پژوهشنامه اصلاح گیاهان زراعی
پیاپی 44 (زمستان 1401)

Drought stress is one of the results of climate change that has a negative impact on the growth and yield of crops. Breeding for drought tolerance and production stability are important goals of crop breeding programs in arid and semi-arid regions.

In order to evaluate the stability of grain yield and drought tolerance at barley genotypes in temperate climates of Iran, 20 cultivars and barley lines, in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the two cropping years 2016-2017 and 2017-97 in four stations including Karaj, Varamin, Birjand and Yazd were evaluated under two conditions, normal irrigation and drought stress at the end of the season (irrigation interruption in 50% of heading).

Combined analysis of variance showed that the effects of genotype, year × location, location × genotype and genotype × year × location on grain yield was significant. In order to study the interactions of genotype × environment more precisely and to determine genotypes with stable and drought tolerant yield, different stability parameters and drought tolerance and susceptibility indices were calculated for each genotype. Calculation of stability parameters showed that lines 20, 4, 16 and 15 were recognized as genotypes with stable yield and suitable adaptation, respectively. In terms of drought tolerance indices in the first year, lines 4, 17, 16, 20 and 11 and in the second year, lines 7, 3, 16, 4, 20 and 5, the top genotypes were drought tolerant at the end of the season.

The use of drought tolerance and susceptibility indices, three-dimensional charts and biplot in the first and second years showed that lines 4, 16 and 20 were jointly selected as the best genotypes in terms of drought tolerance in both years, so this the results showed that these lines had good repeatability for drought tolerance. On the other hand, stability statistics also indicated the stability of yield of these lines. so due to grain yield stability, drought tolerance and high yield potential, three lines 4, 16 and 20 were superior and adaptable  lines for normal and terminal drought stress conditions in the temperate climate of Iran that after supplementary  tests can be considered to help production in these areas.

Salinity is a global challenge to crop production. Chickpea grow under a wide range of climatic conditions and is highly sensitive to salt stress. Salt stress causes osmotic, ionic and secondary stresses, impairing various metabolic processes in plants and eventually decreases plant yield. Using salinity tolerant chickpea cultivars could be effective in increasing production and productivity of saline fields due to their ability in biological nitrogen fixation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of salinity on physiological responses of 17 chickpea genotypes in seedling stage.

To determine the most tolerant genotype to salinity stress, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. 17 Kabuli chickpea genotypes as sub plot, two salinity levels (12 and 16 dS.m-1 NaCl) and a control (0.5 dS.m-1) as main plot were evaluated. Salinity stress was applied two weeks after sowing. Four weeks after salinity stress was imposed, traits including electrolyte leakage, photosynthetic pigments, total phenol, soluble carbohydrates, proline content, osmotic potential, survival percentage, sodium and potassium content of shoots and salinity tolerance index were measured.

In all genotypes, with increasing salinity stress level, survival percentage decreased and electrolyte leakage percentage increased. In the 16dS.m-1 NaCl treatment, MCC72, MCC108 and MCC112 genotypes had the highest survival percentage of 86.5, 82.6 and 100%, respectively. In salinity level of 16dS.m-1, MCC108 genotype showed the lowest percentage of electrolyte leakage (82%) and MCC12, MCC58 and MCC27 genotypes showed the lowest increase in the percentage of electrolyte leakage compared to the control. The chickpea genotypes showed different responses by increased salinity in terms of photosynthetic pigment content. In MCC92, MCC108, MCC112 and MCC296 genotypes, content of chlorophyll a increased as salinity level increased to 16dS.m-1. Soluble carbohydrates and proline content in all genotypes increased and osmotic potential became more negative as salinity levels increased from 0.5 (control) to 16 dS.m-1.

In general, there was a wide variety among chickpea genotypes based on physiological traits. The analysis of clusters of genotypes was divided into five groups. Cluster analysis and mean comparison showed that the survival percentage in MCC108 and MCC112 genotypes were higher than total mean, so supplementary field studies on these two genotypes are recommended.

Tomatoes are highly sensitive to a variety of environmental stresses, including drought stress, so the selection of hybrids adapted to dehydration and have good performance by studying the effects of GCA, SCA and physiological response of parents and tomato hybrids in conditions of dehydration It can help to better understand the mechanisms of drought resistance and their use in tomato breeding programs.

In this study, 12 hybrids obtained from the combining four testers and three commercial lines of tomato in terms of response to water deficit stress and evaluation of cross combinations in the layout split plots according to randomized complete block design with three replications and three stress levels (100% FC, 60% FC and 40% FC) in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Ilam University. Dates were evaluated by line × tester method. The studied genotypes were L1: Bitstoik, L2: Kingstone, L3: Petoearly, as lines, and T1: LA1607, T2: LA2656, T3: LA2080 and T4: LA1579 as Testers. Plant yield traits, average fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, pericarp thickness, Number of Locules, total acidity, pH and total soluble solids were measured.

