubic meter had the most indirect effect on grain yield through biological yield (0.458). in addition, 115 wheat genotypes were clustered into two groups which had similarities in terms of genealogy and some measured traits. Therefore, it could be concluded that the harvest index and the number of tillers per m3 are the most suitable indirects selection for improving yield of seeds in screening programs.

In this study, in order to determine the best method of polyploidy induction in bride rose poppy (Papaver fugax Poir.), a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications and three factors including different colchicine concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5%), different treatments duration (12, 24 and 48 h) and explant type (seeds, seedlings and terminal buds) were investigated in Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2017-2018. In addition to morphological and stomatal evaluations, flow cytometry technique confirmed the increasing of DNA content in some of the treated plants. The results showed that, the treatment of terminal buds with 0.05% or 0.1% colchicine for 48 h, due to the highest percentage of survival (44.4%) and tetraploidy induction (18.9%), is the best method for production of tetraploid plants. The assessment of autopolyploidy effects on some of the studied traits revealed that, average internode length, plant height and stomata cells density in tetraploid plants decreased, while, leaf size and thickness, capsule size, number of leaves and dry weight of plants, stomata cell size, chlorophyll, protein and carbohydrate content and activity of catalase and peroxidase antioxidant enzymes increased. However, there was no significant change in the polyphenol oxidase activity as a result of tetraploidy induction. In addition, enhanced morphine content and declined codeine content in tetraploid plants were observed in this study. In conclusion, with regards to effective role of colchicine in tetraploidy induction along with morphological characteristics and metabolic process changes of bride rose poppy plants, the results can be used in breeding programs of this medicinal plant.

Due to inadequate agricultural water in warm area of Iran, Identification and introduction of stable and adaptable genotypes with high grain yield in non-stress and drought stress conditions is the most important issue in durum wheat breeding program. In order to study adaptability and grain yield stability of durum wheat genotypes in non-stress and terminal drought stress conditions, 19 durum line/cultivars along with Mehregan, as a check commercial bread wheat cultivar, were used. Genotypes assessed in four locations, i.e. Ahvaz and Darab for drought stress conditions and Dezful and Khorramabad for normal conditions in two cultivation years, 2017-18 and 2018-19. The experiments were conducted in a RCBD design with three replications. For grain yield, combined analyses of variance and stability analysis using parametric and non-parametric methods such as AMMI, Ranking and STDEV of Ranking were undertaken. Based on the results, Genotypes with specific adaptation were included: D-96-4 and D-96-6 for Khorramabad; D-96-5, D-96-9 and D-96-18 for Ahvaz; D-96-3(Mehregan) and D-96-16 for Darab and Dezful. Genotypes D-96-11, D-96-17, D-96-18 and D-96-20 were selected as stable and wide adaptable based on mean yield and ASV parameter in AMMI1 model and genotypes D-96-13 and D-96-18 were selected based on ranking and STDEV of ranking. Finally, based on the results of two methods, Genotype D-96-18 with high grain yield and the low G×E interaction was selected as a superior durum wheat line in both non-stress and drought stress conditions.

In order to achieve greater food security, potato has played a major role in human food chains and achieving maximum yield along with other desirable components can be evaluated by stability and adaptation of diverse genotypes in different regions of our country. In this study, stability and adaptation of new genotypes of potato were evaluated that comprise 10 new early and medium maturity genotypes (Anabella, Taurus, Carrera, Liseta, Volumia, Colomba, crisps4all, Innovator, Leonardo and Sylvana) plus one control of medium maturity genotypes (Sante) and then they were planted in three different regions (Mashhad, Hamedan and Zanjan). All experiments were done in RCBD with three replications in two years (2016-2017). Moreover, they were planted in the fields of private section. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results of early - medium maturity genotypes were investigated in different locations, genotype and genotype in year were significant for every single trait. The effects of year, location in year, and genotype in location were revealed by the results of combined analysis that only showed significant difference for traits of total tube yield, marketable tuber yield, and tuber seed number in plant. Among the medium and early maturity genotypes, the Liseta, Leonardo, Sylvana, Colomba and Carrera genotypes according to high tuber yield (4.66 to 5.03 kg.m-2) are introduced but Colomba, Liseta, and Carrera genotypes (5.03, 4.90 and 4.74 kg.m-2) with highest tuber yield and Anabella genotype with 4.25 kg.m-2 yield had highest adaptation for Zanjan and Mashhad regions respectively and also Sante genotype with 4.53 kg.m-2 yield for Hamedan. The Crisp4all, Innovator, and Taurus genotypes with the aim of consuming in the industrial sector (Chips and French fries) are introduced in particular with respect to high dry matter percentage (23.88, 21.91 and 21.24 % respectively).

