International Journal of Plant Production
Volume:3 Issue: 3, July2009

Madder (Rubina tinctorum L.) is mainly cultivated in central part of I. R. of Iran that is an arid and desert area with scarce and saline water resources. Its root is used as herbal medicine and food additives and its shoot (top) is used as forage crop. However، little is known about its salinity tolerance and soil water limits for growth. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the limits of irrigation water salinity and soil water content for growth inhibition of madder. Furthermore، two different models were studied to describe the root water uptake and top and root growth under salinity and water stresses in a pot experiment. Irrigation treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (2، 5، and 8-day). The salinity treatments of the irrigation water were 0. 5 (tap water) ، 7. 5، 15. 5، and 23. 5 dS m-1. It is concluded that the critical volumetric soil water content equivalent to soil matric head of -1462. 0 cm for madder growth is lower than 0. 23 cm3 cm-3. The coefficient of readily available water for madder is at least 0. 6. Furthermore، the vegetative growth response factor of madder to water is 0. 33 and 0. 42 for shoot and root dry weight، respectively. There were no difference in shoot and root growth tolerance to soil salinity and irrigation water salinity at different water stress levels. Furthermore، the threshold values of soil salinity and irrigation water salinity are 17. 0 and 11. 6 dS m-1 for top growth، respectively، and 15. 3 and 8. 5 dS m-1 for root growth، respectively. The growth reduction per unit increase in soil salinity and irrigation water salinity for top growth are 0. 02 and 0. 037 % per dS m-1، respectively. These values are 0. 019 and 0. 031 % per dS m-1، respectively for root growth. Therefore، top and root growth affected similarly by increasing the soil salinity and irrigation water salinity. It is indicated that the root water uptake coefficient (α) was predicted accurately by the used models. Furthermore، the estimated values of α accurately predicted the shoot dry weight successfully. However، Homaee and Feddes (1999) method is preferred for estimation of root dry weight. Keywords: Matric head; Saline water; Soil salinity; Osmotic head; Critical soil water content; Iran

Madder (Rubina tinctorum L.) is mainly cultivated in central part of I.R. of Iran that is an arid and desert area with scarce and saline water resources. Its root is used as herbal medicine and food additives and its shoot (top) is used as forage crop. However, little is known about its salinity tolerance and soil water limits for growth. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the limits of irrigation water salinity and soil water content for growth inhibition of madder. Furthermore, two different models were studied to describe the root water uptake and top and root growth under salinity and water stresses in a pot experiment. Irrigation treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (2, 5, and 8-day). The salinity treatments of the irrigation water were 0.5 (tap water), 7.5, 15.5, and 23.5 dS m-1. It is concluded that the critical volumetric soil water content equivalent to soil matric head of -1462.0 cm for madder growth is lower than 0.23 cm3 cm-3. The coefficient of readily available water for madder is at least 0.6. Furthermore, the vegetative growth response factor of madder to water is 0.33 and 0.42 for shoot and root dry weight, respectively. There were no difference in shoot and root growth tolerance to soil salinity and irrigation water salinity at different water stress levels. Furthermore, the threshold values of soil salinity and irrigation water salinity are 17.0 and 11.6 dS m-1 for top growth, respectively, and 15.3 and 8.5 dS m-1 for root growth, respectively. The growth reduction per unit increase in soil salinity and irrigation water salinity for top growth are 0.02 and 0.037 % per dS m-1, respectively. These values are 0.019 and 0.031 % per dS m-1, respectively for root growth. Therefore, top and root growth affected similarly by increasing the soil salinity and irrigation water salinity. It is indicated that the root water uptake coefficient (α) was predicted accurately by the used models. Furthermore, the estimated values of α accurately predicted the shoot dry weight successfully. However, Homaee and Feddes (1999) method is preferred for estimation of root dry weight.

Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. is the most injurious defoliage insect pest of canola in Ardabil province of Iran. It occurs annually and causes damage in canola fields. This study was performed to identify QTLs controlling resistance to diamondback moth using SSR and RAPD markers. An F2:4 population of 180 families derived from crossing between cv. ‘SLMO46’ and cv. ‘Quantum’ were used. The number of DBM eggs (EPL) and larvae per leaf (LPL) were recorded in each F4 families on 10 randomly selected plants at rosette stage. The intensity of damage (ID) was scored as 0 to 4 according to the relative size of leaf eaten area. QTL analysis was performed using the previously constructed linkage map of SSR and RAPD markers. QTL mapping based on composite interval mapping (CIM) method identified seven QTLs for the studied traits. The explained phenotypic variance by the QTLs ranged from 13 to 35%. The QTLs showed positive and negative additive effects and inherited from both parents to the progenies. Three QTLs on linkage group three were common for LPL, EPL and ID indicating pleiotropic gene effect or linked genes for these traits. Two QTLs on linkage group 14 were also common between studied traits.

The event of partly grain-free ear is a crucial problem which can result in severe reductions in corn yield. In a two year field investigation, during 2003-2004, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) application on yield and yield components of corn (Zea mays L.) plants grown in a B and Zn-deficient calcareous soil (fine, carbonatic, thermic, Typic Haploxerepts) of southern Iran. Treatments consisted of five levels of Zn (soil application of zinc sulfate at the rates of 0, 8, 16 and 24 kg ha-1 and foliar spray of Zn solutions containing 0.3 weight percent of zinc sulfate) and four levels of B (soil application of boric acid at the rates of 0, 3 and 6 kg ha-1 and foliar spray of B solutions containing 0.1 weight percent of boric acid). Zn and B solutions were applied at the rate of 1000 L ha-1. Zn and B fertilization significantly increased plant biological yield, grain yield, thousand grain weight, number of grains per stalk, grain protein content and the concentration of B and Zn in corn tissues. There was a significant B × Zn interaction on corn yield and tissue nutrient concentrations. In general, the effect of B × Zn interaction was synergistic on corn growth and yield. Although B and Zn fertilization made significant changes in some plant nutrients, the changes were slight enough not to affect plant growth and production. It was concluded that the event of partly grain- free ear in corn is proportionally related to B and Zn deficiency in calcareous soils of southern Iran. It can be recommended that in calcareous soils of southern Iran with low levels of available Zn and B, soil application of 16- 24 kg ha-1 of zinc sulfate and foliar application of B solution containing 0.1 weight percent of boric acid (1000 L ha-1) may be applied for enhancement of grain yield and reduction of partly grain-free ear in corn. Further, it is recommended that more attention should be paid to Zn and B nutrition of corn plants in calcareous soils having low availability of these tow nutrients.

The effect of integrated use of mineral and organic N sources (farmyard manure, poultry manure, and Filter Cake) on yield and N uptake of wheat were assessed in biennial field experiment carried out on silty clay loam soil in Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture, Tarnab, Peshawar Pakistan during 2005-07. Combined dose of N provided from all sources was applied @120 kg ha-1. There were 17 treatments with four replications; wheat variety (Fakhre-e-Sarhad) was sown in RCB design. Data on grain yield and straw yield were recorded in wheat. Samples of grain and straw were analyzed for total N to determine its uptake by the crop. Results indicated that in treatment where organic and mineral fertilizers were applied in the ratio of 25:75 from either organic source improved grain and straw yield. Maximum grain yield of (3248 kg ha-1) and straw yield of (7154 kg ha-1) were obtained from treatment where 25% N was applied from poultry manure and 75% from mineral fertilizer and maximum straw yield was found in treatment where 25% from filter cake and 75% from mineral N. Agronomic efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency were also found higher in the treatment where 25% N were applied from poultry manure and 75% from mineral fertilizer. It was concluded that combination of 25:75 organic and mineral N sources are the best combination to achieve sustainable yield.