The analysis of genetic variance indicated the more contribution of non-additive variances in the occurrence of the studied traits. The analysis of variance indicated that genotype, parents, crosses and line×tester effects were significant for all of the studied traits, which showed high differences between general combinig ability of parents and specific combinig ability of hybrids. The effect of the line under stress-free conditions was not significant for total acidity and soluble solids. For plant yield and average fruit weight, the parental line Bitstoik under severe drought stress conditions (0.83 kg and 1.26 g, respectively) and the tester LA2656 in non-drought stress (0.321 Kg and 2.18 g, respectively) were found to be the best general combiner. The crosses Kingstone×LA157 under drought stress condition (0.083 kg) and Petoearly×LA1579 in non-drought stress conditions were the best combination for plant yield, which can be suggested for use in drought stress breeding programs.

These results can be used in breeding programs and develop tolerate tomato hybrids as suitable experimental cultivars in hybrid production programs under stress conditions.

Medicinal plants have many applications in the treatment of humans, among which chamomile is one of the most valuable and widely used medicinal plants in the world. One of the most important breeding programs is the recognition of genetic diversity for the initial evaluation of plant masses. For this purpose, a study of genetic diversity and classification of experimental chamomile ecotypes was designed and implemented.

25 native and foreign ecotypes of chamomile were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications in the research farm of German Pharmaplant. Some of these ecotypes were collected from their natural growing areas and some were chamomile cultivars. For this purpose, some morphological, phenological and essential traits were evaluated.

The results of analysis of variance showed that the difference between ecotypes in terms of all traits was significant at the level of 1% probability and showed great genetic diversity between traits. The results of phenotypic correlations and comparison of the mean of the studied traits showed that the traits of essential oil percentage, flower diameter, number of flowers and shoot weight were among the important and effective traits on essential oil yield. Slovakia, Izeh (2) and Poland had the highest fresh and dry shoot weight, flower diameter and essential oil yield, but Izeh (1) and Darrehshahr had the highest percentage of essential oil. According to the results of factor analysis, three factors were selected that explained 85.79% of the changes. The first factor, which justified the highest percentage of data changes, was named as the essential oil yield factor, which after drawing a biplot based on two components, Izeh (2) and Poland ecotypes were identified as superior ecotypes. Cluster analysis also classified the ecotypes into four groups, which performed well in differentiating the ecotypes based on the desired traits, and confirmed the distribution of the ecotypes based on the biplot diagram.

The results showed that the characteristics of essential oil percentage, flower diameter, number of flowers, and weight of aerial parts were among the important and influencing characteristics of essential oil performance. Considering that these traits are observed among the investigated ecotypes, therefore screening to increase these traits can increase yield. The three ecotypes of Slovakia, Izeh (2) and Poland had the highest amount and dryness of aerial parts, flower diameter and essential oil yield, but the percentage of weight was obtained by Izeh ecotype (1) and Dareh Shahr ecotypes.

Drought stress is one of the most important environmental stress that affect maize grain yield worldwide. The event of drought stress in field is investable. In order to solve the problem some suggestions have been made, among those, it seems the best one is using tolerated cultivars.

Experiment was conducted in split plot format by using randomized complete block design with three replicates in field condition. The main factor was three level of drought treatments including 75+- 5 mm (control), 115+- 5 mm (mild stress) and 140+- 5 mm (severe stress) evaporation out of evaporation pan class A. The sub factor included three maize cultivars, 704 single cross, Karoon and Mobin. Sampling for gene expression including ZmAN13, ZmSOD3, CAT2 and ZmMET1 were conducted at three growth stages including four leaves, anthesis and 10 days after anthesis. Measuring of grain yield and proline were conducted at harvesting stage.

The amount of genes catalase and superoxide-dismutase increased by mild drought stress whereas for two genes metalothinonein and ZmAN13 increased by severe drought stress. The Karoon cultivar showed increases transcript for all genes at all sampling stages. The amount of proline was higher in mild drought stress rather than severe, also, Karoon cultivar had higher level of proline rather than other cultivars. Grain yield was decreased significantly by drought stress treatments. Single cross 704 has 3.90 ton/ha in overall and it showed no statistical difference to Mobin grain yield. Karoon cultivar had most grain yield amount (5.02 ton/ha) by severe drought stress.

Karoon cultivar showed the most amount of grain yield under drought stress treatments in compared to other cultivars. This was somehow expected base on gene expression trend as well as proline amount in Karoon cultivar.

Barley is one of the most important crops after wheat, corn, and rice. Barley is an excellent source of food for humans and is also used to feed livestock. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and select superior genotypes with high grain yield and desirable agronomic characteristics and also to investigate the application of MGIDI in selecting superior genotypes based on morpho-phenological different traits in the warm and dry region of southern Fars.

To select the best barley genotypes in the southern regions of Fars using the MGIDI index, 108 pure lines in the non-repeating Augment design with four controls (Nowruz, Auxin, Nobahar, and WB-97-11) in the Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (Darab station) were evaluated during the cropping year 2020-2021. MGIDI index was calculated to select superior genotypes using 13 morpho-phenological traits. These traits include grain yield, number of spikes per square meter, number of grain per spike, weight of spikes, 1000-grain weight, spike density, filling period length, peduncle length, awning length and spike length, plant height, days to flowering and days until the maturity.

