فصلنامه پژوهش های تولید گیاهی
سال بیست و نهم شماره 4 (زمستان 1401)

Over the past half century, intensive agriculture has increased dramatically, and agricultural landscapes have changed to simple with low cover as single crop systems similar to semi-natural habitats. This trend has led to a sharp decline in biodiversity and a reduction in the provision of ecosystem services to agriculture. It has been confirmed that among ecosystem services, pest and weed control and pollination have significant impacts on global agricultural production. This study aimed to investigate the plant biodiversity of wheat, rapeseed, barley and triticale ecosystems in an agricultural landscape (Dasht-e- Naz Sari).

This experiment was carried ou as unbalanced completely randomized design in an agricultural landscape located in Dasht-e- Naz, Sari (Mazandaran province), during crop year 2019-2020. In this study, 26 farms were selected from different parts of autumn crops (rapeseed, wheat, barley and triticale). Sampling of plant biodiversity was performed based on W pattern with 0.5 × 0.5 m2 quadrate. The samples were transferred to the agronomical research laboratory of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the flora was determined by genus and species. Then, bidiversity indices including Shannon-Weiner, Margalef, Menhinick, Simpson, Uniformity and Sorenson were calculated using the related equations. In final, based on the results, biodiversity status in the agricultural landscape was analyzed acorrding to status of landscape components including the type ecosystems, corridor, border, etc.

In this study, 25 plant species from 14 plant families were identified that 10 species belonged to narrow-leaved and 15 species belonged to broad-leaved. Among the identified species, Rapistrum rugosum, Avena ludoviciana, Phalaris minor and Cirsium arvense were the most abundant. The results showed that the plant biodiversity in this landscape was in a favorable condition based on Shannon-Weiner index, so that this index for triticale, barley, rapeseed and wheat plots were 2.64, 2.52 and 2.39 and 2.38, respectively. The amount of Menhinick index for autumn crops of rapeseed, barley, wheat and triticale was as 2.86, 2.85, 2.45 and 2.32, respectively. Also, the highest Simpson index for rapeseed, barley, wheat and triticale plots was equal 0.068, 0.047, 0.070 and 0.052, respectively. Based on our results, the highest similarities according to Sorenson index were related to triticale (1), barley (0.95), wheat (0.95) and rapeseed (0.93), respectively.

In general, the consumption of manure in some plots, the location of streams and barren lands in the margins of the plots and corridor of trees as windbreak, could affect on biodiversity of the surveyed landscape. The results of this study can be useful for comprehensive weed management program and making decision about control or improve ecosystem services through plant biodiversity.Keywords: Agricultural landscape, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services.

Rising temperatures are a severe warning to humans, and heat stress is one of the principal environmental stresses that reduce the yield of crops, including wheat, worldwide. The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has caused global warming, affecting agriculture in the future. More than 50 countries experience heat stress during the wheat growing season. Therefore, the development of heat-tolerant cultivars is one of the main goals of wheat breeding programs. This study aimed to evaluate the drought tolerance indices and determine the relationships among them and their application in wheat screening programs.

This experiment was performed using alpha-lattice design with two replications in normal and delayed cultivation conditions using 132 wheat genotypes (included 62 Iranian and foreign cultivars and 70 advanced lines). The seeds were obtained from the National Rainfed Agricultural Research Institute and the Seedling and Seed Breeding Institute. Two local control cultivars named Gonbad (Abi cultivar) and Kuhdasht (rainfed cultivar) were selected among the selected genotypes. Based on the yield under non-stress (YP) and stress (YS) conditions, tolerance indices such as stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance index (TOL), Geometric mean production (GMP), mean production index (MP), Harmonic Index (HM), Yield Index (YI), Relative Drought Index (RDI) and yield Stability Index (YSI) were calculated.

The results showed that tolerance indices such as STI, GMP, HM, and MP had a positive and significant correlation with yield under non-stress and stress conditions, and the genotypes with large numerical values for these indices had high yield under stress and non-stress conditions (Fernandez’ A group), which were included genotypes 51, 12, 24, 85, 6, 120, 47, 94 (Bahar), 72, 114, 91, 131, 16, and 127. Tolerance indices were divided into two components that explained 90.79% of the total variance, using principal component analysis. The first component, which explained 60.64% of the total variance, had a correlation of 0.75 and 0.86 with performance under stress and non-stress conditions, respectively. The second component, which explained 30.14% of the total variance, showed a correlation of 0.66 and -0.5% with performance under stress and non-stress conditions, respectively. Based on the two-dimensional plot resulting from principal component analysis, considerable genetic diversity was observed among the studied genotypes.

