مجله علوم گیاهان زراعی ایران
سال پنجاه و سوم شماره 1 (بهار 1401)

Blackleg caused by Leptosphaeria maculans is one of the important diseases widely affecting canola production worldwide. Effectiveness of three plant defence related genes transferred from pea (Pisum sativum) to canola was tested against blackleg in two experiments. In the first experiment, three transgenes including PR10.1, Chitinase, and DRR206 were transferred from transgenic Wester variety into four commercial cultivars (Apollo, Sentry, OAC Triton, and MillenniUM 03) via backcrossing to examine the effects of different genetic backgrounds on disease response. In the second experiment, to study the effect of gene pyramiding on level of disease resistance, three transgenic Wester lines were crossed. Cotyledon inoculation was performed for indoor disease screening tests of blackleg. DRR206 in Sentry and Chitinase×DRR206 appeared to be the best combinations conferring disease resistance. Overall, DRR206 had the highest impact on disease, probably due to delayed infection development. Promising lines of this research could be utilized in breeding programs and cultivar release projects after field trials.

Recently discovered properties of Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) from Brassicaceae family, including low-inputs requirement, fast growth, essentials oil content with medicinal uses, significant content of linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, have been paied tremendous attention by both agronomic and industrial sectors. To achieve the highest possible level of the above-mentioned properties, it is necessary to find the superior lines. For this purpose, the morphological and biochemical characteristics of 26 double haploid lines were compared in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the 2018 cropping year at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The results of variance analysis showed that all measured characteristics were significantly different at 1% of probability level. The mean comparison results indicated that DH39 line had the highest height and average grain weight per plant and the highest plant dry weight, oil percentage and saturated fatty acids were observed in DH44 line. DH14 and DH46 lines had maximum total protein and unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. GC- mass analysis showed that DH22, DH39  and DH12 lines had the highest omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids, respectively. Cluster analysis categorized the lines into 3 groups. Based on all results, a group containing DH07, DH14, DH21, DH32, DH39, DH41, DH44 and DH46 lines was chosen for further investigation.

In order to evaluate the yield and nutrient accumulation in different cultivars of rapeseed under the effect of azotobacter in irrigation conditions, a factorial split experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications was conducted in Khorramabad agricultural research station in 2016-2017. Experimental factors included the withholding irrigation from 30% flowering and 30% pod forming, and normal irrigation (control) as the main plot and inoculation of  Neptune, Oktane and Okapi rapeseed cultivar seeds with azotobacter strains (63, 70) and non inoculation (control)as subplots. The results showed that the irrigation regimes had a significant effect on grain yield and the accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese in shoot and seeds. The effect of azotobacter was significant on all nutrients (except magnesium) uptake in green tissue and seeds. The interaction effects of irrigation regime, bacteria and cultivar were significant on phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc levels in shoot and grain. Maximum grain yield was obtained from optimal irrigation treatment with 4559 kg.ha-1. It was found that Oktane and Neptune cultivars with 4584 and 4290 kg grain.ha-1were superior compared to okapi cultivar. With regards to the positive effect of potassium concentration and inoculation of rapeseed seeds with azotobacter due to its solubilizing properties, increasing the application of potassium in soil and seed inoculation can moderate the negative effects of stress and improve grain yield in rapeseed.

Effect of potassium-silicate, calcium chloride and nano-silicate spray was investigated on yield, yield components and some physiological properties of sweet corn under irrigation regimes in a split plot experiment based on a complete block design with three replications in 2017. Experimental treatments were irrigation regimes as optimal irrigation, moderate and severe water deficit stresses, irrigation after 35%, 55% and 75% depletion of available water in the root zone as the main factor and foliar applications of 1000 and 2000 ppm potassium silicate and calcium chloride , 1000 ppm  nano-silica, pure water and without foliar application as sub plots. The highest grain (6588 kg ha-1), biomass (36050 kg ha-1) and dry forage (30417 kg ha-1) yields were obtained from the main effect of foliar application of 1000 ppm potassium silicate. In water deficit conditions, application of potassium silicate significantly increased grain yield, so that potassium silicate in optimal irrigation conditions, moderate and severe irrigation increased grain yield 7, 25 and 49% compared to non-foliar application, respectively. In intensive irrigation regime the conditions, these increases were -9.29 and 9.82%, for calcium chloride and nano-silica, compared to the control (without foliar). Therefore, according to the results of this study, it can be stated that foliar application of potassium silicate was more efficient in deficit irrigation conditions in sweet corn.