According to the results of variance analysis, a significant difference was observed between the studied lines for all traits (except awning length and 1000-grain weight) at the probability levels of 5 and 1%. Also, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the lines and experimental controls in all traits (except peduncle length). The results of factor analysis for the 13 studied traits identified five hidden factors that explained 80.2% of the total variance of the data. Based on the MGIDI index, L110, L99, L88, L51, L56, L108, L63, L33, L50, L112, L52, L36, L20, L69, L68, L94 and L35 genotypes, respectively, with the lowest value of this index were superior genotypes. The highest and lowest values ​​of differential selection percentage of MGIDI index were related to grain yield (11.5%) and 1000-grain weight (-3.62%), respectively. The results showed that low values ​​of the number of grain per spike and weight of spikes and high values of the number of spikes per square meter were effective factors in selecting superior genotypes using the first factor. Based on this factor, L20, L94, L110 and L88 were superior. In the second factor, high values of the number of days to maturity, grain yield, and grain filling period were the main factors in selecting genotypes, and based on this factor, L112 genotype was top. Third factor selected genotypes based on high values ​​of both trait plant height and peduncle length. L88 and L94 genotypes were ideal based on the third factor. Fourth factor selected genotypes based on high awning length and spike length (L33 genotype was superior), and fifth factor selected genotypes with low values ​​of spike emergence length and 1000-grain weight and based on this factor L50, L35 and L51 genotypes were ideal.

Overall, the results showed that none of the factors could classify the superior genotypes based on the ideal value of all their internal traits. Therefore, genotypes are selected that have the lowest MGIDI value, and also their grain yield is higher than the average grain yield of unselected genotypes. So the results showed that among the selected genotypes using the MGIDI index, L99, L88, L51, L56, L108, L63, L20, L69 and L94 genotypes ​​were the top genotypes in this study. On the other hand, proving the efficiency and development of a new index such as MGIDI requires more research in other plants.

Mutagenesis techniques are used for induce genetic diversity  in many crop plants and several desire mutant lines have been developed by mutagenesis. So, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating agronomic traits and yield comparison of rice mutant genotypes.

41 mutant genotypes, resulted from chemical mutation of Hashemi local rice variety, with control cultivars Hashemi, Anam, TH2 and Gilaneh was studied in an augmented design based on a randomized complete block design with 4 replications, at the Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, in 2019.In this study, agronomic and qualitative characteristics including flowering time, plant height, number of fertile tillers, panicle length, number of filled grains, number of unfilled grains, 100-grain weight, milling recovery, amylose content, mean gelatinization temperature and grain yield were assessed in all genotypes.

Based on the results, there were considerable variations among genotypes in terms of flowering time (days to 50% of flowering), plant height, panicle length, grain yield, milling recovery and amylose content, and the differences among genotypes and as well as differences among genotypes with controls in all cases were significant (p≤0.05). Number of days from planting to flowering was less than 83 days in 33% of genotypes. Also, in 43% of lines, plant height was less than 130 cm and 30% of genotypes had yields higher than 5 t/ha. Results showed that mutant genotypes EM4-233 and EM4-233 had highest yields (more than 6 t/ha) and were superior to other genotypes. Cluster analysis by Ward method divided genotypes to four groups.

Regarding earliness, grain quality, yield traits and other desirable agronomic characteristics, mutant genotypes EM4-83, EM4-233, EM4-29, EM4-106 and EM4-294 were selected as superior genotypes.

One of the methods that has been used in recent years to deal with dehydration and drought stress in many plants is the use of root symbiotic fungi (mycorrhiza). Ecological and physiological studies have shown that mycorrhizal symbiosis often results in better absorption of water and nutrients from the soil. Due to the importance of oilseeds and especially sesame, the study of commercial cultivars in terms of genetic variation, phenotypic components and heritability of traits is important. Sesame due to its high oil content (52-42 Percentage) and its proper quality (low cholesterol and the presence of some antioxidants) play an important role in human health and on the other hand the plant tolerates dehydration and drought stress. Currently, water stress is the most important and common factor in reducing yield in arid and semi-arid regions. High heritability for a trait indicates that the major part of phenotypic variance is due to genetic variance, while in low heritability, genetic factors have a smaller share in phototypic diversity. The aim of this study was to estimate the variance components and heritability of grain yield and related traits in 8 commercial sesame cultivars under different irrigation conditions.

In order to investigate the genetic diversity and the heritability of grain yield and yield components in sesame, 8 commercial cultivars were studied in three separate experiments using factorial split plot based on randomized block complete design with three replications in research field of Agricultural Research Center, West-Azerbaijan in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 cropping seasons. The main plots (factor A and B) consisted of three different levels of irrigations (normal irrigation: irrigation after 70 mm evapotraspiration of crop or ETc, moderate drought stress: irrigation after 90 mm ETc and severe drought stress: irrigation after 110 mm ETc) and factor B included three levels: two species of mycorrhiza fungi Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and non-inoculated (control). Sub plots (factor C) consisted of eight commercial cultivars of sesame.