According to the results, genotypes that perform well under non-stress conditions will not necessarily perform well under stress conditions. Therefore, to select high-yield genotypes under stress conditions, the cultivar selection had to be made in the same stressful environment. In conclusion, it can be said that the identified genotypes using HM, GMP, and MP indices are recommended for cultivation in areas with no stress, but heat stress is likely to occur in some years. In addition, identified genotypes using YSI and RDI indices are recommended for cultivation in areas with severe heat stress at the end of the season. Accordingly, stress-resistant genotypes in F or A group C can be used as germplasm sources with heat-tolerant genes in breeding programs. Also, to locate heat stress tolerance genes, it is possible to use the intersection of genotypes located in group B of Fernandez with genotypes located in group A or C of Fernandez.

Production and consumption of button mushroom is increasing in many parts of the world due to their good nutritional value and desirable medicinal properties, but because these types of mushrooms do not have a protective outer coating, they have a short shelf life, and during the postharvest, the quality of button mushrooms decreases due to water reduction, color change, texture change, reduction of taste and nutritional value, which limits its economic value, so the application of postharvest treatments can preserve the nutritional value and improve the shelf life of these mushrooms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of postharvest treatments of melatonin and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the storage life and nutritional quality of fresh cut button mushrooms.

The postharvest treatments used in this experiment included melatonin (10 μM) and GABA (1 mM) and control (distilled water), which the mushrooms were immersed in a solution of these treatments for 5 minutes, and after drying at room temperature (24 ± 1), the mushrooms were placed in sealed containers and stored in a cold store at 4 °C with a relative humidity of 90 ± 5%. The samples were taken on days 0, 5, 10, and 15 days after treatment, and to measure browning index, hydrogen peroxide accumulation, the activity of cell membrane degrading enzymes and antioxidants enzymes were used.

The results showed that postharvest application of melatonin and GABA in fresh cut button mushrooms caused a delay in browning of slices of button mushrooms compared to control mushrooms and on the 15th day of storage, browning index in mushrooms treated with melatonin, GABA, and control was 45.78, 40.01, and 90.5%, respectively. Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in melatonin and GABA treated mushrooms was significantly reduced compared to control mushrooms due to increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase, and the highest hydrogen peroxide accumulation (51.35 μ mol g-1 FW) was obtained on the 10th day of storage in control samples. Membrane stability increased in melatonin and GABA treated mushrooms due to decreased activity of lipoxygenase and phospholipase D enzymes in these mushrooms. GABA treatment also showed better results than melatonin in most of the studied traits.

In general, according to the results of the present study, melatonin and GABA can used as an effective and safe method in maintaining nutritional quality and improving the shelf life of fresh cut button mushrooms during cold storage. Also, due to the better results provided by GABA in most of the studied traits and its cheapness compared to melatonin, it is recommended to use GABA in fresh cut mushrooms postharvest to maintain the quality of the mushrooms.

The shelf life of orange ‘Thomson Navel’ (Citrus sinensis var. Thomson Navel) is low. One of the important factors in maximum increase of fruit quality and its nutritional value is the presence of calcium and potassium in fruit tissue. Absorption of essential elements from the soil by the roots and their transfer to the aerial part of the plant, including entry into the fruit tissue are important challenges. Calcium deficiency in citrus fruits is possible due to reduced absorption from soils. The application of these elements in the form of foliar application solves this challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate frequency of combined treatment of calcium and potassium (one to four times), before and after harvest, on shelf life and fruit quality of Thomson Novell cultivar, including calcium, vitamin C and soluble solids (°Brix).