In order to evaluate the effect of humic and salicylic acids spraying on some morphological characteristics, yield and yield components of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), a split split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2015-2016 growing seasons, in University of Gonabad, Iran. The main plots, sup plots and sub sub plots included different levels of irrigation in three levels (full irrigation, cuting irrigation at flowering stage and grain filling in the end of growth season stages), humic acid in two levels (0 and 6 liter.ha-1) and salicylic acid in two levels (0 and 1 mMol), respectively. The results showed that cutting irrigation at flowering and grain filling stages decreased seed yield 30% and 51% compared to control, respectively; while it did not effect on biological performance and harvest index. Simultaneous application of humic and salicylic acids improved most of the studied traits, so that the highest plant height (207.16 cm), tiller number per plant (1.88), seed number per panicle (1854), 1000 seeds weight (40.20 g) and seed yield (2838.67 kg.ha-1) in application of humic and salicylic acids treatment in the full irrigation conditions were obtained. Cross-sectional stress treatment in the grain filling stage and non-application of humic and salicylic acids had the highest rate of harvest index (29.47%). The highest biological yield (15802.7 kg.ha-1) was obtained under full irrigation and humic and salicylic acids application conditions. Also, the most positive and significant correlation was observed between seed number per panicle and the plant height (r= 0.97**) . According to the results of this research, it is recommended touse 6 liter.ha-1 humic acid and 1 mmol salicylic acid spraying to improve growth and yield of sorghum plant in drought stress conditions.

A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out to evaluate the freezing tolerance of 40 lentil genotypes, at the Research Center for Plant Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2017-2018. The status of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters was studied in eight genotypes (seven tolerant: MLC11, MLC12, MLC17, MLC38, MLC95, MLC409, and MLC410 and one intolerant: MLC9) and five time periods (before stress, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours) exposed to freezing temperatures (-13, -15 and -18°C) for one hour. The results showed that the value of F'm in MLC409, 72 hours after freezing stress, was slightly different from its value in the early hours. The maximum efficiency of photosystem II (F′v/F′m) was not affected by temperature decline from -13 to -18°C. MLC9 F′v/F′m, however, decreased by 26% when the temperature declined from -13 to -18°C. Furthermore, F′v/F′m decreased by 14% at -18°C 24h after the freezing stress, which was the greatest decrease compared to -13 and -15°C. However, 48 h after freezing stress, the optimal recovery trend was evident at all temperatures. Although the operational efficiency of photosystem II (F′q/F′m) decreased at all three temperatures, 24 h after the freezing stress, this decrease was greater at -18°C than at other temperatures. Except for the MLC9, other genotypes, especially MLC12, could improve freezing stress damage 24 h after stress and gradually return to F′v/F′m before freezing stress. In general, the freezing-tolerant genotypes and in addition to the survival rate of more than 80% at -18°C, showed a high potential to restore the photosystemII performance, which can be considered for further studies for autumn cultivation in cold and highland regions..

To evaluate the effects of micro-nutrients foliar application and plant density on two bean genotypes, an experiment was conducted in split factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Tehran University in 2015. Foliar spraying in four levels (control (water), ferrous sulfate (2 g.L-1), zinc sulfate (2 g.L-1), and mixture of ferrous sulfate and zinc (2 g.L-1)) was the main factor and different levels of plant density (20, 30 and 40 plants per square meter) as well as two bean genotypes (varieties Akhtar and D81083 Line) were considered as sub-plot factors. The results showed that compared to control, foliar application increased 32.12 and 30.47% of grain yield in D81083 line and Akhtar cultivar, respectively. Simultaneous foliar application of iron and zinc micronutrient fertilizers significantly increased the studied traits in both genotypes. Akhtar cultivar did not show a significant difference in terms of grain yield between densities of 30 and 40 plants per square meter, but at the density of 30 plants per square meter, D81083 line had a higher yield than the other two densities. In general, the results showed that the highest grain yield was obtained from simultaneous foliar application of iron and zinc in D81083 line with a density of 30 plants per square meter.