The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of environment, genotype and the interaction of environment × genotype on most of the studied traits were significant. In optimal irrigation regimes, moderate and severe drought stress under inoculation and non-inoculation conditions with mycorrhiza, the highest genetic variance was observed in biological yield, number of seeds per square meter and seed yield, respectively. The highest heritability in optimum irrigation conditions without mycorrhiza inoculation of traits (seed yield and number of grains per capsule), in optimum irrigation conditions and inoculation with mycorrhiza (both two species) (seed yield and 1000 seed weight), in moderate drought stress conditions and no inoculation with mycorrhiza (seed yield, 1000 seed weight and number of seeds per capsule), under moderate drought stress and inoculation with mycorrhiza G. mosseae (1000 seed weight and number of grains per capsule), under moderate stress conditions and inoculation with mycorrhiza G. intradices (seed yield, 1000 seed weight and number of grains per capsule), under severe drought stress conditions and without inoculation with mycorrhiza (stem diameter and 1000 seed weight), under severe drought stress conditions and inoculation with mycorrhiza G. mosseae (stem diameter, number of seeds per capsule and number of seeds per square meter) and in conditions of severe drought stress and inoculation with mycorrhiza G. intraradices (stem diameter, number of seeds per square meter and 1000 seed weight) were observed. Seed yield, biological yield and seed yield components had high genetic gain and genetic advance in all three different irrigation conditions. Among the components of grain yield, considering that the heritability of number of seeds per capsule and 1000 seed weight in all three different irrigation conditions is higher compared to the number of capsules per plant, so selection through number of seeds per capsule and 1000 seed weight to increase seed yield will be more efficient.

Therefore, commercial sesame cultivars that have more seeds per capsule and a 1000 seed weight can be used in breeding programs to produce cultivars with high seed yield. According to the information of this study, only general heritability can be calculated, but since many studies on commercial sesame cultivars in interaction with different conditions of irrigation and inoculation and non-inoculation with mycorrhiza have not been done, so this study can useful for researchers.

Sugar beet is a very important agricultural product that is used only professionally in the sugar industry and is considered as one of the most significant sources of sugar production. The yield and quality of sugar in sugar beet is controlled by genotype, environment, and interaction between them. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of genotype-environment interaction on the sugar yield of different sugar beet hybrids.

The effect of genotype-environment interaction on sugar yield and stability and adaptability of 155 sugar beet hybrids was conducted with one internal control (Sina) and four external controls (Novodoro, Modex, Loriquet, and Pirola). Monogerm hybrids were planted in seven regions of Khoy, Shiraz, Karaj, Kermanshah, Mashhad, Miandoab, and Hamedan in 2020 in an augmented randomized complete design. After harvesting and estimating the sugar yield of each of the experimental hybrids, the stability analysis of this feature was performed using the GGE biplot graphical method.

Stability analysis of sugar yield by GGE biplot graphical method showed that according to the polygonal diagram, Pirola cultivar in Kermanshah and Miandoab, hybrid 96 in Hamedan, Karaj, Shiraz, and Mashhad, and hybrid 11 in Khoy had the highest sugar adaptability and yield. The environments were ranked from the best environment to the most unsuitable environment as Hamedan, Shiraz, Miandoab, Karaj, Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Khoy. The ranking diagram of hybrids based on the ideal hybrid as well as the ranking diagram of hybrids based on mean yield and stability showed that hybrid 96 is the best and most stable hybrid. The study areas were divided into three mega-environments so that Kermanshah and Miandoab as the first mega-environment, Hamedan, Karaj, Shiraz, and Mashhad as the second mega-environment, and Khoy was the third mega-environment.

The results showed that the genotype-environment interaction had an effect on the sugar yield of sugar beet breeding hybrids and caused yield fluctuations from one environment to another. In general, due to the best sugar yield of some hybrids, the selected hybrids were divided into two groups, and a number of them entered the cultivar introduction tests. The rest are evaluated in several areas, and then the best of them is introduced as a cultivar.

Drought stress is a major environmental stress that effects on plants Therefore, it is necessary to know the mechanism that plant shows in encounter of stress.

In order to evaluate the effect of drought stress on physiological and biochemical traits of castor plant, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 1397-8. The first factor was 22 castor ecotypes and the second factor was drought stress with 5 levels, full irrigation, four levels (irrigation was cuted at the primary of spike growth) (11, 22, 33, 44 days after Irrigation cut off). In this study, traits including superoxide dismutase (SOD), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenol, flavonoids and protein content, as well as morphological traits such as plant height and leaf area index were measured.

The results showed that activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the amount of protein, phenol and flavonoids increased significantly with increasing the intensity of stress while the amount of photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids as well as plant height and leaf area index showed a significant decrease with increasing level of stress. According to the results of cluster analysis under drought stress, castor ecotypes were divided into three clusters. Differences between ecotypes in the resistant group compared to sensitive ecotypes under drought stress in superoxide dismutase (SOD), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenol, flavonoids, protein content, plant height and index Leaf area were 83.41, 83.33, 85.57, 84.21, 82.08, 88.7, 86.44, 86.81, 78 and 80.9%, respectively. According to the results, ecotypes 2, 3, 5, 8 and 19 were introduced as resistant ecotypes for future breeding. Programs.