Treatments were without foliar application of calcium, once foliar application of calcium (in June), twice foliar application of calcium (in June and July), three times foliar application of calcium (in June, July and September), four times foliar application of calcium (in June, July, September and October), without foliar application of potassium, once foliar application of potassium (in June) and twice foliar application of potassium (in June and July), alone or in combination with a week distance and before harvesting fruits. After harvesting, all fruits were treated with 3 per 1000 calcium for 5 minutes as plunging. Fruits without foliar application of calcium and potassium were considered as controls. Calcium foliar application was performed at a constant rate of 3 per1000 and potassium foliar application at a rate of 2 per 1000. The last stage of treatment of fruits with calcium was done after harvest and by immersion in a solution of 3 per 1000. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications in Kharik village of Sari city. The fruits were stored at the temperature of 5°C and 85% relative humidity for 3 months. Traits of length, diameter, skin diameter, weight, juice volume, decay, vitamin C, calcium, total solid soluble (TSS), titration acidity (TA) and acidity (pH) of fruits were measured after 3 months’ storage.

The results showed that the most vitamin C (97.69 mg/100 ml fruit juice), fruit weight (242.20 g) and fruit juice volume (115.70 ml) were obtained in fruits treated with twice foliar application of calcium (in June and July at a rate of 3 per1000) together with twice foliar application of potassium (in June and July at a rate of 2 per1000). The highest diameter (78.92 mm) and the lowest decomposition were obtained in fruits treated with twice calcium (June and July at a rate of 3 per1000) together with once potassium (June at a rate of 2 per1000). The highest amount of fruit calcium (165.30 g/kg DW) was calculated in the treatment of 3 times foliar application of calcium (in June, July and September at a rate of 3 per1000) together with once foliar application of potassium (in June at a rate of 2 per1000).

In general, based on the findings of this study, foliar application of Thomson Novell cultivar through twice calcium (in June and July, at a rate of 3 per 1000) and once with potassium (in June at a rate of 2 per1000) and twice with potassium (in June and July, at a rate of 2 per1000) before harvest along with plunging into 3 per 1000 of calcium after harvest (for all oranges) is suitable for maintaining the quantity and quality of fruits during storage and this treatment is recommended.

Cultivation and development of rapeseed to produce oil and livestock food and as a second crop after rice harvest to prevent loss of land productivity is of great importance. Therefore, the selection and identification of cultivars and lines with a short period of maturity with desirable agronomic characteristics and high yield add to its importance. In this regard, the present study was conducted to identify the superior and most adaptive canola lines in terms of various agronomic and phonological traits.

In the present study, 20 rapeseed lines along with Saffar and Dalgan cultivars were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research station of the Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht during the crop year of 2019-2020. The measured traits included stem diameter, number of branches, the lowest height of branches with pods, plant height, days to ripening, days to pods, days to flowering, days to emergence, grain yield, harvest index, biomass, one thousand seed weight, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, and pod length. The Arunachalam ranking and GT-biplot analysis were performed to compare genotypes and identify the best genotypes in terms of all traits.

According to the results of ANOVA, different lines had significant differences in terms of all traits, which indicates the diversity of lines for these traits. In terms of the ripening period, the range of genotype variation was three days and ranged from 195 (in Saffar cultivar and SRL9820 line) to about 198 days (in SRL-98-15 line). In total, the highest amount of grain yield and biological yield (3773.30 and 12143.3 kg ha-1, respectively) and the highest number of pods per plant (209.1) were observed in the line SRL-98-17, and considering this line showed a short ripening period processing (196.67 days). Therefore, it could be introduced as the best line. All lines in terms of yield and other agronomic and morphological traits, were superior to the control cultivar Saffar (with a yield of 1621.67 kg ha-1). Also Delgan cultivar in terms of yield appeared superior to Saffar cultivar (290.2903 kg ha-1).

Based on the results of Arunachalam ranking and GT-biplot analysis, lines SRL-98-17, SRL-98-14, SRL-98-9, SRL-98-1, SRL-98-15, and SRL-98-12 had the highest ranks, respectively. They achieved to the highest position in terms of all phenological, morphological, and yield-related traits. Therefore, based on the results of the present study, they can be introduced as the most adaptive lines under mild and humid climate of northern of Iran.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a global food crop, and Iran with more than 5 million tons of production, ranks 13th among the world’s biggest producers of potatoes. Hamedan province is also one of the main potato producers in Iran. In this crop, the yields of quantity and quality are very dependent on an adequate application of nitrogen. However, the relatively shallow root system of the potato crop, coupled with its large nitrogen and water requirement increases the risk of nitrogen leaching. Therefore, optimizing N consumption for potato is important, both for maximizing production and for minimizing N loss to groundwater. Sustainable agriculture can play a significant role in achieving this goal. One of the methods for achieving sustainable agriculture is to create diversity by using intercropping of different plants in agriculture. Hence, the purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the response of potato as well as the resources use efficiency to intercropping with green bean.

The experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2016 growing season at the Research Farm of the Bu-Ali Sina University. Planting patterns in four levels (potato sole cropping, planting green bean between potato rows, planting green bean within potato rows, and planting green bean between and within potato rows), and three levels of urea fertilizer (0, 174 and 348 kg urea/ha) were the experimental factors. To calculate the advantages of intercropping, the pure stand of green bean was also cultivated in three replications. In intercropping, 50% of the density of green bean was added to pure stand of potato. Tuber yield, percentage and yield of tubers in different size, leaf chlorophyll content of potato, nitrogen and water use efficiency, as well as total relative yield (RYT) and land equivalent coefficient (LEC) indices were calculated and evaluated. SAS 9.1 software were used for analysis of variance (ANOVA) calculations. The difference between the means was evaluated by the least significant difference (LSD) method at the level of 5% probability.

The interaction of treatments on traits was significant except for the number of main stems and tubers per plant. The highest number and weight of root nodules were obtained from the green bean planting between potato rows with consumption of 174 kg urea/ha, and the lowest values of these were belonged to the green bean planting within potato rows with consumption of 348 kg urea/ha. Also the highest potato leaf chlorophyll was revealed at the green bean planting between potato rows with consumption of 174 kg urea/ha. Maximum total tuber yield and yield of commercial tubers were revealed at the green bean planting between potato rows with consumption of 348 kg urea/ha. However, this treatment did not show a significant difference with the treatment of green bean planting between potato rows at the fertilizer level of 174 kg urea/ha for the traits of total tuber yield and yield of commercial tubers. The highest water and urea fertilizer use efficiency were obtained from the treatment of green bean planting between potato rows at the fertilizer level of 174 kg urea/ha. Maximum RVT and LEC were achieved at green bean planting between potato rows with consumption of 174 kg urea/ha.

Generally, green bean planting between potato rows with consumption of 174 kg urea/ha compare to potato sole cropping with application of 348 kg urea/ha, improved the yield of potato and the efficiency of resources use. Therefore, it seems that this planting pattern is low input agricultural techniques and in addition to the satisfactory production can also reduce nitrogen chemical fertilizer consumption.

Wheat is the first important grain in the world and one of the strategic products of the country and the main source of protein and calories. Due to the growing trend of world population, the production and expansion of new varieties, has always been and will always be of interest to wheat breeders in the world. To achieve favorable outcomes in breeding programs, selection of parents based on general combining ability and specific combining ability is so important. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the general and specific combining ability of five different wheat cultivars and F1 hybrids derived from them in order to study the genetic structure and heritability of yield and its components to determine the type of breeding method and selection of suitable parents and hybrids.

In this study, five wheat cultivars including Kuhdasht, Karim, Qaboos, Aseman and Line 17, were crossed in a half- Diallel methode in the research farm of the Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad-e Qabous in the 2018-19 crop year. In order to comparative experiment, seeds of 10 F1 generations and parents were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the 2019-20 crop year. Then, traits Days to spike emergence date, Plant height (cm), Spike length (cm), Number of grain per spike, 1000-grain weight (g), Plant yield (g / m2) were recorded /measured.

Significance of analysis of variance indicates the existence of genetic differences between the genotypes and the possibility of continuing the analysis by Diallel method. Based on the results of genetic analysis based on the two method Griffing B models, general and specific combining abilities were significant for all traits, which indicates the simultaneous effect of additive and non-additive effects of genes in controlling traits. However, the share of additive gene effects for all traits except 1000-seed weight was higher than non-additive gene effects. In terms of increasing in spike length, number of seeds per spike, 1000-seed weight and yield, Aseman cultivar was the best compound. Also, Line 17 cultivar with the lowest general combinability was the best one in of early maturity and dwarf traits. The best hybrid for 1000-seed weight and yield was Kuhdasht×line17, that had the highest specific combining ability. The results of the Jinks-Heyman test indicated that hypothesis of the genetic analysis were satisfied only for plant height, number of seeds per spike, spike length, plant yield. Evaluation of genetic parameters by hayman method showed that the parameters D and H1 were significant, but the high contribution of variance D showed that the additive effects of genes action had greatest importance in genetic control of these traits.The rate of specific heritability also varied from 0.63 in number of seeds per spike to 0.93 for plant height.