In order to evaluate the efficacy of mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron + diflufenican (Othello OD( herbicide doses under temperature and soil moisture conditions in the control of wheat weeds, field experiments were carried out in Fars and Alborz provinces during 2017 to 2018. Treatments included spraying at different times after irrigation (different soil moisture conditions) as main plots in three levels (2 and 7 days after irrigation and 1 day before next irrigation), dose of herbicide as a subplot at 6 levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125% of recommended dose), and spraying day time as sub-sub plots at two levels (7-8 am, and 11-12am). The results showed that in the condition that moisture had provided after spraying, reduced doses of these herbicides were more effective in reducing the dry weight of broad leaves weeds than other conditions. 33, 66 and 99 g ai/ha herbicide doses (25, 50 and 75% of recommended concentration), especially in 2 days after irrigation and 1 day before irrigation tratments, weed dry weight of grass weeds had more difference than 7 days after irrigation conditions, compared to control treatment. Under normal moisture conditions (field capacity), the reduced concentrations were more efficient in controlling the weeds and the higher moisture stress resulted in the lower efficiency of the reduced concentrations.

In order to evaluate the grain yield and quality of four quinoa cultivars (Chenopodium quinoa willd.) as affected by planting date and plant density, an experiment was conducted in two years (2018 &2019) at the Agricultural Research Station located in Jupar region of Kerman, Iran. A randomized complete block design arranged in a split factorial was used with four replications. Experimental treatments consisted of planting dates in three levels (24 July, 8 August and 23 August) as main plots and two factors including cultivars at four levels (Giza1,Titicaca, Q12 and Q18) and plant density (16.6 and 33.3 plant m-2) were arranged in sub plots. Planting date of 8 August produced the highest grain yield compared to the other two dates. The average grain yield of Giza1, Titicaca, Q12 and Q18 cultivars were 2484, 2239, 2547, and 2881 kg ha-1, respectively. Lodging was observed in cultivar Q18 in all planting dates. Giza1 cultivar with average of 18.23% crude protein and 94.12 mg kg-1 iron had better grain quality than other cultivars. The highest and lowest harvest index (0.35 and 0.26) belonged to Q12 and Titicaca cultivars, respectively. Giza1 and Q12 cultivars were the earliest and most late cultivars with 82 and 99 days of the growing season respectively. Based on the results, cultivation of Q12 on 8 August and Giza1 on 23 August with plant density of 33.3 plant m-2 is recommended for Jupar region of Kerman.

This study has been conducted to recognize some of the physiological mechanisms related to the storage in different wheat cultivars as a split-plot experiment in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the experimental farm of Agriculture and Natural Resources ofUniversity of Tehran in Karaj, during two crop years of 2014-2016. Experimental treatments consisted of 22 wheat cultivars as the main plots and gibberellic acid (GA3) at two levels (0 mg/L (control) and 100 mg/L) as the sub plots. Results showed that gibberellic acid spraying significantly increased stem dry and specific weights, leaf area, chlorophyll and grain yield in different wheat cultivars in both experimental years. Among these traits, the shoot dry weight had the highest response to gibberellic acid spraying. There was also a significant positive correlation between stem dry and stem specific weights and remobilization in different cultivars under gibberellic acid spraying condition. Shabrang and Dez cultivars had the highest storage related traits (stem dry and specific weights) under gibberellic acid spraying condition which resulted in higher grain yield. These cultivars had the highest grain yield due to higher stem reserves remobilization capacity. In this study, exogenous application of gibberellic acid has generally strengthened the stem storage capacity, source strength and yield in different wheat cultivars.

In order to evaluate possibility of improvement photosynthesis, gas exchange and chlorophyll content of safflower by the application of cytokinin, a split factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications at the research farm of Agriculture Faculty, the University of Zanjan, during the 2019-2020 cropping season. In this experiment, irrigation levels included optimal irrigation and drought stress to main plots and safflower cultivars including Sina, Faraman, Parnyan, Gholdasht and Mahaly Esfahan, and three levels of cytokinin, including of no-application (control), 50 and 75 μM were allocated to subplots as factorial. At the flowering stage, simultaneously with drought stress safflower plants were sprayed with cytokinin. The results showed that drought stress had negative effects on the intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis rate, carboxylation efficiency, Photosynthetic water use efficiency, chlorophyll content and seed yield and the application of cytokinin minimized the negative effects of drought stress and increased in the above traits. The highest seed yield was obtained by application of 75 μM of cytokinin (3466.08 kg/ha) with an increase of 29 percent compared to the control. Therefore, the use of cytokinin can be suggested as a solution to decrease drought stress negative effects and enhance seed yield of safflower under optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions.