In general, it seems that resistant ecotypes due to the severity of damage less in terms of growth indices and further increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and accumulation of proteins, phenols and flavonoids, more resistance in Showed against drought stress.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the most important multi-purpose legumes with a wide range of adaptation, high nutritional value, medicinal effect and biological nitrogen fixation. In recent years, the area under Faba bean cultivation has declined due to the spread of diseases and other tensions, increasing production will be possible by introducing cultivars resistant to biological and abiotic stresses.

To access the field resistance of 64 Faba bean genotype to fungal diseases and select suitable genotypes, genotypes were evaluated for disease severity in the field, based on simple lattice design (8 × 8) with two replications in both Gorgan and Dezful research stations in the 2015-2016 cropping season. To calculate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), sampling was done in five steps from the occurrence of leaf spot diseases. Combined analysis of variance and correlation analysis was performed for 10 physiological, morphological, phenological traits and diseases severity. also conducted two graphical multipurpose selection procedures GT biplot in combination with cluster analysis for simultaneous improvement of quantitative traits and disease resistance in two environment. Clustering of genotypes and traits traits separately in each experiment using Ward method and Square Euclidean Distance were performed and the corresponding heatmap was plotted using metaboanalyst 3.0 software.

Based on combined analysis of variance, highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were observed among the faba bean genotypes for agronomic traits and diseases resistance. Number of grains in pod and 100sw indicated positive and significant correlation with yield among of traits. Based on Heatmap graphical mapping assigned the faba bean genotypes into three and four groups in Gorgan and Dezful, respectively. The different groups obtained can be useful for deriving the genotypes with diverse features and diversifying the heterotic pools. The biplot vector view indicates that there was a strong positive association between Number of seed per Pod, 100sw and Plant Height with seed yield in two conditions. Correlation analysis confirmed these results. It seems that Number of seed per Pod, 100sw and Plant Height traits can be used as selection criterion for improving of seed yield in faba bean. Results of the GT biplot in the present study indicated that G52, G56 and G48 genotypes were identified as superior genotypes in Gorgan, and G47, G51 and G56 were identified as superior genotypes in Dezful.

Several genotypes were selected for potential use as parents, The G48 genotype were recognized as superior genotypes regarding yield and traits related to yield and Ascot cultivar can be considered as resistance resource to chocolate spot for faba bean breeding program. G47, G51, G52, G55, G56 and G58 genotypes were chosen for further cultivar release consideration.

Abiotic stresses are among major factors limiting crop yields. Cold, heat, and high-light are the most important abiotic stress among plants. Thus, it is considered the understanding of molecular mechanisms response to stress.  FtsH metallopeptidase is one of the key regulators of plant response to abiotic stresses. Many surveys were performed on the FtsH in different plants. However, there is not report on potato under cold, heat, and high-light stress.

In this study, the gene expression of StFtsH5, StFtsH6, and StFtsH10 was evaluated in root, stem, and leaves under cold, heat, and high light stresses. Agria genotypes were planted under controlled greenhouse conditions. After cold, heat, and high light treatment duration, leaves, stem, and root sampling were performed under two conditions stress and normal after 24h and 48h treatment. The relative expression of selected genes was estimated.

StFtsH5 gene was strongly up regulated in leaves and stem at the 24h and 48h under cold stress as compared to non-stress condition, respectively. Further, this gene had the higher mean relative expression than normal condition in root and leaves at the 24h and 48h under heat stress. At 24h after high light stress, the more mean relative increase StFtsH5 gene than control condition was observed. However, StFtsH6 gene is not increased gene expression under low temperature, and high light after utilization of stress treatment in leaves, stem, and root. StFtsH10 gene showed the significantly increased expression of in stem and root under high-light stress at the 48h. It showed an increase in gene expression in stem and leaves under cold stress at the 48h after stress treatment. However, this gene had the high gene expression in stem and root as compared to control at the 24h and 48h after stress treatment. The results of this study showed that StFtsH5 and StFtsH6 had the maximum and minimum gene expression in stem, leaves, and root under three stress treatments.

Among three genes, StFtsH5 showed the high expression in three tissues under cold, heat, and high-light stress. According to the above results, changes in gene expression of StFtsH5 could refer to the key roles of this gene in abiotic stresses, particularly cold, heat, and high light stresses.

The study of genetic diversity in crops is essential for breeding programs and conservation of heritage resources and is a key step in assessing the adaptation of the population to new environmental conditions and thus the selection of new cultivars. There are various methods for estimating genetic diversity in different plant species, including the use of morphological traits and DNA markers.

For this purpose, in this study, genetic diversity between 25 bread wheat accessions in terms of 23 agronomic traits and 20 SSR molecular markers was investigated. A field experiment was conducted in 2016-2017 in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications in rainfed and irrigation at the end of the growing season conditions in the research farm and laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Razi University.