Result of Griffing and Hayman indicated, additive and non-additive gene effects were effective for all traits. But, the low values of the mean degree of dominance and regression line break in the positive part of the Wr axis and also the significance of the GCA/SCA ratio indicate the high share of additive effects in the control of these traits. Therefore, due to the importance of additive effects, the selection method can be a suitable method to breeding these traits.

Environmental stresses including drought stress are one of the most important factors reducing performance and growth and development of plants. The use of soil microorganisms is a promising technique to increase plant resistance to water stress. This study was carried out in order to evaluate tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Tomahawk) drought stress tolerance potential under drought stress and inoculation of microbial treatment with root fungus Piriformospora indica.

The research was performed in the research site of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Urmia University, during the years 2020-2021 as factorial-split plot in time based on randomized complete block design with three replications that experimental factors included inoculation and non-inoculation with P. indica and drought stress (30, 70 and 100% FC). After exerting drought stress, harvesting (sampling) was performed four times with an interval of 10 days. The measured traits included fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, relative water content, chlorophyll a and b content, activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes, potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen amount in shoot and root tissue.

The shoot fresh, dry weight, and the relative water content decreased with drought stress and the lowest amount was recorded in 40% of field capacity. P. indica inoculation caused the preservation of these traits. P. indica treatment caused an increment of 20.27, 37.21, 16.32, 13.02, 11.1% in root length, chlorophyll a content, amount of shoot potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, respectively. P. In addition, P. indica with increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase and ascorbate peroxidase causes preservation of the chlorophyll a, b content, and the shoot fresh and dry weight that reduced the effects of drought stress.

It is inferred that microbial inoculation with P. indica by improving the growth and biochemical characteristics of plants plays an important role in increasing the resistance to water deficit stress in Festuca arundinacea. Therefore, P. indica can be used as an effective environmentally friendly compatible in drought stress conditions in Festuca arundinacea cv. Tomahawk in the urmia weather conditions.Therefore, P. indica can be used as an effective environmentally friendly compatible in drought stress conditions in Festuca arundinacea cv. Tomahawk in the urmia weather conditions.K e y w o r d s: A n t i o x i d a n t e n z y m e s, W a t e r d e f fi ci t stress, Phosphorus, Microbial inoculation, Nitrogen.

Soybean is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family and is one of the most important oil seed in the world. The northern provinces of Iran are the main soybean cultivation regions in the country, but over the years, soybean podding disorder has reduced yield in this regions and caused up to 100% damage. The disorder is more severe in late planting farms, and symptoms can be observed as plant greening, accumulation of flowers and pods, abnormal pods, bud blight, and lack of seed in pod. The results of previous studies have shown the possible role of viruses in occurrence of soybean disorder. This research was conducted to investigate the Nepovirus effect on soybean yield and cultivars, and possible role on soybean podding disorder.

770 soybean sample from Golestan provinces were collected befor and after disorder appeared, and tested by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR test for investigate the possible role of Nepovirus in disorder. The response of soybean cultivars to Nepovirus and soybean podding disorder, was evaluated in greenhouse and natural conditions. In greenhouse, 2 soybean cultivars (Katol, Saman) were inoculated mechanically at the 4-6 leaf stage. For comparison of soybean cultivars response to studied viruses and evaluation of possible role of Nepovirus on soybean podding disorder in natural condition, the experiment was performed in Golestan Agricuitural Research center as a split plot design with three factors: using net, virus inoculation and soybean cultivars with 3 replications in two years. Nepoviruses inoculated on specific plots on soybean plants at 4-6 leaf stages. ELISA and RT-PCR tests were used to ensure the plants infection with inoculated viruses, and growth indices were measured at physiological growth stage. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, and the means were compared with LSD test at 5% confidence level, using SPSS software version 16.0.