In order to study the genetic diversity and selection of superior durum wheat lines, 120 pure lines in Augmented non-repetition design, with two checks Shabrang and Hanna, in the farm of Darab Agricultural Research Station in the period of 2017-18, Were evaluated using SIIG method. SIIG was used to select the best lines in terms of morphological traits. The results of the correlation showed that grain yield (YLD) and thousand kernel weight (TKW) had the significant correlation with SIIG (0.850** and 0.626**), respectively. These findings showed that YLD and TKW have the most impact in the value of SIIG method, respectively. Therefore, selected genotypes with SIIG method will have high YLD and TKW. The studied lines were grouped into 7 categories based on this index. Lines of groups 1, 2 and 3 were the best lines with the SIIG highest value , respectively, and the possibility of obtaining top lines from this group is very high. The results of SIIG index showed that lines 137, 19, 20, 136 and 143 with SIIG values 0.819, 0.808, 0.796, 0.796 and 0.794, respectively were the best lines, but lines number 20 and 143 were recognized as the top lines due to its earlier. Genotypes of group 4 were the middle lines. Lines of groups 5, 6 and 7 with the lowest SIIG values were the weak lines. Finally, the results showed that SIIG method was able to group the studied lines simultaneously based on YLD, TKW and DHA and distinguish their distance.

In order to investigate the effects of nitrogen rate and time of irrigation on the grain yield and grain yield components of wheat, one experimental as split plot was carried out as split plot design based on randomized complete block design with four replications in research farm of Aliabad Katoul Emam Khomeini agriculture high school during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Irrigation time was in main plot (no irrigation, irrigation at stage 33 zadoks, irrigation at stage 70 zadoks) and nitrogen rate was in sub plot (zero, 57.5 kg N/ha, 115 kg N/ha from urea source). Significant interaction wasn’t observed between irrigation treatments and nitrogen rates in almost all traits. The highest yield was obtained by using a supplementary irrigation in stage 70 of Zadox and consumption of 115 kg of pure nitrogen. Grain yield had a positive correlation with biological yield, spike length, spike weight, number of seeds per spike and seed weight per spike. Factor analysis revealed that the first two factors explained 74.5% of the total variation. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that only the spike weight trait entered the model and alone justified 80.7% of the grain yield variation.

In order to evaluate the effect of different plant growth stimulants and different amounts of chemical fertilizer on yield and yield components of corn, a field experiment with factorial arrangement of treatments based on randomized complete block design with three replications and 21 treatments was conducted at research field of Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, Iran, during 2019. The studied factors included different amounts of fertilizer (application of 100% fertilizer required by the plant, application of 75% fertilizer required by the plant, and no fertilizer (control)) and different growth stimulants (foliar application of amino acid, foliar application of seaweed, humic acid irrigation fertilizer acid, foliar application of fulvic acid, foliar application of humic acid, humic acid irrigation fertilizer + Foliar application of seaweed + amino acid, and no growth stimulants (control)). Treatments of 100% application of chemical fertilizer and humic acid irrigation fertilizer, 100% chemical fertilizer application with a combination application of humic acid irrigation fertilizer + seaweed foliar + amino acid foliar, and 75% chemical fertilizer application with seaweed foliar application, respectively 27.57, 24.60, and 23.83% produced higher grain yield than the control. According to the results of this experiment, the use of seaweed not only improved the yield but also reduced the use of chemical fertilizers required by 25% without reducing the yield of the plant. Therefore, the use of seaweed foliar application is recommended.