The results of analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between the accessions for most of the studied traits. Based on the results of cluster analysis, the accessions were divided into four groups. The results of comparing the mean and cluster analysis showed that accessions 2, 13, 6, 15, 18 and 10 were the best accessions based on agronomic characteristics, which can be suggested for breeding programs, and in contrast to accessions 3, 24, 11, 12 and 16 as the weakest accessions in terms of The studied agronomic traits were identified. In assessing the genetic diversity of the populations using 20 SSR markers, 16 primers with suitable polymorphisms were selected. The percentage of total polymorphism was estimated to be 93.75. XCFD168-2D, XGWM350-7D and XGWM136-1A primers with 100% polymorphism, maximum number of alleles, high amount of polymorphic information content indices, marker index, effective multiplex ratio index and resolving index due to the high proliferation of bands and the production of high polymorphic bands, they were introduced as the most suitable primers for wheat in subsequent studies. Molecular analysis of variance showed that the degree of diversity within the groups was greater than the diversity between the groups. The results of cluster analysis by UPGMA method based on Jaccard similarity coefficient led to the classification of 25 bread wheat accessions in four different groups, which showed high agreement with the results of analysis to the main coordinates, and finally accessions 1, 3 and 25 had the greatest genetic distance with accessions 13 , 7 and pioneer cultivars, so it is possible to suggest the selection of parents from these two groups for breeding programs.

Evaluation of agronomic characteristics showed that accessions 2, 13, 6, 15, 18 and 10 are superior accessions, among which, oxides of external and internal origin were observed. In evaluating the genetic diversity of the accessions, the primers XCFD168-2D, XGWM350-7D and XGWM136-1A were identified as the most suitable primers for wheat in subsequent studies. Markers with high polymorphism as well as markers and accessions with unique bands in the banding pattern are also of great value for breeding programs, for example, identifying genes useful for resistance to various biological and abiotic stresses in wheat and promoting its various cultivars.

Safflower (Carthamus tictorius) is one of the oldest domesticated plants in the world, which is mainly cultivated as an oil seed in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Given the climatic conditions of the world where water scarcity is always limiting cultivation, the importance of drought tolerant plants such as safflower will be very high. The basis of genetic modification of cultivars is based on creating diversity and using genetic diversity. In this study, we will investigate the genetic diversity of genotypes collected from different parts of the world in order to identify superior genotypes and identify effective relationships between traits.

This study aimed to investigate 273 diverse safflower genotypes collected from different parts of the world during the crop season 2020-2021, in the form of augmented design with five controls of Goldasht, Sofeh, Parnian, Faraman and Golmehr, which are all introduced cultivars. Various traits such as seed yield, plant height, 1000-seed weight, oil percentage, number of sub-branches, flowering date, boll diameter, prickly and flower color were recorded.

The results showed the existence of high diversity in terms of all traits evaluated so that genotypes with more than 40% oil (genotypes 190, 226 and 227) and genotypes with more seed yield and earlier than the controls were observed. For example, code 187: with 100 days until flowering, code 167: with 105 days until flowering and code 37: with 106 days until flowering, were earlier than Goldasht with 113 days until flowering. The results of principal component analysis showed that the first three components were able to explain more than 50% of the changes. The first component explained 21%, the second component 18% and the third component 12%. The results of component correlation analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between many traits that can be used in the modification process. The most important of them are the relationship between flower color and oil percentage, as well as the relationship between 1000-seed weight and oil percentage.

In general, the results showed that the diversity of safflower genetic material can provide targeted breeding activities.

Accurate knowledge of germplasms for the transfer of traits in hybridization programs is one of the requirements for the improvement of superior cultivars. The purpose of this research was to investigate the genetic diversity and selection of superior cotton genotypes with favorable yield, earliness and quality characteristics.

In order to evaluate cotton genotypes using SIIG index, an experiment consisting of 9 genotypes with 2 commercial cultivars of Fars province (Bakhtegan and Golestan) as a control, in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications, in Hassan Abad, Darab Agricultural Research Station was implemented during the cropping years of 2018 and 2019.

The results of combined data analysis showed a significant difference among genotypes in terms of quantitative traits studied, which indicated the existence of genetic diversity among genotypes. Phenotypic diversity coefficient was higher in yield and earliness percentage than genotypic diversity coefficient. Yield had high heritability (0.73) which indicates the greater role of gene effect in trait expression and selection efficiency in trait improvement in successive generations. The results of SIIG index showed that cultivars A-NB414 and A-NBK with the highest amount of SIIG were among the best cultivars and cultivars Va-1 and 96-A3 with the lowest amount of SIIG were among the weakest cultivars in this study. in order to evaluate the efficiency of SIIG index in selecting the best cultivar in terms of yield, earliness, fiber micronaire, uniformity, fiber elongation, strength and fiber lint, the cultivars were grouped according to SIIG index in 3 categories. The overall grouping results showed that with increasing the value of SIIG index, the amount of wash yield, fiber uniformity, fiber lint and earliness percentage also increased. Earliness percentage and yield were also high in cultivars A-NB414 and A-NBK, which had higher SIIG index.

The present study showed that the SIIG index was able to classify the genotypes well. In this research, A-NB414 and A-NBK genotypes along with Golestan variety with higher yield than the overall average and high SIIG index were identified as the superior genotypes that can be included in the cultivation introduction and development program. Based on the results of cluster analysis, cotton genotypes were classified into two distinct groups, which facilitates their selection and use in different breeding programs and purposes.