Potato is considered as a strategic product in the food security of the country and is the fourth most consumed food product in Iran.  Due to its shallow rooting system, this plant is sensitive to water deficit.  In order to study the response of 20 potato genotypes to drought stress, a field experiment was conducted during 2018–2019 at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute located at Karaj, Iran. The experimental design utilized was a Strip-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications under two irrigation regimes (normal and stressed). ANOVA showed a significant difference for genotypes at 1% level for overall tuber yield, ware yield (tubers larger than 35 mm), seed yield (tubers between 35 and 55 mm), small yield (non-marketable potatoes), and marketable yield (total ware yield and seed yield). Eleven drought tolerance indices including STI, SSI, TOL, HARM, GMP, MP, YSI, DSI were calculated based on tuber yield under water deficit (Ys) and irrigated (Yp) conditions.  Our results showed a highly significant and positive correlation between MP, Yp and Ys.  The results of the analysis of PCA and the analysis of clustering showed that the drought-tolerance and drought-sensitive genotypes with the clustering pattern are consistent.  The MP, GMP, STI and MSTI identified 902027 genotypes as the best genotype under normal and stress conditions.  Among the genotypes and cultivars studied, 902027 and 8703- genotypes showed the highest MP and GMP, indicating high stability of genotypes in response to drought stress and thus can be considered as drought tolerant genotypes.

To study of inheritance of oilseed rape quality traits in normal and late sowing date conditions, 31 genotypes including 7 winter lines as females, and 3 winter testers and their 21 F1 generation were grown under normal sowing date (early October) and late sowing date (early November) conditions in two separate RCB designs with two replications at the field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj (2011-12). Combined analysis of variance showed significant differences between treats of oil seed content and most fatty acids traits in both sowing dates. Therefore, significant genetic variation existed for all traits among the genotypes studied. Estimates of broad and narrow heritability of most traits under late sowing date were less than the normal sowing date and this was mainly due to less esti mation of variance components under late sowing date conditions. In addition, broad heritability was estimated to be generally medium to high (between 72.01 to 100) in both normal and late sowing date conditions. The narrow heritability of traits in both sowing conditions ranged from 20.81% to 80.20%. Therefore, selection for traits with moderate to low narrow heritability in early generations would not be much useful, and it is preferable to use heterosis to improve these traits. In both sowing dates non-additive effect was more evident in control of quality traits. Therefore, selection for these traits would not be effective without using the effect of gene dominance.

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is a valuable medicinal plant with useful properties and applications, has been recently used in the pharmaceutical industry due to its high level of carvacrol, thymol and rosmarinic acid. In this research, different accessions of this plant were collected from other countries and different regions of Iran. An experiment was conducted in 2019 year based on randomized complete block design to evaluate the morphological, phytochemical and essential oil traits of these accessions in Ardabil climatic condition. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences for the most studied traits among 20 accessions. The important traits such as plant diameter (19.78-45.29 cm2), shoot dry weight (0.08-2.05 g/p), 100-seed weight (0.021 to 0.126 g/p), and essential oil yields (0.23 to 2.21 g/h) were varied among accessions. The Ahvaz and Greece accession were the best in term of vegetative and phytochemical traits respectively. Maximum correlation was shown between bract number and seed length per plant (0.96). Cluster analysis, classified the accessions into five major groups. Factor analysis indicated that the five factors explained 77.78 of the variation among the accessions. The results of path analysis showed that the leaf area, leaf length/width, number of flowers in inflorescence, phenolic content and shoot dry weight had effect in essential oil yield of accessions and phenolic content had the highest direct and positive effect (0.8). The results suggested that there was a considerable genetic variation among S. hortensis accessions.