Drought is the major cause of yield reduction in the arid and semi-arid regions. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in the responses of plants to environmental stresses such as drought. This experiment was carried out as split plot based on complete random block design at research farm of University of Zanjan, during 2016 growth season to evaluate the effect of drought and ABA on total phenol content and some physiological traits of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.). Three moisture regimes (well- watered, moderate drought with delay irrigation up to -0.8MPa and severe drought with delay irrigation up to -1.5MPa) were the main plots and five ABA concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 µM) were subplots. The effect of moisture regimes, ABA and their interaction were significant for the studied traits. Without ABA application, drought stress reduced the plant total chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, mesophilic conductivity and transpiration. ABA application reduced the studied gas exchange traits. Overall, ABA decreased physiological parameters and seed yield by intensifying the drought stress effect. According to the results, without ABA application, moderate and severe drought conditions increased the total phenol content compared to the irrigation condition and application of ABA increased the total phenol content under moderate and severe drought conditions. Since the most active substance in dragonhead is phenolic compounds, it seems that the plant total phenol content can be increased by applying drought condition and ABA application.

To investigate the effect of organic fertilizer foliar application on morphological and phytochemical traits of dragonhead, a split plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design layout with three replications during 2016 growing season. The main plots were consisted of irrigation interval at three level (3, 6 and 9 day) and subplots were consisted of foliar application of BOMBARDIER as organic fertilizer at four levels (control, 2,4 and 6 ml/L). With increasing irrigation interval plant height, number of lateral branch, number of flowering branch, stem diameter, dry matter yield, essential oil content and essential oil yield decreased. Effect of interaction between foliar application and irrigation interval was significant on number of secondary branch, number of flowering branch, stem diameter and essential oil yield. Foliar application with 6 milliliter/liter concentration produced the maximum amount photosynthesis pigments in dragonhead Maximum essential oil yield was gained (9.1 and 6.15 kg/ha) with the application of 4 ml organic fertilizer per L in irrigation intervals of 6 and 9 days in compare to control treatment. Application of 6 ml organic fertilizer per L in irrigation interval of 3 days increased essential oil yield by 50% in compare to control treatment. In total results showed that in all of the irrigation intervals foliar application with organic fertilizer in compare with control treatment could be significantly enhanced essential oil yield in dragonhead plant. Therefore, this treatment can be introduced as the best treatment.

Low temperature (LT) is one of the most important factors that limits growth, distribution and production in cereals. The purpose of the present study was to identify some traits related to LT tolerance in different phenological development stages in lines resulted from crosses between Pishtaz and Norstar wheat. Under experimental conditions, LT tolerance, shoot apex developmental, final leaf number (FLN), activity of antioxidant enzymes, total sugars and H2O2 contents were investigated. Results of double ridges formation and FLN showed that winter and facultative habit genotypes spent the longer time in the vegetative phase and entered the reproductive phase with delay. These genotypes also were more tolerant to LT in comparison to spring habit genotypes. Analysis of variance showed that genotypes, sampling period, and their interaction were highly significant for most of the traits. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total sugars content reached their maximum in all genotypes at the second period of LT acclimation but higher in winter and facultative than spring habit genotypes.

To protect wild shallot plant in natural habitats, where It is endangered due to overexpotation and to produce sustainable medicinal shallots plants, an experiment was conducted on wild shallot a completely randomised block designe with 3 replications and 4 treatments consist of: 50 mm irrigation at planting with 50 mm irrigation at flowering (A), 50 mm irrigation during flowering (B), 50 mm irrigation at planting (C) and control (wild ecotype planted on non irrigated land, D) during 2018-19in Alashtar, Iran. In this research, quantitative traits like biological yield, tuber dry weight and diameter, plant height and qualitative characteristics including active ingredient allicin, crude protein, potassium and phosphorus were investigated in the experimental plots. Along the comparison of the experimental plots, quantitative and qualitative traits of wild shallow were also measured in natural habitat by accidental quadrates and compared to experimental plots. Results indicated the superiority of all quantitative and qualitative traits of the studied treatments in comparison to control and in shallot in the natural habitats. Among all studied treatments, treatment (A) showed superiority in all quantitative traits of compared to other treatments, control and natural habitat and treatment (B) was more desirable in terms of quality of the active ingredient of allicin than other treatments, control and natural habitat. Therefore, the development and promotion of its cultivation method leads to stability in the production of shallots and preservation of the diversity of its.