Soybean is one of the most important oilseeds and the selection of high-yielding genotypes is especially important. Also, study on relationships between yield and other agronomic traits will improve the efficiency of a breeding program with appropriate selection criteria. Therfore, the objectives of this research were to selection of new soybean line and finding interrelationships among traits.

In this study, 15 promising advanced lines along with two cultivars Saba and Amir were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in agriculture research station of Gorgan during the two growing seasons (2020-2021). The phonological, morphological characteristics and yield and its components including days to flowering starting, days to podding starting, days to end of flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height, branching height, number of nodes, number of sub-branches, number of pods in the main branch, number of pods in sub-branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant, thousand seed weight and seed yield were measured. In this study, the selection index of ideal genotype (SIIG) and factor analysis were used to select soybean genotypes and study the relationships between traits.

Based on the SIIG index, the genotypes: G15, G5, G12, G1, G4, G13, and G11 with the highest SIIG values (0.645, 0.638, 0.615, 0.600, 0.600, 0.544, and 0.520 respectively) were the best genotypes.  On the other hand, G17, G16, G7, G10, and G9 genotypes with the least amount of SIIG value (0.309, 0.319, 0.376, 0.384, and 0.386 respectively) were the weakest genotypes for most studied traits. The lines of G4, G5, and G13 with high SIIG value and seed yield were recognized as superior genotypes from the point of yield and other agronomic traits. Also, the results of factor analysis indicated a positive relationship between number of seeds per pod and early maturity with seed yield.

Generally, the results indicated that the lines: G4, G5 and G13 were superior genotypes from the point of yield and other agronomic traits. Also, the traits of number of seeds per pod and early maturity could be used as suitable selection criterions for increasing seed yield in soybean breeding programs in Golestan province.

Camelina is a crop that has been introduced as a promising alternative to the other oilseeds over the past twenty years. Due to the increasing need of the country to import oil and the introduction of Camelina as a suitable alternative appropriate to the country climate, the present study was aimed to select the best and ideal lines of Camelina oilseeds based on SIIG index and using different drought tolerance indices for using in the future breeding programs.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the superior double haploid lines of Camelina using the selection index of ideal genotype (SIIG) in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah during the two cropping years of 2018-2020. The experiment was conducted with 40 lines in randomized complete block designs with three replications under rain-fed and supplementary irrigation conditions. Irrigation under normal conditions was performed based on 80 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan. Evaluation of drought tolerant and sensitive lines was carried out using Tolerance index (TOL), Mean Productivity (MP), Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI), Geometric Mean Productivity Index (GMP), Drought Resistance Index (DI), Yield Stability Index (YSI), Sensitivity Drought Index(SDI), Relative Drought Index (RDI), Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Harmonic Mean (HAM) and the Selection Index of Ideal Genotype (SIIG) technique was used to select drought tolerant lines using the other stress tolerance indices simultaneously.

Based on the results of this study GMP, MP, HAM and STI indices had positive and significant correlation with grain yield under normal and stress conditions. Based on these indices, line 39 was identified as the most suitable line. Therefore, these indices were identified as appropriate indicators for selecting the top lines. Based on the biplot diagram, lines 39, 120, Soheil, 46, 112 and 49 were selected as the favorable lines. These lines were also identified as tolerant lines based on the SIIG index. On the other hand, line 114 with the highest distance from the ideal genotype (0.56) and the lowest value of SIIG (0.06) was identified as the weakest line in this study.

The overall results of this study showed that the use of selection index of ideal genotype (SIIG) due to the integration of different indices and achieving a single index for the selection of genotypes tolerant to drought stress can provide more reliable results for the researcher. Based on this index, the best genotype will be the genotype for which the value of SIIG index is closer to one and the genotype for which the value of SIIG index is close to zero will be known as weak genotype. Therefore, line 39 with the least distance from the ideal genotype (0.11) and the highest value of SIIG (0.83) was the most tolerant line in terms of drought tolerance, which is in accordance with the results of the biplot diagram.

The primary goal of the plant breeding program is to evaluate the genotypes based on different traits and select the best genotypes based on the studied traits. The aim of this study was investigation of durum wheat genotypes diversity based on agro-physiological traits and study the interrelationships between the traits using the genotype x trait (GT) biplot technique.

In this study, 86 durum wheat genotypes, including 82 breeding lines received from CIMMYT along with four check genotypes were examined as an augmented design in the Dryland Agricultural Research Sub-Institute (Sararoud Station) during 2017-18 crop season. Genotypes were evaluated based on 22 different agronomic, morphological and physiological traits. Analysis of variance and comparison of genotypic means were performed based on the best linear unbias prediction (BLUP) method and then based on the BLUP data, the GT biplot analysis was performed.