Chromosomal arm 1RS of rye (Secale cereale) is one of the most successful foreign resources which was transferred into bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and have significant effects on wheat breeding. Identifying of two 1AL.1RS and 1BL.1RS translocations in wheat germplasm had important role in breeding programs. In order to study of distribution of 1RS arm in 956 genotype of bread wheat three specific primers were used. The O-SEC primer identified 1BL translocation by amplification of 1530 and 710 bp bands in 63 genotypes (6.68 percent of genotypes) and amplified 900 and 1530 bp bands in two genotypes that can be attributed to the translocation of 1AL. The PAW161 primer was able to amplified 366bp band in 21.86% and 750bp in 14.85% of genotypes and the RyeR3/F3 primer amplified 1451 bp band in 11.29% of the genotypes which indicates the presence of rye arm (1RS) in these genotypes. These primers has amplified several new bands including 1200bp, 1500bp, 800and 400bp in this population. The Agropyron intermedium species has produced 366, 750 and 1200 bp bands by PAW161 primer. Probably this species also carries pieces of 1RS that transmitted into wheat. Generally, these three primers divided the studied genotypes into two groups; 686 genotypes not produced any bands and 270 genotypes produced at least one band. Cluster analysis based on molecular data divided 270 genotypes into five groups, at a genetic distance of 15. The range of rescaled distance was from 10 to 25. In general, because of relationship between these markers and various stresses tolerance, the results of this study can be used to improve wheat cultivars for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and as well as high yield.

Improving the baking quality is one of the main goals in bread wheat breeding and high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits compositions has a key role in bread-making quality. In the current study, HMW glutenin subunit composition and quality scores were determined in 41 Iranian commercial breed wheat cultivars using nine STS specific markers. Based on the results, the exception of two cultivars, Arvand and Roshan that had a moderate bread-making quality (quality score 6), in other cultivars bread-making quality were evaluated as desirable (quality score between 8 to 10). Eleven alleles were identified at different loci. Three alleles were on the Glu-A1, six alleles on the Glu-B1 and two alleles on the Glu-D1. The highest frequency was at Glu-A1 locus related to 2* allele (70.73%), at Glu-B1 locus related to 7+8 allele (53.66%) and Glu-D1 locus on 2+12 allele (51.22%). Among the 15 unique combinations obtained, the combination of 2*, 7+8, 2+12 (26.83%) with quality score of 8 was the most common combination of HMW glutenin subunits. The set of markers used in this study provided the ability to identify the all common HMW subunits in Iranian wheat cultivars and as accurate and confident way to replace the SDS-PAGE technique can be used.

Rice grain appearance quality traits (APQ) affect consumer preference and marketing acceptance and long grain rice has many customers on the international markets.In order to identify QTLs controlling grain length, width and length to width ratio (shape) and QTL by environment interactions a study was conducted on two set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of two rice populations derived from crosses of Alikazemi / IR67017-180-2-1-2 (ALIR population) and Alikazemi / Saleh (ALSA) cultivars.The treatments of each RIL population with five check varieties were evaluated in augmented based on randomized complete block design with 5 replications in two regions of Rasht and Tonekabon in northern of Iran. Linkage map of the two populations using 87 polymorph microsatellite markers (SSR) covered 1356.0 cM of rice genome with an average distance of 15.58 cM between two markers. In this study, a total of 13 main QTLs (M-QTLs) and 10 pairs of epistatic QTLs (E-QTLs) were identified for three above mentioned traits, including seven M-QTLs and five pairs of E-QTLs for the ALIR population and six M-QTLs and five pairs of E-QTLs for the ALSA population. Two QTLs, qRGL4 (1.1) and qSGL5 (1.01), were increased the grain length with positive additive effect and the highest justified phenotypic variance of 25.2 and 18.4%, respectively. In this study, three QTL clusters were identified for APQ traits. Of these, two clusters were identified on chromosome 3 that was effective in controlling all APQ traits in two populations with alleles from a common Alikazemi parent. The third QTL cluster was determined on chromosome 7 consisting of qGW7 and qGSh7 for grain width and shape in the ALIR population. Therefore it could be stated that the QTLs on each cluster were either tightly linked or had pleiotropic effects with considerable influences in controlling rice APQ traits. A common marker of RM5955 was found in the ALIR population with a genetic distance of about 3.7 centimeters with QTLs of all three traits, and could be considered as a linked marker in breeding program. In this study, ten pairs of E-QTL were identified for three traits including five pairs per population. The epistatic effects in the ALIR population were mostly expressed by significant main QTLs (80%), while they were expressed in the ALSA population more by non-detected main QTLs (60%).The contribution of explained phenotypic variances of M-QTLs in controlling APQ traits were more than epistatic QTLs. QTL by environment interactions revealed that only one main QTL had significant interaction with environment, while no epistatic QTLs with additive × additive effect were found to be interacted with environment. The appropriate QTLs and linked markers in this study can be used in the breeding program to improve the appearance quality of rice grains after fine-mapping and validation.