Comparing of viruse frequency in not disorder plants with podding disorder plants, did not show significant relationship between viruses and disorder incidence. In greenhouse, virus inoculation on soybean plants, caused chlorosis, stunt and systemic necrosis, but the typical symptoms of disorder such as severe falling of flowers, re-flowering, and plant greening did not show. In natural conditions, disorder was observed in all soybean cultivars, but disorder incidence was different among cultivars, and Williams variety showed less disorder in four treatments. The highest and lowest plant growth indices were observed in non-inoculation virus with use of net treatment and, virus inoculation with no use of net, respectively. Mechanical virus inoculation on different soybean cultivars, although reduced growth indices and soybeans yield, but had no significant effect on the podding disorder. In treatments with not controlling of sucker pests, the incidence of disorder was significantly higher than other treatments.

Virus inoculation on soybean plants in greenhouse and natural conditions did not cause podding disorder syndrome. Viruses in soybean plants, reduce growth indices and aggravate disorder due to the stress they inflict on the soybean plant, but are not probably the cause of the disorder alone. In treatments with not controlling of sucker pests, disorder incidence was significantly higher, so the role of sucker pests was estimated effective and important.

Rose with the scientific name of L. Rosa hybida is one of the most important and popular ornamental flowers in the world. Therefore, its production in less time and with better quality is of great commercial importance. One of the important measures in increasing the yield and quality of greenhouse roses is to increase the light available to the plant in cloudy and low light climates. For this purpose, supplementary light is used in the period of plant cultivation. Today, the use of new complementary light sources as an alternative to old light sources in improving the growth conditions of ornamental plants is considered, and in some cases, better and more effective effects of these light sources than old light sources have been observed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of light source of composite and new diodes in comparison with conventional and old metal halide and high pressure sodium light sources on morphological and physiological indices of Samurai rose. The effect of natural light in the cold season in this plant was also investigated as control. Therefore, in order to determine the optimal complementary light source for the production of cut branches of samurai cultivar by hydroponic method, supplemental exposure with metal vapor, high pressure sodium lamps, and growth light emitting diodes were used to grow greenhouse roses of Samurai cultivar.

This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 treatment groups including complementary metal halide lights, high pressure sodium and combined light emitting diodes were compared to the control (natural sunlight) in 3 replications with 4 rose bushes per replication. It was conducted in the research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture of Isfahan University of Technology and the Horticulture Laboratory in 1400-1399hsh. Morphological and biochemical traits including stem length, bud diameter, fresh and dry weight of flower stem, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, carbohydrate and anthocyanin content, pure quality of cut flower yield of Samurai rose were measured in this experiment.

Based on the results, supplementary light treatments had a significant effect on the morphological and physiological traits of Samurai rose at 1% level. Compared to the control treatment, the treatment of mixed light emitting diodes had the greatest effect on the morphological indices of bud and stem diameter; A similar result was obtained in wet and dry weight gain of the plant; Accumulation of photosynthetic pigments also had the highest level in light treatment of composite diodes. Growth light emitting diodes were able to significantly increase the level of soluble carbohydrates and anthocyanin content compared to other treatments. Examining the flower quality index, it was found that light emitting diodes improved the appearance characteristics of the flower and the highest flower performance was in the light treatment of the combined diode. Among the studied treatments, the best and highest quantity and quality of cut roses were observed by the treatments of combined light emitting diodes in comparison with other complementary light treatments as well as the control treatment.

Considering the favorable effects of combined light emitting diode treatments on the quality characteristics and yield of Samurai rose, considering higher energy efficiency, longer life and longer economic time in greenhouse crops, use Composite light emitting diodes are a priority in supplementary exposure of intensive cultures. Complementary diode supplementary lights are also recommended due to their significant superiority over the control and their positive role in improving the growth and development process of the samurai rose; Complementary diode light is also recommended as an alternative to high-pressure sodium and metal halide lights.

Effect of Different Intercropping Patterns of Common millet and Cowpea on Yield and Yield ComponentsIntroductionIntercropping systems play an important role in increasing crop quality, yield and environmental quality through the optimal use of soil, light and water nutrients. Due to the importance of intercropping for sustainable agricultural development, this study will be conducted in order to investigate the intercropping of common millet- cowpea under the alternative and incremental model.

This experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the yield and yield components of common millet (v. Pishahang) and cow pea (v. Mashhad) in intercropping. Treatments included 100% common millet (control), 100% cow pea(control), 25% common millet + 75% cow pea, 50% common millet + 50% cow pea, 75% common millet + 25% cow pea, 100% common millet +25% cow pea, 25% common millet + 100% cow pea, 100% common millet + 50% cow peaand 50% common millet + 100% cow pea. The studied traits were yield and yield components for both plants. Also, LER calculated for both plants.

The results of mean comparison of common millet showed that tiller number in common millet in 75% common millet + 25% cowpea and 100% common millet + 50% cowpea and seed number in plant in 25% common millet + 100% cowpea as compared to control (100% common millet) had the highest increase (41% and 40%, respectively) and the highest decrease (86%) among studied traits, respectively.It was also found that seed yield of common millet in 75% common millet + 25% cowpea and 25% common millet + 100% cowpea when compared to control (100% common millet) had the most increase (24%) and the most decrease (31%). Also, the results of cluster analysis in common millet showed that eight cultivated ratios were divided into three clusters and two cultivated ratios 50% common millet + 50% cowpea and 50% common millet + 100% cowpea were introduced as the best cultivated ratios in common millet. In addition, it was found that seed yield of cowpea decreased in all cultivatied ratios with compared to control. However, the greatest decrease was in the cultivatied ratios 25% cowpea+ 100% common millet and 25% cowpea+ 75% common millet. The cluster analysis results in cowpea showed that the eight cultivatied ratios were divided into two clusters, and two cultivatied ratios, control (100% cowpea) and 100% cowpea+ 25% common millet were known as the best cultivated ratios of cowpea. By calculating the land equivalent ratio found that this parameter was more than one in all cultivated ratios, which showed the superiority of mixed cultivation. However, the land equivalent ratio in the cultivated ratios 75% millet + 25% cowpea and 25% millet + 100% cowpea had the highest and lowest land equivalent ratio, respectively.

The results showed that the common millet with cowpea intercropping increased yield and yield components compared to monoculture. The best additive intercropping treatment was 50% common millet + 50% cowpea and 50% common millet + 100% cowpea. LER was much higher than one in all of the intercropping ratios, which indicates an increase in agricultural efficiency and usefulness of different ratios of intercropping crops of common millet and cowpea compared to their pure culture.

Persian rose or Varak (Rosa persica) is a thorny shrub belongs to Rosaceae family. This small scented plant due to the having a yellow-flower with a distinct reddish-brown spot in petals base and tremendous resistance to heat and drought has a great potential for modern rose breeding. Since there are not any available reports on germination habit of this aforementioned species, therefore the goal of this experiment is to evaluate the seed viability and type of dormancy in this anomalous species.

To increase the germination percentage of R. persica, collected seeds were exposed to 96% of sulfuric acid for 0, 10 and 30 min. whereupon sulfuric acid-exposed seeds were sown on MS (Murashige and Skoog) media supplemented with 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/l gibberellic acid. This combination was evaluated under ex vitro (Petri dish) and in vitro (in MS media) condition at 4 and 24°C in incubator. Data collected from many traits related to the root and stem after 6 weeks of the experiments.

Despite confirmation of seed viability via Tetrazolium test, standard germination test was failed under ex vitro condition and a few weeks after the beginning of the experiment all specimens became infected with fungus. However, under in vitro condition, treatment of seeds with sulfuric acid for 10 min and then 1 mg/l gibberellic acid, were significantly effective on germination percentage and more than 60% germination frequency was observed in 10-minute sulfuric acid treatment in a hormone-free medium while no seeds have germinated in the control. The maximum root and stem length, hypocotyl length, epicotyl length, seedling length and the number of leaves has achieved when seeds exposed to sulfuric acid for 30 min. However, 10 min treatment of seeds with sulfuric acid was more effective in increasing the length and number of lateral roots and stem diameter. Root and stem length, hypocotyl length and seedling length has increased when gibberellic acid augmented. Stem diameter, length and number of lateral roots were higher in hormone free medium while the number of leaves and epicotyl was higher in medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l gibberellic acid.

The effect of sulfuric acid on improving germination indicates physical dormancy of Iranian rose seeds. Application of whole treatments did not result to germination at 4°C. Seeds respond to germination treatments only at 24°C. The result of our study on temperature unlike other rose species reveals no need for stratification treatment.