Based on the results, a significant difference was observed between the studied genotypes in terms of all studied traits except for canopy temperature and spike length, which indicates a significant genetic diversity between genotypes for the studied traits. Based on the representation of polygon view of the GT biplot, the genotypes were divided into eight groups and the traits into six groups. Genotype #17 had the highest value in terms of combination of grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, 1000-grain weight and relative chlorophyll content index (SPAD-reading). Genotype #3 had the best combination of plant height, number of grains per spike, initial growth rate, spike length, relative leaf water content and flag-leaf length. Genotype #27 had the highest values ​​in terms of canopy temperature and peduncle length and genotype #76 had the highest value in terms of canopy temperature compared to other genotypes. Genotype #4 had the highest combination of traits number of days to booting and external peduncle length. Genotype #10 had high values ​​in terms of number of days to physiological maturity and number of spikes per square meter, which is a late genotype in this regard. Based on the results of correlation analysis and GT biplot analysis, biological yield, harvest index, 1000-kernel weight, SPAD-reading, number of spikes per square meter were identified as the most important traits affecting grain yield.

Based on selection criteria, genotypes # 75, 17, 72, 13, were identified as ideal genotypes under rainfed condition and are recommended for further studies in durum wheat breeding program.

The interaction of genotype × environment causes significant differences between the reactions of genotypes in different environments. The yield and stability of cultivars are greatly affected by the interaction of genotype × environment. Numerous statistical methods have been introduced to estimate the interaction of genotype × environment and selection of stable and productive genotypes. This study was conducted to investigate the interaction between genotype × environment and grain yield stability and to introduce the best genotype and also to evaluate the efficiency of parametric methods in selecting stable genotypes with high yield.

This study was conducted during four cropping years (2016-2020) at Sarab Changai Agricultural Research Station in Khorramabad. The experiment consisted of 14 lentil genotypes along with two control genotypes of Gachsaran and Sepehr. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with three replications.

Composite variance analysis showed significant effects on the interaction effect of year, genotype and genotype × environment. The importance of the interaction between genotype and environment can be inferred that the performance of cultivars in different environments is not the same and fluctuates, and stable genotypes can be identified. Considering this issue, the interaction effect of genotype × environment and the selection of stable genotypes were investigated. Based on statistics Wrick, Shukla variance, environmental coefficient of variation, coefficient of deviation from regression and coefficient of determination, genotype 5 was identified as a stable and high yield genotype. Also, based on the rank correlations, a positive and significant correlation was observed between Wrick, Shukla variance, environmental coefficient of variation and coefficient of deviation from regression. Based on the results of cluster analysis, parametric statistics were in three main clusters. Wrick, Shukla, coefficient of environmental changes and coefficient of deviation from regression were placed in one group and in the third cluster. According to the results of cluster analysis, lentil genotypes were divided into four main clusters based on average yield and parametric stability statistics of genotypes, with genotype 5 in the second group.

Based on the results of this study, the parametric stability methods except for regression coefficient and environmental variance statistics, were able to identify stable, high-yield genotypes. In general, according to the most of the parametric stability methods, genotype 5 (FLIP2014-032L) with a mean grain yield of 1574.68 kg ha-1 was introduced as a stable genotype and was proposed to cultivate in the similar environments climate.

In Iran, wheat is the most important agricultural product in terms of production and cultivated area, and the increase in its production has been receiving more attention day by day, and it is very important in terms of economy and food security of the people. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the relationships between different traits and to determine the most important traits affecting grain yield in bread wheat cultivars introduced in the northern climate of the country and to group them based on some morphological traits.

In this research, 20 varieties of wheat improved in the hot and humid climate of the north of the country were studied in the majority of randomized complete blocks design with three replications during three crop years of 2015-2016 at Gorgan Agricultural Research Station.

The results of combined analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference among the studied cultivars in terms of the investigated traits. The effect of year was also significant for all traits except the number of days to anthesis, and the interaction effect of cultivar was significant for all traits except the number of tiller/m2, peduncle length and spike length, seed yield and biological yield. The highest seed yield (5.59 t ha-1) was related to Ehsan variety. Group comparison between new and old cultivars showed significant difference between the two groups in grain yield and biological yield, harvest index, 1000-seed weight, length of grain filling period and grain filling speed, number of seeds per spike, height, days to spiking and days to anthesis traits. Grain yield had the highest correlation with harvest index (r = 0.92**), seed filling speed (r=0.632**) and thousand kernel weight (r=0.595**). Three variables, length of grain filling period, number of days to maturity and spike length were entered into the regression model as the most important traits affecting grain yield, which had negative direct effects on grain yield, and the most direct effect was related to the number of days to maturity. Factor analysis identified 5 factors that explained 89.052% of the changes. Cluster analysis based on Ward method for the studied traits grouped the cultivars into four clusters. The cultivars that were in the first and second groups had higher yields, 1000 kernel weight, and seed filling speed.

According to the obtained results, among the examined traits, the harvest index had the highest correlation coefficient with grain yield, and the three traits of grain filling period, number of days to maturity, and spike length were determined as the most important traits affecting grain yield. So that the cultivars that had a shorter maturity period and the grain filling period did not interact with the stress at the end of the season, had higher grain yield. The new cultivar Ehsan, with its higher performance in three years of testing and its placement in cluster two, which had high performance, seems to be the superior variety in the climatic conditions of Gorgan.