Leaf rust of wheat caused by Puccini recondite tritici is one of the most important diseases of wheat in the world. It is important to know the resistance genes and genotypes for wheat breeders. This study was performed to investigate the genetic variation of resistance to brown rust disease and to analyze the association of resistance indices in bread wheat using SSR molecular markers. In this study, 32 bread wheat cultivars were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 1965-1959 at the Iraqi Research Station in Gorgan. Genotypes were evaluated for traits such as infection type, percentage of infection and area under disease progression curve. Communication analysis was performed using two steps of stepwise regression and single marker based on completely unbalanced randomized design. Results of analysis of variance showed that genotypes were significantly different at 1% probability level for the studied traits. The highest positive correlation coefficient was observed between the type of infection and the percentage of infection and then between the percentage of infection and the area under the curve of disease progression. Stepwise regression results showed that in total nine SSR markers were significantly associated with at least one of the three traits studied. Coefficients of explanation for SSR markers varied from 24.1% (severity of infection) to 95.9% (infection type). Xgwm344 marker in the infection type and infection percentage with 62% and 58.3% and Xgwm547 marker in the infection type with 51.6% had the highest coefficient of explanation as group marker. Results of single marker method showed that markers Xgwm146, Xgwm344, Xgwm547, Xwmc317, Xcfa2257 and Xbarc159 with all three traits and Xgwm582 marker with two traits of infection type and percentage of contamination. According to the results of both methods, five markers Xgwm146, Xgwm344, Xgwm547, Xwmc317 and Xbarc159 showed correlation with all three traits and Xbarc8 marker did not show any association with any of the traits.

Development of the last Dise type chickpea cultivar goes back more than 40 years. This project was performed aimed to purify and evaluate genetic variation of local Desi type chickpea landraces of Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan. During 2012-14 seed of local varieties of these locations were collected and purified physically. In 2015, 70 top lines along with two control varieties, Kaka and Pirouz were cultivated and evaluated in an 8 × 9 simple rectangular lattice design at three stations including Saral of Kurdistan, Maragheh and Urmia. During the experiment period, traits including plant standing, days to flowering, days to maturity, seed per pod, pod per plant, plant height, 100 seeds weight and seed yield were recorded. Combined analysis of variance was revealed significant differences among genotypes for days to maturity, seed per pod, pod per plant, 100 seeds weight and seed yield. Also, the interaction of genotype× location was significant for traits of days to maturity, pod per plant, plant height and seed yield. The highest seed yield was obtained by line No. 2, which was not significantly different from the check variety, Pirouz. The highest heritability was related to the 100 seeds weight, seed yield and number of days to flowering, respectively. Among these traits, grain yield had the greatest genetic advance. According to the results of cluster analysis, genotypes were grouped into four classes. These results were confirmed with 98% accuracy using discriminant function analysis. The results of principle component analysis and graphical display of biplot showed that the grain yield was positive and significant correlation with the number of pods per plant and the weight of one hundred seeds. On the other hand, genotypes No. 1, 2, 21 and 67 could be identified as the best genotypes for improvement programs.

Evaluating of the rapeseed genotypes under different environmental conditions would be useful to identify genotypes with stable and high yield potential. In order to study yield stability of winter rapeseed genotypes, 9 new advanced lines along with four cultivars Okapi, Ahmadi, Nima and Nafis were evaluated in a randomized complete block design in six experimental field stations including Esfahan, Hamedan, Karaj, Kermanshah, Khoy and Zarghan during 2015–2017 growing seasons. Results of combined analysis of variance indicated that the effects of environments, genotypes and genotype × environment interaction were significant, suggesting that the genotypes responded differently in the studied environment conditions. So, there was the possibility of stability analysis. Cluster analysis based on the mean yield and nonparametric stability statistics showed that there were three main clusters. According to mean rank of nonparametric stability parameters, the genotypes G1, G2, G5 and G13 with the lowest value for mean rank were stable, whereas genotypes G4, G11, G7 and G9 with highest values were unstable. Also, the results indicated that the nonparametric statistics Si(3), Si(6), NPi(2), NPi(3), NPi(4) and KR were associated with mean seed yield and the dynamic concept of stability. Therefore, these methods were suitable for selecting stable and high yielding genotypes in winter rapeseed. Based on these parameters, the genotypes G13 and G2 with mean seed yield 4086 and 3829 kg h-1 respectively, were identified as high yield stable genotypes. So, these genotypes could be used for cultivation in cold and mild cold regions of the country.