Extraordinary importance of Date-Palm, especially ‘Piarom’ variety and also undeniable effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on yield and quality of this product, caused this research to be accomplished. The research was performed during two years on 72 (4*3*3*2=72 trees) fruitful, 12 years old trees in Hormozgan province. Treatments were consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 350, 700 and 1050 grams tree-1) and three levels of phosphorous (0, 300 and 600 grams tree-1) with three replications. Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus were urea and triple super phosphate (TSP), respectively. This experiment was accomplished in a factorial manner and in a randomized complete blocks design. Fruit thinning was done in a ratio of eight leaves to one cluster. Irrigation was done through drip system and pollination according to the custom of the region. After harvesting, some plant parameters such as production yield, concentration of essential elements in leaves, average of fruit weight, reducing sugar percentage in fruits, fruit Brix and the weight ratio of fruit pulp to it,s stone were determined. Results showed that nitrogen levels caused significant variations in many considered parameters but not in concentration of copper, zinc and manganese in leaves. The effect of phosphorus levels on all plant responses was meaningful except for concentration of nitrogen, zinc, copper and manganese in leaves. Furthermore, interaction of nitrogen and phosphorus was meaningful in some cases.

Plant growth, pigment concentration, biochemical parameters and uptake of heavy metals were determined for Brassica juncea L. in response to cadmium and lead stress. The plant exhibited a decline in growth, chlorophyll content and carotenoids with Cd and Pb but Cd was found to be more detrimental than Pb treatment in B. juncea. The protein content was decreased by Cd (900 μM) to 95% and 44% by Pb (1500 μM) at the flowering stage. Proline showed increase at lower concentrations of Cd and Pb but at higher concentrations it showed decrease. More accumulation of Cd and Pb was observed in roots than shoots in B. juncea. Cd was found to be more accumulated than Pb but higher concentrations of Pb hampers the Cd absorption.

In order to produce doubled haploid lines of bread wheat resistant to strip or yellow rust, three F1 wheat hybrids were crossed using pollens of three maize hybrids. Out of 1071 pollinated florets, success in seed set ranged from 63.1% to 93.3% (mean 78%). Differences in seed set among the crosses were not significant. Embryo formation in the seeds developed on different crosses also varied from 17.2% to 60.7% (mean 27.4%). Embryos continued to develop up to 16 days when 2, 4-D was applied after pollination. One hundred three out of 211 embryos cultured, of which 42.7% developed into plants. Colchicine treatment resulted in diploidization and seed production on 56% of plants. Significant variation was observed among wheat genotypes in the frequency of DH plants (overall success). There were no significant differences among crosses dependent on various maize genotypes, indicating non-influence of maize genotypes. Response to yellow rust of 51 DH lines was assessed along with two parental cultivars, ''MV17'' (a Hungarian cultivar resistant to the yellow rust pathotypes prevalent in Iran), and ''Falat'' (a susceptible cultivar) and the check variety ''Bolani'' at seedling stage in greenhouse. Resistance was evaluated in terms of infection type, latent period, pustule size, and pustule density using the most virulent race of yellow rust in North- west of Iran, 166E134A. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the DH genotypes for all the resistance parameters. The results demonstrated the high effectiveness of the method to produce yellow rust resistant homozygous wheat genotypes in short time by doubling of haploid lines generated through pollination of wheat F1 plants with maize pollens.

The genotypic variation on physico-chemical characteristics of wild grown plums (Prunus spinosa L.) was investigated. The total phenolic contents were in a range of 117 to 407 mg GAE/100 g FW. The vitamin C was highest in yellow colored fruits (12.10 mg/100 ml). The total soluble solid content varied between 9.40% (yellow colored) and 12.90% (dark purple colored) fruits. Antioxidant activity of dark purple, red and yellow skin colored plum fruits were found between 71.15-78.99% which lowers than standard BHA (82.07%).

Unusual gender types in some Pistacia species are considered as useful material for pistachio breeding. In this report, the inflorescence characteristics of an exceptional monoecious Pistacia atlantica Desf. tree population were presented. The gender distribution was highly complex and variable among the trees. Some of the branches bore only female or male inflorescences. Also, some branches bore inflorescences belonging to both sexes concurrently. Besides, there were several branches having mixed clusters comprised the flowers of both sexes separately or hermaphrodite flowers in which the pistil and stamen concurrently appeared in some trees. In hermaphrodite flowers, defected floral organs were abundant.