Biotic and abiotic stress are one of the most important factors affecting agricultural production. To assess the effect of drought stress induced by mannitol at three levels (0, 88 and 176 mM) on biochemical and polyphenolic traits of six F1 broccoli hybrids, (Green Magic, Sacura, Heraklion, Marathon, Matsuri and Castell Dom) a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design was implemented at research station of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran in 2016. The results showed that using mannitol as drought stress reduced dry weight (10-25%) and stem length (12 to 30%). The activity of antioxidant enzymes averaged 19 to 230 and the activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-perryl hydrazil, ȳ=3 Was significantly  in 0.05 level increased in mannitol at 176 mM compared with control. Also, the results showed that mannitol stress increased the amount of sulforaphane, so that the response of sulforaphane to the stress levels was different in different genotypes. Marathon showed the highest sulphoraphane content in all genotypes under normal conditions (6.139) and under stress (14.122). The results of path analysis showed that phenol and some antioxidant enzymes had a direct and significant relationship with sulforaphane in both normal and stress conditions. The Principal Component Analysis showed that 73.5% in normal conditions and 68% in stress conditions from total variation were explained by the first two components. Biplot results categorized the genotypes into three groups. In terms of stress, sulphoraphane and antioxidant enzymes and marathon genotype in the first group, anthocyanin, flavonoids and malondialdehyde, and genotypes of Heraclion and Green magic in the second group and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-perryl hydrazyl, dry weight and stem length, and Genotypes of Matsuri and Castell Dom were placed in the third group. As a result, marathon was the most suitable genotype for economic cultivation in agricultural fields.

In this study, the tolerance of sunflower lines was investigated to salinity stress at the molecular level by studying the expression of PMP3 and Dehydrin genes in two oilseed sunflower lines [AS5305 (tolerant) and 9CSA3 (susceptible)] under different levels of salinity; 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14 dS/m (equivalent to 20, 50, 80, 110 and 140 mM NaCl) using real time PCR technique. Sampling of sunflower leaves was performed in 8-leaf stage at five time intervals; 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after stress application. The results of the study showed that in the early stages of salinity stress, the highest expression of PMP3 gene in AS5305 line was observed at salinity level lower than that for 9CSA3 line (8 vs 11 ds/m). In more advanced stages of salinity stress (24 hours after stress application), the increased expression level of PMP3 gene in AS5305 line was observed at low salt intensity (2 and 5 dS/m) whereas in the case of 9CSA3 line it was observed at more severe salt intensity (5 and 8 dS/m). In relation to Dehydrin gene, an increase in the expression level at the early stages was observed only in 9CSA3 line. In the advanced stages at more sever salinity stress (14 ds/m), the increased expression level of Dehydrin gene was 1.5 times higher in AS5305 line than that in 9CSA3 line. In contrast, at low salt intensity (5 and 8 dS/m), the increased expression level of Dehydrin gene was greater in 9CSA3 line than that in AS5305 line. Therefore, the higher concentrations of salinity stress in advanced and more advanced stages of salinity stress may induce morely the expression level of Dehydrin gene in AS5305 line than that in 9CSA3 line. Totaly the results show that the pattern of expression of studied genes in two investigated lines is different, which is due to their different response to salinity stress. This suggests that these genes are potentially involved in tolerance to salinity stress, which can be useful in breeding and development of plants potentially resistance to stress.

Selection of desirable genotypes with high yield and stability is the main goal of most soybean breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the grain yield and stability of 19 pure soybean lines along with Williams’s control (20 genotypes) during two cropping years (2014-2015) in four regions: Karaj, Gorgan, Moghan and Shahrekord. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used in all experimental areas. The AMMI and GGE Biplot methods were used to determine the compatibility and stability of performance. Combined analysis of variance showed significant effects of environment, genotype, genotype × environment interaction, and components of IPCA1 and IPCA2 (AMMI analysis) at 1% level of significance. Genotype × environment interaction variance accounted for 42% of the total variance and the two components of IPCA1 and IPCA2 accounted for 81% of the total variance. Based on AMMI criteria (IPCA1, IPCA2 and ASV) genotype G17 (Williams x Steel / L3) with yield of  2449 kg ha-1 was determined as the most stable genotype while based on GGE biplot G18 (Williams x Steel/L4) with 2865 kg ha-1 and G20 (Williams/Check) with 2927 kg ha-1 yield  were identified as the most favorable genotypes. Also environments: E7 and E8 (first and second year Shahrekord) were selected as the most favorable environments and genotypes: G18 and G20 based on GGE biplot were also among the top four genotypes of the two environments. Two mega environments were identified in the bi-plot analysis that the first mega environment includes the E3 (Gorgan first year), E5 (Moghan first year) and E6 (moghan second year) and the second mega environment includes the E1 (Karaj first year) and E2 (karaj second year) and E4 (Gorgan second year).